Can anybody tell me if any hotels have introduced a smoking ban in Udon Thani ?

Yes, they enforce the ban in public places (lobbies, restaurants, bars, discos, etc.)

Plus some have in rooms, but that was there before the new Thai laws. The Grand has smoking & non-smoking rooms & The Silver Reef is completely non smoking, for example.

Thanks guys, Bobhelm , do you mean the Grand Chareonsri ?

konstabel els wrote:Thanks guys, Bobhelm , do you mean the Grand Chareonsri ?

Yeap!!!

Cheers, I've just paid for 3 nights there up- front, didn't fancy going downstairs and outside every 10 minutes for a smoke, Civilisation at last

could always tick your head out of the window to have a puff if you are in a no sa-moke establishmant.....technically you are not smoking in the room .

Ah, that is the problem with high rise hotels BM, the windows don't open - helps deter the jumpers I think... Would,'t be a problem in the Clock, Top Mansion & Ruysuk as most (if not all) rooms have balconies. Grand it is either in the room, or outside.

someone in the UK actually took a hotel to court over something similar thing, there argument was , as they had paid for the room it was no different to renting a house ,therefore they could ( criminal damage excluded ) do what they like, I would try this in Thailand but i don't think their authorities quite understand the British sense of fair play , on that note are there any places you would recommend ?

Think it very much depends on what you are planning to do, like to do, what standard of room you find acceptable & whether you have transport available.

I have a week in Udon ThanI ( wife wants shopping , see cousins etc ) before a month in nong bua with in laws , so something like a nice room close to town with swimming pool and bar , I don'y have a car, the englishmans retreat and BB's look ideal , but are they far out of town ? bear in mind after I have a month of sweltering heat , somtam , Sang thip, heartburn, bellyache and diorhhea , saying that I wouldn't change it for the world

BB & Englishman's are a bit far out of town for many nights out, I think - although I guess Glyn would rent you a car if you wanted. OK for daytime stuff into town (see previous post on Englishman's Retreat). President is probably as nice as anywhere - as long as you can get it at a reasonable price, not exactly central but not too far to centre.
http://www.udonmap.com/president/
Centre of town with pool doesn't leave you with many choices.
The Grand - but pretty expensive & definitely in need of a refurb in most of the rooms. Pool isn't usually very welcoming either
Charoen might be your best bet for in town.
http://www.r24.org/udonmap.com/isan/charoen/

Pool isn't usually very welcoming either

was there yesterday, looked really inviting to me, crystal clear. a surprise, as i usually hear negatives myself, that's what got me curious and to check it out.

cheers for the tips lads, we've decided to try the chareon, after the grand ( close to shopping , that should keep her happy ) before a month in Tenko,screaming kids , extended family members helping themselves to my whisky and cigs with the obligatory slap on the knee , thumbs up and ' England number 1' , any decent pub's /bars to recommend? before my month of 'fun '

The Clock & Nobi's will both be worth a visit for you, as you might want to increase your intake of food before the village visit. The clock is actually a pretty good place to sit outside & have a ciggy and watch the world go by. D&N is worth a visit, probably only to say that you have been though!! There are some nice bars and owners relocated into Nutty Park & Harley O'Toole' s is well worth a visit if John the owner is there.