TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Phitsanulok, Thailand

Hostel Scammed in Phitsanulok, Thailand Feb 23-24,2020

Hostel Scammed in Phitsanulok, Thailand

Location Google Map: Phitsanulok, Thailand

HostelBed @ Phitsanulok
From Sukhothai, I took the early bus for Phitsanulok. It was still not clear to me which bus terminal I get off to, as there were 2. I booked my room at the cheapest lodge I could find - B200/night at HostelBed @ Phitsanulok. I got off at Bus Terminal 1 and still took a tuk-tuk (B50) to my lodging. There was no one there - no reception, no other guest, and the place was padlocked. The grab moto driver had to make a few calls. The caretaker showed up, showed me to my cubicle, got my money and abruptly left - I never saw her after, or anyone else. I could understand why. The hostel was a dump resting on flimsy stilts by the bank of a river. It looked more like a squatter shanty that was 'beautified' by a few posters and dingbats. But it was a dump. It was a big room divided by plyboards into individual cubicles. I had to grunt it for the night.

Phitsanulok Night Bazaar
At night, the only promise of a night life was across the river to Phitsanulok Night Bazaar, or in Thai parlance, the traditional night market in stalls. Energy was low and there was hardly any crowd. Most stalls stayed closed. I didn't see any unique or interesting merchandise either. On the way, I stopped by what looked like their premiere mall. It felt like an old person gasping for breath for dear life.

Hostel Scammed in Phitsanulok, Thailand
on the Nan River

Rustic - Boho Cafe
The saving grace was taking refuge in an air-conditioned cafe, the Rustic - Boho. It had a nice artsy touch to it. I had a brief chat with the lovely owner - and that was the only social interaction for me in Phitsanulok.

Ending Thoughts
Phitsanulok was frought with difficulty from the very start. It's my universe giving me a red flag. I had no recourse but to go with the motion as I was already in mid-stream. True enough, it was one frustrating stop in my journey. The entire place felt old, tired and wanting to be out of its misery. I was out of the place the following day.

But that is not to say Phitsanulok isn't worth a visit. I've only experienced a very small part of it. And it's all energy anyway. A different time and the energy will be different. It could even offer abundance. That's what traveling is all about - expecting the unexpected. But for now, it's not for me. Off to Udon Thani!

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
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Abundance in Udon Thani, Thailand Udon Thani, Thailand

Abundance in Udon Thani, Thailand

(Feb 25, 2020) After the void of Sukhothai and Phitsanulok, I began to question what the heck I was traveling for. But when I reached Udon Thani, I felt the same surge of energy I felt in Chiang Mai. It was the familiar tap on the shoulder by my benevolent universe, letting me know there'll be good times ahead. True enough, within 24 hours of arriving, I already bartered a hotel deal, cooking class workshop and movie nights. I was once again into the FLOW!....more »»


Phitsanulok Travel Information / Tips

Phitsanulok to Udon Thani by bus

There are more buses to Udon Thani from Phitsanulok's Bus Station 2. In Bus Station 1, only the 9:30am and 10:30pm buses are available.

Phitsanulok to Udon Thani bus schedule

Phitsanulok Blogs by TheLoneRider

  1. Hostel Scammed in Phitsanulok, Thailand Feb 23-24,2020

Travel Tips for Thailand

How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days

This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.

    60-Day Thai Tourist Visa

    NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.

  1. Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
    a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
    b) flight booking to Thailand
    c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
    d) filled-in tourist visa form
    e) 2 passport pictures
    f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
    g) passport with at least 6 months validity
  2. After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
  3. NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.

    30-Day Extension

    NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.

  1. bring the following to the Immigration Office:
    a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
    b) Baht 1900
    c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
    d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
    e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
  2. submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
  3. when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
  4. when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
  5. when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
Book Train Tickets in Thailand

Book Train Tickets in Thailand Online by Train36.com

General Travel Tips
  1. arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
  2. put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
  3. avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
  4. power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
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