Amazing Chiang Kong, Chiang Rai Province

[DonaldBattles]

On Sunday my friend David and his wife Mai gave me a short tour of Chiang Kong. Besides the great natural beauty of his gardens and houses in his compound there was more to see. We toured the area of the new bridge across the river. It seems to be on schedule. Pilings are being driven in the middle of the river. The commercial development of property is amazing as there are several new resorts going in along the river. All in the early stage. New houses and buildings in Chiang Kong can be seen popping up. The government is building roads so there is access to these beautiful properties over looking mountains, the river and Laos. Like much of the province of Chiang Rai we see rapid growth in the Thai population of middle and upper income people who are moving to Chiang Rai both young and old. The young are coming back home to take advantage of the new business opportunities and the older are moving here to build new homes and enjoy some of the highest quality of life in the world. Great country side living is hard to find. The new Central Plaza reflects the confidence that Thai business has in Chiang Rai. The rapid growth of Thai population in Chiang Rai has created a market for places like Central Plaza. Many of us are here because of the quality of life. I hope I can be around 10 years from now to see what the province will look like. Across the new bridge it is reported that there will be a large casino, 5 star hotel and a 19 hole golf course. There will be connecting 4 lane roads from the bridge all the way to the Malay border. Much of the 4 lane work in Chiang Rai is under way starting at Mai Sai and working down to new road connecting to the new bridge. With reported Chinese lease of a large plot of property in Chiang Saen and the new port there we will see a rapid building up trade between China and Thailand. In addition, I expect that you will see raw materials coming down the new Asia Highway and by boat to spur manufacturing of Chinese goods in their new 400 square kilometer plot of land for distribution in South Asia. Chiang Rai is headed for a rapid expansion in commercial and tourism activities. Please note that these are my observations and what I hear and are subject to challenge by those who are more in the know.

[jubby]

It would certainly seem so Don. Chiang khong does seem to be gearing up for more tourists but apart from a couple of main , popular hotels the place seems to be deviod of them. Hope the new bridge brings the tourists the place desperately needs and doesn't just become a Bypass.

Davids Place is ... well... I can't think of the right Superlative

Maybe its just perfect

[David2up]

Hi Don and Jubby,

Yes Chiang Khong seems to be on the move - and hopefully in a manageable manner.

If anyone out there is interested in property over this way, then please go to Mai's web page www.chiangkhonglifestyle.com

Cheers to everyone,

David and Mai

[sunholidaysun1]

At least we know roughly what the land prices are in that area, roughly 350,000 - 2m Bht per Rai but is that with Chanot ?

Now maybe people will understand how much the land prices have shot up over the past couple of years . Chiang Rai is getting very expensive and will continue to go up in land price value , you only have to look around to see how much construction is going on Everywhere.

[extexthai]

Well, perhaps they will now put in a rail line, at least to Chiang Rai. It sure could alleviate a lot of the large truck traffic on the super highway. With the increasing price of petrol, it sure would make sense to run it all the way to Chiang Saen. As long as they have a stop in Phayao! I love taking the train. ett

[Big Gary]

Well, perhaps they will now put in a rail line, at least to Chiang Rai. It sure could alleviate a lot of the large truck traffic on the super highway. With the increasing price of petrol, it sure would make sense to run it all the way to Chiang Saen. As long as they have a stop in Phayao! I love taking the train. ett

About 15 years ago we had some land in Wang Chai area. One day we saw some guys using a Theodolite near our land so my wife asked them what they were doing. They said they were surveying for the new rail link to Chiang Sen. Like I said 15 years ago.

[jubby]

Well, perhaps they will now put in a rail line, at least to Chiang Rai. It sure could alleviate a lot of the large truck traffic on the super highway. With the increasing price of petrol, it sure would make sense to run it all the way to Chiang Saen. As long as they have a stop in Phayao! I love taking the train. ett

About 15 years ago we had some land in Wang Chai area. One day we saw some guys using a Theodolite near our land so my wife asked them what they were doing. They said they were surveying for the new rail link to Chiang Sen. Like I said 15 years ago.

