Udon Thani (Thai: อุดรธานี) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Nong Bua Lamphu and Loei.Udon Thani Province is located in the north of the Khorat Plateau, between the provinces of Khon Kaen to its south, and Nong Khai to its north. The city of Udon Thani, its capital, is served by the railway line that goes northeast from Saraburi through Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) and Khon Kaen to the border of Laos on the outskirts of Nong Khai city. Regular direct trains including night sleepers connect the city with Bangkok. The provincial capital, often referred to as just Udon, is Thailand's fifth-largest MSA. In Roman script it is also often spelled Udorn.
AirStrategically important for the Isan region's infrastructure, Udon Thani's airport was raised to international standard in 2006 with the opening of a new terminal to compliment its existing domestic arrival and departure building which is now defunct. At peak times of the year there may be as many as 20 scheduled flights per day operating in and out of Udon Thani, thus making it one of the country's busiest domestic airports.[citation needed] Currently, two budget airlines, Air Asia and Nok Air, and the national carrier, Thai Airways, operate from the airport.
Road
The city is bisected by Mittraphap Road, the highway linking Bangkok with the Northeast and Laos. A modern, multi-lane ringroad system enables through traffic to bypass the city centre either to the west or the east. It connects to the airport and to the main roads leading to Nong Bua Lamphu province in the west and to Sakhon Nakhon in the east.
Rail
A station in the city centre on the main Bangkok - Nong Khai line provides the city with regular services to and from the capital and Nong Khai.
Bus
Essential local and city services are provided by songthew truck and pickup truck busses, while regional and long distance destinations are served by regular bus vehicles from several bus terminals. The long distance 'VIP' First Class busses operate from a terminal in the city centre and connect Udon Thani with daytime and overnight routes to Bangkok and many province capitals.
