Nong Khai - Thailand
Tha Sadej is the name of the jetty serving ferries crossing the Mekong River. It is also Nong Khai province's border checkpoint for immigration and customs. Formerly, the jetty was known among locals as "Tha Daan".
Back in 1968, Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand visited Nong Khai province to preside over a ceremony for the supply of electricity to the Lao People's Democratic Republic for construction of Naam Nguem dam. On that occasion, Their Majesties descended upon Namkong jetty in the area of the customs checkpoint in Muang district, Nong Khai province, to embark on the ferry to cross to the raft pavilion in the middle of the Mekong. Since then, local folk have referred to the jetty as "Tha Sadej".
Today, the checkpoint has been relocated to Mitraparb bridge checkpoint and Tha Sadej, therefore, serves only as a convenient zone for local merchants to cross between Thailand and Laos. Tourists wishing to visit Laos are obliged to use the Mitraparb checkpoint only.
Today, Tha Sadej is known as Tha Sadej market or Tha Sadej Indochina market, where tax-free merchandise from mainland China, Vietnam and Laos may be found including electrical goods, chinaware, ceramics, silk and cotton. In particular, fabrics on sale at this market include those from Laos and Nong Khai. The rich variety of products available at Tha Sadej Indochina market makes it a popular shopping rendezvous for tourists visiting Nong Khai.
