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Enjoy Traveling in Chiang Rai: The 4th Mekong River Bridge
The 4th Mekong River Bridge http://www.hotsia.com > Enjoy Traveling in Chiang Rai > The 4th Mekong River Bridge. A trip Mr.Hotsia took in downtown Chiang Rai, strolling around the city, affordable and good hotels in Chiang Rai, pork blood soup at Saharos restaurant, pork blood soup with jinjuchai, bitter melon at Kangkok evening market in Chiang Rai, mango sticky rice ice cream, fishing in the Mekong River at Chiang Khong. The 4th Mekong River Bridge is located in Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai Province.
Let's briefly review the other bridges: The first is Nong Khai-Vientiane, the second Mukdahan-Savannakhet, the third Nakhon Phanom-Tha Khaek. The fourth bridge opened in December 2013. The 4th Mekong River Bridge is located opposite Huay Sai town in Bokeo Province. Reflecting on the importance of each Mekong River bridge, the first connects Nong Khai to the capital Vientiane, focusing on linking capitals. The second, Mukdahan-Savannakhet, focuses on crossing to continue travel to central Vietnam.
The third, Tha Khaek-Nakhon Phanom, opens access to central Vietnam, encouraging Thai tourists to visit the beautiful Laos area with giant walls and many caves I visited. The fourth focuses on opening the gateway to Yunnan, China. This bridge was funded equally by Thailand and China. China completed and handed over the bridge to Laos, after which Laos held an opening ceremony with Thailand the next day. The entrance to this Mekong River bridge is 5 kilometers from Chiang Khong town and 4 kilometers from the entrance to the bridge.
The total distance from the border checkpoint to the town is 9 kilometers. The new Chiang Khong bus station is about 1 kilometer from the bridge junction. Once completed, traveling by bus to the bridge will be easier and cheaper. Traveling between Chiang Khong town and the Mekong River bridge costs 50 baht per person by tuk-tuk if four people share, totaling 200 baht. From the Thai border to Chiang Khong town, a cooperative controls the price, with songthaew fares the same.
200 baht per vehicle or 50 baht per person for four people, leaving when full. If traveling from Chiang Mai or Bangkok, you may ask to get off at the bridge junction where three-wheeled tuk-tuks offer rides to the checkpoint. I did not ask the price. Traveling from the Thai border to the Laos border, there are Thai-Lao joint buses with air conditioning running alternately between Thailand and Laos. The fare is 50 baht per person. From the Thai side, buy the bus ticket before immigration exit. Carrying luggage like Mr.Hotsia (www.hotsia.com)
does not require placing it under the bus. Buses depart continuously when full. From the Laos side to Thailand, after immigration exit, buy a ticket to cross. On the Mekong River bridges between Thailand and Laos, as far as I know, pedestrians are not allowed to walk across like on the Mae Sot bridge to Myawaddy. Traveling from the Laos border to Huay Sai town in Bokeo Province costs 100 baht per person by songthaew, payable in Thai baht.
For travel to slow and fast boats to Luang Prabang, you must take a vehicle from the border to the pier, then buy a slow boat ticket for 100,000 kip or 400 baht. The boat departs at 11:00 AM and reaches Pak Beng just before dusk. From Pak Beng, buy a boat ticket to Luang Prabang. The boat leaves at 9:00 AM and arrives in Luang Prabang just before dusk. Currently, Luang Prabang's slow boat pier has moved 7 kilometers outside the town, requiring a songthaew or tuk-tuk ride back into town.
I recommend staying in Chiang Khong where accommodation is affordable, food is available, and you can stroll around. On Fridays, there is a cultural event at Tha Pha Than. Staying in Huay Sai town is also possible but there are fewer places to walk. You will see the lifestyle of the Lao people. The slow boat pier is not in Huay Sai town but several kilometers north along the river, requiring a hired vehicle or walking if you want exercise; many people walk there.
The distance from Huay Sai town to the pier is exactly 1 kilometer, walking is cheaper. Leave early and enjoy the view along the way. If staying in Chiang Khong, cross the bridge early and take a vehicle directly to the pier for 100 baht, arriving around 9:00 AM after leaving Chiang Khong at 7:00 AM. Leave early to avoid slow border procedures. GPS coordinates (POI): 20 13 1.938 N, 100 27 42.737 E; 20 13 2.777 N, 100 27 42.761 E; 20 13 1.938 N, 100 27 42.737 E; 20 13 1.745 N, 100 27 42.689 E
20 13 2.777 N, 100 27 42.761 E
