While memories are fresh, I decided to describe our trip to Laos for a visa.
The visa issue worries all foreigners living in Thailand, those who have decided to stay longer than a month in the Kingdom.
Last year we also went to Viantiane (Laos) for a study visa, you can talk about that.
As you probably already heard, from November 13, 2015, a double-entry visa to Thailand, which made it possible to stay in the Kingdom for up to six months with one departure, ordered to live a long time.
In its place came a multivisa, which can be obtained ONLY in Russia, alas.
It’s not entirely a pity, because in any case, getting a multivisa is very difficult (statements with the movement of large amounts on the account within six months, etc.),
so for our family a multivisa to Thailand was not considered as an option.
I will add that with single-entry visas, which make it possible to stay in Thailand for up to 3 months without leaving, everything is still, they give, the visa itself costs 1000 baht,
with a tour to Laos from Pattaya with a company - 5000 baht all inclusive.
For a study visa to Laos from Pattaya
Since our option is a study visa, we went to Laos for it.
Most likely, your school will offer you an option for such a trip, well, either you can go on your own, or choose the company accompanying you yourself.
For the second year in a row, we are traveling with the same Thai company, which is not satisfactory, everything is fast, clear, people are being transported as a "blockhead",
from which nothing is required except the presence and a couple of signatures.
Go to Laos on your own or with a group?
Here the question is not at all for me. Of course with the group. I don't understand this romance, nag on the bus or
by car to the border, fill everything yourself, poke around at the embassy, \u200b\u200blook for a hotel, bargain with Lao taxi drivers
(which, by the way, are brutalized and are racking up crazy money), and then, still looking for transport on their own, go again to the embassy, \u200b\u200band then to the border, and go through, fill out all the entry cards again.
From Pattaya to the border point in the city of Nong Khai, 650 km. If you decide to go by car, and the car is on gasoline, you will have to spend a lot.
A trip to Laos for a visa is such a difficult event, never a walk at all. Imagine 12 hours on the road, at night, to be at the border by 6 in the morning (otherwise it makes no sense if you want to turn around in a couple of days),
A couple of hours at one border, a couple at the second, an hour and a half, two at the embassy.
This time we were lucky, the queue for the dock supply was 5 times less than last year (those who remember the Thai Embassy in Vientiane - last year the queue flowed out the gate, and this one ended in the middle of the seats)
And at 11 am we are already at the hotel. Total, 17 hours on the road, 17, Karl! I don’t know about you, it’s boring for me.
And if I still had to decide something, then I would open up at all.
By 5 in the morning I was so sick of a sleepless night that I did not want anything but to get to the hotel and to bed as soon as possible.
The second reason in favor of traveling with a group, and by the way the decisive one, is that ALL the group was given visas.
Even the malicious overstayers, who were quite a few in our company.
Imagine, you are being escorted everywhere by hand, the officers at all border posts, at the embassy are kind and welcoming.
When you are driving yourself, why should they show you some kind of favor, huh? Maybe there is an inaccuracy in the documents,
and you don’t like your face, and in general, you know that letting you into Thailand or not is at the discretion of the border guard, and explain why not? !!!? He doesn't owe you at all.
So the groans and the pumping of the wave that someone was not given something, comes only from those who decided to save a couple of hundred baht and go themselves.
And by the way, about the savings. Knowing myself, I would independent trip came out more expensive. I would definitely overpay somewhere.
Hotels in Vientiane are awful and they fight some unfunny money for them.
The hotel in which we stayed, Phonethip costs from 1600 baht per night. Without food. We were fed 5 times. I'm afraid to imagine how much I would pay for him if I went myself.
The hotel is about nothing, not even a pool. Last time we lived in Daokham, this time we also settled in by the way.
I liked the Daokams better, but on our arrival until the night there was a wedding, right under our room, which spoiled the impression of staying in Daokham.
in thailand the beds are quite high, for the baby to fall high
Many are interested in what they feed in Laos.
Well, the same as in Thailand - rice with chicken, vegetables, instant coffee, juice, etc.
Everything was cold and didn't taste good. The only thing that was great in Laos was the baguettes, which are sold everywhere here. French heritage.
Everything else is terrible.
And if in the hotel they fed us so badly for a couple of thousand baht, then I'm afraid to imagine what they feed in the guest houses for 600 baht.
How everything works in Vientiane, impressions
It's an incomprehensible mystery to me what people in Laos, in Vientiane, who enthusiastically describe their stay there, might like.
Here are my impressions and observations:
Except for hotels, I did not observe buildings above one floor. No condos, no decent houses, nothing.
One-story shack houses and a bunch of assorted hotels, the price of which reaches 80,000 baht, yes, for a villa.
No attractions. Some kind of dregs.
There is a promenade near the Mekong River, on which is located night market.
The things there are so crafty that there is nothing to buy even as souvenirs.
Except perhaps purses-purses with embroidery, but we also come across these on Tepprazit.
