it is a long time since i visited nong kai and laos.

since the bridge was built can you no longer take a ferry boat

across the mekong river?

or has that service stopped?

last time i did have to use the new bridge and take an overloaded

cramped bus across.

never again will i travel on that bus.

it was the worse 5 minutes of my life.

 

5 minutes ago, jobsworth said:

it is a long time since i visited nong kai and laos.

since the bridge was built can you no longer take a ferry boat

across the mekong river?

or has that service stopped?

last time i did have to use the new bridge and take an overloaded

cramped bus across.

never again will i travel on that bus.

it was the worse 5 minutes of my life.

 

The may have immigration at boat or ferry landings but no visa on arrival office on the Lao side.

That is certainly how it is at Savannakhet. I have heard you can take a boat from Savannakhet to Mukdahan but have never seen it confirmed.

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The may have immigration at boat or ferry landings but no visa on arrival office on the Lao side.

That is certainly how it is at Savannakhet. I have heard you can take a boat from Savannakhet to Mukdahan but have never seen it confirmed.

yes i remember now that i had a lao visa from bangkok

when i took the boat. that was fun.

 

11 hours ago, howard ashoul said:

You will arrive at the embassy late = you will get high number = you will be given passport back next day as one of the last persons. No time to catch 4pm.

The number has no bearing on collection. What does have a bearing is where you are placed in the queue before the gate opens for collection. The number only serves to help the staff at the consulate retrieve your passport quickly. You could have a high number and be first in the queue and you will be the first to get back your passport/visa.

 If you want to arrive early for collection there is no shade whilst you wait. I would suggest you take an umbrella or some other way of protecting yourself from the sun. An umbrella would be best because, of course, it may be raining. 

 Also you may wish to check Laos public holidays because the consulate may be closed even if there is no public holiday in Thailand. 

 It may be difficult to get back to Mukdahan by 4.00 pm particularly if you are going to rely on the bus service from the bridge. 

Anyone happen to know if you can pay for the bus ticket Savannakhet- Mukdahan  (13,000kip) with Thai baht ?

10 minutes ago, mancub said:

Anyone happen to know if you can pay for the bus ticket Savannakhet- Mukdahan  (13,000kip) with Thai baht ?

Yes you can.

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Yes you can.

Much appreciated, thanks !

Anyone happen to know if you can pay for the bus ticket Savannakhet- Mukdahan  (13,000kip) with Thai baht ?

You won't need any kip in Savannakhet you can pay for everything in Thai Bhat. But you might be given kip back in your change.

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12 minutes ago, juice777 said:

You won't need any kip in Savannakhet you can pay for everything in Thai Bhat. But you might be given kip back in your change.

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I tend to change money to kip before i go now as locals exchange rates are mind boggling. You get roughly 250 kip to 1 thb locals will round it doen to 200 kip to bht if your lucky.

Tuk tuk i asked how much from consulate to bridge in thai bht quoted 100 per person got him down to 80 pp.

Mrs asked another how much in kip 15000 pp about 60 bht. I know not much in the grand scheme of things but better in my pocket.

Tip if you have your mrs with you let her do the talking and organising.

I tend to change money to kip before i go now as locals exchange rates are mind boggling. You get roughly 250 kip to 1 thb locals will round it doen to 200 kip to bht if your lucky.
Tuk tuk i asked how much from consulate to bridge in thai bht quoted 100 per person got him down to 80 pp.
Mrs asked another how much in kip 15000 pp about 60 bht. I know not much in the grand scheme of things but better in my pocket.
Tip if you have your mrs with you let her do the talking and organising.

Never had that problem myself I aways got very close to the exact rate. But the last few times I never really went anywhere to tell the Truth.

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Just have lot of small notes 20baht 50baht and few 10 baht coins , 1 dollar bills handy too. 500 and 1000 baht notes not so helpful in lao . just know currency exchange in advance and check pricing before buy anything .

Absolute no need for kip for short visa stay . Hardly need any money at all unless a tuk tuk sponsor ...

1 minute ago, BuckBee said:

Just have lot of small notes 20baht 50baht and few 10 baht coins , 1 dollar bills handy too. 500 and 1000 baht notes not so helpful in lao . just know currency exchange in advance and check pricing before buy anything .

Absolute no need for kip for short visa stay . Hardly need any money at all unless a tuk tuk sponsor ...

That depends on wether you hide in hotel or get out and have a good look around

That depends on wether you hide in hotel or get out and have a good look around

After you have a good look around on your first trip theres not much else to see really. I think I've been 5 times now the last 2 times I downloaded loads of movies and only come out of my hotel to eat. I would rather save my money for a good night out in Thailand. There is one bar/Restaurant what's all right near the Cathedral but some times there is nobody in there. Everytime I go I notice a new bar in that area but they all look dead. You got the casino near the border of course if you like a gamble. And there a Thai style karaoke bar where the local men go.And I think thats about it really.

