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[darrenstravels]

Seems the water level is currently too low for the slow boats to run, after one got a bit...damaged.

Rumors suggest they will run again in Mid March, but does anyone on the scene actually know more? I'll be in the area in Mid March, and although have no plans to actually use the boat, it's still nice to know whats going on.

[Paul]

Hi Darren,

Unfortunately the MaeKhong river has to be closed. It has been one of the world's great rivers and has served humans and animals for tens of thousands of years or more. But China needs that water for hydroelectricity, and so the river and the environments and villages it supports in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam - sorry for the inconvenience, but they will have to cease to exist.

Thanks for your interest. If you wish to make any comments on the matter please write to your local MP and post the letter somewhere on the planet Pluto - they'll be sure to get around to it in due course.

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A little less sarcastically, yeah, the river is really low this year due to the Chinese dams and low rainfall.
Usually by late April we get good rains, and so it is estimated that the slow boats will be operational by March.
But no guarantee - the world's weather patterns are changing, thanks to USA and friends and so ??? Oh - and the countries on the MaeKhong really haven't looked after the river either.


Don't worry - all the people that once were supported by the river, they can probably illegally migrate to China and get new jobs as illegal factory workers. And if you can't go down the river in March - there should be plenty of water in China's dams you could paddle about in.


Oops - I went all sarcastic again.

[darrenstravels]

ha ha nice work Paul! Cheers for the advice. As I said, I've no plans to actually use the boat, just wondering whats happening. From a purely selfish point of view, I'd rather it be running so my own route will be quieter!

[Paul]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Boat-Service...ek-t344200.html

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Water-Wars-E...ry-t344360.html

[Paul]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...h-30124089.html

[Paul]

Seems that April 14 - all will be OK.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailands-La...Dr-t348264.html

[darrenstravels]

If anyone is interested there are no slow boats at all, tho there are so called vip boats running at stupid farang prices a few times a week.

We traveled to Luang Nam Tha instead (was never going to use the boat) and had a fantastic time.

[Paul]

If anyone is interested there are no slow boats at all, tho there are so called vip boats running at stupid farang prices a few times a week.

We traveled to Luang Nam Tha instead (was never going to use the boat) and had a fantastic time.

Were there many tourists turning up looking for boats?

Many paying the higher prices?

Was your route busy?

[darrenstravels]

There were very few younger backpacker types that we saw. Was mostly middle age couples and french families. The younger people I spoke to were getting direct busses to Hauy Xai, some 15h ride, or actually flying out of LP back to Thailand.

Route to Luang Nam Tha was quiet. Only 4 westerners plus us two. The town was a bit busier but plenty of guest house rooms etc. Really suprised just how quiet it was. Even Vang Vieng was quieter than we expected - only one island bar would have any people in, the others dead.

[paulette29]

OK--plan on taking the slow boat from Thai border to Luang Prabang in Feb 2011. It is running, or has China sucked all the water out?

[paulette29]

OK--plan on taking the slow boat from Thai border to Luang Prabang in Feb 2011. It is running, or has China sucked all the water out?