Thailand Guide
The north
Chiang Khong
As one of the few places in Thailand where it's possible for foreigners to cross to Laos, CHIANG KHONG is constantly bustling with travellers waiting to go over the river to the Lao town of Houayxai and embark on the lovely Mekong boat journey down to Louang Phabang. On a high, steep bank above the water, Chiang Khong is strung out along a single street between the cross-river pier at Hua Wiang and the fishing port of Ban Hat Khrai. Once you've admired the traffic on the Mekong and glimpsed the ruined, red-brick turrets of the French-built Fort Carnot in Houayxai, there's little to do in the town itself.
If you are twiddling your thumbs waiting to cross to Laos, ask at your guest house about one-hour boat trips on the Mekong (B400) or full-day voyages up to Chiang Saen and back (B2400). On Fridays, there's a market around the bridge to the south of central Chiang Khong, while Saturdays see a night market, mostly for food, on the main street.