Hello,

I just recently found out that a round trip plane ticket from Kunming to Chiang Mai (Thailand) during the next few weeks is around 5,000 RMB. I did not expect the price to be so high, even though it is chinese new year.

Can anyone supply advice on Cheap Transporation from Kunming to Chiang Mai (or another Thailand Destination), whether be by plane, rail, or bus. Thank you.

There's no China-Thailand border, so you gotta go via Laos. [there is/was a Jinghong-Chiang Saen boat; even if it's running (not certain, as the Mekong is low at this time of year), it's something like 800 kuai a head.]

Cheapest would be bus to Mengla 勐腊, cross into Laos in Mohan 磨憨 www.gokunming.com/[...] then head via Luang Namtha to the Chiang Khong/Huay Xai/清孔 border crossing into Thailand.

Remember the formalities for the Laos visa (US$40 or so, photo, depends on your nationality) and remember that land-border entry to Thailand (as opposed to airport) only gives you 15 days rather than the usual 30.