Nong Khai is a charming city to wander around on foot or rented bicycle 30 baht/day and meet the friendly and helpful locals. It's also a good place from which soak up the Isaan culture of the neighbouring towns, which can easily be reached by bus from the main BKS "Bor-kor-sor" bus station in the city centre, on Prajak road.
If you expect the usual tourist traps of Bangkok and Phuket, you will be disappointed. There are no superclubs, go-go bars and mega malls to fill your hours. This is a place to chill by the Mekong river watching passenger and cargo boats transit between Thailand and Laos, or to finish that paperback that has been sitting in your luggage for weeks. You may also consider stocking up on travel necessities before trudging on to Laos. Many who have planned an overnight stay for transit means have ended up staying for weeks.
For those interested in Muay Thai boxing lessons on a long-term basis, go to the boxing stadium beside the Grand Hotel and inquire from ex-Muay Thai boxing national champion Arjarn Lart, a friendly local who speaks just enough English to get you by. This is the real deal, so do not expect an air-conditioned gym with cushy floor mats surrounded by ceiling high mirrors.
During the months from January to May when the Mekong river level resides to its lowest, the Jomanee "Joe-mar-nee" 'beach' appears near the Friendship Bridge, 2km west of town. Food and drink vendors readily provide mats, shade and music for the hundreds of locals - and two or three tourists - who patronise their stalls. An excellent spot to watch the sunset.
When you vist Nongkhai you must get a massage. An example is Rungtawan Thai Massage, 1205 Jen Job Thid Road, Nai Muang subdistrict.
Go fishing at VS Fishing Park, 157/1 M5 Tambolhadkam, Tel: 042-411054 or 086-2425914. 80 baht for the day to fish. 100 baht for days rent of rod, reel and hooks etc. 20 baht for bag of sticky rice for bait. They have a restaurant there also. Fishing competitions held on the first Sunday of each month. All fish have to be returned to the pond after being caught. 20kg carp have been caught here.
Mundo Exchange (http://mundoexchange.org) is a voluntary charity that matches volunteers with community development projects in and around Nong Khai. If you have a few days you could try teaching English or learning about environmentally friendly methods used in and around Isaan.
Thai-Experience (http://www.thai-experience.org) is a charity arranging volunteer vacations and service learning projects in Nongkhai and the Isaan area. Volunteer opportunities include teaching English or computer skills and help at an oprhanage.
Isara (http://www.isara.org) is another volunteer organisation based in Nong Khai. They are one of Thailand's only free volunteering organisation which runs their own recycling centre, learning centre and regular helmet campaigns. They also have a programme where they send volunteers to government schools across Thailand to teach English. They work to teach English everyday to local children and adults, as well as classes in art, dance, computer and Chinese.
Openmind Projects (http://www.openmindprojec...) is a locally based volunteer organisation which provides an excellent initial 3 day training to all volunteers and provides placements ranging from teaching English in local schools to more distant placements in Southern Thailand, Cambodia and Nepal, and in eco projects in Thailand and Laos.
Visa Run - Getting a Thai Visa in nearby Vientiane, Laos
From Nong Khai Bus Station go to Border/Friendship Bridge by Tuk Tuk
Fill your Thai Departure Card stapled in passport and exit Thailand
Take the Bridge Shuttle bus tickets 15B at ticket stand to the Lao side
Get Lao entry application at Window 2. Fill this and include one passport photo
35 USD for Lao entry visa [USD available for sale just around corner - much better rate than the 1500B charged if you pay in Thai Bat. Only 50 USD notes available but change will be given in USD. Use it next time you go or spend it in Lao] NB. Different countries have other fees but most are 35 USD. Canada is 42 USD 2010-July
Give [completed form, one passport photo and passport] at Window 1
Wait at Window 3 just around corner for passport - your name will be called/passport photo waved around
You can buy Lao Currency Lao Kip at the same window as the USD. The rate has been 254 Kip = 1 THB for a long time now. You can easily use THB or US dollars in Lao so you don't need to change money. Lao currency is very difficult to change back into baht or dollars, so if you do buy kip, don't buy too much.
Proceed past the 'entry fee' kiosks. You will rarely be asked for the 20B entry fee
Negotiate for an aircon taxi better than Tuk Tuk which will take you to the Thai embassy, wait for you, and take you to a hotel of your choice for 150B pp for 2 people. Tuk Tuks want 200B just to take you to the embassy
Thai Embassy open for Visa applications from 08:00 - 12:00
Return next day from 13:00-15:00 to collect your passport with completed visa e.g. 60 day Tourist visa [2010 - Tourist Visas are still free this year]. The same taxi driver will pick you up at your hotel the next day at 12:30 if you agree this with him. Same price
Arrive at the Friendship bridge Lao side by Taxi
There is a duty free shop across the road
Fill in your Lao departure card stapled to your passport and exit Lao
Take the Bridge Shuttle bus tickets 4000 Lao Kip or 15B at ticket stand to the Thai side
Get a Thai Arrival card at the kiosk and fill in at least the arrival half
Go to the immigration kiosk and get stamped in to Thailand. Your new Thai visa has just been activated. Check the stamp has the correct duration, just in case depends on what type of visa you got e.g. 60 days
Get a Tuk Tuk to Nong Khai bus station 50B pp for 2 people
Fin
