I went to Laos on 29 January 2007 to collect some information on Lao writers in the communist era( 1975-1990) for my current dissertation, and for my forthcoming presentation in Arizona State University in May 2007. I went there by Bus from Chiang Mai to Udon thani first as the Nok Air flight had already stop their service from Chiang Mai. The cost of the bus is 613 Bhat, and the duration of the travelling was 10 hours.( From Bangkok, people usually fly to Udon Thani to avoid paying international airport tax of 700 Bhat. Arriving at Udon thani, It would take around 1.5 hour to get to Vientaine. The airfare is about 1600 Bhat per way if advance booking is made. For direct flight to Vientaine, Thai airways flys 2 times daily while Lao Aviation got 1 daily flight)
Then, I got to go to border to make a border pass for 1 day visit in Laos, and it costs 150 Bhat. By the way, for non-Thai citizens, a Visa is required( 30$ for fee). If you got your Visa from the Embassy already, you can also get to Udon Thani by train or by Bus. There are about 8 Public buses to go across the border, and many private vans also. Aftering passing the border, I took a taxi to Dok Ket bookstore owned by Daungdaeng Bounyawond, one of the most eminent female writer of Laos to interview on the topic of Laotian Literature.
Historically, Vientiane means "City of the Moon", but it was called like this because the French can’t pronounce the indigenous’s name. For shopping, Major credits are accepted but the ATM machine is somehow indequate for this country. My recommendation is spending Thai Bhat for everything.
Lao silk, a highly recommended product, is more delicate than Thai one.
On the road to Vientaine, I noticed that everything just look the same as in Thailand. After 20 minutes after I got into the Taxi, we reached the L’art de triomphe which is similar to the one in Paris. From the bird’s eyes’ view, the city plan looks exactly the same as Paris that many roads end at the L’art de triomphe. If you read French, here you could find a wide variety of book that you wouldn’t be able to find in Bangkok. many buildings are being constructed. Compared with Thai counterpart, this capital was smaller but less hectic; No traffic Jam and No pollution. However, it’s very difficult to find the accommodation here. Food and beverage is much more better in term of sytle and price.French legacy is still visible. For example, the baguette of the very long thick bread.
The local dialect here is 60% similar to my Chiang Mai dialect. However, the system of writing here seems to be the simplified version compared with Thai language. However, Lao language seems to be more pure in term of the originality. Coz Thai borrowed many words from Sanskrit and Pali.
After I finished my interview, I went to the National Library which is located in front of the fountain for copying some book.
I ended my trip at 1600 as I got to catch my bus to Chaing Mai before 2000 in Udonthani.