Mekong Cruise

Post by **Big Boy** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:42 pm

I've just been watching TV5 here in the UK. It was obviously in Thai, so I didn't have much idea what was going on, but it seemed to be a Travel Show type of programme.

The programme showed a cruise down the Mekong River, boarding the boat (Mekong Prince or Princess) somewhere in Burma, and cruising down the river, alighting somewhere just after the Friendship Bridge (think that's what its called) into Laos. The scenery looked quite spectacular, and the boat looked quite well equiped.

I was wondering if anybody had done the cruise - looked well worth a go.

Can anybody tell me where it starts/ends, the duration of the cruise and the cost please? Its certainly something I will consider on my next visit to Thailand.

Post by **Guess** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:24 pm

BB,

I think you are going to have to do a bit more surfing to get the details. I have read odd bits in travel sections of newspapers. There are two friendship bridges BTW. What I do know is you can not do the complete journey on one boat as ther are a few falls and rapids getting down to the Cambodian border which stops most shipping. It is always possible to get off and go by road to the next section.

If I hear anything locally I will give you a call.

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:24 pm

I did a google and yahoo for you BB and there are a ton of them. Many start and end in Laos. Many start in Laos and end in Vietnam. Many start and end in Vietnam. Alas, I could find nothing about the one you saw on TV5. Maybe search around somemore and you'll come up with something.

The Friendship Bridge (built by the Australians) is located at Nong Khai, at the northern tip of Issan. The capital of Laos, Vien Chang or Vientnien (sp) is across the river from there, about a 30 minute drive inland.

Pete

Post by **lomuamart** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:42 pm

I've spoken to travellers over the years who've got boats from up near Mae Sai, in Burma, but there would be visa implications, I think, between there and Laos.
Also, folk who've travelled from close to Luang Prabang, on the river, to Nong Khai. Arrive Laos side and just cross The Friendship Bridge - 30 days on arrival on the Thai side, or activation of another visa part.
However, the characters I've spoken to about this were definitely on longtail - like boats. The trip took 3 days, or so and was extremely arduous. I think the time of year matters as well - ie hot season, the water's too low and in the rainy, it can get scary.
Sorry, can't help you any more.
As a PS to scary, many years ago, I was asked by an old Loatian lady whether I was strong enough to swim the Mair Nam Kong from Nong Khai and like an idiot, I tried. Made it about 10 mts off a sandbank and out of my depth and was promptly swept downriver towards Vietnam. Made it back to the bank, obviously, but not before a length of bamboo had nearly sliced a finger off. Not for the fainthearted.

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:23 pm

After you folks master the dragon boat on the HH river, you can head to the north and try the mighty M.

I'll cruise southeast from Pattaya in the rescue boat when you're flushed out of the delta...

Pete

Post by **Bamboo Grove** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:59 am

on the HH river

No river runs through it. It's Pranburi river.

Post by **Big Boy** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:22 pm

Thank you all forthe comprehensive replies - actually a lot more detailed than I expected.

It seems I've been the victim of some media hype making what is an impossible trip, look very attractive to the unsuspecting visitor ie:

you can not do the complete journey on one boat

The TV programme definitely showed the journey on one rather large boat.

the characters I've spoken to about this were definitely on longtail - like boats

The craft was certainly not a longtail - like boat. The boat, named either the Mekong Prince or Mekong Princess was more like the old American River Boats - appeared flat bottomed, and the gave the impression it was like a floating hotel.

Suppose I'd better have a reality check, and stop dreaming about Thailand. It is a shame though because wherever they were, the scenery was quite dramatic.

Thanks again for all of your efforts.

Post by **buksida** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:30 pm

I did a trip a few years back in my hippy days from Vientianne to Luang Prabang (central Laos) to Huay Xai (northern border).

We were on a cargo boat and basically hitched a ride as it wasnt an organized tour, needless to say we chipped in with boat duties and ate lizards and rats with the crew but it was all good fun. The journey up river took about a week and the first leg was on an old Soviet cattle truck with more pigs than passengers, after this the boat seemed like luxury!

The scenery up there is definitely wild as is the country, its not really for those who like their creature comforts!

Post by **richard** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:35 pm

Big Boy

Contact Tom Bishop or Will Heron at DTC Travel in Bangkok. They will be sure to know all the info you require. You should get their contact details on a Google search

Post by **Big Boy** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:44 pm

Richard,

Thanks, will do that before my next trip.

Post by **PeteC** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:07 pm

Bamboo Grove wrote:
on the HH river
No river runs through it. It's Pranburi river.

I thought when it rains you have an HH river...LOL.

Just like we have a Pattaya river running down many main boulevards and sois. Like the Thailand of old, canals everywhere. The last few days we've had some great storms and as usual, the newly constructed runoff pipes can't handle all. I guess time for the mayor's cousin to dig them up yet once again, the new 2007 budget is now in place.

Pete