Chiang Rai Flights

I took a VIP bus from the Arcade bus station in Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai which left at 10.15am, took 3 hours and cost 280 baht. It was a lovely bus with reclining leather seats with leg-rests and miles of legroom and space, a/c and a piece of cake and bottle of water thrown in for free. You'll pass by some lovely scenery on the way plus go over some big hills. I arrived in Chiang Rai at 1pm.

Buses to Chiang Khong which lies on the banks of the Mekong River opposite the Laos town of Huay Xai, depart from the bus station in the town centre, every hour on the hour from 6am to 5pm. The journey is on a rather cranky old bus along rather poor roads which seem to get worse the further you go. The trip takes about 2-2.5hrs and costs 70 baht. The bus drops you off about 2km south of the Thai immigration control so it's best to take a tuk-tuk.

I am quite convinced, and I have mentioned it in other tips, that the siting of new bus stations in Thailand is conducted by the so-called tuk-tuk mafia. I can think of no other reason why they are situated in such inaccesible spots far out of town other than to provide a captive audience for the drivers. There are two bus stations in Chiang Rai, this tip deals with the prosaically named Bus Staion #2 which is on the main Highway several kilometres out of town. This services long-distance buses although more local buses stil depart from the old Bus Station in the centre of town (Bus Station #1 would you believe?) Again, I must say that my Lonely Planet guide let me down, making no mention of the new station although in fairness it does look very recently opened.

I arrived quite late in the evening, and the place was totally dead, with only one tuk tuk man in evidence so I grabbed him. From memory I think the fare into town was about 200 baht. I had occasion to return during the day and it was a bit livelier, although many of the new associated retail outlets still remain unoccupied. For a daytime departure or arrival, there are sufficient food outlets and shops to stock up in.

When we arrived in Chiang Mai we were pleased to see there were lots of taxis available. We had afrieindly driver that gave us a mini tour on the way to the Hotel. The price was 200 BHT ...for two people with luggage.

You can travel by both on road and fly-in. From Bangkok, catch a bus at Mo Chit Bus Station, near Jatujak weekend market. I recommend the VIP (24-seat) buses, very comfy and reliable. There are several operators, but the most famous one is Siam First Tour. The bus leaves at 5-6-7-8 p.m. expect to pay around 800 Baht - travel time 12+ hours.

-- TO LAOS --
From downtown Chiang Rai, there are minibuses to Chiang Saan and then to Chiang Kong. There, you can catch a ferry across Kong River (Mae Kong) to Laos. From Luang Namta district on Lao's side you can either catch a fast (6-7 hours) or slow (overnight) ferry to Luang Prabang via Vang Vieng.

-- TO BURMA --
From downtown, take a minibus to Mae Sai (there're also direct buses from Bangkok to Mae Sai.) From Mae Sai, I suggest you catch Mandalay Air to Mandalay or Yangoon cuz the road condition is really poor.....