Udon Thani a very quiet place Now!!!

[ThailandRyan]

Lets start this by saying, I used to live in Udon Thani with my now ex-wife.  I had to return from Bangkok this last Friday to take care of some final paperwork at the Amphur and land office.  On Friday morning I boarded my Thai Smile morning flight and was met with a fairly empty plane, maybe no more than 40 people on the flight.  Upon arrival at the Udon Thani Airport, it reminded me of a ghost town, fairly empty inside as well as in the actual parking lot, which used to be packed.  I picked up my rental vehicle, and headed out to where I needed to go.  It was by now 8:45, and I would have expected there to be traffic and people around everywhere, but again it was eerily empty.  I drove through the main artery of town, and through the roundabouts, headed towards the immigration office in order to drop off some paperwork at a translation place nearby. The roads were fairly empty, and the language school I use for translations of paperwork was also empty.  I asked the lady who I have know for years where everyone was, as town was slow.  Now mind you this is a Friday morning.  She indicated to me that it had slowed down about 6 weeks prior to a trickle, because of the poor economy, no tourists and no water.  She said people who had moved to Bangkok were all returning home as there was no work for them, but they were not hanging around in town as no one has much money.  As I drove away and headed towards Nong Bua Lamphu, I noticed that the Big C parking lot was empty, the car wash at the front, which used to be busy, was closed and gutted.  I drove into the parking lot to gather some drinks from inside Big C and was astonished to find the majority of anchor stores closed, the banks gone, and Big C itself looking like a Dollar store.  It was now 11 am and Big C had maybe 5 customers inside.  I saw items all over marked at 50% off and wondered how long it would be before this Big C went under.  As I drove out and headed back towards my destination I noticed the Tesco Lotus parking lot looked empty and the nearly 4 year old "169 Stores" location just up the road was all closed up like it was completely out of business.  

 

As I arrived in the city where the Amphur I needed to attend was located, I noticed it was also fairly quiet.  It was now lunch time, and the center market which used to be busy, was also nearly empty.  When I met with my former father in-law who is a Phu Yai he indicated everything was really bad everywhere, and people were having problems financially.  I took care of the paperwork as needed and headed back to Udon where I was staying.  I checked into a fairly empty Centara hotel, then went next door to the Central Festival Mall. I was in the mall from about 4 pm to 7 pm. Again, a ghost town.  It is hard for me to see how any of these businesses will survive whats happening in Udon Thani or the rest of this country.  

 

The entire weekend was more of the same, the town was empty, and even Nong Prajak Lake and the 3 poor large yellow ducks looked lonely, and the lake almost empty. I flew back yesterday evening on a Monday night return flight, and again the airport in Udon was nearly empty.  No more than 20 people on my flight, and even when we landed at Suvarnabhumi it was also eerily empty at 10 pm.  

 

To sum it all up, it was actually an experience I never would have expected with what the government is always putting out as well as what posters are saying about there being people here.  I have lived here long enough to know that this countries economy and people are suffering, and it does not bode well.  Just my reflecting on a quick trip north and my take on things.  Now go ahead and bash away, its always expected.......

Edited March 3, 2020 by ThailandRyan

[NCC1701A]

10 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

The entire weekend was more of the same, the town was empty,

don't forget about the virus. no one is going anywhere. events nation wide are shutting down.

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, NCC1701A said:

don't forget about the virus. no one is going anywhere. events nation wide are shutting down.

I have not forgotten about that NCC, In fact I thought I could pick up some face masks, but none to be found, and the people I did see were not wearing them.  

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Quote

Wonder how many % of all the Farangs that lived in Udon 5-6 years ago are still there? Used to be a vibrant city.

 

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

 

I visited with a friend from the US who has lived there for almost 20 years, near Nong Saeng, and he indicated that half of the expats he knows have moved back to there home countries to work and have closed up the small restaurants that there wives used to run, in order to save money and refill their accounts. In fact one even moved his kids overseas, taking them from the international school they were in, and putting them in school in his home country.

[Halfaboy]

It's quite a dramatic story. I had not expected that. Thanks for posting....

[NanLaew]

The OP says he 'used to live' in Udon but doesn't give any indication of when that was thus any suggestion that it's 'very quiet place Now!!!' has no point in time as a reference.

