Suggestions On Locations Please

hello all.

A brief background I am in my mid 20s and have been living in Thailand and a little in Malaysia for the past 5 years. I am in between fluent and 'getting by' with the Thai language, so I can hold a conversation pretty easily.

However things have changed rapidly here and I wish to relocate to Laos. Some would suggest a trip first, but that would or should have been the case when I first came here 5 years ago but that turned out fine, I haven't left Asia since.

I am looking for somewhere fairly quiet, not too many farang and somewhere fairly close to the border.

Also how is life living in Laos in comparison to Thailand? Any major changes that I will notice?

Thanks in advance.

Had a good friend that lived in Luang Prabang for years. A very relaxed place. Certainly worth a look.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Monk213

Also how is life living in Laos in comparison to Thailand? Any major changes that I will notice?

Thanks in advance.

---

They are communist.
They don't speak Thai.
The Filth are more bent than the Thai Filth.
It's illegal to take a Laos girl home for the night.
The beer is much better and cheaper.
If you are not in a quiet isolated spot the food is better.
Every tuk tuk driver will sell you pot.
Try Savahnakhet, it's a dump but it's quiet and close to the border.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Necron99

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Monk213

Also how is life living in Laos in comparison to Thailand? Any major changes that I will notice?

Thanks in advance.

---

They are communist.
They don't speak Thai.
The Filth are more bent than the Thai Filth.
It's illegal to take a Laos girl home for the night.
The beer is much better and cheaper.
If you are not in a quiet isolated spot the food is better.
Every tuk tuk driver will sell you pot.
Try Savahnakhet, it's a dump but it's quiet and close to the border.

---

I can deal with a bit of communism, I know they don't speak Thai but Laotian is around 70% Thai vocabulary wise, shouldn't be hard to pick up if I have already picked up Thai.
I don't really care much right at this moment about gogo bars or girls, beer Lao is notorious from what I here. The filth though, I got a good beating from the Thai filth, if the bent pigs there are worse I better watch my mouth. Only took one slip up in 5 years to warrant a nasty beating.
What about living in Vientiane?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Necron99

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Monk213

Also how is life living in Laos in comparison to Thailand? Any major changes that I will notice?

Thanks in advance.

---

They are communist.
They don't speak Thai.
The Filth are more bent than the Thai Filth.
It's illegal to take a Laos girl home for the night.
The beer is much better and cheaper.
If you are not in a quiet isolated spot the food is better.
Every tuk tuk driver will sell you pot.
Try Savahnakhet, it's a dump but it's quiet and close to the border.

---

Fortunately for Monk, we have a couple of regular contributing member that have lived in Laos for quite a time - hope they add to your riveting display...:chitown:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Necron99

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Monk213

Also how is life living in Laos in comparison to Thailand? Any major changes that I will notice?

Thanks in advance.

---

They are communist.
They don't speak Thai.
The Filth are more bent than the Thai Filth.
It's illegal to take a Laos girl home for the night.
The beer is much better and cheaper.
If you are not in a quiet isolated spot the food is better.
Every tuk tuk driver will sell you pot.
Try Savahnakhet, it's a dump but it's quiet and close to the border.

---

Fortunately for Monk, we have a couple of regular contributing member that have lived in Laos for quite a time - hope they add to your riveting display...:chitown:

---

Fingers crossed.. :)

I've been over indulging in Laos best product, BEERLAO, and I'm in pattaya now for a few days so I'm unlikely to string a coherent reply right now monk, there are many positives and a lot of negatives to, been living in Vientiane 8 and. Half years , I will get back to you on this topic in about 5 days,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by beerlaodrinker

I've been over indulging in Laos best product, BEERLAO, and I'm in pattaya now for a few days so I'm unlikely to string a coherent reply right now monk, there are many positives and a lot of negatives to, been living in Vientiane 8 and. Half years , I will get back to you on this topic in about 5 days,

---

haha ok cheers, have a good weekend

There is a difference between northern and southern Laos. I think northern Laos is more what the tourists dream about as, well, 'Laos'.

Southern Laos is more vietnamese influenced, the people generally more animated- which, in a Laotian sense, means not in an iron lung. Some people like it there- Pak Se has a growing expat population, and for the student of very quiet, there are the Don Det Islands near the Cambo border. Pak Se is close to the border crossing to Ubon province.

Mid Laos, there is Savannakhet- dead boring really, nowt much there, but it's still pleasant because it's Laos. Right opposite Mukdahan. Not knocking it- I live in a dead boring place in Isaan. You make your own fun.

The 'Big city' is Vientianne, which is kinda like a big town elsewhere. It has the most dining and partying options. Also the gateway to the north. Opposite nong khai.

Luang Prabang is nice & pretty, but touristy- most of my traveller friends think it is overdone these days. Fair way from the border too, if you need to do a runner.

There is also a travellers town between V & LP, caves, river rafting, drug scene, but I forget it's name. Sounds fun, but plenty of expats around of the banana pancake & muesli variety.

