Getting Around Udon Thani

Getting around Udon is fairly easy if you rely on samlaws (three wheeled taxis) and motorcycle taxis but it you opt for taking public buses or sangtaews (Van with bench seats) you may mind them difficult to understand as the destinations aren't written in English and there are no timetables.

Motorized samlaws cost between 25bt and 80bt depending on how far you're traveling, pedal power saamlaws cost much less.

There are two main public buses; one is white and the other yellow, simple as that! The white bus starts out Ban Nong Pai on the Udon- Khon Kean road (Route 2) and passes through central Udon before continuing north to its final destination at Ban Na Kha Handicraft centre. A short trip will cost you 6bt or 10-15bt for longer trips. The yellow bus starts about 8kms from the ring-road on the Sakon-Nakon road (route 22) and continues past Big C, Charoen Hotel, fountain circle, down Phosi road, srisuk road, then turns right on Pho Niyom and past the Udon Hospital and then to it's final destination the western bus terminal. Costs for this bus are generally the same as the white bus.

Saangtaews are the most popular way of getting about in Udon and are number and colour coded depending on which route they take. There are no designated pick-up or drop-points, just hail the correct number and press a bell when want to get off. Costs are 5 baht in the city and 6 baht in you're traveling outside the city. The price goes up to 10 baht after 7pm. Buses and Sangtaews generally stop running by 8pm; some may keep running a little later. So remember that the only way to get around after dark is by saamlaw.

If you don't fancy local transport you can hire a car from one of the many rental companies around Udon with or without drivers. Costs vary between 1000 and 1500bt, more if you have a driver. Most car rental companies offer motorbike rental too, prices start at 150bt per day.

Udon Thani sangtaew routes, origins and destinations

No. 2 Starts at the Udon Thani Polytechnic College and then continues pass Sri Suk road Post Office, Fountain circle, Charoen Hotel, Nongbua Market, Macro, Big C, Thai siri Market and then to it's final destination the Sack factory on Route 22.

No. 5 Starts at the Airport the continues down Pomphakhai rd, Asawamit rd, Amphoe Rd, Srisuk road Post Office, Central Police Station, Phosi Rd, Makkhaeng Rd, Udon Thani Municipality, Provincial Hall, Matchimawas Temple, Central Post Office, Supphakit Chanya Rd, Udon Sunshine Orchid Farm and then to it's final destination the Nong Samrong Golf Club.

No. 6 Starts at the Udon Thani Technical and Vocational College then passes, Prajak Silapakhom Hospital, Hightech Night Plaza, Radjabhat Institute, Prince Prajaksilapakhom Monument circle, fountain circle, clock tower, Matchimawas Temple, Rangsina Market and then to northern Bus station.

No. 7 Starts at the central bus station the passes the Charoensri Complex shopping center, Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel, turns left down Wattana Nuwong Rd, pass the Karin Hotel, Irrigation Department Intersection, Central Post Office, Provincial Hall, Mukkhamontri Rd, TAT Office, Social Security Office, Ban Chiang Hotel, Srisuk Rd, Physical Education College and then to the western bus station.

No. 9 Starts at Baan Saam Praow and then passes the Charoensri Complex shopping centra, central Bus station, Phosi Rd, fountain circle, Prince Prajaksilapakhom Monument circle, Srisuk Post Office, Police Station, Ring rd and then to it's final destination Ban Chiengyuen.

No. 10 Starts at Big C, passes Macro, Phuya Shrine, Aek Udon Hospital, Train station, Center Point night market, Charoensri Complex, Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel, Santaphol College, Prachaksilapakharn School, Ring rd, Lotus, then continues to the western Bus station and Rajathani Udon Technology College.

No. 11 starts at Baan Tad - Udon Thani Skill Development Center, Khai Prajaksilapakhom Hospital, Thahan Rd, Rajabhat Institute, Prince Prajaksilapakhom Monument circle, fountain circle, clock tower, Udondutsadi Rd, Matchimawas Temple, Phonpisai Rd, Nong Sim Park, Tetsaban 9 School, Ring rd and Santaphol College.

No. 12 Starts at Saampraow intersection - Phonpisai Rd, Ban Lao, Ban Huay, Matchimawas Temple, clock tower, Fountain circle, Prince Prajaksilapakhom Monument circle, Thahan Rd, Rajabhat Institute, Air Force 23, Khai Prajaksilapakhom Hospital, Ring rd and Udon Pattanakharn School.

No. 14 Starts at Ban Nong Oan - Pracharaksa Rd, Sitti Siri Rd, Tesar Rd, TAT Office, Wattana Nuwong Rd, Cenral Post Office, Provincial Hall, Matchimawas Temple, Irrigation Department, Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel, Charoensri Shopping Complex and then the Train station.

No. 15 Starts at Bann Nong Hin to Pracharaksa Rd, Srisuk Rd, Srisuk road Post Office, Prince Prajaksilapakhom Monument circle, Fountain circle, Charoen Hotel, Pu-Ya Shrine and then to Santaphol College.

No. 16 Starts at Ban Nong Lek then continues to the Train station, Charoensri Complex shopping center, Irrigation Department, Matchimawas Temple, Central Post Office, Provincial Hall, Mukkhamontri Rd, TAT Office, Udon Sunshine Orchid Farm and then Nong Samrong.

No. 22 Starts at Santaphol College then passes Bic C, Nong Bua Market, Center Point night market, Charoensri Shopping Complex, Radjabhat Institute, Soi Jintakam, Udon Thani Technical and Vocational College, Amphoe Rd, Udon Pattayankul School, Satrirachinutit School and the western Bus station.

No.44 Starts at Ban Nong Pai then continues on route to the city and then past Khai Prajaksila Pakhom Hospital, Air Force 2, Hightech Central Bus station, Charoensri Complex and Panyawet Hospital.