Occasional news and details from Gecko Villa, among the rice paddies of rural Northeast Thailand. Other Thailand travel information may also be posted here, as may photographs from the vacation villa, from visitors or from events at or near the Thai villa. If you would like to post pictures of your Thai holiday at the villa here, please feel free to contact us by email.
|
June 4, 2010 12:07:32
Posted By Gecko
|
Many guests travelling to or from Gecko Villa combine a stay at our country pool villa with a visit to Vientiane or Luang Prabang in Laos, given the proximity of the Thai / Laos border. Here we list some travel options from Udon Thani to Vientiane.
Train: Train 69 leaves Udon Thani at 07.14 and arrives in Nong Khai at 08.25. Delays are frequent. From Nong Khai train station, you can transfer to the bus station to head over to Laos. There is also a once daily train service from Nong Khai to Thanaleng, which is in Laos but about 13 kms from Vientiane.
Bus: There is an international coach service from Udon Thani to Vientiane, although we would only recommend this if you have your Lao visas issued prior to arrival in Thailand. If you have these, this alternative is fairly straightforward and inexpensive (approx THB100 per person.) Buses generally depart each way at 07.00, 09.30, 15.00 and 17.00 If you plan to get a Lao visa on arrival, you can take a coach from Udon to Nong Khai. A shuttle bus runs from the bus station across the Friendship Bridge to Laos every 20 minutes throughout the day ( fare about THB30). It stops at Thai immigration 5 mins after leaving the bus station, where you need to get your exit stamp, then crosses the Friendship Bridge to arrive at Lao customs & immigration some 10 mins later (a visa on arrival is available for Laos at this border point). You now remove your luggage from the bus luggage hold and go through Lao customs. Then take a tuk-tuk to your chosen hotel.
Car: Private Thai vehicles are not allowed into Laos without a special license. This means you need to get to Nong Khai in one vehicle, go through the various passport and customs controls, take a third party bus across the bridge, go through Lao immigration, then take another bus or taxi into Vientiane. Guests of Gecko Villa may book a fully licensed car in advance for the transfer between Gecko Villa and Vientiane (in only the one vehicle, and without border issues.) This is the quickest and most independent option but is more costly, at approx THB3,500 each way.
|
|
March 23, 2010 03:11:11
Posted By Gecko
|
Lao Airlines has suspended direct flights between Udon Thani and Luang Prabang (despite still showing these on its website!)
However, the drive from Udon Thani to Vientiane, the Lao capital over the Mekong river, is only an hour and a half or so, and regular flights depart from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.
|
|
November 19, 2009 12:52:24
Posted By Gecko
|
Air travel within Thailand is possible on a selection of different airlines offering domestic flights. Whilst coming and going is the air traveller's main concern, flying on airlines that come and go is probably something they will wish to avoid. Gecko Villa recommends the following airlines:
Thai Airways International - the national carrier and Star Alliance member, offers flights throughout the kingdom, operating out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport. Bookings may be made online, but flights are in general more expensive than those offered by its budget competitors. Seat allocation is generally only available approximately 24hrs. prior to departure. Tel : (662) 356-1111; (66-2) 545-3690-92
Nok Air is owned in part by Thai Airways, and offers budget travel to a number of domestic destinations. Bookings may be made online and seats chosen in advance immediately after booking completion. All Nok Air flights to and from Bangkok operate out of Don Muang, the old international airport. This generally means a much shorter trip to or from the centre of Bangkok, and a noticeably quicker walk to the departure lounge and plane itself, less crowds, and the most unobtrusive security checks. However, if you have a connecting flight on another airline, this will not be your first choice.Do prepare yourself for a talkative air crew, and a lengthy routine of safety announcement, snack distribution, drink sales and souvenir sales. They have a Frequent Flyer programme but its restrictions are so draconian that it makes using points on Nok nigh on impossible. Tel: 1318. Overseas bookings: 662-900-9955
Thai Air Asia is a budget carrier that offers domestic flights as well as onward flights to a variety of international destinations. Air Asia offers seat allocation, priority boarding and other services - but all at an additional cost. Air Asia operates out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport. Call Centre: Thailand+66 2 515 9999
Bangkok Airways refers to itself as "Asia's Boutique Airline". It also offers international flights to destinations such as Siem reap in Cambodia, Luang Prabang in Laos and Yangon in Burma. It operates out of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport.
Lao Airlines has made many advances over the past decade and now offers flights out of both Bangkok and Udon Thani. For visitors wishing to combine a stay at Gecko Villa with a trip to Luang Prabang, their Udon Thani - Luang Prabang service offers exceptional value and is much less expensive than flying on the above carriers out of Bangkok.
|
|
|
|
