Mekong Bridge Crossing New Bridge And Area Info From Chiang Khong To Laos

[WilliamCave]

Hi all

Was wondering in Chiang Khong crossing in to Laos on the new bridge will it be some what the same were as you need to spend a night in Chiang Khong or area before crossing the next morning?

And how are things going in Chiang Khong haven't been there for about 3 month was away working and am now back in bkk. Not sure if I have time to go up there on this

Love the area hope to retire there in about 2 years

Is there a local expat meeting place in the area like they have in other areas like pattaya chaing Mai ?

I do think there are many expats in the area just not active on TV .

I was looking at getting More land in the area it seems the price has actually dropped a bit since I bought my land in Chiang Khong . Seem that land used for rice farming has dropped a bit not sure why.

Any info on are thanks in advance

[DonaldBattles]

I have been told that the bridge will not open until July because the immigration and customs operations are not yet finished.

[TwentyBaht]

Yes, the Immigrations/Customs offices on both sides are not finished. Have visited both sides and construction progress seems to be similar.

Also, minor crane work is still being done on the span.

So, it would seem, opening the bridge in July would appear to be quite optimistic. Local people are under the impression it will be many months before the bridge will be operational. In part, to smooth out the local economic effects.

It has also been reported about 110 Immigration/Customs Officers will work at the bridge complex. None on site yet. Although,there are reports of these officers buying houses/property near Ban Thung Ngio (village near the access road to the bridge).

It is also said, first use of the bridge will be truck traffic. As, about 200 trucks per day can sometimes transit Chiang Khong and the ferry crossing. Trucks navigating the narrow main street and road damage a growing problem.

Also, the growing number of 20, 30, even 100 auto caravans from China.

Driving along the five kilometers between Chiang Khong and the bridge access road, it can be clearly seen that the business center of gravity in Chiang Khong is moving toward the bridge.

And,also indications of this on the Laos side.

Also, a bit interesting; I was also told by a credible Laos source that next year the pier for the Slow Boat leaving for Luang Prahbang will be moved downstream of the bridge. Land already bought for this. Explanation given in part is that Buddhist Monk will not travel on a boat going under a bridge.

Cheers

.

[WilliamCave]

Yes, the Immigrations/Customs offices on both sides are not finished. Have visited both sides and construction progress seems to be similar.

Also, minor crane work is still being done on the span.

So, it would seem, opening the bridge in July would appear to be quite optimistic. Local people are under the impression it will be many months before the bridge will be operational. In part, to smooth out the local economic effects.

It has also been reported about 110 Immigration/Customs Officers will work at the bridge complex. None on site yet. Although,there are reports of these officers buying houses/property near Ban Thung Ngio (village near the access road to the bridge).

It is also said, first use of the bridge will be truck traffic. As, about 200 trucks per day can sometimes transit Chiang Khong and the ferry crossing. Trucks navigating the narrow main street and road damage a growing problem.

Also, the growing number of 20, 30, even 100 auto caravans from China.

Driving along the five kilometers between Chiang Khong and the bridge access road, it can be clearly seen that the business center of gravity in Chiang Khong is moving toward the bridge.

And,also indications of this on the Laos side.

Also, a bit interesting; I was also told by a credible Laos source that next year the pier for the Slow Boat leaving for Luang Prahbang will be moved downstream of the bridge. Land already bought for this. Explanation given in part is that Buddhist Monk will not travel on a boat going under a bridge.

Cheers

.

Thanks for the info, as I thought the business near the bridge would pick up and the business in town would lose a bit.

The reason I ask all the time about the bridge and business in the area is I have property near the bridge. Not sure what I am going to do in the future. The land next to me the owner wants me to buy the 4 rai and it has a stream all the way down one side. So for future investment I am thinking about buying it because it is beside my land now. Can see the mountains of Laos beautiful area.

The bridge is 5 min drive from me now I can go through the small town just south of the bridge or take the main road.

