Ubon Ratchathani
Encyclopedia
Ubon Ratchathani is a city on the Mun River
in the south-east of the Isan
region of Thailand
. It is known as Ubon for short. The name means "Royal Lotus City." The provincial seal features a pond with a lotus flower and leaves in a circular frame. Ubon is the administrative centre of Ubon Ratchathani province
. As of 2006, the Ubon urban area had a population of about 200,000. This included 85,000 in Thetsaban Nakhon Ubon Ratchathani (Ubon municipality), 30,000 each in Thetsaban Mueang Warin Chamrap (Warin municipality) and Thetsaban Tambon Kham Yai, 24,000 in Thetsaban Tambon Saen Suk, and 10,000 each in Thetsaban Tambon Pathum and Tambon Kham Nam Saep, and 6000 in Thetsaban Tambon Ubon.
the Great. Later Thao Kham Phong was appointed to be “Phra Pathum Wongsa” and the first ruler of Ubon Ratchathani. In 1792 Ubon Ratchathani became a province. it was also the administrative center of the monthon Isan. Until 1972 the Ubon Ratchathani province was the largest province of Thailand in area. Yasothon province
was split off in 1972 and followed by Amnat Charoen province
in 1993. Ubon now ranks 5th in area.
Ubon Ratchathani sits on the northern bank of the Mun River
. The south bank of the river is occupied by the suburb of Warin Chamrap
(Warin for short), which is effectively incorporated into the city.
The city was attacked by French forces in 1940 in retaliation for Thai attacks on French Indonchinese towns.
Ubon grew extensively during World War II
when Japanese
forces brought in prisoners of war
by rail from Kanachanaburi. One legacy of this is a monument in the city's central Thung Si Meuang Park erected by British
POWs in gratitude to the citizens of Ubon for assisting them. During the Vietnam war
, United States armed forces
constructed the in-town Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base
, which is now also a dual-use commercial airport
.
Lao
influence is evident in the architectural structure of some of the city’s religious buildings.
The city has branches of the National Archives of Thailand and National Museum of Thailand
, held in July to mark the beginning of the rainy season retreat
for Buddhists, Wan Khao Phansa , also called Buddhist Lent. One day prior, the candles are taken to Thung Si Mueang, the central park in the middle of the city, to be decorated and then exhibited in the evening. On the same evening, there are many smaller processions to bring candles to practically all Buddhist temples in Thailand. The main procession in Ubon takes place early the following morning.
Other Buddhist temples, in and around the city include Wat Thung Si Mueang (Thai
: วัดทุ่งศรีเมือง), located in the centre of the city which features an old wooden library on stilts in a small lake, and Wat Nong Bua (Thai
: วัดหนองบัว) near the Big C mall. The latter features a chedi (temple) modelled on that at Bodh Gaya in India.
Wat Ban Na Mueang has a concrete three-headed elephant gate (visitors drive in beneath its legs), and a temple shaped like a large barge complete with giant concrete oarsmen. another temple at the rear is shaped like a houseboat, and sits in a lake with catfish to feed.
The Ratchathani Asok community on the south bank of the river have a Buddhist agricultural commune, with restored fishing boats mounted on boulders as houses, and a concrete central hall moulded and painted to look like a giant treehouse. They sell various products produced on their farms.
Wat Nong Pha Pong south of the city is a pleasant forest temple.
The city is the seat of a Catholic diocese, and also has a mosque for its Pakistani-descended Muslim population (at the eastern end of Thanon Upalisan), and a gurdwara for its Sikh community (Thanon Ubonkit in the central city).
Assumption School
, next to Tesco-Lotus on Thanon Chayangkun is a prestigious private Catholic school.
Ubon Ratchathani University
is a rural campus 15km south of the city, but accessible by two songthaew routes.
Ratchaphat University Ubon
is an upgraded technical college just north of the central city.
Ratchathani University is a private university with a large campus between the 5-km marker on the Ring Road, and the Mun river.
Mahachulalongkorn Ratchawitthayalai University
is a Bangkok Buddhist university with a small campus on Wat Mahawanaram in the city, and a new and much larger, but isolated campus in Tambon Krasop, northeast of the Ring Road.
North Eastern Polytechnic College has a campus on Thanon Chayangkun near the Big C Mall.
Ubon Polytechnic College has a campus on Thanon Chongkonnithan west of the city centre.
Ratchathani Technology Vocational College is north of the Ring Road on Thanon Ubon 2.
