tommytouch

Thanks for all the (helpful) replies.

I arrived from Nongkhai to the bus station just outside of the main town and took the number 6 shared taxi into Udon city center. As stated the Chan Tour ticket office is just across from the the bus terminal, and I managed to get a ticket to Bangkok leaving within the next few hours (B550). I believe Chan's best class of bus is not called VIP but S-Class, and it's what I always go for - personal TV screens with movies, music, games (that didn't work) and live TV. The reclining seats are in a 2/1 formation giving you plenty of room. You also get water, juice and something in a packet that resembles food. The trip took just over 8 hours with (I think) 1 brief stop, although passengers don't leave the bus.

As Tanaka states, no bus company is ever going to be 100% safe, and I've also experienced speedy drivers on a couple of occasions, but from my experience Chan Tour, Nokhonchai Air and The Bus Company (love that name) are all usually good concerning safety, comfort and service. But doing a supposed 9 hour journey in 5 hours....!!!!

I've often wondered about this, and with many other fish breeds available here - regarding the different Thai and English names used.

The most common Thai translation I've seen for "sea bass" is pla kapong. Whether it's actually sea bass (or a close relation) I'm not sure, but it's silver in colour and looks very similar to what I've seen labled as sea perch, unless of course they're both the same fish.....

I agree that what's sold as sea bass in the UK is far superior to anything sold by that name here (and yes, expensive).

Thanks for the replies.

Yes I've thought about the torrent download thing, and my DVD player has a USB port so it's certainly a viable option.

I'd quite like to get rid of overpriced True Visions altogether but I'm kind of reliant on their live sport broadcasts (which obviously I'd watch live and not record) and a few other regular favourite shows. It'd just be very handy being able to record them then watch later at a time of my choosing, as long as it's pretty straightforward to set up and the quality isn't too bad.

I still like the media player / recorder idea, that way I can record any TV programs from True and also transferring over all my music, downloads etc. Does anybody have any experience, good or bad, with using one of these multi media players / recorders?

Does anybody have any info regarding recording TV on to a laptop / notebook computer from a UBC / True box? I have to confess to being pretty useless when it comes to computers (and technology in general) but I'd be grateful if someone can inform me of the basics. I guess what I really need to know is whether it's worth doing at all or would it make more sense just buying a media player / recorder, such as one of these?: http://www.lcdtvthailand.com/webboard/index.php?topic=12802.0

Sorry if I've been a bit vague and thanks for any help.

Please can someone tell me, does Udon have more than one bus station, and if so which is needed when traveling to Bangkok?

Thanks

Am I right in thinking Udon Thani has 2 different bus stations? If so which one has, or is more likely to have buses departing for Bangkok?

More specifically, does anyone know where Chan Tour operates from? (I like their service, especially the live Thai TV channels.)

Thanks for any help.

B800 get's you quite a bit in Laos.

The last place I stayed at was the Hay-Soke Guest house 2 on Chao Anou Road.

Good clean rooms, air-con, sat tv, en-suite bathroom (can't remember if it had WiFi tho') Slap bang in the Riverside 2 area so almost everything of interest is walkable. Last time I stayed it was B700 a night, they have cheaper rooms but you end up with shared bathroom facilities, so ask for the 'expensive one'

There are plenty of hotels in that area and all of them in my experience will happily show you what they have before you book-in, some of them are exceptionally good, but they are three to four times more expensive.

Had a look at the (basic) website and it seems fine for my needs, especially if it's in a good location. Wi-Fi isn't essential. If their cable TV has some True Sports channels I'll be happy!

Thanks for the recommendation

Sorry, not sure what prices are like in Vientiane, but considering what's available in Bangkok I'm guessing around B800 should get you something basic but comfortable. Cable TV would be nice. The more central the better.

I'd be grateful if someone can suggest a reasonably priced hotel / guesthouse in Vientiane with Wi-Fi.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Please can someone confirm what time the border opens into Laos from Nongkhai.

Thanks

Does anyone know if Chan Tour bus company has a service from Bangkok to Nongkhai?

Not a visa question; moved.

Moved to where?

Regarding flights:

Thai Air and Bangkok Air are unnecessarily expensive, which leaves Nok Air, Air Asia and Orient Thai.

Both Nok and AA are decent but Orient Thai isn't so popular, possibly because they crashed a few years back.

I like Nok because their website is pretty straight forward with no hidden charges plus you can choose to pay at an ATM or 7/11 which I find very convenient. Also they fly out of Don Muang airport (or sould be again by January) which means no crowds and queues, delays etc.

If using a Thai passport they will be stamped in for 30 days. While a border pass can be used for land crossings (or a passport if you have one), a passport is needed if flying.

And using a Thai passport is faster and easier and cheaper as no time used on the Thai side for processing, and the Lao entry is visa FREE.

Mac

Ok, thanks

Do you have any idea how much a visa is using an ID card / border pass?

Can someone please tell me where in Bangkok a Thai national (born in Bangkok) needs to go to make a new ID card. Also, does anyone know whether the area is currently accesible due to the floods?

Thanks for any help.

Can anyone tell me what time the first train leaves Makkasan station for the airport (weekday), and wether it's the 15 minute express service or the slower 30 minute commuter service?

