Spending A Week In Chiang Rai...

[Jai Dee]

I'm planning on coming up to CR with my missus in the first week of March... flying to CM first, renting a car, catching up with some mates there, some sight-seeing and shopping... then driving up to CR.

What do you locals recommend doing in our 5-6 days there?

Any suggestions for sight-seeing, activities, restaurants, accommodation etc. would be welcome.

[OneeyedJohn]

Well you must set aside at least one day for golf at either Santiburi or Waterford Valley.

Don't worry about bringing clubs, we can sort that out for you easily.

I'll leave the other stuff to more knowledgeable folks.

[Jai Dee]

Sounds good... but I must warn you... although I'm a keen golfer, I'm not very good.

HCP=23

[chuchok]

see this..

Pop up to Mai Sai and do some shopping in Burma.

Golden Triangle boat trip.Three countries in an hour.etc

Opium museum

Long necks

[Jai Dee]

Pop up to Mai Sai and do some shopping in Burma.

Do I need my passport? What about the missus? What currency is used in the markets?

Golden Triangle boat trip.Three countries in an hour.etc

Is there a longer trip... say about 3 hours?

Opium museum

Sounds good... both my wife and I are into historical stuff.

Long necks

You're not talking about king browns there are you mate?

Good suggestions.

I've heard that Wat Rong Khun is spectacular by moonlight... it's a full moon on the 3rd so maybe a night time visit is in order too.

Edited February 6, 2007 by Jai Dee
typo corrected

[sceadugenga]

Mai Salong is one of the more interesting towns nearby, all Chinese, descendants of Koumintang troops fleeing from Mao. Nice drive up there too, through great mountain scenery.

[flupke]

hi Jaidee ,

try the search button

it ` s all been said before

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=93683

have fun

[chuchok]

Pop up to Mai Sai and do some shopping in Burma.

Do I need my passport? What about the missus? What currency is used in the markets?

Golden Triangle boat trip.Three countries in an hour.etc

Is there a longer trip... say about 3 hours?

Opium museum

Sounds good... both my wife and I are into historical stuff.

Long necks

You're not talking about king browns there are you mate?

Good suggestions.

I've heard that Wat Rong Khun is spectacular by moonlight... it's a full moon on the 3rd so maybe a night time visit is in order too.

You can take little boats from Chiang Saen.They take you for a wee trip up the river and you end up at the apex of three countries.all just a stones throw away from each other.Then you pop over the river to Laos.(no passport required,but they have cheap ciggies )

from mai Sai into Burma you need your passport.kun wifie only needs ID card.

What's a King brown?Is it a new type of beer?

[Jai Dee]

What's a King brown?Is it a new type of beer?

Not a new type... an aussie colloqialism for a 750mm bottle... aka longnecks.

[monsieurhappy]

Hi,

Me and my wife are also planning on a visit to CR anytime in the next week or so, though I think maybe we should avoid Chinese New Year. I've been studying the map for a while and plan on driving from Pattaya, staying overnight on the way, then doing a circular tour of CR province taking in Nan, Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Golden T, Mae Sai and finally Chiang Rai town. We don't want to base ourselves in any particular place, just drive and if we like the place find a hotel or guest house for the night. Do you think we'll have any problems with accomodation doing it this way? I've read the CR forum and made notes of any hotels and GH's that have been mentioned and also places to see and visit. Anyone have any advise?

[goski]

Afraid I´m going to repeat a few things. Doi Mae Salong, best bet, great driving and Mae Salong itself isn´t that interesting so spend a few hours getting lost.

Mae Sai, avoidable, completely avoidable, go to Doi Tung instead with the royal villa. You´re still going in the same direction but you have to turn left before Mae Sai.

Golden triangle, yes, why not. A quick stop, make it a lunch stop and you will feel much better afterwards.

Opium musem, what for? You´ve been going through the triangle, now they only want your money.

Now, getting into the town of Chiang Rai, and I am stretching my abilites here (I usually go to the market) would be a great opportunity to sample some nothern thaifood. Tog Tong anyone? I quite liked the place a couple of years ago. Down south on the Paholyothin, the place that has a lake as well, what is it called? A band that plays music floating in front of sitting guests.

Other dishes to sample, laap neua, naem, khao soi, gaeng hang lay, nam prik noum, sai oua and many others. Enjoy!

