Pakse Forum: Border crossing

Dont think we can do the long bus trip as we are seniors but is Pakse the nearest border crossing to the four thousand islands? If not where is the it?

From Ubon Ratchathani you can cross the border at Chong Mek which is just a short trip onto Pakse. this is the nearest crossing you'll get to 4000 islands.

Thank you bluecramp for that information, sorry about all the questions but how far ie distance/time is it from Ubon Ratchathani to Chong Mek and then the distance and time to get to Pakse. Also what is the easiest way to get there. Thanks.

You can also get the bus from Pakse to Pleiku - Central Highlands of Vietnam if you have time, I did with a break in Appateu for the night. Used Mai Linh Express.

Ubon to Pakse is easy and very close - have a look at a map. There are cross-border busues, all very organised. Lao, Thailand and Vietnam have been trying to set up trade corridors for years, and the Chong Mek-Pakse route is prt of that so you will have no problems at all. (Ubon-border under 1 hour, border - Pakse 1 hour).

Hi, I'm also interested in crossing from Laos to Chong Mek in a few weeks.. does anyone know whether it's feasible to go direct from Chong Mek to the Chong Sa Ngam border crossing with Cambodia - without having to stop in / go via Ubon? I'm hoping there are songthaews / some form of transport from Chong Mek that will go along Route 24 (Katharalak etc) & south to Chong Sa Ngam? If we have to arrange a private lift then we'll do that - but I'd prefer public transport if there is any... any inside / local knowledge on that would be very appreciated!