I've looked on their website but it only seems to show times from the Airport, not in the opposite direction.

Thanks

Sorry, this is in the wrong forum, it should be in the next one down, 'Visas and migration...

A straightforward question: Do Thai nationals need a visa to Enter Laos (staying there just a few days)?

Thanks

If you can't get the rice delivered go to page 2 of this forum and to the thread 'Where To Buy Garam Masala And Other Indian Spices?'. Post #3 has a helpful link to a map of 3 places around Silom, not too far from Wongwian Yai. The post's regarding Indian spices but I'm assuming you'll also find basmati rice:

I've learned the best way to locate something in Warorot is to have someone show you the first time. I tried to explain the specific location. I've never found the stall to be closed during regular market hours. I don't know what more I can do to assist the the previous poster, short of serving as a personal tour guide. This is something I've done often for people I know. PM me if you want to meet for a tour of Warorot.

Your details were certainly helpful, I just wasn't sure which side of the market was east. We happily strolled around the whole place (and the the neighbouring Ton Lam Yai market) but couldn't find anything. It was quite late in the day though so that could explain it. Not a problem.

In most of Chiang Mai city, the Ping River is to the east, and Doi Suthep is to the west. This applies at Warorot market as well. The spice merchant perhaps closes at 4 or 4:30 pm. Maybe you were there after that time. The stall is against a wall, the east wall of the big area on ground floor with all the dried pork rinds, nuts, chips, etc.

Great, thanks for clarifying. I explored the place pretty thoroughly but had no luck. There's a good chance they'd closed up for the day because it was quite late. Will give it another go. As stated in previous posts Spices Restaurant on Thapae Rd also sells Indian spices, ghee etc if that's any help to you.

Just scan through all the thread topics in this International Food forum (there's only three pages) concerning Indian ingredients / spices and you'll find all the information needed. Noted places are around Sukhumvit, Silom and Chinatown. They should all be cheaper than Paragon, Emporium, Central etc. No idea where you're based but the Indian convenience store on Sukhumvit soi 23 is walking distance from Asoke skytrain / Sukhumvit Metro stations.

I've learned the best way to locate something in Warorot is to have someone show you the first time. I tried to explain the specific location. I've never found the stall to be closed during regular market hours. I don't know what more I can do to assist the the previous poster, short of serving as a personal tour guide. This is something I've done often for people I know. PM me if you want to meet for a tour of Warorot.

Your details were certainly helpful, I just wasn't sure which side of the market was east. We happily strolled around the whole place (and the the neighbouring Ton Lam Yai market) but couldn't find anything. It was quite late in the day though so that could explain it. Not a problem.

I think that the restaurant-cum-grocery-store called Spices (or something like that)that used to be opposite the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel has shifted its location to Thapae Road at the lower end not far from where the night bazaar intersects with thapae road. At least the sign looks the same. I haven't gone inside yet to check if it's still offering groceries.

Sorry for not specifying but yes the Spices place I visited was on Thapae road. Travelling towards Thapae gate from the river it's on the right hand side just after the intersection the the night bazaar road, opposite the purple SCB bank. They do indeed sell groceries.

If you mean me? No I got original visa from the LA consulate a triple Tourist visa ( Same with the previous year but only stayed 3 months) I got almost 240 days out of it then got another double TV from PP in May now I just got my last one in Laos no problems. I could not live in Thailand forever sometimes it can be boring between exploring Thailand,Laos,Cambodia and hanging out in Bkk. I do not work illegally I don't need too.I am far from rich far from poor and I have the time to enjoy the years of hard work before the world economy collapses. This visa got me right to where I wanted to be. May is when its the start of the most beautiful part of where I am from. I think working on a TV is bulls**t because you put yourself at the mercy of the shady puppy mill mall school system the pays tea money. I live well so I am spending plenty of money to be an asset. I don't drink or go whoring so most of my largeness is spread about the neighborhood.

I wasn't accusing you of working here illegally or anything like that, I was just addressing hehehoho's post and at the end mentioned the fact that there are plenty of questionable people here using tourist visas to stay. You state you have the money to be here and enjoy travelling around the region, no different to myself and many other people. However, if and when you do return to Thailand from your home country it might be worth using a Non-Immigrant 12 month visa if possible, to eliminate the risk of any refused tourist visas from neighbouring countries - you've had no problems so far but you can't guarantee this will continue in the future. If you apply for a multiple entry 12 month Non-Imm visa you'll still be able to leave and re-enter Thailand if you want to explore the region further.

Obviously a 12 month Non-Immigrant visa is preferable to a tourist visa for anyone wanting to stay here indefinitely.

No, it's preferable for anyone wanting to stay here longer than 3 months.

Edit:

Sorry, 60 days.

Correct, but I was referring to the OP, who appears to want to stay here indefinitely.

What we don't know - or what isn't clear to me - is whether the OP originally came here on a 12 month visa which has now expired. In which case I see nothing wrong with using tourist visas to stay here if, like me, you don't qualify for renewing the 12 month visa in a neighbouring country due to not meeting the marriage / child / 50 years of age+ criteria, that is assuming you're of decent character and contribute to the country in some way. Of course we all know there are plenty of people here on tourist visas who are working illegally (or whatever else) and contributing very little to the country.