[villagefarang]

WC

While I understand your interest in Chiang Khong, and perhaps apprehension about the future of Chiang Khong, the truth is no one knows how things will unfold over the next two years. I say trust your own instincts. No one knows your situation better than you or what will make you happy in the future.

[Manassas]

I drove out to the bridge last week. The span looks almost complete and they are working on the customs inspection lanes. But nothing has been done to the roads out of CK and they are not in good shape. I hate to think what new convoys of heavy trucks will do to the local roads and traffic conditions.

And then once trucks get onto the superhighway do they really want to drive all the way from CR to BKK? I would think (hope) one of the more southerly bridges would be a better choice.

[DonaldBattles]

My experience in trucking items from factories to China sea shipping ports reflects heavy cost for road shipments. If the bridge is expected to accommodate up to 300 eighteen wheel trucks per day to haul products to Bangkok the fuel expense will add a lot of cost to a lot of cost already for shipping from Yunnan Province. Naturally the Chinese Government can subsidise the truckers if they choose. For domestic shipments to seaports they do not subsidise.

I agree that these trucks will destroy the roads that are already poorly maintained. So far, all of these trucks are loaded at the Chinese border onto Lao or Thai Trucks. These 2 countries have to cover the cost of expensive road shipping. I seriously doubt that the level of shipping suggested by some will develop. However, the amount of truck traffic from the port of Chiang Sean currently is heavy. These trucks are backed up waiting to be loaded.

Based on current reported status of the bridge they should be able to open it by December.

Another major question remains about the projected Chinese population of 1 million in 10 years to work on the huge light industrial complex across from the Golden Triangle. they have a 99 year lease on 30,000 Rai with the Lao Government. Is this part of their plan to relocate part of a large Muslim population?

A friend in Chiang Kong says that there are hordes of Chinese tourist coming across the river in Chiang Sean and Chiang Kong every month. God only knows what these hordes will bring to Chiang Rai. This coupled with the drug business will sure change things in peace full Chiang Rai.

[Tomtomtom69]

My experience in trucking items from factories to China sea shipping ports reflects heavy cost for road shipments. If the bridge is expected to accommodate up to 300 eighteen wheel trucks per day to haul products to Bangkok the fuel expense will add a lot of cost to a lot of cost already for shipping from Yunnan Province. Naturally the Chinese Government can subsidise the truckers if they choose. For domestic shipments to seaports they do not subsidise.

I agree that these trucks will destroy the roads that are already poorly maintained. So far, all of these trucks are loaded at the Chinese border onto Lao or Thai Trucks. These 2 countries have to cover the cost of expensive road shipping. I seriously doubt that the level of shipping suggested by some will develop. However, the amount of truck traffic from the port of Chiang Sean currently is heavy. These trucks are backed up waiting to be loaded.

Based on current reported status of the bridge they should be able to open it by December.

Another major question remains about the projected Chinese population of 1 million in 10 years to work on the huge light industrial complex across from the Golden Triangle. they have a 99 year lease on 30,000 Rai with the Lao Government. Is this part of their plan to relocate part of a large Muslim population?

A friend in Chiang Kong says that there are hordes of Chinese tourist coming across the river in Chiang Sean and Chiang Kong every month. God only knows what these hordes will bring to Chiang Rai. This coupled with the drug business will sure change things in peace full Chiang Rai.

I thought Chiang Saen wasn't an international crossing for international tourists, except if they are coming on the boat from Jinghong, China - Chiang Saen is currently only for Thai and Lao citizens. Therefore your friend means Chiang Khong.

[DonaldBattles]

My last trip to the Golden Triangle I saw many Chinese tourist coming across from Lao.

[Tomtomtom69]

My last trip to the Golden Triangle I saw many Chinese tourist coming across from Lao.

