| Introduction to Thailand & Laos (Nov/Dec 2005) |
We had enjoyed our previous visits to parts of Thailand and Laos and were eager to go there again.
Between the Thanksgiving holiday and Christmas we had a few weeks available for travel. Thai
Airways inaugurated non-stop flights from New York to Bangkok and the fare seemed reasonable.
We left home on 26 November 2005 and returned 19 December, a trip of about three weeks.
Between the Thanksgiving holiday and Christmas we had a few weeks available for travel. Thai
Airways inaugurated non-stop flights from New York to Bangkok and the fare seemed reasonable.
We left home on 26 November 2005 and returned 19 December, a trip of about three weeks.
We flew non-stop from New York to Bangkok, from where we took an overnight sleeper train to
Chiang Mai, where we spent a few days. Then four hours by bus to Thaton, from where we continued
on the following day on a three or four hours by "longtail" boat to Chiang Rai, where we enjoyed
ourselves for a few days. From Chiang Rai we went by bus and ferry to Huay Xai, where we crossed
from Thailand into Laos. From Huay Xai our journey continued on a two-day boat trip down the
Mekong via PakBeng to the beautiful town of Luang Prabang. From Luang Prabang a bus ride of
about six hours to scenic Vang Vieng. After a few days there we continued by bus through the Lao
Capital of Vientiane and over the bridge into the Thai border town of NongKhai, from where we
returned by train to Bangkok International Airport for our return flight to New York.
Chiang Mai, where we spent a few days. Then four hours by bus to Thaton, from where we continued
on the following day on a three or four hours by "longtail" boat to Chiang Rai, where we enjoyed
ourselves for a few days. From Chiang Rai we went by bus and ferry to Huay Xai, where we crossed
from Thailand into Laos. From Huay Xai our journey continued on a two-day boat trip down the
Mekong via PakBeng to the beautiful town of Luang Prabang. From Luang Prabang a bus ride of
about six hours to scenic Vang Vieng. After a few days there we continued by bus through the Lao
Capital of Vientiane and over the bridge into the Thai border town of NongKhai, from where we
returned by train to Bangkok International Airport for our return flight to New York.
The route of our trip in Thailand and Laos is outlined on the map below. The trip is described and
illustrated on the pages which follow.
illustrated on the pages which follow.
For statistical information regarding Thailand and Laos see the CIA World Factbook.