Pattaya to Udon Thani
A Little Piece of Genuine Thailand.

Pattaya to Udon Thani and Information about Udon Thani

The slower pace of Life, friendly Thais, beautiful parks, night markets, genuine smiles that Thailand is known for and still free of large numbers of tourists.

Udon Thani is still somewhat of a hidden germ and is not mentioned often in travel guides yet but there is no doubt this will change.

The signs of growth are visible. Already, more and more expats discover Udon as a new retirement home or for long time visits.

Not only is Udon the transport hub for the surrounding provinces but also an agricultural market center. If you stay only a day or for a few days you may want to explore the area close to the Bus station. This page will give you enough info to find your way around for your first couple of days in Udon Thani.

Getting to Udon Thani From Pattaya

From Pattaya to Udon Thani is the same bus route as you would take if you go from Pattaya to Nongkhai. The bus station is on Sukhumvit road in Pattaya. Go up Pattaya Klang up to Sukhumvit Road and take a left. The bus station is right on the first Gas station about 200 Meters from Pattaya Klang.

The bus from Pattaya to Udon is coming from Rayong, going to KhonKaen, Udon Thani and then Nong Khai (route 407). The bus trip takes about 11 hours. I left at 8:00 P.M and arrived in Nong Khai around 7:00 A.M the next Morning.

There are several buses leaving daily. fares for the Bus from Pattaya to NongKhai is 450 Baht. If you are going straight to the Laotian border you can take a Tuk Tuk from the bus station. You may want to buy a ticket a day or two in advance.

Sleep - Hotels - Guesthouses

There is an array of guesthouses for you to choose from. Just walk around the Prajak Road and you can find decent places for 250-350 Baht. You can also book a Hotel in Udon Thani in advance.

Nightlife

Udon has a nightlife that does not compare to places like Bangkok or Pattaya, but it has a growing number of farang bars and also Night clubs that are frequented by Thais and foreigners. There are also a number of bars where Thai Ladies can be bar fined and by exploring the area you will find that in Udon not all girls are girls (If Katoeys is what blows your skirt up, you will find them here as well).

Most of the nightlife is happening around the Prajak Road and Tikatthanon Road near the Bus station on Sai Uthit Road. Freelancers are walking the streets at night and they are easy to spot, get to know and talk to. If you follow the Prajak Road to the end you will find the Railway station.

Udon Thani Railway Station

In that area you will find the night market where you can shop till you drop and you can eat a wonderful variety of good Thai food at the market too.

If you explore the area there you will find many farang bars. One of the nicest bars in my opinion is Fuzzy Ken's.

A jolly English fellow who's been in Udon for 5 years at the time of this writing (2009). Pick up a map of Udon Thani at his bar, guesthouse and library.

Thai Massages

Along Prajak Road you will be greeted by Ladies who sit outside Massage parlors. An hour of Thai massage is somewhere around 100-150 Baht and even though on my visits I have never had a massage in Udon Thani but I have been told some of these places are very clean and offer excellent Thai massages.

Getting Around Udon Thani

This city offers several options of cheap and easy transportation. Like anywhere in Thailand it is best to agree on a price before you jump on the back of a motorbike taxi or into the back of a Saamlaw (three wheeled taxis).

Motorized saamlaws will cost you around 25 Baht to over 100 Baht depending on where you are going. There are 2 main city buses (white and yellow colored). Bus fares range from 10-15 Baht. SongTaews are as common in Udon as in most Cities in Thailand and cost in Udon 10 Baht within the city and 15 Baht for longer trips and a little more after dark.

Wave a songtaew down, jump on, and ring a bell when you want to get off. Make sure you have change on you which will make it easy for you and the driver. After dark: The only means of transportation will be a saamlaw and the fare is best agreed upon before embarking on your journey.

Important Phone Numbers

Ambulance / Fire / Police: 191
Ambulance and rescue: 1669
Alcoholics Anonymous: 087-1922-253 / 086-7145-568 / 085-0109-162
Highway Police: 042-2951-55
Tourist Police: 042-211291 / 1155 / www.touristpolice-udon.com
Tourist Office: 042-325406-7
Nongkhai Immigration: 042-420242
Health Line: 1675

Pattaya to Udon Thani and...

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