8/6/2024

Chiang Khan to Nong Khai

186km, 4hour ride time

Wayne & I departed Chiang Khan at 0800.

We followed and hugged the Mekong river straddling the Thai/Laos border on the #211.
The scenery was nice and we took it easy.

After about 40minutes, it started to rain heavily.
I stopped to put on my rain gear at covered spot and after putting on the rain gear decided to sit and wait a while.
Wayne had pushed on.
After about 15 minutes the rain stopped and I decided to move on.

The heavy rain was localized as about 10 minutes ahead the road was dry! Caught up with Wayne and we continued on.

We stopped for coffee along the way twice and it was quite a different pace as when I am solo I tend not to stop too long and only have quick breaks.

As we arrived Nong Khai we decided to have lunch before going to the hotel. As we about finished lunch, it started to rain again and I quickly left for the hotel which was about 5 minutes out.
Wayne wanted to wait the rain out and he would arrive at the hotel about 30 minutes later.

Sunday 9/6/2024

Nong Khai

Wayne left Nong Khai around 0730 to return to Chum Phae.

What a legend!
Would ride with you again mate!
Enjoyed the banter and the laughs!

I stayed on at Nong Khai as I had to go the Immigration and Customs to extend my stay at Thailand. When I entered Sadao, Thailand as a ASEAN member state citizen I am allowed 30 days visa free. I was into my 3rd week so this was the city to get it done.
Likewise same thing for the TIP for my bike was only for 30 days.

After Wayne left I went to get Tiger washed and then went for a slow run along the Nong Khai walking street.
It was a good workout and then dinner I indulged myself!

Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it, as I did, you're welcome back to ride more of Isaan with me anytime.

Wayne

__________________
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https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

10/6/2024

Nong Khai

Today I have to go to Immigration and Customs.
Wanted to be at Immigration by 0800 and it was a gloomy day with rain!


Anyway put on my rain jacket and rain pants and rode slowly to the Immigration office which was 15 minute away.
The Thai Immigration officer was very professional. Paid 1900Thai baht and my passport was stamped for another 30 days.
She did ask where I was staying at Nong Khai and luckily the hotel owner who speaks fluent English had given me a receipt after she heard that I was going to Immigration. The receipt was required by the Immigration officer.
Completed in around 30 minutes.

Customs was the opposite though!
Went to the main customs office which is a few hundred meters from the Immigration office.
Was asked to go to the border checkpoint at Friendship bridge. Rode there and explained I wanted to extend my TIP for another 30 days.
The customs officers were rude and insisted that I cross the Laos border and then return for another 30 days for my Tiger.
Said I do not intend to cross in to Laos and just need to extend my existing TIP for another 30 days.
I was about to leave as I was actually pissed at the Customs officers for being rude and insisting that I cross into Laos. Another Customs officer told me to go to another building. There I spoke to a female Immigration officer who spoke English and she understood what I wanted and directed me to the proper Customs section.

I then used Google translate to tell the Customs officer what I wanted and she said wait here. She took my passport and the TIP document and after about 15 to 20 minutes she came back with my TIP with an endorsement of 30 days from the original date of 18/6/2024 to 9/7/2024.

Success!
In my mind if I failed to extend my TIP at Nong Khai I would then go to the next town/city Customs office to sort it out.

Went back to the hotel and chilled as it was still raining.

11/6/2024

Nong Khai to Beung Kan to Nakhom Phanom

322km about 6 hours ride with many stops due to heavy rain.




Departed Pikul Aprtment Hotel at 0730.
Hugged the Mekong river which is the longer route (#212) to Nakhom Phanom.
However is it not like the Chiang Khan to Nong Khai where you can actually see the Mekong and Laos continuously.
The 212 moves inward so there aren't many opportunities to see the Mekong.

And rain started an hour from Nong Khai.Stopped at least 3 times as the rain was heavy and my boots failed again! Uggh........
I actually had shortlisted accommodation at Beung Kan just in case the rain continued to pour.
However when I arrived Beung Kan the sky cleared up and I decided to continue all the way to Nakhom Phanom. The dark clouds were behind me now and I had to hurry before the dark clouds caught up with me.

After 6 hours I arrived Nakhom Phanom at 1330. Went to the hotel and asked for room rate and I was set.

Nakhom Phanom is opposite of Thakhek, Laos where I was there in July 2023.
Changed out of my rain and riding gear and then headed out to the night market for food.

Then 20 minutes later another heavy downpour;

30 minutes later I am still sitting at the same spot




I normally do not eat breakfast. I just need coffee to start my day. I had some bread in the top box. So, I sat there ate the bread and had a few ciggies. LOL

The dark clouds are behind me. Quick pee and ciggie break and some water and then push on to Nakhom Phanom.

Thakhek, Laos is just across the river

12/6/2024

Nakhom Phanom to Khon Kaen

300km, 5 hours ride time

I was tempted to continue to ride towards Ubon Ratchathani and then only head towards the direction of Bangkok and then move south to go back to Malaysia.
But I decided to make my way down South now as the rainy season was making my ride uncomfortable with wet boots.

Left the hotel at 0830.

Weather was very good today.

Route 212 for the first 40 minutes was very scenic and after that was on Route 12 highway.

Arrived Khon Kaen at 1330.

Coffee stop





Very nice dinner.... Michelin rated.... It was opposite the Roma Hotel where I was staying

13/6/2024

Khon Kaen to Nakhon Ratchasima

193km, slightly over 4 hours ride time

Weather was good and departed at 0830

Took route #2 and it was the boring highway.
Riding too slow on the highway is dangerous as there are aholes on the road.
When I get bored, I slow down and that's where the aholes come right up to your ass.

Arrived at the hotel at 1245 and did not realize that this is a big city.
Hotel was very nice and even had a covered parking specifically for motorcycles.

At the mall just beside the hotel