Thanaleng, Laos-Thai Land Border
Woke up that day in the morning, had breakfast and contemplating. Should I Vientiane more? Should I go to Luang Prabang? Or go to Thailand, which is just a stone's throw away from here? I really wanted to stay in this town or this country. But after calculated the distance from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, it would take another 7,5 hours by bus! Not again! I gave up quickly, LOL. Plus, Thai is just across the Mekong river there! So I decided to just crossed to my next country.
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| Thanaleng Border just after the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge |
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Packing done. Check out done. I walked to the Talat Sao morning market. The International bus terminal was just across the market, and just around 2 kilos from my hostel. There are two terminals there, Central Bus Station (CBS) and Khua Din Bus Station (KD).
Khua Din Bus Station
Khua Din Bus Station
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| Central Bus Station building to buy ticket & waiting area. Khua Din bus station is the same building but different door, located behind this area. |
CBS served destination inside Laos, like Vang Vieng, Savannakhet or Pakse. For intracity bus, they served destination to Dong Dok (southern bus terminal) with bus#29, bus #14 to Friendship Bridge & Buddha Park, and buses #3, #30, #49 which passes the international airport. While KD served international destination, (which is only Thailand) to Nong Khai, Udon Thani and Khon Kaen in northern Thai and straight to Bangkok. No way I'm gonna take bus straight to Bangkok after those 21 hours bus from Hanoi to Vientiane! May be next time.
Quick trivia. CBS and KD actually located at the same area. Heck, the lockets are in the same building! Only the waiting areas and the door to the lockets are different. CBS is faced to Talat Sao on Nongbone Road, while KD is on Khouvieng road. They are located on the corner of both roads.
The terminal at that time wasn't quite packed, not many buses stand by around. But the waiting area for CBS was full. While for the KD waiting area wasn't, since the last bus already departed. The buses to Nong Khai only took around 1 hour, which only 6 buses depart and arrive everyday. The last bus was the 9.30 bus, and it was almost 10am.
I entered the small squared building, and only has one locket there. It served all Thai destinations, and no queueing at all. The next bus was at 12.40. The ticket guy was friendly in his mid 50s, and the process was fast! He asked me my passport, I gave him, he wrote down my info onto the ticket, asked which seat I prefer, and since I was the first passenger, I ask him the seat behind the driver. After paid KIP15.000, the ticket was all mine. With "Khob Jai" or "thank you" I exited the building.
Now, I still have almost 3 hours available. What to do? Easy! Behind the terminal there is Khua Din market, which is a wet market as well as daily things, food & fashion market. Accross the street there is Talat Sao morning market, which also selling daily things, food & fashion, and behind it there is the Talat Sao mall. More like electronic mall.
Not far from KD Bus station, still at Khouvieng Road, there is another new mall, called World Trace Center, or Naga mall. Don't know which one is the official name. I stayed at amazon cafe nearby, while charging my phone and using their wi-fi.
Around 12.30, I went back to KD bus station. The bus already there, and other passengers started to queing. I joined in line and after showed my ticket to the driver, I walked inside. The bus back then looked fresh with new paint, but some dents seen clearly. The interior was well maintained, and considering this bus was given by the Japanese government through their bilateral diplomacies, I expect in the next years the bus will be upgraded.
After all the passengers went inside, which only around 40% full, around 12.40 we started to drive through the main road. Quite on time, and it was direct bus, which mean it won't stop anywhere unless the border which around 20 km from downtown Vientiane and the final terminal in Nong Khai. At around 13.15 we arrived at the border.
Thanaleng Border
Before entering the complex, the road was quite and calm, but once we arrived at Thanaleng, you can see the area was packed enough, but not that busy. The area was large, many cars and buses park there, shops and duty free were seen with people. Once the bus stop, the driver asked us to alight the bus, but the big luggages can be leaved inside.
Actually I didn't know where to go afterwards, just following my fellow passengers as they seemed to know their ways. One thing for sure, we need to stamp out first before stamp in to Thai. But to where? Turned out, there was a small counter to stamp out of Laos. Only us were seen queuing at that time. After I stamped out, I continue walk to the next area, where the bus already waiting.
P.S. As i have Indonesian passport which have regional cooperations with other SEA members, I don't have to apply for Visa in Thailand as well as Laos.
P.P.S Thanaleng border station opens daily from 6am-10pm
Thai Immigration
The bus took us to cross the bridge in 5 minutes. Once arrived on the other side there was a long table which have immigration cards available. This familiar immigration cards are for Thai side, which everybody has to filled them. Once it done, I walked to the stamping counter, get my passport stamped without anything asked. Phew! Then I walked inside this building which has a broken X-ray machine, thus I just passed it by without my belongings checked by the authorities. Heck, there were none authorities at that time!