There are cafes and restaurants along the boardwalk and side streets. The run-up in prices is large.
Food prices start at 10,000 bales for rice in sakashnits (bale is about 23-25 \u200b\u200bbaht, depending on how you change)
And it goes up to 100,000 kip for a pizza in a restaurant that never has anyone.
We chose something in between, a coffee shop with a decent menu and average prices.
From long road, lack of sleep, my mood was not very good and here the waiters did not let me down!
Are you still chasing the Thais? Yes Lao will take first place in the competition - the worst staff of the year.
Firstly, no one is ever in a hurry.
Menu with pictures and inscription in English and local language, it would seem, what's the catch?
As a result, they brought me coffee and an omelet correctly from the order.
The waitress felt that it was not necessary to write down the order, the husband did not wait for his pasta.
Masha was brought not at all what she ordered, but I ordered soda with syrup (I say to mine - just not strawberries, but it doesn't matter), ordered blue curaçao.
They brought strawberries. How, kaaaak ??? !!! How can you confuse blue with red ??? !!
Well, everything is in a similar spirit.
Those who say that everything is cheaper in Laos, it seems to me they bought only cigarettes and drinks. Because they are, yes, really cheaper. Everything else is more expensive.
In the center, there were a couple of chain Thai cafes - Dairi Queen and Amazon, the prices in them are higher than in Thailand.
For 3 km, local tuk tukers want 300 baht, while you can barely leave for 150.
And they do not count the trip, but the number of people. If a lonely tuker is sitting and you think that he will chase you, if you do not agree on the price and leave him as a client, then no, it will not.
They don't give a damn about everything here.
What surprised me in Laos?
A very wide variety of car brands. Here you can find Kia, Toyota Land Cruiser, Porsche, Hyundai and even Daewoo.
Lot expensive cars different colors.
Who does not know, cars of three colors drive around Thailand - white, black, gray.
And most often Toyota, Honda, Isuzu or Nissan. There are also a limited number of car models. Large import duties, expensive.
The new BMW costs 4,000,000 baht in Thailand.
It's dusty in Laos. It is very dusty. Poorly paved roads, dust everywhere, dirty.
Chain stores are missing as a class. Everywhere there are only some kind of rural storage, which cannot be called a store. The assortment includes cigarettes, water and all kinds of crisps-snacks.
Last year, I had difficulty in feeding one-year-old Dasha.
What a state of oppression. Nobody trades in anything. There are no mobile fruit carts, children with mothers on mopeds,
there are not enough people in general, and the whole Vientiane as a whole looks like something more worn out than Pattaya.
Great social stratification.
In short, what did I like about Laos? Nothing. All the time I was waiting for the moment when it would be possible to get out of here quickly.
How can you WANT to go and live here, well, I don’t know.
The whole Vientiane panorama reminded me of the village “Bright Pole”, where my grandmother lived. When you got there, you don’t understand what year is in the yard, 1965 or 2015?
How to go to Laos (Vientiane) for a visa with a group. Step by step.
Since last year we drove our car, which was thrown at the border, and then joined the group, I did not know which mini bass would take us.
I was afraid that people like the Pattaya van were taking them to Bangkok.
Thank God no, because in those days I barely sit for 2 hours, I can't straighten out.
They are driven to Laos in a comfortable minibus with 9 seats. The clearest places in front (there is where to stretch your legs) and 3 in the back (you can fully recline the back), the backrest folds out in all seats and even sleep comfortably.
The traditional tip for Thai land transportation is to bring a blanket or cape, it can be cold.
Visa stops on the way to Laos from Pattaya occur every 3 hours. Only 3 stops at gas stations with shops.
Departure from Pattaya to Vientiane at 6 pm, pick up in turns from the condo, arrival at the border at 5 am.
Until 5:30 you can buy food and drink at 7/11 at the border, it is big and there is even brewed coffee there.
Then you quickly pass the Thai border and get stuck in front of the entrance to Laos. For 2 hours.
Take benches in the shade, the sun beats down mercilessly in the morning. Yes, buy water and snacks with you at 7/11. There is no 7/11 in Laos.
Then you are taken to the embassy, \u200b\u200bissued passports and filled docks.
Those who receive a tour visa immediately go to the hotel, after the 1st line, where the aunt will check their correctness.
We spent 1.30-2 hours at the embassy. We got to the hotel at 11 am.
You can rent a bike in the hotel for $ 3 per person, which is probably a good idea, my husband tried to persuade me to ride,
but in flip flops, after the road, I did not want to pedal at all.
And she was also afraid that our pepelazz would not be stolen somewhere in the center.
Tuk tukers are on duty at the hotel (arrogant and expensive) and they are easy to catch right on the street. What can I tell you - bargain.
I don’t like to bargain, but I don’t like to overpay to impudent faces even more, so I just showed the piece of paper that I was going to pay, okay? Let's go. No? Go away.