[ThailandRyan]

15 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

The OP says he 'used to live' in Udon but doesn't give any indication of when that was thus any suggestion that it's 'very quiet place Now!!!' has no point in time as a reference.

I lived in Udon Thani from January 2010 to August 2014, then back to the US, and then back again from June 2016 to last May when the Divorce took place. Between 2014 and 2016 we popped back and forth during school breaks in the US for the daughter.  So there is your reference frame.

[from the home of CC]

so, are you bragging or complaining - no bash intended..

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

so, are you bragging or complaining - no bash intended..

in reference to what CC.....bash away. The response above yours was for the reference of a time frame, nothing to brag about or complain about.  The OP I wrote was just an observation of returning for the first time since I moved away, nothing more.

[from the home of CC]

30 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

in reference to what CC.....bash away. The response above yours was for the reference of a time frame, nothing to brag about or complain about.  The OP I wrote was just an observation of returning for the first time since I moved away, nothing more.

nah, as I said no bash. Predominantly posters on this site are either bragging or complaining, usually the latter. Your post confused me ( it don't take much) for it was as you say 'an observation' .. 

[Puchaiyank]

Thank you for your astonishing report.  No one could have predicted how quickly things have turned sour for that area.

 

When I left there last Nov. Udon Thani was a crowded vibrant city...UD town packed every night...mall was busy and many people coming and going from Centura Hotel...Big-C also was so filled with vehicles it was difficult to find a parking place...

 

I wonder how the people in power will react to this situation?  Relax Visa rules...perks for tourists and ex-pat retirees?  Nah, lets up the cost of Visas, mandatory healthcare insurance and hospital expenses...that will show them how much we care about their business! ????

 

Thailand's leadership has failed the country by their punitive measures...How do you like Thailand now?

[KhunBENQ]

3 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

As I drove away and headed towards Nong Bua Lamphu, I noticed that the Big C parking lot was empty, the car wash at the front, which used to be busy, was closed and gutted.  I drove into the parking lot to gather some drinks from inside Big C and was astonished to find the majority of anchor stores closed, the banks gone, and Big C itself looking like a Dollar store.

Without depreciating your other observations:

I assume you refer to that BigC on highway 216 (western ring) south to Nong Bua?

This place is a deserted place since long. Dark and deserted ground floor.

Not much better for Tesco on that route.

 

BigC on route 22 is very lively/busy. Much better selection than in Khon Kaen.

Tesco in the north (hw 22 near junction with hw 2) is also busy.

It's a complete mystery why they don't shut down these two places.

(must be cheap operation cost or so?)

 

And of course Central eats it all. Go there on Sunday noon and try to get into the parking deck.

Absolute chaos and stress. Half of Vientiane's upper class adds to the crowds.

 

But otherwise: Udon is a sleepy town at 8:45 AM.

In November I did an overnight there and for an early bird it was not easy to find a western breakfast place at 8:30 around the "entertainment center"

 

 

 

[Phuket Mafia]

I just moved here roughly 2 months ago and love it. I’m not really sure how the town was before but in its current state it’s perfect for me.

 

Im certainly struggling to meet other young foreigners but fingers crossed ????

[EricTh]

Goes to show how much Thailand's economy depends on the Chinese tourists.

[riclag]

Went with my mates  in November stayed on soi falang for 3 nights. A few bars open unofficially to 2 or 3 am. Lots of people just like the past.  My friends went again in the middle of February they said it was disappointing ,very unattended with some bars not open at all.

[Kadilo]

I arrive Friday for the weekend and am a regular visitor so I will update 

[ThailandRyan]

4 hours ago, Kadilo said:

I arrive Friday for the weekend and am a regular visitor so I will update 

Lets Hope what I observed last weekend was a fluke, but then I wait to hear your report

[Worldplus]

I lived in Udon for 7 years.. About 2006 to 2013... Loved the place..  Its a shame to hear its that quiet..

 

Great beer bars and great places to eat.

