Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chiang Khan
042
Virtually overnight, what was once a sleepy little-known riverside town full of traditional
timber houses became a trendy destination for Thais, and now tour buses arrive in Chiang
Khan daily.
The Mekong River at this point is reaching its final dramatic stretch of mountainous
impediments before it slumps eastward into the flat plateau of greater Isan and beyond.
The flood plain of the river is Loei's most fertile area and has the greatest population con-
centration. You'll find farmers and merchants frolicking at
Kaeng Khut Khu
, a series of rap-
ids about 5km downstream from town. This is a popular recreation spot in the dry season.
Most guesthouses arrange 1½-hour boat trips (around 1000B for up to 10 people) to the
rapids.
Chiangkhan Riverview Guesthouse
( 08 0741 8055; 277 Th Chai Khong; r 300-800B; )
has rooms with fan and air-con, shared and private bathrooms, and a mix of old and new
construction. The friendly owners of the seven-room
Huean Yai Bab
( 0 4282 1705; 340 Th
Chai Khong; r incl breakfast 1500-1800B;
)
have combined historic touches with
modern stylings.
So
̆
rngta
̆
aou
to Loei (35B, 1¼ hours) depart about every 15 minutes in the early morn-
ing from a stop on Rte 201. From a terminal 300m south, there are also eight buses bound
for Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat; 326B, seven hours). Three companies, departing from
offices around town in the morning and evening, make the run direct to Bangkok (351B to
756B, 10 hours).
No transport runs direct to Nong Khai. The quickest way there is via Loei and Udon
Thani, but for the scenic river route take a Loei-bound
sŏrngtă aou
south to Ban Tad (20B,
30 minutes), where you can catch the bus to Nong Khai that leaves Loei at 6am. Another
option is to hire a car (about 700B) to take you to Pak Chom where there are buses to
Nong Khai at 10am and 3pm (80B, four hours).
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