Koh Mak vs Ubon Ratchathani
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Copyright of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
A stronger beach offering
Several attractive, quiet beaches suit swimming and relaxed days, though the island has fewer choices than larger beach destinations. Another assessed advantage: a quieter setting.
More cultural experiences
City temples and candle-making traditions provide strong Isaan cultural interest, with the festival adding a seasonal highlight. Another assessed advantage: more scope for a modest-budget stay.
Side by side
What feels different
Our editorial assessments · Select a factor to see how we scored each place.
Why we rate Koh Mak 8/10
Several attractive, quiet beaches suit swimming and relaxed days, though the island has fewer choices than larger beach destinations.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 0/10
This inland city has no sea-beach offering; riverfront areas are a different experience.
What we assess
Beach appeal, convenient access and variety during a beach-focused stay, within the destination itself.
Why we rate Koh Mak 7/10
Low hills, coconut groves and sheltered bays make a pleasant, peaceful landscape rather than a dramatic one.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 4/10
Riverfront and temple settings add interest, but the dramatic Mekong landscapes require longer provincial journeys.
What we assess
The visual impact of natural surroundings and how central those landscapes are to a typical stay.
Why we rate Koh Mak 3/10
Small villages and local plantations offer a little island context, but there are few major visitor-facing heritage sights.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 8/10
City temples and candle-making traditions provide strong Isaan cultural interest, with the festival adding a seasonal highlight.
What we assess
The variety, depth and practical access to historic places, temples, architecture, traditions and cultural experiences during a typical stay.
Why we rate Koh Mak 5/10
Thai meals and seafood are available at resorts and a few local restaurants, with limited variety across the island.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 8/10
Isaan, Vietnamese-influenced and Chinese-Thai food gives independent city dining strong variety and character.
What we assess
Food quality, variety, distinctive local cooking and how readily visitors can find good places to eat, regardless of price.
Why we rate Koh Mak 2/10
The island is geared to quiet evenings, with only a small number of casual bars.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 6/10
Local pubs, clubs and riverside bars provide worthwhile evening choice beyond food markets.
What we assess
The choice, variety and liveliness of evening venues, their opening hours and how easily you can enjoy a typical night out.
Why we rate Koh Mak 9/10
Low-key development and a relaxed pace make peaceful stays easy to find.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 5/10
Quieter hotel areas are available, but the normal stay is in a working regional city with busy roads and evening venues.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a peaceful stay, considering traffic, nightlife noise, crowds and practical quieter bases.
Why we rate Koh Mak 5/10
Nearby islands and snorkelling sites can be visited by boat, but excursions are limited and often seasonal.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 0/10
Ubon is inland and has no practical sea-island excursions.
What we assess
The variety of worthwhile sea-island trips, convenient departures, journey times and flexibility under normal operating conditions.
Why we rate Koh Mak 8/10
The small island is well suited to cycling, with resort taxis and arranged rides for longer trips. Walking alone will not connect every beach or stay.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 7/10
Airport, rail and local rides make a city stay workable without riding; dispersed sights and distant outings need transport.
What we assess
Freedom to explore without renting a scooter, using walking, public transport, taxis, tuk-tuks, ride-hailing or boats; transport price is assessed separately.
Why we rate Koh Mak 5/10
Basic stays and local food help, while limited transport, boat connections and accommodation choice raise the cost of reaching and exploring the island.
Why we rate Ubon Ratchathani 8/10
Simple rooms and local meals suit modest budgets, with private transport for provincial sightseeing the main extra expense.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a typical stay on a modest budget, including simple accommodation, food, realistic transport and characteristic activities.
Scores out of 10 · Higher means more of that characteristic About these scores
How to read the scale
Scores run from 0 to 10 and describe how strongly a destination offers each characteristic.
Higher does not always mean better
A higher nightlife score means a livelier scene. A higher quietness score means a calmer atmosphere. The right balance depends on your trip.
Close scores mean similar experiences
Small differences should not decide your trip on their own.
Koh Mak
Choose Koh Mak if...
- You want peaceful beach days on a small island with a relaxed pace.
- You like the idea of cycling between coconut groves, local stops and beach areas.
- You prefer a few simple outings and quiet evenings to a packed itinerary.
