Laos forum

I'm not sure if it's what Tundraman was asking about but supposedly by the end of April, (I'm not holding my breath) the line across the freindship bridge to Ban Tanalaeng (outside Vientiane) will open for passenger service, and it will truly be possible to travel all the way from Bankok to the outskirts of Vientiane. No rates or fares on Thai Railway Web Site.

This rail service has been rumored for years, the Thais even built all the way across to the line at the bridge thinking that a deal is a deal. Many years later it just might be.

I sincerely hope the tuk tuk mafia by the freindship bridge goes out of business and they end up selling flowers at the market.

thanks, rayc101 tis is an awesome site. it will go into my favourites.

cheers,

nitin

Sorry, Ive read it the wrong way round. :(

Maybe this reply would be better if you were going FROM Bkk.

Sorry, Ive read it the wrong way round. :(

Maybe this reply would be better if you were going FROM Bkk.

Did the train 16 months ago from BKK.
Don't miss out on a few days stay in Nong Khai.
It's a super laid back place, hardly any traffic, and some lovely little places to eat.
Visited the Buddha Park too, just outside Vientienne.
You can get there by public bus from the main bus station.
The park is right on the Mekong and actually overlooks Nong Khai.
It's got a v.pleasant open air restaurant, and it's as cheap as chips.
Get the bus back and drop in on the BeerLao Brewery.

I assume you guys are being sarcastic. Nong Khai is a boghole. Those of us who live in Vientiane only go there to go shopping and then go home as quickly as possible.

Quite amusing that Rufus.
What are all thoser big holes in the pavements in Vientiane?
Stinky, slimy, and potentially very dangerous 'bogholes' are they not mon?
Rock-on

Thank you all. My train tickets are almost booked.

On another note, does anyone know if Re-Entry permits to Thailand can be obtained in Nong Khai?

Last i checked the Thailand Immigration Bureau, Nong Khai is listed as an "Immigration Checkpoint" from where "one can apply for a re-entry permit". I'd be much obliged if you could share your experience with applying for the permit at Nong Khai. E-mailing them hasn't helped, and i'm not very keen on calling (yet!).

If one can apply for the permit at Nong Khai, then looks like i'll find my excuse to stay for a few days there after all :D

Further complication, i hold an Indian passport which gets me halted and squinted at, at immigration checkpoints. This might complicate the Re-Entry permit at Nong Khai for me a bit, i am guessing. If anyone can tell me how easy it is for Indian Nationals to get this permit from Nong Khai (Will they ask me to march to Bangkok instead?) i'll be super grateful.

Thank you all, once again. Looking forward to replies.

Cheers!

nitin

Hi dharmakaya

I'm not quite sure of the question, but assuming you mean my June trip through S Laos and down Mekong to Phnom Penh (in 2 weeks time...woohoo). Unfortunately I haven't travelled these sections before, and will be winging it. However, if its anything like N Laos, it'll be memorable.
Cheers
Rayc

I guess it all just comes down to a matter of taste. It doesn't bother me at all if folks like Rufus don't like Nong Khai, consider it a boghole, and never ever choose to visit there. In fact, that would probably only add to Nong Khai's charm.

As for me, I've had several wonderful and relaxing stays in Nong Khai. And while it doesn't have the variety of national libraries and other cultural treasures of a major world capital like Vientiane, Nong Khai has developed its own enjoyable style over the past several decades. The nightly dinner cruises on the Mekong, the Mut Mee Guest House and the accompanying laid-back atmosphere along the river with its comparably better views compared to the main section of Vientiane, and the variety of places to spend a fun but quiet evening will continue to be a draw for me either on the way to or returning from Laos. There are several good temples in Nong Khai to visit, including the famous Wat Khaek, similar if not the sister facility to the famous sculpture gardens across the river in Laos.

Nong Khai and Vientiane are not mutually exclusive, and it is silly to posture that they are. Cheers.

Ray, your timing seems to be round about the time Im will be there too.

Im not new to Thailand but will be my first Laos/Cambo entry.

My plans as of now is to head into Laos from CM around 10th/11th June... see my thread here - http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/laos/3892_Entering-Laos-from-Thailand--Overland-/0


Would be good to exchange notes.. drop me a mail if you dont mind psy(delete me)fraggle@gmail(dot)com

It gives me a feeling of great personal worth that My topic has been selected as the site of some personal bickering. Thanks to all who have made and are making this possible.

I've finished my trip to Laos, and am now in India. Thanks to everyone who offered their suggestions and advice on this topic.

And, for those who get off the train at Nong Khai and are making their way to Laos, the friendship bridge is 5 minutes away from the station by walk, and not 50 baht away by tuk tuk. The walk would have been very pleasant, long train journey notwithstanding.

Hmm.. About that railroad.

Just read here,
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=98894&p=3&topicID=17806537
sorry no linkage on TF, that they are testing the 3.5km section in Laos, photo shows new train station and train, other photo shows track via google earth. Some day I think you will be able to get on and go to Bangkok.