BORDER CROSSING FROM THAILAND TO LAOS. Chiang Mai- Chiang Rai to CHIANG KHONG to HUAY XAI, LAOS

👮‍♂️| From Chiang Khong to Huay Xai.
We travelled by motorbike from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. We wanted to carry on the journey to Chiang Khong but we had to leave the motorbike at a mechanic.
📍| Bus terminal 3 in Chiang Mai to go to Chiang Rai; goo.gl/maps/8Pz2uDANMav617jN8
📍| Bus terminal 2 in Chiang Rai to go to Laos;
goo.gl/maps/M9nHEncgcxxgeaRA7
📍| Nice place at the river in Huay Xai;
goo.gl/maps/93h3RNYVmgDVfJwn9
📍| Budget accommodation in Huay Xai; Hom Pho Guesthouse;
goo.gl/maps/Fce8QY6kprN3KQL1A
📺| More Chai Travel? 3 uploads a week every week. / @chai_travel
👉| Chai Travel is not all about himself. In fact, it is about the journey, to meet and learn from others.
🥇| Join this channel to get access to perks and also help the channel be sustainable so we can keep making content:
/ @chai_travel
☕️| Unfortunately, what we've been doing so far is unsustainable. A cup of coffee while growing this channel will certainly help. It will increase the chance to be able to keep this channel going around the globe, for many years. www.buymeacoffee.com/ChaiTravel
😃| Obviously, you are more than welcome to just enjoy this journey for free. No obligations ;P
🌏| Where do you want to go next or what would you like to see? Just let us know in the comments.
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🏆| Stay champ!
Chai channel, check out the community tab if you'd like: / @chai_travel

[@mikebillam5418]

I'm literally heading from Chiang Rai to Laos tomorrow so this has been very useful! Keep up the good work!

[@Chai_Travel]

Awesome Mike! Thanks for letting me know! Safe journey and most of all enjoy 🤩

[@angelplace7130]

And this info is good for 2022? Please let us know if there has been any changes that you know of ❤️

[@Chai_Travel]

Hi there yes :) it’s still the same right now

[@drjeff6956]

Excellent as always!

[@Chai_Travel]

Thanks Dr Jeff! Good to hear from you 🙏🏼🏆

[@suerowan3594]

Hello Chai and Ilona have a wonderful time exploring Laos looking forward to seeing your videos Take Care.

[@Chai_Travel]

Hi Sue 😁 always nice to hear from you. Greetings from us from Luang Prabang 😄 the sun is out again. I hope you’re having a great evening already! Slow boat videos is coming up🏆 cheers

[@teresitaguevarra5273]

hi! god bless u guy's

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you 😁

[@gibsonphilippines4901]

nice video watching from philippines

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you 🙏

[@antruok4950]

Woohoo - Laos 🇱🇦 - Great info on how to get there - look forward to more soon 👌🙏👍😄👊👋

[@Chai_Travel]

Cheers mate :) Luang Prabang have been good to us so for 🤩 only it’s raining today 🤭

[@antruok4950]

@@Chai_Travel Yes - my friend just did a livestream ( Now In Lao ) from LP - boat festival 👍👊🤣

[@Chai_Travel]

Awesome! Haha you’re basically also here 😝

[@stevens8785]

This is a nice surprise Chai. I'm not overly familiar much with Laos so looking forward to your and Ilona's travels. Have fun and take care champs 🤩

[@Chai_Travel]

😃 thanks Steven 🤗 I’ve spent a few month in my early twenties but now I’ve got a different mindset so we’re really looking forward to explore it more 😍 cheers!

