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Udon Thani - Things to Do in Udon Thani in December

Things to Do in Udon Thani in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Udon Thani

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70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

  • Cool season comfort - December sits right in the middle of Udon Thani's pleasant season, though temperatures still hover around what most visitors would call warm. The 70% humidity is actually manageable compared to the sticky 85-90% you'd get April through September, and mornings can be genuinely refreshing for exploring outdoor sites like Ban Chiang
  • Festival season peaks - You're hitting Udon Thani during its most culturally active period. The province-wide Thung Si Mueang Fair typically runs early December, and you'll catch the tail end of the northeast's post-harvest celebrations when locals actually have time and money to party. Markets get noticeably more vibrant with seasonal foods
  • Agricultural tourism window - December is when the rice paddies around Red Lotus Sea are at their most photogenic, recently harvested and sometimes planted with secondary crops. The famous pink lotus blooms are winding down but still present in early December, and you'll have far fewer tour groups competing for boat space than peak bloom season
  • Pricing sweet spot before Chinese New Year rush - December sits in that interesting gap after Western Thanksgiving but before the late January Chinese New Year surge. Hotel rates are reasonable, domestic Thai tourists are still working, and you can actually book decent guesthouses in Nong Khai or Ban Chiang without weeks of advance planning

Considerations

  • Variable weather makes planning tricky - Those 10 rainy days are unpredictable. You might get three consecutive perfect days, then two afternoons of solid rain. The showers tend to be shorter than monsoon season, maybe 30-45 minutes, but they can derail outdoor plans. I've seen December trips where people got lucky with zero rain, and others where it drizzled every single afternoon
  • Not actually cool by most standards - If you're coming from temperate climates expecting sweater weather because it's called the cool season, you'll be disappointed. It's warm and humid enough that you'll still sweat through shirts by midday. Locals wear jackets in the evening, but that's because their bodies are calibrated to 35°C (95°F) summers
  • Lotus season is ending - If the Red Lotus Sea is your primary reason for visiting, you're catching the tail end. Early December might still be worthwhile, but by mid to late December, the blooms are significantly reduced. Peak season is November through early December, and by Christmas, you're looking at maybe 30-40% coverage compared to the spectacular November displays

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Best Activities in December

Red Lotus Sea sunrise boat tours

Early December is your last realistic window for seeing the pink lotus blooms at Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake. The flowers open around 6-7am and start closing by 9am, which means you're out on the water during the coolest part of the day. The 70% humidity is actually pleasant at sunrise, and the UV index of 8 hasn't kicked in yet. By mid-December, bloom coverage drops significantly, so prioritize this in your first few days if you're visiting early in the month. The variable December weather can create dramatic sunrise skies when clouds are present.

Booking Tip: Book through guesthouses in Udon Thani city the evening before, typically 150-200 baht per person for the boat ride. Tours leave around 5:30am to catch sunrise. Avoid weekends in early December when Thai domestic tourists increase. The 45 km (28 mile) drive takes about 50 minutes. See current tour options in the booking section below for organized packages that include transport.

Ban Chiang archaeological site visits

December weather is actually ideal for this UNESCO site since you're doing a mix of indoor museum time and outdoor exploration of excavation areas. The morning temperatures make the 1-2 km (0.6-1.2 mile) walk around the village comfortable, and if afternoon rain hits, you can retreat to the museum. The site is never crowded, even in December. What makes December specifically good is that the ground is still firm from the dry months but not dusty, and the surrounding rice fields are recently harvested, giving you clear views of the rural landscape that hasn't changed much since the Bronze Age settlement.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for independent visits. Entry is 150 baht, museum open 8:30am-4:30pm. The site is 55 km (34 miles) east of Udon Thani, about an hour by songthaew or rented motorbike. Go in the morning before potential afternoon showers. Organized tours typically cost 800-1,200 baht including transport and guide. See the booking widget below for current cultural tour options.

