This is my first attempt at writing a review after reading many others. I would like to share my thoughts and welcome any feedback. Please visit our fan page and blog for more information: Page: https://www.facebook.com/Manudvan Blog: https://manudvan.wordpress.com/


The journey begins...
"Hey guys!! Before we graduate, let's go backpacking on Phu Kradueng together. Let's go, I'm in, me too (many people). Save money and wait. When the booking day arrives, I can't go, I don't have any money. In the end, there are 3 people left who share the same ideology for this trip..."

This trip took us a total of 7 days and 6 nights, January 12-17, 2017, from Phuket. We stopped by Chiang Khan and continued to Phu Kradueng.
For this trip, we used the services of the red-tailed Air Asia. The round-trip ticket price was 4,327, including a 15 KG bag (1 person).


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Our flight was originally scheduled for 15:05, but due to an air force flight show rehearsal, flights departing from Don Mueang were delayed, resulting in our departure time being changed to 16:30.


Phuket Airport is currently undergoing renovations to its domestic passenger terminal, resulting in increased passenger congestion. Travelers departing from Phuket are advised to arrive early and bring a fan to stay cool.


Upon boarding, we will be transported by bus to the waiting aircraft, an Airbus A320 with a 3-3 seating configuration, located on the opposite side of the airport.


The red-tailed hawk led us to Udon Thani International Airport at 6:00 PM. We had booked a room at the Prajaktra City Hostel, which offers free airport transfers. The hotel staff was already waiting for us. This is the car that will take us to our accommodation.


The journey from the airport to the accommodation takes approximately 15 minutes. We booked the accommodation through Booking.com for 850 baht, including breakfast. However, as there were three of us, we had to add an extra bed for 400 baht, bringing the total to 1250 baht per night. In our opinion, the price was reasonable for the service received, especially compared to similar hotels in Phuket.


Our rumbling stomachs led us to our first meal of the trip at "Mae Ya," a long-standing and renowned restaurant in Udon Thani. Conveniently located opposite our accommodation (which was one of the reasons we chose to stay there), we indulged in the restaurant's signature dishes: "seafood hor mok" and "sour curry with acacia and shrimp." The four dishes were more than enough for the three of us, leaving us comfortably full. The total cost for this satisfying meal was 750 baht.

On January 13, 2017, we embarked on a journey to Chiang Khan. The hotel breakfast buffet offered both rice porridge with pork and American-style breakfast options. After checking out, we headed to Udon Thani Bus Terminal 2 (also known as Bus Terminal Nok) to board our bus to Chiang Khan. The hotel arranged a Skylab taxi for a flat rate of 80 baht. Skylab taxis are readily available throughout the day at the bus terminal.


Traveling from Udon Thani to Chiang Kham requires taking bus route 220, which operates between Udon Thani and Loei City. The bus company operating this route is Nong Bua Lamphu Bus, and the fare is 91 baht per person. The bus departs at 9:10 AM and arrives at Loei Bus Terminal around 12:30 PM. Buses depart every hour.


After a nearly three-and-a-half-hour bus ride, we arrived at Loei Bus Terminal. To reach Chiang Khan, we needed to transfer to a blue songthaew, which was parked behind the terminal.


The fare is 35 baht per person, and the journey to Chiang Khan takes approximately 1.30 hours. As it is a local shared taxi, it will make stops along the way to pick up passengers. It is recommended to ride until the end of the line at Chiang Khan Hospital.



Upon arrival at our accommodation, we learned that we could have taken a bus operated by Nakhonchai Transport from the Ley Bus Terminal to Chiang Khan. The journey would have taken only 45 minutes and the bus would have been air-conditioned. The fare would likely have been around 20 baht more expensive. We felt that we had missed out, as the shared songthaew was very crowded. However, if you want to experience the local atmosphere, taking a shared songthaew can be a fun option.


We disembarked at Chiang Khan Hospital, located on Sri Chiang Khan Road 25. We took a shortcut to the walking street. If you don't want to walk far, you can take the Skylab car or ring the bell to get off at the alley of your homestay.


Map of different routes in Chiang Khan


Our accommodation was located on Soi 6, so we had to walk back. As it was Friday, the atmosphere was quiet, but some shops had started to set up their stalls.


