Plan a trip
Language: English
Trip plannerPlan your trip on a map

Top destinations

EnglishDeutschFrançaisEspañolPortuguêsPortuguês (BR)Italiano
Travel advisory · ThailandSome governments advise against travel to parts of Thailand.The warnings cover only these areas: 50 km strip along the Cambodian border, Narathiwat, Pattani, Southern Songkhla (Chana, Na Thawi, Thepha and Saba Yoi districts), Thailand-Cambodia border region (entire length), Yala, 20 km strip along the Cambodian border.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
Areas with warnings
  • 50 km strip along the Cambodian border · avoid all travel · Canada, France, New Zealand
  • Narathiwat · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
  • Pattani · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
  • Southern Songkhla (Chana, Na Thawi, Thepha and Saba Yoi districts) · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
  • Thailand-Cambodia border region (entire length) · avoid all travel · Spain, Ireland, Italy
  • Yala · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
  • 20 km strip along the Cambodian border · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, UK

Also named by one government: Border zones of Buriram province (Spain), Border zones of Sisaket province (Spain), Border zones of Surin province (Spain), Border zones of Ubon Ratchathani province (Spain), East of Highways 408 and 4113, including Sakom (Canada), Entire Myanmar border (except Mae Sot) (France), Hat Yai city (Canada), Areas near the Thai-Malaysia border (Ireland), Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line (UK), Myanmar border in Mae Hong Son and Tak provinces (Italy), Myanmar border in Tak and Chiang Mai provinces (Spain), Phatthalung province (France), Preah Vihear Temple zone (Sisaket) (Italy), Satun province (France)

GovernmentAdviceUpdatedRead the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)–Read the advice
United States (State Dept)Exercise Normal PrecautionsJul 7, 2026Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories)–Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)No advice against the whole country; partial warnings for border and southern areas (regional advisories)Oct 26, 2026Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)Exercise increased caution (regional advisories)–Read the advice
Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs)Normal Precautions (regional advisories)–Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)Increased vigilance across the country (regional advisories)–Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani, in northeastern Thailand, is known for its Candle Festival each July, when more than fifty decorated floats carry carved beeswax sculptures through the streets. Visitors also come for the city's temples and its setting on the Mun River.

Ubon Ratchathani, usually called Ubon, is a city in northeastern Thailand and the capital of Ubon Ratchathani Province. People come for the Candle Festival in July, when decorated floats carrying carved beeswax sculptures leave Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram and travel along Uparat Road on the morning after Asalha Puja. The city sits on the north bank of the Mun River, about 629 km by road from Bangkok, and road bridges link it to Warin Chamrap on the south bank.

The park, the National Museum and Wat Thung Si Muang are close together in the city centre. Thung Si Mueang park hosts the festival and displays the sculptures the evening before the procession. Wat Thung Si Muang has a wooden scripture hall built on stilts, and Wat Phra That Nong Bua, north of the centre, has a 56 m white stupa. The Thung Sri Muang Night Market runs every evening. Two to three days is enough for the main sights. Winters are dry, while the monsoon runs from late April to October.

Ubon Ratchathani in five

  1. Plan around the Candle FestivalThe wax-sculpture parade marks the start of Buddhist Lent, usually in July, and fills rooms. Dates follow the lunar calendar, so check the year's schedule and book early.
  2. Reach Pha Taem by carThe national park near the Mekong has cliff paintings and sunrise viewpoints, but public transport is thin. Hire a car or a driver for the day, and start early.Northeastern Thailand
  3. See the two-color river at Khong ChiamAt Khong Chiam the Mun River meets the Mekong, and the water can appear in two shades. It is easiest to see in the drier months from a riverside viewpoint or boat.
  4. Check Chong Mek border rulesChong Mek is the land crossing to southern Laos. Check Lao visa rules and crossing hours on official sources before you plan an onward day.
  5. Fly from Bangkok to save a dayFlights take about 1 hour 15 minutes, while overnight trains and buses take most of a night. Compare the cost of a flight against a sleeper berth and a lost morning.Udon Thani

Need to know

Airport
Ubon Ratchathani (UBP), flights from Bangkok about 1 hr 15 min
Getting there
Flight, overnight train or bus from Bangkok
Getting around
Songthaews, taxis and ride-hailing; a car for Pha Taem
Best base
Ubon city for transport; Khong Chiam for the river and Pha Taem
Time needed
2–3 days

Weather by month

  • Rainy days
  • Best
  • Mixed
  • Poor
  1. JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Cool, dry
  2. FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low21°Dry, warm
  3. MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh35°Low24°Hot
  4. AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh36°Low26°Hottest
  5. MayRain23 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°Rains begin
  6. JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Rainy
  7. JulyRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Candle Festival
  8. AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Rainy, green
  9. SeptemberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Wettest
  10. OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Rains ease
  11. NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Cool, fresh
  12. DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Cool, dry

Average daily high and low in Ubon Ratchathani, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Ubon Ratchathani

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Clear

24

Feels like
27°
Humidity
85%
Wind
5 km/h
Chance of rain
63%

Ubon Ratchathani

05:01 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

  1. Today32°23°63%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 63%.
  2. Wed32°24°64%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 64%.
  3. Thu31°24°65%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 65%.
  4. Fri31°23°35%Friday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 35%.
  5. Sat32°23°26%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 26%.
  6. Sun32°23°14%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 14%.
  7. Mon31°22°49%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 49%.

Updated 04:07 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB

THB · Thai Baht

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

  • Khong Chiamabout 1–1.5 hours by roadWhere the Mun River meets the Mekong, with a riverside promenade.
  • Pha Taem National Parkabout 1.5–2 hours by roadCliff paintings and viewpoints above the Mekong.
  • Chong Mek borderabout 1.5 hours by roadThe land crossing into southern Laos; check rules before you go.

Before you go to Ubon Ratchathani

Car hire for Khong Chiam and Pha TaemA day on the Mekong at your own paceCompare car hire
Hotels in Ubon cityBusiness hotels and small guesthousesCheck availability
eSIM for IsanMaps for rural roads and border townsRead the guide
Insurance for a self-drive tripCovers vehicle and medical coverRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Ubon Ratchathani, checked

  • Many nationalities can enter Thailand visa-free; check your status with the Thai Immigration Bureau before you book.Source
  • Most travellers must also complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before they arrive.
  • Dial 191 for police or 199 for fire anywhere in Thailand.
  • Cover shoulders and knees and take off your shoes before entering temples such as Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram.
  • Insulting the monarchy is a crime under Thai law, so keep remarks about the royal family out of public and online posts.

Ubon Ratchathani FAQ

Is Ubon Ratchathani worth visiting?

Yes for a quiet, culture-rich stop on the eastern side of Isan: temples, the Candle Festival, river views and Pha Taem. It is far from the main tourist routes, so plan transport carefully.

When is the Ubon Candle Festival?

It is usually held in July around the start of Buddhist Lent, with a parade of carved wax sculptures. Dates move with the lunar calendar, so check the year's schedule before you book.

How do you get from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani?

Fly in about 1 hour 15 minutes, or take an overnight train or bus. Flights are faster and often cheaper than a sleeper plus the lost morning.

How many days do you need in Ubon Ratchathani?

Two days for the city and one day trip, three if you add Khong Chiam and Pha Taem separately. Allow an extra day if you plan to cross to Laos.

Can you visit Pha Taem without a car?

It is difficult. Public transport is limited, so most visitors hire a car or a driver. Ask your hotel about a day rate and start early to see the viewpoint in good light.