Udon Thani makes a nice weekend retreat for those living in Laos to go shopping and fly cheaply to Bangkok. Likewise, if traveling from Thailand to Laos, its airport offers an excellent service: Buses are always waiting next to the terminal to drive new arrivals to the Friendship Bridge (border with Laos) one hour away. But the fourth most populated city in Thailand otherwise remains relatively undistinguished.
The tiny village of Ban Chieng, 31 mi/50 km east, is the site of an interesting archaeological dig. Workers there unearthed a village that may date from 2100 BC. At a simple exhibit built around the site, you can view bones and artifacts still half-buried. Archaeologists believe the site contains some of the world's first bronzework. An excellent museum contains other artifacts from the dig. It can be seen in about a half-hour. 350 mi/560 km northeast of Bangkok.
