Udon Thani: (Known simply as Udon) is approximately 560 kilometers from Bangkok. The Province covers an area of 15,589 sq. kilometers, with its boundary stretching to Nong Khai in the north, Khon Kaen in the south, Sakon Nakhon in the east, and Nong Bua Lam Phu in the west. Udon Thani is situated on a plateau with mountains and forested area to the west.

There are several large cities in Isaan, Udon Thani that receives the most visitors, the city once an important US military base during the Vietnam war, located at the very northern edge of this vast region. The main border crossing and gateway into Laos, most travelers are obliged to spend a night in Udon or neighboring Nong Khai before heading over the border,  those that linger a few days, sample a quiet glimpse Isaan life and its people.

Udon Thani: Given an economic shot in the arm back in the late sixties and early seventies when the US built a military base there, the base was handed over to the Thai military in 1976, some of the influences of that era still remain, such as western style restaurants, cafe's, bars, coffee shops and hotels, not to mention the fact that many American servicemen decided to stay on, other's returned back to live with their Thai Wives and girlfriends.

The main reason visitors come to Udon Thani is its access to Thailands premier bronze age excavation at Ban Chiang. The world renowned archaeological site, Ban Chiang is located 47 kilometers east of Udon Thani city centre, smaller Nong Khai is better equipped for tourists, Udon Thani does what it can with what few attractions it has, although it has a rather large lake within its city limits, there are no temples of note, no museums and little in the way of exciting lodging options, this distinct lack of tourist attractions, which gives visitors a chance to see a Thai city which exists purely on its own merits, beneath the veil of Thailands Tourism, Udon Thani is worth a day or two of exploration.

Today Udon Thani functions as a transport hub and an agricultural market centre for the surrounding area, the predominantly agricultural province is primarily a rice and sugar cane growing area, located in the heart of Khorat Plateau, an ancient pre-historical province famous for its archaeological marvels, and it's strategically important during the Vietnam War, apart from its prehistoric sites, Udon Thani is known for beautiful Phu Phan mountain ranges, dense forests and fertile rice fields, the region along with agricultural the  city, is the main, Commercial and Industrial Center of Northeast Thailand.

Udon Thanis Airport, offers many daily flights to and from Bangkok which take about an hour, along with flights to other destinations in Thailand, by bus to Bangkok around 10 hours, the train is popular with many tourists, giving them chance to view the Isaan countryside taking approximately 12 hours from Bangkok.