I’ve lived & worked in a Laos for several years & can confirm that prior to 2023 we where not effected by the pollution from the smoke due to farmers slashing & burning I’ve only witnessed it last year & this year it’s certainly created many issues for local business as tourists are staying away which is unfortunate for Laos Enjoy your time here it’s a beautiful country with fabulous people & cultures…!!!
Same smoke in northern Thailand, they burn the rice fields every year along with small shrubs and trees. People who can afford to leave head south for a few months till the rains start and clear the air.
I took a 2 day slow boat on the Mekong to Luang Prabang, Laos from Thailand years ago, in early February and was lucky to have missed the burning season. Thanks for the memory down memory lane in Laos! Laos is beautiful. Look forward to your next video.
It's a burning season. This time of year don't travel to Northern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The smoke is travel far depends on the weather. Enjoy your time there
Unfortunately for the poorer farmers in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia it's cheaper to burn the remainder of the crops. They can not afford the tractors to turn the soil over. The high pollution makes it hard to breathe and sometimes can burn your eyes, throat and lungs. It does make sunsets very red and beautiful. Try to avoid these areas for traveling until after the wet season.
Sven, I figured out why you enjoy traveling like a nomad. Your ancestors were Vikings. They also enjoyed traveling to far and distant regions. They raided foreign lands and were great warriors. You can't help it. It's in your DNA, my friend.
you can stay 90 days in Laos with some hassle as well, you get 30 day visa which you can renew twice, or pay around $600 for a year long multi-entry visa with an agent.
The air is pretty bad in Cambodia as well. Sometimes the air quality reaches dangerous levels. From what I understand, it is called burning season in southeast Asia and during this time, the heat and dry trees cause many fires to start.
Not sure about the pollution all the smoke from burning crops!!! Laos doesn’t seem a patch on Thailand but early days. Look forward to your next video William. Take care.
Thanks yes it saves you money because you can top it up with the currency you need at the real exchange rate. If you use a card that has US dollars for example at an ATM in Mexico getting Pesos, they give you such a bad exchange rate that you can get 40 dollars less than what you should get. And they just take that "invisbile" fee from you
Even if one or more of the countries in the area manage to enforce a ban, the problem won't go away. They'd all have to agree to stop this. It'll take a significant advancement in technology to put a stop to this I think - the farmers need a good alternative
I didn’t go to Chiang Mai in Thailand last month because of burning season which I found out online TH-cam channels. Part of SE Asia travel seasons and hit miss on exact dates
Check out the breakfast spot at the gate of Riviera. Tell Brandon that you are from Texas he will give you 10% discount. I stayed at Riviara for 7 weeks last year, it's a great place.
Good weather from June - January, though June to October usually is rainy season. Weather is cooling down from November till early February which is nice to not miss
Yeah it is a good way to save some money on the exchange rate! Sometimes with a regular card and bad exchange rate, you can lose about 40 or 50 dollars just by getting like 3 or 400 dollars out from the ATM if you for example have US dollars on your card and withdraw Mexican pesos.
I really feel educated after watching your videos. I appreciate the geographical maps/images and commentary on their political system. And it’s interesting seeing you interact with other tourists and locals. I also like when you indicate how you are feeling about prices you are being charged and that you’re willing to walk away if they are blatantly ripping you off. I still think you have a great future leading tour groups if you ever decide to go that way. People trust you and can benefit from your experience.
The good thing about Laos is that the minute you step onto Laos soil you instantly become a millionaire or billionaire there. However, a million doesn't go far there.
Thank you---- I was impressed that you included the informative description of the government of Laos--always wonder what the state of the gov. is in countries and I think people should be interested in that not just all the tourism stuff.. because I often wonder what the gov is like at that particular time because the political situation can change and people aren't aware. Very informative with the pictures etc., although I disagree there is equality for all in this country--equality of poverty is what they mean, and then there is the ultra-rich communist leaders--very sad situation for the people who have no rights or for someone who may find themselves in trouble there. Happy Easter
Hi there, you are probably there at the wrong time. Usually Luang Prabang is very nice and the weather is awesome. You should take a 3 hours boat ride to Muieng Ngoy. Very much of nature and ask for food not much choices, but by the villagers they provided homes stay and eat what they eat. There was also a hotel by the river I wouldn’t say hotel.
