Travel to Paksan, Borikhamxay

Travel to Paksan, Borikhamxay Province, Laos with mr.hotsia

Few people know that the truth is the song"Kulap Paksan"that we are familiar with is a Laotian song composed by Champa Lattanasavanh, who used the pen name Sulivat, in 1959 at the age of only 24. The song was first performed by Santi Phimsavan. The MV I, mr.hotsia, share below is the Laotian version sung by Bounngern Saphouang, which is the original full of genuine feelings and the authentic atmosphere of Paksan town.

I had only heard the song's name without really knowing the actual place. "Paksan" is the mouth of the Nam Xan River where it meets the Mekong River in Borikhamxay Province, Laos, opposite Bueng Kan Province in Thailand. I visited after traveling to the newly established Bueng Kan Province and wanted to cross the border to experience the atmosphere of this small town, to see what charm attracts Thai tourists like us, and to verify if the "Paksan rose" mentioned in the song still exists or is just a beautiful metaphor from a song history over 50 years old.

Atmosphere of Paksan: A Small, Peaceful, and Simple Town

When I actually stepped into Paksan, my imagination was immediately shattered. Paksan is much smaller than I thought, even smaller than Sam Nuea or Luang Namtha. Most houses are traditional wooden homes. The roads are narrow, and very few vehicles pass by. It feels peaceful, like time has stopped. Interestingly, Paksan is a main transit point for Thai and international tourists heading to the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang Province (Phonsavan).

When I visited during the rainy season, the road to the Plain of Jars was quite deteriorated, causing a significant drop in tourist numbers. In contrast, during the dry season, Paksan is noticeably livelier and more bustling.

Accommodation in Paksan: Various Options, Affordable Prices

Surprisingly, this small town offers many hotels to choose from. I counted more than ten hotels. The largest isPaksan Hotelowned by Vietnamese investors, with 32 rooms, offering casino and massage services. Prices are around 500-600 baht per night, which is quite high compared to small town standards.

I chose to stay atBK Guesthousea small guesthouse with fan rooms priced at only 180 baht per night. The rooms are fairly spacious, and they also offer bicycle rentals at 40 baht for half a day, which is very worthwhile for cycling around this small town in the afternoon.

There is also a hotel where I had rice noodle soup with the owner namedKong Kamphaeng Guesthousewith a friendly atmosphere, perfect for those who want to experience local life up close.

Lifestyle and Attractions in Paksan

Cycling around Paksan, you see the simple life of people in this small town who still live traditionally. Wooden houses line the Nam Xan River flowing into the Mekong. The riverside atmosphere in the evening is perfect for relaxing and watching the Thai side across the river.

Although Paksan is more of a transit town than a destination, it has charm in its tranquility and naturalness rarely found in big cities. Walking through the small market and chatting with locals made me feel like I truly traveled back in time.

At night, Paksan is quiet. There is one disco, but it is quite difficult to get there without a vehicle. I was also unsure about safety, so I preferred to rest at my accommodation.

Kulap Paksan: Legend or Reality?

The thing I looked forward to most was searching for the Paksan rose mentioned in the song. But after walking around the town, I did not find a single rose bush. The Paksan girls I saw looked like typical Laotian girls from other provinces, nothing particularly outstanding or as beautiful as the metaphor in the song that says "the rose is golden when the sunlight shines from the sun."

The Paksan girl I saw grilling bananas by the Nam Xan River had a simple beauty, not as grand as described in the song. This might be the answer that the Paksan rose is just a legend or a beautiful metaphor passed down through the song's history.

However, I still believe that in the future, if someone smart plants roses in Paksan or if local tourism and culture are seriously promoted, the legend of the Kulap Paksan song might come back to life.

Travel and Connection with Bueng Kan Province

For Thai tourists interested in visiting Paksan, traveling from Bueng Kan Province is very convenient. I recommend reading more details aboutPaksan Transportationwhich I have described in a previous article, including traveling in Bueng Kan Province that connects well with Paksan on several routes.

After traveling in Bueng Kan, a new province recently separated from Nong Khai, I took a tour ofBueng Kan Provinceand various attractions such as Phu Thok, not far from Paksan, and the Thai-Laos market in Bueng Kan, which is colorful and worth visiting. If you visit Bueng Kan Province, don't forget to plan a trip to Paksan as well.

Summary of Experience from mr.hotsia

Paksan is a small town full of stories and the legend of the Kulap Paksan song tied to the Laotian people. In reality, the town remains peaceful and simple, suitable for travelers who enjoy tranquility and want to experience genuine local life.

I, mr.hotsia, recommend you try walking around, tasting local food, chatting with locals, and exploring the truth about the Paksan rose yourself. You will understand the true charm of this small town by the Mekong River.

Story and photos by Mr.Hotsia
August 2010

Watch the original Laotian version MV of the Kulap Paksan song

Listen to and watch the original version MV of the Kulap Paksan song I bring you to fully experience the atmosphere and emotion of this song.