In the morning you will be fed again (from 7 to 9), and then again, at 11 in the morning. At 12 o'clock everyone goes to the border, and already at 15:00 we got on the bus on the way back.
Now I am on my way and in order not to waste time, I am writing this article.
Those who were tired of waiting for these 3 days of replies to comments - alas, the Internet in Laos is so lousy that it was not possible to post your comments or reply to them.
Yes, here's another, about dyuti fries. 1 block of cigarettes per person, 1 liter of strong cigarettes per person. It's not worth taking the risk and taking more, we know my uncle that he paid a fine of 10,000 baht.
At the same time, he offered to throw out the extra blocks, but the officer answered him - I don't care, throw it away, just pay a fine of 10,000, and with that do whatever you want.
Frames and x-rays are worth it, so it's not worth cheating. Give it to the unlucky if they take it.
All alcohol is 2 times cheaper than in Pattaya. According to my feelings. Well, for example, we have a martini a liter costs 900 baht at Foodmart, here - 500 baht.
Local aklogol is generally cheap. The famous beer birlao is also 2 times cheaper.
Cigarettes are many times cheaper and the choice is large. There are even exclusives like Vogue or dunchill
A Vogue block costs 550 baht.
Esse block - 250 baht. In Pattaya, a block of 1000 baht or 700 on Beach Road.
About money in Laos. Should I exchange baht for kippah?
There is no point in changing baht to bales at all. Why do you need them? This time.
Change from baht will still be given to you in bales, that's two.
Everywhere we paid in baht, at the normal rate. Almost everywhere there is a price in baht including.
In the duty free you can buy something for the same dollars.
The most neat and largest dyuti fries, at the Saaam end in the direction of the movement of the people, being on the spot will understand.
It is very gratifying that such trips take place once a year. Traveling to Laos more often, more than a day on the road in 2 days, does not smile at me at all.
Here is such an article, not too vanilla, but true to my feelings, which would be very useful to me before the trip.
So I wish you luck, I hope the information will be useful to you too!
How to save money on a hotel or vacation apartment?
I'm looking for Rumguru on the website. It contains absolutely all discounts for hotels and apartments from 30 booking systems, including booking. I often find very profitable options, it turns out to save from 30 to 80%
How to save on insurance?
Overseas insurance is needed. Any admission is very expensive and the only way not to pay out of pocket is to choose an insurance policy in advance. For many years we have been making out on the site, which give the best prices it takes only a couple of minutes for insurance and selection together with registration.
P.S. - I don't send company contacts (!!!), please do not write about this. There are more cases when they can not give a visa, so I don't want to take responsibility for an unsuccessful trip.
This morning I returned to Pattaya from Laos, where I received a double-entry tourist visa to Thailand, and in this post I want to talk in detail about the cost of my trip, how to get to the Thai consulate in Vientiane, where it is better to stay there, as well as the new procedure visa processing.
To begin with, I will say that the whole trip without food, but with a visa fee (2000 baht for a double tourist visa) cost me 3850 baht. If we include lunches, then 4150 baht (I will write in more detail below). Overall, of course, savings compared to services travel companies there is, but not significant, about 1500 baht. But if you travel with a company, or at least two people, then you can save much more.
I did not change money on this trip, since Thai baht is accepted everywhere, the main thing is that the bills are of a small denomination (20, 50 or 100), otherwise change can be given in local currency.
New procedure for obtaining a Thai visa in Laos
The first thing worth talking about is that the whole visa procedure has changed a little. Documents are accepted in the same way as before from 8:30 to 11:30 and issued the next day from 13:30 to 15:30 (from Monday to Friday). But the process itself now looks like this:
Day 1. Submission of documents
- Come to the consulate in the morning with your passport and a copy of your passport (you can do it there for 10 baht);
- Take the visa application form and stand in line (you will need to glue two 3 * 4 photos on the form);
- While sitting in line you need to fill out a form. Everything is very simple there. The only three fields that often raise questions are "Please Indicate Type of Visa Requested" (the Tourist circle must be canceled), "Duration of Proposed Stay" (write 60, regardless of the type of visa) and "Number of Entries Requested" (1 - for a single entry visa and 2 - for a double entry). And you must also fill in the "Address in Thailand" field - without specifying your address of residence in Thailand, the application will not be accepted.
- As your turn came, hand over the documents (passport, passport copy and application form) to the girl sitting at the table. She quickly checks everything and gives you this piece of paper with the number of your queue for the next day.
Everything, on this the first day of visa processing is over. You no longer need to stand in any other queues and pay for a visa in the next building too.
Day 2. Obtaining a visa
The next day, come to the consulate by 13:30. At this time, an electronic board will start working, which will display the numbers for issuing documents (the number that was given to you on the first day). As your turn suits, go to the window, pay the consular fee and pick up the documents. Everything happens very quickly. For example, I was 88 in the queue, and I took my passport 25 minutes after the consulate started working.