Chiang Khan's serene atmosphere on a day devoid of tourists offers a tranquil escape, ideal for relaxation and contemplation.


In Chiang Khan, we stayed at "Huen Khum Hak," which we booked through Booking.com as usual. This platform allows us to book and pay upon arrival. The room rate was 800 baht per night, with an additional 150 baht for an extra bed. We stayed for two nights, bringing the total cost to 1900 baht. The kind owner of the accommodation even lent us bicycles.


However, it is important to note that the payment policies of each accommodation may vary. While Booking.com may state that payment is due upon arrival, it is always advisable to contact the accommodation directly to confirm and inquire about any specific requirements. In our case, we were fortunate that Heuan Khum Hak contacted us to inform us of a 50% deposit requirement to secure our reservation. This was crucial as it ensured that we would not lose our booking to other potential guests who might have paid earlier. This serves as a reminder to always double-check with the accommodation to avoid any unexpected surprises.



After checking in and taking care of personal matters, it was time for the long-awaited moment: finding food. Chiang Khan offers a wide variety of culinary options, and Wongnai can help you navigate the choices. While we were tempted to try every restaurant, it would have been impossible. Our first stop was a traditional Pad Thai restaurant that also served oyster omelets.

Pad Thai + Coke 55 Baht

This sentence describes a dish of Pad Thai with a Coke, costing 55 Baht. The writer emphasizes the dish's deliciousness but warns of its spiciness, even for those accustomed to spicy food. They recommend tasting before adding any additional seasoning or ordering a less spicy version.



The savory menu is over, the dessert menu must come... "Mom's Custard", a famous custard bread shop located in Soi 9. Soft bread, eaten with warm custard, is very delicious. The price is 80 baht per set.


In the evening, we took a stroll along the Mekong River to watch the sunset. The cool breeze and pleasant weather made us envy the people of Chiang Khan. After walking for a while, our stomachs started to rumble again.



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We strolled along the Mekong River, where numerous restaurants lined the banks, each bustling with customers. Our goal was to savor the delectable soft-boned fish dish. As we searched for a suitable eatery, we stumbled upon Luk Phochana Restaurant and decided to give it a try. This is a description of the dishes we enjoyed. The food here boasts a delightful flavor and a perfectly balanced level of spiciness. If you happen to be in the vicinity, we highly recommend ordering the Tom Yum Pla Ngon (soft-boned fish in spicy and sour soup). You won't be disappointed. The total cost for this meal was 540 baht, leaving us feeling so full we could barely walk.



It's time to stroll through the "Chiang Khan Walking Street".


This is the second time the author has visited Chiang Khan. Six years have passed since their last visit, and Chiang Khan has changed significantly. There are now many homestays open on almost every street. However, the charm of Chiang Khan remains unchanged. We believe that many people who have visited Chiang Khan would love to return.



Upon arriving in Phuket, we were surprised by the lack of photos of the Chiang Khan Walking Street. (In reality, we took many photos, but some were blurry or had people walking in front of the camera, so we decided not to post them.) We just realized that we were so engrossed in shopping that we forgot to take pictures. However, we didn't forget to try the grilled Mekong River prawns on skewers. . . .


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Grilled Mekong River prawns, a popular snack that every review must have. This skewer costs 10 baht. We ate several skewers that day, but for an extra kick, try asking for some seafood dipping sauce. You'll be sure to enjoy it until you realize you've been pricked by a prawn in the mouth. ) 14/01/2560 Cut to the next morning. We woke up at 4:30 am to watch the sunrise and the sea of fog at Phu Tok, followed by a visit to Kaeng Kut Ku. We hired a skylab car, recommended by the homestay aunt, for a round trip of 150 baht. The distance from Chiang Khan to Phu Tok is about 15 kilometers, and it takes about 20 minutes to get there.


Upon reaching Phu Tok, visitors must take a shared songthaew (pickup truck) to the summit. The fare is 25 baht per person. Restrooms are available at the base of the ascent.


Unable to capture the scene while ascending due to the approaching train, I discreetly captured an image upon descent.



