3 Days 2 Nights: This April in Ubon Ratchathani 2026

Actually, Ubon Ratchathani is well known for Candle Festival for tourist. But I had experience Candle Festival already so this year I want to try Songkran Festival. Luckily, I have a friend Arty who has hometown there. So, she was my good tour guide.

Since I booked Air Asia with noon flight as I want to arrive one day earlier from Songkran Festival. Since I booked flight since January so the prices still ok. Last week the prices become double because of Songkran Festival in Ubon Ratchathani also popular for tourists as well.

I arrived Ubon Ratchathani airport on 12th April around 1700hrs. While landing to Ubon Ratchathani airport. I heard captain announced the ground temperature is 40 Celsius degrees （even higher than Bangkok). But I think Ubon Ratchathani at least they have more tree than Bangkok so I should be ok there. 

The airport looks nice, new, new and look hi tech. Arty was there to pick me up. Unfortunately, she got accident in the morning fell down while she is cleaning her house. So, she might not walk with me to visit some places, but she still can drive.

And my trip to Ubon Ratchathani 12-14 April begins. There was Songkran Festival in Ubon Ratchathani as same as Bangkok so every where decorated for this festival.

On the way to Wat Phu Prao. I saw many food stalls selling grilled chicken. And grilled sweet corn.

And it was almost dinner time so Arty stopped at one shop to but chicken.

The taste of this grilled chicken is so good. However, the sticky rice here seemed difference from Bangkok or many sticky rice taste depend on where they grow it. 

Wat Phu Prao, also known as Wat Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao. The first place for this trip. After left airport, we drove directly with 1.5hours to the temple as we wanted to be there during sunset time. 

I came here once around 3 years ago with another friends. But that time we had arrived during late afternoon. It was not the right time, so we did not see the temple's luminescent features come to life. 

Besides of the take photos of temple. We were lucky that the temple prepared pour water to buddha image for Songkran Festival. So, we did it.

This time we were there before sunset and see how beautiful of the sunset to the river. 

We enjoyed the serene ambiance and stunning visuals, and we were at the right time to see how beautiful of this temple after sunset.

And I got good spot to take photos of sunset

There were a lot of people around the temple. They came for the same reason. 

And some photos of temple before and after sunset to see how they look difference.

When the sky turned darker, the more people came and the temple shinning more and more. We got lots of nice photos then we left the temple heading back to city.

We arrived back around 8pm so we chose the lite dinner, boiled rice. 

Arty knows very well for good choice of restaurant here. And she picked this one.

They have variety of menus

Crispy fish in spicy salad is her favorite menu

Sweet radish with egg is so good

Clams with chili paste and sweet basil

And this spicy chicken feet soup is my most favorite today. After finished dinner we saw dry squid selling in front of the restaurant. And Arty recommend this one which very popular for local people. Then I tried.

I have to say this is the original taste of this snack. The sauce and the texture and taste of dry squid recall my child memory. This menu if for friends enjoy time together. 

However, we tasted small piece of it as we were too full. So, we brought them home and supposed to eat next morning.

Arrived home and we separated to bed and slept quite early.

13th April - this is the Songkran Festival （Thai New Year）. We woke up around 7am and left home around 8am to find local breakfast. And Arty chose this restaurant.

Arty picked her favorite menu

And side dish

I picked 2 menus

All food are very good. And we were lucky, while enjoy eating our food. 

There was a Songkran Parade passing infront of the restaurant.

The parade from the temple and we had chance to donate money to this temple during this festival. 

After breakfast, we left the city and head out to visit Grand Canyon of Mae Khong River which well known as Sam Phan Bok.

Sam Phan Bok

This place also known as the "Grand Canyon of Thailand" is a seasonal attraction and the biggest rock reef in the Maekhong River. Sam Phan Bok is a group of sandstone that has been eroded by streams from the Mekong River every rainy season.

It is located 700km from Bangkok (by road). Sam Phan Bok translates as '3,000 shallow lakes'. It is in northeastern Thailand (Isan), on the bank of the Mekong

We took around 2 hours then reached to Sam Phan Bok

Now is summer season. The water in Mae Khong River almost dry. 

But it made created stunning view. To go the middle of the river, we have to take local truck. They charge only THB 200/car to go to the middle of the river. 

Arty still want to join even her left leg not 100% ready.

Our local junior guide today name Mesa.

He done very good job

Take good care of Arty

Be good photographer

And took us to all highlights

Under 38 Celsius degrees.,20minutes at the grand canyon is more than enough

Then we left the Grand Canyon to the meeting point.

And got good snack

The Grand Canyon is on the same direction to the Pha Tam National Park. 

Before we arrived at Pha Tam National Park to see the Rock painting. We stopped by at this amazing stones. We both came here once long time ago.

And finally, we arrived to Pha Tam National Park tourist center.

Pha Tam National Park

Pha Taem National Park is a natural sanctuary located in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. It is renowned for its stunning landscapes, ancient rock paintings, and diverse flora and fauna. The park covers an area of approximately 340sqms and is known for its dramatic cliffs, ancient rock paintings, and unique geological formations. Visitors can explore the park's main attraction, the prehistoric rock paintings, which are estimated to be over 3,000 years old.

