Takhong - Haad Bai - Chiang Khong - & A Special Mekong Sunset

DavidFL

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One of the beauties of Thailand & Laos is the magnificent Mekong river that sees thousands of people enjoy a late afternoon / dusk happy hour drink &/or a meal as the sun goes down.

If you are on the Laos side you generally get to watch the sun go down across the river in Thailand, and the sunsets are often spectacular

Savannakhet Sunset February 2016
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Savannakhet August 2013
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Savannakhet 2013
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Vientiane February 2016
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Luang Prabang February 2015
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Luang Prabang February 2016
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On the Thai side it is very difficult to watch a sunset in the west over in Laos, due to the direction of the river.
Maybe around Chiang Khan in Loei province you can watch the sun go down by looking upstream, but I don't think you can actually see the sun set directly across the river on the Lao side. If anyone has any photos of the sun setting in Laos from the Thai side, please post em & prove me wrong.

In the top North of Thailand however, there is one special place where you can actually sit on the river bank in Thailand & look directly across the river into Laos and watch the sunset in the West!

more to come..
 
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Tejas Barc

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David,
We were in Chiang khan last month October 12 and snapped a few photos along the boardwalk at close to sunset. Facing up river west northwest towards the Friendship Bridge. Seems at least this time of year the setting sun is not much over Laos if any. Apologies in advance for lowering the quality of photos in this thread...
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DavidFL

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David,
We were in Chiang khan last month October 12 and snapped a few photos along the boardwalk at close to sunset. Facing up river west northwest towards the Friendship Bridge. Seems at least this time of year the setting sun is not much over Laos if any. Apologies in advance for lowering the quality of photos in this thread...
View attachment 138237 View attachment 138238 View attachment 138239

Yeah that's how I remember it, you look upstream & see it set over the river.

That's why I say the Takhong is so special, you look straight across the river into Laos & watch the sunset in Laos.
The first few times I witnessed it I couldn't believe what I was looking at, it just looked so wrong...
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more to come...
 

DavidFL

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The Takhong restaurant & resort is located on the banks of the Mekong in the delightful Tai Lue village of Haad Bai on R4007, 30 kms upstream from Chiang Khong / 33 kms downstream from Chiang Saen.

It was built mid 2019, but never got operating fully because of the covid-19 lockdown.
It reopened again in mid 2020 & has been a work in process ever since.
The restaurant has been a popular local goer since they re-opened.
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The food is exceptionally good & inexpensive

A unique somtam
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A GTR happy hour set - hor d'oeuvres
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more to come..
 
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DavidFL

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Once the sun starts to go down you can get some fabulous changing colours over the landscape in the crystal clear air.
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The ambassador got this shot a few days ago at a GTR Couples dinner at the Takhong
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Some happy GTR couples, watching the sun go down & the colours change over the Khong
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Yes siree the Takhong is a unique charming, enchanting spot on the Mekong..

more to come...
 
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DavidFL

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So what about accommodation?

The Takhong currently has 4 bungalows & two rooms, plus a couple of tents for glamping out by the Khong.

The bungalows under construction
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Completed bungalows
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Two bungalows have a tent on the roof for glamping
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A rooftop bathroom for the campers
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The two non-tented bungalows are 1,100 baht & the two tented bungalows are 1,800 baht.
The two rooms are 1,100 baht each.
Takhong Facebook
Google Maps Location.

It takes a lot to impress me so much that I get excited about a special place, but the Takhong ticks all the right boxes with its enchanting sunset ambiance.
Don't miss a Takhong sunset if you're in the area, & if you have a choice skip the weekends to go mid-week, when it is not busy.
You won't be disappointed with the bit of paradise you get to enjoy all by yourself under the changing colours of dusk.
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Should the Takhong not be in your budget, across the street 300 metres away off the river is the @ Had Bai Resort with rooms for 700 baht.
Google Maps

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DavidFL

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Can't resist back at the Takhong 2 nights ago with Danny from Siam Sun watching the sun go down.

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The old GTR fellah is his bubble
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The birds on the way home, skimming the surface for insects
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The latest gossip is Had Bai will become a designated iconic spot on the Mekong for watching the unique sunsets from Thailand.
The Nai Amphur from Chiang Khong has made an inspection and plans are underway to develop a sunset viewpoint.
Get in while you can.
 

DavidFL

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A Few nights ago & a magnificent sunset.....we should have a GTR dinner here early next year perhaps?
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Watching the birds flock off home after a hard day at work, doing whatever
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A very special unique spot in North Thailand!


A cheap place to stay "across the street" if you don't want to pay the Takhong prices.

 

DavidFL

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300 metres upstream from Takhong, Haad Bai has started a Saturday walking street "Tai Lue" style.
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There is music on 2 stages to keep people entertained
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Miss Malai is the vendor & she speaks fluent English!

Crepes are only 15 baht & the old GTR fellah got swamped after shouting 2 poor young gals a crepe & ended up buying for 11!
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The locals are super friendly, as Tai Lue normally are.
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2 announcers explain about food & the local products
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When you've finished walking street, mosey on over to Takhong & watch the sun go down over the Khong.
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Takhong now has some live music on the weekends.
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A GTR Dinner @ Takhong is calling.
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Apart from the amazing sunsets, what's so special about Haad Bai & Takhong?
Check out Jurgen's fantastic report

Also this one
 

DavidFL

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Songkran at Had Bai & the rocket festival.

A field by the Mekong hosts the launch pad.
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It is a team effort to be able to erect the rocket on the platform that requires celebration & copious amounts of Lao Kao.
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The successful lighting of a rocket requires a dance.
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And then away she goes
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Setting up a rocket for a launch is seldom straight forward when you've been drinking, especially if the fuse does not ignite properly.
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And then it's time to do a runner before full ignition & lift off
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A safe getaway can sometimes be problematic
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A successful launch heads off across the river towards Laos.
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Preparing a rocket for a launch with team work
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Fitting a fuse
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The fuse guardian
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Black insulation tape does the trick
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Up on the launch ramp she goes
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Fuse time to send her off.
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Success
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And the best one of the day it was crossing the Khong & landing on the Lao side.
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It's amazing how much power they can punch.

Bring on Songkran 2023 @ Had Bai.
 
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Songkran at Had Bai & the rocket festival.

A field by the Mekong hosts the launch pad.
View attachment 147522

It is a team effort to be able to erect the rocket on the platform that requires celebration & copious amounts of Lao Kao.
View attachment 147523

The successful lighting of a rocket requires a dance.
View attachment 147524

And then away she goes
View attachment 147525

View attachment 147526

Setting up a rocket for a launch is seldom straight forward when you've been drinking, especially if the fuse does not ignite properly.
View attachment 147527

View attachment 147528

And then it's time to do a runner before full ignition & lift off
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View attachment 147530

A safe getaway can sometimes be problematic
View attachment 147531

A successful launch heads off across the river towards Laos.
View attachment 147532

View attachment 147533

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Preparing a rocket for a launch with team work
View attachment 147535

Fitting a fuse
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The fuse guardian
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Black insulation tape does the trick
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Up on the launch ramp she goes
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Fuse time to send her off.
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Success
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And the best one of the day it was crossing the Khong & landing on the Lao side.
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It's amazing how much power they can punch.

Bring on Songkran 2023 @ Had Bai.
I Love a Good Rocket Festival! Incredible sight to behold! I have been to a couple of the Big ones in Esarn! Brilliant!
 

DavidFL

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Wat Had Bai has a Tai Lue Thod Kathin Festival on 11-12 November


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For info on a Thod Kathin fesival see also