Kok River Boat Trip

The Kok river rises in Myanmar and runs east across northern Chiang Rai province, and boats have run the stretch from Tha Ton down to Chiang Rai for decades - a journey of three to five hours depending on water level and boat, through forested hills, past riverside villages, farms, elephant camps and hot springs. A public longtail leaves Tha Ton once a day at a fixed time with seats sold individually; private charters go when you want and can stop. Common stops are Karen and Lahu villages along the banks and Ruammit, where an elephant camp operates. It is a genuine transport route as much as a tourist trip, though road improvements have reduced its practical use. Two points matter: the boats are loud, open and hard-seated for several hours with no shade in places, and village stops have become heavily geared to selling, which some travellers find uncomfortable.

What you actually see

• The river journey - three to five hours from Tha Ton down to Chiang Rai.
• The hill country - forested banks, farms and riverside villages.
• The village stops - Karen and Lahu settlements along the route.
• The public boat - a daily scheduled departure with seats sold individually.

When to go

November to February. Water levels drop in the hot season and rise sharply in the rains, both of which affect the run. The public boat leaves Tha Ton once daily at a fixed time.

Honest expectations

Several hours on a hard bench in a loud open boat with limited shade. Village stops are commercialised and the selling is persistent. Elephant camps on the route vary in welfare standards. The public boat leaves once a day and waits for nobody.

Nearby

Tha Ton and its hillside temple are at the start; Chiang Rai is at the end.