[@thatkarlsmith]

Nice little restaurant, only ever seen it when taking the drone up from the other side. The boarder was closed when I was there last, will be nice to see what that little town is like 🙂

[@Chai_Travel]

Cheers mate! Wow, did you fly it across? 😃 I won’t dare it after my drone/water experience 😜

[@raykelly2854]

Nice vid. More please

[@Chai_Travel]

Hi Ray 🤗 you say more, we’ll get you more

[@HamNoytheDutchGuy]

Yes mate Laos 🥳 finaly made it 💪 I gor there back in 2019 before you know what and we crossed at Nong Khai friendship bridge into Vientianne 😉 I am exited to see this series Champ, so on to the next one very soon, cheers 🙌🍻

[@user-bs4vb8vh6m]

Nice view , nice natural , nice cultural 😉🤙

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you ❤️ so nice

[@Swampzoid]

I love the sound of the Monks praying. Enjoy Laos.

[@Chai_Travel]

Cheers mate :) glad you enjoyed it 😁 a few Laps videos are coming up! 😃

[@kalords5967]

Monks don't pray. They chant

[@DikWhite]

Great to see Laos again, Chai. I was in Huay Xai with my Dad back in 1995, having taken a two-day rice barge trip from Luang Prabang. There was a "ferry" crossing over to Thailand which was basically just a large rowing boat, and the Immigration office on the Thai side of the Mekong was a simple wooden shack. How things have progressed since then. Looking forward to following your adventures. I loved the food in Laos, very delicate flavours and beautiful presentation. Veel plezier daar.

[@bengmelea8646]

Yes I did the same trip but in 2009 before they built that "Friendship Bridge". Now they forcing all foreigners to use the bridge that is way outside of town instead of the ferry crossing conveniently in downtown Chiang Khong/Huay Xai. This has sadly robbed a lot of local businesses as many travellers will now bypass these towns. Thai & Lao Immigration could easily process non-Lao & non-Thai visitors to pass by ferry as it was before but until then it's a silly bus trip instead.

[@Chai_Travel]

Thanks Dik 😃 that must have been an exciting journey back then! Luckily it’s developing at the border as well :) we’re loving it here so far. Great food and super friendly people 🤩 stay tuned 😃 groetjes

[@djai3782]

Welcome to Laos 🇱🇦 ! Thanks for visiting our small country 🙏

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you D Jai 😊 we’re feeling super welcome

[@sinreaksmeysin3810]

Not small

[@888hidi7]

SABAIDEE🙏Chai/Ilona, owsitgarn guys? waiting for the food shots👍enjoy your Lao adventure,Khob jai,Ron

[@Chai_Travel]

Good day champ 🏆 sabaidee! It’s going great 🤩 have a day and evening 😁 cheers

[@thongpanchannel874]

welcome to Laos again Sir

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you 😊

[@americaninthailand8760]

On the other side! Boom! Ok, time to get caught up!

[@Chai_Travel]

Woohoo! Get yourself a cold beer 😜

[@mitchellsouphasith3763]

So much fun 🎉

[@Chai_Travel]

Haha cheers Michell 🏆

[@Ramfadora]

Hello Chai. Been there in Laos . It's a cool city and people are friendly . The boarder in Nongkhai is my favourite .

[@Chai_Travel]

Hi hi! Awesome! Glad you’re able to go as well. We had such a good experience too 😍 have a great Sunday 🙏🏼

[@angxzmj9121]

I love 💘 laos

[@Chai_Travel]

😁 we love it too 😍 cheers!

[@sameebah]

You ought to try the 'Beerlao' options. I developed a taste for their dark beer in Thailand a few years ago, and the other brews that they do are also very good :)

[@Chai_Travel]

Ow yeah! Good one. I’ve just found out about beer Luang Prabang but a normal Beer Laos is also very tasty. Loving the dark beers as well! Haha, looks like I like all the beers 😅 cheers Sameebah. Good to see you’re still with the channel 🏆

[@svdwellen]

*taking notes for future visa border hopping* Haha, enjoy it guys!

[@Chai_Travel]

Haha, nice one Sven! See you in Chiang Mai ;)

[@joepipes6997]

Helpful vid as we are doing this in a week or so! How much was the bus from Chang rai to the border??

[@Chai_Travel]

Awesome! We payed 70 baht + an extra 40 to get dropped off right at the border :) so 110 pp

[@anasofiaazevedo3769]

Hi, thanks for sharing your adventure with us. At the border of LAOS, those who do not have a vaccination certificate must present a rapid test. Do you know if it is possible to carry out this test at the border?

