We stumbled upon Udon Thani and the lake filled with beautiful lotus flowers quite by accident. After spending New Year’s and New Year’s Eve in Bangkok, we were pondering how to plan the remaining two weeks in Thailand. We began searching for places we hadn’t yet visited, both near and far from the capital. We hadn’t had a chance to explore the northeastern region of the country before, so we decided to focus on this area. After poring over the internet for information about the larger cities in this region, we settled on Udon Thani and the nearby Red Lotus Lake. The pictures we found online captivated us, but let us assure you – they don’t even begin to capture the true beauty of this place. More about Red Lotus Lake you can read HERE :).
Getting to Udon Thani
The distance from Bangkok to Udon Thani is 572 km. This route can be traveled by land (via a direct overnight train, bus, or car) or by air, as Udon Thani has its own airport. We opted for the latter, especially since the flight cost was very attractive (for three people, we paid around $40). However, getting from Udon Thani airport to our hotel posed a bit of a challenge due to the late hour of our arrival.
Here’s a small tip from us – if your flight is during the day, you shouldn’t have any trouble using the “limousine service” – a private bus that will take you to your destination for 80 THB per person. Another option for transportation between the airport and the city is the Songthaew “15,” which runs between the city and the airport and stops next to a 7-Eleven nearby – costing just 10 THB (as of August 2019).
At the hour of our arrival, finding a taxi in front of the terminal was futile. Fortunately, luck was on our side. After exiting the terminal and waiting a few minutes – during which we contemplated how we would get to the city – we spotted a taxi that had returned to the terminal to finish its workday. Luckily, we managed to convince the driver to take us to our hotel. Although we had to do some serious negotiating as he was already eyeing the end of his shift.
Our Hotel and the Wonderful Owners
The hotel we booked was just 5 km from the airport. We chose it based on its location, reviews, and fairly low cost, and thus we settled on Kitlada Hotel. You can book it HERE. It is a small, three-star hotel run by incredibly friendly people. Proof? Well, after checking in and dropping off our bags, we wanted something to eat and to buy food for later. We went to the reception to ask where we could grab a bite nearby. While there was a 7-Eleven about 1 km from the hotel on the map, we hoped there might be something closer, considering the late hour and our fatigue. Unfortunately, the reception staff only mentioned the 7-Eleven.
We then inquired about calling a taxi, as even GRAB (the equivalent of UBER) wasn’t helping. The receptionist tried to show us something and explain, but she struggled to communicate in English. With a smile on her face, she finally said, “Wait! Wait!” and disappeared for a moment. Shortly after, she returned with her supervisor, who also smiled and gestured for us to follow him. He then drove us to the shop in his private car. We wanted to pay him, but he categorically refused. What’s more – as we later discovered – he waited for us near the shop until we finished shopping and took us back. Well, all we could do was say “thank you” and return that genuine smile. Later on, we left a package of Polish sweets as a token of our gratitude.
Regarding the hotel, we should add that the breakfasts were excellent, the rooms very clean, and the entire staff was incredibly kind. If you ever find yourself in Udon Thani, we highly recommend Kitlada Hotel! The quality-to-price ratio is fantastic!
Christians in Udon Thani
We planned to stay in Udon Thani for two days. We dedicated the first day to leisurely exploring the city. And figuring out how to get to Red Lotus Lake (as there is no organized tourism in the city). The second day was set aside for our trip to Red Lotus Lake, which is about 40 km south of the city. Just the day before, we reached out to a local group on Couchsurfing. We asked if anyone would be willing to meet up for a coffee. Or show us around the city. The next day, we received a message from Marcel, a Polish guy living in Udon Thani. Marcel teaches English here (yes, we Poles are everywhere:)). He proposed a meetup and mentioned he would be attending a Christian Community gathering in the morning (it was Sunday), but would have some time afterward. As it turned out, we ended up participating in that gathering as well.
Having the chance to attend such an event is not an everyday occurrence. I mean… Thailand is a Buddhist country, and Christians are a significant minority. Thus, we approached this meeting with genuine curiosity. It was organized by the International Christian Fellowship. More about the Fellowship can be read HERE. After prayer and Bible reading, we were invited to a meal prepared by the community members. The gathering was quite interesting for us. It gave us a chance to meet many fascinating people from around the world, all of whom had their lives intertwined with Udon Thani in one way or another. Of course, we also met our fellow countryman. Marcel worked in the city as an English teacher, and his Thai girlfriend hailed from the Udon Thani area. Adam wasn’t bored either. There was a playroom for children with an animator on the upper floor of the building where the gathering was held.
Nong Prajak Public Park – Relax in the Heart of the City
After the Christian community gathering, we decided to visit a place that had certainly caught our interest while reading about Udon Thani. This place was called Nong Prajak Public Park. What makes this location interesting is.. a giant yellow duck on the lake, which serves as a kind of city symbol :). But as it turns out, there’s more. This park is abundant in greenery and has infrastructure for children, which definitely pleased our youngest traveler. Adam loved the playground situated on an island in the lake. The park is exceptionally clean and ideal for relaxing amidst nature. We highly recommend it!
UD Town – Night Market
We had the opportunity to meet up once again with Marcel and his Thai girlfriend, Fern. In the evening, we visited the UD Town night market, located in the city center along the railway tracks near the station. This market features many restaurants, a Tesco Lotus for any larger shopping needs, and endless stalls with delicious street food. Enjoying a feast with our new friends, we had a lovely evening together.
It was a fantastic day, and we must admit there were quite a few attractions for such a spontaneous outing. The next day, the main attraction of the region was awaiting us. But more on that can be read HERE! 🙂
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