Chiang Khong is 120kms from Chiang Rai and 870kms from Bangkok. 12GO ASIA can provide you with tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Rai or Chiang Khong. Journey duration to the latter is just short of 12 hours. If going all the way through, a seat on a VIP bus is a good investment and is only THB120 more than a standard one.
Chiang Khong is on the opposite side of the Mekong River from Huay Xai in Laos. The new Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge IV links the two, but is outside both of the towns and people crossing the border have to take local buses or one of the international ones to cross.
Mae Sai is 60kms north of Chiang Rai and takes a little over 11 hours from Bangkok by bus. Again, VIP seats give the optimum amount of comfort. After arrival in Mae Sai a THB15 trip in a shared songthaew taxi drops travellers right beside the Thai immigration post for Tachilek and Myanmar’s Shan State.
North from Bangkok to Myanmar and Laos
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Chiang Rai is the biggest town in the far north of Thailand and one of the main gateways to the neighbouring countries of Myanmar and Laos. Although there are quite a few border crossings in the area, the only two with official immigration and customs facilities are at Mae Sai and Chiang Khong.