Nong Prajak Park evening activities

This 500 rai (200 acre) park in central Udon Thani becomes the social hub during December evenings when temperatures drop to actually comfortable levels. Locals do aerobics classes, rent paddle boats, and hit the food stalls that set up around 5pm. The 7-8pm window is perfect because you've missed the afternoon heat and potential rain, but the UV index has dropped to zero. December is festival season, so you might catch impromptu performances or holiday decorations. The 2.5 km (1.6 mile) perimeter walk is flat and well-lit.

Booking Tip: Free entry, no booking needed. Paddle boats cost around 40 baht per 30 minutes. The park is walkable from most central hotels. For organized evening food tours that include the park and nearby markets, expect to pay 600-900 baht per person. Check the booking section below for current Udon Thani evening tour options.

Wat Pa Phu Kon temple mountain visits

December is arguably the best month for this stunning forest temple in the Phu Phan mountains, 80 km (50 miles) southwest of Udon Thani. The 400 m (1,312 ft) elevation means it's noticeably cooler than the city, and December mornings can actually feel fresh. The white marble Buddha pavilion is spectacular in the soft morning light, and the surrounding forest is still green from the rainy season but trails are dry enough for comfortable walking. The variable cloud cover in December creates dramatic mountain views. This is becoming more popular with Thai tourists, but December weekdays are still relatively quiet.

Booking Tip: Free entry, open 8am-5pm. The drive takes 90 minutes on winding mountain roads. Rent a car or motorbike, or book a day tour from Udon Thani for 1,000-1,500 baht including transport and lunch. Go early morning to avoid afternoon heat and potential rain. Tours typically combine this with other Phu Phan attractions. See booking widget for current temple tour packages.

UD Town night market food exploration

December evenings are perfect for Udon Thani's night market scene because the 70% humidity drops noticeably after sunset, making outdoor eating actually pleasant. UD Town on Prajak Road is the main action, opening around 5pm when the afternoon heat breaks. December is post-harvest season, so you'll find seasonal northeastern specialties and vendors are in good spirits. The market runs until midnight, giving you flexibility if afternoon rain delays your plans. The covered sections mean light rain won't shut things down.

Booking Tip: No booking needed for independent exploration. Dishes typically cost 40-80 baht, budget 300-400 baht for a full sampling evening. For organized food tours that decode the northeastern specialties and navigate language barriers, expect 800-1,200 baht per person for 3-hour tours. These typically run 6-9pm. Check booking section below for current Udon Thani food tour options.

Phu Phra Bat Historical Park hiking

This otherworldly rock formation park 67 km (42 miles) northwest of Udon Thani is excellent in December because the 3 km (1.9 mile) trail system is dry but the forest canopy is still full from rainy season, providing shade. Morning temperatures make the moderate climbs between rock formations comfortable, and the UV index of 8 is manageable under tree cover with sunscreen. The mushroom-shaped rocks and prehistoric paintings are accessible year-round, but December weather makes the 2-3 hour exploration much more pleasant than hot season. Weekday visits in December are nearly deserted.

Booking Tip: Entry 100 baht, open 8am-4:30pm. Best visited as a morning trip before potential afternoon showers. The park requires moderate fitness for rock scrambling. Organized day tours from Udon Thani typically cost 1,200-1,800 baht including transport, guide, and lunch, worthwhile if you want geological and historical context. See booking widget for current nature tour options.

