Issan Weather

[boxingbeauty]

Hi,

I was hoping for some advice concerning the weather in August. I'm planning to fly over to BKK in August, meet friends, then travel up through Issan (staying in Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom), then cross the border into Laos. I know it's rainy season, however, I was wondering if that means a couple of hours a day, or constant? I imagine it will be heavy also? My friends are Thai, but they can't seem to answer my query. I just want to be prepared.

Hope you can help?

x.

[technocracy]

Hi,

I was hoping for some advice concerning the weather in August. I'm planning to fly over to BKK in August, meet friends, then travel up through Issan (staying in Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom), then cross the border into Laos. I know it's rainy season, however, I was wondering if that means a couple of hours a day, or constant? I imagine it will be heavy also? My friends are Thai, but they can't seem to answer my query. I just want to be prepared.

Hope you can help?

x.

Well basically the summary goes - about 32-34C constant day or night then dropping to around 27-30C when raining.

The rain is pretty much most days but in general it's only for an hour or so then stops. Although normal it's very heavy rain - it ain't called a monsoon for no reason!

But that said you can also get days where it doesn't rain - I've never experienced a rain storm that hasn't stopped within a couple of hours or so. It's nothing like the UK drizzly crap that last all day and night - it's proper rain! You walk 10 metres in it and you'll be soaked to the skin.

All in all nothing to worry about - enjoy the visit - particularly Laos (but I'm biased!)

[macb]

WEll this link will help you:

But basically dont worry about it as the previous poster says, Rainy season does not mean it will rain all day everyday and if it does rain its very pleasant and refreshing, because its still hot as well. Right now in Northeastern Issan we are gaetting a lot of rain and its not the Rainy Season yet, but it cools things down which is not a bad thing.

Good luck

http://www.thaiguru.com/infra-weather.html

[boxingbeauty]

Thanks guys - much appreciated.

I've experienced the monsoon in Penang, Malaysia - that was bad! But that continued all day!

I've been all over Thailand, but never into Isaan. I'm really looking forward to it.

Technocracy: any advice outside of the guidebook on Laos? Anywhere you suggest I go outside the tourist loop? I will be travelling with my Muay Thai instructor/friend.

Cheers. x.

[plachon]

Mostly it only rains for a few hours in the rainy season, but from August onwards you get the chance of a depression or even a typhoon coming over from South China Sea and when those babies come, you can expect rain, rain and more rain in northern Isaan, sometimes for two or three days solid. I've seen a few in my time, and they can push the rivers to breaking point and the Mekong bursts its banks all the way from Nong Khai down to Mukdahan.

However, you're more likely to get prolonged rain the further east you go towards Vietnam in Laos, and up in the Annamite mountains on the border it can really chuck it down a treat in August/September. Not cats and dogs, but tigers and elephants!

So take a big, strong umbrella with you boxingbeauty, and be prepared for high humidity, mozzies and crotch rot/athletes foot if you're lucky, and malaria or dengue fever if you're not.

PS For some great sights, do down to the South of Laos to Wat Phu, 4,000 islands and the Khone Falls. Awesome when the Mekong's in full flood!

[boxingbeauty]

Cheers - thanks for the warning!

And thanks for the travel tips! :-)

[technocracy]

Thanks guys - much appreciated.

I've experienced the monsoon in Penang, Malaysia - that was bad! But that continued all day!

I've been all over Thailand, but never into Isaan. I'm really looking forward to it.

Technocracy: any advice outside of the guidebook on Laos? Anywhere you suggest I go outside the tourist loop? I will be travelling with my Muay Thai instructor/friend.

Cheers. x.

Well first off the Lonely Planet guide for Laos is utter drivel. Whoever did the miniscule section for Vientiane must of spent about 1 hour here.

The other thing you don't need be worried about violence!!!! That's the last thing you'll be worried about - I've never seen or heard about violence or threats towards travellers in Laos. The closest possible association of violence was some pissed up Lao guy with his equally pissed wife (mia) and little wife (mia noi) having a dingdong!!

As for things to do - well first off rent a motorbike don't be one of the sad saps riding around on a pushbike in 30+C heat - they only cost about 5 or 6 US Dollars a day.

