NONG KHAI OVERVIEW |
Nong Khai is a city in North-East Thailand, capital of the Nong Khai Province. It is situated directly at the Mekong River and is the site of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across to Laos. It is the Thai gateway to the Laotian capital of Vientiane 25 kilometres up river, on the north bank opposite the town of Sri Chiang Mai on the Thai side. Although at the time of building the bridge, railtrack was installed along the centre of the roadway to the Laos side, no railway infrastructure exists in Laos to connect it with any on-going destinations. The service currently stops one kilometre short of the border at a new railway station not far from the city centre of Nonh Khai.
Nong Khai's main sight is Sala Kaew Ku (also Wat Khaek), a park of massive sculptures (some over 20m tall). The park is the handiwork of the mystic Luang Pa Bunleua Sulilat, who bought the land in 1978 when he was exiled from his native Laos. Synthesizing Buddhism, Hindu and Confucian ideologies, Buddhas, many-armed goddesses, naga snakes and all sorts of human-animal hybrids dominate the scenery.
In more recent years, Nong Khai has become a popular destination during the Buddhist lent festival when mysterious balls of light, or Naga fireballs, rise from the Mekong River.
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NONG KHAI TRAVEL TIPS |
Travel to Vientiane
To get into Laos from Nong Khai, foreign tourists wishing to must apply for Lao visas at least 3 working days in advance at Lao Embassy, 520/1-3 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 39, Bang Kapi, Bangkok, Tel: 0 2539 6667 or Lao Consulate General, 171/102-3 Prachasamoson Road, Amphoe Mueang, Khon Kaen, Tel: 0 4324 2856-8 Fax: 0 4224 4918 . In addition,they can use the services of a number of tour operators in Nong Khai. The visa is valid for 1 month and visitors can extend for additional 2 months.
There are also possibility to obtain visas on arrival at the Immigration Office in Laos and are permitted to remain in Laos for 15 days.
Transportation
There are shuttle bus services crossing the bridge cost 20 baht per person. From the checkpoint in Laos visitors can hire a taxi to Vientiane which is 20 kilometres away and costs 500 baht. The checkpoint is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
To bring a car in and out of the country, a document is required with a fee as imposed. Contact a tour company in Nong Khai for the service.
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GETTING IN - OUT
NONG KHAI |
* Car: You take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi which connects with Highway No. 2 to Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nong Khai. A total distance from Bangkok to Nong Khai is 615 kilometres.
* Bus: The Transport Company Limited has a regular bus service both ordinary and air-conditioned to Nong Khai every day. For further information, contact the Mo Chit 2 (Chatuchak) Bus Terminal, Tel. 0 2936 2852-66. In ddition, there is a private bus service: 407 Phatthana, Chan Tour Limited, Barami Tour and Cherdchai Tour.
* Train: The daily trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong and Bang Sue Railway Stations to Nong Khai every day.
* Plane: At this time, you can fly from Bangkok to Udon Thani and continue the journey by car to Nong Khai, some 50 kilometres from Udon Thani.
* Intra-provincial Transport
You can use car rental services operated by many tour companies in town. They may choose a tricycle service called "Skylab" for visiting tourist spots in town and nearby areas, such as Tha Sadet Market, Wat Pho Chai, Sala Kaeo Ku, and Thai -Lao Friendship Bridge.
At the Nong Khai Bus Terminal, there is a bus service from Nong Khai to Loei, past Amphoe Tha Bo, Amphoe Si Chiang Mai and Amphoe Sangkhom in Nong Khai, and Amphoe Chiang Khan in Loei. The route runs along the Mekong River. In these districts, there are guesthouses available for visitors.
* Inter-provincial Transport
Apart from a Nong Khai - Bangkok bus service, the Nong Khai Bus Terminal also provides its service on other routes: Nong Khai - Rayong (both ordinary and air-conditioned), and ordinary buses on the Nong Khai - Loei, Nong Khai - Nakhon Phanom, and Nong Khai - Udon Thani routes.
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GETTING AROUND
NONG KHAI |
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The only mode of public transport in the city is by tuk-tuk. They are inexpensive to anywhere around the city centre. This price has gone up recently owing to the increase in gas price. Some tuk-tuk drivers will ask for much more than 20-30 baht/person, but you can generally bargain with them to reach a reasonable price. When bargaining, smile and be patient and polite
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NONG KHAI FOODS |
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ENTERTAINMENT |
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