[@Chai_Travel]

My pleasure 😁 sorry I haven’t seen it there. You might like to give them a call? [phone]

[@francisinghels9765]

They have delicious khao soi not the same as in Thailand, also the Laos burger (kind of sausage sai oua but flat). Of course marvelous coffee at Saffron cafe.

[@Chai_Travel]

Hey Francis 😃 We still need to check check out Saffron Cafe! Thanks for the tip 🤩 we love the Khao Soi here as well 😃 groetjes!

[@twinflowerfioretta]

Yeepee Laos ! 😍Hi Chai and Ilona, great, you entered another beautiful country ! i have best memories and no doubt you will love your journey ! on my trip some years ago we had to cross the Mekong from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai by boat , now many friendship bridges are built. See you, i am excited !..... 👍

[@Chai_Travel]

Wooohooo! 🤩 we’re in! Yes there’re quite a few now 😍 so glad to see this development:) that must have been a few years ago Fioretta 😜 geheh cheers ❤️

[@twinflowerfioretta]

@@Chai_Travel Hi Chai, yes, of course its more easy to cross a border ! our last trip to Laos was to the 4000 Island ! that was wonderful ! i can highly recommend it-

[@Chai_Travel]

Nice! I’ve been in 2012 🤩 absolutely loved it. I’d like to take the channel there as well at some stage. Have a beautiful one 😃 cheers 🏆

[@paradoqs377]

Thanks for the video - it helps me a lot - I want to make a similar journey in December, but I couldn’t find any informations about the bus between Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong 😢. Are the hourly buses everyday or do you know if there are differences between workdays and weekends?

[@Chai_Travel]

Hi ParadoQs, They might start operating an hour or two in the weekends but they’ll go every hour :) you’ll just need to go to Chiang Rai bus station (the one next to the Night Bazaar) on the day you wanna go. I hope it helps

[@paradoqs377]

Thanks a lot

[@diggachang4223]

Hi nice video :) im from germany i want do a border crossing to, i living near chiang rei.. Question after border run from Laos to Thailand i get another 45 Days for stay.. and i can do border run do in one day go and baxk? Thx

[@Chai_Travel]

Thanks mate, yes. You’re able to do the border crossing in one day. A lot of people are doing it. You’ll most likely get 45 days but it might be different when you do this crossing by the time you’re crossing ☺️ it will take about 3 to 4 hours to go and come back into Thailand :)

[@myweblab]

And with 2 motorbike 125 ? 🤣😂 Enjoy lao !! By the way, is possible to extend thai visa here. Go lao andback in the day ? Also the 1 year visa ? I would appreciate if you could ask 😊

[@Chai_Travel]

😂 you do the math 😝 Ill ask if it’s possible at the moment. I’m pretty sure the year visa you’ll need to arrange at an Imigration office in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai (depending on where you are :)) I’ll see if a “normal” border run is possible once we cross it back into to Thailand 🙏🏼 cheers 🏆

[@myweblab]

@@Chai_Travel thanks !! I meant...i arrive already with a 1 year visa. With that visa the rules state that i have to go out every 3 monts. I just need to understand when i arrive at border can i go in lao and come back with visa extended in the same day. Thanks for any info you could find when you come back in thai immigration when you will be back. I suppose is the same for any extendable visa.. 😎👍🏻 Enjoy lao

[@Chai_Travel]

Gotcha. What’s the name of your visa?

