Ubon Ratchathani City

The city was founded in the late 18th century and served as the administrative capital of the entire Isan region under the monthon system. During World War II and the Vietnam War era, Ubon's air base played a significant strategic role, and the city grew considerably as a regional hub. The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, held around the days of Asanha Puja and Wan Khao Phansa at the start of the Buddhist rains retreat, features towering floats bearing enormous beeswax sculptures created by local temples and institutions, accompanied by folk music and traditional dance. The city is a recognised centre for Theravada forest monasticism: Wat Nong Pah Pong, founded by Venerable Ajahn Chah in 1954, and the multinational Wat Pa Nanachat attract practitioners from more than twenty countries. Ubon also functions as the gateway to Pha Taem National Park and the remote Mekong riverside scenery of Khong Chiam district.