Ubon Ratchathani
Thailand's #1 rice province, Mekong border hub ($8.28B Laos trade), Candle Festival (100K+ participants), 1.87M population, 2.6M annual visitors.
Ubon Ratchathani leads Thailand in rice production from where the Mun River meets the Mekong. The province spans 15,745 square kilometers along Laos and Cambodia borders—the "Emerald Triangle" of lush landscapes and cross-border commerce. The Chong Mek checkpoint controls fuel exports to Laos; bilateral trade reached $8.28 billion in 2024, targeting $11 billion by 2027.
The Candle Festival draws 100,000+ participants each July, transforming Buddhist merit-making into Isan's signature cultural spectacle. Giant wax sculptures parade through streets during Asalha Bucha and Khao Phansa; the 2025 festival runs July 7–13 under "Magnificent Faith, Glowing Light" theme. Beyond festivals, 2.6 million visitors annually explore Pha Taem National Park's prehistoric rock paintings and Mekong scenery. Ubon Ratchathani Airport handled 1.3 million passengers in 2024, recovering to near pre-pandemic levels.
Manufacturing zones near the Laos border attract FDI for processed foods and textiles. Solar farms and logistics infrastructure support regional trade. Population sits at 1.87 million—Thailand's second-most populous province after Bangkok. By 2026, Ubon Ratchathani tests whether Isan's largest province can convert Mekong adjacency into sustainable trade growth.