To the Other Side

Chiang Khong is in the far far north of Thailand. Its a busy little town, but for one reason only. People do not travel to Chiang Khong, they travel through. Because it looks just like any residential town in Thaliand, nothing to see and nothing to do.  But accross the river from Chiang Khong is Laos. And that is why people travel through Chiang Khong.

The border crossing, like any is busy and chaotic. The only way to the other side after passing immigration control, is to carry all your bags down a steep, slippery mud bank to the river where you assist yourself in loading your belongings and self onto a shaky wooden longboat. Rock the boat and its over.

Rock the boat and all is over...

Freezing in the first position once seated the captain heads slowly but surely towards Laos where, upon arrival, you are faced with the same tricky situation of off loading yourself and goods although it seems to be more challenging than before.

Passing again through immigration, which is slightly more acceptable than the Thai side of the river, and loading yourself onto a tuk tuk Lao style, you have just entered another country, although it seems another world.

Smoke is pouring from the vehicle infront and children play and chooks peck lazily alongside the road. Such a sudden change of lifestyle. From rapidly developing industrial Thailand to left behind, laid-back Laos.

And all you did was cross from one river bank to the other.