Udon to Mukdahan travel and accommodation suggestions and tip

[fatdrunkandstupid]

I am flying in to Udon next month and plan a trip across into Laos at Mukdahan.

If anyone has done this trip by bus, can you please let me know about the cost, time of departure from UT and any other tips or info.

If knows a good motobike rental company in Udon, please let me know. I just want a cheap honda wave or scooter.

If anyone has ridden from UT to Muk, please let me know of any interesting stuff along the way.

Has anyone left a bike on the Thai side at Muk while they have gone across to Laos. If yes, where is a safe place to leave my bike parked for a couple of days.

Are there any good beer bars in Mukdahan?

Any tips regarding nightlife in UT would also be appreciated.

My rough itinerary is as follows: arrive UT Saturday arvo, party, Sunday morning ride or bus to Muk, Sunday night Muk, party, Monday morning cross friendship bridge, a few days in Laos and then return same route arriving back in UT again to party Friday and Saturday nights, fly out Sunday morning.

Thanks in advance for any info, advice or tips.

Cheers

FD&S

[scotty92]

Spent the night in mukdahan last night, I didn't see any bars but I stayed near the river seems like a local town rather than one for tourists!i could be wrong I'm back there tomorrow and I will try to see more. I stayed at the riverfront hotel and the taxi to the border cost me 120 baht, the bus over the bridge cost me 50 baht and I'm sure this takes you into the centre of savannakhet but I opted for the the tuk tuk the other side of the bridge for speed which cost 150baht to the thai consulate/waterfront.

I forgot to bring a photo of me last month at chong mek and at mukdahan this month, I would advise to bring one but if not they charge 50 baht and turn a blind eye!!!

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[Briggsy]

Take the interesting route through Phu Pha Yon National Park on the Sakon Nakhorn / Mukdahan border. Stop at the HQ and check out the huge number of confiscated vehicles and rosewood logs. The girl working there is very friendly.

The road is much nicer and quieter. After passing through Meuang, Sakon Nakhorn, you cut south through amphoes Tao Ngoi and Dong Luang.

[ALFREDO]

Udon Thani nightlife, it has in Soi Sampan some Bars, Bar-complex and Western Restaurants.

on the road from Soi Sampan to the night market-train station, more Bars and the "Nutty Park" but boring if you used to Pattaya Bangkok or Patong!

And Mr.Tongs Music Bar also near nutty P.

Was also once in very lively Underground Disco in BIG Hotel, name?

Hotel guenstig u sauber, direkt auf Soi Sampan, zentral - Hotel TOP MANSION, oft voll, 450.- Baht

Road from Udon-Mukdahan is OK can be driven easy, nothing special. Mukdahan u Savannaketh Nightlife, near ZERO!

Regarding Motorbike parking, I would look for a Gasoline Station nearby the Friendship bridge and let them take care my bike for a fee!

Just an idea.

[fatdrunkandstupid]

Thanks everyone for you advice. If anyone else has some I would be grateful to hear it.

[fatdrunkandstupid]

Take the interesting route through Phu Pha Yon National Park on the Sakon Nakhorn / Mukdahan border. Stop at the HQ and check out the huge number of confiscated vehicles and rosewood logs. The girl working there is very friendly.

The road is much nicer and quieter. After passing through Meuang, Sakon Nakhorn, you cut south through amphoes Tao Ngoi and Dong Luang.

Briggsy, thanks for you tip. I have had a look at the road through the national park. Look very interesting. What is the approximate ride time from UT to Muk taking that road...and is it bitumen the whole way?

[Briggsy]

Take the interesting route through Phu Pha Yon National Park on the Sakon Nakhorn / Mukdahan border. Stop at the HQ and check out the huge number of confiscated vehicles and rosewood logs. The girl working there is very friendly.

The road is much nicer and quieter. After passing through Meuang, Sakon Nakhorn, you cut south through amphoes Tao Ngoi and Dong Luang.

Briggsy, thanks for you tip. I have had a look at the road through the national park. Look very interesting. What is the approximate ride time from UT to Muk taking that road...and is it bitumen the whole way?

Yes sealed road all the way.

It may add an extra half hour to the journey in terms of deviation. You will get off the busy main drag to Nakhon Phanom which for me is a plus when biking and you get on to rural A roads which are nicer for riding.

The HQ for Phu Pha Yon NP is well sign-posted on a hairpin bend, 400 metres down a gravelled road which goes on for another 500 metres to a dam.

[fatdrunkandstupid]

Thanks Briggsy...approximate ride time??

[slipperylobster]

A trip I have done. If you want bars, stay near Udon or Nong Khai. I get enough of that, so the trip out there was ok for curiousities sake. Not a place I would want to stay 24/7. Our Nightlife is limited to 4 nights out, monthly (regarding the farang hangouts near Soi Samphan). We prefer other hobbies, but even my gal gets itchy feet for dancing. I enjoy a night of indulgence every 7 to 10 days. Soi Samphan is not a place you want to visit daily (Udon has a nice park/gyms/hotel pools and friendly people as well)....but a nice break in our routine...when it does happen. Mr Tongs and starts going just before midnight...and Club 59..so I have heard...stays open til 4 or 5am. Lots of freelancers/pickups hanging out...especially as the smaller "buy me drinkie" bars close. Decent food, safe and friendly enough. Lots of rooms within walking distance.

[Briggsy]

Thanks Briggsy...approximate ride time??

It's 287 km from downtown Udon Thani to Mukdahan via Phu Pha Yon NP. (270 km on the main road to That Phanom).

On a Honda Wave I would give it 5 hours, on a CBR without hanging around, I might give it 4 hours. Most of it will be plain sailing. Just the lights will slow you down on the main road between Udon and Sakon Nakorn.

[fatdrunkandstupid]

Thanks Briggsy...approximate ride time??

It's 287 km from downtown Udon Thani to Mukdahan via Phu Pha Yon NP. (270 km on the main road to That Phanom).

On a Honda Wave I would give it 5 hours, on a CBR without hanging around, I might give it 4 hours. Most of it will be plain sailing. Just the lights will slow you down on the main road between Udon and Sakon Nakorn.

Thanks mate. I hope I can fit one of those rosewood logs on the back of the wave. You do know how much that RED GOLD is worth don't you?

I know a university professor from Northern Rivers NSW who many years ago started buying rosewood logs and storing them under his house. He was a screaming alcholic and was sacked from the Uni. He still retired a multi millionaire though.

[Briggsy]

Up to $6000 per cubic meter for Thai rosewood. The cars they use and gut to transport it demonstrate the profit involved. Crv's with tinted windows, etc.

[fatdrunkandstupid]

Anyone have some more tips?

[Briggsy]

Fancy any dog meat in Sakon Nakhorn?