Chiang Saen welcomes first tourist group arriving by boat from China

CHIANG RAI: -- It is rare for Chinese travellers to take a boat to Thailand from China.

But today it may be the start of the new chapter of tourism cooperation between China and Thailand when the Mekong river tourism cruise is to be revived again after such service has seen no Chinese tourist arrival for over seven years.

The first group of 28 Chinese tourists, mostly tour operators, and guides, arrived at Chiang Saen Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai province Saturday from China’s Jinhong in Yunnan province.

On hand to welcome the Chinese tour operators in Chiang Saen are Mr Vajira Rasameechan, vice president of Chiang Rai Tourism Industry Association, and customs and local district officials.

He said this group of tourists is the first time in seven years and most members of the group are tour operators and guides.

He said they came to explore the route so as to rearrange tour programmes for Chinese tourists to visit Thailand via the Mekong river.

The programme includes two-night stay in Thailand’s Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, and then return on the R3A or Road 3 Asia highway which links Thailand, Laos, and China.

The river travel from Jinghong in China to Chiang Saen of Chiang Rai takes about 11 hours.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/chiang-saen-welcomes-first-tourist-group-arriving-boat-china/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chiang-saen-welcomes-first-tourist-group-arriving-boat-china

-- Thai PBS 2014-07-19

Now that is something I would definitely be interested in.

Won't last long with the dams being built up river from Thailand. Several countries including China are proposing dams and hydro electric schemes, causing great political activity by the countries down river.

Unfortunately it doesn't say anything about anyone offering trips from Chiang Saen to China.

You can sign me up! It would be a wonderful trip.

There were regular trips a few years ago. We flew from Chiangmai to Jinhong. Then came back to Chiang Saen by boat. It carried cargo and about 25 passengers in 4 berth cabins

No mention of why the service was stopped. Got the shootings stopped have they?.

Any website ? And can we go from Chiang saen to China by boat ?