Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of the riverside immigration office, from 9am to noon (80B, two hours). This trip involves
a transfer in Ban Hat Bai, and after noon it's only possible to charter the entire vehicle,
which costs 1000B.
Chiang Saen has no proper bus terminal, rather there is a covered bus shelter at the east-
ern end of Th Phahonyothin where buses pick up and drop off passengers. From this stop
there are frequent buses to Chiang Rai (37B, 1½ hours, from 5.30am to 5.30pm) and a
daily bus to Chiang Mai (232B, five hours, 9am).
Sombat Tour
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 08 1595 4616; Th Phahonyothin; 8am-5.30pm)
operates two daily VIP buses to Bangkok (999B, 12 hours, 5pm and 5.30pm), departing
from a small office adjacent to Krung Thai Bank.
DAY BOAT TO JINGHONG (CHINA)
It was previously possible to take a passenger boat along the Mekong River from Chiang Saen to Jinghong in Ch-
ina's Xishuangbanna, a trip of 15 hours when conditions are right. However, this service was halted in 2011,
when a violent shooting incident led to the death of 13 Chinese sailors.
If reinstated, boats usually depart from Chiang Saen on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5am, but this is not
set in stone and it's important to call ahead before you make plans. During the drier months (typically March to
May) boats don't run, as rocks and shallows can hamper the way.
To do this trip you must already have your visa for China - several guesthouses in town can arrange this for
you, but it's quicker to arrange from Chiang Mai or Bangkok. If you already have a visa, tickets can be arranged
9am-7pm) or
Maekhong Delta Travel
( 0 5364 2517;
www.maekhongtravel.com
;
Maekhong Delta
Boutique Hotel, 230/5-6 Th Phaholyothin; one way 3500B or Y820;
9am-5pm) , the latter in Mae Sai.
Getting Around
Motorbike taxis will do short trips around town for 20B. They congregate near and across
from the bus stop.
A good way to see the Chiang Saen area is on two wheels. Mountain bikes and motor-
247/1 Th Phahonyothin, no roman-script sign; per 24hr bike/motorcycle 80/200B; 8am-7pm)
shop near a
barber shop on Th Phahonyothin, and
Angpao Chiangsaen Tour
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(
0 5365 0143;
www.angpaotour.com
;
121/2 Th Phahonyothin; motorcycle per 24hr 200B; 8am-5pm)
. The
latter can also provide a vehicle with driver and conducts a variety of local tours.
TOP OF CHAPTER
