Burma Bill

Thank you for your comments. This is a new service (from July 2024) with one overnight train (133) from Bangkok through to Vientiane. Sleeping and seating accomodation is provided. At Nong Khai Station (not at the bridge) passengers for Vientiane alight to complete Thai Immigration formalities before re-boarding the train to continue across the bridge to Vientiane Station (not the HST one), where Laos Immigration is formalised. As far as I know, and I may be wrong, the only new construction is the Thai Immigration Office at Nong Khai Station along with refurbishment of the track. The narrow gauge (one metre) railway infrastructure between Nong Khai and Vientiane has been in place for many years when the Friendship Bridge was built, hence nothing new on Google Earth. The above photo in the report, shows passengers from the Bangkok train, queing for Thai Immigration at Nong Khai before re-boarding to continue their journey to Vientiane. This answers your question "Anyone actually got on the train in Thailand and then got off in Laos" - YES I refer again to - https://www.thailandtrains.com/trains-from-bangkok-to-vientiane/

With respect, the train crosses the bridge to continue its journey to Vientiane. Thai Immigration is situated in Nong Khai Station and Laos Immigration is at the terminal station in Vientiane.

BEIJING, CHINA- APRIL 7, 2017: How about this one (stock photo) - brilliant! Xi Jinping, how about it then!!

Maybe he should have used "White Spirit"!

For reference: The outward and return journeys are overnight - there are no daytime services. The train leaves Bangkok (Bang Sue Grand Station) at 21.25 to arrive in Vientiane at 09.05 (11 hours and 40 minutes). Train Number 133. There is no mention of a restaurant/buffet car, but no doubt along the way the vendors will be on with their baskets of "goodies" in the seated accomodation. Sleeper berths are in great demand so book well in advance. Further details- https://www.thailandtrains.com/trains-from-bangkok-to-vientiane/

Yes indeed, I read that as well. Very sad for his family and my condolences to them.

Thailand - the "Porn Hub"?

I wonder how many "pot heads" in Pattaya, Phuket, Bangkok etc. end up talking to Beer Bar "old cows"?

When is your appointment for a liver transplant?

Great idea, especially if organised by Shaolin Monks! On entering the 7-11 now "ding dong" - wallop!!

Yes indeed. Being a diabetic with an enlarged prostate, there are times when I have to seek bushes, alleyways etc. to have a sudden pee before wetting myself! The most amazing scene I witnessed was at Bagan Railway Station in Burma where a Buddhist monk was sqautting among the bushes and flower beds. I though he was just resting but no! He stood up, adjusted his robe and walked away leaving a trickle of urine flowing down the sloped garden. At least the plants were being "watered". (absolutely true)

Yes indeed - justice at last. I lived in the North throughout both tenures of Thaksin as PM. Us "Northerners" knew you were stitched up by the corrupt elite establishment of Bangkok because money was being channeled to the North for vast new infrastructure projects. Soon to be free without a blemish, please could you arrange a "Certificate of Innocence" for the two Burmese lads locked up in prison for the Koh Tao murders.

Yes indeed. A well known resort for the "Hippie/Flower Power" brigade who were attracted by the "products" of the nearby "Golden Triangle" which could be smoked, ingested or injected! On my last visit several years ago , the hippies were still there but now in their 50's and 60's. I believe Pai still has this reputation. (picture below taken in 2024)

How interesting. In all my 20 years living "out in the sticks" of rural North Thaiand, I never saw a doorbell. Are these just restricted to condos and apartments?

At first glance I thought it was, until I relised the man was wearing a "longi"

Very much so - sex tourists, sex-pats and others all looking for under legal age boys and girls!! Thailand the hub of ?????

Well I never - Charlie Chan is in town!!

I was quoting what you said - read your post again!! No further comment from me.

I live in Cambodia and have done so for the past 4 years. In respect to "tourist money never goes to locals" I totally disagree. Here in Siem Reap, probably the busiest and most popular destination, thousands of tourists provide incomes for many Khmer people working at Angkor Wat with its Archaeological Park, other tourist attractions (botanic gardens, aquarium, museums, Kulen Mountain, silk farm & village etc.) bars and restaurants throughout the city (Pub Street for example), hotels and guest houses, souvenir and related businesses, transportation such as tuk-tuk's of various types, tour guides, and so on, and so on keeping thousands of local people in regular employment. The only money that goes to the Cambodian Government is in taxes such as VAT and excise duty (alcoho, cigarettes, gasoline etc.) and income from Government owned establishments. Yes, Cambodia has been run with an iron fist by the Hun family and its political party CPP (Cambodian Peoples Party) for many years. Hun Sen is no longer PM and his son Hun Manet has the honour. Hun Manet was educated in the USA and the UK, unlike his father. Hun Sen is now 71 years old and President of the Senate. There are faint glimmers on the horizon (such as two additional political parties in Parliament) and who knows what will happen when Hun Sen passes away. (ref. Google) HRH King Noradom Sihamoni is a Constitutional Monarch and very rarely gets involved in politics. He promotes art and culture in Cambodia.

Reminded me of this childhood rhyme (slightly adjusted!) “Oh dear, what can the matter be? One old man got locked in the lavatory, He was there from Monday to Saturday nobody knew he was there?” Get well soon Mister Pornchai.

Google Map Amata City Industrial Estate. Rayong. Several buildings shown but only 4 named - Daikin Compressor Industires Ltd, Thai Water Operations, ITW and State Industry (Thailand) Co. Ltd. - take your pick!

Yes indeed. Grab, Bolt , local Passapp tuk-tuk's etc. are not allowed to meet passengers outside "Arrivals" - Chinese regulation (they own the airport). One is expected to use one of their taxis or minibuses. There is an infrequent airport bus service, 4 journeys per day! HOWEVER you can book a taxi, car, tuk-tuk etc in advance whose driver/agent will meet you at arrivals and convey you to the vehicle in the visitor's carpark. If you have a pre-booked hotel, it will advise you of, and arrange transportation for you. Some arriving passengers will share a taxi to help reduce the cost. Please note, there is also a toll to use the new road into the airport. You cannot avoid.

For me, being a railway enthusiast, I find it very interesting reading about other people's Thai train travel experiences, some saying "never again" and others "great journey - will repeat". I respect both. My most recent journey, a couple or so years ago (post covid), was from Bangkok (DMK old station) to Chiang Mai in an all Third Class train - the only seats available. I had flown in from Siem Reap. The journey took 14 hours, including overnight. The seat was surprisingly comfortable being leatherette padded - no wooden seats like days of old! The weather was warm and dry so I kept the window open throughout the entire journey - no air conditioning needed. I can spend hours watching the world go by, so the movement of passengers and the passing scenery, including the doubling of the track, interested me. The various vendors provided hot and cold food and drinks served at my seat - the lady with the cool box containing cans of Chang did well! I can still remember all the monkeys in and around Lopburi Station and the sunrise in the mountains between Uttaradit, Den Chai, Lampang and Lamphun. Thesedays with my leg disabilities, I have to "Fly Thru" with Air Asia from Siem Reap to Chiang Mai using AA's wheel chair service at the airports.