Chiang Saen - Festivals - History - Birds

Water Festival

The Mekong

Chiang Saen - Walking Street

Loy Krathong

Chiang Saen is a pleasant riverside town, situated on the River Mekong, wide and spacious streets set Chiang Saen apart from many other road side towns one sees in Thailand.

When I first came here, seven years ago, I suppose I was like most birders who pass through, and after a couple of days, you've seen it all and travel on.

We have lived here now for the past two years and I have gradually become aware that Chiang Saen is a very interesting area to study birds.

Local birding hotspots include; Yonok Wetlands, Chiang Saen Lake and the Mekong. The hills around Chiang Saen, and the valley of Little England, make for a good variety of bird life. See Micks hidden tracks

Migration is proving to be interesting and in a similar way to Europe we get cold weather movements. A double spring passage occurs with the arrivals of wet season visitors. Some spectacular roost are to be seen and Chiang Saen is a place for the odd rarity.

If one ventures further a field, the Mekong towards Chiang Klong and the inland forest are off interest. To the west the mountainous areas of Doi Pha Hom Pok are really impressive for rare and large numbers of birds.

I am still working on this page and will complete ASAP - Mick.