Once I walked out of that building, I can smell the Thai aura on this side. Thai bank, 7-11, and another duty free there, and have this big gate which said welcome to Thailand. I'm officially entered Thailand now. Oh, the whole processes were less than 10 minutes, fast, simple, straightforward and without scams!
NICE!
My very same bus already parked on the other side waiting for their passenger. And another 5 minutes we arrived at the Nong Khai Bus Terminal. From the terminal you can use tuk-tuk-which the drivers will surround you once you alight from the bus- or taxi, or whatever you prefer.
Other Options
Actually, there are another options to cross the border; first, via shuttle bus #14 from KD bus station to friendship bridge. Departs every 10-20 minutes which costs you only KIP 6.000. Then you should walk in yourself, and after clearing everything, you will face the tuk-tuk drivers trying to get most money out of you. Normally it took 80 baht to get to the Nong Khai bus station, or you should use shared tuk-tuk which is cheaper. If you're not in a hurry, using the international bus is the best option, considering only KIP 15.000 for ticket and no need to bargain with tuk-tuk drivers.
Using Train
From Vientiane, you should go to Thanaleng Train Station, or also known as DongPhosy Station, located in Dongphosy village, 20km east from Vientiane city center, and 4km from Thanaleng border. It is somewhat isolated, so be prepared with transportation, especially if you arrived from Thailand side. Also, it is the only train station in Laos, currently. Meaning it only served trains to Thailand. The officials already planned to extend the line but now those plans are scrapped.
Trains consist of two coaches, each carrying up to 80 passengers. Tickets onward to Bangkok or Nong Khai may be purchased at the station; passengers travelling through must alight the train at Nong Khai to pass through Thai customs and immigration. There are only two trains a day, one at 7:30AM and one at 2:45PM for 20THB ticket per person. Total ride only 15 minutes without hassle!
P.S. From Nong Khai to Thanaleng, the time schedule would be 7.30AM & 14.45 PM. Total time would be 15 minutes each ride.
From Vientiane to Bangkok, first you should go to Nong Khai Train Station, either by bus or train. Then purchase another direct ticket to Bangkok. These are the time schedule from Nong Khai to Bangkok;
Remember to bring your passport when you purchase the ticket! Ticket price varies depends on the class
From Bangkok
Quick trivia. CBS and KD actually located at the same area. Heck, the lockets are in the same building! Only the waiting areas and the door to the lockets are different. CBS is faced to Talat Sao on Nongbone Road, while KD is on Khouvieng road. They are located on the corner of both roads.
The terminal at that time wasn't quite packed, not many buses stand by around. But the waiting area for CBS was full. While for the KD waiting area wasn't, since the last bus already departed. The buses to Nong Khai only took around 1 hour, which only 6 buses depart and arrive everyday. The last bus was the 9.30 bus, and it was almost 10am.
I entered the small squared building, and only has one locket there. It served all Thai destinations, and no queueing at all. The next bus was at 12.40. The ticket guy was friendly in his mid 50s, and the process was fast! He asked me my passport, I gave him, he wrote down my info onto the ticket, asked which seat I prefer, and since I was the first passenger, I ask him the seat behind the driver. After paid KIP15.000, the ticket was all mine. With "Khob Jai" or "thank you" I exited the building.
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| Time schedule from Khua Din to Thailand |
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| Across the bus station, there are market & mall |
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| Inside the morning market mall |
Not far from KD Bus station, still at Khouvieng Road, there is another new mall, called World Trace Center, or Naga mall. Don't know which one is the official name. I stayed at amazon cafe nearby, while charging my phone and using their wi-fi.
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| My Ticket |
Around 12.30, I went back to KD bus station. The bus already there, and other passengers started to queing. I joined in line and after showed my ticket to the driver, I walked inside. The bus back then looked fresh with new paint, but some dents seen clearly. The interior was well maintained, and considering this bus was given by the Japanese government through their bilateral diplomacies, I expect in the next years the bus will be upgraded.
 |
| Lao-Thai International Bus from Khua Din to Nong Khai |
After all the passengers went inside, which only around 40% full, around 12.40 we started to drive through the main road. Quite on time, and it was direct bus, which mean it won't stop anywhere unless the border which around 20 km from downtown Vientiane and the final terminal in Nong Khai. At around 13.15 we arrived at the border.
Thanaleng Border
Before entering the complex, the road was quite and calm, but once we arrived at Thanaleng, you can see the area was packed enough, but not that busy. The area was large, many cars and buses park there, shops and duty free were seen with people. Once the bus stop, the driver asked us to alight the bus, but the big luggages can be leaved inside.
 |
| Thanaleng Land Border |
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| Thanaleng land border |
Actually I didn't know where to go afterwards, just following my fellow passengers as they seemed to know their ways. One thing for sure, we need to stamp out first before stamp in to Thai. But to where? Turned out, there was a small counter to stamp out of Laos. Only us were seen queuing at that time. After I stamped out, I continue walk to the next area, where the bus already waiting.
