En Route via Vientiane

[InternationalTraveler 282]

The past couple of weeks or so have taken me all the way up to Nongkhai and along the Mekong around the North East clocking up around 2,500 km in the process.

First stop was the Phi Mai Heritage site, just North of Korat to see the ancient Khmer ruins which are small scale compared to Seimreap in Cambodia and also in the town is the largest Banyan tree in Thailand.

 

 

Then on to Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nongkhai, before taking the car over the Friendship Bridge into Lao.

It was way back in 2005 that I last visited Luang Prabang a small town in the North of Laos so it was time to try another taste of the Laos hospitality.

Vientiane is approximately 20 km North up the Mekong.

Stayed in the Intercity Boutique Hotel overlooking the Mekong, a hotel not plush in luxuries, probably a 2-star at best but with a large room and a quality view overlooking the river for the evening views. Room was around 1700 baht/night.

Had a night market opposite and was close to bars coffee shops and restaurants on streets nearby.

Hotel also had artifacts on every floor making it somewhat like a museum.

A drive around town can be easily done in a few hours taking in all the monuments, statues and views.

The road into Vientiane was pretty good and the traffic around the city is nothing like Bangkok.

Probably the smallest capital city in Asia but a pleasant relaxed change from Pattaya and with Beer Lao at 40 baht for a large bottle in most bars, it is worth the trip for the beer.

Also stopped at Bungan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan and Ubon Ratchathani.

South of Ubon near to Kantharalak is a Hindu temple called Preah Vihear which is in disputed territory.

The relations between the Thai and Cambodians are not good at present and there is no entry into the temple grounds which are perched on the end of the cliff with Cambodia many thousands of feet below on the plain.

Spectacular views but hidden amongst razor wire are Army and numerous military bunkers but then again under the camouflage could be a 7-Eleven.

A hundred baht gets you into the National park and the closest you get to the temple is the viewing posts a mile away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BigusDicus 9,878]

Nice report. Thank you.

[teelack 9,640]

That was a great report and whilst I am rarely jealous of other peoples travel, what you did, I would love to do. I did travel by air to Luang Prabang and Vientiane and loved the experience but quite clearly to see the area properly a car is really needed.

[yorta2 693]

Thanks for this. I enjoyed the photos. I was down at the Cambodian border a few months ago (Preah Vihear) and I read the sign that stated you were not to photograph the military ramparts. According to my lady, it is feared the Cambodians may start shelling again if they know where all the military 'dig-ins' are - they did shell a primary school a little further north towards Sisaket (only 5 minutes away from the temple site) where a number of Thai kids were killed, so Thais are understandably quite nervous about it. Apparently, it is for a similar reason visitors are not to approach the temple - Cambodians have threatened to shoot them (a .50 Cal sniper bullet will do it from way down in the valley). On the other hand, visits are still made there for particular privileged VIPs, with a military escort.

[PeterH69 0]

great photos and report! May I ask how I would travel to Buen Kan Province from BKK. Doesn't seem to be any airports close by. How long would a drive be and is a rental car "doable" - roads, etc?

TIA!

[InternationalTraveler 282]

 

great photos and report! May I ask how I would travel to Buen Kan Province from BKK. Doesn't seem to be any airports close by. How long would a drive be and is a rental car "doable" - roads, etc?

TIA!

Many choices... could rent a car in Bangkok and drive the 850 km approx 10 hours....although not advisable in one day...but the roads up there are very good.

Fly Nongkhai and rent a car at the airport or get a bus.

Or spend more than 12-hours on an overnight bus or train from Bangkok....cheap option.

There are numerous trains & buses up to Nongkhai and onward to Bungkan.

Also if your not used to driving in Thailand...that could be a problem...its a learning process.

[PeterH69 0]

Mr Nottingham,

are there flights Bangkok - NongKhai? or only to Udon Thani? If I rented a car in NongKhai, would you recommend driving to Vientiane if I just wanted to stay in town by the river? Last dumb question: visa is $50, listed on Laos website. Can I get one right at immigration or is it smart to get one before?

I am used to driving on both sides of the road, so should be OK................

thanks again,

[BigDUSA 71]

check out http://wikitravel.org/en/Nong_Khai or www.udonmap.com

[LBJ 533]

I went to those ruins north of Korat back in the early 90s. Do they still charge foreigners at least twice the price as the Thais pay?

[MM 6,562]

 

 

Many choices... could rent a car in Bangkok and drive the 850 km approx 10 hours....although not advisable in one day...but the roads up there are very good.

Fly Nongkhai and rent a car at the airport or get a bus.

Or spend more than 12-hours on an overnight bus or train from Bangkok....cheap option.

