Ubon Ratchathani Province

Ubon Ratchathani อุบลราชธานี
Province
Seal
Nickname(s): Ubon
Map of Thailand highlighting Ubon Ratchathani Province
Country	Thailand
Capital	Chaeramae
Government
• Governor	Somsak Changtrakun (since 2015)
Area
• Total	15,744.850 km2 (6,079.121 sq mi)
Area rank	Ranked 5th
Population (2014)
• Total	1,844,669
• Rank	Ranked 3rd
• Density	120/km2 (300/sq mi)
• Density rank	Ranked 44th
Time zone	ICT (UTC+7)
ISO 3166 code	TH-34

Ubon Ratchathani (Thai: อุบลราชธานี, pronounced [ʔù.bōn râːt.t͡ɕʰā.thāː.nīː]), often shortened to Ubon (อุบลฯ), is one of the northeastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, and the country's easternmost. Ubon is about 630 km (390 mi) from Bangkok.^[1] Neighboring Provinces are (from west clockwise) Sisaket, Yasothon, and Amnat Charoen. To the north and east it borders Salavan and Champasak of Laos, to the south Preah Vihear of Cambodia.

Geography

At Khong Chiam the Mun River, the biggest river of the Khorat Plateau, joins the Mekong, which forms the northeastern boundary of Thailand with Laos. It is called Maenam Song Si or the Mun River alluvium because the brown water from Mekong River is mixed with blue water from Mun River. It is about 84 km (52 mi). from Ubon Ratchathani city centre.^[2]

The area in the Dângrêk Mountains where the borders of the three countries Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia meet is promoted as the Emerald Triangle, in contrast to the Golden Triangle in the north of Thailand. The emerald refers to the large intact monsoon forests there.

History

The city was founded in the late 18th century by Thao Kham Phong, descendant of Phra Wo and Phra Ta, who escaped from King Siribunsan of Vientiane into Siam Kingdom during the reign of King Taksin the Great. Later Thao Kham Phong was appointed to be "Phra Pathum Wongsa", the first ruler of Ubon Ratchathani. In 1792 Ubon Ratchathani became a province, and was also the administrative center of the monthon Isan. In 1925 it became part of monthon Nakhon Ratchasima, with the abolition of the monthon in 1933, the province became a first level subdivision of the country. Until 1972 Ubon Ratchathani Province was the largest province of Thailand by area. Yasothon Province was split off from Ubon Ratchathani Province in 1972, followed by Amnat Charoen Province in 1993.

National parks

Ubon Ratchathani boasts the following national parks:

• Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park is in mountainous areas in southern region of the province.^[3]
• Kaeng Tana National Park is in Khong Chiam District.^[4]
• Pha Taem National Park covers an area of 140 km² (54 sq mi). Plateaus and hills dominate the park landscape. The sheer cliffs here are a result of earthquakes. The interesting places in the national park are Pha Taem and Pha Kham. On the cliffs surface are numerous prehistoric cave paintings from 3,000-4,000 years ago. These paintings depict scenes of fishing, rice farming, figures of people, animals, hands and geometric designs that show the way of life during the pre-historic time and reflect the ancient lifestyle of the people who lived there.^[5][6]

Education

Ubon Ratchathani province is the main site of Ubon Ratchathani University.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows a Lotus flower in a pond. This refers to the meaning of the name of the province, which translates to "royal city of the lotus flower". Therefore, the provincial flower also is the lotus (Nymphaea lotus). The provincial tree is the Yang-na (Dipterocarpus alatus).

Administrative divisions

The province is divided into 25 districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 219 subdistricts (tambon) and 2,469 villages (muban). The numbers missing in the table are the districts which formed the province Amnat Charoen in 1993.

