A Couple Of Days In Laos

[peter991]

This is my first post in the Visa section. I've had a browse and nobody seems to have asked this question yet - so here goes.

I am a 52yo Australian male with a Thai partner. We have a house in Issan (about halfway between Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. He has a Thai passport which he has never used. I am hoping he can get a Tourist Visa to travel to Australia for 3 months later this year ... but that's another story.

My question: Is it possible for both of us to travel to Laos and spend a day or two in Laos? What are the requirements? Is it possible to get a bus to the Thai/Laos border - walk across the bridge - have a look around and spend a night in Laos? Would we have to catch the bus in either Khon Kaen or Udon Thani - or just on the main road between the two cities?

Peter

[lopburi3]

I would assume you can catch a bus to Udorn on the highway. Believe from there they now have direct bus service to Vientiane or you could get a bus to Nong Khai. You will need a visa for Laos for any entry and believe that can be obtained at the border (photos/money). You do not mention what visa you have but if on an extension of stay you will need a re-entry permit (believe there is an immigration office where you can obtain) before you cross the river. If not you will need a visa to come back to Thailand or receive a 30 day entry without visa.

I am also sure you could find bus service from Si Chom Phu to Nong Bua Lamphu to Udorn.

[camble]

You can get a Lao Visa, good for 2 weeks I believe, at the Bridge. They will accept either $30 USD or 1500 baht for your visa, or there are several services that will complete your paperwork and walk you through for a nominal fee. I think your thai partner can get a special admittance.

Enjoy the tasty BeerLao, and also the excellent coffee and french pastries. Take lots of 20 baht notes to avoid getting tons of local currency as change, they will accept baht & USD everywhere.

Edited January 8, 2006 by camble

[samran]

I was in Laos over the new years.

There is indeed an 'Interbus' service from the bus station in Udon Thani to the Morning market bus station in Vientiene. It costs 90 baht per person.

The major catch (I was told) is that you will need a visa already sorted before you can get on the bus. The bus company doesn't want to hang around at the border for any longer than it has to. This is not a problem for Thai's who catch the bus, because they get stamped in visa free for 30 days upon arrival in Laos, a quick process.

However, all other nationalities require a visa for loas, before you get stamped in. You can get this at the border for US$30, but there is a bit of pissing about involved (ie fill out the longish visa application form, hand over the form, wait 15 mins for the lao official to give you the passport back, then line up to get stamped in at immigration).

The best bet if you don't want to apply for a visa advance at the laos consulate in Khon Kaen, is simply catch a normal bus up to the friendship brigde at Nong Khai, jump on a shuttle bus across the bridge (for 10 baht each - you aren't allowed to walk across), go through the entry formailities on the lao side, and then pay 300 baht for a taxi to your hotel in Vientiene.

[peter991]

Thanks for all the information, guys. I have done a bit of research on Vientienne and it has been described as a 'quaint little city' and 'like Thailand used to be 30 years ago.'

What amazed me was the high prices the hotels in Vientienne wanted. The cheapest reasonable twin/double room I could find was listed as 246 HKD per night. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I take HKD to be Hong Kong Dollars. That works out to be about $AUD43, or 1300 Thai baht a night.

The reason I was considering a side trip to Laos is that I am in Thailand for 3 weeks and I will only be 150km south of Nong Khai ... so I thought it could be interesting. Add the cost of a hotel room, Laos visa and taxi to Vientienne - I am having second thoughts.

Perhaps a couple of days in Nong Khai would be more interesting. I just want to soak up the atmosphere, see some markets and basically chill out with my Thai partner.

Peter

Edited January 8, 2006 by peter991

[AsiaWolfie]

there are numerous small guesthouse which offer a good standard, definitely no need to spend 1300 Baht. browse travelfish.org check the locations and read the travellers comments and I am sure u will find something that matches ur standards and doesnt cost the world....

Edited January 8, 2006 by AsiaWolfie

[Stefan Beck]

there are numerous small guesthouse which offer a good standard, definitely no need to spend 1300 Baht. browse travelfish.org check the locations and read the travellers comments and I am sure u will find something that matches ur standards and doesnt cost the world....

Stayed in the Chindammay Guest House

(856)-21 262 125 - if this is any help!

About 400 baht for air-con and arond 300 baht for fan. Quaint and honest staff.

There are stacks of Guest Houses everywhere - I would stay there again but maybe some of the guest houses directly opposite the Mee-kong river my add a little sceninc beauty

Kindest

[samran]

The bog standard rate for a decent guesthouse would be US$16, including breakfast (bagguette and coffee) which will get you an aircon room with satellite TV.

And the food there is cheap, and of good quailty.

A set three course french meal with wine will set you back US$30 for the both of you, while a bagguette on the side of the road will cost you mere pennies. A pizza at one of the numerous cafe's there will be a couple of bucks, or you can go for the noodle vendors who charge you the same as they would in Thailand.