Hi everyone

My wife and I will be travelling from Luang Namtha in Laos to Chiang Mai. Can someone tell me where the practical entry point is into Thailand for this journey?

Also what is the approximate travel time between Luang Namtha and the Thai border?

Thanks

enigma

The main crossing point is at Ban Houei Sai via ferry boat to Chiang Khong on the Thai side. I think it's about a three hour trip on a newly repaired road.

The vehicular ferry is on the north end of Houei Sai town. The people only boats, longtail boats, come and go from the center of town.

Handy maps of Lao towns, including Nam Tha and Houei Sai, here: http://www.hobomaps.com/

Mac

There is now a bus from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, it must pass through or very near to Luang Namtha.

it all depends on whether you're traveling in a private vehicle or the public bus. Private vehicles can do the trip in about 3 hours. the bus takes closer to 4. You also need to allow time to get to and from the bus stations. The LNT station is pretty far from town. The bus station at Houie Xai is about 3 kms from immigration.

Thanks everybody for your help. Some useful information