Stekmer

I've got about 10 days to spend in Isaan and would welcome some suggestions for my trip in late November 2011

I'm interested in something more local than commercialised and night life is not important at all

My thoughts to begin with were to fly to Ubon Ratchatani and then trains or buses back toward Bangkok, stopping at Korat and another place or 2 before Ayutthaya and going back to Bangkok.

With the flooding, I'm now thinking that it might be better to fly to Ubon Ratchathani (3 nights) and then to Roi Et by bus (2 nights) by bus to Khon Kaen (2 nights) and then on Udon Thani to fly fly back to Bangkok.

I'm trying to keep the floods in mind and suspect that Ayutthaya will take some time to recover and that train transport will also be effected.

Any comments or suggests would be most welcomed.

I'm due to arrive into BKK on Nov 4th, staying for 2 nights and then onto Cambodia for a couple of weeks and then back to Thailand (BKK 2 nights and Kanchanaburi for 3 nights) and then have 2 weeks before heading home.

My original plan was to fly to Ubon Ratchathani and then train back to BKK via Korat and Ayutthaya but the floods make that a bit of an 'ify' option. In March this year (during that cold spell) I spent a few days in Nong Khai after a trip to Laos and really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed my 5 days in Chiang Rai and a quick trip to Mae Sai and Tachileik.

I'm now thinking that the Ubon Ratchathani and then train back to BKK via Korat and Ayutthaya may not be a viable option. I quite fancy the feel and atmosphere in the smaller rural places in Thailand, particularly along the Mekong so thoughts turned to Chaing Rai and nearby places on the river such as Chiang Khong - renting a bicycle and doing short (5 to 10 km) trips around the vicinity. Does 4 nights in Chiang Khong sound like too long?

A bit of a last minute rethink of my plans so open to any suggestions.

Great work Khun Wantan - nice to know what the state of play is.

I'm booked to arrive in Bangkok on Nov 4th and am getting a bit anxious about wether the airport will be open and I'll be able to get into my hotel at Silom.

From what I've read there has been very heavy rain (for some months) across Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam with significant flooding and loss of life.

The flood situation in Bangkok is well publicised but information about the situation in Cambodia less so.

Is Phnom Penh flooded?

Is the airport OK?

I'm booked into Indochine 2 Hotel in 2 weeks time - pretty close to the river - and would really appreciate any information from people on the ground in Phnom Penh, Kampot & Sihanoukville.

I'm assuming that I'll be able to fly into Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and out again after a few days - floods permitting - otherwise I may have to do a last minute change of entry points from Bangkok to KL to try and resurrect the trip.

Hi,

I am booked into the Baan Warabordee Hotel (through Agoda) and I emailed them about pick up from the airport.

They have replied with an offer of 300 Baht. - I arrive from Bangkok on AirAsia Flight FD 3256 at 9.05 pm in a couple of weeks time.

Does this seem a reasonable price?

What are the transport options from the Airport to central Chiang Rai?

Thanks in advance for any replies :jap:

Thanks again for steering me in the right direction.

It sounds like (given I have now booked my flight to Chiang Rai) a bus to Mae Sai and a US$10 fee for a few hours over the border in Tachileik will get me a new 15 day stamp and make a good day trip as well.

I've read that the Myanmar Immigration fee is US$10 or 500 Baht and that they hold your passport and issue a 14 day pass.

Now I'll look into getting a bus from Chiang Rai to Mae Sai and transport to and from the bus station to the border.

Thanks again people - this is a much more appealing plan for solving a 4 day overstay on the first 15 day entry stamp.

Thanks again everyone.

I phoned the Thai Consulate in my home city to ask for a double entry visa - explaining my situation in some detail.

This would have cost me A$90 and saved all the hassel for an extra A$25 over the 7 day extension (1,900 Bht)

I was told that I should apply for a 60 day Tourist Visa (free) and the just tell the Immigration Officer at Suvarnabhumi Airport that I want a 2 day Transit Visa and that I will use the Tourist visa when I cross from Lao back to Thailand :-)

Looks like there was a simple (and cheap) answer right under my nose.

