Stekmer

2 hours ago, bignok said:

Udon has buses to NP

Thanks,

I was hoping that the old bus that went from Nong Khai to Nakhon Phanom via Bueng Kan was still operating.
I gather a bus from Udon Thani to Nakhon Phanom is a bit faster and will investigate the departure times if no bus from Nong Khai.

2 hours ago, Issanman said:

 

Thank you.

I'll investigate the options for a bus from Nong Khai to Ban Phaeng and on to Nakhon Phanom.

I originally posted this question in the Central Forum - possibly the wrong place.

I'm after information on getting from Nong Khai to Nakhon Phanom - either direct bus links or options from Udon Thani.

I'm heading to Nong Khai (flight from Bangkok) on Nov 17th and have been searching to try to find out if the old Bus from Nong Khai is still running along the river front route to Nakhon Phanom.

I've taken this old bus twice before and quite enjoyed the slow pace and scenery along the way.

All I can find is that the Phetprasert Bus Company has a Chiang Mai to Nakhon Phanom bus that stops in Udon Thani at 0715 am - but - their website is in Thai only and the 4 or 5 booking websites I've tried show nothing operating at all.

Is there only 1 bus a day from Udon Thani Bus Station 1 to Nakhon Phanom - or - am I looking in the wrong places.

Thanks in advance for any local insights.

I'm after information on getting from Nong Khai to Nakhon Phanom - either direct bus links or options from Udon Thani.

I'm heading to Nong Khai (flight from Bangkok) on Nov 17th and have been searching to try to find out if the old Bus from Nong Khai is still running along the river front route to Nakhon Phanom.

I've taken this old bus twice before and quite enjoyed the slow pace and scenery along the way.

All I can find is that the Phetprasert Bus Company has a Chiang Mai to Nakhon Phanom bus that stops in Udon Thani at 0715 am - but - their website is in Thai only and the 4 or 5 booking websites I've tried show nothing operating at all.

Is there only 1 bus a day from Udon Thani Bus Station 1 to Nakhon Phanom - or - am I looking in the wrong places.

Thanks in advance for any local insights.

20 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

My primary SIM is AIS.

Second one DTAC for internet on the road.

 

I've since found a couple of comparison websites that report network coverage and it does sound as though AIS is the better option. Having said that, the other 2 seem to rate not that far behind.
I got a really good deal (A$2.70 - after A$5 promo discount ) on TruemoveH from Klook with 100 baht call inclusions, cheaper IDD code and unlimited data for 16 days - so I'll start with that and see how it goes.

7 hours ago, DJ54 said:

Live in NE Isaan use True H … works good I mainly use for data… 

Thanks - good to know ????

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

Thanks for the information.????
I'm flying into DMK  (which would presumably have similar options) so I will keep an eye out.
The sim deals that Klook have (DMK only) are appealing - but - good coverage is also appealing.????

2 minutes ago, Woof999 said:

I can't remember any major problems with my True SIM card around the Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan areas.

 

Many trips there.

Good to know - thanks ????

I used to buy an AIS sim after arrial in Bangkok and got generally good reception in the north and nort east.

For my trip in February, I'm thinking of using KLOOK to buy a sim card for collection at Don Muang Airport but they offer only DTAC or TrueMove sim cards.
Travel plans are Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, Mukdahan and Nakhin Phanom.

Will DTAC or TrueMove provide decent data and call network connection - or - do I stick with AIS and buy the day after arrival?
A general Google search shows reports (variable) mainly for tle popukar tourist spots.

I'd really value comments based on local experience in the places I'm travelling to.

12 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Yes times have changed, some things for the better, others, not so much.

I'm basically after a train ride from Bangkok to somewhere that I can then catch a bus to smaller places along the Mekhong, to revisit some familiar places and a new place or two along the way - hence Khon Kaen. Connections from Udon Thani are probably better but I didn't take to UT when I visited a few years back now.
I haven't taken Roi Et or Surin off my 'must see list' - maybe next trip :-)

16 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

The bus station in KK has moved, it is now in an area where there are few hotels, if any, and you certainly can’t walk from it to anywhere with the good eating places and nightlife.

 

it’s at the bottom of the map

Thanks for that - very helpful.

Do you know if there a songthaew route from the centre to the bus station?

13 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

First of all, ignore the linked article as the only review/comment there is pre-covid and things have changed mightily since then. There is no bus terminal website that gives any timings, except for buses to Bangkok, maybe one or two other large centres but not Mukdahan. You might as well be trying to find the time of rockets to the moon. Very frustrating.

 

I used to take that route many times and the bus passed my house. It used to run every hour, sometimes half-hourly, but no longer. There is now, when I travelled recently, only ONE bus a day leaving at about 1.30pm from KK. The replacement are vans that you use at your peril and they run at about the same frequency that the bus used to. A ride for the whole route would take around four hours or more and be very uncomfortable as well as risky. Both a bus and at least one van have been involved in accidents with at least one death.

As someone else has written, there are no hotels near the new bus terminal, but a taxi from the city centre will only cost you 200 baht or so. At least the one bus a day is probably at a convenient time for you. Good luck and wave as you pass my house ????

