Ban Chiang

The Ban Chiang World Heritage centre is closed for renovations and alterations. It is not known when it will reopen. There is however another similar excavation in the village temple that is open, admission free.

You can view open pits with estimated 5,000 year old skeletons and pottery here.Well worth the trip still.

Thanks for the info. The last time I visited Ban Chiang the skeletons and pottery had been removed due to flooding, leaving just a large empty pit. My friend, who was visiting from England, was a little disappointed. Even the museum was falling apart and in bad need of repair. This was around 2 years ago when they were working on the new museum exhibit building.

Thought you might like to see the excavations in the temple. Not a lot different to the museum and best of all, its free.




If you were coming out of the centre, turn left and the temple is on your right about one mile away.

There is alo believe i or not a very good winery there, well good to me, what I don't know about wine could fill several books. But the owner speaks great english and you really feel more like a guest in his home when your there. Definetly worth a visit if your in the area.

Thanks Ray. That is Mr. Trirat Tantaha, the managing director of the Ban Chiang winery, 213 Moo 9, Tambon Ban Chiang, Nonghan Udon Thani, 41320. He is the uncle of my very special friend, who lives in Udon Thani. He has a variety of different wines including mangosteen, mango and ginger. He is very knowledgeable, kind and friendly. We went to the winery twice. I rarely touch alcohol and am not an expert; however, one of our friends visited. He is Italian from New York, and judged the wine to be quite good.

The owner, and his brother, worked with the U.S. in Udon for a number of years during the Vietnam War. Trirat then went with the Americans to Saudi Arabia and worked as a cook for ten years or so.

He would be happy to see anyone for Udonmap show up, and I guarantee he will treat you well. If you do visit, say hello from Boom Beem and Bob. Thanks.

I have some photo of him and the winery, just can't see how ro post them here. He is a great guy and fun to spend time with.

It's real easy to find, just drive in until you come to the Wat, a T intersection, make a right one block another right and it'a a bit firther down on the left

Thanks for the info on the winery, I have been going to BC for about 10 years and hadn't heard of it. Mind you like Tilokarat, I rarely touch alcohol, it being the servant of the devil , it goes down way too fast for me to get to touch it.

Well you not alone ther, my idea was a glass a day, simply because I have been told it is good for you. I know one thing for sure makes me sleep good LOL

Lots of shops selling the famous painted pots, in all sizes and price.
The larger pots make nice garden water features, if you install a pump.

visited there 2 yrs ago. not too much to see, but now that i know about the winery, i will definitely come back there! thanks for the info Ray

Hey don't feel bad I've been here four + and just happened to see it on another forum.

Anyone been here recently? Is it still open. How far from the central area of Udon is it?(Irish Clock)

Average cost of getting there would be great if anyone knows? (by Taxi)

It's long ways form Central Udon it's not in Udon. definetly wot rth a visit on the festicval days But fo the life on me I a can not recall the time that is. To get there check with Tawan at the Charoen is very resonable last time I check it was a 1000 baht for him and the car plus fuel. Speaks great english

Try the central bus station and ask for buses to Ban Chiang or Nong Haan area. If you can get to Nong Haan you could get a saamlaw out to Ban Chiang. Personally I'd hire a car for a couple of days to tour the sites around the area.

Some more Pictures of Ban Chiang here: http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/v ... php?t=7076

I don't wish to sound like a Philistine but yep it is a fair trip Rob and unless your really into Thai pottery you may feel somewhat let down after paying for a day out in a taxi.
IMO its an OK place to visit if you have your own transport and incorporate it into a day of general sight seeing in the area but I would not make a special trip to it again as a stand alone item of interest.