I suspect there just waiting for someone else to pay for it

[jaideeguy]

I was just up there for a quick drive trip and overnighted in CK at my favorite hotel.....the Namkhong. Lots of construction and activity. 4 lanes out of the old city......obviously big money comming in, or already there.

But, I didn't see any bridge construction. Can anyone tell me where the bridge is going to be located in relation to CK??.....assume south, but how far south??

[villagefarang]

"Can anyone tell me where the bridge is going to be located in relation to CK??"

Does this help?

Edited April 10, 2011 by villagefarang

[David2up]

I was just up there for a quick drive trip and overnighted in CK at my favorite hotel.....the Namkhong. Lots of construction and activity. 4 lanes out of the old city......obviously big money comming in, or already there.

But, I didn't see any bridge construction. Can anyone tell me where the bridge is going to be located in relation to CK??.....assume south, but how far south??

How to find the bridge:

There is a new 4 lane+ dirt road about 5km South of 7/11 or about 3km South of the hospital. At this time the new road does not go all the way through due to being under construction, but some the other side roads in that area will connect you through down at the river. From the main highway south of town to the river/new bridge, is about 3km. Hope this helps.

Construction on the pillings for the bridge are underway on both sides of the river.

Cheers,

David and Mai

Chiang Khong

[woralak]

I was just up there for a quick drive trip and overnighted in CK at my favorite hotel.....the Namkhong. Lots of construction and activity. 4 lanes out of the old city......obviously big money comming in, or already there.

But, I didn't see any bridge construction. Can anyone tell me where the bridge is going to be located in relation to CK??.....assume south, but how far south??

Hi Jaideeguy

For the location of the new bridge that is been constructed this side of the Mekong (Chiang Khong), from the Esso garage in CK travel Sth on the 1020 1.5 Km turn left at the Home Mart store (big blue sign) just before the garage on your right, this brings you into the village of Ban Jo Ko (where i live), travel another Point .6 Km you will come to a staggered T junction the right turn being the link road to the (soon to be )super highway (1020), continue on the road ahead for another 4.5 Km to the village of (Ban Don Ma Ha Wan), you will come to a new Spirit house on your left opposite a school if you turn left here it will bring you to, what is going to be a new hotel overlooking the Mekong (see pic 1000357.JPG), carry on ahead for 1.5 Km you will come to the construction site on your left for the new bridge, to gain entrance to the bridge construction take the next left approx 100 Mt.

I hope this helps also, if you are coming for a blimp and need futher assistance or you would like to call in for some refreshment please feel free to PM me before you come.

Edited April 10, 2011 by woralak

[Lizard2010]

I was just up there for a quick drive trip and overnighted in CK at my favorite hotel.....the Namkhong. Lots of construction and activity. 4 lanes out of the old city......obviously big money comming in, or already there.

But, I didn't see any bridge construction. Can anyone tell me where the bridge is going to be located in relation to CK??.....assume south, but how far south??

Hi Jaideeguy

For the location of the new bridge that is been constructed this side of the Mekong (Chiang Khong), from the Esso garage in CK travel Sth on the 1020 1.5 Km turn left at the Home Mart store (big blue sign) just before the garage on your right, this brings you into the village of Ban Jo Ko (where i live), travel another Point .6 Km you will come to a staggered T junction the right turn being the link road to the (soon to be )super highway (1020), continue on the road ahead for another 4.5 Km to the village of (Ban Don Ma Ha Wan), you will come to a new Spirit house on your left opposite a school if you turn left here it will bring you to, what is going to be a new hotel overlooking the Mekong (see pic 1000357.JPG), carry on ahead for 1.5 Km you will come to the construction site on your left for the new bridge, to gain entrance to the bridge construction take the next left approx 100 Mt.

I hope this helps also, if you are coming for a blimp and need futher assistance or you would like to call in for some refreshment please feel free to PM me before you come.

Thanks for the photo updates.