Thanks again for all the replies and very helpful information.

Thanks again for all the replies.

I was thinking of heading up to Chang Rai.

Can I assume that the Immigration Office there will be able to process my application?

What would a worse case senario mean - ie application not granted and fronting up at Suvarnabhumi Airport with a 4 day overstay?

Thanks again 'Mario2008'

If I understand correctly .... it is not possible to apply for an extension of 4 days at Udon Thani or Jomtien until the end of my 15 day visa (issued at Nong Khai).

Even with a confirmed eticket back to Australia (April 1st), I can't apply for a 4 day extension before the end of my existing Visa - is this right?

Thanks again

I've just been reading about the Immigration Office at Udon Thani.

Would this be a better option for me (rather than Jomtien)?

How long does it take to get a Visa issued - is it a few hours or drop back the next day?

Thanks again to everyone for the very fast replies :-)

I've booked a short trip from Australia to Thailand and a quick run across to Vientiane for a couple of days before heading back into Thailand.

I will be crossing by land from Vientiane to Nong Khai on Monday March 14th and understand that I will get a 15 day Visa at the crossing.

I was heading home on March 25th so no problems.

Now - I can extend my stay until April 1st but this would leave me 4 days short with my visa.

I will be in Noong Khai for 2 nights and then Undon Thani for 2 nights before heading off to Jomtien and then back to Bangkok on the 22nd March.

What would be my best option for getting a visa extension and how long would it take and how much would it cost.?

It looks like it might need to rejuggle my plans ..... :-(

Thanks again Prajak - Great information - very helpful

White Inn looks quite nice, I think I'll try them.

Cheers :jap:

Thank you again Prajak - very helpful indeed.

I'm assuming that there may be some language problems that have led to no replies to sms.

It is a bit frustrating when places have web sites with mobile phone numbers and email addresses and don't reply.

Perhaps business is so good that they don't need to.

Patwanee replied to an earlier email so I might go for that. As you said , they are nearby to the area I fancy.

I'd already looked at Agoda (as my first step) but they had only 1 place that is a bit further out than I wanted.

As nice as the train station looked, I don't fancy a bench there but will bring a pillow with me just in case.

Thank you Prajak.

I tried the email link from Huan Lai website ([email protected]) and sent an sms to 08 68541113

I was anticipating a phone call might be complicated by my lack of Thai and their lack of English.

No response to 2 sms and an auto reply from hotmail saying 'mailbox unavailable'

I've resent the email just now and haven't received an auto reply with a fault as yet ...... fingers crossed ... may have been a temporary problem and I may hear back from them.

I'm quite looking forward to a couple of nights in Nong Khai.

I passed through last month on my way back from Vientiane and liked what I saw on my way from the train station (train to Bangkok was cancelled due to the floods) to the bus station - now I want a closer look.

Thanks again :-)

Hi,

I've been trying to book a Guesthouse or lower midrange hotel along the river front in Nong Khai for a couple of nights in mid March 2011.

I quite like the look of Baan Mae Rim Nam Guest House and Huan-Lai Apartment. First preference is Baan Mae Rim Nam Guest House.

Unfortunately neither of these places have booking options or working email addresses on their websites.

Baan Mae Rim Nam Guest House website has a contact page but this just returns an error message and the email address for Huan-Lai Apartment (hotmail) just gets an 'account not available' eror message.

I've tried sending sms (text messages) to the mobile phone numbers listed on the web sites (from my Thai mobile and an Australian number) but no reply.

I suspect a phone conversation may be problematic (language barrier at my end – no Thai) so I'll now send letters to both and see if I can get a reply to my Thai mobile or email address listed in the letter.

Any other suggestions?

I guess I could just turn up and take pot luck but would feel more comfortable having a booking.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated :jap:

Thank you Prajak - very helpful :-)

I'll check the Huanlai Hotel.

The pool is not so important I guess - compared to a central location and close to the river.

Any idea what a car or travel service to Udon Thani airport might cost?