The women there are very beautiful. Nice to see natural, undyed hair and skin. And everyone seemed friendly. The smoke is unfortunate, but you visited during burning season.
The farmers burn the corn stalks after harvest. Corn has been heavily promoted in Thailand and Laos by the govts. All of us learned it the hard way, by visiting Chiang Mai in March, or Luang Prabang in April. Eventually you figure out that the only good time to go is June to December.
G'dday, William. Love your video - very informative and cool. I am an Aussie who has lived in Kuala Lumpur for 23 years. In 2014, we had similar smoke in KL from peat fires originating in Sumatra, Indonesia. I had to get 5 courses of anitbiotics in 6 weeks - like you said, there is a lot of chemicals in the haze. Please take care of yourself! I have subscribed and given a 'thumbs up' to your video - I am looking forward to watching all of them. Cheers!
It's was really a s shame the pollution was so bad, I don't imagine you'll be staying there long. I knew that chile was going to fry your mouth ja ja! I had one in a Chinese restaurant just the other day and like you I could not get it out of my mouth fast enough. Looking forward to the water park visit. As always salud y suerte!
Hello , Well done, great video. I am planning to visit Laos , I'm look for a travel companion to share the expenses or a free local guide. Wishing everyone a happy and joyful new day
Hello, I'm from Thailand. I hope you have fun or find something different. in our region Every society has good people and bad people. May you find good things because of the people in this region of ours.Overall, he is a good, peaceful person who always honors visitors with a smile and a fun delicacy.Convenience depends on the country you travel to. Wish you good luck again from us Thai people.🤗❤🙏
Thank you so much for your suggestion of that debit card. I usually pay for every day expenses with my credit card then I pay off my credit card right away, but the fees that they charge is just ridiculous! I have been thinking of an alternative for sometime. Thanks William!😊 PS. I am currently in Santa Marta Colombia, and the field right beside my apt building has about six fires going every morning. Definitely nothing compared to you, but I feel you.😢
Burning never really stops in Mexico. I’ve only ever visited Central America and I’ve never been to South America. But I can’t imagine that either are any different. And when visiting you might not even notice the burning. In Mexico it’s worse in the spring and much worse in the fall through winter. In the summer when it’s blistering hot, they don’t want to deal with the fires so debris pile up till fall.🤧😷
In china there are places where it burns to breath and your eyes sting and feel dry, smells like plastic - chlorine - exhaust fumes and burning tires. Crazy polluted.
Great video! Good tip on Wise!! We use them all the time to transfer money. They won't send a card to Mexico, but will try to get it sent to our home country and then sent on.
If you go North to Yunnan province in China which borders Laos you'll notice, especially in Kunming the capital that the air is very clean, amazingly. The smoke doesn't seem to reach that far.
In Texas we receive similar smoke from Mexico. They have agriculture fires to help prepare farmland for the next planting season. Its bad in Central Texas in ~ May into June.
The smog pollution occurs in the farmlands of Northern Thailand Lao and Cambodia, yes it's a slash and burn mostly the burning of a crop for agriculture sugarcane
Interesting thanks for sharing, but really? How do you not know about burning season? Anyway, you know now. What is your best soup?! You called basil cilantro , sigh …
Smog not coming from China but from Laos itself. From satellite image, there were thousands of hot spots (burning fields) in Laos every year during March-April. Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Indonesia are the most polluted during dry season. Google hot spots image in ASEAN and you will see. Hardly any hot spots in China at all.
I’m certain that smoke isn’t good for anyone to inhale. Be careful. While you’re there, you may want to try a Mehkong whiskey fruit shake. It’s primarily made from sugar cane and it tastes more like rum. Stay safe. Have fun.
Your bank might have a travel credit card. This type of card is a money exchange debit card. You choose the currency that you prefer and spend without any exchange fees. Ask your bank they might have this service. Another piece of advice and for example if you are travelling in Thailand, and you are using a credit card issued in your home currency and pay in restaurants, hotels, etc. Tell them to choose Thai Baht from the machine and not your home currency.
