Phrae
As we had to go to Laos (Vientiane) to let my friends do Thai Visa, the closet Thailand border is Nong Khai in Northeast. But in the past we can go there by slow boat from Chiang Khong (town in Chiang Rai province) to Luang Prabang then take a bus to Vientiane. That trip take about 8 hours. So we made decision to visit that town before drive down to Nong Khai. Chaing Khong is a small and quiet town. In the past many tourists have to go there and across to Laos to take slow boat to Laung Prabang then go to Vientiane. But now there is not enough water in Mekong river. (the river that come along from China pass through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodian, Vietnam. Actually the origin of Mekong river is in Tibet) I am not sure why Mekong river is very low now, maybe because of El Nino-La Nina or dam in China, Who know ! No more slow boat trip to Laos.
So the last way go Laos to do Thai Visa is taking bus across Thailand border in Nong Khai. In a long way from Chiang Khong to Nong Khai about 1,000 km. We visited many cities and we need show you many pictures from that trip.
How go to Nong Khai by Google map View Larger Map
More detail about Mekong river from Wikipedia.
There are some places that you must see such as Phratat Cho Hae (temple) and Phae Mueang Phi.
More detail about Phrae province.
Full photo in Photo set6