There is another Vocational College on Thanon Phrommarat in the city centre.
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University
, while Bangkok-based, operates the small Sun Witthaya Phatthana Ubon Ratchathani centre next to the National Archives, a block west of the Ring Road.
Ubon Technical College is near SK Mall.
Boromratchachonranni Nursing College is a block east of Sapphasit Prasong hospital.
Ubonwittayakhom School is a primary school in the heart of Ubon Ratchathani, near the airport. They do have foreigners now to teach English with best results.
is also an active Royal Thai Air Force
(RTAF) base, the home of 2nd Air Division/21st Wing Air Combat Command. During the Vietnam War, US and Australian squadrons were based here. Dependong on economic conditions, 2 or 3 carriers operate 3 to 7 daily flights to Bangkok.
. The railhead reached Warin in April 1930. The terminal station is called Ubon Ratchathani, but is located in Warin Chamrap municipality.
, which operate frequently between 0600 and 1800 hours, on fixed routes for 10-15 baht per trip. Routes are indicated by numbers and the colour of the vehicle. All routes pass through the centre of Ubon and/or Warin cities. Route 8 is a ring route through Ubon city. No songthaew serve the airport, so airline passengers must use tuktuk instead.
is located in Ubon Ratchathani.
Mun River
The Mun River , sometimes spelled Moon River, is a tributary of the Mekong river. It carries approximately 21,000 cubic kilometres of water per year.-Geography:...
in the south-east of the Isan
Isan
Isan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
region of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. It is known as Ubon for short. The name means "Royal Lotus City." The provincial seal features a pond with a lotus flower and leaves in a circular frame. Ubon is the administrative centre of Ubon Ratchathani province
Ubon Ratchathani Province
-History:The area was part of the Khmer Empire. Before the late eighteenth century, this area evidently was outside Siamese or Thai Ayutthaya Kingdom....
. As of 2006, the Ubon urban area had a population of about 200,000. This included 85,000 in Thetsaban Nakhon Ubon Ratchathani (Ubon municipality), 30,000 each in Thetsaban Mueang Warin Chamrap (Warin municipality) and Thetsaban Tambon Kham Yai, 24,000 in Thetsaban Tambon Saen Suk, and 10,000 each in Thetsaban Tambon Pathum and Tambon Kham Nam Saep, and 6000 in Thetsaban Tambon Ubon.
History
The city was founded in the late 18th century by Thao Kham Phong , descendant of Phra Wo and Phra Ta, who escaped from King Siribunsan of Vientiane into Siam Kingdom during the reign of King TaksinTaksin
Taksin ; was the only King of the Thonburi Kingdom...
the Great. Later Thao Kham Phong was appointed to be “Phra Pathum Wongsa” and the first ruler of Ubon Ratchathani. In 1792 Ubon Ratchathani became a province. it was also the administrative center of the monthon Isan. Until 1972 the Ubon Ratchathani province was the largest province of Thailand in area. Yasothon province
Yasothon Province
Yasothon is one of the provinces of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand on the Chi River. Neighboring provinces are Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket and Roi Et.-Geography:...
was split off in 1972 and followed by Amnat Charoen province
Amnat Charoen Province
Amnat Charoen is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon and Mukdahan. To the east it borders Salavan of Laos.-Geography:...
in 1993. Ubon now ranks 5th in area.
Ubon Ratchathani sits on the northern bank of the Mun River
Mun River
The Mun River , sometimes spelled Moon River, is a tributary of the Mekong river. It carries approximately 21,000 cubic kilometres of water per year.-Geography:...
. The south bank of the river is occupied by the suburb of Warin Chamrap
Amphoe Warin Chamrap
Warin Chamrap is a district in the western part of Ubon Ratchathani Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Mueang Ubon Ratchathani, Sawang Wirawong, Na Yia, Det Udom, Samrong of Ubon Ratchathani Province and Kanthararom of Sisaket Province.The important water...
(Warin for short), which is effectively incorporated into the city.
The city was attacked by French forces in 1940 in retaliation for Thai attacks on French Indonchinese towns.
Ubon grew extensively during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
when Japanese
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
forces brought in prisoners of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
by rail from Kanachanaburi. One legacy of this is a monument in the city's central Thung Si Meuang Park erected by British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
POWs in gratitude to the citizens of Ubon for assisting them. During the Vietnam war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, United States armed forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
constructed the in-town Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force facility and is the home of Wing 21 of the RTAF 2nd Air Division. It is located in East-Central Thailand, near the city of Ubon Ratchathani, in the Ubon Ratchathani Province. It is approximately 305 miles North-East of Bangkok...