The trade-off
Restaurant, nightlife and excursion choices are limited compared with larger islands. Some beach areas are a longer ride apart, and boat connections still need planning around their schedules.
Ubon Ratchathani
Choose Ubon Ratchathani if...
- Wat Phrathat Nong Bua
- Thung Si Mueang and city cultural life
- Isaan food and seasonal Candle Festival traditions
The trade-off
City sights are dispersed, and the best-known provincial nature attractions are not close to every city hotel.
Plan your trip
When to go
See how temperature, rainfall and travel conditions change through the year. Select a month to focus your comparison.
| Factor | Koh Mak | Ubon Ratchathani |
|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 51 mm | 3 mm |
| Rainy days | 4.9 | 0.6 |
| Crowds | High | Unknown |
| Stay prices | High | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 34°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 82 mm | 11 mm |
| Rainy days | 7.4 | 1.4 |
| Crowds | High | Unknown |
| Stay prices | High | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 36°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 140 mm | 29 mm |
| Rainy days | 12.6 | 3.7 |
| Crowds | High | Unknown |
| Stay prices | High | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 37°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 196 mm | 83 mm |
| Rainy days | 14.9 | 6.5 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Typical | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 35°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 420 mm | 223 mm |
| Rainy days | 21.9 | 14.8 |
| Crowds | Low | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Low | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 34°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 777 mm | 237 mm |
| Rainy days | 25.4 | 16.7 |
| Crowds | Low | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Low | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 1024 mm | 294 mm |
| Rainy days | 26.6 | 19 |
| Crowds | Low | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Low | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 970 mm | 291 mm |
| Rainy days | 27 | 20.6 |
| Crowds | Low | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Low | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 816 mm | 314 mm |
| Rainy days | 24.8 | 19.1 |
| Crowds | Low | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Low | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 338 mm | 112 mm |
| Rainy days | 21.3 | 9.9 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Unknown |
| Stay prices | Typical | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 85 mm | 22 mm |
| Rainy days | 9.1 | 2.9 |
| Crowds | High | Unknown |
| Stay prices | High | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 31°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 28 mm | 5 mm |
| Rainy days | 3.5 | 0.8 |
| Crowds | High | Unknown |
| Stay prices | High | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Not applicable |
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | ||||||||||||
| Koh Mak |
32°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
| Ubon Ratchathani |
32°C
|
34°C
|
36°C
|
37°C
|
35°C
|
34°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
31°C
|
| Monthly Rainfall | ||||||||||||
| Koh Mak |
51 mm
|
82 mm
|
140 mm
|
196 mm
|
420 mm
|
777 mm
|
1024 mm
|
970 mm
|
816 mm
|
338 mm
|
85 mm
|
28 mm
|
| Ubon Ratchathani |
3 mm
|
11 mm
|
29 mm
|
83 mm
|
223 mm
|
237 mm
|
294 mm
|
291 mm
|
314 mm
|
112 mm
|
22 mm
|
5 mm
|
| Rainy days | ||||||||||||
| Koh Mak | 4.9 | 7.4 | 12.6 | 14.9 | 21.9 | 25.4 | 26.6 | 27 | 24.8 | 21.3 | 9.1 | 3.5 |
| Ubon Ratchathani | 0.6 | 1.4 | 3.7 | 6.5 | 14.8 | 16.7 | 19 | 20.6 | 19.1 | 9.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 |
| Crowds | ||||||||||||
| Koh Mak | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Ubon Ratchathani | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Stay prices | ||||||||||||
| Koh Mak | High | High | High | Typical | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Typical | High | High |
| Ubon Ratchathani | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Sea conditions | ||||||||||||
| Koh Mak | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Variable | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Variable | Calm | Calm |
| Ubon Ratchathani | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Temperatures are historical average daytime highs, not the highest temperatures you might experience. Rainfall and rainy days are monthly averages, not a forecast. A rainy day need not mean rain all day.
Stay prices are relative to each destination’s usual rates. Holidays can bring extra crowds and higher prices. Sea conditions vary by beach and day; check local conditions before boat trips.
Koh Mak: Thai Meteorological Department — TRAT, 1991–2020.
Ubon Ratchathani: Thai Meteorological Department - UBON RATCHATHANI (48407), 1991-2020.
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Copyright of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