Using a traveling debit card doesn’t always give you the best rate. Laos banks want other more stable currency so they will pay you more than your bank would. As a Thai, if I exchange money in Thailand, I get about 560 Kib for 1 baht. Exchange in Laos even at a Bank, I get about 630 kib.
As they say William, you’re smokinnnnn’ 😂. Stay safe and pick up a particulate mask You’ll be alright , just cough a few fur balls and be on your way ! Cheers !
Which area of Vietnam is heavily polluted are you talking about? I was in Vietnam last month and went to eight cities and all of them had nice and fresh air.
One more advice from nobody, take the train south to Vang Vieng stay a couple days and go on an inner tube ride down the river. Also get a moto and hike to the tallest spot. Not an easy hike but you are in shape. If you have some bling go for the hot air balloon or the paragliding. Otherwise get one of their famous sandwiches and go to the morning market and fly a drone if yours still works. Cheers
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 88 | คู่เอก "ป้อมเพชร vs อัสลามจอน"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1ZqTVVbMgbo/mqdefault.jpg)
Get your WISE card here. FREE in most countries
wise.prf.hn/click/camref:1011l3y7KF
Thank you so much for this great tip. Didn't even know this card existed.
I’ve lived & worked in a Laos for several years & can confirm that prior to 2023 we where not effected by the pollution from the smoke due to farmers slashing & burning I’ve only witnessed it last year & this year it’s certainly created many issues for local business as tourists are staying away which is unfortunate for Laos Enjoy your time here it’s a beautiful country with fabulous people & cultures…!!!
Same smoke in northern Thailand, they burn the rice fields every year along with small shrubs and trees. People who can afford to leave head south for a few months till the rains start and clear the air.
THEY DO The same thg in oklahoma
Not in California, no burning here.
@@drakeplus2858 You literally have wildfires in California which causes so much destruction and air pollution!🙄
@@drakeplus2858just lots of dust from tilling the fields and the manure smell from dairy farms.
I took a 2 day slow boat on the Mekong to Luang Prabang, Laos from Thailand years ago, in early February and was lucky to have missed the burning season. Thanks for the memory down memory lane in Laos! Laos is beautiful. Look forward to your next video.
I visited Laos a few years ago and enjoyed it very much.
It's a burning season. This time of year don't travel to Northern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The smoke is travel far depends on the weather. Enjoy your time there
Unfortunately for the poorer farmers in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia it's cheaper to burn the remainder of the crops. They can not afford the tractors to turn the soil over. The high pollution makes it hard to breathe and sometimes can burn your eyes, throat and lungs. It does make sunsets very red and beautiful. Try to avoid these areas for traveling until after the wet season.
Laos so much cleaner
Better food
Cheaper
Than philippines!
and Methanol poisoning lol. Good luck wit that
Sven, I figured out why you enjoy traveling like a nomad. Your ancestors were Vikings. They also enjoyed traveling to far and distant regions. They raided foreign lands and were great warriors. You can't help it. It's in your DNA, my friend.
Green bananas?
you can stay 90 days in Laos with some hassle as well, you get 30 day visa which you can renew twice, or pay around $600 for a year long multi-entry visa with an agent.
The air is pretty bad in Cambodia as well. Sometimes the air quality reaches dangerous levels. From what I understand, it is called burning season in southeast Asia and during this time, the heat and dry trees cause many fires to start.
Laos is soo wild wild west. Underdeveloped.
It’s time to go back to Puerto Vallarta William ❤
Cool video by the way. Nice and long so it’s lasts for a 30 mins run 😊
He needs some chicken fajiiiiiiiitas
@@JuergenS-t6p
🤪😂
Not sure about the pollution all the smoke from burning crops!!! Laos doesn’t seem a patch on Thailand but early days. Look forward to your next video William. Take care.
Luv the quick information about the wise card maybe talk a little more about that process 👍👍👍luv the videos
Thanks yes it saves you money because you can top it up with the currency you need at the real exchange rate. If you use a card that has US dollars for example at an ATM in Mexico getting Pesos, they give you such a bad exchange rate that you can get 40 dollars less than what you should get. And they just take that "invisbile" fee from you
@@williamtaudienI read this: "2 free ATM withdrawals per month, up to 2000 SEK in total". Whats the fee after those two free withdrawls up to 2k?
