Living the Life in Laos! (Part 6): A Bit of Laos, A Bit of Thailand

- November 27-28, 2025, Thursday to Friday.

- I had roughly half a day to see more of Luang Prabang before heading back to Bangkok. I knew Luang Prabang had endless things to see and do, but at the same time, the main ones I already did in the past few days. Contrary to what I usually do, I just decided to take it easy.

- That dawn I once again participated in "sai bat" or "tak bat", which is the daily giving of alms to the Buddhist monks. This time, I just took photos of the ceremony, and not as one of the people giving alms (I did that the day prior already). As before, I found it more touristy than spiritual, unlike in the past, or unlike in less-touristy areas of the city. But at least, the tourists were given a general understanding of what was happening and why it was happening.

The monks have arrived.

The dogs probably wanted some treats too.

Novice monks.

- I later had breakfast at the hotel and took another morning stroll at the main street. I decided to visit two temples that I saw yesterday but didn't get to see. The first is Wat Sibounheuang. It was built in tthe 1700s with roof horns representing the upper body is a naga or snake. It is a simpler yet still ornate Buddhist temple.     

I like the splashes or color in this photo.

Wat Sibounheuang.

I love the details of the temple.

No temple is spared for extremely ornate designs!

- Just next door is Wat Syrimoungkoun Xaiyaram. Perhaps also built in the 1700s, it is also a quiet temple, and a smaller one compared to its more prominent neighboring temples.

Wat Syrimoungkoun Xaiyaram.

The temple might need a bit of restoration.

- I also had a brief visit to Wat Sensoukharam's Buddhist museum, which I wasn't able to visit the day prior. It was on the way back to the hotel anyway. Its most important collections are related to Sathu Nyai Khamchan. He is revered for his tireless efforts in preserving Lao-style Buddhism (including Lao-style temple architecture), collecting valuable Buddhist manuscripts, and setting up archives for Buddhist documents including photography. He was, of course, affiliated with Wat Sensoukharam. 

Wat Sensoukharam's Buddhist museum.

A life-sized model of Sathu Nyai Khamchan, commissioned in 2010 by his pupil. This was three years after the passing of Sathu Nyai Khamchan.

The museum exterior.

- Finally, I had a quick lunch, and off I headed to the airport for my flight to Bangkok. Despite the delayed flight, the flight itself was comfortable and gave me awesome views of Luang Prabang, the Mekong River, and the infinite mountains of Laos. 

Luang Prabang, Mekong, Mountains.

About to land in Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok.

- Back in Bangkok, I was immediately welcome with much noise and heavy traffic. I don't miss the heavy traffic, but maybe I did miss a bit of noise after my quiet stay in Laos. After checking in at Diff Hostel (my current go-to hostel in Bangkok!), I went to The Street Ratchada Mall (Thailand Cultural Centre Metro Station). It is supposedly a mall that opens 24/7, but I later realized that even though the mall is open 24/7, not all stores are. I did have a quick dinner there.

The Street Ratchada Mall.

I craved for hotpot huhu. (Well this was the dry version.)

- I wasn't too happy with my visit to the mall, so I hopped over next door to Jodd Fairs. I later found out that Jodd Fairs was a new-ish night market opened in 2021 in a different location. It opened its Ratchada location (where I visited) in late 2024 until it fully moved by 2025. Yes, I know it's a tourist trap but there are times when I'm a sucker for these kinds of places. It does look happy and fun, with plenty of food and souvenir stalls and an overall cleaner, less overwhelming look compared to some bigger markets.

This was the first thing I saw at Jodd Fairs and I seriously had no idea what was going on. HAHA.

This is what I sort of missed while in quiet Laos.

I saw my exchange student there hahahaha. Of all the places to bump into your student!

The many paved aisles of Jodd Fairs.

I wanted to spend more time here but I was too tired from my trip and it was getting late. I also had to fix my things before flying home.

- The next morning, I had nothing else to do but to go to the airport and say a momentary farewell to mainland Southeast Asia as I fly back to the maritime side of the region. I had a full heart and an even fuller luggage (had to buy extra luggage days before my flight back home HAHA).

Taking a photo of the Churning of the Ocean sculpture at Suvarnabhumi Airport has now become a ritual for me whenever I'm leaving Thailand haha.

OMG I WON AGAIN HAHA.

- Thailand and Laos are interesting opposites. Loud and quiet, modern and not-as-much, with a sea and landlocked, you name it. Even though both countries are "same same but different", they both speak to my in different ways. Thailand energizes me as I like being around people a lot, but Laos reminds me to breathe a bit and take things slowly at times. However, my wallet tells me that both countries are also enablers of my love for shopping HAHAHAHA. I love both these countries so much and I'm hope to visit them both again some time soon!!

** Check out my other adventures in Thailand and Laos here!

THAILAND:

Part 1: Wat Saket and Dog Cafe - here

Part 2: Kanchanaburi - here

Part 3: Maeklong Railway Market, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market - here

Part 4: Phetchaburi and Hua Hin - here

Part 5: Wat Paknam, Capybara Cafe, B Story Cafe, Madame Tussauds - here

Part 6: Chulalongkorn University - here

LAOS:   

Part 1 (Vientiane): Patuxai, Buddha Park, and Vientiane's Temples - here

Part 2 (Vientiane): Pha That Luang, Lao Art Museum - here

Part 3 (Luang Prabang): Royal Palace, Phousi Hill, Night Market - here 

Part 4 (Luang Prabang): Kuang Si Waterfalls, Pak Ou caves - here 

Part 5 (Luang Prabang): Sai Bat, Wat Xieng Thong, and Other Temples - here