Last night I noted the temperature here was just 17 degrees Celsius, but this is typical for Loei, noted to be the coolest province in Thailand during winter. Accordingly, there was no need for air conditioning in the room. In fact, as I woke in the morning, I didn't want to get out of bed, which was comfortable enough to allow another good night's sleep. At 7:00 AM I draw the curtains, and Chiang Khan is shrouded in mist. That should burn off quickly. As for the room here, it's adequate but rather overpriced due to it being high season. There is no breakfast, just coffee and snacks in reception. Tomorrow we will be more organised as I see there is a microwave.
The plan for today as it stands is to do nothing, which, after several days of travelling and exploring, is most welcome. Any activity today will be dictated by the intentions of family. This will include a family get-together and meal the same as last night. Right now though, Katoon needs a proper breakfast.
At 9:00 AM we head into town. Chiang Khan is a popular tourist attraction these days located on the southern bank of the Mekong River opposite Laos. It always was a busy place due to cross-border traffic; the wooden colonial houses are a giveaway to its commercial past. Yet today the town is overrun with tourists anticipating the New Year celebrations. On past visits to Chiang Khan, the streets of the town were quiet in the morning, but not today. All the caterers, souvenir shops, and boutiques are open for business, and it's a nightmare to park anywhere. The walking street, closed in the evenings to vehicles, should, under the circumstances, be closed all day.
Katoon, who is focused on finding food, starts on a route march through the town looking for a caterer she remembers from the past that no longer exists, but as we backtrack, there are other options. What we end up with is a breakfast dish that is local and more closely resembles the food in Laos than Bangkok. What's great about this restaurant, though, is that it backs right onto the iconic Mekong River, which even at 10:00 AM is shrouded in mist.
I now learn of a family arrangement for lunch, which doesn't suit me, and I get leave to have the rest of the day off until evening to myself. That will be most welcome after recent days of nonstop travel. All it takes is for me to collect provisions from 7-Eleven.
Back at the room I'm pleased to hear that we are changing rooms. The bathroom floor is always wet, suggesting a leak around the toilet, which is an irritation.
Now, as evening approaches, we head back to Na Bon for the final family meal. Here a joint effort has produced a huge variety of food, including duck, fish, and sausage cooked in local style with plenty of vegetables. Various kinds of fruit are provided too. Oddly though, there is no alcohol, only because nobody seems to want it. It doesn't bother me either. After the meal, Katoon's sister, the doctor, and the daughter head for Walking Street, but we're happy to give it a miss. All too soon, they are back at the accommodation, having given up trying to get anywhere near it. Tomorrow we will disperse and leave Chiang Khan.

Source: Visit