After a 10-minute pickup truck ride, we reached the summit. We chose our spots freely, and there were restrooms available. The morning mist was thick and beautiful, unlike anything I'd seen before. I've only encountered light mist or no mist at all on previous trips, so I guess I'm not destined for dense fog. Haha!

Despite the overcast sky, we decided to stay on the mountain, hoping to capture the golden light reflecting off the thick sea of fog. Our persistence paid off, and we were rewarded with a breathtaking view. If you encounter a similar situation, don't give up. Stay and witness the beauty that nature has to offer.


Around 7 am, we started to see the golden light. We could take photos continuously until the sun became strong. We descended from Phu Tok at around 8 am and headed to Kaeng Kut Ku. The way to get down is to wait for the songthaew at the point where we were dropped off. The car will come and pick us up continuously. We think this kind of service is good. It solves the problem of insufficient parking space and is safer than driving up ourselves. . . .

Our next stop is "Kaeng Kut Ku".
Kaeng Kut Ku is approximately 5 kilometers from Phu Tok, with a travel time of approximately 10 minutes.


This is our chauffeur, very stylish, young people will love it, haha.


The area in front of Kaeng Kut Ku features numerous souvenir shops and a restaurant run by a local women's group. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast here.


Famished, we entrusted our appetites to the local mothers' group restaurant. The meal cost 480 baht and the flavors were decent. However, if you're not yet hungry, you can always head to Chiang Khan for a bite.


After a satisfying meal, we returned to our accommodation and arranged for our driver to pick us up the next day to take us to the Nakhon Chai Air Terminal, as we were planning to test our mettle at Phu Kradueng National Park. Upon arriving at our lodging, we were overcome with exhaustion. We had originally planned to take photos of the city of Chiang Khan, but we were unable to resist the urge to sleep. When we finally woke up, it was already past 1:00 PM.

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Drawn by the aroma and bustling crowd, we ventured towards a chicken stew noodle stall. The rich broth required minimal seasoning, boasting a delectable flavor. The tender chicken feet were cooked to perfection, and the price was incredibly reasonable.



Everyone who visits Chiang Khan has walked past "Two Husbands and Wives Guesthouse," a popular Chiang Khan homestay. The upper floor is a guesthouse, while the lower floor is a coffee shop. We stopped by Two Husbands and Wives Guesthouse to escape the heat, ordered a cup of coffee each, and sat watching people walk by. It was truly enjoyable.


We sat there until we were lost in the moment, and when we finally looked at the clock, it was almost evening. Today, we planned to watch the sunset by the Mekong River and buy food to eat at the homestay. The sunset that day was stunning, or as we like to call it, "exploding sky".


We went to bed early because we had to wake up early to catch the bus to Phu Kradueng. By now, we have traveled almost halfway through our trip. We will leave the rest of our review here for now and continue with the rest of our journey soon.



Expenses Summary: Phuket to Chiang Khan (Shared Costs)

Excluding: Flight tickets, snacks, souvenirs

Hotel (Udon Thani, first night): 1250 baht / 3 = 416 baht Food: 750 baht / 3 = 250 baht Skylab ride: 80 baht / 3 = 26 baht Bus (Udon Thani - Loei): 91 baht per person Shared taxi (Loei - Chiang Khan): 35 baht per person Homestay (Chiang Khan): 1900 baht / 3 = 633 baht Pad Thai: 55 baht per person Dinner: 540 baht / 3 = 180 baht Skylab ride to Phu Tok: 150 baht / 3 = 50 baht Phu Tok entrance fee: 25 baht per person Food at Kaeng Kud Ku: 480 baht / 3 = 160 baht Noodles: 55 baht per person



The total cost from Phuket to Chiang Khan is 4,139 baht (plus or minus a little). This includes 1,976 baht for expenses and 2,163 baht for airfare.



We do not expect our travelogue to be as popular as a firework display, but we want to be a guide for people who live in the provinces like us, whose travel experiences differ from other reviews that start from Bangkok. We cannot travel from Phuket to Phu Kradueng with a budget of 3,xxx baht. Even our flight tickets with promotions are expensive. TT We focus on eating, staying comfortably, and not being too expensive. See you in the next episode from Chiang Khan to Phu Kradueng soon. ))

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