[@myweblab]

@@Chai_Travel i am waiting to take it. It could be this one Non-Immigrant O-A Long Stay Visa (Visa Validity 1 year / Period of Stay 3 months (multiple entries) / Fee of 175 Euro) But If you can just ask if is possible to extend any "extendible" visa in the same day. Now there is the possibility to have 45 days visa on arrival...so i am not sure which one is better to take. The information i need is easy. If i arrive with a visa that can be extendable (6 monts or one year), can i do it crossing lao border and come back IN THE SAME DAY ??? If you remember just ask this to the police border, they will say something...this is what i need 😊 Thanks sir 😎

[@orjan2814]

visit chaiyaburi, chaiyasathan, udomxai, Namkad yorapa, kwangxi waterfall near luang prabang, sum nua, there is a view point between muang suey & phukhun intersection at N13 highway, plain of jars near muang seuy (เมืองสวย)

[@Chai_Travel]

No way!? We’ll have to go back one day 😅

[@sashabanks566]

Wow..i love it. I will be staying in Chiang Mai until 5th may and would like to travel to laos. How much will it cost? Chai please advise

[@Chai_Travel]

Thanks Sasha! The visa for Laos will cost 40usd :) Back into Thailand would be free of charge. Is this useful?

[@sinreaksmeysin3810]

Love thailand and lao

[@Chai_Travel]

Same here. How about Malaysia? :)

[@geaasentista7252]

How did you guys book the slow boat to Luang Prabang?

[@Chai_Travel]

Via the hotel. Maybe this video is helpful; kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJCoaaqFad-JfZo

[@Steve-O-Resident-Expert]

damn brah: you travel like a pauper

[@Chai_Travel]

But I’m feeling rich. I wonder how you’re feeling leaving a comment like this 😕

[@maia.t6388]

Hi! great video. could you please link the gear used in this video? Thanks!!

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you! Gear as in audio and video? For this one I’m only using an IPhone13, a OM4 DJI, and a Blink 500 Saramonic 😊

[@anabelenrecalde8830]

Hi guys, did you take the passport picture or paid extra to get it scanned? How much was it? Also, do you know if there are buses from huay xai to Luang prabang? We don't want to wait until Monday. Cheers!

[@Chai_Travel]

Hi Ana, thanks for messaging 😁 you’ll need to bring a foto. I don’t think there was a shop where you’re able to do so. There are definitely busses going. This journey takes 13 hours and they go on a daily basis 🙏🏼 have a great trip

[@anabelenrecalde8830]

@@Chai_Travel Thank you so much for your answer See you in Laos!

[@gertdrok]

Chai, how long did you travel/ride on your Motorbike from Chiang Mai to Chiang RAI ?

[@Chai_Travel]

Chiang Mai- Chiang Rai we took 4 hours including lunch. You’re able to do it in 2:40 if your drive straight 🤗 groetjes

[@gertdrok]

@@Chai_Travel Bedankt. Ik ga het tzt ook rustig aan doen hoor. 👍

[@smurfhits5688]

@chai travel I'm planning to do this same trip only to return asap to Thailand and get a new visa. do I still need to pay for a visa in Laos? or I can just turn at the border and go back? tyvm I can't find that info anywere

[@Chai_Travel]

Nice one mate! Yes you’ll have to pay to get into Laos, 40USD. Thailand remains to be free and you’ll get 30says on arrival 🏆

[@smurfhits5688]

@@Chai_Travel alright thank you. 45 days exempt now in Thai

[@Chai_Travel]

That’s right actually! Good on you 😃

[@brucelee3063]

let me know chiang khong border opening time ?

[@Chai_Travel]

Magic word ;)

[@paolomarini1085]

probably the most profitable bus route in Thailand: 25 baht for less than 2km...bus nearly always full.

[@Chai_Travel]

Haha yeah they make some good profit on that route 😆

[@brianpoffley1771]

Does the bus go the motorway past the airport and then turn right at the end of motorway

[@Chai_Travel]

I’m not sure which airport you mean. Either which motorway 😅 can you be a little more specific? Cheers

[@brianpoffley1771]

@@Chai_Travel hi Chiang Rai Airport road no 5023 it's new motorway goes up to road 1063 and turns left to Mae Sai or right to Chaing Khong, or maybe a different route altogether. I'm looking at Loy Kathong in Chiang Khong and rather not come all the way down from Mae Sai to get the bus from Chiang Rai. Enjoy your vids Cheers

[@Chai_Travel]