[my friend I]

If you are in town lunchtime try the Wang Inn buffet lunch

[soap]

quote name='chuchok' post='1124143' date='2007-02-06 10:18:47']Pop up to Mai Sai and do some shopping in Burma.

Do I need my passport? What about the missus? What currency is used in the markets?

Golden Triangle boat trip.Three countries in an hour.etc

Is there a longer trip... say about 3 hours?

Good suggestions.

've heard that Wat Rong Khun is spectacular by moonlight... it's a full moon on the 3rd so maybe a night time visit is in order too.

hello jai dee

if you do go over the border at mai sai make sure you dont need a re-entry visa if you have a one year visa.

i think there are boat trips from the pier by the dusit island hotel that will take you up to the elephant camp,hill tribes etc they would last more than 3 hours,

my favourite for lunch is the rimcock hotel buffet,the best 130 baht you will get

but remember to go hungry.

also for a drive out for lunch passing the white temple if you carry on to phayao about 100k from chaingrai you can sit by the very big lake ,better still if you are coming from chaingmai you can turn off for phayao for lunch then visit the white temple on your way into chaingrai.

if you are a early riser and energetic they say phu chi fa is worth a visit

hope you enjoy your visit to chaingrai

[Joel Barlow]

Khao Soi Kai is one of the very best of northern Thai dishes - at Paw Jai Restaurant right behind the Wiang Inn in the center of town, the best anywhere (B25, B30 for 'piset' - a bit more, well worth the B5!). Art on the walls by Charlemchai of White Temple as the woners are relatives. Personally, I think the temple and new clock-tower "nakliet" - literally, hateable.

Chinese New Year is hardly a problem, but a plus. Its Lahu New Year too, and one can notice how many Lahu people there are! Especially around Thoed Thai/Hin Taek - there are 3 or more places to stay there now - Gred Petch is OK. Lots of Karaokee too!

Opium Museum is good - the "luuk baep" Museum beside it only for specialists like myself (collectors - it's mostly beads, amulets, necklaces...) and currently open only by successful request I think (but the owner is often there, and nice). Hall of Opium, B300 for what? I don't know. Doi Tung Arboreutum? same. The drive up from Mae Sai is great though, as are the caves arround Thaam Lunag (there used to be a dok glui-mai orchid nature walk, didn't see it last I looked though) - that's 6 or 7 km south of Mae Sai near the golf driving range.

Kok River boat rides are OK - all the way to TaTon too much (more than 3 hours upstream).

The restaurant with the boat is Khum Jao Nang (the one behind it is better - walk across the wood bridge just before). Local music out on a boat, food comes from kitchen on a boat, cops come to flirt with (pick up?) waitresses drunk floating like a boat (Chahba, that's it, behind, is better, cuter waitresses even and less cops!). Good seafood, but the best seafood is at Eko-cha on the road just north of the Kok River.

for more info, see www.chiangraiprovince.com/guide, done by me free to all.

[Jai Dee]

Great tips everyone... keep 'em coming.

What about nightlife... both the missus and I enjoy live music... Thai rock... not too overcrowded and smoky... somewhere "happening"!!!

[Joel Barlow]

Little to offer there, Jai Dee. As has been noted on another thread here, "Cat's Bar" is a bit of a dragon's lair

So much so that to mention this troll under the bridge is dangerous!

Its existance, unfortunately, keeps much else from happening.

Live music and katoey shows at the Night Bazaar (2 stages) are very popular (for good beer, Kloster or Asahi, one must wait while they run out to get it...), and there's the awful singers before the 'coyote' and 'model' shows at the Airport Pub (Krua Luang !!!)... sometimes overcrowded shows for the young at Pa (Par) Club though I shouldn't comment as I've never been... Something nearby on the Superhwy had Carabao not so long ago, might have regular music, in fact I think they do but I haven't been there either (like most locals, I think).

The go-go bars seem to think house/rap/hip-hop is what their customers want to hear so they don't have any!

CR49 at least has good music videos often (near the Chalermchai Haw Nalika Nakliet under construction which used to be such a useful landmark) and the music at Bo's Place (most recommended place in town) isn't bad at all.

Try not to judge us on our lack of live rock! We're here for the quiet, safe, healthy good weather and low-cost economy etc, and even Chiang Mai, with its many many live music pubs hardly really ever rocks! Very good three-string plucking for the next 10 days, in Lahu villages... sometimes even amplified a little bit...!!!

