TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Nong Khai, Thailand

NONG KHAI

Nong Khai, Thailand

Nong Khai is Thailand's border town to Laos, connected by the Friendship Bridge. Not too many travelers know about this charming river town, and they usually hear about it only when they make the border crossing. Lying along the banks of the Mekong River overlooking Laos on the other side, it makes for a picturesque destination specially now that the river front promenade has just been finished. Nong Khai is known for its Naga Balls, a ball of light emanating from the Mekong River which can be seen for a few seconds before they disappear. Frequency is highest during October.


Nong Khai Blogs by TheLoneRider

Nong Khai - Chiang Khan Roadtrip Chiang Khan, Thailand

Nong Khai - Chiang Khan Roadtrip

(June 18, 2020) Why was I staying too long in Nong Khai? Was it really the unavailability of a bus for Chiang Mai? I wondered if I was being afraid of leaving my safety net in Nong Khai where I was enjoying a good hostel deal and other perks. That realization was a slap-in-the-face I needed to pack-up and leave.....more »»

Life in Nong Khai Nong Khai, Thailand

Life in Nong Khai

(Mar 13 - June 18, 2020) With my continued stay in Nong Khai, many things unfolded. The world has been ravaged by Covid 19, but Nong Khai has remained resilient with prudent measures in place - no night market, big gatherings are cancelled, and the closure of the Laos border. I comfortably entrenched myself within the garden compound of Mut Mee Garden Guest House.....more »»

Peoplescape of Nong Khai Nong Khai, Thailand

Peoplescape of Nong Khai

(Jun 17, 2020) With the Covid lockdown and the isolation of Nong Khai, there wasn't much of any socials happening. Still, my 3-month stay amounted to meeting some interesting souls.....more »»

Exploring Nong Khai's Cafe Culture Nong Khai, Thailand

Exploring Nong Khai's Cafe Culture

(Jun 10, 2020) With the COVID-imposed lockdown easing up, cafes began opening up. Cafes are not a conspicuous feature of Nong Khai, but you find cafes with distinct personalities - charming, cute, artsy and expansive, and utilitarian.....more »»

Nong Khai Street Art Nong Khai, Thailand

Nong Khai Street Art

(June 4, 2020) Far from being mainstream, Nong Khai street art is nowhere except on 3 obscure locations. But it's a promising start. Given the right push, it could snowball into a trend that might give Penang a run for its money.....more »»

Sirsasana A & B Nong Khai, Thailand

Sirsasana A & B

(May 20, 2020) In Sirsasana, the perception organs (nose, eyes, eyes, taste buds, brain) are below the heart where blood doesn't have to fight gravity to stimulate blood flow. It slows down the respiratory rate and displaces the internal organs giving them a reboot...more »»

Visiting the Salakaewkoo (Giant Buddha Park) in Nong Khai Nong Khai, Thailand

Visiting the Salakaewkoo (Giant Buddha Park) in Nong Khai

(Apr 23, 2020) Salakaewkoo is a religious concrete sculpture park created by a Lao mystic shaman named Luang Poo Boun Leua Sourirat. The outdoor art installation are massive and can tower-up to 7 stories high. The religious theme is a fusion of Buddhism and Hinduism. This park is similar to the Buddha Park of Vientiane which he also created prior to his move to Nong Khai, Thailand.....more »»

Fitness in Quarantine Times Nong Khai, Thailand

Fitness in Quarantine Times

(Apr 20, 2020) Fitness and staying healthy are key during these Covid times. My personal practice takes priority to ensure I don't succumb to this pandemic. It's a holistic approach - body, mind and spirit.....more »»

Covid 19: Lion - Buffalo Analogy Nong Khai, Thailand

Covid 19: Lion - Buffalo Analogy

(Apr 13, 2020) A guy I met in Dumaguete many years back, recently posted on Facebook about Covid 19. It's provocative and could come across as insensitive given the casualties and the frantic efforts to curb the pandemic. But it resonated with me. Covid 19 is widely viewed as the 'glass being half empty'. However, given fresh perspective, it can also be viewed as 'half full'.....more »»

Covid 19 and the Conspiracies Nong Khai, Thailand

Covid 19 and the Conspiracies

(Mar - Apr, 2020) The word 'conspiracy theory' has been rendered taboo by mainstream media. But what if established facts form a picture that make up the prophetic scenario of the New World Order that the elite had been purveying the last so many decades? The Covid 19 pandemic, no matter how absurdly sounding, seems to fit into that grand design...more »»

Nong Khai with Cheng Nong Khai, Thailand

Nong Khai with Cheng

(Mar 18 - Apr ???, 2020) The surfer girl from Singapore who helped me out in Siargao in July 2013 showed up in Nong Khai. This unexpected rendezvous took many surprising turns.....more »»

Covid 19 and Pranayama Nong Khai, Thailand

Covid 19 and Pranayama

(Mar 20, 2020) The world is gripped by its balls with Covid 19. Social media, mainstream media, water cooler talk...it's all about the Covid 19 pandemic that is sweeping the planet by storm. Airports, schools, offices, public events are on global lock-down to stem the virus from spreading. Media fuels the panic by showing clips of people physically slugging each other over toilet paper in a grocery run. Alcohol, face masks and hand sanitizer are hoarded for black market sale. The panic is viral and frenzied. Not to sound insensitive or arrogant, but the viral pandemic doesn't worry me. I have one word to say: PRANAYAMA.....more »»

Giant Mekong Catfish at the Nong Khai Aquarium Nong Khai, Thailand

Giant Mekong Catfish at the Nong Khai Aquarium

(Mar 19, 2020) When I visited Chiang Khong in May 2016, I came upon its Catfish Museum. But the only Giant Mekong Cat Fish I saw was a stuffed animal. But it was huge, as long as my outreached arms. Here in Nong Khai, I heard they have an aquarium where you actually see a live one!....more »»

Drawn to Nong Khai, Thailand Nong Khai, Thailand

Drawn to Nong Khai, Thailand

(Mar 12, 2020) My abrupt departure from Vientiane left me a few options on the next destination. Udon Thani was appealing. Bangkok was viable, if I could get barter lodging at Adventure Hostel. And of course, Chiang Mai always has its doors open. But this obscure border town, Nong Khai, was calling my attention. But lodging was prohibitive, starting at B220. Usually, I bypass these destinations. What exactly is in Nong Khai? I don't even know the first thing about it. I bit the bullet and took my chance.....more »»



Nong Khai Map
Vientiane to Nong Khai by bus

At the Khua Din Bus Terminal, you can board the #14 bus bound for Buddha Park. It will make a stop on the Friendship Bridge border - 15 mins, B8000. Go to Laos Immigration to exit. Board the special bus to cross the Friendship Bridge, Kip 4,000 or Baht 20. It will stop at Thai Immigration. Get processed. From there, board a tuk-tuk for Nong Khai, 5kms.

Nong Khai Attractions
  1. Nong Khai Aquarium -
  2. Salakaewkoo (Wat Khaek) -
  3. Issan Rum Distillery -
  4. Wat Pho Chai -
  5. Lan Phaya Nak -
  6. Tha Sadet Market -
  7. Nong Khai Muay Thai Gym -
  8. Phrathat Bang Phuan -
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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