Hat Wat Tai - A beach (kind of) in Ubon Ratchathani

In the middle of the Mun River in Ubon Ratchathani sits a small island where locals go in the evening to unwind, eat and swim in the river. This place seems to be unknown by tourists but we were very surprised at how serene it is.

Bamboo huts sit along one side of the island and in the dry season, a small beach appears. It’s not a spectacular beach but the area is definitely worth a visit.

Video correction (0:10): “Udon Thani” should read “Ubon Ratchathani”.

What can you do there?

Walk across a cool bamboo bridge to get to the island. Once you get there, you will be greeted by a friendly lady who will offer you food and drink.

Bamboo footbridge to Hat Wat Tai.

Dinner with a view – We highly recommend taking the lady up on her offer. We had a delicious Tom Yum (ต้มยำ) soup. We sat down in one of the bamboo huts and they brought us our food while we looked out across the Mun River as the sun went down.

: A bamboo hut in the Mun river at Hat Wat Tai

: Enjoying a delicious Tom Yum at Hat Wat Tai in Ubon Ratchathani

The menu is only written in Thai but they have all of the usual favorites. The lady was particularly enthusiastic about the fish they’d caught in the river.

Hat Wat Tai - Beach in Ubon Ratchathani food menu

Food menu at Hat Wat Tai.

Swimming in the river – You will see the locals bathing in the river. I went for a dip and it was very refreshing! Check local swimming warnings, especially after heavy rain.

: Locals swimming at Hat Wat Tai in Ubon Ratchathani.

Watch the sunset – Grab some food or a drink and relax as the sun sets over the horizon, shining a beautiful orange glow across the river.

Perfect place to bring a date – You have just met a nice local Thai girl. Bring her here, treat her to dinner and watch the sunset together. You will definitely be in her good books!

How to get to Hat Wat Tai

I had to zoom in on the satellite picture and look for the footbridge to see where it starts. This GPS location marks the riverbank access point from the original guide. Confirm that the bridge is open before crossing to the island.

How much does it cost?

Check the current admission and parking charges before going onto the island. You may be expected to at least buy a drink from the vendor on the island though.