Consulate Penang

[Manou]

Hi all,

I am thinking to take the sleeper to Penang from Hua Hin for my visit to the consulate, but not sure yet, as the times are maybe not that good to go to the consulate for a new visa.

Can someone tell me before what time I have to apply for a visa, if it will be ready for taking the next day or will it take a day more?

Also what time are you supposed to pick it up?

If I see the times of the sleepers now.. and the times would be the same as in Laos, then it would be 1 night in the sleeper, 3 nights hotel and 1 night in the sleeper again. If that is the case maybe it is better to go to Laos as then it is only 3 nights.

Thanks for the answers!

Manou

[sniffdog]

Malaysia

The train arrives after the cutoff time of 11:30 am. Apply on day #2. You can pick it up in the afternoon next day (2:00pm) , so too late to catch the train. So three nights hotel ....

Laos

I believe the train arrives early in the morning at Udon Thani and you might be able to apply the same day, pick up the next day. If a train departs Udon Thani in the late afternoon, it might save you two nights. If not, you'll save one night hotel.

Perhaps Malaysia is a better choice as the train from Bangkok to Butterworth stops at Hua Hin.

[Manou]

I don't know.. Penang would take me 5 nights total then.

For now Laos seems best as I am only away 3 nights then.

Day 1

Minibus to Bangkok Victoria Monument (ca. 2,5 hours)

Taxi or if busy public transportation to Bus station Hualamphong

Train Bangkok - Nong Khai 8 pm.

Day 2

Arrive Nong Khai 5 8.25 am

Take taxi to Nong Khai busstation for shuttle bus to Friendship bridge.

Cross border

Shuttle bus again

Take taxi to consulate

(Should be around 10 to 10.30 am then)

Apply for visa

Rest of the day is free time.

Day 3

Check out of hotel at 12

Lunch

Pick up visa between 1 and 3 pm if I remember correctly.

Taxi to Friendship Bridge

Shuttle Bus

Cross border

Shuttle Bus

Taxi to Nong Khai Trainstation

(Should be around 5pm then)

Train Bangkok - Nong Khai 6.20pm

(If I arrive late the 2nd class sleeper that goes 7.05pm is a backup option.)

Day 4

Arrive Bangkok 6.25 am.

Taxi or public transportation if busy to minibus station Victoria Monument.

Minibus to Hua Hin.

I know it is planned tight but day 2 is almost a free day in Vientiane.

Al together 3 nights and I can leave in the afternoon from Hua Hin and be back probably earlier, what means about 72 hours.

Seems the quickest to me.

Manou

PS This day planning is how I looked it up on the internet.

Last time I went there it was with a friend in his car.

Means please correct me if I am wrong.

Train times I got from http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm. Maybe also handy for others.

[Manou]

Oh one more thing for taking or not taking my laptop on the train.

Do you have a power supply in the 1st class sleeping cabins?

[sniffdog]

Seems to be correct to me. But never went to Vientiane by train or bus. Took a plane straight from BKK to Vientiane.

If you want a fast trip, probably Vientiane is the way to go. If you want a holiday with sightseeing, probably Penang is a better choice (and you don't have to travel 5 hours by bus to Hua Hin vv).

[drb0b]

Oh one more thing for taking or not taking my laptop on the train.

Do you have a power supply in the 1st class sleeping cabins?

Yes, just above the door. It's 2 pin so if your laptop is 3 pin like mine bring an adaptor.