We were in LAOS (Mai 2008) for Visa application at the Thai Embassy in Viengtiane. To hand over the Form (2 Passfotos) you have the possibility to get everything done, while still in Nong Khai, few minutes away from the Thai - Lao border. My experience, a TukTuk driver went with us straigth to a Travel Agency: MIRACLE TRAVEL, and there a crew is waiting to prepare all needed forms incl. Lao and Thai papers. Price: 2000 Baht, incl. the 35 Dollar needed for the Laos Visa by arrival. Also the application from for the Thai Embassy is filled out by them, the photos fixed. All transportation until your hotel included. Very good service indeed. I tryed to apply for 2 entry's. I've got what I've been asking for.

• THAI Nong Khai (Border)
  about 3 minutes from the railway station (or Miracle Travel)
• get exit stamp get bus ticket 15 Baht for transfer over the friendship bridge to Lao Immigration Palace
• LAOS Viengtian (Border)
  get 1 more form at the counter right, for visa on arrival (additional to the earlier received form)
• hand over all (pass, 2 form, 35 Dollar) and wait until they call you)
• buy 10 Baht ticket (arrival fee's) and hand over ticket at the las desk, befor entering real Lao.
• Taxi is waiting for you. Guides allways help and introdusing new guides on other side.
• THAI EMBASSY if you arriving early, you still can go to the Embassy,
• opening only in the morning for applying Visa only: 09:00 - 11:00 h (a.m.)
• collecting passport with visa in the after noon only 13:00 - 15:00 h (p.m.)
• Saturday/Sunday closed, check for hollyday's here

Vientiane was quit busy with tourist. We had to choose a Hotel in the centre near Mekong (see pictures below). Hotel SENG LAO HOTEL, newly opened with nice clean room's with TV/AC, some with fridge, near the BLUE SKY RESTAURANT, with delicious food and great Breakfast with warm fresh Baguette. A real Baguette! Opposite the also very good KPP Guesthouse and the Restaurant.
At Mekong there are a lot of chillout restaurants which all serve a similar food. Top is the BBQ Mekong Fisch (not sure if he was realy out of the dry mekong ;-) but anyway a meety fish with a crsipy salted skin.

Try the Lao dishes at Blue Sky, or the amazing cucumbersalat, never ever have I eaten such a great spicy cucumbersalad.

Book your train ticket in advance. 2nd class sleeper good value, better with AC. For couples, try the 1st class AC car, you have a small room with lavatory for yourself. Large bed. Toilet and Shower outside, same car.

You can flight out from Viengtiane to Bangkok by Air Laos for about 170 Dollars

The long long journey from Suratthani to BKK, started with a delay of 9 hours (no joke). When we wake up in the morning, the train was still in Suratthani, with many other trains. There was an accident with a burned out locomotive, somewhere inbetween Songklah/Suratthani. Some more importand train may have ha lesser delay, but our one was a cool one. So at least (to see some positive too) we have seen the whole scenery, which is usually hidden in the dark. I understand also why a train in a daytime is not that what "Farangs" like to see. A mess along the whole railway line. Amazing Thailand. Just at the station, everything looks clean, with lovely arranged flower pots. It is a mess of unbelieveble messure. Just like in India some years ago. Credo = everything out of the windows.

After arriving in the "holy city" with ineed everybody in the windows, we arrived 5 p.m. in the Staition in BKK. There we could take a shower (10 Baht) and getting ready for the next train ride to Nong Khai. We saved that way also the Hotel at the station, which we have planed to book, believing there is no possibility at the station for shower etc. But there is a big place to go and get fresh, the thai way.

The train was leaving 6:30 p.m. Arrival in Nong Khai with 5 hour delay! At noon. No time to go to the Embassy today. After tomorrow 1st May, closed. Pickup 2nd! Thats ok, since Viengtiane is a lovely city with nice touristik arranged quarters, all with walkway's, just finished. Good and cheap food, nice sevice, very easy going small city. Nice place to stay few day's.

Donsak	on the way to BKK	near Hua Hin
Miracle Travel @ Nong Khai	Miracle Travel @ Nong Khai	Tuk Tuk
Dinner @ the Mekong	Blue Sky Restaurant	Breakfast with fresh Baguette @ blue sky restaurant
Laos Dinner @ blue sky restaurant	Thai Embassy Viengtiane	apply for visa: 9 to 11 a.m. picup visa: 1 to 3 p.m. (next day) link
Seng Lao Hotel (20 - 28€)	room with TV/AC	from the room
shop	street to the hotel (view from KPP Guesthouse)	Hill Tribe Design in Paragon BKK

	NORTH		SOUTH

more detailed maps below