December Events & Festivals

Early December

Thung Si Mueang Fair

This annual provincial fair typically runs for 10 days in early December at Thung Si Mueang park in central Udon Thani. You'll find agricultural exhibitions showcasing the region's post-harvest bounty, traditional Isaan cultural performances, and extensive food vendors selling seasonal specialties. It's genuinely a local event rather than a tourist attraction, which means you'll see traditional mor lam music, northeastern dance, and products you won't find in regular markets. Evening performances usually start around 7pm when temperatures cool.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Light rain jacket or compact umbrella - Those 10 rainy days are unpredictable, and December showers tend to hit in late afternoon, lasting 30-45 minutes. You want something packable that won't take up luggage space but keeps you dry enough to continue exploring
Breathable cotton or linen clothing - The 70% humidity means synthetic fabrics will feel clammy by midday. Loose-fitting natural fibers dry faster and feel more comfortable. Locals wear long lightweight pants and long sleeves for sun protection, which actually works better than shorts and tank tops
SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapplication - UV index of 8 is high category, and you'll be outside during peak hours if you're doing any sightseeing. The variable cloud cover is deceptive because UV penetrates clouds. Reapply every 2 hours, especially if you're sweating
Closed-toe walking shoes with grip - Temple sites like Ban Chiang and Phu Phra Bat involve uneven surfaces, and trails can be slippery if you hit them after morning dew or light rain. Sandals are fine for city markets but not for archaeological sites or forest temples
Light scarf or shawl - Serves multiple purposes: sun protection for shoulders, temple cover-up for modest dress requirements, and surprisingly useful for over-air-conditioned buses and malls where locals crank the AC to arctic levels
Refillable water bottle at least 1 liter (34 oz) - The warm humid conditions mean you'll dehydrate faster than you realize, especially if you're doing morning temple visits or market walks. Water refill stations are common in Udon Thani, and buying plastic bottles adds up environmentally and financially
Small dry bag or waterproof pouch - For protecting phone, camera, and documents during those sudden afternoon showers or if you're doing the Red Lotus Sea boat tour where spray is common. A simple ziplock bag works but a proper dry bag is more reliable
Insect repellent with DEET - December is actually lower mosquito season compared to rainy months, but forest temples like Wat Pa Phu Kon and parks still have them, especially around dawn and dusk. Dengue is present year-round in the region
Power bank for phone - If you're using maps, translation apps, and taking photos in the humid heat, your phone battery drains faster. Not all songthaews or rural areas have convenient charging, and you'll want battery for evening market photos
Small packets of tissues and hand sanitizer - Public restrooms at markets and rural sites often lack paper and soap. The 10-20 baht toilet attendant fee usually gets you a small tissue packet, but having your own backup is practical

Insider Knowledge

The Red Lotus Sea bloom timing is actually tied to water levels and temperature, not a fixed calendar. In December 2026, call ahead to guesthouses near the lake or check recent social media posts tagged at Nong Han Kumphawapi to see current bloom status before making the 45 km (28 mile) trip. I've seen years where blooms extended through mid-December and others where they finished by December 5th
December mornings around 6:30-7am are genuinely the best hours for outdoor activities in Udon Thani. Locals know this and you'll see parks full of exercise groups, markets setting up, and temples active with morning alms rounds. By 11am, even in cool season, the heat builds and you'll want to retreat to air conditioning until 4pm
The Central Plaza mall becomes the de facto rainy day hangout for locals and tourists alike. If afternoon rain derails your plans, this is where you'll find decent food courts with northeastern specialties at reasonable prices, air conditioning, and a chance to see how middle-class Thais actually spend leisure time. It's more culturally interesting than you'd expect from a mall
Udon Thani's expat community, mostly older Western men married to Thai women, congregates at specific spots like the bars around Soi Sampantamit. If you want unfiltered local information about current conditions, changes, or practical advice, these guys know everything but take their opinions on Thai culture with appropriate skepticism. They're helpful for logistics, less so for cultural sensitivity

Avoid These Mistakes

Visiting Red Lotus Sea after 9am - The lotus flowers close as temperatures rise, and by 10am you're looking at a lake of closed buds in harsh light. The entire point is the sunrise experience with open blooms. December sunrise is around 6:15am, which means leaving Udon Thani city by 5:30am. Tourists who sleep in and arrive at 9am are consistently disappointed
Underestimating distances and transport time - Udon Thani's interesting sites are spread across the province. Ban Chiang is 55 km (34 miles) east, Phu Phra Bat is 67 km (42 miles) northwest, Wat Pa Phu Kon is 80 km (50 miles) southwest. Roads are decent but not highways, and you need to factor 60-90 minutes each way. Tourists often try to cram multiple distant sites into one day and end up rushed or missing things entirely
Assuming cool season means cold - Packing sweaters and jeans because it's December is a mistake. It's warm and humid by most standards. You'll see locals in jackets during evening, but that's relative to their heat tolerance. Bring one light long-sleeve layer for over-air-conditioned spaces and early morning boat tours, but your wardrobe should still be tropical

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