1. Mueang Ubon Ratchathani 2. Si Mueang Mai 3. Khong Chiam 4. Khueang Nai 5. Khemarat 7. Det Udom 8. Na Chaluai 9. Nam Yuen 10. Buntharik 11. Trakan Phuet Phon 12. Kut Khaopun 14. Muang Sam Sip 15. Warin Chamrap

19. Phibun Mangsahan 20. Tan Sum 21. Pho Sai 22. Samrong 24. Don Mot Daeng 25. Sirindhorn 26. Thung Si Udom 29. Na Yia 30. Na Tan 31. Lao Suea Kok 32. Sawang Wirawong 33. Nam Khun

Municipalities

No.	City/Town	Thai	Urban Population[7]	Notes
1.	Ubon Ratchathani	เทศบาลนครอุบลราชธานี	79,023	Former capital of the province
2.	Jaeramair	เทศบาลเมืองแจระแม	11,092	New capital and exurb of Ubon Ratchathani
3.	Kham Yai	เทศบาลตำบลขามใหญ่	34,538	Exurb of Ubon Ratchathani
4.	Warin Chamrap	เทศบาลเมืองวารินชำราบ	28,154	Educational, railway terminal
5.	Saen Suk	เทศบาลตำบลแสนสุข	24,720	Exurb, Warin Chamrap
6.	Det Udom	เทศบาลเมืองเดชอุดม	14,264	Main provincial southern city
7.	Kud Prathay	เทศบาลตำบลกุดประทาย	13,382
8.	Kholaen	เทศบาลตำบลคอแลน	12,703
9.	Thep Wongsa	เทศบาลตำบลเทพวงศา
10.	Phibun Mangsahan	เทศบาลเมืองพิบูลมังสาหาร	10,842	Main provincial eastern city
11.	Pathum	เทศบาลตำบลปทุม	10,505	Exurb, Ubon Ratchathani
12.	Nong Phue	เทศบาลตำบลหนองผือ	9,685
13.	Trakan	เทศบาลตำบลตระการ	9,082	Main provincial northern city
14.	Nam Yuen	เทศบาลตำบลน้ำยืน	9,542
15.	Kham Pom	เทศบาลตำบลขามป้อม	9,209
16.	Nikhom Sang Ton Eng Lum Dom Noi	เทศบาลตำบลนิมคมสร้างตนเองลำโดมน้อย	7,538
17.	Na Chaluay	เทศบาลตำบลนาจะหลวย	7,470
18.	Buangam	เทศบาลตำบลบัวงาม	7,086
19.	Na Yia	เทศบาลตำบลนาเยีย	6,730
20.	Khemmaratthani	เทศบาลตำบลเขมราฐ	6,288
21.	Ubon	เทศบาลตำบลอุบล	6,101	Exurb, Ubon Ratchathani
22.	Khuang Nai	เทศบาลตำบลเขื่องใน	4,751
23.	Buntharik	เทศบาลตำบลบุณฑริก	4,607
24.	Sri Muangmai	เทศบาลตำบลศรีเมืองใหม่	4,284
25.	Kud Khaopun	เทศบาลตำบลกุดข้าวปุ้น	4,124
26.	Chongmek	เทศบาลตำบลช่องเม็ก	3,628
27.	Muang Sam Sip	เทศบาลตำบลม่วงสามสิบ	3,358
28.	Huai Khayung	เทศบาลตำบลห้วยขะยูง	3,346
29.	Ang Sila	เทศบาลตำบลอ่างศิลา	3,304
30.	Tansum	เทศบาลตำบลตาลสุม	3,267
31.	Na Suang	เทศบาลตำบลนาส่วง	3,215
32.	Phosai	เทศบาลตำบลโพธิ์ไทร	3,100
33.	ฺBaan Dan - Khong Chium	เทศบาลตำบลบ้านด่านโขงเจียม	2,741
34.	Hua Na	เทศบาลตำบลหัวนา	N/A
35.	Muag Srikai	เทศบาลตำบลเมืองศรีไค	N/A	Exurb, Warin Chamrap
36.	That	เทศบาลตำบลธาตุ	N/A	Educational city, exurb, Warin Chamrap

Tourism

Sights

Thung Si Mueang (ทุ่งศรีเมือง) - is a landscaped public park in the heart of the city in front of the city hall. It houses an imitation carved candle sculpture, health park, and playground.

City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง) - At the southern corner of the field, the sacred pillar was built in 1972.

National Museum of Ubon Ratchathani (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ อุบลราชธานี) - The single-storey hip roofed building, built in 1918, once served as the city hall before it was handed to the Fine Arts Department. The museum has exhibitions on local geography, history of the city’s establishment, archaeological fine art objects, local handicrafts, and folk games.

