The tranquil hamlet of Khong Chiam, 60km east of Ubon Ratchathani, rests securely on the map of major tourist destinations in the northeast due to its interesting location at the confluence of the Moon and Mekong Rivers. During the wet season—when the rivers are in full force—their two distinct colors create a unique vision as they meet and mix for the first time. Khong Chiam won’t hold your attention for too long, but with an array of top-notch accommodations and a couple of national parks nearby, it’s a great way to break up the journey between Thailand and Laos and a relaxing get-away from the everyday.
Take a bus from the Warin or Ubon Ratchathani bus stations to Phibun Mangsahan (1hr., every 30min. 5am-6pm, 40฿). From the Phibun market, take a samlor (20฿) or walk to the songthaew station on the Moon River. From the bus stop, head towards the market. Turn right onto Thiboon Rd. and walk three long blocks. At the traffic signal, take a left, and walk until you reach the river. Songthaew, in a parking lot on your right, go to Khong Chiam (45min., every hr., 30฿).
Transport out of Kong Chiam is variable and it is best to move out in the early morning. The bus station is the carpark next to the market about 50m west of Mongkong Guest House. Songthaew run to Phibun (leave when full; daily 6am, 9am; 40฿). From there you can get buses to Ubon Ratchathani (every hr. 5am-7pm, 40฿), Bangkok (7:30am and 2:30pm, 392฿) or Chong Mek (every hr. 6:30am-5:30pm, 40฿). Buses also depart from Kong Chiam to Tagarn (2hr.; 6:30, 10am, 1pm). From Tagarn, limited connections can be made to other towns in the northeast, including Mukdahan (130฿); you need to arrive in Tagarn as early as possible. Tell the driver your final desitation as soon as you board the bus in Kong Chiam.
If you get stuck in Phibun, either on the way to or from Kong Chiam, Hotel Phibun , 65/1 Thiboon Rd., opposite the Kashikornbank, is on the way from the bus stop to the songthaew station along the river. This hotel, on the right, has immaculate rooms and an extremely friendly, English-speaking owner. (☎441 201. Rooms with fan 200฿, with A/C 300฿.)
Khong Chiam is a peninsula shaped like a long acute triangle: its two main roads come together in a point near where the Moon and Mekong rivers, that flow on both sides of the town, come together. Klaewpradit Road runs from the market and bus stop through the center of town (on the Moon River side). Rimkheng Road runs along the Mekong River parallel to Klaewpradit Rd. until the two roads meet at the wat. On Rimkheng Rd., a stone tablet identifies Khong Chiam as Thailand’s easternmost point.
Services include: the immigration office (☎045 351 084) on Klaewpradit Rd., which can give visa extensions (30 days 1,900฿; requires a copy of your passport and 1 photo); Khong Chiam’s bank, Krung Thai Bank, on Klaewpradit Rd., which exchanges currency and traveler’s checks (☎045 351 123; open M-F 8:30am-4:30pm); the police station (☎045 351 023), located opposite the stone tablet on Rimkheng Rd.; Khong Chaem Hospital (☎045 351 331), 1.5km above town, on the Khong Chiam-Phibun Rd.; a small pharmacy, at Klaewpradit and Ratsadonytid Rd., a few meters beyond Mongkhon Guest House (☎045 351 245; open daily 6am-8pm); Internet access, at a small shop (☎045 351 417) on Klaewpradit Rd., 100m east of Mongkong Guest House; computers are slow but they work (Internet 20฿ per hr.); and the post office, on Klaewpradit Rd., with international phone. (☎045 351 016. Open M-F 8:30am-4:30pm, Sa 9am-noon.) Postal Code: 34220.
Surprisingly, tiny Khong Chiam is packed with comfortable guesthouses.
Khong Chiam also lacks the market flair of most small towns in the northeast, but makes up for it with charming restaurants that literally float on the rivers. Also, be sure to hit up the great som tam (20฿) maker across from Mongkhon Guest House.
Pha Taem National Park. Khong Chiam is known for the mae nam song si, the convergence of the “Two-Color” River, an effect created by the different levels of silt suspension from blue Moon River and brown Mekong River. In the dry season, this effect is not as stunning, but the low water level makes it so travelers can nearly reach Laos. The end of Klaewpradit Rd., through the temple grounds, leads to a pavilion with a pleasing view of the two rivers.
About 20km north of Khong Chiam is Pha Taem National Park and its stunning 200m long cliff, which offers truly spectacular views of the surrounding area. The rock face of the cliff is covered with colorful 3000-year-old rock paintings; some archaeologists believe they were made by prehistoric soothsayers and shamans in trance-like states. A pleasant 3km path takes you down past the viewing platforms at the paintings to some incredible lookouts. A trailhead can be found next to the visitor’s center. While at the park, also visit Sao Chaliang, an area where erosion has created interestingly shaped rock formations. Camping (30฿, if you have your own equipment) is possible; tents can be rented (2-person 150฿) and sleeping bags (30฿), mattresses (20฿) and pillows (10฿) are also available. A number of in-park bungalows (6-person with fan 1200฿, 5-person with A/C 2000฿) can be rented in the park for an overnight stay. (Contact ☎045 246 332 or write to Pha Taem National Prak, P.O. Box 5, Tambon Huayphai, Khong Chiam, Ubon Ratchathani 34220 to make reservations. Or, book online at www.dnp.go.th; make your payment beforehand at any Khrung Thai Bank in Thailand. Tuk-tuks (1-way 200-250฿, round-trip 300-350฿) can take you to the park, or you can rent a private car from the bus station (350฿). ☎045 249 780. Open daily 6am-6pm. 400฿, children 200฿.)
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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