Chiang Khan

Chiang Khan will not be on the radar for most Western visitors to Thailand. The reason is that the town lies in a remote region in the north, right on the banks of the River Mekong and just across the river from the border with Laos. The only westerners who will commonly pass through this part of Thailand are the backpackers and travellers en route to Laos and maybe to other countries in southeast Asia.

But Chiang Khan is very well known to Thai nationals as a popular place to visit for a domestic, culturally interesting vacation. Perhaps its closest equivalent for Brits would be a weekend break in an old heritage town such as historic Stratford-upon-Avon; and for Americans, a short break in colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, or some such place. But in truth perhaps there is no direct comparison.

Chiang Khan is the place Thais go to see old Thailand - not the historic ruins of great temples and palaces, but traditional style dwellings. Not great royal festivals, but arts and crafts. Together with souvenir shops, restaurants and bars, and local excursions to the countryside and river trips along the Mekong, these are the things which draw large numbers of visitors each year to Chiang Khan from all corners of the nation. And there is one particular street where they congregate - the 'Walking Street'.