| From Nong Khai (Thailand) to Home (USA) ---18 & 19 December |
From the Ruan Thai Guest House we took a tuk-tuk to the Nong Khai Railway Station for the 9:05am
train to Bangkok, for which we had bought our tickets while we were in Chiang Mai. The price of our
second-class coach tickets to the Bangkok airport was 289 baht (US$7.25) each for a distance of
about 600km (370 miles).
train to Bangkok, for which we had bought our tickets while we were in Chiang Mai. The price of our
second-class coach tickets to the Bangkok airport was 289 baht (US$7.25) each for a distance of
about 600km (370 miles).
On our way by tuk-tuk to the Nong Khai Railway Station
Passenger preparing to board Car No. 13 of the Non Khai
to Bangkok train.
to Bangkok train.
The train made several stops along the way, with passengers getting on and off, but our car was never
more than half full. Vendors came through the car occasionally selling beverages and snacks. Besides
us the only foreigners in the car were two Australian men going to Bangkok for their flight home the
following day.
more than half full. Vendors came through the car occasionally selling beverages and snacks. Besides
us the only foreigners in the car were two Australian men going to Bangkok for their flight home the
following day.
Except for a few short hilly sections the land consisted mainly of extensive flat plains with rice fields.
We passed numerous villages and the train stopped in towns every hour or so. An unusual sight was a
reservoir so large that we could not see the shore on the opposite shore.
We passed numerous villages and the train stopped in towns every hour or so. An unusual sight was a
reservoir so large that we could not see the shore on the opposite shore.
At about 8:30pm we arrived at the Don Muang Railway Station, adjacent to Bangkok International
Airport. From the train platform we went up a ramp to an enclosed elevated walkway to the air
terminal building, and then an elevator down to the departure level. Our non-stop flight to New
York was not scheduled to depart until 1:00am, giving us plenty of time to while away in the food
court, duty-free shops, and waiting rooms. Although we seldom go to fast food outlets near home, we
were glad to find and patronize the Burger King and Dairy Queen (a royal family?) at the airport.
Airport. From the train platform we went up a ramp to an enclosed elevated walkway to the air
terminal building, and then an elevator down to the departure level. Our non-stop flight to New
York was not scheduled to depart until 1:00am, giving us plenty of time to while away in the food
court, duty-free shops, and waiting rooms. Although we seldom go to fast food outlets near home, we
were glad to find and patronize the Burger King and Dairy Queen (a royal family?) at the airport.
After a seventeen hour non-stop flight we arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New
York at about 7:00am local time. The end of an enjoyable trip to Thailand and Laos.
York at about 7:00am local time. The end of an enjoyable trip to Thailand and Laos.