Udon, what to do...

[billpay]

Next week will fly to Udon, rent a car and do the Laos visa run. Will then drive, with my GF, to her village near Kalacin. I may drop her in the village for a day or two and stay in Udon. What kind of action is there in Udon....I'm sure there is something, but I just would like to have some prior knowledge. Thanks guys for any help on this.

[fun2have]

most expats at the bars can direct you to the locations of thai style action.
if you leave the car at the hotel, take a tuk tuk from the pattaya strip and they will take you to various places, all within about 10 minutes of the strip. (trace the route on the map of town and take your car the next night) some of the tuk tuk boys can understand a little english, but i think you will have no problem if you can speak thai to be taken to where you want to go.

not sure if cobra gold is on, when your there, so hotel rooms at the better hotels may be a bit difficult to get, you will see some pattaya bgs on a working holiday, but of course the expat/thai speaker will be low on their preferred list.

a rather indiscreet, submitter to stickman, wrote about the udon nightlife, and listed all the sois with bgs in the thai style places.

if they follow your car/tuk tuk back to your hotel if you take a bg dont worry as they are only going to find out where to pick the bg up in the morning.

[billpay]

Thanks, I appreciate the help. Basically, I just need to know in what direction to head, and you've done that for me. I'm sure that once i get my feet wet, the rest will be a breeze.

[lunglek]

Try this loads of info on Udon http://www.udonmap.com/

[fun2have]

Originally Posted by lunglek

Try this loads of info on Udon http://www.udonmap.com/

yes top website, have not checked it for a while, i believe they removed the red squares off the maps.
the red squares signified the baan poo ying, but bit of an influx of those farang deemed undesirable led to a move to remove the red squares.

but billpay being an expat and speaking some thai, he will be treated very well at those places i am sure, lovely people most of the expats there.

[ElectrO]

I know Lee who runs Udon Map. Great guy. The reason he removed the Red Squares was because the Map now has a broader audience. So his sales are better. Otherwise its just a map with late night action. So his reason for stopping that was a wise one IMO.

But like everyone who has any sense, they can ask someone where the action is. I am considering moving to Udon for a few months and work there. Because I really liked it there.

E

[fun2have]

Originally Posted by ElectrO

I know Lee who runs Udon Map. Great guy. The reason he removed the Red Squares was because the Map now has a broader audience. So his sales are better. Otherwise its just a map with late night action. So his reason for stopping that was a wise one IMO.

But like everyone who has any sense, they can ask someone where the action is. I am considering moving to Udon for a few months and work there. Because I really liked it there.

E

yes, heard him discussing that issue over the red squares, most of the long term expats and frequent udon travellers agreed with him totally.

gfs father is on top of most of the things in the udon, and when i showed him the map i used he laughed he knew exactly what the red squares were, but also he said the best ones in town were missed off.(hard to translate but i got his meaning)
udon is a great place, good people both farang and thai in the main.
its a professional website getting better, and i am sure, with more farangs living permanently or part time up there its commercial appeal will broaden.

for those tarnished by farang thailand, it is a real pleasure to go up the udon and relax and enjoy the laid back lifestyle.

[ElectrO]

Yes thats what I enjoyed about it. No Farangs! (no offence people). It really was nice walking in a place where some could speak English but the chances of meeting a Farang is low, unless you go to the only street where they are.

I had a whale of a time out there. I was partying in the Hi-Tech Plaza where all the Uni students and people go who like to have fun. Not a place where women go to get paid for nightly services.

I can't wait to go back to Udon.

E

[fun2have]

Originally Posted by ElectrO

Yes thats what I enjoyed about it. No Farangs! (no offence people). It really was nice walking in a place where some could speak English but the chances of meeting a Farang is low, unless you go to the only street where they are.

I had a whale of a time out there. I was partying in the Hi-Tech Plaza where all the Uni students and people go who like to have fun. Not a place where women go to get paid for nightly services.

I can't wait to go back to Udon.

E

another convert to real thailand, some love it or hate it, i love it, some good times to be had up there, but if your gf is a local, she will know all that you do, not that many farangs, but if your tied to a local girl, your actions will be noted. those issan girls have big familys as i am sure most bms know.

[t0rn]

Originally Posted by fun2have

another convert to real thailand, some love it or hate it, i love it, some good times to be had up there, but if your gf is a local, she will know all that you do, not that many farangs, but if your tied to a local girl, your actions will be noted. those issan girls have big familys as i am sure most bms know.

Another convert here, I've been before ,alone, but had a much better time going with GF. Many signs in Thai script only so there is a lot you can miss.
On the whole I could see myself settling here, but i found much more 'farang' pricing here -
e.g. house - gf was after one, i had always laughed at her, but she (or rather the family) come up with one at 250k baht (very nervous at telling me this) - I think "less than a months salary for a house!!!!" - and reluctantly agree - but too late seller has seen a farang BF so now the price is a million ..... result house still unsold.

I really could see myself settling around Udon in a way that I couldn't see in Phuket but time will tell.

[t0rn]

forgot to mention - if you're staying in Udon itself would recommend Top Mansion hotel, about 310baht/night - v new place with friendly staff - only drawback for me was that airport pickup was v expensive so better to make your own way.

