Ubon Ratchathani: Did You See Thailand's Grand Canyon?

Vol. 19 - Jan 2025

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Hello, and welcome to a fresh & renewed version of The Thai List. As we are growing we keep pushing for the most value we can offer to our dear readers. As the previous editions were quite long and took a while to read, we decided to make the newsletter more easy to read. Don’t worry it’s even more full with insider tips, local secrets and hidden gems. We hope you like it!

This week we are in Ubon Ratchathani. It’s very interesting because it feels real, in a way many places don’t anymore. The food is made for locals, not adjusted for visitors. Temples are active, not attractions. Rivers are part of daily life, not a backdrop.

There’s a lot going on, but it’s not packaged (for tourists). You have to pay attention a bit. That’s what makes Ubon exciting. It feels like you’re seeing how a place actually works.

Here’s everything that’s truly worth your time.

Happy travels, Ploy & Jochem

A travel story

Ubon feels big as soon as you arrive. The roads are wide, there’s not much traffic, and getting around is easy.

We stayed east of town at Tohsang Khongjiam Resort, right on the Mekong River. Most mornings started by looking out at the water. Boats went past, people fished, and breakfast usually took longer than expected.

We kept coming back to The River Cafe, near where the Mun and Mekong Rivers meet. It’s an easy stop for coffee, mostly because of the view. And the staff is super nice and welcoming (Moana even got a free Chai Yen, Thai Iced tea!) You can see the Bi-Colored River clearly from here, with the two rivers running side by side in different colours.

One day we drove inland to Wat Nong Pah Pong. It’s an active monastery, not a tourist site, and that’s obvious straight away. People speak quietly and move carefully without being told to. It’s calm, but in a very real way.

Another day we headed east to Pha Taem National Park. The cliffs run along the Mekong, and the rock paintings are just there on the stone walls. There are signs, but nothing feels overdone. You notice things as you walk, not because they’re pointed out.

We went to Sam Phan Bok early in the morning. As the sun came up, it was easier to see the rock pools and understand how big the place actually is. You can tell it’s been shaped by water over a long time. It’s easy to see why they call this ‘Thailand’s Grand Canyon.’

By the end of the trip, the days felt easy to fall into. We’d get up early, drive short distances, stop often, and usually stay longer than we meant to.

It’s the feeling of discovering the real Thailand. That’s what made it so hard to leave.

• 6:30 am : Morning by the river // Step outside while the air is still cool. Watch fishermen and passing boats along the Mekong.

• 8:00 am : Local breakfast // Coffee, grilled sticky rice, and something warm from a nearby market or roadside stall.

• 09:30 am : Forest temple visit // Drive to Wat Nong Pah Pong. Walk slowly. Let the quiet set the pace.

• 12:30 pm : Isaan lunch // Som tam, larb, grilled chicken, sticky rice. Simple, sharp flavors.

• 2:00 pm : Rest through the heat // Back to your room or a shaded café. Ubon afternoons are for slowing down.

• 4:00 pm : Scenic drive // Head toward Pha Taem or along the river roads near Khong Chiam.

• 6:00 pm : Sunset by the Mekong River // The river softens the light. Stay until it fades completely.

• 7:30 pm : Dinner close by // Local restaurant (there is choice of many), easy service, no rush.

Ubon’s food is direct and proudly regional.

Som Tam Pla Ra
Fermented fish included, always. Sour, salty, alive.

Larb Isaan
Minced meat with toasted rice powder and herbs. Dry, aromatic, balanced.

Gai Yang
Grilled chicken brushed with garlic and lemongrass, eaten with sticky rice by hand.

Look for small, busy shops. Menus may be minimal, and often in thai (use chatgpt to translate it). If there’s a crowd of locals in the restaurant, that’s where you want to be.

A phrase you will hear and feel everywhere in Ubon.

Songs for discovering Thailand: from scenic drives to hidden escapes. New vibes added every week .

Click on any of the tracks below to get in the travel mood.

We hope you enjoyed this edition of The Thai List. If you did, please share the love 💕 by inviting your friends and family to join our little community.

Each week we uncover local secrets, hidden escapes, and the best food and drinks Thailand has to offer.

Don’t miss out on the journey.

Wishing you save travels,

The Thai List - Your weekly postcard from Thailand 🇹🇭