[Jai Dee]

Try not to judge us on our lack of live rock! We're here for the quiet, safe, healthy good weather and low-cost economy etc, and even Chiang Mai, with its many many live music pubs hardly really ever rocks! Very good three-string plucking for the next 10 days, in Lahu villages... sometimes even amplified a little bit...!!!

Don't worry... I'm looking forward to it.

And hopefully catch up with a few of you locals for a quiet ale or two?

I'll get the first round.

[toybits]

Visit the Hilltribe Museum and Education Center located beside the Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant (3rd Floor of PDA Building). Good value for your money. Learn lots of things about tribal people.

Go to Thoeng district (approx. 60 km from down towards Chiang Kham). The highlight would be the freshwater prawn farms and pigging out on prawns at the restaurants there. Prawn farms is located approx. 3 km off the Chiang Rai - Chiang Kham highway.

I'm planning on coming up to CR with my missus in the first week of March... flying to CM first, renting a car, catching up with some mates there, some sight-seeing and shopping... then driving up to CR.

What do you locals recommend doing in our 5-6 days there?

Any suggestions for sight-seeing, activities, restaurants, accommodation etc. would be welcome.

[toybits]

Par Club at Inn Come hotel.

That's It at Saen Plu hotel.

So Hub near Saen Plu hotel.

Cabbages and Condoms restaurant along Thanalai Rd. beside Atchiwa Sueksa College

Khum Chao Nang Restaurant somewhat isolated but nice lakeside restaurant. Ask for directions.

Night Bazaar. There are two stages. I personally prefer the one where most Thai people go. Pick your food, they deliver to your table and you pay. Cheap and painless.

Great tips everyone... keep 'em coming.

What about nightlife... both the missus and I enjoy live music... Thai rock... not too overcrowded and smoky... somewhere "happening"!!!

[svenivan]

JD,

If you go from Golden Triangle and Chiang Saen you must not miss the Buddha Image Museum.

It is the museum with the biggest collection of Buddha image in the world. Quite interesting.

And they have thousands of the small ones too. One of them is valued to 50 mil bath!

You find the museum on the road between Chiang Saen and Mae Chan (1016) between milestone 6 and 7 (around 7 km north of Mae Chan).

Coming from Chiang Saen it is on your right side, biggest gate in northern Thailand, you cannot miss it!

C u!

:D

[tung tsz]

I can't believe that none of you guys has recommended

Pu Chi Fa and surroundings, especially at this time of year

for scenery around Chiang Rai

Also there is a new lookout above Thoeng

with tremendous views over that area

just below the temple

The elephant camp at Ban Ruam Rit

is well worth a visit a is any trip down the river

As to live entertainament I am sure the

Inn Com entertainment centre is still there

The disco blow your mind speakers are bad but

in between that the shows with live musicians and

the cracking girls are very good

tung tsz

[Rinrada]

Hopefully be up there in March but only for the one night so will be sticking to the local boozers around the Baitong and along "the Jed"...Anybody got a map?...

[ImageDude]

Hopefully be up there in March but only for the one night so will be sticking to the local boozers around the Baitong and along "the Jed"...Anybody got a map?...

There you go dude, here's a map that was published in CommuniThai magazine, hope it's useful to you.

ImageDude

[Jai Dee]

Thanks for the map ImageDude.

2 weeks to go... CM next week then CR at last... looking forward to it.

[ImageDude]

Thanks for the map ImageDude.

2 weeks to go... CM next week then CR at last... looking forward to it.

Jai Dee, I will also be in Chiang Rai from the 25th Feb, I usually have a beer or three at Bo's Place during my visits.

ImageDude

[Jai Dee]

Thanks for the map ImageDude.

2 weeks to go... CM next week then CR at last... looking forward to it.

Jai Dee, I will also be in Chiang Rai from the 25th Feb, I usually have a beer or three at Bo's Place during my visits.

ImageDude

I'll buy you one mate.

Anyone else want to get together over a few ales?

Any particular day/time/place?

[In the Rai!]

Thanks for the map ImageDude.

2 weeks to go... CM next week then CR at last... looking forward to it.

Jai Dee, I will also be in Chiang Rai from the 25th Feb, I usually have a beer or three at Bo's Place during my visits.

ImageDude

I'll buy you one mate.

Anyone else want to get together over a few ales?

Any particular day/time/place?

Bo's is about as far as I get to. (on most occasions Jai Dee) Saturday arvo is always good at Bo's for a beer. around 5 ish, and if we ask him nicely he'll put the super 14's on for us.

ITR