That's all. The whole process of obtaining a Thai tourist visa in Laos is very simple and does not take much time.
How to get from Pattaya to Laos
Well, now about how to get from Pattaya to the Thai consulate in Vientiane (Laos).
- A couple of days before departure, you need to buy a bus ticket to the city of Nong Khai (border town with Laos). This must be done at the 407 trucking company, whose branch is located at a gas station on the Sukhumvit highway. If you go north from Jomtien, this will be the first gas station after turning to Central Street (Pattaya Klang), literally 50 meters after the turn. The exact stop point is marked on the map:
The ticket price is 490 baht. The bus departs daily at 20:00. Arrival at Nong Khai - 6 am.
- Next, upon arrival in Nong Khai, take a tuk-tuk to the border with Laos. The cost is 100 baht per vehicle (the more people go, the cheaper the trip for you).
- At the border, fill in the Arrival card (you need to ask the border guard in the window), go through passport control (to leave Thailand), then through the turnstile (the cost of the passage is 50 baht - the card must be purchased at a special ticket office) and at the exit you buy a bus ticket for 20 baht which will take you across the bridge to the Lao border guards.
- Then again passport control (already at the entrance to Laos).
- At the exit from the building, on the right side, there will be a bus station. The bus fare to Vientiane is 40 baht. The bus will reach the final destination, from where you will need to take a tuk-tuk to the Thai consulate (another 40 baht). Or from the border you can immediately take a taxi to the consulate (200 baht).
- Go back to Pattaya in the same way. The main thing to remember is that at the bus station in Nong Khai you need transport company "407", it is easy to spot by the large sign. Buses to Pattaya leave every hour 15:30, 16:30, 17:30 ...
Where to stay in Vientiane?
There are quite a few options for housing in the capital of Laos, but there are very few cheap ones and even close to the Thai consulate. I can advise one great option for 420 baht with breakfast included, and just 10 minutes walk from the destination. The hotel is called
It's time to go to a visa (leaving Thailand to get another visa). The most usual thing from Pattaya would be to go to Cambodia (we talked about the visaran to Cambodia in detail in the articles "Travel from Pattaya to Cambodia Part 1 and Part 2" with the schedule and prices), close, inexpensive and you can turn around in one day, but there are a couple significant disadvantages. I have visited Cambodia many times, it was not interesting to stay there for a few more days, and there was nothing at all to look at the border area, except for a few casinos on the no-man's land, in other words, this banality is already boring. This time I decided to go from Thailand to Laos and spend time in the capital of the country, Vientiane. I have already been to Vientiane before and although many write that this is a completely unremarkable town, where travelers go only to obtain a three-month Thai visa, I had a different opinion. Here I like the leisurely, calm atmosphere, which is in perfect harmony with the magnificent temples, and although many of them were recently built, this does not detract from the beauty of their architecture and interiors.
I decided to go through Nogkhai, a small Thai town on the border with Laos. The distance from Pattaya is 700 km, so I decided that the most suitable option is a night bus.
All maps are interactive, you can zoom and move.
I wanted to buy tickets in advance. It remains only to find out the bus schedule and their location. I'm going to the big bus station on the north street, hoping that this is where buses to Noghai should go. I go to the information window. I had not yet had time to ask a question, the following happens: when he saw me, the sneak at the cash register got up and started pointing her hand behind me, explaining something, but because of the thick glass I could not make out anything. I turned around, there was no one in the distance, just a few policemen !? I opened my mouth again to ask a question, but she, ahead of me, repeated the above steps again)). I turned around - the same picture, nothing has changed))). I decided to show her with gestures that I couldn’t hear anything and tapped on my ear, she said something else and after that she categorically didn’t want to notice me, I think - what a pancake, some kind of nonsense. I decided to study the situation behind my back. In that direction I saw only a couple of policemen and some white tourist. Can the police tell me something? I went to them and, going up to a white man whom I took for a tourist, I saw a badge on his shirt with the inscription "information", then it finally dawned on me where the secret was pointing. I asked him: "I need a bus to Nonghai," but he shied away from me like a leper, having time to answer on the move that he would not help me. I'm at a loss. I ask why? He replies that the secret wanted to help me, pointing at him, but I called her stupid. I'm completely out !!! ??? I had to explain that my gesture of tapping on my ear meant that I just didn't hear what the secret was talking about, and not a desire to show her dementia.))) I see that the man seemed to soften. Confirming once again that there was a misunderstanding, I was still able to continue the conversation with him.
This is the way it is, Asia, and our harmless European gestures can accidentally cause completely unexpected emotions and even offend someone. You have to be careful with your gestures. As a result, the "informant" showed me on the map the location of the buses to Nonghai.