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On 26/06/2017 at 6:22 PM, ubonjoe said:

The may have immigration at boat or ferry landings but no visa on arrival office on the Lao side.

That is certainly how it is at Savannakhet. I have heard you can take a boat from Savannakhet to Mukdahan but have never seen it confirmed.

Certainly 5 years ago, there was an immigration office at the Mukdahan ferry landing. I seem to recall there was a sign stating something along the lines of only local pass holders could use the ferry. I cannot recall the precise wording in Thai and Laos. It was almost certainly not a permanent crossing for foreigners.

 

Google Map reference : 16.544257, 104.731236

11 minutes ago, juice777 said:

After you have a good look around on your first trip theres not much else to see really. I think I've been 5 times now the last 2 times I downloaded loads of movies and only come out of my hotel to eat. I would rather save my money for a good night out in Thailand. There is one bar/Restaurant what's all right near the Cathedral but some times there is nobody in there. Everytime I go I notice a new bar in that area but they all look dead. You got the casino near the border of course if you like a gamble. And there a Thai style karaoke bar where the local men go.And I think thats about it really.

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Im on about out and about not looking in the town itself. Mind we do take the motor and just go in whichever direction the mood takes us. Found some great places. As for eating theres many good bar type restaurants. 

If you have a car then I am sure it's a lot better. I actually like the town but it's just to quite foe me.

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On 8/22/2017 at 2:59 PM, juice777 said:

After you have a good look around on your first trip theres not much else to see really. I think I've been 5 times now the last 2 times I downloaded loads of movies and only come out of my hotel to eat. I would rather save my money for a good night out in Thailand. There is one bar/Restaurant what's all right near the Cathedral but some times there is nobody in there. Everytime I go I notice a new bar in that area but they all look dead. You got the casino near the border of course if you like a gamble. And there a Thai style karaoke bar where the local men go.And I think thats about it really.

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I was there yesterday, most boring place on the planet and hotter than hell.

A few Thai style beer bars now near the river by the 'Olympic Park'.

On 6/26/2017 at 11:43 AM, lemonjelly said:

Can someone take a pic of the savannakhet>mukdahaan bus timetable and post it here; it would be really useful for members to have..... I had to wait 2 hours for a bus to take me across the bridge last time due to bad timing.


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Here ya go ...........

27 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

I was there yesterday, most boring place on the planet and hotter than hell.

A few Thai style beer bars now near the river by the 'Olympic Park'.

Obviously havent been to hell in Norway then. Now theres boring but colder than hell.

On 8/21/2017 at 4:14 PM, jeab1980 said:

I tend to change money to kip before i go now as locals exchange rates are mind boggling. You get roughly 250 kip to 1 thb locals will round it doen to 200 kip to bht if your lucky.

Tuk tuk i asked how much from consulate to bridge in thai bht quoted 100 per person got him down to 80 pp.

Mrs asked another how much in kip 15000 pp about 60 bht. I know not much in the grand scheme of things but better in my pocket.

Tip if you have your mrs with you let her do the talking and organising.

take the bus it 50baht and got buy ticket anyway, I would advise never letting mrs do the talking and bargaining as they easily duped . I've been multiple times and stayed a week, not a huge amount to see but if can speak isan/lao pretty easy friendly and cheap experience .

1 hour ago, BuckBee said:

take the bus it 50baht and got buy ticket anyway, I would advise never letting mrs do the talking and bargaining as they easily duped . I've been multiple times and stayed a week, not a huge amount to see but if can speak isan/lao pretty easy friendly and cheap experience .

It was only a paper exercise re prices of tuk tuk as we always take the car over. Like you we have been going for many years. But i always let tbe mrs do the bargaining. Theres not much chance of her being duped belive me.

On 6/26/2017 at 8:11 AM, ubonjoe said:

There is no scheduled transportation across the bridge other than the bus from Mukdahan. They will not allow you to walk across the bridge.

When I was there last month, my wife and I asked our taxi driver how much folks are charging to take folks across from Laos to Thailand (as we both hate the bus) ... but even I was too cheap when he said it was 1,500 Baht.

On 6/26/2017 at 10:59 PM, sjbrownderby said:

The number has no bearing on collection. What does have a bearing is where you are placed in the queue before the gate opens for collection. The number only serves to help the staff at the consulate retrieve your passport quickly. You could have a high number and be first in the queue and you will be the first to get back your passport/visa.