[S1MON]

I will now be basing myself in Udon for my time off, have been drinking too much in Patong and now need to slow down a bit, i will be there on June 15th to 1st July.
Looking online there are some very nice houses for rent at a lot cheaper prices than patong, looking to stay at the Irish Clock for a few nights while scouting about for a place.
anybody be around there during this time, or for 3 weeks starting from 5th August??

hopefully catch up with someone there

[fun2have]

imho torn dont declare the farang prescence in the deal until the price is agreed, eg if the gfs father is a good operator, he will do all the deal before you enter the scene.

looked at a car up there i went to the dealer, the price was about 350,000 second hand, gfs father went 2 days later and complained about bits and pieces about the cars condition and asked about who had owned it before etc, price for him was 275,000.

[Nanook]

As I mentioned before in other threads, I will go and visit my GF in the Udon area in about 2 months from now. I have been reading some information in an older travel guide on Thailand (Insight Guides) that I have since my first trip back in 1994. So a lot of info will be outdated for sure.

Can anybody give me some further tips what to see and do in that area? I also would like to know what kind of weather to expect. To my knowledge, around that time it may be the hot season.

I am not into info on hotels, because we don't need that, but general ideas or nice sites.

Thanks for your help guys.

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by Nanook

As I mentioned before in other threads, I will go and visit my GF in the Udon area in about 2 months from now. I have been reading some information in an older travel guide on Thailand (Insight Guides) that I have since my first trip back in 1994. So a lot of info will be outdated for sure.

Can anybody give me some further tips what to see and do in that area? I also would like to know what kind of weather to expect. To my knowledge, around that time it may be the hot season.

I am not into info on hotels, because we don't need that, but general ideas or nice sites.

Thanks for your help guys.

Hmmm... nobody has any information for me???

[t0rn]

Hi Nanook

I could have sworn I replied to this

Udon province is quite big so some place I suggest could be far away and equally there may be places far for me (and haven't been) that are near to you.....

I'd say that there is nothing 'must do' in the area though i would advise that you have your own transport - a pick-up is best. Now depending on how mobile the family is you may be pressed into duty visiting far flung relatives, this can be fun.
On places to go and see again nothing outstanding but some good day/half day trips, Phu Filiom park, there's a few waterfalls but doubt the'll be any water for you, nong khai indo chine market, ban chiang, kham chanot, trip to laos (extra bonus points for taking the family), 'beach' on the mekong next to the bridge to laos - good food & hire some tyres for swimming, udon city - night markets - some farang bars/restaurants - cheap hotels - prajak park.
If it's your first visit then time with the family will also be fun, buy some eats,whisky,beer,etc

Good forum to look at Udon Thani thailand maps & detailed udonthani information - udonmap.com - Home

Let me know if there's anything specific I can help with - I'll probably head to Udon end of Feb for a week or so.

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by t0rn

Hi Nanook

I could have sworn I replied to this

Thanks t0rn. Appreciate the info and I will stroll the site you mentioned on the weekend. Should I have more questions then I will PM you.

[ElectrO]

I will be in Udon this week for a few days, just got to get away from the Phuketness for a while. Bkk - Khon Kaen and UT for a week. Dont like Bkk so only 12 hours there.

E

[fun2have]

had a nice couple of beers at mojos yesterday, after a visit to the dentist.

food is good there, and place was gaining numbers for its pool tournament, some Singapore airforce boys were in attendence at the bar.

nice spot for a few beers and some farang food

[dizbuster]

Originally Posted by Nanook

As I mentioned before in other threads, I will go and visit my GF in the Udon area in about 2 months from now. I have been reading some information in an older travel guide on Thailand (Insight Guides) that I have since my first trip back in 1994. So a lot of info will be outdated for sure.

Can anybody give me some further tips what to see and do in that area? I also would like to know what kind of weather to expect. To my knowledge, around that time it may be the hot season.

I am not into info on hotels, because we don't need that, but general ideas or nice sites.

Thanks for your help guys.

Keep your expectations low as there is not much there when compared places like Patong and Pattaya etc. As has already been mentioned, it is somewhat refreshing not to see many other farangs around but that means everyone strares at you, or maybe it's just me that happens to because I am a big lump !?!?!

The only area I found (mainly because I was with my TG and we kinda stumbled across it by accident) was a small section of bars across the road from the main shopping complex (next to a big, expensive looking hotel - can't remember name). Opposite the complex are some coffee bars beauty salons internet cafes etc and the bars are around the back. There is an entrance about halfway along otherwise you need to walk around the building.

You will struggle if you don't eat much Thai food, there are very few places that do Western food, but they are around, you just need to keep your eyes open.

The attitude of the Thai people up there is also very different and despite not being aboe to eat much etc, I have always enjoyed my visits.

Have fun

[Nanook]

Thanks Dizbuster. Eating the Thai food won't be a problem really, as long as my GF eases on the Chillies a bit. I already have some experiences in spending some time in rural Sulawesi, where I seem to have been an eye catcher among the locals. Even though I am not the greatest looking guy (understatement haha). But it was quite funny.

Besides to be with my GF, I will be nice to experience the local life etc. But will check out your tips too.

[ElectrO]

The bars are behind the main shops opposite Robinsons complex.

There are some nice ones around as well. Downunder bar is not far, the clock tower, then some bars near it are close to the night market.

but just go to the Udon Thani thailand maps & detailed udonthani information - udonmap.com - Home website and you will see many farang places.

E

[dizbuster]

Originally Posted by ElectrO

The bars are behind the main shops opposite Robinsons complex...

Nice one, I couldn't remember the name or that of the posh hotel next door to it.

Harry's bar on the rign road just north of the airport is worth a visit for some western food.