I got to the right bus station. After examining the bus schedule, I decided that the most suitable for 20-00, VIP, travel time 11 hours, arrives in Nongkhai at 7-00. There are also flights for 17-40, 21-30 VIP and 22-00. Buses are of two types VIP and simple. As I have already noted for myself, in Thailand there is no "sleeping bus", only seated ones, with the ability to lower the back of the seat back. For some reason, in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam there is, but not in Tae. Having traveled through all these countries, I noticed one peculiarity, the “neighbors” are in no hurry to adopt various convenient “tricks” from each other.
Now I want to explain the differences in Tai between a VIP bus and a simple one (fortunately, I managed to test all possible options). A simple bus has only a second seating floor, simple comfortable seats, a TV and a toilet. Free meals: a bottle of water 0.5 l, a cake, a coupon for a discount to the dining room 15 baht (each dish 30-50 baht). The ticket price is 551 baht.
The VIP has two floors. The second floor is equipped with leather seats with a shelf for legs and an electric back massager (three modes), a TV. Free meals: 0.5l bottle of water and cake, 15 baht discount coupon in the dining room. The cost is the same as in a regular bus 551 baht.
The flowered backs are blankets in case the air conditioner works well. Not individually wrapped (like on airplanes good airlines), but clean in appearance. In general, everything is neat on the bus. There is a conductor who seats passengers and keeps order, he also folds blankets andhangs them evenly.
On the first floor of the VIP bus there is one compartment for 6 seats. A kind of VIP-VIP)). There are wide leather chairs with electric massage, a shelf for the legs, and, what is most valuable for sleeping, the chair has lateral support for the head. Free meals on board: rice with meat, pizza, juice 0.2 l, water 0.5 l. The ticket price is 686 baht.
This is almost a reserved seat: there is a shelf for small things in front, a net on the side - it is convenient to put water, in the armrests of the electric massager buttons. The backrests recline to an almost horizontal position.
Blankets, of course, are also prepared for each seat.
And this, comrades, is a ticket to VIPVIP)).
Comparing all three options, I can conclude: sitting to sleep everywhere is not comme il faut, but you can get at least a little sleep only in the VIP on the first floor. The price is only 135 baht more, but you need to take into account that 50 baht of them will feed you. Looking ahead, I'll tell you that I came back on the second floor of the VIP, there were no tickets for the first one, because took the last one 30 minutes before departure. I came across a huge fat Thai as a neighbor, although usually Thais are small and thin). So we drove all the way, resting shoulder on shoulder, there was no room for "maneuver" at all. Conclusion, if you want to travel in comfort, take the VIP on the ground floor in advance, for example, a day in advance (as I did).
So, we leave for a visa to Laos.
Getting to the bus station in Pattaya is easy and quick for 20 baht on two tuk-tuk. Boarding the bus begins 20 minutes before departure. We departed exactly on schedule at 20-00. On TV they showed some kind of humorous show with funny starts, nothing is clear, but sometimes there were funny moments)). In Nonghai we also arrived on schedule at 7-00. This is important because the bus to Vientiane leaves at 7:30, and the next one only at 9:30.
Upon arrival at the Nonghai bus station,
Nonghai bus station map
immediately got acquainted with the schedule of buses to Pattaya.
timetable the movement of buses from Nonghai to Pattaya.
Here we quickly buy a ticket Nonghai-Vientiane, it costs 60 baht.
Timetable for buses from Nonghai to Vientiane.
There is even one bus to Vang Vieng
Travel time including border crossing is 1 hour 30 minutes. Right in the Bus, the driver distributes an Arrival Card, which can be filled in while driving, which saves the time of going from country to country.
The cards are about the same as at all borders - the arrival card will be collected at passport control, do not forget to pick up the departure card with a mark - it will be necessary when leaving Laos.
The bus stops at the border, everyone goes to pass the Thai border control. Everything is simple here:
1. You give your passport to the border guard in the booth, he takes your Thai entry card from you and puts an exit stamp.
On the left in the photo you can see tables where there are samples of filling in migration cards. Directly on the course - there is that chocolate - a booth with border guards)).
2.
You return to the bus and cross the Friendship Bridge.
To enter Laos, we act a little differently.
3. First, we buy an electronic card of passage through the turnstile at the border for 5 baht.
4.
Then we go, with the already filled in Arrival Card (we filled it out on the bus) to the border guards and get a stamp on entry to Laos (a visa to Laos for Russians is issued for 15 days free of charge)
5.
We go to the turnstile and insert the electronic card into the turnstile, we pass
6.
Once again we show our passport to the border guard so that he checks all the stamps you have (sometimes he is lazy and just waves his hand: they say, come in).
7. We get on the bus.
Next stop is Vientiane South Bus Station. Capital, rather big, clean.
We arrived at the Vientiane bus station at 9-00. First of all, I inquired about the schedule of buses back to Nonghai, and at the same time in other directions.
Full bus timetable from Vientiane South Bus Station (click to enlarge).