The Golden Jubilee Art and Cultural Centre (ศูนย์ศิลปวัฒนธรรมกาญจนาภิเษก) - The 7-storey building in contemporary Isan architecture was built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the king's accession to the throne. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony on 11 December 2001.

Monument of Phra Pathum Worarat Suriyawong or Chao Kham Phong (อนุสาวรีย์พระปทุมวรราชสุริยวงศ์ หรือ เจ้าคำผง) - Phra Pathum Worarat Suriyawong was the founder of Ubon Ratchathani during 1778-1795.

Sculpture of Somdet Phra Maha Wirawong or Tisso Uan (ปฏิมากรรมสมเด็จพระมหาวีรวงศ์ หรือ ติสโส อ้วน) - a famous monk who was well versed in Sutra and Vipassana.

Monument of Goodness (อนุสาวรีย์แห่งความดี) - The monument was built by WWII PoWs to honour the generosity and goodness of the people of Ubon Ratchathani.

Sculpture of Harmony and Progress (ปฏิมากรรมร่วมใจก้าวไปข้างหน้า) - The sculpture represents the harmony of four countries: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Prasat Ban Ben (ปราสาทบ้านเบญจ์) - The Khmer sanctuary is a religious site comprising three brick prangs on separated laterite bases. The Fine Arts Department excavated the site in 1990 and found lintels featuring nine directional guardian angels and the God Indra on his Erawan heavenly elephant.

Wat Thung Si Mueang (วัดทุ่งศรีเมือง) The Buddha's footprint is housed in the ubosot which mirrors art blending between the early Rattanakosin era and that of Vientiane. Another important building in the temple is the Ho Trai, the Hall of Tipitaka scriptures. The wooden hall was built in the pond to protect the Tipitaka from insects.

Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram or Wat Si Thong (วัดศรีอุบลรัตนาราม หรือ วัดศรีทอง) - The ubosot houses a sacred Buddha image known as “Phra Kaeo Butsarakham”. The Buddha image, in the attitude of subduing Mara, is carved from topaz into the Chiang Saen style. Each year, in the Songkran Festival, people parade the Buddha image for the people to pay their respects to and bathe.

Wat Chaeng (วัดแจ้ง) - The ubosot, which was only completed 24 years later, is noted for its architecture and rare woodcarving. As a heritage site, the ubosot is well preserved in its original condition. It won a Certificate of Honour from Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in the "Architect 87" Exhibition.

Wat Maha Wanaram (วัดมหาวนาราม) - It was at first only a "Samnak Song", a monastic residence, for Vipassana monks. According to a stone inscription found behind the principal Buddha statue, Phrachao Yai In Paeng, it was built in 1807. The stucco Buddha statue, in the attitude of subduing Mara, was built in the Laotian style.

Wat Burapharam (วัดบูรพาราม) - The temple once served as a residence for famous meditation monks. Today, the temple houses lifelike stone figures of these monks.

Wat Supattanaram Worawihan (วัดสุปัฏนารามวรวิหาร) - This is the first Dhammayutika temple of the province. The temple has a special ubosot designed by a royal highway engineer Luang Sathit Nimankan (Chuan Supiyaphan). It has a Thai-style roof, Western-style hall and Khmer-style base.

Wat Nong Pa Phong (วัดหนองป่าพง) - The temple is in a lush forest of Tambon Non Phueng. Monks study and practice Vipassana meditation there. The temple has the Phra Phothiyan Thera Museum that displays the eight requisites and wax model of Luangpu Cha.

Wat Pa Nana Chat (วัดป่านานาชาติ) - Numerous foreign monks study and practice Vipassana meditation here; most of them can speak Thai fluently and pray in Pali.

Wat Sa Prasan Suk or Wat Ban Na Mueang (วัดสระประสานสุข หรือ วัดบ้านนาเมือง) - The temple houses a special ubosot in the shape of the Suphannahong Royal Barge decorated with mosaics. The abbot is Achan Bunmi.

Wat Phukhao Kaeo (วัดภูเขาแก้ว) - The temple has an ubosot delicately decorated with a tiered roof covered with terracotta tiles and supporting a golden spire in the middle. Inside is a high-relief regarding important phrathats, relic-containing pagodas, of Thailand.

