Driving Chiag Mai To Pattaya

[Gladiator]

As a keen member of the yacht club in Pattaya I frequently drive down. Although I know that that there is a regular and good VIP bus service I prefer to the use of my car when I am there.

As the years go by I am finding the drive more and more tedious and am looking for a suitable place to stop-over for the night. Nakhon Sawan seems logical as more-or-less half-way - but seems a little too much bsutle and hustle. Kampang Phet maybe an alternative.

Anyone have any suggestions to a nice hotel and stopover town?

Gladiator

[trawler]

You could try Sukothai,slight detour but not much.Cheers

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I like Kamphaeng Phet; for Bangkok it's pretty much half-way, for Pattaya a little bit short of half way. But there is nice accommodation there along the river there. Actually there quite a bit to see too in Kamphaeng, some nice historical sites.

Nakhon Sawann I never liked much as a town.

What's the deal with the yacht club by the way, is it also possible to join or take a sailing course there? What sort of prices?

( Can always use an additional legitimate activity in Patters.. )

Edited April 28, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Gladiator]

I like Kamphaeng Phet; for Bangkok it's pretty much half-way, for Pattaya a little bit short of half way. But there is nice accommodation there along the river there. Actually there quite a bit to see too in Kamphaeng, some nice historical sites.

Nakhon Sawann I never liked much as a town.

What's the deal with the yacht club by the way, is it also possible to join or take a sailing course there? What sort of prices?

( Can always use an additional legitimate activity in Patters.. )

http://www.varuna.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Varuna_Yacht_Club

The RVYC is an oasis of calm and serenity in 'Tinsel-Town' - even if you are not particularly a boating person. I came to boating late in life, in the UK, an studied the craft both through RYC theory and practical courses. Owned a few boats boats but eventually was put off both by the weather and the cost.

The RVYC will supply both 'Group' training sessions or one-to-one training on dinghy sailing in a lovely environment.

They offer various types of membership and are situated on the Hill, with the Big Buddha, between Pataya and Jomtiem. They have a number of 'chalet' and basic rooms accommodation. I would stronngly reccommend a day visit to the club next time that you may visit. Enjoy!

Gladiator

[harrry]

I like Kamphaeng Phet; for Bangkok it's pretty much half-way, for Pattaya a little bit short of half way. But there is nice accommodation there along the river there. Actually there quite a bit to see too in Kamphaeng, some nice historical sites.

Nakhon Sawann I never liked much as a town.

What's the deal with the yacht club by the way, is it also possible to join or take a sailing course there? What sort of prices?

( Can always use an additional legitimate activity in Patters.. )

http://www.varuna.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Varuna_Yacht_Club

The RVYC is an oasis of calm and serenity in 'Tinsel-Town' - even if you are not particularly a boating person. I came to boating late in life, in the UK, an studied the craft both through RYC theory and practical courses. Owned a few boats boats but eventually was put off both by the weather and the cost.

The RVYC will supply both 'Group' training sessions or one-to-one training on dinghy sailing in a lovely environment.

They offer various types of membership and are situated on the Hill, with the Big Buddha, between Pataya and Jomtiem. They have a number of 'chalet' and basic rooms accommodation. I would stronngly reccommend a day visit to the club next time that you may visit. Enjoy!

Gladiator

So they have a Sailability section?

[femi fan]

I've stopped at kamphaeng phet, sukothai, phitsaonoluk on the drive between north and south. KP is my favourite, and i always stay at, i think it's called, the Phet Hotel, which is probably the biggest one there. Nice town to walk around in, some nice places to have a beer (including a sort of beer garden at the Phet Hotel) and dinner, and a very wide river ping to enjoy being by. In fact it's stopping at places like KP that make me enjoy driving down to bkk. Provincial thailand has a very laidback vibe that i personally love tuning into.

As it happens i'm about to drive down to koh chang, but i need to get further than KP or Sukothai. I'm thinking of stopping in lopburi, so while i'm on your thread, if there's any recommendations for place in the monkey city...

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Lopburi is a VERY nice town, just a but off the main route. But well worth checking it out. I stayed in a hotel a bit on the outskirts of town (big road going East from the old town (and east from the big roundabout) has some ok but unremarkable hotels on it). Inside the old town there are some guesthouse and older/small hotel options. So I can't say I have a great recommendation other than the town itself. Great evening food market there as well near the big roundabout.