And I got one more stamp on my National Park passport.

Arty cannot walk to the painting zone as her leg still hurt.

But at least she got nice photo for check in.

The weather was quite hot. So, I bought a bottle of drinking water and walk alone to the painting point.

From the top of the mountain must steps down the stairs. 

Along the walk where one side is the cliff and another side is the dale. But the weather was not bad. 

The shade of the mountain cover along way and the win blowing.

I found him and not sure if he still alive or death. Walking alone should not take any risk. So, I walked pass him and heading the painting zone.

Around 1kms from beginning to this highlight

Actually, the walkway now very convenience and easier walk than last time I came. So, this place is worth to visit but if you have time I suggest coming during cool season from November-February.

Actually, the total distance to visit all the painting spot will take around 3.4kms but since I walked alone and we have to return to city before it dark as Arty feel not comfortable to drive in the dark. Then I visit only 2 zones with 2kms distance. And return to the tourist center.

See the time, it was 2pm so we left the park to restaurant for lunch

And Arty chose this one

Travel to Northeastern (Isan), eating Isan food is a must. Ubon Ratchathani also a province in Northeastern. So, we order this green bean salad.

This menu is good to pair with steam jasmine or noodle but today I go with rice

 And the province is located along the river so the fish from the river are very good.

We have lite lunch today as we want to continue with the dessert at their cafe

Actually, I forgot to mention about the flower which blooming during summer in this area. The yellow flower be hide Arty is that flower. So, we can see this flower almost everywhere in Thailand especially in Isan area.

Their restaurant and cafe located by Mae Khong River. So, the view that we saw is the mountain of Laos.

We got our drinks

And their signature toast name Memories Toast.  We enjoyed the view and dessert and left the cafe around 4pm.

And because there are some road renovation se we have to change the route to city. Luckily, we came back not too late evening.

It was long day under high temperature today. And we had late lunch, so we do not need dinner today. We stopped by at 7-11 to get some drink and continue direct to Arty's home.

Refresh and then I write down our journey today here. Checked some emails from inbox and then go to bed. 

14th April - another day of Songkran Festival. It was nice sleep and woke up around 7am because we had great walked yesterday. 

Today Arty's mom join us for breakfast at the same restaurant name Chio Kee. But we ordered difference menus. And after breakfast we continue to visit temples to experience local style Songkran festival. 

Along the way, we saw people wearing colorful cloths. Because of Songkran festival which well known for tourist as water festival so people ready to get wet. 

First temple we visit was WAT PHRATHAT NONG BUA (NONG BUA SPIRES)

This is one of the beautiful temples in Ubon Ratchathani.

Arty and her mom enjoyed worship all Naka sculptures

And worship to the buddha image inside pagoda

Inside the temple, we saw some Thai people came for worship buddha image as well. Because today is Thai new year, so people come to get blessing from the monk for their good coming year.

After that we continue to another temple where they have celebrating Songkran festival 

Wat Maha Wanaram Phra Aram Luang

Arty suggests visiting this temple. Local people may call Wat Pa Yai. There is importance and the revered Phra Chao Yai in Paeng Buddha image. The temple was built since around 250 years ago. Arty said every time she came back to her hometown, she always comes to this temple and wins the lotto when she returns.

But for my, besides of worship to the Buddha image I love to visit temples in Thailand and also in other countries. Because each temple has their unique architecture and history.

Today they decoration colorful flag around the temple and lots of people came for pour water the buddha image and get blessing from the monks.

Inside the temple, lots of people line up for pouring water to Big Buddha Image which is the main buddha image of this temple.

We also have chance to do it

Outside the pavilion, they have sand pagoda

This is Buddhist culture. Thai people believe that when we visit temple our shoes bring some sand from the temple even, we are not intended to do it. So, during Songkran festival people bring sand back to the temple.

There are lots of celebration activities 

Even the weather quite hot but everyone smiling to each other

I notice that there are lots of buddha images set up for people pouring water to them. 

Thai people believe the more we worship the more we get happiness, success and healthy

This is my first time experience Songkran festival outside Bangkok. I was very enjoyed and like this festival more and more. Not only water fighting but there are lots of cultures that now quite hard to see in big city where the modern life made people forgot some cultures.

So, I'm thinking may be next year. I will visit other province during Songkran to see how difference. Because Thailand has 4 parts, so culture is difference. Ubon Ratchathani is in Northeastern Part. We have Lampang province, Lamphun province and also Chiang Mai. So, may be the north for next year.

Before I left to airport. Arty took me to the famous souvenir shop to find some local product for my friend and my family in Bangkok. And then send me to airport for late evening flight.

Here are all my memories during 3 days in Ubon Ratchathani. Some part is to recall my memories to some places that I had visit long time ago. Some part is to experience and tried something news like food, places that I visit first time.

However, it always good to go out to visit some places. Just some places which you can away from your routine job, daily life for short break. And then you will come back to those routines with full energy, like me.