How to get into Laos from Thailand

International bus plying between Vientiane (Laos) and Nong Khai (Thailand)

Apart from flying straight to the capital of Laos, Vientiane, another way is to enter the country from Nong Khai (border town) or Udon Thani (airport) in north-east Thailand.

1. From Nong Khai. Travel to Nong Khai by train or bus. Take the international bus shown in the pic from the bus station in the city. Bus takes you across the Friendship Bridge over the Mekong into Laos. The bus trip ends at the Talart (market)

2.  From Udon Thani. Taxis make the run to the Friendship Bridge. Board the international bus on the Thai side of the Bridge.

FYI:  Asean residents do not require visas to visit Laos.

Vientiane's bus station at Talart (Thai for market). Get your supply of snacks here before your marathon bus journey.

Lao kids waving goodbye to you.

Hope you've enjoyed your "journey" through Laos with me. Now, this is what Lonely Planet, the guru of travel guides, has to say about Laos:

After years of war and isolation, Southeast Asia’s most pristine environment, intact cultures and quite possibly the most chilled-out people on earth mean destination Laos is fast earning cult status among travellers. It is developing quickly but still has much of the tradition that has sadly disappeared elsewhere in the region. Village life is refreshingly simple and even in Vientiane it’s hard to believe this sort of languid riverfront life exists in a national capital. Then, of course, there is the historic royal city of Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you’ll experience anywhere in Asia.

(Courtesy of Lonely Planet)