Photo by Kylli Kittus on Unsplash
The Mekong in Thailand: where the river runs, from the Golden Triangle to Khong Chiam
The Mekong doesn't cross Thailand: it runs along it. On two stretches, in the north and then the northeast, it forms the border with Laos. In between, it heads into the Lao mountains. Here's where to see it, town by town, and where to cross.
Where the Mekong runs in Thailand
The river first reaches Thailand at the Golden Triangle, in Sop Ruak, where the Ruak River joins it and Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. From there it forms the border with Laos down to around Chiang Khong, in Chiang Rai province.
After Chiang Khong, the Mekong leaves the border and enters Laos: this is the slow boat stretch to Pakbeng and Luang Prabang. It only comes back to Thailand at Chiang Khan, in Loei province.
From Chiang Khan to Khong Chiam, it is the border again along most of Isaan, Thailand's northeast: Nong Khai facing Vientiane, Nakhon Phanom facing Thakhek, Mukdahan facing Savannakhet. At Khong Chiam, where the Mun joins it, it enters Laos for good, toward Pakse and the 4,000 Islands.
The eight riverside provinces, from north to south: Chiang Rai, Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani.
Thai towns on the Mekong, from north to south
From upstream to downstream. On the Thai side, a road follows the river along much of the second stretch.
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Chiang Saen and the Golden Triangle
An old town on the riverbank, a few kilometers from the Sop Ruak viewpoint where the three countries meet.
Our guide to Chiang Saen and the Golden Triangle → -
Chiang Khong
Across from Huay Xai, in Laos: you cross the border here on the 4th Friendship Bridge to catch the slow boat to Luang Prabang.
Our guide to Chiang Khong → -
Chiang Khan
Where the river becomes the border again, in Loei province. A street of wooden houses along the bank, very popular with Thai visitors.
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Nong Khai
Our pickAcross from Vientiane, linked by the 1st Friendship Bridge. It's also the town of the naga fireballs, at the end of Buddhist Lent.
Our guide to Nong Khai → -
Bueng Kan
A riverside province between Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom; the 5th Friendship Bridge has linked it to Paksan, in Laos, since December 27, 2025.
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Nakhon Phanom
A long riverside promenade facing the limestone hills of Khammouane province, in Laos. 3rd Friendship Bridge to Thakhek.
Our guide to Nakhon Phanom → -
Mukdahan
Across from Savannakhet, via the 2nd Friendship Bridge. A large Indochina market on the riverbank.
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Khong Chiam
Our pickWhere the Mun meets the Mekong, two waters of different colors side by side. Just downstream, the river enters Laos.
The Friendship Bridges over the Mekong
Five Friendship Bridges span the Mekong between Thailand and Laos, from Chiang Khong to Mukdahan; the latest, in Bueng Kan, opened in late 2025. Ferries also cross the river at other points.
1st Friendship Bridge
Nong Khai → Vientiane
Opened in 1994, the busiest. International buses between Nong Khai and Vientiane.
2nd Friendship Bridge
Mukdahan → Savannakhet
Opened in 2006, on the eastern road toward Vietnam.
3rd Friendship Bridge
Nakhon Phanom → Thakhek
Opened in 2011, the gateway to the Thakhek Loop.
4th Friendship Bridge
Chiang Khong → Huay Xai
Opened in 2013; a shuttle bus is required on the bridge. Starting point for the slow boat.
5th Friendship Bridge
Bueng Kan → Paksan
Opened to the public on December 27, 2025: 1,350 m long, 810 m of it over the Mekong. We couldn't confirm whether the Lao checkpoint issues visas: ask before you cross.
The Mekong in Thailand through the seasons
From November to February, skies are dry and days cooler in the north and Isaan. At the end of the dry season, low water uncovers sandbanks and rocks. In October, the end of Buddhist Lent is celebrated along the river, with the naga fireballs around Nong Khai.
When to go to the Mekong, month by month →Questions about the Mekong in Thailand
Does the Mekong flow through Bangkok?
Where can you see the Mekong from Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai?
Can you take a boat on the Mekong on the Thai side?
Sources: river course and borders, Natural Earth; Friendship Bridges, Wikipedia and Lao tourism authority (5th bridge, January 2026); roads, Wikivoyage, Rome2rio and GoAsia (2026); boats, Wikivoyage and Travelfish. Updated October 12, 2026 by Pierre-Marie Coupry.