In a couple of weeks we plan to drive from Bangkok to Nongkai then cross the river for a couple of days in Vientianne. Can anyone recommend a hotel in Nongkai where we could leave our car for a few days and be reasonably sure it will be there when we return or any other alternative parking arrangements. Also can a US passport holder get a visa at the border and how much is it? Thanks.

Not too sure about car parking in Nong Khai.

When I went to Laos last year, the visa on entry was $30 during the week and $31 at the weekend. If you paid in Thai baht it costs 1500 baht. You will save a little bit if you pay in US dollars.

It probably takes between 30-45 minutes to process your visa at the border.

This link might give you some info:

http://www.asiatradingonline.com/laovisas.htm

Edited March 18, 200620 yr by Spit the Dog

There is a good parking lot at the border and many people leave thier cars there. Is it safe is don't know.

Crossing is easy, pay the money, fill out the forms, you will have to process the form again on the way out. I don't recall a fee for returning but it's been a long time. A bus will take you across the Bridge 5 or 10 baht don't remember.

I have no idae what a fair price fro travel to Vientene is these days it' actually somewhere around KMs fromthe vridge. So your need transporation to get there. don't get in a hurry and barter a bit and you will probably get a fair price. Ypu don't have to worry about missnig much Vientene is a very small town.

If you doing a visa run keep in mind that you have to process though the office in the morning and the following afternoon you will get documents back. Unless things have changed a lot been a few years since I had to do that.

There are lots of farrang resturants in town some great bakeries. I had the pleasure of taking a friend to dinner one night first time I ever paid 78,000 for a dinner , of course that was Kip

Thai baht is readily accepted, for the bridge if you have U.S. currency you save a bit. I don't know if ATM's there these days, there were not any the last time I went a few years back.

You can have a great time there, a long as you realise that it is not Thialand and a such laws can be enforced much differently then here.

You might want to try this hotel I have never stayed there but it is recommended by local farrangs

http://www.pantawee.dk/mekong.asp

Have fun