The Red Lotus Sea, around 45 km south of Udon Thani in the district of Kumphawapi, is a vast freshwater lake that becomes a sheet of pink and red lotus flowers each winter. Long-tail boats run out from the lakeside village, ferrying visitors through corridors of open water with flowers crowding the boat on both sides.
Out of season — March to November — there is little to see. Time your visit between mid-December and late February for the full bloom, and go as early as you can manage; the flowers begin to wilt by ten in the morning and the boats stop running by lunchtime.