Gotcha. I’m not sure if there are routes from Mae Sai directly to Chiang Khong. I wish I could help you better. Sorry 🤗 Thanks for messaging anyway and have a good day :) I hope it all works out for you. Cheers

[@sawaweeh7211]

🙋🙏🇹🇭😀😀😀

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you! See you soon Thailand

[@hugopoz2274]

hey at 3:21 you say because of the situation the buses are not going to luang prabang what do you mean by that? :))

[@Chai_Travel]

Hey Hugo, this was because of COVID. The boards were just open for a little while when I made this video. Before COVID it was possible to catch the same bus from Chiang Rai all the way to Luang Prabang. This may be possible again. I do recommend to take the boat from Hua Xai to Luang Prabang though (just for the experience) :)

[@hugopoz2274]

@@Chai_Travel thank you! Are the boat available every day?

[@heikkijaakkoremes8690]

Thank You

[@Chai_Travel]

Always a pleasure 🙏🏼

[@RaJa_Waha_Ea_wild]

Oh brother do we meet at Pai ? 🙂

[@Chai_Travel]

Maybe in a week or two 🤩

[@user-bs4vb8vh6m]

Khop Chai Lai Lai( Laos and Isan) = Kaop Chai Lai Due or Khop chai Due ( lsan ) = Khop Khun krab/Ka ( Central ) = Khop chai Chao ( Northern )

[@Chai_Travel]

Perfect! We found out we can communicate in Thai most of the time 😃

[@daninolopesify]

Kob jai lai der or kob jai der (lao folks also uses that)

[@PunditKING]

You missed the paperwork needed, or they just need your passport and money ?

[@Chai_Travel]

Just paspoort and money :) at least as a Dutch guy :) for other nationalities it might be different 🏆

[@Surfer75118]

Bro are you in Chiang Mai

[@Chai_Travel]

Yo mate! I’m in Luang Prabang at the moment 😁

[@Surfer75118]

@@Chai_Travel aight lemme know when you're back.

[@paulburn1920]

hi so you can get visa apon arriving at border

[@Chai_Travel]

Hi Paul! Yes you can for 40USD 😊 I hope it helps

[@JoelQuinnPhotography]

Can you do this for one day trip and head back into Thailand?

[@Chai_Travel]

Yes you can :)

[@Chai_Travel]

Only twice a year via land boarder

[@CJINPARADISE]

Hello again Chai. I was fallowing you for a long time , then my channel got shut down cjparadise at about 1200 . This is my new channel and starting again. Come say hello again and enjoy Laos. just subbed you again

[@Chai_Travel]

Thanks CJ 🤗 all best of luck 🤩 let’s stay in toch a our paths might cross one day. Stay in touch 🏆 cheers

[@CJINPARADISE]

@@Chai_Travel sure i subbed you again. If I every see you wi for sure say hello. Again enjoy Laos.

[@gymthesis7651]

Where is Ilona from?

[@Chai_Travel]

She’s halve Thai/Dutch

[@saddq1]

Any other countries in SEA you wanna visit?

[@Chai_Travel]

Ey SadQ! I think the next country is gonna be Malaysia. And I’m planning to make my way to Indonesia to finally find my roots. Any suggestions in SEA?

[@saddq1]

@@Chai_Travel Malaysia is a good idea. I live close to the Thailand -Malaysian border, so maybe we can meet up someday.

[@DikWhite]

@@Chai_Travel Vietnam would be fantastic, such awe-inspiring landscape, food and coffee. Mustn't forget the coffee. 😍

[@Chai_Travel]

I remember you’re living deep down south SaddQ! I’ll probably gonna go from Koh Lanta into Malaysia sometime 😁 stay in touch

[@Chai_Travel]

Vietnam is coming up although we’ll save it for next year ;)

[@Chanraktherpratedthai]

เดินทางท่องเที่ยวให้สนุกสนานและปลอดภัยนะครับ

[@Chai_Travel]

ขอบคุณ. ฉันหวังว่าคุณจะมีคืนที่ดี🙏🏼

[@alireza_adventure]

[@Chai_Travel]

Cheers 🍾🥳🤩