A First-Timer in Loei, Thailand

Loei felt tired and old, like a weary old man who finds the couch a very comfortable place. Its infrastructure is that of old buildings with peeling paints. It's very much what you might expect of small provincial cities who have seen better days. Places have their unique personalities much like people if you've traveled enough.

For tourism offerings, you need to go outside the city limits - the provincial parks where you see waterfalls, and a lot of nature. The satellite towns like Chiang Khan and Dan Sai are likewise charming.

Needless to say, this is not a popular place for tourists. Loei is a working city where people make a living supporting their families. But you can make this your base to explore the other offerings on the outskirts.

1. as of this writing (June 27, 2020), there are only 5 bus trips to Loei: 07:15, 08:00, 09:00, 11:30, and 12:30. Fare is B38, duration: 45 mins, ends at Loei Bus Terminal
2. from the bus terminal, it's usually a B40 tuk-tuk ride to your hotel if within the town proper

1. From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
2. As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
3. The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
4. Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
5. Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).

1. Peang Din Waterfall
2. Huai Khrai Waterfall
3. Pla Ba Waterfall
4. Tat San Waterfall
5. Phu Kradueng National Park
6. Phu Ruea National Park
7. Phu Pa Por
8. Chateau De Loei Restaurant

This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.

60-Day Thai Tourist Visa

NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.

1. Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
   a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
   b) flight booking to Thailand
   c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
   d) filled-in tourist visa form
   e) 2 passport pictures
   f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
   g) passport with at least 6 months validity
2. After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
3. NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.

30-Day Extension

NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.

1. bring the following to the Immigration Office:
   a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
   b) Baht 1900
   c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
   d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
   e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
2. submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
3. when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
4. when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
5. when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes

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1. arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
2. put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
3. avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
4. power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!