I was very interested in how you can get to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, I think I will somehow choose the time to inspect these two famous and beautiful cities Laos. It turned out to Vang Vieng there are two options, by bus for 40,000 Kip (160 baht).
and by minivan for 60,000 kip (240 baht). The bus runs on schedule, the minivan is full. Unfortunately, buses do not go to Luang Prabang from this bus station. I talked with a tuker where I can leave, it turned out to be from another bus station, which, according to the driver, 17 km from here, lied a guy with a distance (now 9 km), hoping to get more money from me for the trip))) - my family and I have already been in Vientiane at both bus stations.
Vientiane Bus Station Map
I decided that I would find out the schedule and prices in one of the street agencies while walking around the city and said goodbye to the "rickshaw".
Here is a photo of the price list from the agency, pickup (delivery from the hotel to the bus) is free.
Bus timetables from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and other destinations.
Agencies usually charge 2-4 dollars for the cost of tickets, but for this price it takes you to the bus station, right to the bus. If you want to save that money, consider the following. Sometimes the bus station is far away and you go once to get tickets in advance so as not to worry about the availability of seats, the second time you go to the bus and end up spending the same money, and often more on tukers. This is the arithmetic.
The plans this time were just to walk around the city and see the sights. For the information of travelers, you need to bargain hard with tukers, I understood this from the first trip, otherwise they raise prices several times. The normal price is about 4,000 Kip / km (16 baht). I prefer to plan a route in advance and calculate distances in km, then you know exactly how much you need to pay for a trip. In the case of Lao tukers, even if you only drive around the corner of a few hundred meters, they will persistently admonish you that this is too far and bend cosmic prices. But this time I made up walking route and decided not to resort to the help of cabbies.
In advance on interactive map all places that are interesting to visit are marked, the route is laid, the distances are calculated, the travel time is calculated approximately. It is easy to navigate the terrain using GPS. The entire route was about 10 km and I have 6 hours to cover this distance. A good walk is planned, for an unprepared person, such a path under the scorching sun is not sugar, but over the months I spent in Asia, I got so used to the heat that I do not pay attention to it. The only thing that still confused me was the Lao passers-by, with open umbrellas in their hands, under which they were hiding from the sun.))
On the way, I exchanged some Baht for local Kip, and I had to bargain to get a normal rate, 1 Baht \u003d 250 Kip (the official at that time was 262).
Here is a map of my journey
These few photosmade along the way, with a few comments. We will write in more detail about the sights of Vientiane in a separate article, there are too many interesting things.
Vientiane has a large number of Buddhist buildings, which makes the city vibrant and festive.
The story reflected in this picture is already familiar to you, dear readers from the article "Buddha Hill in Pattaya". This is the king of the nagas (multi-headed serpents) with his hood covers the Guantam Buddha from the weather.
Here are the classics of Southeast myths. Serpents descend from both sides of the staircase, creating a corridor between the worlds of humans and the Gods. Lao, like Cambodians, can pass through it at any time (for more details about the cult of snakes, see the article "Attractions of Siem Reap, Cambodia What promises the cult of many-headed snakes?") However, here the buildings and sculptures are significantly different. Everything is somehow lighter, more airy.
Young monks pray before a meal.
We have already met such strong guards in Thailand, a little more strict forms in Cambodia. These countries often fought with each other, borrowed a lot from the culture of their neighbors. It is a pity that now they have stopped - there are little things that are convenient in some countries, which cannot be found in neighbors. Globalization cannot develop in full force here yet.
Outside, a small, but very spacious inside temple with big statue Buddha. European designers would like to learn how to manage space.
Surprisingly, Buddhism is completely loyal to smoking, I have met many monks who have this addiction.
The images of the nagas differ from those common in Thailand and Cambodia. These green snakes, which come to Russians on holidays, protect them here, but they can get angry. Because donationsare welcome.))
Inside and outside the temples there is an amazing painting. Usually these are Buddhist stories. Often about Buddha's enlightenment or meditation.
Temples are the most the best place hide from the scorching heat, a group of Lao workers rest indining break. In addition, it is always clean, quiet here, and you are surrounded by beautiful, light. I wish the Russians could take a nap in the Hermitage).
It looks like a similar religious building, but in a white version it looks more andgrander (so it seems to our Farang eyes).
So beautiful, a lot of red and gold, yellow and green colors - color therapy straight.
Laotian national Museum soars in the clouds - the power of the architects' creative thought - such a huge building looks weightless.
Soldiers with machine guns, frequent guests on the streets of Vientiane, this is probably why it is so calm here))). How else to build socialism? Order is needed!
Famous, stately, attracting tourists from different countries Black stupa.
The folk crafts of the Lao are very touching. In this climate, you can always settle in a place with good traffic for a quick sale of handmade goods.
This is what the most popular means of transportation in Laos looks like, tuk-tuk. Here, apparently, very small drivers and passengers, but a roof rack. However, the four of us with the familycould accommodate in one with backpacks.