Wat Thung Si Wilai (วัดทุ่งศรีวิไล) - The temple houses Luangpho Wiset, the principal Buddha image carved from laterite seated beneath the Naga's hood. The Buddha image from the Dvaravati period is considered a sacred icon for the village. The temple is surrounded by several enclosures of Sima stones that mark the temple’s consecrated boundary.

Wat Tham Kuha Sawan (วัดถ้ำคูหาสวรรค์) - The temple was built by Luangpu Khamkhaning Chulamani to be a place for meditation practice where he also resided. After Luangpu's death his body, which did not decompose, was put in a glass coffin and is considered sacred.

Wat Phu Anon (วัดภูอานนท์) - The temple has interesting attractions including a rock terrace with large footprints, nature-made stone jar, and cave painting.

Hat Wat Tai (หาดวัดใต้) - A beach in the middle of the Mun River. During the dry season, its white sandy beach is a tourist destination.

Hat Khu Duea (หาดคูเดื่อ) - This beach on the Mun River is 12 km (7.5 mi) from downtown Ubon Ratchathani via Highway 24.

Kaeng Saphue (แก่งสะพือ) - The rapids in the Mun River. "Saphue" derives from the word "Samphuet" in the Suai ethnic language meaning "large serpent".

Sirindhorn Dam (เขื่อนสิรินธร) - Called Khuean Dom Noi by the people of the area, the rockfill dam with a clay core was constructed across the Lam Dom Noi, a tributary of the Mun River. The hydroelectric dam is 42 metres high and 940 metres long.

Ban Kan Lueang Archaeological Site (แหล่งโบราณคดีบ้านก้านเหลือง) - An archaeological site which can be dated back to 2,800-2,500 years ago. In 1996, the Fine Arts Department found a number of artefacts such as beads, pottery, bronze bells, iron axes, and chaff.

Ban Pa-ao (บ้านปะอาว) - This ancient village is in Tambon Nong Khon. Two centuries ago, the villagers immigrated from Vientiane during the reign of King Siri Bunsan. The village produces brass work in an ancient style.

Chong Mek (ช่องเม็ก) - The permanent Thai-Lao border pass is 90 km (56 mi) from downtown Ubon Ratchathani. The pass is a land bridge to Champasak Province.

Annamese Lion Pulpit at Ban Chi Thuan (ธรรมาสน์สิงห์ศิลปะญวนที่บ้านชีทวน) - The Buddhist pulpit is placed at Wat Sinuan Saeng Sawang Arom. The concrete pulpit itself is unique, with a lion sculpture carrying the pulpit with decorative stucco, multi-layer wooden roof, and painting in the Annamese style.

Maenam Song Si (แม่น้ำสองสี) - At the mouth of the Mun River, Ban Woen Buek. The Mun River runs into the Mekong, so we can see two rivers, in two different colours. "Song si" means "two colours", blending together. The Mekong River is reddish brown, while the Mun River is rather blue.

Sao Chaliang (เสาเฉลียง) - Carved by wind and water for millions of years, the mushroom-like stone towers are scattered around the area containing shell fossils, sand and gravels in their texture. Geologists think that over a million years ago this area was a sea.

Pha Taem and Pha Kham (ผาแต้มและผาขาม) - The towering cliffs house groups of prehistorical paintings which date back 3,000-4,000 years. There are over 300 paintings in five categories including animals, geometrical motifs, rice farmers, hands, and "tum", or fish trap.

Namtok Soi Sawan (น้ำตกสร้อยสวรรค์) - Two streams, Huai Soi and Huai Phai, combine and plunge 20 metres down to the pond below, making the waterfall look like a necklace – "soi" in Thai.

Namtok Thung Na Mueang (น้ำตกทุ่งนาเมือง) - The medium-sized waterfall cascades down a 25-metre cliff through flowerbeds which are in full bloom from October to December.

Namtok Saeng Chan or Namtok Ru (น้ำตกแสงจันทร์หรือ น้ำตกรู) - The tiny cascade is special as the stream falls through a hole, "ru", down to the pond below. At noon, sunshine through the hole makes the waterfall look like a ray of moonshine, "saeng chan".

Dong Na Tham Forest (ป่าดงนาทาม) - From September to November is the best time to visit as flowers are in full bloom. There are waterfalls and fogs over the Mekong River. From January to March the forest changes its hue, with trees shedding their leaves, and cruises in the Mekong run from Ban Pak La to Khan Tha Kwian.

