Nong Kai
The city borders Laos across the Mekong River. It is located about 25 km from Vientiane, the capital of Laos. The train station is on the western edge of the city and the bus terminal is on the eastern side. The main roads that run through the city parallel to the Mekong River are Chayangkun Rd and Chayangkun Rd. The road to Laos is Mittraphap Rd. There were almost no tourist facilities along either road. There were hardly any tall buildings, so the sky felt very wide in the city.
Tourist spot
1. Thai Laos Friendship Bridge
Based on my preliminary research, this point could almost be called the main event in the town. This bridge was built with assistance from Australia and opened in April 1994. Total length 1174m, one lane on each side. There are pedestrian paths on both sides of the bridge, and you can walk to the center of the bridge (the border line on the map). However, if you go on a sunny day, it is very hot and you cannot stay there for long. The only view from here is of the Mekong River. There is nothing else of note. This place is monitored by cameras so be careful what you do. Don't ever try to cross the border. There is a railway line running through the middle of the road. The line to Thana Lang was opened in 2008. It will operate two round trips per day. This is the first railway in Laos.
2. Thai Laos Friendship bridge VIEWPOINT
This is the entrance point to the Friendship Bridge walkway. The site is open from 6:30 to 18:00. There are free toilets available here. Although the name of this place is VIEWPOINT, I think the view is best from the center of the bridge.
3. Nongkhai Old Railwaystation
This former terminal station is now used as a temporary market. The platform and station building remain intact. Inside the station building, tickets that were once issued are on display. It's an interesting place for railroad enthusiasts.
4. Wat Meechai
A temple located along the Mekong River The walkway on the bank in front of the temple has been widened. From here it is just the right distance to view the Thai Laos Friendship Bridge.
5. Wat Hai Sok
A temple located along the Mekong River Five demon statues stand facing the Mekong River (towards Laos). Come to think of it, the demon statue at Wat Meechai Tha looked the same
6. Naga statue
Two statues facing each other. It appears to be a famous spot as there were several tourists taking photos here. Unfortunately, the weather was not good during my visit. Apparently these two sometimes spray water, but I was not able to see it.
7. Praramnuek
A temple located along the Mekong River A large Buddha statue sits atop the temple, facing Laos.
8. Wat Pho Chai
This was the only temple I entered into during this visit. The Buddha statue inside the main hall, with its bronze body and pure gold head, is said to have originally been in Laos. Apparently, it was submerged in the Mekong River during a flood, but was salvaged from the riverbed and put on display here.
Transportation
1. Nong Khai Railway Station
If you are going to Laos, you will need to go through immigration procedures on the platform at this station. There are surprisingly few facilities around this station. Inside the station there are paid toilets and showers, as well as a convenience store-like shop. The downtown area is about 2km away from here. So most people seem to take a taxi from here. A taxi rate table has been posted in the station building. However, I walked from this station to the downtown area.
2. Nong Khai Bus Station
It is located approximately 3.5km east of Nong Khai Railway Station. It seems that most of the buses were heading to Laos and Bangkok. The posted timetables have buses to Laos written in English. The other routes were written in Thai, but I was able to read the amount of buses. I think the bus is more convenient than the train to get to Udon Thani from here.
I would not choose the bus to Bangkok as it would be a long ride
