Central Udon
Air-conditioned refuge in the middle of Udon Thani, with a supermarket, a cinema and a few hours of comfort.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 10:30–21:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–21:00
- Haggle at Markets, Not Malls
- Prices at market stalls are negotiable — start at 50–60% of the asking price and meet in the middle. Fixed-price shops and malls don't haggle. Smile and keep it friendly; aggressive bargaining is considered rude.
Tours that include Central Udon
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Central Udon.
This placeCentral Udon: tickets, guides & combos
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See prices
FoodStreet-food tours in Udon Thani
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesDay toursUdon Thani day tours
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesWhy go, and how to do it well
When the afternoon heat in Udon Thani turns unreasonable, this is where everyone goes. It's a Central Pattana mall on Pajaksinlapacom Road, which tells you most of what you need to know: multiple floors of local and international brands, a supermarket, a cinema, and food that runs from casual Thai counters to the usual international chains. Nothing about it is unique to Isaan, and that's fine. It isn't trying to be.
My advice is to treat it as a utility rather than an outing. Restock on things you can't find easily elsewhere, do the laundry-and-toiletries run, catch a film in the cold, then get back out to the night market and the lake for the parts of Udon actually worth your time. If you've got kids or you're killing an hour before a bus, it earns its place. Weekend evenings get busy, so a weekday morning is calmer if you just need to buy things and leave.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026 · How we check places
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Central Udon, round out your day in Udon Thani with contrasting stops nearby.
277/1-3,271/5, Pajaksinlapacom Rd, Tambon Mak Khaeng, Amphoe Mueang Udon Thani, Chang Wat Udon Thani 41000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore markets & shopping nearby
All within 5 min walk of Central Udon.
Onzon market
A local shopping destination in Udon Thani's Mak Khaeng area, serving the everyday needs of residents.
Preecha Market
A popular indoor shopping centre in Udon Thani open daily, offering a mix of retail and dining options.
Thai Isaan Market
A working local market in Udon Thani, open round the clock, geared to Isaan tastes rather than tourists.
Night Plaza
A local shopping centre in Udon Thani's Nong Bua area, open daily afternoons until 9pm.
Tips for Visiting Markets & Shopping
Arrive Early or Late
Vendors believe the first sale of the day is lucky — you'll often get a better deal if you arrive right when the market opens. Late in the evening, sellers may also discount to avoid packing unsold goods.
Be Cautious with Tailors
Bangkok has excellent tailors, but also many tourist traps. Avoid anyone offering suspiciously cheap suits or who approaches you on the street. Ask your hotel for recommendations, read reviews, and always get two fittings.
Claim Your VAT Refund
Spend 2,000+ THB at a single store displaying 'VAT Refund for Tourists' signs, get a yellow form at the register, and claim 7% VAT back at the airport. It adds up fast on bigger purchases.
Central Udon: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central Udon worth visiting?
Central Udon holds a 4.5★ rating from 11,041 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated markets & shopping in Udon Thani.
What are the opening hours of Central Udon?
Central Udon is typically open 10:30-21:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Central Udon?
The best months to visit Udon Thani are December – February (Red Lotus Sea blooms Dec–Feb), with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January (lotus season weekends) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (peak heat).
Where is Central Udon located?
Central Udon is at 277/1-3,271/5, Pajaksinlapacom Rd, Tambon Mak Khaeng, Amphoe Mueang Udon Thani, Chang Wat Udon Thani 41000, Thailand, in Udon Thani. Getting around Udon Thani: Songthaews on numbered city routes (฿10–15); Grab and metered taxis in the city.
Also popular in Udon Thani
Wat Pho Chai Phra Aram Luang
A working Nong Khai temple built around a gold Buddha that locals genuinely come to pray to, not photograph.
Nong Prajak Park
Giant inflatable ducks on a city lake, and half of Udon Thani out jogging around it at dusk.
Daeng Namnuang Nong Khai
Come for the naem nuang, the DIY pork-and-herb rolls that built this riverside institution's name.
Cafe Viet
Vietnamese cooking in a Mekong border town, done properly, and closed by six so plan lunch not dinner.
Similar Markets & Shopping across Thailand
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Go at six in the morning, before the heat turns 15,000 stalls into an endurance test.
centralwOrld
Vast, air-conditioned and genuinely easy to navigate, with a top-floor food scene worth the trip alone.
Asiatique The Riverfront
Go at dusk, arrive by the free shuttle boat, and treat it as an evening out rather than a shopping trip.
MBK CENTER
Eight floors of small stalls and haggling, closer to an indoor market than a mall, and all the better for it.