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Nong Khai hotels information in north-east Thailand and Travel Guide to Mekong River and friendship bridge.
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NONG KHAI
INFORMATION
HOTELS
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  TIPS.   
Nong Khai (population 25,000) is the last stop on the North Eastern Railway line and some 620 km north of Bangkok.
The town is long and narrow and follows the banks of the Mekong River.
Directly opposite central Nong Khai is Tha Deua in Laos accessible by the Freindship Bridge or ferry if you are Thai.
Its fairly busy with Thai and lao people going both ways for a day's shopping and trading.

Many Lao people and foreigners in Vientiane come to Nong Khai for a day of shopping for luxuries like soap powder and processed foods. The Lao Capital Vientiane is actually 26 km further upriver and cannot be seen from Nong Khai.

Nong Khai is an interesting town memorable for its decaying temples and busy all day market running along the river banks.
There are numerous rickety elevated restaurants where you can while away the day drinking and enjoying views of the murky Mekong River,
and put your foot through the floor.
And looking is all you can do - the Mekong's powerful currents are such that diving in for a swim would be dangerous.

There is also the multi story Thai-Lao Hotel located out of town near the Friendship bridge.
It is opulent but badly located and caters mostly to package tourists.
There is a nice bar with great view on the roof top which is worth a visit.
Coming & Going:
Bus. To/From Udonthani. 50 Baht. I hour approx.

Train: To/From Bangkok. Sitting 270Baht. Sleeper 480 Baht. Leaves about 5 pm.

Air: Nearest Airport is Udon Thani. The main U.S. airbase for the secret bombing of Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam War
To Vientiane. Take Tuk-Tuk to Frienship Bridge, about 30 Baht.
Go through Thai Immigaration then get the shuttle bus across the bridge, 20 Baht. Lao Immigaration is fairly quick, US$30 (or Baht equivalent) for a 15 day Visa.
You need two passport photos. Do not fall for the get a Visa before offer.
The drivers get a commission by taking you to a Travel Agent, where you pay Baht 2000 , almost double what you pay on arrival at the Bridge.
Once through Lao Immigration there are heaps of Tuk-Tuks waiting to rip you off for the trip to Vientiane.
Four or so people should pay 50-100Baht each. Or walk up to the main road (150m) and wait for a local bus, on the half hour, 1000Kip. From the road you can also negotiate a much better Tuk-Tuk price.
Getting Around:
regular Tuk-Tuks everywhere, except late at night. Hire a Bicycle is a good idea, 30 Baht/day. Motorcycle 200 Baht/day. Local area is very flat and easily travelled.
Shopping:
Reasonable market along the riverside (Rimkhong Road). Other local markets too. Good range of other shops and a department store (with supermarket and some computer stuff). Many people come from Vientiane to shop in Nong Khai for the day.
Money:Most Thai banks have an office here. Credit Cards and Cirrus etc for withdrawls. ATM's.
Entertainment: Not a lot but enough. Hard core of foreign residents frequent a couple of bars.
Western Pub is good for music and beer. Thasadee Bar is popular. The Danish Baker Bar is the other hang-out. Plenty of Karaoke Bars.
Grand Hotel Disco is only one operating, shuts at midnight.
Thai-Lao Hotel Disco was popular but now closed by police, Decency Drive !
The Meeting Place Bar has re-opened with new owners and rooms. See Hotels

This is a strange place for foreigners it seems. Met some odd ones.
A totally paranoid French guy who ran away after stabbing an Arab man in France.
An 50 year old alcohol-brain-soaked Australian with a Lao girlfriend who ranted about war all the time, she was trying to figure out how to get away from him.
The policeman from Bangkok with a crew of guys trying to catch smugglers bringing Ya-Ba (Amphetamine mix) across the river at night.
And a small crew of working girls from Vientiane having a holiday in Thailand and trying to pick up a bit of action on the way! Never a dull moment in Nong Khai.
But it is oddly a really nice place to hang out.
Health: Two hospitals. Quality unknown, but probably pretty good as most in larger Thai cities.
Tourist Police: None. Only local police and Marine Police. Hello Prim.
  FACTS.   
Communications: Phones work fine. Some internet places, 30-50 Baht per hour, not good speed though.
Geography: Flat and dull, except for the lovely Mekong River. Taking a trip up along the river to other towns is nice. Even on a hired little Honda motorbike.
Events: Things happen now and again.
Attractions: Sala Kaeo Ku (Wat Khaek) about 5 km out of town, the strange Buddhist/Hindu sculpture park is the biggest attraction according to the locals. Not old or of high quality, but weird enough to have a look. Been told Police are trying to catch people who have secret black-magic ceremonies there at night!!
Among the many Temples, Wat Po Chai is the most revered. Good murals to look at.
Climate:
Can be quite cool at night in Dec-Jan, even sleep with a blanket, with nice warm days. Otherwise quite warm.

A few Words:
Ao=Bay, Ban=Village, Chiang=Town, Hat (Haad)=Beach, Khao=Peak, Khlong=Canal, Koh=Island, Laem=Point, Lam=Stream, Mae Nam=River, Moo=Area, Nakhon=Town, Pulau=Island, Ran Ahan=Restaurant, Rongram=Hotel, Sanam Bin=Airport, Thale=Lake, Wat=Temple.

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