A
trip
into Laos is a viable alternative to the more common Malaysian routes.
Vientiane is a nice enough little city, and still retains vestiges
of its French colonial past most notably in its cuisine. The first
step is to obtain a Laos visa in Bangkok. This will cost around $30.00
- $40.00 and can be obtained at almost all Travel agents.
The Train leaves Hualompong station in the evening at eight o'clock
and nine o'clock. It is then a ten to twelve hour journey to Nong
Kai near the border. Then you need to take a $.75 to $1.00 baht tuk-tuk
to the Friendship Bridge connecting Thailand and Laos. A ten baht
bus will then take you over the border. From here Vientiane is around
15 kilometers away. It's either a $.75 Baht songtaow or a $2.50Taxi
(roughly). The Thai Embassy in Vientiane again takes 2 working days.
You simply have to repeat the process to get back to Bangkok.