, which is now also a dual-use commercial airport
Ubon Ratchathani Airport
Ubon Ratchathani Airport is a commercial airport located in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.-Airlines and destinations:-Military Use:As well as being a commercial facility, Ubon Ratchathani Airport is also an active Royal Thai Air Force base, the home of 2nd Air Division/21st Wing Air Combat...
.
Lao
Lao people
The Lao are an ethnic subgroup of Tai/Dai in Southeast Asia.-Names:The etymology of the word Lao is uncertain, although it may be related to tribes known as the Ai Lao who appear in Han Dynasty records in China and Vietnam as a people of what is now Yunan Province...
influence is evident in the architectural structure of some of the city’s religious buildings.
The city has branches of the National Archives of Thailand and National Museum of Thailand
Festivals
Ubon is best known for its annual Candle FestivalUbon Ratchathani Candle Festival
The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, the most elaborate of the traditional parading of candles to wats , is held in Ubon Ratchathani, Isan, Thailand, around the days of Asanha Puja and Wan Kao Pansa .At the start of the Lenten period, it is traditional in preparation for the rainy season for...
, held in July to mark the beginning of the rainy season retreat
Vassa
Vassa , also called Rains Retreat, or Buddhist Lent, is the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada practitioners...
for Buddhists, Wan Khao Phansa , also called Buddhist Lent. One day prior, the candles are taken to Thung Si Mueang, the central park in the middle of the city, to be decorated and then exhibited in the evening. On the same evening, there are many smaller processions to bring candles to practically all Buddhist temples in Thailand. The main procession in Ubon takes place early the following morning.
Sights and attractions
The province is also renowned for its strong Buddhist tradition, particularly the practice of monks dwelling in the forest . Wat Nong Pa Pong, for example, is a Buddhist forest monastery which was established by Venerable Achan Chah Subhaddo (พระอาจารย์ชา สุภทฺโท) in 1954. Achan Chah’s style of teaching and personality had a unique ability to reach people of other nationalities. Many foreigners came to learn from, train under, and ordain with Achan Chah. Wat Pa Nanachat (International Forest Monastery) was then established in 1975. Since that time, Wat Pa Nanachat has become a respected Forest monastery, it currently includes under its umbrella over fifty monks representing twenty-three nationalities.Other Buddhist temples, in and around the city include Wat Thung Si Mueang (Thai
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
: วัดทุ่งศรีเมือง), located in the centre of the city which features an old wooden library on stilts in a small lake, and Wat Nong Bua (Thai
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
: วัดหนองบัว) near the Big C mall. The latter features a chedi (temple) modelled on that at Bodh Gaya in India.
Wat Ban Na Mueang has a concrete three-headed elephant gate (visitors drive in beneath its legs), and a temple shaped like a large barge complete with giant concrete oarsmen. another temple at the rear is shaped like a houseboat, and sits in a lake with catfish to feed.
The Ratchathani Asok community on the south bank of the river have a Buddhist agricultural commune, with restored fishing boats mounted on boulders as houses, and a concrete central hall moulded and painted to look like a giant treehouse. They sell various products produced on their farms.
Wat Nong Pha Pong south of the city is a pleasant forest temple.
The city is the seat of a Catholic diocese, and also has a mosque for its Pakistani-descended Muslim population (at the eastern end of Thanon Upalisan), and a gurdwara for its Sikh community (Thanon Ubonkit in the central city).
Education
Ubon's most prestigious school is Benchama Maharacha School, which offers an English language stream.Assumption School
Assumption School
The Assumption School was a Catholic elementary school in Chicago, Illinois from 1899 to 1945. Located at 317 West Erie Street, it was founded by Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American to be made a Catholic saint...
, next to Tesco-Lotus on Thanon Chayangkun is a prestigious private Catholic school.
Ubon Ratchathani University
Ubon Ratchathani University
Ubon Ratchathani University was established as a campus of Khon Kaen University, Thailand, in 1987. It gained independent university status in 1990.-History :...
is a rural campus 15km south of the city, but accessible by two songthaew routes.
Ratchaphat University Ubon
Rajabhat University system
The Rajabhat Universities compose one of the university systems in Thailand.They were formerly called Rajabhat Institutes, and originally formed the teachers college system. Most provinces have one and they are generally easier to gain admission to than the so-called "public universities"...
is an upgraded technical college just north of the central city.