Hey fella, you were supposed to add the lime juice, cilantro, green onion, etc, to your soup. It was not a salad
Great Info about the WISE card ! These are the things folks need to know about travel overseas ! Thanks You again ! :)
Even if one or more of the countries in the area manage to enforce a ban, the problem won't go away. They'd all have to agree to stop this. It'll take a significant advancement in technology to put a stop to this I think - the farmers need a good alternative
I didn’t go to Chiang Mai in Thailand last month because of burning season which I found out online TH-cam channels. Part of SE Asia travel seasons and hit miss on exact dates
Im definitely gonna look into that card. Thank for the tip and sharing your videos ❤
Yes saves a lot of money since you can top up with the right currency at the real exchange rate
why wouldnt you fly from utapao to laos ,40 minutes from pattaya
Check out the breakfast spot at the gate of Riviera. Tell Brandon that you are from Texas he will give you 10% discount. I stayed at Riviara for 7 weeks last year, it's a great place.
Much better video than your previous ones in Thailand! Enjoy Laos :-)
Agree, this Laos travel is really interesting. I would like to see Vietnam as well.
You picked the farther airport (Don Mueang) to depart Thailand.
If you flew out from Suvarnabhumi Airport , It would take only 1.5 hour from Pattaya.
You came during the time farmers are burning their crops. This happens in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. This year happens to be especially bad.
Good weather from June - January, though June to October usually is rainy season. Weather is cooling down from November till early February which is nice to not miss
Onward to more adventures and on to 150,000 subscribers.
Stay well. Stay happy. Peace.
. I live in Western Canada, and last summer was bad with smoke from forest fires. Reached 200 on the air quality scale. Pomegranate fruit.
I've been using Wise for years as I live and travel abroad. William is right, it's extremely useful and has low fees.
They burn the old crops in northern Thailand at the same time. Chiang Mai is best to be avoided too when they do. Laos normally has very clean air.
Thank you brother for visiting my country Laos I really liked it your videos so clear
Goint to Laos on friday, gonna be nice!
It's better to go Saturday
Great video, love your content you produce.
Welcome to Lao, Brother! I hope you enjoyed your trip! Please visit again and again!
I think I'll pass on Laos. But thanks William for another interesting video. Happy Easter.
Not Fog, not big fire .. Its when the Laos farmers burn the stubble of their land to grow another crop .. This pollutes Northern Thailand
That debit card sounds like a good idea! Thanks for that info William!
And that pollution is very bad for your eyes and lungs 🫁 that’s horrible.
Just don't keep too much of a balance on it in case it gets hacked. Feed money to it as needed.
Yeah it is a good way to save some money on the exchange rate! Sometimes with a regular card and bad exchange rate, you can lose about 40 or 50 dollars just by getting like 3 or 400 dollars out from the ATM if you for example have US dollars on your card and withdraw Mexican pesos.
I really feel educated after watching your videos. I appreciate the geographical maps/images and commentary on their political system. And it’s interesting seeing you interact with other tourists and locals.
I also like when you indicate how you are feeling about prices you are being charged and that you’re willing to walk away if they are blatantly ripping you off.
I still think you have a great future leading tour groups if you ever decide to go that way. People trust you and can benefit from your experience.
The good thing about Laos is that the minute you step onto Laos soil you instantly become a millionaire or billionaire there. However, a million doesn't go far there.
Mate I would've lost it if I stepped off the plane into a city clouded in smoke. I'd probably immediately be looking at flights to another place!
Thank you---- I was impressed that you included the informative description of the government of Laos--always wonder what the state of the gov. is in countries and I think people should be interested in that not just all the tourism stuff.. because I often wonder what the gov is like at that particular time because the political situation can change and people aren't aware. Very informative with the pictures etc., although I disagree there is equality for all in this country--equality of poverty is what they mean, and then there is the ultra-rich communist leaders--very sad situation for the people who have no rights or for someone who may find themselves in trouble there. Happy Easter
Awesome traveling to Laos 👍🏻 hope you have a good experience there. Good to know regarding WISE CARD.
