From: mgn@cup.portal.com (Mike G Newman)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Laos
Date: Tue,  5 Jan 93 02:49:03 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)

I've received a few requests for additional information regarding my 
post about travelling to Laos via Thailand.  Since many of these are of 
general interest, I'll post my replies.  I will be happy to respond via 
mail for any specific information:

Is it possible to get the Laos visa without waiting seven days in 
Bangkok?  Yes.  I believe that either of the Bangkok travel agencies 
mentioned in my original post can get the visa process started with just 
a photocopy (or FAX) of the important pages in your passport.  I would 
write, FAX or phone them and ask about the process.  They will mail or 
FAX you the visa application that you have to sign and request payment 
in some form or other.  (Credit Card charges in Thailand always involve 
a surcharge of from 3 to 7 per cent.)  Then, when you arrive in Bangkok 
you will just have to give them your passport for 24 hours while they 
have the embassy stamp the visa.  Note that I didn't not ever speak to 
anyone who had actually done this.  The travel agents told us it was 
possible.

(I plan to return to Laos next December.  If anyone is actually able to 
get a visa by mail/FAX, please let me know by mail.  A post would also 
be nice.  I suspect that the visa situation is in constant flux and 
could improve or deteriorate at any time.  Just witness the past three 
years of ups and downs.)

Is there a decent guide to Vientiane?  Yes, the Women's International 
Group in Vientiane publishes an excellent 'Guide to Vientiane' which 
includes a large and detailed map.  The guide is a must and sells for 
$12.00 at hotels and some gift shops.  The 1993 edition was released in 
mid-December and is quite up-to-date.

Is the overland trip from Bangkok to Nong Khai worth it or would it be 
better to fly to Vientiane?  I like to save money and I love trains, so, 
for me, the overnight train trip from Bangkok to Nong Khai (and on to 
Vientiane via ferry and motor taxi) was the only way to go.  Flying 
saves time, of course.  But, the food on the train was wonderful (and 
hot!) and the sunrise, which began just after Udon Thani, was lovely.

Is a guide compulsory?  No, our guide simply met us at Immigration and 
helped with the procedures.  He also paid for our ride into Vientiane.  
After that, the only time we saw him was if we happened to meet on the 
street.  If you book a tour (which seems to be mandatory for travel 
outside of Vientiane) you will have a guide.  But, you don't have to use 
the guide if you don't want.

Is a tour compulsory for travel outside of Vientiane?  Theoretically, 
no.  You can go to the Lao Air office and book a flight to anywhere they 
fly.  However, you need to get permission from Lao Tourism.  Lao Tourism 
refuses to give you permission directly and insists you go through a 
tour agent.  The tour agent will insist that you book at least a one day 
tour.  However, you will be free to stay longer, as long as you can get 
a hotel and an air flight.  On our trip we were never able to leave 
Vientiane province because we couldn't get plane reservations.  We did 
travel extensively within Vientiane province on our bikes.

When is the best time to go?  We were there in mid-December and the 
weather was delightful.  Cool enough for a pullover in the evening.  
Warm enough for bike pants and a T-shirt in the day time.  It gets very 
hot and dry in the Spring and hot and wet in the Summer.

As I said, I'll be happy to respond to specific requests for 
information.

+-------------------------------+--------------------------------+
|   Mike G Newman               |  mgn@cup.portal.com            |
|   BX 1510                     |  MCI:   mnewman (333-1196)     |
|   Saipan MP 96950             |  Phone: 670-234-7726           |
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