Crossing from Thailand into Laos is popular on the backpacker “banana pancake route ... Instead, I opt to take a slow boat, which travels from the Laotion border town of Huay Xai to the ...

Crossing from Thailand into Laos is popular on the backpacker “banana pancake route”. Flights from Chiang Mai cost a reasonable $100 (£80) if booked months in advance. But for disorganised travellers ...