Yes, from Huay Xai, which is opposite Chiang Khong; other nationalities are also crossing here. That is a legal international border crossing. I have so far not been made aware that Chiang Saen has been made an international crossing - my sources tell me it is only for locals i.e. Thai and Lao nationals though it could be upgraded to an international crossing at some stage. However, there is little need really - Chiang Khong is a mere 55km away and given how long it has taken them to build the bridge there which still hasn't opened and now may only open around December, I wouldn't hold my breath for a second bridge in Chiang Saen that may only open in 10+ years. In the meantime, given that Burmese crossings have now opened, I would bet more on a secondary transit route from Thailand to China via Myanmar - this depends on Chinese/Burmese cooperation in opening Daluo for international crossings. Once this happens, this will become the shortest route between Thailand and China, bypassing the current Thailand-Laos-China route.

Edited September 2, 2013 by Tomtomtom69

[Tomtomtom69]

My last trip to the Golden Triangle I saw many Chinese tourist coming across from Lao.

Also, there is a one day boat trip that we can all do, it starts from the Thai side, takes you to a Lao island where you pay a 20 Baht "entry fee" then returns to Thailand. Perhaps this is what you meant. There is no official border crossing at the Golden Triangle for any nationalities and certainly not for third party international tourists such as Chinese. The nearest official crossings from there are Chiang Khong and Mae Sai.

Edited September 2, 2013 by Tomtomtom69

[TwentyBaht]

Tomtomtom69;

Yes, the Golden Triangle crossing is international, as we have been told by the Thai Immigration there. And, there are reports of people crossing and cycling on into Laos. Also, after crossing into Laos, a speedboat at the Golden Triangle can take people upriver to a small Laos town (name ?) where bus service is available. For onward journey to China. But, small numbers for either of these venues now. Chiang Khong seems to be the preferred crossing.

As to the Chinese Express Boat to/from Jinghong, our information is the boat is not operating. And, the office in Chiang Saen was closed when we last went by to check.

As to the Friendship IV Bridge;

We now hear the bridge will open in December.

About three months ago, there was a visible slowdown in construction effort on the Immigration/Customs buildings. Now, construction has intensified. Offices now have doors installed and painted. And, beautification projects are ongoing on the road leading in.

And, while on the river, I saw some large tandem trucks crossing the span. And, mini-vans. Construction. And, testing, maybe.

I'll add, one of the more interesting new tourism phenomena are the Chinese caravans. A Laos associate arranges these. Normally twenty or thirty car caravans. But, recently, fifty, one-hundred, and now two-hundred car caravans. Driving from China to Malaysia.

Enough said that China and Laos are right lane driving. Caravan transitioning to left lane driving is not without mishap in Chiang Khong. Residents have learned to watch out for Mandarin car tag.

Cheers

[sceadugenga]

There's certainly an immigration office in Chiang Saen, I have a feeling that the boats that come down from China with cargo and passengers dock there.

[DonaldBattles]

At the Golden Triangle Immigration has opened a nice new facility. Very modern and efficient. It is close to the Big Buddha. Boats are running all day bringing Chinese, Thais, Lations and others across the river.

The Immigration Office in Chiang Saen is used by the Chinese Boats. Also, when I went to China from Chiang Saen I was checked in and out of the immigration office at Chiang Saen.

Sorry to hear that the Executive Boat to Jinghong is not operating. I enjoyed the trip up and back.

[DonaldBattles]

A friend recently advised me that the destination of the Chinese trucks coming to Thailand is Laem Chabang Port. As this is the most economical way for products from Yunnan and some surrounding provinces to get their products shipped over seas.

At one point they had considered Vietnam as the country to ship out of but this has changed.

This is also in line with the Chinese plan to have a super manufacturing facility across from the Golden Triangle.

[TwentyBaht]

sceadugenga,

Yes, there is an Immigration Office in Chiang Saen. And, a two-person Office on the river. Which, the two Officers inside said would be closed. Their functions moved to the Golden Triangle office. They were there only to direct people to that office.

The Chinese Express boat is not running from Chiang Saen. The Immigration Officers probably happy about that. They had to provide exit at 4:00 AM to facilitate the boat service.

