Udon To Mukdahan

[sceadugenga]

Hi Isaan folk, a little back ground information for a project I'm working on would be most appreciated.

What's the road from Udon Thani to Mukdahan like?

I see it's about 250kms, how long would a normal car journey take?

Is the road ever cut by bad weather?

[sutnyod]

I think you mean the route that cuts out Nakorn Phanom, right? The bus goes from Udorn directly to Prathat Phanom and then south towards Mukdaharn. Whenever the road leaves the Mekong it's a bit boring to look out of the window, so be prepared for some conversation with fellow passengers. I remember the road was good (went in late April).

The trip I took was quite long, 7 hours +. But is was a normal bus that stopped at every chicken pen.

[sceadugenga]

I was more concerned with traveling by car, taking the best route rather than the most scenic. I suppose going through Nakorn Phanom would increase the time taken as with any large city. Thanks for the input sutnyod.

[sutnyod]

Yes, going via Nakorn Phanom is longer. But I would rather go for the long road if I went by car. Why?

The road from Nakorn Phanom to Prathat Phanom is beautiful and runs parallel to the Mekong.

If you have time on your hands, try to stay in Prathat Phanom at night. When it is dark, you could go to That Phanom, something you should do anyway if you are born on a Sunday . When the sun rises in the morning go to the old city gate facing the Mekong. That is where the merchants came into town in the earlier days and the whole surrounding quarter looks like from 200 years back. It's very beautiful. Should you feel like picnic - there is the only Mekong island belonging to Thailand to visit, just a few km south from there.

Maybe that changes your mind?

[edd]

No problems

Good road 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic.

I did the trip last November.

I saw 3 car crashes, 2 dead dogs and a cow fell out of the back of a pickup.

All in all an average trip for Isan.