Laos is the first place you visited I don't know too much about . Would like to see your shoulder workout.
Soon.. trees actually love smoke! 😊
Excellent tip on getting wise card.
Hi there, you are probably there at the wrong time. Usually Luang Prabang is very nice and the weather is awesome. You should take a 3 hours boat ride to Muieng Ngoy. Very much of nature and ask for food not much choices, but by the villagers they provided homes stay and eat what they eat. There was also a hotel by the river I wouldn’t say hotel.
25:38 owner of the restaurant was my friend place and couple houses down was my birthplace. 😢
WOW! That's absolutely awesome! Thank you for telling us that exciting information!
The women there are very beautiful. Nice to see natural, undyed hair and skin. And everyone seemed friendly. The smoke is unfortunate, but you visited during burning season.
Great price for room... Thanks for showing us Laos. I did not know much about it. I should visit it. Is it cheaper than Thailand.?
The farmers burn the corn stalks after harvest. Corn has been heavily promoted in Thailand and Laos by the govts. All of us learned it the hard way, by visiting Chiang Mai in March, or Luang Prabang in April. Eventually you figure out that the only good time to go is June to December.
G'dday, William. Love your video - very informative and cool. I am an Aussie who has lived in Kuala Lumpur for 23 years. In 2014, we had similar smoke in KL from peat fires originating in Sumatra, Indonesia. I had to get 5 courses of anitbiotics in 6 weeks - like you said, there is a lot of chemicals in the haze. Please take care of yourself! I have subscribed and given a 'thumbs up' to your video - I am looking forward to watching all of them. Cheers!
It's was really a s shame the pollution was so bad, I don't imagine you'll be staying there long. I knew that chile was going to fry your mouth ja ja! I had one in a Chinese restaurant just the other day and like you I could not get it out of my mouth fast enough.
Looking forward to the water park visit. As always salud y suerte!
Yeah worse time to go, I learned that last year, it’s the same in northern Thailand during this time
It's burn season !!! It's coming from surrounding countries and very northern Thailand...it happens ever year...I live in Hau Hin Thailand
Hello , Well done, great video. I am planning to visit Laos , I'm look for a travel companion to share the expenses or a free local guide.
Wishing everyone a happy and joyful new day
Great video William. Loas looks 👍. Well you made it look 👍 despite the burning 👍
Hello and welcome to Laos thanks for visit enjoy your day have fun
What?! No pool tricks? 😂 I was thinking the same thing about those mushrooms.🤣
Love from Cambodia 🇰🇭
Hello, I'm from Thailand. I hope you have fun or find something different.
in our region Every society has good people and bad people. May you find good things
because of the people in this region of ours.Overall, he is a good, peaceful person who always
honors visitors with a smile and a fun delicacy.Convenience depends on the country you travel to.
Wish you good luck again from us Thai people.🤗❤🙏
So funny hearing you said “it’s good” with your accent
Thank you so much for your suggestion of that debit card. I usually pay for every day expenses with my credit card then I pay off my credit card right away, but the fees that they charge is just ridiculous! I have been thinking of an alternative for sometime. Thanks William!😊 PS. I am currently in Santa Marta Colombia, and the field right beside my apt building has about six fires going every morning. Definitely nothing compared to you, but I feel you.😢
Burning never really stops in Mexico. I’ve only ever visited Central America and I’ve never been to South America. But I can’t imagine that either are any different. And when visiting you might not even notice the burning. In Mexico it’s worse in the spring and much worse in the fall through winter. In the summer when it’s blistering hot, they don’t want to deal with the fires so debris pile up till fall.🤧😷
In china there are places where it burns to breath and your eyes sting and feel dry, smells like plastic - chlorine - exhaust fumes and burning tires. Crazy polluted.
Great video! Good tip on Wise!! We use them all the time to transfer money. They won't send a card to Mexico, but will try to get it sent to our home country and then sent on.
I just love the way you emphasize “LAAAAAAoooooo”
I met Hunter in Laos at the Mad Monkey Hostel and waterfall tour. Cheers brother if you see this. -Riley from Chicago
Welcome to Laos, it's going to be an adventure.. the road, the transportation.. 😂😂😂😂 hope you enjoy and be safe
Another eye opening video, thanks William
Not only Laos, most south east asian countries have forest fires or agriculture fires.