There are numerous trains & buses up to Nongkhai and onward to Bungkan.

Also if your not used to driving in Thailand...that could be a problem...its a learning process.

 

Did you rent a car or have your own? If it was your own, what documentation did you need to cross into Laos?

[Severn 109]

I went to those ruins north of Korat back in the early 90s. Do they still charge foreigners at least twice the price as the Thais pay?

No. 10 times the price. 20 baht for thai and 200 for foreigners. Tried to bargain with thai driving licences but the charming lady in the booth was having none of it.

 

Still worth a visit though.

 

Posted from my phone using predictive text, please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors.

[InternationalTraveler 282]

.

 

Did you rent a car or have your own? If it was your own, what documentation did you need to cross into Laos?

Martin

No rental or cars on hire purchase....car has to be owned by yourself.

 

You need a Purple book obtained from LTO...it is a car passport which is stamped in/out like a normal passport.

 

I made a list at the time what was required...you may think it was a lot of trouble to go through..but what the hell...i am the adventurous type.

 

PURPLE BOOK INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE PERMIT NOV 2014

Requirements for obtaining a Thai International Vehicle Permit (Purple book)

 

I obtained mine from the Chonburi Provincial Land Transport Office, Banglamung...First turning after the Regents School on Highway 36 towards Pattaya

The requirements for the LTO are:

 

1 Vehicle Blue book

2 Certificate of insurance (original)

3 Certificate of residence from Immigration now 300 baht...or Tambien Baan.

4.Passport and copies of face page and TM6 departure slip

5 Form from reception desk to be filled in at the LTO,

Typical that the girl on reception desk was new and did not know what a purple book/Passport was.

Fortunately another guy was on hand to point her in the right direction

Form was in Thai and I had to guess the details ...Name, address and Nationality a brief description/purpose of your trip. Just entering 'Holiday by Car to Laos' worked for me.

Go back to reception for a ticket number.

Return the following day and collect your Blue book along with Purple book and ‘T’ FOR Thailand stickers for front and rear of car.

Fee was 285 baht and an official receipt is given…..if you go early it may be possible to return same day.

Purple book was issued 7th Nov 2014 and expiry 18th May 2015 approx 6-months validity

Renewal can be done at the LTO and is much cheaper as the period of validity is extended.

If the car is older as 7 years it must be tested in a testing station.

With the certificate you can renew your road tax in the LTO and renew the Purple book.

 

Mind: if you enter Lao you MUST buy Lao insurance…office on right hand side once passed through with car

First entry for your car will be only 7 days.

Next one 14 days

Cost of insurance in Lao for Lao is 240 baht.

 

 

Immigration require the following to issue the Residency Certificate:

- Copy of Current Passport and Visa

- Current Utility Bill showing address or

Rental Agreement or

copy of Blue House/Condo Book

- Passport Photo

- Fee of 300 Baht

[InternationalTraveler 282]

Mr Nottingham,

are there flights Bangkok - NongKhai? or only to Udon Thani? If I rented a car in NongKhai, would you recommend driving to Vientiane if I just wanted to stay in town by the river? Last dumb question: visa is $50, listed on Laos website. Can I get one right at immigration or is it smart to get one before?

I am used to driving on both sides of the road, so should be OK................

thanks again,

 

Peter

Rental cars cannot be taken out of Thailand.

I got my Laos visa at the boarder..paid in $$$ it was cheaper than in baht.

Used dollars in Lao for everything..never changed any money into Kip.

You have to queue about 30-45 minutes for visa so to save time it would probably be better to get one before.

I think you can get one in Nongkai...costs a a little bit more money.

[MM 6,562]

Martin

No rental or cars on hire purchase....car has to be owned by yourself.

 

You need a Purple book obtained from LTO...it is a car passport which is stamped in/out like a normal passport.

 

I made a list at the time what was required...you may think it was a lot of trouble to go through..but what the hell...i am the adventurous type.

 

PURPLE BOOK INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE PERMIT NOV 2014

......

Thank you! That's a very succinct and complete list of what I have been looking for myself.

 

I plan to do a road trip to Malaysia in the near future, and have had a dickens of a time finding the appropriate information about how to get this "car passport". With this in hand, I can breeze through it easily.

 

Sorry I could only give you 1 green!

[PeterH69 0]

Ok excellent info, thanks again....

[4wheels 119]

If you're not in a rush,another option is the train. You can see parts of the country you haven't see before w/o the stress of driving if that is an issue. Yes it is air conditioned and there was an express of sorts last time I checked.

http://seat61.com/Laos.htm#Bangkok%20to%20Vientiane

Edited March 5, 2015 by 4wheels