A happy dream of any Russian traffic police officer, a bunch of cars are parked right at the turn, in three rows, also at the pedestrian crossing, occupying the entire lane. These are the rules of the road in Laos).
Vientiane is not a village for you, but a large business and administrative city... "White collars" are more common than people in national dress.
And this, friends, is a small copy of a golden stupa. Symbol of Buddhism, its greatness and eternity.
All temples are different, but equally charming. There are so many myths and legends in this exotic countrybuilt on the history of people and religion, that you can spend months while wondering at everything.
As if by notes: Serpent portals, sacred warriors precede the entrance to the temple.
Everything is as if new in temples and pagodas - glitters, bright colors, and on a sunny day it is dazzlingly beautiful!
On the frescoes, the Buddha's disciples listen to his word. Monks of today try to be just as diligent.
The famous Pataksey monument.
The city planners of the capital have created parks and squares for walks by the refreshing fountain and relaxation surrounded by tropical plants.
Small pagodas all over the place in the shade of palm trees. Lao people can turn to Buddha as often as they need - there are many places.
Here it is, the great Golden Stupa. The main attraction of the capital of Laos.
In addition to the well-known stupa, there is still much to see in Vientiane, where to spend hours of photo shoots.
All worthy of worship receive a gold ribbon and iconic garlands of flowers.
But Buddhism withstar socialism symbiosis. Well, isn't this amazing country Laos? Many people here know the Soviets, but not everyone knows Russia.
On the way, I was interested in a couple more questions: where to get the Internet and how much does the hotel cost, if suddenly I decide to stay one more day.
I quickly found an Internet cafe (on the map) the cost is 6000 Kip (24 baht) per hour, you can use your laptop, or you can use a local computer.
There were no problems with the hotel either. Found it cute enough, several floors with an elevator and friendly staff. Located in the center. Prices start at THB 300 for a double room. Looked into the room, nice, clean and light, with a fan, but no TV. There are over 420 with air conditioning and TV. Accommodation problems for travelers in Vientiane will not arise, even if you have not booked a hotel in advance. I can say that I found a hotel with rooms for 200 baht per day, but this is only suitable for oh-oh-very unassuming people.))) But cheap and not on the street.)))
Tired, but happy, I returned to the bus station, my bus to Nonghai departed at 15-30. Half an hour before the trip, there were no problems with tickets, and I sat comfortably in the comfortable chairs. After such an excursion, my legs "buzzed" a little, but not fatally). Calmly passed the border, just like when entering Laos, just the opposite. Only one fact surprised me that when leaving Laos, the price of an e-card went up 8 times to 40 baht. That's how friends, as in the famous Russian proverb “one ruble in, two out”))). As I had planned, at 17-00 I was already in Nonghai. I quickly get off the bus and go straight to the ticket office for a ticket, so I didn't buy it in advance (in case I decide to stay in Vientiane). Fortune favored me, and I managed to buy the last ticket for VIP 17-30, although there were no more tickets for the first floor. If there were no tickets for this bus, then it would leave at 19-00 or 19-20, and there would be time to chat about Nonghai, explore the surroundings. So I was not very worried about the availability of places, here in the East, in general, you are less and less worried about any reason.
As I wrote above, it is impossible to sleep properly in a sitting bus, even in a very comfortable one, and even a fat neighbor is Thai ... but I didn't care. During the day in Vientiane, I got tired enough and now enjoyed a comfortable stay. The ticket was also accompanied by a coupon for dinner (equivalent to 15 baht, you pay for everything from above with your own funds), but the stop for food was somewhere around 23-00, I was already dozing and too lazy to go to eat. We arrived in Pattaya at 6-00, the city had already woken up and I got home on tuk-tuk without any problems. This is how, quite interesting and exciting, my visit to Laos passed.
All transportation and food costs were 1,680 baht. Two nights on the road, one day in the capital. And a lot of impressions from the sights of Vientiane. It takes me about 1300 baht and one day for a visa to Cambodia, but no interesting memories if I don't go to Siem Reap.
Related materials:Good luck, friends!
How to get a Thai visa in Laos. How to go to Laos for a visa from Pattaya.
A similar question is faced by many Russians who have decided to extend their stay in Thailand. In fact, everything is very simple and there are no difficulties, except for a 10-12 hour bus ride.
To obtain a regular tourist visa, no documents other than a passport are required. To date, no double tourist visas are issued. You can only get a single entry visa, which entitles you to stay in Thailand for 2 months. After their expiration, you can extend your stay in the Kingdom for another month at the office of the Immigration Police. This procedure costs 1900 Baht.
To obtain other types of visas, you must collect the appropriate package of documents.
So how to travel to Laos?
Now in Thailand there are many companies that provide a full range of services for traveling to Laos and obtaining a tourist visa. You will be picked up directly from your place of residence and brought back in a comfortable minibus.
But you can go to Laos on your own without overpaying for the services of the company.