Ratchathani University is a private university with a large campus between the 5-km marker on the Ring Road, and the Mun river.
Mahachulalongkorn Ratchawitthayalai University
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University or MCU is one of two public Buddhist universities in Thailand. It is located at Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara in Bangkok.- History :...
is a Bangkok Buddhist university with a small campus on Wat Mahawanaram in the city, and a new and much larger, but isolated campus in Tambon Krasop, northeast of the Ring Road.
North Eastern Polytechnic College has a campus on Thanon Chayangkun near the Big C Mall.
Ubon Polytechnic College has a campus on Thanon Chongkonnithan west of the city centre.
Ratchathani Technology Vocational College is north of the Ring Road on Thanon Ubon 2.
There is another Vocational College on Thanon Phrommarat in the city centre.
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University or STOU is one of the two open universities in Thailand.-History:...
, while Bangkok-based, operates the small Sun Witthaya Phatthana Ubon Ratchathani centre next to the National Archives, a block west of the Ring Road.
Ubon Technical College is near SK Mall.
Boromratchachonranni Nursing College is a block east of Sapphasit Prasong hospital.
Ubonwittayakhom School is a primary school in the heart of Ubon Ratchathani, near the airport. They do have foreigners now to teach English with best results.
Airport
As well as being a commercial facility, Ubon Ratchathani AirportUbon Ratchathani Airport
Ubon Ratchathani Airport is a commercial airport located in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.-Airlines and destinations:-Military Use:As well as being a commercial facility, Ubon Ratchathani Airport is also an active Royal Thai Air Force base, the home of 2nd Air Division/21st Wing Air Combat...
is also an active Royal Thai Air Force
Royal Thai Air Force
The Royal Thai Air Force or RTAF is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. Since its establishment in 1913, as one of the earliest air forces of Asia, the Royal Thai Air Force had engaged in many major and minor battles. During the Vietnam war era, the air force has been developed with USAF-aid...
(RTAF) base, the home of 2nd Air Division/21st Wing Air Combat Command. During the Vietnam War, US and Australian squadrons were based here. Dependong on economic conditions, 2 or 3 carriers operate 3 to 7 daily flights to Bangkok.
Bus terminal
The town's main bus station is located in the northwest of the city, on the Ring Road (Highway 231), 500m west of its intersection with Thanon Chayangkun (Highway 212) outskirts of the city. Nakhonchai Air operates its own private bus terminal on Thanon Sathitnimankan just north of the Ubon Watsadu warehouse.Railway terminal
The eastern terminus of the northeastern railway line from Hua Lamphong Railway Station , Bangkok's grand central station, is in Warin ChamrapAmphoe Warin Chamrap
Warin Chamrap is a district in the western part of Ubon Ratchathani Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Mueang Ubon Ratchathani, Sawang Wirawong, Na Yia, Det Udom, Samrong of Ubon Ratchathani Province and Kanthararom of Sisaket Province.The important water...
. The railhead reached Warin in April 1930. The terminal station is called Ubon Ratchathani, but is located in Warin Chamrap municipality.
Within the city
There are no taxis. Tuktuk can be found at the main shopping malls and markets, and operate fixed prices to various destinations such as the airport or railway station. Regular public transport is by songthaewSongthaew
A songthaew , also known in English as a baht bus, is a passenger vehicle in Malaysia, Thailand and Laos adapted from a pick-up or a larger truck and used as a share taxi....
, which operate frequently between 0600 and 1800 hours, on fixed routes for 10-15 baht per trip. Routes are indicated by numbers and the colour of the vehicle. All routes pass through the centre of Ubon and/or Warin cities. Route 8 is a ring route through Ubon city. No songthaew serve the airport, so airline passengers must use tuktuk instead.