101% correct.  We had #1 last month, but were 3rd in line to get my passport back.  Which kind of killed my joy of #1.

10 minutes ago, kurtmartens said:

101% correct.  We had #1 last month, but were 3rd in line to get my passport back.  Which kind of killed my joy of #1.

Lol 2015. Got to consulate 1330 was a big queque the previous day for filling paperwork my number 87.  I was 4th in line which suprised me.

Opens up at 1400 in we go, first chap gets to counter and suddenly shouting and lots of commotion behind.  English guy shouting "I have number 1 let me through" wouldnt take no for an answer kept shouting. Was removed from premises. I got mine went out to jump in car and come back to Thailand he was now at the rear of a very very long queque. People trying to explain to him the numbers are not relevent on pick up. Quite amusing really. 

Going NEXT Tuesday 29th August to Savanakhet, Does anyone KNOW If Tuesday 29th is a Laos Public Holiday or NOT.......??

 

Don't Want to spend more time than I Have too in Savanakhet.......Any Info would be gratefully received ......Thanks in Advance 

6 minutes ago, Nong Khai Man said:

Does anyone KNOW If Tuesday 29th is a Laos Public Holiday or NOT.......??

Not a holiday. 

On 8/23/2017 at 9:25 AM, MaeJoMTB said:

Here ya go ...........

Do be aware buses don't run exact to times and morning buses actually on the go from 7am-730am if enough people built up and will run first 2 or 3 buses every 30 minutes to clear the build up.

On 8/25/2017 at 4:30 AM, jeab1980 said:

Lol 2015. Got to consulate 1330 was a big queque the previous day for filling paperwork my number 87.  I was 4th in line which suprised me.

Opens up at 1400 in we go, first chap gets to counter and suddenly shouting and lots of commotion behind.  English guy shouting "I have number 1 let me through" wouldnt take no for an answer kept shouting. Was removed from premises. I got mine went out to jump in car and come back to Thailand he was now at the rear of a very very long queque. People trying to explain to him the numbers are not relevent on pick up. Quite amusing really. 

No idea why people turn up and stand in sun for over half hour, go up road and have a bite to eat or coffee in the big coffee shop and come to the consulate at 2:20-2:40pm . you in/out in 30 seconds and catch the 3pm bus over bridge and will see most others waiting on your bus to go over bridge anyway, you miss the stampede at immi counters this way and tend have more relaxed stamping experience as not grouped with all the idiots so improves your status slightly .

Same in morning when applying, no need be there early unless enjoy slow queues & watching the clueless get turned away as got wrong/no docs and bad attitude . If you not got docs as needed best be early at the copy/internet shops then hit the consulate before closes . Plenty time sort hotel room near bus station before consulate and if room not ready they likely hold bagage and you can stroll to consulate composed or grab tuk-tuk, if paying more than a dollar for tuk-tuk you being over charged, bridge 2 dollars or 50-60baht and same for old town area . Most of it easily walked or stick with bus and don't panic on time as got loads. You pass consulate on way in (to right) via the  bus so if paying attention easy walk back to it & see coffee and fried chicken shop on the route .

101% correct.  We had #1 last month, but were 3rd in line to get my passport back.  Which kind of killed my joy of #1.

I was no 1 Vientiane once which means you are first. But unfortunately I was about 3 days late and they ripped my visa out and told me to re apply.

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14 minutes ago, BuckBee said:

No idea why people turn up and stand in sun for over half hour, go up road and have a bite to eat or coffee in the big coffee shop and come to the consulate at 2:20-2:40pm . you in/out in 30 seconds and catch the 3pm bus over bridge and will see most others waiting on your bus to go over bridge anyway, you miss the stampede at immi counters this way and tend have more relaxed stamping experience as not grouped with all the idiots so improves your status slightly .

Same in morning when applying, no need be there early unless enjoy slow queues & watching the clueless get turned away as got wrong/no docs and bad attitude . If you not got docs as needed best be early at the copy/internet shops then hit the consulate before closes . Plenty time sort hotel room near bus station before consulate and if room not ready they likely hold bagage and you can stroll to consulate composed or grab tuk-tuk, if paying more than a dollar for tuk-tuk you being over charged, bridge 2 dollars or 50-60baht and same for old town area . Most of it easily walked or stick with bus and don't panic on time as got loads. You pass consulate on way in (to right) via the  bus so if paying attention easy walk back to it & see coffee and fried chicken shop on the route .

Beacuse i had an appointment back home later in the day and didn't want to miss it so going early was my choice. As stated thevday beforevwas packed out from 0900 to 1100  gives you an idea my number given was 87 that was at 1000hrs and the queue was still out of the gate and nearly to the road. Ps not in sun at 4th in queue.