 

 

Thanks Barry
Your right, trying to find a bus schedule is impossible and I take you point that the minivans that replaced the older, slower bus services are both uncomfortable and dangerous in equal measures. (I have fond memories of old buses with wooden floors that averaged about 60 km an hour with frequent stops - but - were safe).
Are there any bus company offices in KK centre - or - are they all at the bus station?

I've found an email address for Petchprasert Bus company and hopefully will hear back from them.

Thanks again for your reply

Stephen

My first trip back to Thailand since COVID and planning to visit places I haven't been before, plus a few favourites - comming from Australia via KL and Penang to Bangkok in early March.

Plans so far are to get a train to Khon Kaen and then hopefully, to get a direct bus to Mukdahan before heading up to Nakhon Phanom.

Any information on the following would be greatly appreciated:

• accommodation in Khon Kaen that is close to the bus station and walking distance to night markets or other eating options would be most appreciated.
• bus time tables from Khon Kaen to Mukdahan

Thanks for the replies,

GU3 MLUM, this was on a Tuesday night (3/2/15).

A German man I came across earlier in the day told the day was a special Buddhist celebration day. The Wat at the far end of the river strip was certainly being decked out in a special way.

Interesting to hear the same man dances each week - he certainly had lots of energy and enthusiasm for it.

The ladies in hats seemed to be gathering and chatting amongst themselves rather than dancing. I assumed it may be a club of some sort.

Opps - Nong Khai

Sorry, I thought the opening title of the video would help.

I should have put it in the question title.

It was at the northern end of the river area (not far from Mutmee guesthouse).

Was this a regular night market or a special celebration?

This video was taken on Tuesday night, February 3rd on the river front - possibly on a full moon.

I had no idea that there was such an active night market area and suspect it may have been a once of.

Does anyone know anything about the 'Ladies in Hats' that gathered in increasing number from around 6 pm, finally reaching around 50 or 60 in number? They appear toward the end of the video.

http://youtu.be/I8nX1J6eCFU

Thanks for the replies.

I'm now in Bueng Kan and there is a regular bus service to Nakhon Phanom with buses leaving at 1115 and 1430 hrs each day for 135 baht for the 180 km ride.

There is no bus station but buses and minivans stop and start from near the down town roundabout, just near the large clock tower.

The information about no direct services came from an incorrect entry on Wikitravel which I'll update soon.

Thanks again for the replies ☺

I've just read that there are no buses that run from Bueng Kan to Nakhon Phanom, only buses between Bueng Kan and Nong Khai.

Does anyone know if this is still true?

I'm due in Nakhon Phaom in a couple of weeks time (my 4th trip) and have decided to buy a second hand bicycle (hopefully) rather than settle for one of the ancient offerings from LA Cycles or using a communal one from my Hotel.

Assuming I find one worth buying, I am hoping to be able to sell it at the end of my weeks stay but accept that this may be difficult.
My second choice was to donate it to a worthy cause or recipient.

Can anyone advise on any charitable organizations that may accept a bicycle?

Or better still - does any one living in Nakhon Phanom have a half decent bike they would like to rent for a week?

I've also read that Indonesia Air Transport Ministry is doing an audit of all of AirAsia routes and possible 'unauthorised schedules' across all routes and has mentioned It might be possible to revoke AirAsia's licence in Indonesia.

From: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-04/four-large-parts-of-airasia-jet-qz8501-found-authorities-say/5998888

Meanwhile, Indonesia's transport ministry said the AirAsia plane was flying on an unauthorised schedule when it crashed, adding it had now frozen the airline's permission to fly the route.

The transport ministry said AirAsia was not permitted to fly the Surabaya-Singapore route on Sundays and had not asked to change its schedule.

"It violated the route permit given, the schedule given, that's the problem," said Djoko Murjatmodjo, the director general of air transport.

"AirAsia's permit for the route has been frozen because it violated the route permit given."

He later added: "We are going to investigate all AirAsia flight schedules.

"Hopefully we can start on Monday. We won't focus on licences, just schedules.

"It might be possible to revoke AirAsia's licence in Indonesia."

Indonesia AirAsia chief executive Sunu Widyatmoko said the company would cooperate with the government investigation but declined to elaborate.

Does anyone know of a reliable repair center in Bangkok to have my Motorola Xoom 2 looked at?

The micro usb charge point seems a bit dodgy and I've read that (this common'ish issue) can be rectified by replacing the small section that has both the HDMI and Micro USB connection points.

Still under (2 yr) warranty in Australia but authorized repair center is closed until 12/1/15 and I'll be in Bangkok a few days after that.

Perfect :-)

Thanks again Patmalone .... very clear instructions.

Thanks Patmalone - very helpful.

So I can take a Minivan from Udon Thai central bus station to Nong Khai and ask for Bueng Kan. The route is via Nong Khai with a wait at a coffee shop?

Any idea about scheduled departures from Udon Thai?

I'm starting to think about a night in Nong Khai and early departure the next day .... decisions decisions.

Thanks again.

Hi,

I'm planning a trip from Bangkok to Udon Thani to Bueng Kan to Nakhon Phanom to Sakon Nakhon and then back to Bangkok - for 2 weeks in early Feb 2015.

I was planing an early flight into Udon Thani and then to catch a bus out the same day.

Can anyone help with information on bus schedules from Udon Thani to Bueng Kan?

Thanks in advance for any information.