Local Life in Udon Thani: A Day Like a Local, Culture & Etiquette
Udon is an Isan city: early mornings, shared meals, a lakeside run at sunset and a night market for dinner. Here is how a local day goes, and how to fit right in.
A day in Udon
- 05:30Monks walk their alms round. Locals kneel by the road to offer sticky rice and food.
- 06:00Walkers and runners circle Nong Prajak and Nong Bua lakes before the heat.
- 07:00Breakfast: grilled sticky rice (khao chi), rice soup or noodle soup, with sweet iced coffee.
- 12:00Lunch is quick and spicy: som tam, grilled chicken and sticky rice, eaten with your hands.
- 17:00Evening exercise: group aerobics, football and runners fill the parks as it cools down.
- 18:30Dinner at a night market: UD Town every evening, the Walking Street on Friday and Saturday.
- 21:30Most of the town winds down early. Night owls head to UD Town's bars and live music.
Where locals run and exercise
Free, open early and lively at sunset. Go before 08:00 or after 16:30 to avoid the heat.
Nong Prajak ParkThe city's lakeside park, where locals jog, picnic and watch the sunset.2 min from the city- Nong Bua Park (Wang Matcha Nong Bua)A lake park next to UD Town with a walking and running loop of about 2 km. The Pu-Ya Chinese Shrine stands on its shore.5 min from the city
- Nong Sim ParkA shady lake park on Phon Phisai Road where locals come to exercise. Lovely at sunset.5 min from the city
- Thung Si MueangThe big open green in the city centre, with the monument to Prince Prajak Silpakhom, Udon's founder. The venue for the province's big festivals, including the annual fair in early December.1 min from the city
Photo: Arne1979 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons
Isan culture in brief
- Udon is the heart of Isan, Thailand's northeast. Many people speak Isan at home, a language close to Lao, as well as Thai.
- Life is relaxed and friendly: 'sabai sabai' (comfortable, easy-going) is a way of life, and a smile goes a long way.
- Food is for sharing. Dishes go in the middle of the table, and sticky rice is rolled by hand into small balls.
- Temples are community centres. People go to make merit, especially on Buddhist holy days and at festivals.
- Big events fill the calendar: Songkran water festival in April, and the Thung Si Mueang fair in early December.
Good manners
✓ Do
- Cover shoulders and knees in temples, and take your shoes off before going inside.
- Return a wai (palms together, small bow) when someone greets you this way.
- Speak calmly and keep smiling, even when something goes wrong.
- Use both hands, or your right hand, to give and receive things.
✕ Avoid
- Touching people's heads, or pointing your feet at people or Buddha images.
- Climbing on or posing disrespectfully with Buddha images.
- Women touching monks or handing things directly to them.
- Speaking badly of the Thai monarchy: it is a serious offence.
A few Isan words
Locals love it when visitors try. Isan is close to Lao, so Lao speakers will feel at home.
Isan phrasebook · 74 →- สบายดีsabai deeHello / How are you?
- ขอบใจหลายๆkhop jai lai laiThank you very much
- แซ่บหลายsaep laiVery delicious
- บ่เป็นหยังbo pen nyangNo worries
- เท่าใดtao daiHow much?