On the outer skirts of Vientiane (about 20kms) - basically follow Lane Xang Avenue upto the Patuxai monument (which is an obvious tourist thing) go straight over the road about and keep going eventually you'll come to a toll bridge over the Nam Ngen river go over the toll bridge and on the right hand side there is a floating restaurant. Go down to the restaurant order you food, beer etc and ask them for a 2 hour boat ride. Basically all your food and beer will be put on to a house styled boat (complete with toilet) and they'll drive you upstream for an hour while you eat and let you serenely drift back downstream as you consume beer and chill out looking at the scenary. One of the best meal experiences you'll get anywhere.

Then there is the water falls on the 16km marker on Route 13 (there is another but it's very difficult to describe the route!) which are great for a day out relaxing in the water.

Bars and Restaurants in Vientiane are very spread out - ignore this 'it's a small place rubbish' the centre isn't yes this is true - but most of the restaurants around here mainly serve the tourists and embassy workers only (and in general the food is dross). That been said there is one very good 'sin jum' (soup on a hotplate and you throw in meat etc) which is in Si Hom which is the far end of the road away from the fountains (the fountains on the right - keep going!). It's not far from the Hotel Lao - you'll spot it as it's normally packed.

Also around Si Hom there is the Night Market which has also kinds of foods for sale.

Then there is a great hot plate (sin dat) restaurant on a small side street off the main road by the Mekhong near to the Don Chan Palace. If you make your way here I'll guarentee you'll be the only falang there (well unless I'm there with wife!) in the past 2 years I've seen a grand total of about 5

The Buddha Park (Sin Quang) is a relatively well known tourist spot and even 'mentioned' in the lonely planet - but again this is about 20kms outside of the centre. But is well worth the time to go and see.

But really in Laos you can pretty much stop in any village and they'll welcome you with open arms give you some of there food and treat you like long lost friends. Yes you'll end up eating things you'll never heard of or considered eating but that's the fun of it all!

[boxingbeauty]

Thanks for taking the time to write that ... I'm gonna print it out and take it with me!

I've printed info from the internet too. As I've only got 2-3 weeks, gonna start planning my route soon.

Thanks for your time and the helpful hints. x.

[sutnyod]

Then there is the water falls on the 16km marker on Route 13 (there is another but it's very difficult to describe the route!) which are great for a day out relaxing in the water.

Please be precise: north or south? There are two km 16 on Route 13. Guess its north and that would be Nong Teng, right?

The Buddha Park (Sin Quang) is a relatively well known tourist spot and even 'mentioned' in the lonely planet - but again this is about 20kms outside of the centre. But is well worth the time to go and see.

Xieng Khouan Xi-eng Khou-an and IMHO it's not worth the trip

Take this as a general rule: follow route 13 and its arteries and you will be one of many many other tourists. Stray away from it and you will be alone. This is where Laos is.

[technocracy]

Then there is the water falls on the 16km marker on Route 13 (there is another but it's very difficult to describe the route!) which are great for a day out relaxing in the water.

Please be precise: north or south? There are two km 16 on Route 13. Guess its north and that would be Nong Teng, right?

The Buddha Park (Sin Quang) is a relatively well known tourist spot and even 'mentioned' in the lonely planet - but again this is about 20kms outside of the centre. But is well worth the time to go and see.

Xieng Khouan Xi-eng Khou-an and IMHO it's not worth the trip

Take this as a general rule: follow route 13 and its arteries and you will be one of many many other tourists. Stray away from it and you will be alone. This is where Laos is.

Two 16Kms on Route 13?? You mean one at Luang Prabang and the other at Vientiane? I've just asked the wife and she tells me it's called Hin Kha naa but there is also Dat Moon (the one I can't describe the route), Dat Luk, Dat Sawn . If you'd read my post I was commenting purely on Vientiane. Nothing to do with LP or anywhere else in Laos but I can provide information on most regions in Laos. As for waterfalls in LP there is Kuang Sii and Tad Sae both well worth visiting Kuang Sii particularly tranquil in the small lower pools.

As for Xieng Khouan - why not let people find out for themselves - sorry my phonetics are out I prefer Lao than phonetics and try to avoid using them, but most folks can't read Lao. Either way both are pronounced the same.

There is LOADS of places on route 13 that tourists DON'T stop - considering there is only 3 main roads out of Vientiane it's difficult NOT to use R13! As I said in my post also stop off in villages and have a mooch around and you'll get a warm welcome.

