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#Take the train to Ubon

Embark on a scenic train journey to Ubon Ratchathani, where the allure of nature beckons.

A 3-day, 3-night train journey: A unique perspective on life

This 3-day, 3-night train journey, roundtrip by rail, was an exciting and enjoyable experience after a long hiatus from train travel. The nearly 13-hour journey offered much more than just eating, sleeping, and watching the scenery pass by. It provided a glimpse into the lives and routines of people living along the railway, fostering conversations with strangers and exchanging travel tips. This immersive experience, we believe, is something that can only be truly understood through firsthand participation.

Let's go for a train ride. :)

Stone pillar: A stone pillar formed by the continuous erosion of water, wind, and sunlight over hundreds of years.

A million years, a masterpiece of nature's sculpture.

"Pha Taem National Park" is the first place in Thailand to see the sunrise. The view below is the Mekong River, which separates Thailand and Laos.

Three Thousand Boulders, also known as Sam Phan Bok, refers to a geological formation of three thousand potholes or depressions carved into the sandstone plateau.

Enough of the introduction, let's begin our journey! :)

Train number 9 departs from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani.

While waiting for the train at Hua Lamphong, I grabbed a bite to eat.

The train has arrived! Please board the train and sit in the seat number indicated on your ticket.

The train departed from Hua Lamphong at 4 pm, 30 minutes behind schedule.

The train offers a constant stream of snacks and treats to enjoy while taking in the passing scenery. The cool breeze invites a moment to rest and close your eyes.

I fell asleep for a while and woke up around 1:00 AM. I got up to close the window because it was quite cold.

We have arrived at Ubon Ratchathani Railway Station. It is now 4:30 AM. The first bus to the transportation station leaves at 6:00 AM. What should we do? There are only chartered cars available, which are expensive. Suddenly, a man approached us and asked, "Where are you going? Would you like to share a ride? The car is full and we can leave now. It's 20 baht per person." "Yes, we are going to the transportation station," I replied. It was a small red songthaew that charged a low price.

The red songthaew brought us to the bus station at around 5:30 AM, and we then found a connecting ride to Pha Taem.

The van costs 100 baht per person. Tell the driver that you want to get off at Pha Taem.

The kind van driver drove us past the intersection so we wouldn't have to walk far. From this sign, walk straight along the road for 4 kilometers to reach Pha Taem National Park.

No need to worry about getting lost. Just follow the clearly marked path. You're almost there, only 2 kilometers to go!

After walking for about 1 kilometer, I came across the Sala Cheliang. I stopped to take some photos. Inside, there is a viewpoint and a cracked rock field where you can explore nature.

We have arrived at Pha Taem National Park.

Stroll and admire the surrounding scenic views.

Let's go see prehistoric paintings.

The path is relatively shaded, but beyond this point, near the exit, it becomes a forest. The weather is hot, so it is advisable to wear a hat or bring an umbrella and drinking water.

Ancient rock paintings on the cliff face, dating back approximately 3,000-4,000 years, depict five main categories: human figures, animals, hunting tools, handprints, and geometric patterns.

Our next destination was Pha Charoen Chai. A park ranger helped us hail a tourist vehicle, and we hitched a ride.

The road is a semi-off-road path that ascends a slope and traverses a rocky terrain.

For traversing streams and ascending steep rocky slopes, a standard-height pickup truck or a lifted pickup truck would be more convenient due to the varying terrain.

The road narrows to a single lane as it enters the forest.

After nearly two hours of bouncing in the back of a pickup truck, we arrived at the campsite. There are no restaurants or shops here, so it's important to bring enough food and water. The restrooms are clean and there are showers available.

After setting up the tent and taking a short break, we continued our journey for about 1 kilometer to enjoy the panoramic evening view.

Pha Charoen Chai before sunset

Waking up at 4:30 AM to witness the sunrise at Pha Chanadai before anyone else in Siam. After that, we packed our belongings and prepared to return, hitching a ride back with the same driver who brought us up.

On the way, we passed by the Saeng Chan Waterfall, also known as the Waterfall into the Hole. However, the water flow was relatively low during our visit.

"Since we were already going to Sam Phan Bok, we decided to go together." We then continued our journey with strangers. Thank you. :)

To reach the Three Thousand Bends, you will need to take a car and be accompanied by a local guide. The cost is 200 baht, which we will cover for you.

Wave a heart shape with your hand.

Waving a picture of Mickey Mouse

The size of the wave in relation to the human figure is remarkably large.

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We were brought to Wat Tham Khuha Sawan, the temple with the world's largest gong.

After paying respects at the temple, I walked out and asked the locals for directions. They told me to walk down the bridge until the end, where I would find a van stop for 70 baht to the transportation hub. Next to the van stop, there is a market.

Take a van from Wat Tham Khuha Sawan to the transportation hub, then take a songthaew to the train station to return to Bangkok.

The last meal in Ubon Ratchathani. The restaurant is next to the train station.

Tourist Destinations Summary

1. Pha Taem National Park / Sao Chaliang / Rock Paintings / Pha Cha Na Dai / Saeng Chan Waterfall (Waterfall into the Hole)

2. Three Thousand Bends

3. Tham Kuha Sawan Temple

Expenses and Travel Costs (excluding meals)

The round-trip bus fare to Hua Lamphong is 18 baht (9 baht each way).

Free round-trip train fare

The return train fare is 205 baht.

The fare for a songthaew from the train station to the bus terminal is 20 baht.

The fare for a van to Pha Taem is 100 baht.

The van fare from Wat Kuhasawan to the transport station is 70 baht.

The fare for a songthaew from the transportation station to the train station is 10 baht.

The cost of a ride from Sam Phan Bok (paid to a stranger) is 200 baht.

Total 623 Baht

Exploring Ubon Ratchathani City: A Journey of Public Transport and Local Kindness

Navigating Ubon Ratchathani city is a breeze thanks to its abundance of public transportation options, including buses, shared taxis, motorbike taxis, and regular taxis. However, venturing into the national park we visited required alternative means, as public transport was unavailable. Fortunately, the friendly locals and park rangers came to our rescue. They provided valuable information, suggested routes, and even helped us hail a ride. Thanks to their kindness and willingness to assist, we were able to hitch a ride with a local and reach our destination safely and successfully. This experience exemplifies the warmth and generosity of the Ubon Ratchathani community, making our journey truly memorable.

Hello, stranger.

Greetings, unfamiliar individual.