Will be spending a few days in Lao next week and want to use Google maps on my phone, hence the topic title.

Any recommendation please?

Thanks

have u look at google maps , not much in the way of anything for laos an there not that many drivable roads.

I usualy opt for Lao Telecom

@phuketrichard

Basically it's just to find the hotel from Nong Khai crossing as I am taking my motorbike into Lao for a Visa run for a couple of days and to mooch around Vientiane during that time.

It's just a thought if the cost is reasonable, so thanks I will look into Lao Telecom options

You may not need a SIM as there is a fair amount of coverage from Thailand into Laos.

A colleague called me from Vientiane last week using his AIS SIM/number; we exchanged many SMSes.

I Googled

laos pre-paid sim site:thaivisa.com

https://www.google.com/search?q=laos+pre-paid+sim&oq=laos+pre-paid+sim&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l2.3501j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8#es_sm=122&espv=210&q=laos+pre-paid+sim+site:thaivisa.com

and found quite a few threads/posts, example: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/600508-prepaid-mobile-provider-in-laos/

I got an M-Phone 3G SIM pre-paid for upcountry use in Laos, pretty good coverage. The gal at the place where I bought it had to phone into the office with my passport details.

Check out www.hobomaps.com for real good online map of Vientiane.

Mac

are you sure you can take your bike ? Sometimes they do not allow Thai bikes to cross the bridge.

Check current situation at the gt-riders site.

My AIS sim only works on the riverside in Vientainne an .5 km inland it switchs to lao telecom

If just staying around VTE they are pretty much all the same. As others have mentioned your Thai SIM will work around the riverside and beyond. Nowadays, I use mphone as it has the best coverage in most of the country. The bike shouldnt be a problem but, obviously, make sure you get insured.

as mentioned ais and dtac on riverside in Vientiane.

have laos telecom that amazes me when it is still viable on my infrequent visits but havent cracked getting it to internet connect, this despite achieving this internet feat on various sims through SEA. rang laos telecom and they were of no help. language barrier i guess.

by contrast maxis in malaysia stops your account if you switch off your phone to take a crap.<<exaggeration>

anyhow about the maps, i have various google maps screen shot of Vientiane that i took on my laptop and uploaded to my phone. these suffice when out and about . also up loaded are hobo maps as well http://hobomaps.com/

using 3G 4G modem with ur laptop, it will pick thai mobile provider signal nicely.leaving modem to roof of the house with long usb camble or 3G modem router

IF the bridge will allow u to cross BUY insurance as soon as you cross, as it is required an not expensive