[sutnyod]

Two 16Kms on Route 13??

Yes, even around Vientiane. One km 16 in the direction of Luang Prabang and one in the direction of Paksan. The one to the north leading to Khu Kanna or Hin Kanna would lead off somewhere in the Nong Teng area. Km 16 south is at the formerly protected area now being converted to an Olympic Stadium or even better/bigger.

[technocracy]

Two 16Kms on Route 13??

Yes, even around Vientiane. One km 16 in the direction of Luang Prabang and one in the direction of Paksan. The one to the north leading to Khu Kanna or Hin Kanna would lead off somewhere in the Nong Teng area. Km 16 south is at the formerly protected area now being converted to an Olympic Stadium or even better/bigger.

Oh yes my apologies - I forgot the R13 also went down south -

Whats even more embarassing about that is my wifes brother and family live at 30Km south and we own land at 32Km marker . . .

The area what you mention is having a stadium built to host the SEA Games in 2009, along with a golf course and other facilities (I spy my land investment going up in price!! ). Also a rail link is planned to allow trains over the Friendship Bridge to the area also . . . I went over the Friendship Bridge yesterday and work has started to installed the rails on it.

[plachon]

Two 16Kms on Route 13??

Yes, even around Vientiane. One km 16 in the direction of Luang Prabang and one in the direction of Paksan. The one to the north leading to Khu Kanna or Hin Kanna would lead off somewhere in the Nong Teng area. Km 16 south is at the formerly protected area now being converted to an Olympic Stadium or even better/bigger.

Oh yes my apologies - I forgot the R13 also went down south -

Whats even more embarassing about that is my wifes brother and family live at 30Km south and we own land at 32Km marker . . .

The area what you mention is having a stadium built to host the SEA Games in 2009, along with a golf course and other facilities (I spy my land investment going up in price!! ). Also a rail link is planned to allow trains over the Friendship Bridge to the area also . . . I went over the Friendship Bridge yesterday and work has started to installed the rails on it.

Work has started on rail lines where exactly? There've been rail lines on the Thai half since the bridge was built 12 years ago, but on the Lao side? The rail link plan has been another Nong Ngu Hao - Suwanaphum airport fiasco, with severe inertia preventing it getting off the drawing board and into reality. But if they've started work on the Lao side, then I'm very glad to hear it, so long as people are adequately compensated for their land loss.

You've still to explain where this 16 km marker waterfall is, despite Sutnyod giving you several options, all of which are as flat as Holland. Must be a loooooooooong way off the road, non?

[technocracy]

Two 16Kms on Route 13??

Yes, even around Vientiane. One km 16 in the direction of Luang Prabang and one in the direction of Paksan. The one to the north leading to Khu Kanna or Hin Kanna would lead off somewhere in the Nong Teng area. Km 16 south is at the formerly protected area now being converted to an Olympic Stadium or even better/bigger.

Oh yes my apologies - I forgot the R13 also went down south -

Whats even more embarassing about that is my wifes brother and family live at 30Km south and we own land at 32Km marker . . .

The area what you mention is having a stadium built to host the SEA Games in 2009, along with a golf course and other facilities (I spy my land investment going up in price!! ). Also a rail link is planned to allow trains over the Friendship Bridge to the area also . . . I went over the Friendship Bridge yesterday and work has started to installed the rails on it.

Work has started on rail lines where exactly? There've been rail lines on the Thai half since the bridge was built 12 years ago, but on the Lao side? The rail link plan has been another Nong Ngu Hao - Suwanaphum airport fiasco, with severe inertia preventing it getting off the drawing board and into reality. But if they've started work on the Lao side, then I'm very glad to hear it, so long as people are adequately compensated for their land loss.

You've still to explain where this 16 km marker waterfall is, despite Sutnyod giving you several options, all of which are as flat as Holland. Must be a loooooooooong way off the road, non?

Sorry it's at the 16km North bound marker - and it's about 10km from R13. There is actually a big hand painted sign pointing you in the direction of the falls, well the was the other week when we went visit family out that way over Songkran.

Yep they have started digging up the centre of the road on the Lao side and even have signs telling you it's for the installation of rails.

Where exact the rail link will go to in Laos is anyones guess! But I would hazard a guess there would be some kind of terminal at the SEA Games venue currently under construction (by the Chinese).