Major city · Thailand
Chong Mek
Visit Chong Mek for a border crossing and sunset at Saen Tor Beach; half‑day visit, 2–3 h total.
Chong Mek is a small Isaan township serving as a Thai‑Lao border crossing. The main attraction is the Saen Tor Beach on the Sirindhorn Reservoir, ideal for a quick stop while transiting. One half‑day is enough unless you plan to continue into Laos.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cooler)
- avoid Apr–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- UBP
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Chong Mek191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chong Mek, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyBorder area is generally safe; watch belongings near the market and follow border staff instructions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance · 1155 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportUBP Ubon Ratchathani Airport (Taxi to Chong Mek about 60 km (37 mi), under 1 h, ≈1,000 THB).UBP Ubon Ratchathani Airport (Taxi to Chong Mek about 37 mi (60 km), under 1 h, ≈1,000 THB).
- Getting aroundTaxi from Ubon Ratchathani airport (≈1,000 THB, <1 h) or bus (≈200 THB, 1–2 h).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus to border≈100 THB
- Budget bedHostel bed (in Ubon Ratchathani), a night, per person฿300 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedDouble room (in Ubon Ratchathani), a night, per room฿1,000 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedDouble room (in Ubon Ratchathani), a night, per room฿2,000 (≈ US$65)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿500 (≈ US$16) · Mid ฿800 (≈ US$25) · High ฿1,200 (≈ US$40)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- UBP Ubon Ratchathani Airport (Taxi to Chong Mek about 60 km (37 mi), under 1 h, ≈1,000 THB)UBP Ubon Ratchathani Airport (Taxi to Chong Mek about 37 mi (60 km), under 1 h, ≈1,000 THB)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Apr–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jun (14 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chong Mek: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxi from Ubon Ratchathani airport (≈1,000 THB, <1 h) or bus (≈200 THB, 1–2 h). Once at the border, walk to Saen Tor Beach (≈100 m).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ubon Ratchasani
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Taxi from Ubon airport or bus from Ubon bus terminal, 60 km (37 mi), ≈1 hTaxi from Ubon airport or bus from Ubon bus terminal, 37 mi (60 km), ≈1 h
Base for accommodation and services.
Pakse, Laos
cautionDoor to door: ≈1.5 h total
Cross border, then bus from border to Pakse (≈45 km (28 mi), 45 min)Cross border, then bus from border to Pakse (≈28 mi (45 km), 45 min)
Check bus schedules; border formalities add time.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
No dedicated hotels
Most travellers stay in Ubon Ratchasima (≈60 km (37 mi)) or Pakse, Laos.Most travellers stay in Ubon Ratchasima (≈37 mi (60 km)) or Pakse, Laos.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿500–800 (≈ US$16–25) excl. transport
- Mid
- ฿800–1,200 (≈ US$25–40) excl. transport
- High
- ฿1,200 (≈ US$40)+ excl. transport
Trip budget
| Hostel bed (in Ubon Ratchathani)1 × 1 night × ฿300 | ฿300 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ฿500 | ฿500 |
| Trip total≈ ฿800 per person per day, bed included | ฿800≈ US$25 |
No accommodation in Chong Mek itself; stay in Ubon Ratchathani or Pakse.
2026 estimate in THB; transport to/from Chong Mek excluded. No accommodation in Chong Mek itself; stay in Ubon Ratchathani or Pakse.
Prices of common things
| Taxi from Ubon airport | ≈1,000 THB |
| Local bus to border | ≈100 THB |
| Border exit fee (Lao) | ≈40 THB (10,000 kip) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Border fees: 10,000 kip (≈40 THB) to exit Laos; holiday fee may be higher – check locally.
- Thai visa on arrival limited to 2 entries per year – verify before travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance
- 1669
- Tourist police
- 1155
Pocket card
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Chong MekChong Mek
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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ไปที่นี่ด้วยครับ/ค่ะTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance1669
- Tourist police1155
Embassy
US consulate in Ubon Ratchasani (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Ubon → Chong Mek: ≈1,000 THB, <1 h (check)
- Bus Ubon → Chong Mek: ≈100–200 THB, 1–2 h (check)
Say or show
- ราคาเท่าไหร่? — How much does it cost? (râakaa thâo rài?)
- ที่ชายแดนอยู่ที่ไหน? — Where is the border? (thîi chaai-dâen yùu thîi năi?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chong Mek. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (dry, cooler) · avoid Apr–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Taxi from Ubon airport (≈1,000 THB) – fastest.
- VIP bus from Ubon (≈200 THB, 2 h) – cheaper.
- Local bus (≈100 THB, 1–2 h) – cheapest, may require transfer.
Sources
Ask about Chong Mek
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