Activities and things to do in Udon Thani

Running & Walking

There are plenty of places to run or walk around Udon Thani, the most popular being Nong Prjak Park Map ref P6. There is also an Olympic style running ground at the Physical Education College Map ref C12.Nong Bua Lake Map ref R13 is also another area used for running and walking and is much quieter that the other parks. Most locals exercise a few hours before sunset when it's cooler and more comfortable.

Swimming

Most major hotels such as Napali (Map E11), Charoen (Map O13) and Charoensri Grand (Map O11) have decent size swimming pools but make sure you get there early to beat the crowds. Most of these pools have daily, monthly and annual rates.
For decent lap swimming head to the Physical Education College on the western ring-road (Map C12) they have a nice size 50m swimming pool. Costs to use this pool are 30bt per swim. There is also a 50m pool at the Satreeratchunatit Girls School on Sri Chomchun Road Map H11
Bar Berry club and restaurant has a good decent size pool, Thomas resort (Map Y18) is home to a smaller attractive pool and the Bamboo garden (Province Map G8) has a nice and quite pool amongst beautiful gardens. There is also a nice pool at Sonmangorn restaurant on the eastern ring road (Map V10).

Golf

Golfers are well catered for in Udon Thani, there are 4 9-hole courses and one nearer Nong Khai which is an 18 hole course. Prices start at 120bt and a little extra for a caddy tip which you usually pay at the end of your round. Some courses have their own driving ranges, there is also a driving range in Udon Thani on a small road leading off Phosi road Map V19 next door to Dutch Milk shop.

Victory Park Golf & Country club
Local Name	Victory Park
Telephone:	042-407296-9 Fax: 042-407299
Address:	191 Moo 1, Khaibogvan, Muang, Nong Khai 43100
Green Fee:	530 baht for 18 holes, including caddie fee
Number of holes	18 Par : 72 Yards : 6526 (Blue Tees)
Driving range	Yes
Bookings required?	Weekends only, course is sometime closed for tournaments
Club House	Yes
Showers	Yes
Restaurant	Yes
Lockers	Yes
Webpage:	N/A
Caddies:	included in green fee
Karts:	2 seater Carts 600bt
Map Ref:	Province Map G7
Distance from Udon	45 km
Comments:	A beautiful course with first-class facilities, including overnight accommodation.

Sir Thani Golf Forest
Local Name	Ban Tat
Telephone:	01-9543188
Address:	79 Moo 10, Tambon Banchan, Udon Thani, 41000
Green Fee:	200 baht for 18 holes, 100bt after 12 noon and at weekends
Number of holes	9 Par : 36 Yards : 3217 (Blue Tees)
Driving range	Yes, 20 baht for 30 balls
Bookings required?	No, can get busy on wednesday and at the weekends
Club House	Yes
Showers	Yes
Restaurant	Yes
Lockers	Yes
Webpage:	N/A
Caddies:	160bt for 18 holes
Karts:	No
Map Ref:	Province Map G7
Distance from Udon	10km
Comments:	A popular course amongst the resident farangs. The course is usually in good condition and requires you to use almost every club in your bag.

Udon Golf club & Resort
Local Name	Sip peart' 18km
Telephone:	01- 2201088
Address:	18 Udon-Loei Road, Ban Huaysamran, Muang, Udon Thani, 41000
Green Fee:	200bt for 18 holes
Number of holes	9 Par : 36 Yards : 2909 (White Tees)
Driving range	No
Bookings required?	No
Club House	Yes
Showers	No
Restaurant	Yes
Lockers	Yes
Webpage:	N/A
Caddies	160bt for 18 holes
Karts	No
Map Ref:	Province Map G8
Distance from Udon	18 km
Comments:	An attractive little course, greens can be a little patchy but overall pretty good.

Nong Samrong Golf course
Local Name	Army course
Telephone:	042-222927
Address:	Nongsamrong Road, Banbonam, Udon Thani, 41000
Green Fee:	120bt for 18 holes
Number of holes	9 Par : 33 Yards : 2345 (White Tees)
Driving range	Yes, 20bt for 30 balls
Bookings required?	No, but course may be busy on weekends
Club House	Yes
Showers	Yes
Restaurant	Yes
Lockers	No
Webpage:	N/A
Caddies	120bt for 18 holes
Karts	No
Map Ref:	Province Map F8
Distance from Udon	2 km
Comments:	Lot's of shaded areas, good for practicing your short irons

Lion Military
Local Name	Lion Military
Telephone:	-
Address:	Within the grounds of Wing 23 Army base, Tahan Road
Green Fee:	?
Number of holes	9
Driving range	No
Bookings required?	No
Club House	Yes
Showers	No
Restaurant	Yes
Lockers	No
Webpage:	N/A
Caddies	?
Karts	No
Map Ref:	Province Map E4
Distance from Udon	0 km
Comments:	-

