Originally Posted by
susiesan
Bangkok Airways has an earlier flight from LPG that arrives BKK at 2:15pm. That should give us plenty of time to make the connection to the CX flight at
7:00pm, right? The Bangkok Airways flight that arrives 5:45 should be enough time for the 10:30pm JAL flight, shouldn't it?
I thought about staying a few nights in Bangkok as part of this trip and just going to Luang Prabang in Laos, skipping Vientane. I'm researching how different the two Lao cities are and whether it's worth the time and expense to visit both. I haven't been to Bangkok since 1995 so it might be time for another visit. I know it has changed a lot.
The rule of thumb when connecting to an international award flight from a non-protected (Bangkok Air) flight is to have a one-flight buffer in case your first flight is canceled.
The earlier flight from LPQ will give you that extra buffer for the 2230 JL flight, but will leave you without a back-up for the 1900 CX flight. In that case an overnight in BKK is recommended.
I really wouldn't bother with Vientiane unless you have the extra time. Luang Prabang is fantastic. Bangkok is always worth a day or two stopover.