Leaving Thailand from Nong Khai was just a 10 minute taxi ride from the hotel. With a departure stamp and a bus ticket of $1US I rode to the Lao Immigration office to get my visa on arrival for 1,700 Baht (I understand there is a surcharge on this day I entered, Saturday). From there to the hotel and around town.
did you know that Thailand invaded Laos? Did you know that a large part of Laos was given by the French to Thailand? Did you know that Lao and Thai languages are very similar?
The Emerald Buddha Museum
this museum really commemorates the emerald Buddha which was stolen by Siam (Thailand) and placed in wat PraKeou in Bangkok. Some of the artifacts here are those which went along with the temple which was destroyed.
Pra Bang
Wat Sisaket
this is the only temple which was not burned by the invading Siam army.
Michai
Wat Phra That Luang
WAT = Temple PHRA = monk or buddha image (in Lao language PHRA also is KUBA) THAT = stupah LUANG = Grand
