Muan Sing, Casino's & dirt hell

[Lone Rider]

When I was there about a year ago or so (at the Chinese casino opposite Chiang Saen) there were at least 2 more hotels at the north side past the staff quarters and the market - the Platinium Hotel and the Mareuy Hotel both on Bamboo Avenue. Did not check them though so I am not sure about the price they were charging

 

[skeedary]

You didn't miss anything by the Tribal Museum being closed, there is scant to look at and a waste of the kip. Love the photos and can see that it would have been interesting on the 990. Had a private giggle when I saw the Wave sizing things up 55555.

 

[bsacbob]

Nope, the source was someone else with a green KLX

OK i'll come clean it was me :kat It was graded most of the way to Long back in March "honest" personally i think Phil wanted to go back and check out the new Karaoke :MJ

Look perfect..i rest my case.

 

[Ally]

Great report Phil, some decent pics, especially the field & shack ones

Glad the 'idiot turn back point' happened before you got too committed & really locked yourself into that route.

Ally

 

[KTMphil]

The hotel in M. Sing will let you bring your bike into the hotel at night

A very dodgy lookin Kareoke in M. Sing

 

[KTMphil]

Up at 0520am, off to the M. Sing morning market

 

[KTMphil]

 

[KTMphil]

Doesnt look like this duck will have a good day

 

[KTMphil]

No money No honey

 

[KTMphil]

Still looking a bit grim out there

....Still VERY early, a quick 10km run eastwards to the Pang Hai, Laos border checkpoint with China















This border checkpoint is till a couple of Km's west of the actual China border

 

[KTMphil]

Great report Phil, some decent pics, especially the field & shack ones

Glad the 'idiot turn back point' happened before you got too committed & really locked yourself into that route.

Ally

Should have turned back earlier for sure

 

[Midnitemapper]

The good ole days around Muang Sing. Were you could see the hill tribes harvesting their crops.
Unfortunately the Charm of dropped dramatically when the Market was moved from the center of town to the back streets.

 

[KTMphil]

Don, how long ago did you last see opium growing there?

 

[KTMphil]

A blast westwards on R3, looks like might be able to make the Laos/ China border back to Chiang Mai the same day if lucky with the ferry in Houay Xai. Back in Houay Xai, a quick ride all the way across the soon to be opened Friendship Bridge. I hadn't checked out of Laos, so had to loop back to Laos.

Then the Houay Xai, lunchtime wait for the ferries to start running again

Managed to hop on a ferry which was headed to the southern ferry ramp landing in Chiang Khong, which probably saved an hour, looking good for getting back to Chiang Mai.

So 700km home with some messing around & a check-in / check out of Laos & made it home to Chiang Mai in a day, ass is killing me.

 

[KTMphil]

Back over to R 3 & a quick trip up to the Golden Triangle Economic Zone, a failed attempt to get the pickup across to Chiang Saen, Thailand by ferry, only foot passengers allowed to cross.



Ktm has some battery problems and needed a visa run, here crossing Friendship Bridge 4 at Chiang Khong into Huoay Xai, Laos

Then up R 3, a beautiful sealed road that follows the Mekong River








The Chinese Casino project had to make 40km of concrete road themselves solely to get gamblers from Houay Xai to the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, where the Kings Roman Casino is situated


DSC_1561_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





The story of the Casino from Mr Bailey who's lived in the area for the last 10 years:


China has a 90 year lease on a 20km x 20km area since about 5 years ago. At that time they said that in ten years they would have one million Chinese living there. All staff, grounds keepers, toilet cleaners, girls of the night... You name it, they are All Chinese. Zero Lao money is exchanged here. Thai Baht, usd, Chinese currency is ok.
Locals living in this area have expressed Great displeasure a good number of times.
And the story gets worse from here.
A couple of Big pockets at the top got filled but next to very little has filtered down.












There's some more good reading here on the same area with some good historical stuff



http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...-opium-battle-kings-roman-casino-ban-mom.html




..

 

[KTMphil]

When you reach the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Laos, you are directly opposite Chiang Saen, Thailand

Fast ferries run Chinese gamblers and duty free shoppers to and from Jing Hong, China down the river to Laos



DSC_1547_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





A Chinese flagged fuel barge, complete with petrol pump. You can see the Casino in the distance that is situated in Myanmar. This is rumored to be closed



DSC_1544_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1545_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Back to the GTSEZ



DSC_1552_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




China Town around the back of the casino is now fully completed

DSC_1553_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Even the police cars are Chinese here



DSC_1551_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Down towards the Mekong, i had always thought that these objects were some kind of Buddhist, stupa, Chinese religious things




DSC_1556_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






The wind blew one of the covers off and low and behold, they are actually "chalets". Notice the aircon unit to the right


DSC_1557_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Closer inspection, inside, beds laid out


DSC_1559_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




DSC_1560_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




DSC_1558_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




So failed mission getting across to Chiang Saen by ferry. The Stupa at the head of the Friendship Bridge 4 is all completed



DSC_1570_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Back in Houay Xai, I get a text from David Bailey across the Mekong in Chiang Khong -- "look out of your window"

Left side almost touching David's house in Chiang Khong