Terms & Conditions 

1. General Information

Mekong Slow Boat is operated by Trips Chiang Mai Travel Agency. We arrange and sell journeys, transfers and related travel services from Thailand. Services in Laos are delivered by local operators and travel partners. Tours and other services in Laos are operated by a licensed local tour company based in Laos. By using this website or booking a service, you agree to these Terms and Conditions and the terms shown on the relevant tour page and booking confirmation.

2. Booking Policy

• All journeys are subject to availability. Your place is confirmed when we send an official booking confirmation. A booking request or automatic payment receipt alone does not confirm availability.
• Provide accurate details for each traveller, including their full name, nationality, contact information and passport details where requested. Tell us promptly if any details change.
• Check the date, route, selected option, meeting point, inclusions and exclusions before paying. Only the services listed for your chosen option are included.
• For bookings close to departure, contact us first to check availability.

3. Payment Terms

• The price, currency, accepted payment method and payment deadline are displayed at checkout or in your payment instructions.
• Visas, border charges, optional activities, personal expenses and other items marked as excluded are not included in the price.
• Your bank or card provider may charge currency conversion or international transaction fees. If payment is not completed by the stated deadline, we may be unable to hold your booking.

4. Cancellations, Changes & Refunds

• The cancellation deadline and refund terms for your journey are shown on its product page and in our Cancellation and Refund Policy. Please check these before booking because different services may have different rules.
• Contact us using the details in your confirmation to request a change or cancellation. Changes are subject to availability and may affect the price.
• No-shows and missed departures are handled under the applicable product policy.
• If we or an operating partner cannot provide your booked service, we will contact you with the available options, such as an alternative date or a refund for the service that cannot be provided, in accordance with the applicable policy and law.
• Any non-refundable bank or payment processing fee deduction will be explained under the applicable refund policy and communicated when your refund is arranged.

5. Travel Documents & Visas

Travellers are responsible for checking current passport, visa, entry and exit requirements for your nationality and full itinerary, including both Thailand and Laos where relevant. Visa fees and border charges are your responsibility unless expressly included in your product. Immigration authorities decide whether to permit entry or exit, and we cannot guarantee approval. If you are unsure of your eligibility, check with the relevant embassy or immigration authority before booking.

6. Pick-up and Departure

• Follow the final pick-up and meeting instructions we send you. Pick-up areas and meeting points vary by product.
• Shared transfers may collect other travellers. Be ready at the start of your confirmed pick-up window and keep the contact number you provided available.
• Boats and border connections may have fixed check-in and departure times. Contact us immediately if you are delayed; a vehicle or boat may be unable to wait.
• Travel and arrival times are estimates. Traffic, immigration queues, river levels, weather and local conditions can cause delays. Allow enough time before any separately booked onward connection.

7. Changes to the Journey

Departure times, vehicles, boats, stops or routes may need to change because of weather, river conditions, safety, border procedures or transport disruption. We will tell you about significant changes as soon as reasonably possible and explain your options if an essential part of the booked service cannot be provided.

8. Health, Safety and Insurance

9. Luggage and Belongings

Luggage allowances and charges for large or extra bags vary by product and vehicle. Tell us the number and size of your bags before departure, especially for shared transfers. Keep your passport, money, valuables and personal belongings secure during the journey.

10. Local Partners and Other Services

Parts of a journey may be provided by local boat operators, transport providers, guides, hotels or other partners. We arrange the services listed in your booking and will assist when a problem with those services is reported. Additional services you purchase directly from a third party are subject to that provider’s terms.

11. Responsibility and Customer Rights

We use reasonable care when arranging the services we sell and responding to problems reported to us. We are not responsible for losses caused solely by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, a traveller’s failure to meet entry requirements or reasonable safety instructions, or third-party services outside the booking we arranged. Nothing in these terms removes rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded.

12. Privacy

We use your personal information to manage your booking and arrange your journey. We may share the details needed to deliver the booked services with relevant operators and partners, or with authorities where required. See our Privacy Policy for details about how we handle personal information.

13. Contact and Complaints

If something goes wrong during your journey, contact our team as soon as possible so we can try to help while you are travelling. Email [email protected] or contact us on WhatsApp at +66 91 825 5642. Include your booking reference and a short description of the problem.

14. Applicable Law

Thai law applies to our booking and sales activities in Thailand. Services operated in Laos are also subject to applicable Lao law. Disputes will be handled by a court with jurisdiction under the relevant law. This does not limit mandatory consumer rights.