Transport - Thailand - page 1550

Province, to Bangkok is still missing one vital link: the fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (at Chiang Khong-Huay Xai)
across the Mekong River, which is projected to be completed at the end of 2014.
Chiang Saen to Jinghong It was once possible to take a slow boat along the Mekong River from northern Thailand to
China's Yunnan Province, but service has been suspended.
LAOS
It is fairly hassle free to cross into Laos from northern and northeastern Thailand. Lao visas (US$35 to US$50) can be
obtained on arrival and applications require a passport photo. Try to have crisp, clean bills. There are increasing
amounts of direct buses that link major towns on both sides of the border, making the border towns just a formality stop.
Nong Khai to Vientiane The first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge to span the Mekong River is one of the main gateways
between the two countries. Nong Khai is easily reached by train or bus from Bangkok.
Chiang Khong to Huay Xai The fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge increases the popularity of this crossing that links
northern Thailand with Luang Prabang via boat. Direct buses from Chiang Mai to Laos use this crossing.
Mukdahan to Savannakhet The second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge provides a trilateral link between Thailand, Laos
and Vietnam.
Nakhon Phanom to Tha Khaek The third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connects northeastern Thailand to southern
Laos.
Chong Mek to Vangtao The border is best accessed via Ubon Ratchathani (Thailand) and is a good option for transiting
to Pakse (Laos). Direct buses from Ubon are now available.
In northeastern Thailand, remote crossings include Bueng Kan to Paksan (Lao visas must be arranged in advance) and
Tha Li to Kaen Thao (requires chartered transport). In northern Thailand, a remote crossing includes Ban Huay Kon to
Muang Ngeun.
MALAYSIA
Malaysia, especially the west coast, is easy to reach via bus, train and even boat.
Hat Yai to Butterworth The western spur of the train line originating in Bangkok terminates at Butterworth, the main-
land transfer point to Penang.
Hat Yai to Padang Besar Buses originate out of the southern transit town of Hat Yai en route to a variety of Malaysian
destinations. Border formalities are handled at Padang Besar.
Sungai Kolok to Kota Bahru While this border crossing is a possibility, the continued violence in Thailand's Deep
South means that we do not recommend it.
Ko Lipe to Langkawi Boats provide a convenient high-season link between these two Andaman islands.
There is also boat service from the mainland port of Satun (Thailand) to the Malaysian island of Langkawi and the
mainland town of Kuala Perlis, but most travellers transit to Malaysia via Ko Lipe (Thailand).
MYANMAR
As part of the AEC (ASEAN Economic Community) integration goals, Myanmar has lifted travel restrictions at four of
its borders with Thailand, meaning that foreign visitors can now enter the country with a pre-arranged Myanmarese visa
and exit via a different border (previously all visitors had to enter and exit via the same controlled point). Of the four
borders, Ban Phu Nam Ron to Htee-Khee is a new crossing requiring major infrastructure investment; the Thai govern-
ment intends to develop this route as a link between Bangkok and Myanmar's Dawei port in the Andaman Sea.
Mae Sai to Tachileik This is a popular border-run crossing. It also hosts a popular border market that can be visited on
a day trip from Thailand without a pre-arranged visa. For further travel, a pre-arranged visa is required.