On Sept. 2 in Bangkok in one of his first speeches to a foreign audience, Tha-nong spun an upbeat story.

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The 100 Waterfalls Trek can only be tackled as a one-day tour from Nong Khiaw by Tiger Trails, a Luang Prabang-based ecotourism company led by German founder Markus Neuer.

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The State Railway of Thailand operates several trains a day to the border crossing at Nong Khai, including overnight trains equipped with clean and comfortable first-class sleepers.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | Travel Watch | Do-It-Yourself Luxury on Thailand's Railways