But, interestingly, when talking to the Thai/Laos/Myanmar cargo boatmen on the riverfront, they said passengers could run upriver on the cargo boats? But, most likely, that venue would not be without trepidation.

And, as general information;

I have been told by Mae Sai Immigration to do my next extension from the Chiang Saen Immigration office. The Immigration Offices were changing areas of responsibility. And, soon after, I visited the Chiang Saen Immigration Office. Was told it is a full service office.

Cheers

[sceadugenga]

Going up river on a cargo boat would be something I would have done in my prime 20B but would definitely view such an adventure with trepidation now...

So where does the Chinese express boat dock now?

Edited September 3, 2013 by sceadugenga

[DonaldBattles]

I am advised that there is great danger boarding one of the Chinese cargo boats as you will never reach your destination.

Previously it was reported that the office for the Executive Boat was closed. Maybe they moved to The Golden Triangle. Does anyone know about it?

[sceadugenga]

Here's a blog written in January

http://www.travelandescape.ca/2013/01/how-to-take-a-boat-from-thailand-to-china/

[DonaldBattles]

Still we don't seem to know if the boat is running anymore or when and where it leaves from. Before it went directly to Jinghong after clearing immigration. The boat in this blog must be another one.

[sceadugenga]

Maybe the river was too low at that time of the year Don?

[TwentyBaht]

The Chinese Express (Executive) Boat to Jinghong was docked/organized/ticketed by the Maekhong Delta Travel Agency, located a few hundred meters downriver from the Chiang Saen Marine Offices/Port. (Happened to drive by there yesterday. Still closed.)

My understanding is port services (Cargo/Customs/Passengers) are administered in Chiang Saen. Not, in the Golden Triangle. Why the Express Boat left from Chiang Saen.

As to "intrepid" cargo boat passengers, the Laos/Myanmar boatmen say they do not dock in Jinghong. Rather, at a port a few kilometers south. But, no Chinese Immigration services there. Bus to Jinghong? Or, onward?

And, possibly a bit interesting. Looking directly across the Mekong from the Golden Triangle Thai Immigration Office. The beautiful structure there. It looks like part of the Roman Casino Complex. Same architecture. But, it is the Laos Immigration Offices.

Cheers

[DonaldBattles]

For years ago I enjoyed the boat trip to Jinghong. Sorry that it did not work out and it is now closed. It was a nice trip.

Look for the Chinese to do big things on the Lao side of The Golden Triangle that will impact Chiang Rai. They are coming and it is estimated that there will be about 1 million of them there. Naturally the Thai Immigration can not control this many people so look for Chinese restaurants and cat houses to pop up in Chiang Rai. Get your chopsticks read. The 300 truckers per day expected to cross the new bridge will be good customers for the Chinese who will invade Chiang Rai. Now is the time to start learning Mandarin.

[Tomtomtom69]

Tomtomtom69;

Yes, the Golden Triangle crossing is international, as we have been told by the Thai Immigration there. And, there are reports of people crossing and cycling on into Laos. Also, after crossing into Laos, a speedboat at the Golden Triangle can take people upriver to a small Laos town (name ?) where bus service is available. For onward journey to China. But, small numbers for either of these venues now. Chiang Khong seems to be the preferred crossing.

As to the Chinese Express Boat to/from Jinghong, our information is the boat is not operating. And, the office in Chiang Saen was closed when we last went by to check.

As to the Friendship IV Bridge;

We now hear the bridge will open in December.

About three months ago, there was a visible slowdown in construction effort on the Immigration/Customs buildings. Now, construction has intensified. Offices now have doors installed and painted. And, beautification projects are ongoing on the road leading in.

And, while on the river, I saw some large tandem trucks crossing the span. And, mini-vans. Construction. And, testing, maybe.

I'll add, one of the more interesting new tourism phenomena are the Chinese caravans. A Laos associate arranges these. Normally twenty or thirty car caravans. But, recently, fifty, one-hundred, and now two-hundred car caravans. Driving from China to Malaysia.

