Tucked within Ubon Ratchattani province, Phibun Mangsahan is a vibrant small town in Isaan. As home to the province's main immigration office, it's typically visited for visa renewals. Yet it remains refreshingly untouched by mass tourism.

Blessed with stunning landscapes traversed by the Mun River, the town of Phibun absolutely deserves a detour. Here, you'll navigate its rapids and discover its renowned steamed buns, sala bao.

Discovering the Town of Phibun

The town hosts several worthwhile attractions to explore.

Kaeng Sapue Riverside Public Park

Kaeng Sapue public park is a lovely spot along the Mun River, just a few hundred meters from Luang Rd. This natural site offers magnificent viewpoints and a collection of stalls where you can sample dried frog skewers, a distinctly local specialty.

Phu Lon Park

This semi-touristic park is unique for its Fai Kham flower garden. These beautiful golden blooms, which flower from December to February, never fail to captivate tourists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Wat Phu Khao Kaeo

Perched on a hill to the west of town, Wat Phu Khao Kaeo temple offers commanding views over Phibun. Its ordination hall showcases Khmer architecture adorned with Thai ornamentation and Indian-style pillars, giving it exceptional charm amid natural surroundings.

Wat Kut Chomphu

Once the residence of the revered monk Luang Pu Kham Bu, Wat Kut Chomphu is an important temple in Phibun. Climbing to the summit of its stupa rewards you with breathtaking panoramas. The view spans a complete 360 degrees over the village and surrounding plains.

Wat Pa Sawang Wirawong

This vast complex sits on a rural road just beyond the town. Part of the Saeng Tham Song Chiwit movement, it's particularly suited to meditation and inspires visitors toward a simple way of life.

Those passionate about Thai temples can also visit Wat Pa Pak Dom and Don That temple on the town's outskirts.

What to Do in Phibun

During your stay in Phibun, don't miss rafting the Kaeng Sapue rapids, the town's main attraction. Thrilling and full of excitement, this adventure promises unforgettable moments.

If you'd like to try your hand at local cuisine, head to the town's main covered market for ingredients. You'll easily find red ant eggs, fresh tadpoles, or grilled buffalo skin to create your most unusual dishes.

Climate

Phibun enjoys a savanna climate with dry winters. Temperatures remain consistently high throughout the year, averaging 28°C, with summer being particularly humid. Average annual rainfall reaches 2,470 mm.

For a stay in Phibun without rain, we recommend visiting between October and March, during the cool season. Weather will be pleasant and temperatures rarely drop below 18°C.

Getting to Phibun

Reaching Phibun from Bangkok, the country's transportation hub, is straightforward. Flying is the fastest option. You can choose between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports; note that the latter is pricier but saves about half an hour on travel time.

You can also travel by train (from Hua Lamphong station) or bus (from Mo Chit station) to Ubon Ratchattani, then complete the journey by taxi. If you prefer evening travel, night trains and night buses are also available.

Driving or taking a taxi from Bangkok, you'll cover approximately 650 km. The journey typically takes around 9 hours.