Songthaew Routes
| Songthaew Route | Common Destinations |
|---|---|
| ม(Mor) | Main bus terminal via Ring Road and Thanon Chaengsanit (psychiatric hospital), clocktower roundabout (Ratchaphat University, SK Mall), Thanon Phalochai, Thano Uparat (Thung Si Mueang), Warin market, to Ubon Ratchathani University. |
| 1 | Ban Nong Kae in Tambon Chaeramae, via Yasothon Road, then up Ring Road to main bus terminal, back down Ring Road, Thanon Chanegsanit, clocktower roundabout (Ratchaphat University, SK Mall), Thanon Sapphasit, Thung Si Mueang, Sapphasit hospital, Ubonrak Thonburi Hospital, Talat Yai (central market), Warin market, to Ubon Ratchathani University. |
| 2 | Rear of Si Pathum Phitthayakhan school, via Thanon Klang-awut, Thanon Chayangkun, main bus terminal, Thanon Chayangkun (Big C, Ratchawet Hospital, NE Polytechnic college, Tesco-Lotus), Thanon Ratchathani, clocktower roundabout (Ratchaphat University, SK Mall), Thanon Chaengsanit, Thanon Sapphasit, Thanon Phitchitrangsan, Main Post Office, Ubon city hall, Thung Si Mueang, Warin market, Ubon Ratchathani railway station |
| 3 | Ratchathani Technology Voctational college via Thanon Ubon 2, Thanon Chayangkun, main bus terminal, Thanon Chayangkun (Big C, Ratchawet Hospital, NE Polytechnic college, Tesco-Lotus, Robinsons), Thanon Sapphisit (Sapphasit Prasong Hospital), Thanon Luang, Main Post Office, Talat Yai (central market), Warin market, Kantharalak road, Big C, Ban Ko. |
| 6 | Benchama Maharacha School (Thanon Sapphasit) via Thung Si Mueang and Warin market to Khai Sapphasitthi Prasong Hospital. |
| 7 | Wat Pakittiyansophon in Ban Dong Saen Suk, via Ban Nikhom Phattana, Thanon Ubon-Trakan, Thanon Sapphisit (Sapphasit Prasong hospital), Thanon Suriyat, Thanon Chayangkun (Robinsons), Thanon Ratchathani, clocktower roundabout (Ratchaphat University, SK Mall), Thanon Chaengsanit, Thanon Sapphasit, Thanon Chayangkun, Thung Si Mueang, Ubon city hall, Thung si Mueang, Warin market, Thanon Sisaket, to the Tambon Kham Nam Saep municipal offices. |
| 8 | Circular route, running from 41km marker on Ring Road, via Ring Road (main bus terminal, Big C), Thanon Chonlaprathan-Thabo, Thanon Nikhomsaiklang, provincial offices, Talat Yai (central market), main post office, Thanon Luang, Thanon Sapphasit (Sapphasit Prasong hospital), Thanon Ubon-Trakan, (on-demand deviation to Ban Na Mueang), Ring Road, Thanon Ubon Trakan, Highway 4009 (50 Pansa Mahavajiralongkorn Hospital) to Ratchapachanukhro 32 school. |
| 9 | Warin market via Thanon Sisaket in Tambon Kham Nam Saep to Ban Khu Duea in Tambon Chaeramae |
| 10 | Regional Cancer Centre via Thanon Khlang-awut, Thanon Sukhaphatthana, main bus terminal, Ring Road, Soi Chayangkun 21, Thanon Chayangkun (NE Polytechnic College, Tesco-Lotus, Ratchaphat University, Robinsons, Talat Yai (central market), Thung Si Mueang, Ubonrak Thonburi hospital, Thanon Somdet to Thanon Somdet Khae Yak 1. |
| 11 | Village Welfare Project (km 8 on Highway 212 to Amnat Charoen), Thanon Chayangkun, Ring road (main bus terminal), Big C, Soi Chayangkun 21, Thanon Chayangkun (Ratchawet Hospital, NE Polytechnic college, Tesco-Lotus, Robinsons), Thanon Upalisan, Thanon Phadaeng, Thanon Uparat (Thung Si Mueang), Ave Maria School, to Soi Phanom 7. |
| 12 | Regional Cancer Centre via Thanon Sinawong, Yasothon Road, Ban Tha Bo Nuea, Thanon sukha-Upatham, Thanon Chanegsanit (psychiatric hospital), clocktower roundabout (Ratchaphat University, SK Mall), Thanon Chaengsanit, Thanon Suriyat, Thanon Chayangkun, Thung Si Mueang, Talat Yai (central market), main post office, Thanon Somdet (Huai Nong reservoir dam wall), Phathom Phittayakhom school in Tambon Pathum. |
| 13 | Warin market to Wat Nong Pa Phong. (This route is very infrequent) |
Education
Ubon Ratchathani UniversityUbon Ratchathani University
Ubon Ratchathani University was established as a campus of Khon Kaen University, Thailand, in 1987. It gained independent university status in 1990.-History :...
is located in Ubon Ratchathani.