Hi everyone. I am thinking of escaping for two weeks and have never been to Udon. I have been to Thailand 7 times and have only gone to Chiang Mai, Phuket and the islands. I want to go from Bangkok to Udon Thani by train then across to Laos up the river to where ever you have to get off, down to Chiang Rai then Chang Mai. I have never done this before and wonder if June will be ok to do this. Questions are
1) whats the weather like (I know its the start of the rainy season)
2) how many hours of sun do you get
3) And because I am on my own are there bars that are still open out of holiday times

Thanks in advance for any info you give

walker.
BKK-Udon is easy by train, as is Udon- Nong Khai. I am unsure about the train over the bridge, as:
1. Somehow you have to get a Laos visa.
2. It doesn't actually go into Vientiane.
You could get a tuk tuk from Nong Khai station to the Bridge (not far just over a kilometre I guess).
Taxi or bus is easy from Laos side of the border...not sure about the internal travel through Laos to Chang Mai maybe Rufus can advise on that. I figure it is possible by public transport,but could involve a fair bit of waiting around,unless there is a VIP bus equivalent from Vientiane direct.
Wet season is hard to predict what the weather can do. It can be slow persistent rain all day (but that is unusual), tropical downpours that last for an hour or so (but soak everything in 1 minute flat) or no rain for a week.
Sun is about 6 to 6 (maybe earlier, but I am not up then ), but visibility can be poor anytime in the day if the rain is against you!!
Major cities plenty of Falang Bars, season does not matter, but maybe few/no customers.
Personally I have never had a problem getting a cold beer even in the smallest village, but maybe that is just me..

Thanks Bob. Posted an earlier reply but its gone somewhere and I cant find it. I was going to catch a boat from the Laos side of the river. I know it takes about two days but i'm not in a rush so it will give me time to think of what to do when I get to Chiang Mai. Not a back paker either so it will be an adventure. !

I would (and have done) do the trip the other way round.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai (or better, Chiang Rai) - I would fly up as the train is boring and not much cheaper than flying.

Cross over into Laos at Chiang Kong/Hui Xai.

Get the boat down to Luang Prabang. Take a good book.

Get a bus from Luang Prabang to Vang Viang. The scenery is stunning.

Then get another bus from Vang Viang to Vientiane and chill there for a couple of days.

Re-enter Thailand at the Nong Khai Friendship Bridge and get a bus to Udon.

Have a pint of Guinness at the Irish Clock.

All you need to know about local weather, and historical data as well is on

http://www.wunderground.com

This link should take you directly to the web page about Udon Tahni weather:

http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/48354.html?bannertypeclick=infobox

Cheers for the info Rick.

Marmite. I was thinking of going the other way round as the boats are really full by the accounts I have been reading. And sitting cramped for 7 hours does not sound good . I want to see the big market in Udon I have read about it but dont know the name. Can anyone tell me ? "Take a good book" Is it boring ?

Posted an earlier reply but its gone somewhere and I cant find it

thanks, thought i was loosing it again. think i recommended and agree with the downstream route, got to be easier, and smoother. good luck and let us know how it went, good and bad.

OK everyone

No one has said go up. So I will go down. London to Bangkok then chiang mai etc. and I will stop for my favorite beer, Guinness in the Irish clock (Singa is my second). Will ask loads of more questions nearer the time. (June) And start a blog. Aslo get my website back www.thailandadventures.co.uk(Just photes of where I have been.

Hot and wet more then likely.

October through January best weather.

Bars are only closed on the Royal Families Birthdays (2) and I think one Budhist Holiday.

Watering holes are not hard to find, since you want to experience Thialand why not skip the farrangs one and go to the Thai Hotspots, you will have fun. Might not be able to hear for the next ten years but yuo will have fun

Definetly Mae hong Son, you won't regret it

the_walker wrote:"Take a good book" Is it boring ?

Not 'arf!

I went on the speedboat and did the whole trip in less than 6 hours. Great fun, but a bit dodgy as they like to crash.

"Bars are only closed on the Royal Families Birthdays"
That rule was eliminated about 3 years ago but some bar owners did not get the message and still close;o)

bit of advise, about travel thro laos having been there done that recently.. the minivan to vang vieng takes about 4hours 220,000 kip or $18..... vang vieng - luang prabang about the same price 5hours but its the only road there & is bad & very whinedy ur body is toss from side to side for most of that time. then you can take the slow boat via 1 night stay in a village along the way. but bring a good supply of food & drink, pillow, book, ipod etc. the village has basic accomodation but cheap & the electric goes off at 10pm, also try & get a place on the boat thats well away from the engine. the slow boat takes 2 days, if you decide to do this trip id say this way round is strongly advisable as the other way is packed & uncomfortable you also can take the bus from luang prabang but i here its even more uncomfortable

I found the bus from Luang Prabang to be fun. I don't remember it being particularly uncomfortable.

Biscuitz

"this way round is strongly advisable" do you mean from friendly bridge on bust to LP then boat up river ? or clockwise ?

Sorry for the delay in replying but we are hours apart.