UDONTHANI, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF. — Erected by the dismemberment of the apostolic vicariate of Tharé (q.v.), on 7 May 1953; it comprises the civil departments of Leui, Mongkhai and Udon.
It has a total area of 37,000 sq. km., with a population of 1,248,811 inhabitants. It has been entrusted to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, whose American fathers of the Oakland province have been in Thailand since May 1948. Named after the city of U., which is the most central in the region and best provided with means of communication, it has about 3,000 Catholics.
At present, five Redemptorists are engaged in missionary work in the field, while two others are studying the Siamese language outside the mission. In this territory there are six organized Christian communities, each with a church or chapel and accommodation for the missionary.