Udon Thani Golf Society

Udon Thani has its own ex-pat golf society which was founded by 16 ex-pats during 2002 and now has over 70 members. Society days are held each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the golf clubs listed above, visiting golfers are welcome to join in for a round of social golf, and Tee off time is around 8.30am. Society times and dates can be seen on the notice boards of the golf clubs mentioned above. Or you can contact the chairman, Malcom Mackenzie on 042-300192 or mobile 09-5773623 for more information

Gyms

The best gym with all modern facilities can be found at the Ban Chaing hotel (Map I11) there you will find a fully equipped gym with aerobics area exercise machines and weights, below is a spa with sauna. The Napali and Charoensri Grand hotels also have gyms but facilities maybe not quite as good.A private gym with decent facilities can be found opposite Nong Sim lake Map O6

Tennis courts

Tennis courts are available at the Physical Education centre Map C12, Rajaphat Institute Map M14 and on Soi Phompakhai leading away from the airport Map E16.

Badminton Courts

Decent indoor and outdoor badminton courts can be found on Asawamit road Map J15

Ten Pin bowling

Udon has 2 modern and smart 10-pin bowling alleys. The first is located at Big C Shopping centre (Map X18) called UFO and the second is located on the top floor of the Charoensri shopping centre called Majorplex bowling (Map O11)

Pool & Snooker

Pool tables can be found at the Aussie Pub (Map O12), Horseshoe Bar (Map N12), and the UFO bowling centre (Map X18)

There is a large snooker hall next to the Udon Hotel (Map K9) and at the western bus terminal (Map C9)

Darts

Harry's bar (Map C11) and Horseshoe Bar (Map N12) have decent good quality darts boards.

Race courses

There are 2 horse racing course in Udon Thani, the first is located on Soi Pompakai leading away from the airport on the left (Map E16) and the second on the Udon-Sakon Nakon road, 2km's from Big C on the right (Map Y19 almost opposite Udon Thai house resort)

Cinemas

There are currently 2 cinemas in Udon Thani. The most popular and modern cinema is the Majorplex cinema complex which houses 9 modern screens, it is on the top floor of the Charoensri shopping centre, the next but maybe less popular cinema with Thai only speaking is called Naywada and is located off the Fountain roundabout (Map M12)

Shopping

Udon s main shopping area is Phosi road starting from the fountain round-about (Map M12) and then continues northwest. In this vicinity you'll find a wholesale clothes market, Gold shops, and various local handicraft shops.
There are also two large night markets, one near the train station called  Center point (Map Q12) and the other close to Radjaphat university on route 2 called Hightech (Map N16), Hightech is also host to a selection of trendy bars, discos, restaurants and cafes.
For general shopping head to the Charoensri shopping complex (Map O11), Big C (Map X18), or Tesco Lotus Map J2. DIY enthusiasts should head to Global house which is a warehouse jammed packed with everything you could possibly need for building, it is across the road from Homemart which is almost the same but maybe has a better range of tiles and bathroom suites but less building accessories. Both places can be found almost facing each other on the north eastern ring-road Map T4. A new clothing hypermarket is currently under construction next door to Global house and is due to be completed in 2005.
Furniture shops are located all over Udon Thani but probably the place with the largest range of furniture can be found at Koncept opposite Tesco Lotus on the ring road Map J2. Another place with a good range of furniture is called Index which is on Phosi road 1km from Big C Map V17

National Parks

Phu Pra bat National Park is probably the most famous and intersting park in Udon Thani province, it contains an intersting collection of pre-historic caves and cave paintings and also some very nice walks. It is located 50km's north east of Udon (Province Map D6)
Phu phoilom is another popular park attracting visitors locally and nationally. It can be found 40km's south east of Udon (Province Map F9) A website is currently under construction called www.phufoilom.com

Waterfalls

There is a nice waterfall called Thanngam waterfall located in Phoilom Park (Province Map F9). It is most spectacular during the rain season June to Oct.

Watersports

Huai Luang Dam and resevoir (Province map E8) is a popular place for watersports of all kinds and is only a short drive from Udon Thani. A little further south is Ubonrat dam and lake (Province Map F12) which is also popular for water sports and has a pretty beach in the hot season.

Aerobics

Health and fitness is becoming increasingly popular in Thailand today. Aerobics is probably one of the most poplular fitness activities and has really taken off in a big way. You can join the locals at Nong Sim Park and Nong Prajak park for daily aerobics exercise, they usually kick off between 5-6pm.

Bridge

Want to play Bridge In Udon Thani ?
We are currently meeting twice per week, Sunday and Wednesdays - numbers permitting- in Harrys Bar. New players welcome, tuition available.
Please contact either David (062196784) or Tom (060972775) for more details.