Buses in the direction of the border with Laos depart from the bus stop located on the territory Gas stationlocated a little further than the intersection of Central Street and Sukhumvit in the direction of movement to the north Right in front of the Mosque. It is advisable for you to purchase a ticket in advance to Nonghai station. Better to take VIP. He walks faster, the seats are more comfortable and they serve dinner. Men can buy tickets for the second floor of the bus above the driver. There you can stretch your legs and good overview... The numbers of these places are C1 and D1. Bus route number 407. Departure time 20-00 daily. Ticket prices for vIP bus lies in the range of 580-620 Baht. The price changes in direct proportion to changes in fuel prices. Usually, before the departure at the station there are 2 buses with number 407. You will need to show the ticket to the driver and specify which bus you are traveling on.
The bus arrives at Nonghai Station at about 6 am.
As soon as the bus is parked, taxi drivers will run up to him and offer to take him to the Thai border. Usually their services cost 100 Baht per person, but you can also bargain if there are a lot of people.
Cross the Thai border. At the exit, taxi drivers will run up to you again and offer to take you to the border with Laos. But here you can buy a ticket for a regular bus that will take you directly to the Lao border. The ticket costs 20 baht.
So you arrive at the Laos border. A visa for Russians in Laos is not needed, so go straight to the counter. You will first need to fill in the Lao Erivel cards. After the border guard has checked your passport, go on. Here, in a glass booth on the right, you will need to buy an electronic key for 5 Baht to pass through the turnstile. After entering the territory of Laos, you will be offered a taxi directly to the Thai consulate. Usually the price is from 100 Baht per person.
And now you are near the Thai consulate in Laos.
To apply for a single-entry tourist visa, you will need to fill out a form, glue 2 3x4 photographs on it (the size of the photo is not very critical) and make a photocopy of your passport. You can do this on your own or contact Help, who will prepare everything for you for 100 Baht per person. The application form can be taken on the table near the employees of the consulate, where you will submit your documents. Photocopies are made at the side entrance to the building on the left.
Along the way, while helping fill out the questionnaire, he will offer his paid services to speed up or deliver a passport directly to your room. Sometimes they tell all sorts of horror stories about the denial of a tourist visa. If you do not have several tourist visas in a row and you have already left the territory of Thailand, then there is nothing to fear and you can culturally refuse. The cost of a single entry tourist visa is 1000 Baht.
After the package of documents is ready, you hand it over to the consular staff right on the street on the territory of the consulate. It is difficult to make a mistake, there is usually a crowd of people. The options for submitting documents sometimes change, but lately, the documents are accepted by the employees of the consulate sitting here at the tables. They take documents from you, and in return they will issue a number for obtaining a passport and a card from the consulate. Usually documents are issued the next day from 13-30.
Very important! Be sure to make sure there are no Thai calendar holidays or weekends before traveling for a visa! The consulate is closed these days.
There are several guesthouses and hotels in the immediate vicinity of the consulate. Price in the range of 500-800 baht per room.
The next day at 13-30 the issuance of passports with visas begins.
The display will display the serial numbers of the recipients and the window number to receive. The number will be duplicated by voice in English.
You have received a passport with a visa! Return trip to Nonghai is in reverse order. At the Laotian border, before going through customs, you buy an electronic key to get through the turnstile for 50 Baht. It used to be free. True, they say that it depends on the time of crossing the border. Go through customs and go to the border with Thailand. At the Thai border, fill out a Thai Erayvel card, indicate your visa number on it.
Arrive at Nonghai. At the office that sells tickets to Pattaya, you will see a large sign with the number 407. It is located not far from the bus waiting and parking area. Buy a ticket, better ask for Express and VIP seats! Express the bus is coming faster and arrives in Pattaya at about 5 am. A regular bus takes 2-3 hours longer. On the way to Pattaya by bus, you will be asked which place in Pattaya is more convenient for you to stop. In Pattaya, the bus stops at Sukhumvit in the North, in the area of \u200b\u200bCentral Pattaya and South Pattaya, Teprazit.
There is another, cheaper option, how to get to the capital of Laos, Vientiane, and then to the consulate. An international bus to the capital of Laos, Vientiane, runs directly from the Nonghai Bus Stop. Bus number 99. This bus will take you across all borders directly to the Vientiane bus station. Ticket price 60 Baht. According to the schedule, the first bus leaves at 7:30, but as a rule, it is delayed for 30 minutes. You can walk from the Vientiane bus station to the consulate. The journey will take 15-20 minutes. The consulate can be reached by Tuk-tuk. Usually the price is 50 Baht per person.
Back in the same order.
Bus 99 tickets to Nonghai are sold right at the station. The ticket price is 15,000 Lao Kip or 60 Baht.
If you are smart, you can try not to buy cards to pass through the turnstile. In both directions there will be open gates through which the Groups pass. You just have to go through these gates and bypass the turnstile. If, suddenly, it does not work out, you can refer to ignorance and go buy a card.
We sincerely wish you a good trip!