Enough said that China and Laos are right lane driving. Caravan transitioning to left lane driving is not without mishap in Chiang Khong. Residents have learned to watch out for Mandarin car tag.

Cheers

Driving to Malaysia? I'm pretty sure they only drive to Chiang Mai, which is where every second Chinese who visits Thailand wants to go. I think that Chinese cars should be forced to have a Thai guide accompany them at all times, at least until China opens up for Thai car tourism in a tit for tat move (you can already go as part of a caravan, but not freely as far as I'm aware unless your car is Lao registered and even then you need new permission for every province you cross). I also think there should be limitations on the number of Chinese vehicles that can cross into Thailand at any one time - 200 cars crossing at once is problematic - perhaps also a requirement to put special Thai plates on all Chinese cars should be made mandatory as well.

BTW from Laos to China only the following bus routes exist: Huay Xai to Kunming and Huay Xai to Jinghong (not sure if the Kunming bus now also serves Jinghong as well or not) and Luang Nam Tha to Mengla/Jinghong and Luang Prabang to Kunming and Vientiane to Kunming. For other points in northern Laos, a local bus is first needed to get to the Chinese frontier and then you can change to a bus to wherever you want to go inside Yunnan from there.

Didn't know that the Chiang Saen crossing was an international crossing now, thanks for the news.

[Tomtomtom69]

A friend recently advised me that the destination of the Chinese trucks coming to Thailand is Laem Chabang Port. As this is the most economical way for products from Yunnan and some surrounding provinces to get their products shipped over seas.

At one point they had considered Vietnam as the country to ship out of but this has changed.

This is also in line with the Chinese plan to have a super manufacturing facility across from the Golden Triangle.

What are you talking about Chinese trucks driving into Thailand? As it stands, Chinese trucks can't enter Thailand - they unload all their goods onto Thai trucks on the Lao side (or sometimes the Chinese side) of the Lao-Chinese border at Boten and it then gets trucked to points within Thailand that way. There's no way a Chinese trucker with zero knowledge of Thai, probably only a smattering of English would drive a truck with the steering wheel on the wrong side of the vehicle hundreds of km (almost 1000) all the way down to Bangkok or Laem Chabang and the Thais would allow this, thus the whole Thai trucking industry would be affected - people would be up in arms by these Chinese truckers stealing their jobs. The Chinese for their part only allow Thai fruit trucks to travel up to Jinghong (although I have only ever seen Lao trucks inside Sipsongbanna, not even one Thai one but apparently there is an agreement that allows it) so I highly doubt that the Thais would suddenly accept Chinese truckers coming down to Bangkok since the Chinese are worried about trucking jobs being taken by foreign drivers, so too are the Thais. Your friend is telling you a whole bunch of garbage so you better start listening to someone else - as it stands even Lao or Malaysian trucks don't make it to Bangkok - not even one Lao or Malaysian truck has ever driven to Bangkok so what are the chances of a Chinese truck making it? Zero!

And in the case of Vietnam, there is no chance the Vietnamese would ever let Chinese trucks enter their country, zero, none whatsoever (unless there is a change in policy sometime in the future). The Vietnamese generally make it very difficult for any foreign registered vehicles to enter their country and the Chinese are amongst the most restricted - currently only Cambodian and Lao trucks can enter the country at all, although apparently Thai trucks can enter up to 10km inside Vietnam at two Lao-Vietnamese crossings to offload/pick up goods there. Also, Lao trucks must only offload goods inside Vietnam and drive back empty - Lao cars must now have a Lao driver if the car is company registered. A third party foreigner or Vietnamese can only drive such car into Vietnam if they have a letter from the company that owns the vehicle stating that they work for that company, otherwise can't enter Vietnam with that car.

Edited September 7, 2013 by Tomtomtom69

[Tomtomtom69]

Still we don't seem to know if the boat is running anymore or when and where it leaves from. Before it went directly to Jinghong after clearing immigration. The boat in this blog must be another one.

