Things to Do in Ubon Ratchathani in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Ubon Ratchathani
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
88°F (31°C)
High Temp
65°F (18°C)
Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ UV index reaches 8 - severe sunburn risk without proper protection
⚠ Agricultural burning creates haze that obscures distant views some afternoons
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The Candle Festival grounds are at their best now, dry grass and cool mornings let you reach Wat Thung Si Muang's 200-year-old wooden library without the usual muddy slog.
- + Mekong River boat tours keep to the full schedule, December's low water levels expose sandbars good for impromptu beach stops between Thailand and Laos.
- + Local markets spill over with December-only produce: sweet tamarind, purple dragon fruit, and the last of the wild honey from Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park.
- + Hotel rates fall 30-40% after the Buddhist Lent crowds depart, river-view rooms in the old town now cost what roadside motels charged in October.
Considerations
- − Morning fog at Chong Mek border crossing can stall immigration by 2-3 hours, the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge stays socked in until 9 AM most days.
- − December's dry air kicks up red laterite dust clouds around Pha Taem National Park, rent a truck, not a motorbike.
- − The famous Ubon Ratchathani night bazaar shrinks by half as vendors head to Bangkok for New Year sales, Saturday nights feel oddly quiet.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Mekong River slow-boat photography tours
December's crystal-clear skies and 45-degree afternoon light turn the river into a mirror between Ubon and Khong Chiam. Low water levels expose sandbars where locals dry river weed into crispy sheets, perfect foreground for sunset shots. The 3-hour golden hour starts at 4:30 PM instead of 6 PM like rainy season.
Booking Tip: Book morning departures 7-10 days ahead through licensed operators, afternoon boats fill up with Bangkok photography clubs. See current tours in the booking section below.
Wat Thung Si Muang temple cycling circuits
Cool enough at 7 AM to cycle the 15 km (9.3 mile) temple loop without melting. December's dry laterite paths around Wat Ban Na Muang and Wat Maha Wan don't turn to mud like October. Stop at the 100-year-old coffee shop on Thanon Phichit Rangsan where monks still use charcoal braziers.
Booking Tip: Rent bikes at the tourist information center opposite Thung Si Muang, they'll hand over the hand-drawn temple map locals use. Half-day tours typically run 8 AM to 1 PM.
Pha Taem cliff hiking with rock art viewing
December's 8 mm rainfall keeps the 300-million-year-old sandstone cliffs dry, no more slippery death marches like September. The 3 km (1.9 mile) cliff trail gives unobstructed views across the Mekong to Laos, with prehistoric hand prints clearly visible in the afternoon light.
Booking Tip: Hire a park ranger at the visitor center, they know which sections close during high winds. Bring 2 liters (0.5 gallons) of water per person. The only source is 2 km (1.2 miles) back.
Isan street food night tours
December evenings drop to 24°C (75°F), cold enough that you can taste the fermented fish sauce in som tam without sweating it off. The temporary night stalls along Thanon Phichit Rangsan serve December specials: grilled frog with lemongrass and wild boar curry using animals hunted during rice harvest.
Booking Tip: Food tours start at 7 PM from the night bazaar, earlier and vendors are still setting up, later and the best dishes sell out. Licensed guides carry translation cards for the 17 types of Isan sausage.
Traditional silk weaving village visits
December marks the end of silk harvest season, you'll see fresh cocoons being boiled at Ban Tha Khon shops that date to 1932. The dry air makes dye colors more lively, and master weavers work outdoors without the usual plastic rain covers blocking your view of the 100-year-old wooden looms.
Booking Tip: Visit Tuesday through Thursday when the serious weavers work, weekends are for tourist demonstrations. The village is 18 km (11 miles) south; songthaews leave from the old bus station every 30 minutes.
Where to Stay in Ubon Ratchathani in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December
Ubon Ratchathani Red Cross Fair
Week-long carnival that takes over Thung Si Muang with Isan music stages and food stalls serving fermented fish from 50 different villages. The highlight is the traditional long-boat races on the Mun River, where teams from 12 provinces compete in boats painted with naga serpents.
Early December
King's Birthday Candle Festival
While the famous giant candle parade happens in July, December sees smaller community versions at neighborhood temples. Wat Maha Wan hosts the only remaining traditional bee-wax carving demonstration, where artisans carve 3-meter tall candles using tools unchanged since 1892.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Ubon Ratchathani Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The old airport road (Thanon Sappasit) has five unnamed noodle shops that only open from 6-10 AM, they close when the day's handmade noodles run out
December's dry air means you can see the 300-year-old Khmer ruins at Ban Kan Lueang across the river, take the 7 AM ferry before haze builds up
Hotel prices drop again December 15-31 when Bangkok expats leave for Christmas, book the week before for half the November rate
The Sunday walking street shrinks to 200 meters in December, instead, head to Ban Pa Ao Saturday market where brass workers sell direct from their furnaces
Avoid These Mistakes
Trying to see Pha Taem at noon, the rock art faces east and disappears in shadow after 11 AM
Booking river boat tours for 2 PM when December's UV index peaks at 8, morning tours have better light and cooler temperatures
Assuming the night bazaar runs daily, it's Wednesday, Friday, Saturday only in December when vendors travel to Bangkok
Wearing flip-flops to Wat Thung Si Muang's wooden library, the 200-year-old teak floors have gaps that eat sandals
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