Another sunrise on Thai train

We were slightly late arriving into Nong Khai, the final stop in Thailand. For those of us heading towards Laos, we would need to go through Thai exit immigration there. A Thai immigration official went around asking foreign tourists if they've applied for Lao eVisas. Apparently, visitors with Lao eVisas couldn't take the train and have to cross using the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge instead. They were led back to their carriages to collect the bags before making their own way to Laos by road.

Next stop: Laos



After the passengers were done with the immigration process, the train began its way to cross Mekong into Laos. The Thai trains shared the same Thai-Lao Friendship bridge with vehicular traffic and these vehicles had to wait while the train was traversing the bridge.

Until July 2024, the terminus in Laos was at Thanaleng. It's now the freight terminal.



Lao National Railway locomotive responsible for train travel between Vientiane and Nong Khai



Slightly late arrival into Vientiane



Distance travelled so far: ~ 2,549km

Since July 2024, Khamsavath station is the terminus in Laos. There are two daily arrivals and two daily departures; one to/from Bangkok and the other to/from Udon Thani.

I quickly filled up the arrival form and got in queue for immigration. There was a stamping fee of 20 THB and I ended up being one of the first few to clear the immigration.



There is a counter to purchase Lao-China Railway ticket. Unfortunately, it's not possible to exchange my online ticket for a physical one there.

I was also the first passenger on bus 12. It wouldn't depart until 10.10am. The ride to Vientiane central bus station (Talat Sao) costs 20,000 LAK (~1 USD).



Laotian way of stacking luggages



I was seated beside a Chinese man who was traveling with his Thai girlfriend and he pointed out to her the Chinese development when we drove past it.

Quite surreal to see high-rises like these in Laos



Thai investment countering the Chinese



The trip took around 30 minutes. Vientiane's central bus station definitely looked better than two years ago.

Ticket office for bus to Udon Thani



Thai bus in Laos



Vientiane's bus network



As it was too early for me to check in, I went back to the same Vietnamese restaurant which I visited 2.5 years ago.





Breakfast for champion - Bun Cha



It was as good as I recalled it to be. As I didn't have any local money, I exchanged 500 THB with the cashier at a relatively poor rate of 600 LAK to 1 THB.

I booked myself one night at Landmark Vientiane Life Center (~42 USD) which was less than five minutes' walk from the bus station.



I was able to check in at 2pm, one hour earlier than usual.







Lucky to have a Mekong view



After resting for a while, I set out for Vientiane's landmark.



Patuxai was built in the 1960s in honour of those who fought against the French for Lao independence. It was financed with aid money from United States meant for building airport, thus earning itself the nickname "vertical runway".

The Prime Minister's office is nearby



I retraced my step towards the waterfront and saw a giant maneki-neko.



My wife warned me not to drink any alcohol in Laos but I couldn't resist a Beer Lao to go with my burger.



Before returning to the hotel room, I went to the supermarket to finish what's remaining of my kips.

Mekong view at night