Miss my village and the jungle of Lao
If you go North to Yunnan province in China which borders Laos you'll notice, especially in Kunming the capital that the air is very clean, amazingly. The smoke doesn't seem to reach that far.
The burning season it is called. Northern Thailand, Laos and more once a year burn the fields and more to allow new crops to be planted and grown
The smoke started every year I was there in march to April is so bad
In Texas we receive similar smoke from Mexico. They have agriculture fires to help prepare farmland for the next planting season. Its bad in Central Texas in ~ May into June.
Beautiful country❤
The smog pollution occurs in the farmlands of Northern Thailand Lao and Cambodia, yes it's a slash and burn mostly the burning of a crop for agriculture sugarcane
Or just bring 🇹🇭Thai Baht with you…, Thai currency is the easiest to exchange in 🇱🇦Laos with good rate✌️😉
Interesting thanks for sharing, but really? How do you not know about burning season? Anyway, you know now. What is your best soup?! You called basil cilantro , sigh …
Smog not coming from China but from Laos itself. From satellite image, there were thousands of hot spots (burning fields) in Laos every year during March-April. Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Indonesia are the most polluted during dry season. Google hot spots image in ASEAN and you will see. Hardly any hot spots in China at all.
Why u don't talk pollution in Chiengmai,No 1 pollution in the world
Happy Easter! William! Happy Easter! Maria!
Watching from Loma Linda, CA
Chico, ca
Nice, Thanks for sharing
Laos was beautiful back in 2006. Not sure what’s it’s like now.
Thanks. What a long journey to the Airport. Laos looks interesting. I didnt know was Communist.
I’m certain that smoke isn’t good for anyone to inhale. Be careful.
While you’re there, you may want to try a Mehkong whiskey fruit shake. It’s primarily made from sugar cane and it tastes more like rum.
Stay safe. Have fun.
Your bank might have a travel credit card. This type of card is a money exchange debit card. You choose the currency that you prefer and spend without any exchange fees. Ask your bank they might have this service. Another piece of advice and for example if you are travelling in Thailand, and you are using a credit card issued in your home currency and pay in restaurants, hotels, etc. Tell them to choose Thai Baht from the machine and not your home currency.
Hey William, just curious, do you still have your tailored “Bangkok” shirt?? 😆
Yes have it in my bag still!
Awesome. Ann loves it and says you should sport it out more!
Using a traveling debit card doesn’t always give you the best rate. Laos banks want other more stable currency so they will pay you more than your bank would. As a Thai, if I exchange money in Thailand, I get about 560 Kib for 1 baht. Exchange in Laos even at a Bank, I get about 630 kib.
As they say William, you’re smokinnnnn’ 😂. Stay safe and pick up a particulate mask
You’ll be alright , just cough a few fur balls and be on your way ! Cheers !
Tack för tipset on wise kort hälsningar från Stockholm Jaime
Varsågod. I averige får man ett hemskickat gratis
Which area of Vietnam is heavily polluted are you talking about? I was in Vietnam last month and went to eight cities and all of them had nice and fresh air.
We are praying that you stay well!
Yes doing fine! But was bad smoke in Laos lol
I so loved the video! Laos is so interesting!!! Keep going!!! I'm so enjoying it!!
foods are very expensive at don mueang airport ,the best place to go is the foodcourt
Great vlog William!
Njce video. Did you think you were getting 90days William? You mentioned 90 day laos visa but the VOA you got was only 30 days?
Nice NEW hat. Happy Easter!
The smoke will be gone once the rains start. China isn't usually too bad for this type of pollution. It is more in the tropical areas of SE Asia...
Nice stuff man!
OMG, the boy from Wales is gorgeous.
One more advice from nobody, take the train south to Vang Vieng stay a couple days and go on an inner tube ride down the river. Also get a moto and hike to the tallest spot. Not an easy hike but you are in shape. If you have some bling go for the hot air balloon or the paragliding. Otherwise get one of their famous sandwiches and go to the morning market and fly a drone if yours still works. Cheers