Yep, what sabang said, pretty much all of Laos is quiet, Lao people go to bed early, even in Vientiane, low crime rate and abundance of good reasonably priced restaurants, wine is amazingly cheap for some reason, Vientiane is also getting very traffic contested in the last few years as a result of people starting to earn a quid, cheap Chinese cars and access to credit to buy them , they do however drive like absolute conts, did I mention the beer? There used to be some good and reasonably priced accommodation available for long term rental but unfortunately getting harder to find , I don't mind savannakhet, pakse, Luang Prabang or vang vieng as places to visit but they all get mind numbingly boring after a while, as does Vientiane,

Since this thread is under the Lao threads why didn't the OP read through them if he wants information? Troll....?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ltnt

Since this thread is under the Lao threads why didn't the OP read through them if he wants information? Troll....?

---

Perhaps, he's looking to interact more, gaining some updates and whatnot.
Isn't that what this is all about?

What is it with you cnuts that feel every fucking newbie is out to troll?

:tumbs:

Pakse is my choice. (Like Sabang mentioned)

If you really want to be a long way away then Laxsao which is 20kms from the vietnamese border is a great little town.

Care to elaborate on your troubles in Thailand?

I troll with Penn and Daiwa but that would be a new thread. Before setting off on Laos I would U-tube the places of interest. Lots of info on the net. No it's not like being there but you can get a general idea of what it may be like. For example type in the city name and "mall" or "guesthouse" or "shopping" ect. I recall seeing some vision for the future put out by the planners of Vientiane. Not that it is going to happen but they have built a Mega Mall there. You've got to be pretty adventurous to set out on your own but you are not the first. U-tube Girrrrl traveler for tips on solo travel. Good luck trolling Laos.

The simple fact of the matter is it's ALL Chinese money, the chinks aren't pumping in the money for fun, they want a return. The HISO are reaping the benefits as far as i can see, maseratis and Porsches abound, this shit can't can't end well for the locals, but under a communist government.."....no fucking choice, if push comes to shove I will weigh up the options.......I have 2 laosys ( Lao Aussies) gotta do the best for them ,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MeMock

Pakse is my choice. (Like Sabang mentioned)

If you really want to be a long way away then Laxsao which is 20kms from the vietnamese border is a great little town.

Care to elaborate on your troubles in Thailand?

---

Thanks for the input guys, I will do research into some of the places you suggested. And no I am not trolling and I did do a bit of reading through the threads before hand, yet I have a few specific questions, or had..

Anyway Thailand, I have felt more at home here since moving here but recently due to the visa changes it feels less welcoming. Add to the fact the hassle, money and effort to keep a visa, it's just getting annoying. I understand in Laos you have to leave every 30 days? Can you extend it at all and can you border run over and over?

I had one really bad incident last month where I had a few whiskeys and my bike was parked near a tourist police station, got back and it was gone. So I went to the police and they didn't seem too interested so I swore at them in Thai, one of them came at me and we argued, then before I knew it I was in cuffs getting smacked around the face and head and being stomped on by 4-5 police. Spent a night and a day in a cell and was released with no charges but also no bike. It was the worse beating I have ever had, they really laid into me haha, lesson learned anyway.

monk;
haven't u posted this story on all the other forums?
bad mouth a thai cop in thai, what did u expect? him to say thanks

now ur bringing it here?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Phuketrichard

monk;
haven't u posted this story on all the other forums?
bad mouth a thai cop in thai, what did u expect? him to say thanks

now ur bringing it here?

---

Look somebody asked so I replied, ok? So what, I have learned my lesson, one slip up in five years, big deal, get over it I have. I think if you were slightly tipsy, just had a bike stolen and the police laugh at you pretty much you'd be angry too. Have a good Sunday, or try to because that lemon in your mouth is awfully sour. Oh and please address your spelling and grammar as well, it hurts my eyes. Cheers

This could only be worse in Laos. My son was sweet on a girl who's mom was a lawyer and dad was a cop. Glad this did not last.Wheeeww! This could not be good for a fish out of water.Beware of your surroundings. And the company you keep.Tis not Kansass.And there is no place like home.

You musta been pretty tipsy to swear at a Thai Cop at night. How STOO-PID can one get? Hard to believe anyone living in Thailand for 5 years would be that stupid?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cdnski12

You musta been pretty tipsy to swear at a Thai Cop at night. How STOO-PID can one get? Hard to believe anyone living in Thailand for 5 years would be that stupid?

---

Yes like I said I was drunk and add fuel to the fire your motorbike, wallet, money and a few other things have been stolen and they do nothing, it takes one word to slip from your mouth. I don't think it is that hard to understand and is not the subject matter of the thread. I have gotten over it and can even laugh about it, I am normally polite and obiding when it comes to the police, it gets you a long way, but I was furious at the time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fishlocker

I troll with Penn and Daiwa but that would be a new thread. Before setting off on Laos I would U-tube the places of interest. Lots of info on the net. No it's not like being there but you can get a general idea of what it may be like. For example type in the city name and "mall" or "guesthouse" or "shopping" ect. I recall seeing some vision for the future put out by the planners of Vientiane. Not that it is going to happen but they have built a Mega Mall there. You've got to be pretty adventurous to set out on your own but you are not the first. U-tube Girrrrl traveler for tips on solo travel. Good luck trolling Laos.

---

It is grrrl traveler. Sorry no I. She is kinda hot. Mabey worth a look.