P.S. As i have Indonesian passport which have regional cooperations with other SEA members, I don't have to apply for Visa in Thailand as well as Laos.
P.P.S Thanaleng border station opens daily from 6am-10pm
Thai Immigration
The bus took us to cross the bridge in 5 minutes. Once arrived on the other side there was a long table which have immigration cards available. This familiar immigration cards are for Thai side, which everybody has to filled them. Once it done, I walked to the stamping counter, get my passport stamped without anything asked. Phew! Then I walked inside this building which has a broken X-ray machine, thus I just passed it by without my belongings checked by the authorities. Heck, there were none authorities at that time!
 |
| Thai immigration side |
Once I walked out of that building, I can smell the Thai aura on this side. Thai bank, 7-11, and another duty free there, and have this big gate which said welcome to Thailand. I'm officially entered Thailand now. Oh, the whole processes were less than 10 minutes, fast, simple, straightforward and without scams!
NICE!
My very same bus already parked on the other side waiting for their passenger. And another 5 minutes we arrived at the Nong Khai Bus Terminal. From the terminal you can use tuk-tuk-which the drivers will surround you once you alight from the bus- or taxi, or whatever you prefer.
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| Welcome to Thailand |
Other Options
Actually, there are another options to cross the border; first, via shuttle bus #14 from KD bus station to friendship bridge. Departs every 10-20 minutes which costs you only KIP 6.000. Then you should walk in yourself, and after clearing everything, you will face the tuk-tuk drivers trying to get most money out of you. Normally it took 80 baht to get to the Nong Khai bus station, or you should use shared tuk-tuk which is cheaper. If you're not in a hurry, using the international bus is the best option, considering only KIP 15.000 for ticket and no need to bargain with tuk-tuk drivers.
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| Nong Khai Bus Station, small terminal but quite clean |
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| Thailand Tuk Tuk in Nong Khai |
Using Train
From Vientiane, you should go to Thanaleng Train Station, or also known as DongPhosy Station, located in Dongphosy village, 20km east from Vientiane city center, and 4km from Thanaleng border. It is somewhat isolated, so be prepared with transportation, especially if you arrived from Thailand side. Also, it is the only train station in Laos, currently. Meaning it only served trains to Thailand. The officials already planned to extend the line but now those plans are scrapped.
Trains consist of two coaches, each carrying up to 80 passengers. Tickets onward to Bangkok or Nong Khai may be purchased at the station; passengers travelling through must alight the train at Nong Khai to pass through Thai customs and immigration. There are only two trains a day, one at 7:30AM and one at 2:45PM for 20THB ticket per person. Total ride only 15 minutes without hassle!
P.S. From Nong Khai to Thanaleng, the time schedule would be 7.30AM & 14.45 PM. Total time would be 15 minutes each ride.
If you choose to cross the border by train, you will avoid any queues to stamp at the bridge. You will get your stamp at the Thanaleng train station, and get your visa and entrance/exit stamp at the Nong Khai train station. Once in Laos or Nong Khai, tuk-tuk drivers will come for you at the station again and offer you rides to city centre. If you would otherwise pay a tuk-tuk drive from the station to the border, taking a train might be cheaper than going through the bridge.
Train to & from BangkokFrom Vientiane to Bangkok, first you should go to Nong Khai Train Station, either by bus or train. Then purchase another direct ticket to Bangkok. These are the time schedule from Nong Khai to Bangkok;
- Express Train #76 start from 7AM arrived at 17.10PM (fastest, only 10 hours); but expect some delay at arrival as I arrived around 17.40PM
- Express Train #78 start from 18.15PM arrived at 5AM
- Rapid Train #134 start from 18.30PM arrived at 5.45AM (slowest by around 11 hours)
- Special Express Train #26 start from 19.10PM arrived at 6AM, the only train with sleeper berth
Remember to bring your passport when you purchase the ticket! Ticket price varies depends on the class
- 1st Class A/C sleeper THB 1.557 (#26 only)
- 2nd Class A/C sleeper THB 998 (#26 only)
- 2nd Class A/C seat THB 498
- 3rd Class Fan seat THB 253
- Buying online would cost you additional THB250
From Bangkok
The most comfortable way to do this is taking a night train. Train #77 leaves at 6:35PM but arrives 4:15PM (too early!) for 498 THB. A better choice is train #25 that leaves Bangkok at 8PM train and arrives in Nong Khai at around 6:45AM. You will arrive at the border around the time they open, and find no lines. Prices are 898/998 THB (upper/lower berth).
The station staff in Nong Khai might be able to sell you American dollars for the visa, but they might not have the exact amount you need. If plan to cross the border on foot, you can go to the money exchange office located before the border and get your dollars there instead.
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