Comments on: Traveling Cheap – the boat from Thailand to China contd…

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:46:26 +0000

The Tianda speedboat has been discontinued. According to the owner of Mekong Cafe in Jinghong it has become far too dangerous with boats being fired upon from Burma. Apparently one was sunk a couple of months back. The people in the office at Tianda Shipping, Jinghong Harbour also said it is unlikely to be re-started. Most people travel by bus these days since a new highway with tunnels under the mountains has been constructed to the Lao border. The bus trip from Luang Namtha to the border is very spectacular but unfortunately for us the return trip from Jinghong to Luang Prabang was a 1 hour flight rather than 3 days on river boats.

By: Katie Benedetto

Katie Benedetto — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:03:34 +0000

Haha amazing story, now *that’s* authentic! I love your blog! Thanks for sharing
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By: Johnny

Johnny — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:15:55 +0000

hey chris, there was no tourist boat in my day here, that’s for sure!! cargo boats all the way good luck with your trip, i’d love to hear how it is now – keep me posted please mate =)

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:06:56 +0000

Great story. Been doing research on the trip. Be doing it ourselves in a couple of weeks – can’t wait. The passenger speedboats have been running for years and do the trip in 13 hours for about 4000thb. However there are some reports that it actually takes two days sometimes – with a complimentary hotel stay in the town where you boys were dropped off. Here’s a link from a Sydney newspaper from 2009.

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/activity/cruises/whirlwind-on-the-river-20090813-ejw4.html

We’re a married couple well into our 50′s. we did the slow boat from chiang Khong to Luang Prabang last year and it was the best tripever. Souns like we might be going one better.

By: ymgbolb

ymgbolb — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:13:19 +0000

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By: Johnny

Johnny — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:23:22 +0000

courageous? nope! i was terrified!!! but it was one of the best experiences of my life

By: Sasha

Sasha — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:34:26 +0000

Haha this is an incredible story! I’m just trying to imagine what the crew was thinking when 3 white guys approach them wanted a ride on there dinky boat all the way to China. You’ve shared this story with the world I wonder how many people they’ve told, I can just imagine it will go down as Mekong river sailor legend! Nice one, you guys are pretty damn courageous I must say, kudos for your adventurous spirit!
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By: porsche suv

porsche suv — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:27:30 +0000

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By: Johnny

Johnny — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:52:17 +0000

is that a company who offer cargo ship ‘tickets’?! none of that in my day mate! it cost me 1000 baht i think for the 5 or 6 days – awesome experience. Good luck and keep me posted (good call on the A/C speed boat, where’s the fun in that )

By: Olli

Olli — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:37:59 +0000

Hey, yes – there seems to be a general crackdown on people taking boats on the Mekong on that route. Enforced by China. My suspicion is that the local power that be, decided it be good to make money and hence there is now a ferry service. If its anything like the service described here:

http://www.mekongcafe.cn/xishuangbanna%20china%20travel%20by%20boat%20to%20Thailand.html

then I think I pass – not really interested in being put in a enclosed environment (read airconditioned speed boat). Awaiting an answer from Mekong Cafe on the cargo ship option…