[martin26]

Arrived in Udon Sat for a 4 night stay at Centara which was busy for the weekend. Roads all busy as usual and I have known Udon for 15yrs now UD town and night market busy I have seen Central Plaza less busy in the past. For me Udon is nothing like a ghost town

[ThailandRyan]

14 minutes ago, martin26 said:

Arrived in Udon Sat for a 4 night stay at Centara which was busy for the weekend. Roads all busy as usual and I have known Udon for 15yrs now UD town and night market busy I have seen Central Plaza less busy in the past. For me Udon is nothing like a ghost town

Glad you saw it differently than I did.  Centara was anything but busy, as it had been in the past.  UD Town very slow from past times, traffic only at certain times like finishing work.  But then all views may differ.

[poohy]

16 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

I visited with a friend from the US who has lived there for almost 20 years, near Nong Saeng, and he indicated that half of the expats he knows have moved back to there home countries to work and have closed up the small restaurants that there wives used to run, in order to save money and refill their accounts. In fact one even moved his kids overseas, taking them from the international school they were in, and putting them in school in his home country.

I can totally agree

i am not an oldie a mere 60 been retired for about 7 years but i am now planning on 6 month here 6 months in uk i am lining up a bit of a job for when i get back and can stay relatively free with family

Plus points  i can get back on national health renew all driving licences be a uk resident again (i'vee been away 25 years)

I can then just pop back here when it suits me

 

BIG downside i will miss my wife and dogs

[kwonitoy]

I've lived in Udon for over 10 years and I don't notice any great slow down.

Same traffic on the way to my son's school, busy to gridlock at times early in the morning.

When I go to Villa or Tops its crowded.

If you go to Central Mall after 1 PM on a Sat. or Sun. good luck trying to find a parking spot, we always go before 12 on weekends and I still can't find a parking spot untill the 5 th floor.

Udon isn't a Chinese destination so there's no loss from them not coming, they never did.

That said they will be on foreigner less at the end of March as it adios amigos for Me and my son.

[CGW]

27 minutes ago, kwonitoy said:

I've lived in Udon for over 10 years and I don't notice any great slow down.

Likewise, I have lived here 6+ years, daytime's are no different to any time in the previous years, busy! Nightlife I cannot comment on, its never been "vibrant" IMO.

[bbbbooboo]

Hmm.... sounds like the horse has bolted for all the reasons expoused thousands of times by posters on here over 10’s of years .Som nom na?

[tlandtday]

Interestingly I was in Khon Kaen in December and hadnt been back there for about five years and it was very slow from what I past remembered particularly in the nigh venue locations.

[Thingamabob]

Corona is taking it's toll all over the world. It will get worse before it starts to get better. Things everywhere likely to be very quiet for several months. 

[SERGERAMOS]

I was in udon from November till the end of Jan it was quite busy pretty much the same as usual I arrived back last week and was amazed by how quiet it is I am judging this on the night life in soi sampan and surrounding beer bars central plaza and my local gym which in my opinion gives a good indicator on the local economy all of these places are pretty much dead were as the same time last year it was vibrant not sure what's happened but your observations are pretty much spot on 

[Caine]

Funny when you go on Booking. Com all Udon hotel only have one room left. Strange coincidence that. ????????????

[CuriousKen]

Thank you Thailand Ryan for an informative post. It is a pity you have to endure a member: “from the home of CC,” posting: “so, are you bragging or complaining - no bash intended.”

It is a bash intended or not.

This is why I rarely post on these forums now because I know that out there, is some know it all, hovering with his fingers over the keyboard looking for an excuse to make some snide remark.

And then there is the reply from NanLaew posting: “The OP says he 'used to live' in Udon but doesn't give any indication of when that was thus any suggestion that it's 'very quiet place Now!!!' has no point in time as a reference.”

Does it matter?

 

Thailand Ryan used to live in Udon Thani, and has recently revisited, and states it’s a very quiet place now.

NanLaew is just finding fault with a good, informative post. When did you write a post as long NanLaew?

 

The Thaiger put it well when they published:

The Keyboard Warriors

We can’t leave this group out because there seems to be a large contingent of keyboard warriors out there who keep Thai website administrators busy. They respond to everything that’s posted and are keen to share their expert advice on the matter. On ALL matters. They are a virtual Library of Congress when it comes to dispensing their opinions and vast knowledge about all matters relating to life in Thailand, or anywhere really.

Web administrators (The Thaiger included) are kept busy ‘hiding’ and deleting some of their extravagant claims, nonsense or thinly-veiled abuse at the writer of the story, the website generally or other commenters.

 

Keep posting Thailand Ryan.