Ubon Ratchathani is northest Thailand's easternmost province. It is bordered to east by the Mae Khong River and Laos, and to the south by Cambodia. The provincial capital is about 630 kilometers northeast of Bangkok. Transportation to Ubon Ratchathani from Bangkok and other major cities in Thailand can easily be made either by bus, car, train or plane.
By Car : From Bangkok, take Vibhavadhi Rangsit (Highway #1) to Saraburi, then turnright on to the Friendship Highway (Highway #2), before reaching Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), take Chokchai-Dej Udom Highway (Highway #24), then continue on this highway until reaching Ubon Ratchathani. Or, from Bangkok, take Highway #1 and turn right onto Highway #2 (at Saraburi) to Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat). Then from Korat, take High #226, passing through Burirum, Surin, Srisaket provinces, before reaching Ubon Ratchathani. Traveling by car will take approximately 7 hours.
By Bus : Nakornchai Air-conditioned coaches leave Bangkok daily. For more information call : (Bangkok) 0936-3900-1, (Ubon Ratchathani) 045-269385-8
By Train : For more information call : Bangkok (02)233-0341
By Plane : TG flies from Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani 2 times daily (morning and evening). For more information call : Bangkok (02)280-0060

Ubon Ratchathani is about 200 years old and covers the area of 16,110.75 square kilometers with the population of about 1.6 milloin in size. Majority of the entire population are Buddhist and engaged in agriculture and other related activities.

The province is renowed for its strong Buddhist tradition, particularly practice of the forest-dwelling monks and the ancient Buddhist temples which can still be seen throughout the province nowadays. Moreover, it is unique in its folk culture which finds expression in the indigenous cuisine, handicrafts, such as silk and cotton products, basketry, and bronze-ware, and traditional events such as Songkran festival in April and the Candle festival in July. Apart from being unique in its culture and tradition, Ubon Ratchathani or "City of the Lotus" is, likewise, known fot its natural beauty and historical sites including the 4,000 years old rock formation, prehistoric rock paintings, national parks, waterfalls, and the two-colored river, etc.

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Wate Nong Bou Located on the city outskirts, just off Km. 3 on Route 212 to Amnat Charoen, the temple is bset know for a rectangular chedi resembling that in India's Bodhagaya, the site of the Buddha's enlightenment, more then 2,500 years ago.

Wat Suputtanaram Woraviharn, on Somdej Road, was the home of the Dharmayuthi sect in the mid-1 9th century. The architecture of the main chapel is an interesting mix of Thai, European and Khmer styles. In front of chapel is a huge wooden bell.

Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram (Wat Si Thong) on Uparat Road was built in 1855. The ordination hall, an imitation of the Marble Temple in Bangkok, houses a topaz Chiang Saen Buddha image. This image was brought to Thailand from Vientiane at the same time as the Emerald Buddha, which was later enshrined at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.

Wat Maha Wanaram on Sapphasit Road is the principal temple of Ubon. Built in 1807, it houses the Phra Chao Yai Indra Plang, a Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Mara.

Wat Chaeng on Sapphasit Road was built in 1888. There are some striking wood carvings in front of the main chapel including a mythical half elephant half-horse creature as well as a depiction of Erawan, the three-headed elephant of Indra.

Wat Thung Si Muang on Luang Road was constructed in the reign of King Rama III. The temple is a mix of early Rattanakosin and Lao style architecture. Along with a representation of a Buddha footprint in the one of the buildings.There is a scripture hall built on stilts in the middle of a pond.

The Phra That Chedi Si Maha Pho in Wat Nong Bua on Thammavithee Road was built to commemorate the 25th century of Buddhism. The chedi, a reproduction of the Mahabodi chedi in Bodhgaya, India, contain relics of the Lord Buddha.

Wat Nong Pa Pong in Warin Chamrap district eight km from Ubon is a peaceful forest temple. Many westerners have visited the temple over the years to study meditation. Some have been ordained as monks. There is a museum there and a chedi containing the remains of Ajan Chaa, the late revered abbot. The temple has several branches in Ubon and one in England.

Wat Pa Nanachat, also in Warin Chamrap district, is a branch of Wat Nong Pa Pong. Most of the monks there are Westerners or Japanese. English is widely spoken. The temple is opposite Beung Wai village on the road to Si Sa Ket.

Ubon Ratchathani National Museum on Khuen Khan Road was formerly a palace of King Rama Vl. The museum's collection ranges from ancient bronze tools and Ban Chiang-style pottery to fine examples of Southeast Asian art produced since the Dhavaravadi period. There is also an exhibition of Ubon crafts and culture. Many of the exhibits have English sub-titles.

Ban Pa-ao, 21 km from Ubon, is a village whose economy is centred on cloth weaving, bronzeware and silverware . A crafts centre there hold demonstrations and has a wide selection of goods for sale.

Kaeng Saphu is a beautiful set of rapids in the Moon River 75 km east of Ubon. The best time to visit the area is between January and May.

Kaeng Tana Natonal Park was the first national park established in Ubon. The park is located in Khong Chiam and Sirindhorn districts.

Chong Mek, on the Thai-Lao border in Sirindhorn district, is the only place in Thailand where you can travel into Laos by land. The local market has a good selection of Lao and Vietnamese handicrafts and souvenirs. The government is upgrading infrastructure in the area to promote industry and tourism.

The "Two-Colour River" in Khong Chiam district is where the Moon and the Mae Khong Rivers meet. Two different colours of water can clearly be seen at the confluence, especially in April. Boats can be hired for cruises on the Mae Khong, while a ferry service takes visitors to the market on the Lao side.

Pha Taem National Park 94 km northeast of Ubon has some beautiful scenery and interesting sights. The park gets name its from a cliff called Pha Taem, where there are paintings believed to be about 3,000 years old. The paintings show a variety of animals, human hands and geometric designs.

The Prasat Ban Ben in Thung Si Udom subdistrict 63 km from Ubon is a Khmer religious complex consisting of three buildings built from the late 1 5th to early 1 6th centuries.

Isan's most spectacular Candle Festival is held Ubon in late July. The festival coincides with Khao Phansa, the beginning of Buddhist Lent. Giant elaborately carved candles are carried around town in colourful processions during the five-day festival. There are competitions for the most magnificent float, as well as beauty contests, music and games.

The Songkran Festival at Kaeng Saphu is a joyful affair. In addition to the traditional Nang Songkran (Miss Songkran) beauty contest, there are concerts, cultural shows and fun fair-type activities. A wide range of local crafts and souvenirs are available. And as it is everywhere in Thailand, water-throwing revelry is a big part of the scene.