According to the article I read that was posted by another poster, it's not a year-round service, never was. I remember asking about it in Jinghong in March of last year and was advised it only runs from April or May to June or July, something like that. Because it's now September is probably the reason it's not running anymore this year. However, it could also be that security concerns, emanating from the attack on 13 Chinese sailors in late 2011? or was it 2012? which has caused them to suspend the service.

[Tomtomtom69]

My experience in trucking items from factories to China sea shipping ports reflects heavy cost for road shipments. If the bridge is expected to accommodate up to 300 eighteen wheel trucks per day to haul products to Bangkok the fuel expense will add a lot of cost to a lot of cost already for shipping from Yunnan Province. Naturally the Chinese Government can subsidise the truckers if they choose. For domestic shipments to seaports they do not subsidise.

I agree that these trucks will destroy the roads that are already poorly maintained. So far, all of these trucks are loaded at the Chinese border onto Lao or Thai Trucks. These 2 countries have to cover the cost of expensive road shipping. I seriously doubt that the level of shipping suggested by some will develop. However, the amount of truck traffic from the port of Chiang Sean currently is heavy. These trucks are backed up waiting to be loaded.

Based on current reported status of the bridge they should be able to open it by December.

Another major question remains about the projected Chinese population of 1 million in 10 years to work on the huge light industrial complex across from the Golden Triangle. they have a 99 year lease on 30,000 Rai with the Lao Government. Is this part of their plan to relocate part of a large Muslim population?

A friend in Chiang Kong says that there are hordes of Chinese tourist coming across the river in Chiang Sean and Chiang Kong every month. God only knows what these hordes will bring to Chiang Rai. This coupled with the drug business will sure change things in peace full Chiang Rai.

1 million is a lot - let's hope this number never happens. Also, the Lao government surely can't allow 1 million foreigners in to work on such a project, without objecting to the lack of presence of locals and job opportunities for them? Currently the King Romans casino in Ton Pheung (across from Chiang Saen) is employing 40% Chinese and the rest are Lao, Thai and Burmese. Officially though according to Lao labor law, no more than 20% of all skilled labor should be foreigners so King Romans is actually falling foul of the law but it seems that only western companies operating in Laos care about these ratios, or perhaps King Romans just bribes the Lao government to look the other way and who then accept a larger share of foreigners than is normally allowed by Lao labor law. However, the fact that 60% of their workforce is not Chinese goes to show that King Romans is somewhat ethical and I do hope that future projects in the region will follow their lead - and hopefully over time King Romans can reduce their Chinese workforce down to 20% or less - these days there are thousands of Lao students studying Chinese in Kunming and to a lesser extent other cities in China. Once they graduate, most of them will be looking at working back home in Laos as job opportunities for Lao citizens in China are naturally extremely limited. Therefore, Chinese companies in Laos should be looking towards hiring this sizable group of graduates who are well versed in both Lao and Chinese.

I have a strong vested interest in such things as I too work for a Chinese company and we are considering expanding into Laos and Thailand. As the general manager and as somebody with a strong sense of ethics, I will employ as many Lao as possible on our project - as well as some Thais and others.

[DonaldBattles]

Most Thai truck drivers can't speak a word of English or Chinese but they are permitted to drive to China?. They are used to driving down the middle of the road so no problem in China. I think that you will find that the Lao frequently drive their vehicles to Thailand as Thais drive to Laos. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THE CHINESE ARE GOING TO BE COMING IN MASS THEN YOU NEED TO TALK TO OTHERS. Their relatives own most of Bangkok now so they will be welcome there.

[DonaldBattles]

It is pretty obvious that the Chinese are controlling the northern part of Lao. Communist like to stick together. When you are looking for ethical people across from the Golden Triangle like here they may be hard to find.

[sceadugenga]

I always though the Lao PDR was in the Vietnamese sphere of influence which wasn't quite as close to China as a "similar" political ideals could make them.