Thanks again - much appreciated

:jap:

I'm planning a trip to Nong Khai for 2 or 3 days in mid March 2011 and am looking at the 'Nongkhai Grand Hotel'.

It seems to get mixed reviews and there are statements on some Internet booking web sites that the pool has been closed since January 2010 for renovations.

Some reviews say the hotel is run down and in need of a total make over - but then I've stayed in places with similar reviews and found them quite acceptable. All in the expectations for the price perhaps.

Has anyone stayed in the Nongkhai Grand Hotel recently and/or know about what is happening with the pool or other renovations? (I haven't been able to find the hotels web site or direct contact details - just booking web sites).

Or - are there better options for a downtown hotel that is within 10 to 15 minutes walk of the river?

My plan was to get there by train from Bangkok, spend a few days in Vientiane, back to Nong Khai and then to Udon Thani for a morning AirAsia flight back to Bangkok.

I'm assuming that the trip from Nong Khai to Udon Thani airport for the morning flight (around 0830 I think) is a viable option??

Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

:jap:

Thank you Boycie.Well spotted.

The Taraburee logo on their web site certainly matches the one in the video

Stekmer :jap:

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I find the river front at Kanchanaburi quite charming. A short walk from the main centre of town, it is particularly pleasant around sunset when the floating restaurants and Karaoke boats come out to play.

To the west of town, at the river junction, there is a floating restaurant that offers great views, good food and live music at local prices. I wish I could remember the name of it.

For me it just doesn't get any better than this :-)

I've just bought a Huawei E1762 usb modem (GSM & 3G/HSPA - 900/2100 MHz) that I will have unlocked before my next trip to Thailand.

Has anyone used this modem in and around Bangkok?

What pre-paid options are there for mobile braodband - any ones to look for or avoid?

Thanks in advance.

Thanks for posting this.

I'm sure that a lot of people planning a trip to Thailand will find it helpful.

The train to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok leaves from the Thonburi Station, a much smaller station than Hualamphong and located on the other side of the Chao Phraya river.

The train leaves Bangkok at 0745 and arrives in Kanchanaburi at 1025. It is an all Third Class train and the fare is 100 baht. The train is quite basic but comfortable enough for the short journey. The seats at least have padding and the carriages are quite clean although the toilet facilities are perhaps best describes as 'use only if you really can't wait'.

The train stops at several small stations along the way with food vendors getting on and off to sell their wares to passengers. The passing scenery is quite pleasant although the outskirts of Bangkok are perhaps more interesting than pleasant.

The train arrived right on time. The Station is located quite centrally, about 1 Km from the River Kwai Hotel. The train continues on to the Station right on the Bridge over the River Kwai and then on to the water fall along the original tracks laid by the Japanese during the 1940s.

For me a day on Jomtien Beach is not complete without a plate of BBQd squid, simply cooked over charcoal and served with chilli sauce. Four medium sized squid costs 100 baht. This lady is my favourite Squid Vendor, she seems to be better than most and presents the finished product with a bit of flair. SangSom and soda makes a perfect accompaniment.

Arrived at my hotel adjacent Chong Nosi BTS station at 2100 hrs last night.

Tank and soldiers with guns on the corner with Silom, soldiers patrolling the smaller streets that run between Sathorn and Silom. This seemed quite strange until I got the news of the explosions at 2000 - 2045 hrs.

No BTS running - obviously enough.

Any news on BTS returning to usual schedules?

There are some skytrains moving in and out of Chong Nosi this morning but seem to be pausing longer than normal and not a lot of passenger activity.

We will be in Kanchanaburi on April 24th (staying at River Kwai Hotel) and need to arrange transport to get to Hellfire Pass for the 0530 Dawn Service on April 25th.

Someone had suggested that Four 9s Bar might be worth tying but I see that it is up for sale at the moment.

Can anyone recommend a transport company or private driver that we can book to pick us up at around 0300 hours. We will probably want to make a day of it and get to the other memorial service at 1100 and the football match after that.

Any suggestions or information on an approximate price would be greatly appreciated.