I look forward to your updates. :jap:

[woralak]

I was just up there for a quick drive trip and overnighted in CK at my favorite hotel.....the Namkhong. Lots of construction and activity. 4 lanes out of the old city......obviously big money comming in, or already there.

But, I didn't see any bridge construction. Can anyone tell me where the bridge is going to be located in relation to CK??.....assume south, but how far south??

Hi Jaideeguy

For the location of the new bridge that is been constructed this side of the Mekong (Chiang Khong), from the Esso garage in CK travel Sth on the 1020 1.5 Km turn left at the Home Mart store (big blue sign) just before the garage on your right, this brings you into the village of Ban Jo Ko (where i live), travel another Point .6 Km you will come to a staggered Cross road the right turn being the link road to the (soon to be )super highway (1020), continue on the road ahead for another 4.5 Km to the village of (Ban Don Ma Ha Wan), you will come to a new Spirit house on your left opposite a school if you turn left here it will bring you to, what is going to be a new hotel overlooking the Mekong (see pic 1000357.JPG), carry on ahead for 1.5 Km you will come to the construction site on your left for the new bridge, to gain entrance to the bridge construction take the next left approx 100 Mt.

I hope this helps also, if you are coming for a blimp and need futher assistance or you would like to call in for some refreshment please feel free to PM me before you come.

Edited April 10, 2011 by woralak

[jaideeguy]

Wow, you guys sure set me straight with your maps, fotos and detailed directions. I do think that I viewed the entrance on the under construction 'super hiway' now that you mention it.

I noticed on the map posted an airport on the Thai side. That would be a big plus. Some locals confirmed that land prices have skyrocketed from 250kthb/rai to a milthb/rai......can now see why.

One thing for sure.....all the development is going to make for total gridlock on an already congested 'main street'.....maybe they will build a bypass??

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"I hope this helps also, if you are coming for a blimp and need futher assistance or you would like to call in for some refreshment please feel free to PM me before you come."

Thanks for the invite and info Woralak, but what's a 'blimp'?? Do you have a restaurant up there??

[woralak]

Wow, you guys sure set me straight with your maps, fotos and detailed directions. I do think that I viewed the entrance on the under construction 'super hiway' now that you mention it.

I noticed on the map posted an airport on the Thai side. That would be a big plus. Some locals confirmed that land prices have skyrocketed from 250kthb/rai to a milthb/rai......can now see why.

One thing for sure.....all the development is going to make for total gridlock on an already congested 'main street'.....maybe they will build a bypass??

\

\

"I hope this helps also, if you are coming for a blimp and need futher assistance or you would like to call in for some refreshment please feel free to PM me before you come."

Thanks for the invite and info Woralak, but what's a 'blimp'?? Do you have a restaurant up there??

A blimp is English slang for (LOOK ), there is a restaurant at the "staggered cross road" but never tried it so cant comment, there are plenty to choose from in town though, why are you thinking of opening one near "the bridge" ?, think it could be a good idea for the future, on the blue sgin near to the construction it says 30 months for completion, they started about 12 months ago so your looking at another 18 months before it's finished but we all know what Thai Time means, the restaurant is food for thought though .

Edited April 11, 2011 by woralak

[jaideeguy]

Make a restaurant.....no thanks, been there/done that for the TW. But, Having said that, I didn't see much good food up in CK, altho we were only there for 3 meals. I have always liked CK for a day or 2, but as a tourist, what else is there to do but drink and look at the river??

CK does look like a great place to live if you had some high land with views of the river........but it looks like I waited too long to buy @ current prices.

[rmacdon61]

Funny this is all happening now. When I first came to the north around Sept 2010, I saw the sign "Bridge" on the way to Mae Sai and asked the wife, "lets go over the bridge HaHaHa". Well we went to CK and looked every where for this bridge and could find no one that knew anything about a bridge. Took a boat over to Laos and have since pointed out the bridge sign to the wife every time we go north of CR. At least now I know what that sign was all about and look forward to my first trip across it into Laos.