Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand Heading Northeast toward the Thailand-Laos border, we stopped in the city of Ubon Ratchathani to process our Laos visas.  We had to wait in Ubon Ratchathani (Ubon) for five days until our Laos visas were ready which gave us the opportunity to explore Ubon thoroughly.  Ubon is a fairly large city of 100,000 residents and it serves as the cultural, economic and educational center of eastern Issan (Issan is the general term for Northeast Thailand).  In the late 1960's and early 1970's, Ubon was home to a large United States Air Force Base that facilitated the American War in Vietnam and the Secret War in Laos.  We found that Ubon, although a large and bustling city, boasts some of the friendliest and most welcoming people in Thailand. Candle Sculpture to Honor His Majesty King Bumipol or the Giant Votive Candle Today, Ubon is famous for its annual candle festival that includes a parade of gigantic, elaborately carved wax sculptures.  The parade is held in July and centers around a giant sculpture of a votive candle erected in 2000 in honor of His Majesty King Bumipol's 72nd birthday.

The giant votive candle situated atop a traditional Thai barge is decorated with Garudas (mythical half-man, half-bird creature) and Nagas (sankes).

View of the large Garuda at the front of the sculpture.

Detail of a serpent eating a human.

Detail of the giant votive candle.

Even the street signs in Ubon reflect the importance of the giant votive candle sculpture to the city.

The candle decorated with Buddhas and Garudas.

Wat Phra That Nong Bua This wat is a replica of the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodhgaya, India which contains sacred relics of the Buddha.  Because it is based on an Indian temple architectural design, Wat Phra That Nong Bua is unlike any other Buddhist temple in Thailand with its unique style and design.

One of the four surrounding stupas with an elaborately carved Buddha image in the center and smaller Buddha images along the base.

The taller main sanctuary of Wat Phra That Nong Bua with one of the four smaller surrounding stupas (Buddhist monuments) in the foreground.

Detail of Buddha images at the base of the main sanctuary of Wat Phra That Nong Bua.  These Buddha images are unlike any other that we have seen in Thailand with an almost European look.

One of the four surrounding stupas, located at each corner of the temple grounds.

The entrance to the taller main sanctuary of Wat Phra That Nong Bua.

Buddha.

Ubon Ratchathani Markets The friendly Issan inhabitants make a visit to one of Ubon's many markets a fun and enjoyable experience.  Ubon is the agricultural market center of eastern Issan, resulting in a colorful and exotic array of products.

"Mouse shit" peppers, the spicy taste of Thailand.

The pungent and unique tasting durian, banned from hospitals, hotels, trains and other public places throughout Thailand.

Fresh fish in bamboo containers adds to the...ah, interesting smell of the markets.

Chicken feet, such a tasty treat.

There is an amazing variety of apparel in the markets.  You can purchase an entire wardrobe for less than the cost of meal in most western restaurants.

Some kind of aquatic creature.

If the smells of the market get to be too strong for you, head to the fresh flower section and take a deep breath.

Bananas, always a safe bet for the hungry traveler.

Deep fried frogs.  Yummy!

Rambutan, one of our favorite fruits of Southeast Asia.

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