Chiang Khong

Chiang Khong (เชียงของ) is a riverside border town in Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand. It is mainly visited for its ferries across the Mekong to Huay Xai in Laos.

Chiang Khong Halal Travel Guide

Chiang Khong is a small, sleepy town with one primary street and no night life. It has a Friday market, a lot of temples, a craft village with a busy market and a temple. The weather is most pleasant from October - Jan, but the Giant Catfish Festival on 18 April is a cultural highlight. The Mekong giant catfish, one of the world's largest freshwater fish, is regarded with reverence in (Thai) folklore, and it is afforded special rituals and offerings.

Get in

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Chiang Khong

From Huay Xai in Laos, ferries used to make the short trip across the Mekong. However and the Friendship IV Bridge crossing to Laos is now open and the previous Chiang Khong Immigration Office and Ferry is closed. The new Immigration Office is near the bridge, about 10 kilometers south from Chiang Kong and about 20 kilometers from Huay Xai.

Travel on a Bus in Chiang Khong

• Chiang Khong New Bus Station is only private bus but the public bus run from the old bus station. Close by the intersection to Laos border
• Buses run from major city's in Thailand, including Isaan.
• From Chiang Rai, red local buses depart regularly (mostly every half hour) from 05:00-16:00. It should take about 2 hr, but the driver may take it slow or stop for dinner, so plan for at least 2½ hr.
• From Chiang Mai, take a shuttle van (250 Baht) direct or the "Green Bus", which makes many stops (200 Baht). Public buses cost 150-270 Baht. Or go to Chiang Rai (94-263 Baht, 3 hr) by bus and then take another bus from there.
• Daytime and overnight buses run directly from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) to Chiang Khong every day. About five overnight buses leave at 19:00 and arrive at 08:00; and one daytime bus leaves Mor Chit at 07:00 and arrives at 20:00.

Get around

The riverfront area can be seen on foot but it's worth getting a tuk-tuk or taxi for the trip out to the bus station.

You can also rent a bike or motorbike to visit local villages and drive along the banks of the Mekong.

What to see in Chiang Khong

• Hmong Village (10 kilometers)
• Nam Chang Dam for fishing and swimming (7 kilometers)
• (Thai) Lue village with cloth weaving (15 kilometers)
• Waterfall (near to Hmong village)
• The Chiang Khong Fishery Station. They inseminate and breed the largest fresh-water fish. Fingerlings bred here have been released in several rivers.
• Visit the famed Michael "Mr Jackey" Jacklood cover artist at his restaurant in town to hear a selection of fruity glam-rock cover songs
• (Thai) cooking or have a (Thai) sauna at Baan Rimtaling
• Visit the Golden Triangle by motorbike - day trip (60 kilometers)
• Visit a rustic village near the Mekong Village.
• The Hub: bike museum run by professional cyclist Alan Bate that has a great selection of bikes you wouldn't see elsewhere. In the centre of town. As of September 2016, it was under new management and closed for renovations. It intended to re-open in October 2016.

Temples in Chiang Khong:

• Wat Hat Krai
• Wat Hou Weing
• Wat Luang
• Wat Prakeaw
• Wat Sob Dom
• Wat Sri Don Chai
• Wat Tung Duk

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Chiang Khong

The major (Thai) banks all have ATMs in the town and there is also one front of the 7-Eleven at the bus station. If you are heading to Laos, it is better to withdraw Baht here and then change it in Laos because in Huay Xai the maximum withdrawal per transaction is 1,000,000 kip. In Laos, Baht can be exchanged to kip at reasonable rates.

Lao kip can only be officially exchanged inside Laos. (Thai) banks and ATMs will not deal in it and money changers in Chiang Khong charge a fee. The Lao bank in Huay Xai and the ATM there will give kip. (Thai) Baht and US dollars are readily accepted and exchanged in Laos at good rates.

Lao visas are cheaper if bought with US dollars instead of Baht.

Muslim Friendly Food & Restaurants in Chiang Khong

To be updated

Buy Muslim Friendly Condos, Houses and Villas in Chiang Khong

eHalal Group is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Chiang Khong. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Chiang Khong ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Chiang Khong. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

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Ramadan 2025 in Chiang Khong

Ramadan 2025 in Chiang Khong

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels in Chiang Khong

• Baan Pak Pon - PP Home | Large, very clean rooms with fan or air-con, hot water, Wi-Fi, veranda with scenic river views. Family-owned by very friendly people.

Stay safe

• Feral dogs can be a problem at night.
• If you book a slow boat to Luang Prabang and the guides will try to encourage you to switch to the bus for the same price. Thit is a scam. The bus is cheaper and you lose out on a pleasant boat trip while they pocket the difference in the fare. Do not believe their horror stories of floods, mosquito hordes, unexpected third nights spent on the slow boat, and crooks in Pakbeng.

Where to go next after Chiang Khong

• Chiang Mai is the obvious next destination for those coming from Laos.
• For those keen to leave Thailand, Laos - most Hotels can arrange a package deal with food and overnight lodging in Pakbeng for the trip to Luang Prabang, but it is fairly simple to travel independently. It's worth crossing the border a day early and spending the night in Huay Xai to be up and ready to catch a boat down the river first thing in the morning.

To get from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai there are basically two options.

• Take a tuk-tuk to border (the drivers ask 150 to 200 Baht), shuttle bus from (Thai) immigration to Laos (40/60 Baht), and from Lao immigration shared tuk-tuk to Huay Xai (100 Baht or 25,000 kip). It is not allowed to cross the border bridge by foot or bike or motorcycle. Only vehicle transport or shuttle bus is allowed. Be aware that while the border is open from 06:00 to 22:00 and the buses only operate from 08:00 to 18:00 which could leave you stranded. The shuttle bus only drives when a reasonable amount of passengers arrive, so you might experience up to an hour to wait after (Thai) emigration to cross the bridge.
• Second option is to take tuk-tuk to old bus station (30 Baht) and then take the local bus going to Chiang Rai and ask the driver to stop at the new bus station (10 Baht), and from the new bus station take the international bus (which is coming from Chiang Rai) to Huay Xai (Bokeo) bus terminal (30 Baht). From there you still need to take tuk-tuk to your final destination in Huay Xai. The international bus to Huay Xai will leave from the Chiang Khong new bus station at 09:00, 12:00, 17:30, and 18:30 (As of May 2023. Thit is the information given from the bus station and the timetable is clearly written at the ticket counter. Still needs to be verified that the new bus station has in fact started to operate).
• The slow boat (now only one) is advertised to leave at 10:30. But it always leaves around 11:00 to 11:30. A good time to cross the border to go on the slow boat is 09:00. The (Thai) Immigration office can be quite congested at the 08:00 opening. Getting to the slow boat requires an exit stamp from Thailand Immigration (about 5 minutes), crossing the river (about 5 minutes), getting a Laos visa (about 20 minutes), and going upriver about 1 km. Walk or tuk-tuk. Prices for the two-day slow boat to Luang Prabang vary. Tickets bought in Chiang Khong cost 1,180 Baht. However, as soon as you clear immigration in Huay Xai they can be purchased for 950 Baht and even cheaper at the boat pier itself. (Thai) Baht, US dollars and Lao kip are all accepted at least as far as Luang Prabang.
• Golden Triangle - 55 kilometers by road, pop into Chiang Saen on the way or cruise up the Mekong instead.

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