Border & Transport | Chiang Rai Times

Bringing a foreign-registered car or motorbike into Thailand starts with one key decision: are you entering temporarily for a trip, or do you want to import and register the vehicle permanently? Thailand may allow tourists to bring in foreign vehicles for travel, but temporary entry still involves Thai Customs, the Department of Land Transport (DLT), […]

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Chiang Khong to Huay Xai: Crossing into Laos Step by Step

Crossing from Chiang Khong into Huay Xai is a road border crossing, but Chiang Khong town isn’t the border itself. You’ll need to travel to the Thai immigration checkpoint, complete your exit formalities, then take the mandatory shuttle across the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. Travelers can’t walk or cycle across the bridge. After reaching the […]

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Mae Sai Border Crossing: Open or Closed? Latest Status

CHIANG RAI – As of September 2026, the Mae Sai to Tachileik crossing should not be treated as a normally open tourist border. Foreign passport holders generally can’t use it for independent sightseeing or visa runs, while Thai nationals and Myanmar nationals may still cross under limited border-pass, ID, or visa arrangements that can change […]

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How Chiang Rai Links Thailand Trade to Southern China

Chiang Rai is more than a northern Thai province. It is a land bridge linking Thailand with Laos, Yunnan, and southern China, although the China connection runs through Laos rather than across a direct border. At the center of this network is Chiang Khong, a Thai border district on the Mekong opposite Huay Xai. The […]

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Chiang Rai’s New Airport Expansion: What It Means for Tourism

Chiang Rai is finally stepping out of the shadows to claim its place on the global map. Airports of Thailand has approved a 5.7-billion-baht plan to overhaul Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport. This bold move will completely transform how travelers experience the beauty of northern Thailand. For decades, the province served as a […]

Rebecca Kim

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Chiang Rai to Bangkok High-Speed and Double-Track Plans

CHIANG RAI – For decades, travelers and traders have dreamed of a seamless rail journey from the bustling streets of Bangkok to the misty mountains of Chiang Rai. This dream is finally becoming a reality as Thailand pushes forward with one of its most ambitious infrastructure projects in history. The government is transforming the nation’s […]

Rebecca Kim

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Thailand to Speeds Up Airport Arrivals With Auto Gates

BANGKOK – Thailand is making it much easier for travelers to start their holidays. The Thai government is rushing to fix long queues at Bangkok’s main international gateway. Suvarnabhumi Airport plans to open its automated passport control gates to 31 additional nationalities. This upgrade aims to speed up the arrival process and cut down on […]

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Chiang Rai to Bangkok Overnight VIP Bus: Prices & Times

An overnight bus from Chiang Rai to Bangkok can save you a hotel night while getting you into the capital early enough for a full day of sightseeing, work, or onward travel. The clearest current option is Sombat Tour, which runs from Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2 to Bangkok’s Mo Chit Bus Terminal. The main […]

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How to Get Around Chiang Rai Without a Car