A few years ago, when I made what was at the time my most extensive journey through Thailand’s Isaan region, I missed a key destination on my bucket list. Wa Pa Phu Kon, also known as the “blue temple” of Udon Thani.
A combination of factors let to this outcome. I hadn’t devoted nearly enough time to the Kingdom’s vast northeast, in a broad sense. With specific regard to the temple, it was simply too far from the rest of Jangwat Udon Thani for me to realistically be able to go there.
The good news? I finally made it to the Wat Pa Phu Kon blue temple, a few weeks ago relative to when I’m writing this. The better news? You can easily follow in my footsteps…er, tire tracks.
How I Learned About Wa Pa Phu Kon
If I’m honest, I first came across the blue temple in Thailand (in Udon Thani, not the more famous one in Chiang Rai) when I was researching my trip to Isaan. However, rather than seeing it listed among attractions, I saw a picture of it in my results. I had to do a reverse image search in order to be able to find out its name. Needless to say, I quickly added it to my list once I got this bit of information.
Unfortunately, as I foreshadowed in the introduction this piece (and as I will subsequently explain), the logistical difficulties of reaching this temple meant that I couldn’t visit it when I first wanted to. My trip started and ended in Udon Thani; I assumed I’d have time to pop over to the temple before flying back to Bangkok. The silver lining is that I think I appreciated the temple much more in 2025 than I would’ve done in 2022.
What to Know About Visiting Thailand’s Blue Temple
It’s in Udon Thani
Part of what threw me off about visiting Wat Pa Phu Kon in 2022 was a simple misunderstanding. You see, given that it came up when I was searching for things to do in Udon Thani, I assumed that it would be simply to get there from Udon Thani’s city center.
(Udon Thani province)
Unfortunately for me, it turns out that while Wat Pa Phu Kon is ostensibly in Jangwat Udon Thani (i.e. Udon Thani province), it’s actually closer to Loei than it is to Udon Thani city. As a result, it simply wasn’t realistic for me to go here in the amount of time that I had.
You (probably) can’t use public transport to go there
This was true, in spite of the fact that I (or rather, my travel partner and now-husband) had a car. If you’re depending on public transportation, you almost certainly can’t reach the blue temple, unless you have very good Thai skills and a whole lot of time.
You can combine it with other destinations
That’s the bad news. The good news? You can easily combine the Thailand blue temple with other destinations, be those in Udon Thani (I’ll explain more about those later) or in adjacent provinces such as Loei, Nong Khai or even Chaiyaphum if you’re visiting in July.
It’s slightly disappointing
Like several places in Thailand that have become social media famous, Wat Pa Phu Kon is disappointing. Not because it isn’t unique or beautiful, but because some much of its visual appeal is only evident when seen from above, i.e. via drone. It’s especially unfortunate here, however, since drone photography is banned.
Other Things to Do in Udon Thani
Udon Thani is an underrated corner of Thailand, even if the city center itself might have you believe that there’s nothing to do there:
- Start or end your trip at the Train Night Market, which as its name suggests is walking-distance from Udon Thani Railway Station.
- If you come in early February, make an excursion (ideally, at sunrise time) to the Red Lotus Sea, known in Thai as Talay Bua Daeng.
- Although not in Udon Thani per se, the riverside town of Nong Khai is a short distance away, and is delightful to visit.
As you can see, the Udon Thani blue temple is only the beginning of what there is to explore in this exciting, underrated province.
Other FAQ About Thailand’s Blue Temple
What is the Blue Temple in Udon Thani?
The blue temple in Udon Thani, Thailand is officially known as Wat Pa Phu Kon. It is known as such for its roof, which is a beautiful blue-green color. Many of the accents in and around the temple are also painted or made in a similar color.
How much does it cost to go to Wa Pa Phu Kon?
Wat Pa Phu Kon is free to enter. However, you will either need to rent a car or motorbike or hire a taxi in order to visit, so the overall cost of your trip will likely be at least 1,000 Baht, and potentially even higher than this based on several factors.
How do you get to Wat Pa Phu Kon?
You can reach Wat Pa Phu Kon via private car or taxi. It’s around two hours from both Loei and Udon Thani, so it’s definitely a time commitment. Although it might technically be possible to reach the temple via some day tours or quasi-public transport like songthaew, it’s most reliable to have your own set of wheels.
The Bottom Line
The truth about the Wat Pa Phu Kon blue temple isn’t completely sexy. Although it’s obviously very unique from an architectural perspective, it doesn’t quite have the impact in person, and from ground level, as it does when seeing drone-shot footage of it on social media. Additionally, its distance from most of the rest of Udon Thani makes it cumbersome to visit, to say the least. The lack of reliable public transportation to and from the temple compounds this. Thankfully, after reading this article, you’ll at least have clarity as to whether or not you should go. Want even more insight? Consider hiring me to plan your Thailand trip!