Phu Lon (ภูหล่น) - The mountain is in Tambon Song Yang, 20 km (12 mi) north of Amphoe Si Mueang Mai. It has a cave where monk Phra Achan Man Phurithatto practiced his Vipassana.

Phu Chong–Na Yoi National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติภูจอง-นายอย) - The park covers a total area of 686 km² (265 sq mi). Its boundary connects to Lao PDR and Cambodia in the area called the Emerald Triangle.

Pha Taem National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติผาแต้ม) - The park features plateaus, undulating hills, and towering cliffs with strange sandstone formations scattered around. The park is covered mostly by deciduous dipterocarp forest and wild flowers can be found on the rock terrace.

Kaeng Tana National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติแก่งตะนะ) - The park features plateaus and undulating hills with deciduous dipterocarp forest and grassland.

Namtok Kaeng Lamduan (น้ำตกแก่งลำดวน) - These falls are in the compound of the Ubon Ratchathani Wildlife Reservation Promotion and Development Station. The waterfall runs over a rock terrace and through the shady forest of Lamduan trees.

Namtok Huai Sai Yai or Kaeng I Khiao (น้ำตกห้วยทรายใหญ่ หรือ แก่งอีเขียว) - The waterfall is in the Buntharik–Khao Yot Mon Wildlife Sanctuary. The waterfall runs over the rock terrace in a shady environment.

Local products

Local products of note include hand-woven cotton, Khit pillows, loincloth, silk, brassware, and basketry.

The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, the most elaborate of the traditional parading of candles to wats (Thai: แห่เทียน hae thian), is held in Ubon Ratchathani, Isan, Thailand, around the days of Asanha Puja (which commemorates the Buddha's first sermon) and Wan Kao Pansa (which marks the beginning of vassa).

At the start of the Lenten period, it is traditional in preparation for the rainy season for the devout to donate to items for the personal use of monks, and of candles to dispel gloom in their quarters and elsewhere within the wat. The latter is often the core event of many village celebrations, but is at its most elaborate in the Ubon Ratchathani version, which nowadays is a major event both for residents and for tourists: giant candles are paraded through the town, each representing a local temple, district or other institution. The more elaborate versions are accompanied by scenes of Hindu and Buddhist mythology sculpted in wood or plaster and coated with wax. Of course, these candles are never burned.

The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, the most elaborate of the traditional parading of candles to wats (Thai: แห่เทียน hae thian), is held in Ubon Ratchathani, Isan, Thailand, around the days of Asanha Puja (which commemorates the Buddha's first sermon) and Wan Kao Pansa (which marks the beginning of vassa).

At the start of the Lenten period, it is traditional in preparation for the rainy season for the devout to donate to items for the personal use of monks, and of candles to dispel gloom in their quarters and elsewhere within the wat. The latter is often the core event of many village celebrations, but is at its most elaborate in the Ubon Ratchathani version, which nowadays is a major event both for residents and for tourists: giant candles are paraded through the town, each representing a local temple, district or other institution. The more elaborate versions are accompanied by scenes of Hindu and Buddhist mythology sculpted in wood or plaster and coated with wax. Of course, these candles are never burned.

A girl dancing in the parade

A figure on one of the floats The candles are carved a couple of days before the procession.

On Asanha Bucha day, the candles are taken to Thung Si Mueang, a park in the middle of the city, where they are decorated and then exhibited in the evening. On the same evening, there are small processions with lighted candles at several temples.

The procession takes place on the morning of Wan Kao Pansa. The candles are paraded through the city centre on floats, accompanied by representatives of the respective institutions. These are normally dancers or musicians in traditional dress.

In addition to the above, the festival is accompanied by the usual paraphernalia of feasting and games which attend any Thai festival.

References

External links

• Ubon Ratchathani travel guide from Wikivoyage

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ubon Ratchathani.

• Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT): Ubon Ratchathani
• Website of province (Thai only)

	Amnat Charoen Province Yasothon Province	Savannakhet Province,  Laos	Salavan Province,  Laos
	Sisaket Province		Champasak Province,  Laos
		Ubon Ratchathani Province
		Preah Vihear Province,  Cambodia

Coordinates: 15°13′46″N 104°51′04″E / 15.22944°N 104.85111°E / 15.22944; 104.85111