[femi fan]

Lopburi is a VERY nice town, just a but off the main route. But well worth checking it out. I stayed in a hotel a bit on the outskirts of town (big road going East from the old town (and east from the big roundabout) has some ok but unremarkable hotels on it). Inside the old town there are some guesthouse and older/small hotel options. So I can't say I have a great recommendation other than the town itself. Great evening food market there as well near the big roundabout.

Hey, that's great to hear! One of the many pleasant things about living in thailand is visiting new provincial towns, and you have got me more excited now than normal!

And i think it is pretty much on my route, for i'm heading down to trat to get to ko chang. Those guest houses sound the ticket, will we see any monkeys there?! Is it a big town, or pretty much an 'obvious' town centre? Any landmarks you can alert me to so i know when i'm near the old town? Or do i just wait till i get to the big roundabout?!

[Gladiator]

I've stopped at kamphaeng phet, sukothai, phitsaonoluk on the drive between north and south. KP is my favourite, and i always stay at, i think it's called, the Phet Hotel, which is probably the biggest one there. Nice town to walk around in, some nice places to have a beer (including a sort of beer garden at the Phet Hotel) and dinner, and a very wide river ping to enjoy being by. In fact it's stopping at places like KP that make me enjoy driving down to bkk. Provincial thailand has a very laidback vibe that i personally love tuning into.

As it happens i'm about to drive down to koh chang, but i need to get further than KP or Sukothai. I'm thinking of stopping in lopburi, so while i'm on your thread, if there's any recommendations for place in the monkey city...

Four choices depending on your inclination and budget, although these days you should be able to get pretty good discounts at most places.

If you like to be near the Nightlife:

Pattaya Centre Hotel, Beach Road www.pattayacentre.com

Nautical Inn 10/10 M10 Beach Road Tel 038428110

Good Parking at both Hotels

If you prefer to be 'Up-on-the-Hill:

Aisa Pattaya Hotel, Soi 4 (Soi Asia) www.asiahotel.co.th

Boon Tanaporn Guest House Soi 4 (Soi Asia) 038250272

When I drove to Koh Chang I stayed at the Mac Hotel.

Many thanks for all other Replies

[Gladiator]

I like Kamphaeng Phet; for Bangkok it's pretty much half-way, for Pattaya a little bit short of half way. But there is nice accommodation there along the river there. Actually there quite a bit to see too in Kamphaeng, some nice historical sites.

Nakhon Sawann I never liked much as a town.

What's the deal with the yacht club by the way, is it also possible to join or take a sailing course there? What sort of prices?

( Can always use an additional legitimate activity in Patters.. )

http://www.varuna.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Varuna_Yacht_Club

The RVYC is an oasis of calm and serenity in 'Tinsel-Town' - even if you are not particularly a boating person. I came to boating late in life, in the UK, an studied the craft both through RYC theory and practical courses. Owned a few boats boats but eventually was put off both by the weather and the cost.

The RVYC will supply both 'Group' training sessions or one-to-one training on dinghy sailing in a lovely environment.

They offer various types of membership and are situated on the Hill, with the Big Buddha, between Pataya and Jomtiem. They have a number of 'chalet' and basic rooms accommodation. I would stronngly reccommend a day visit to the club next time that you may visit. Enjoy!

Gladiator

So they have a Sailability section?

At the risk of appearing dense - I don't understand what you mean.

The club has Optimist boats and courses for beginners. Then depennding on your proficiency -

Lasers and Colby-Kats. Most days there is a good breeze and the sailing takes place between the bay where the club is situated and the Island of Koh Lan - well away from the commercial and sight-seeing boat traffic to the island

[WinnieTheKhwai]

As it happens i'm about to drive down to koh chang, but i need to get further than KP or Sukothai. I'm thinking of stopping in lopburi, so while i'm on your thread, if there's any recommendations for place in the monkey city...

Four choices depending on your inclination and budget, although these days you should be able to get pretty good discounts at most places.

If you like to be near the Nightlife:

Pattaya Centre Hotel, Beach Road www.pattayacentre.com

Nautical Inn 10/10 M10 Beach Road Tel 038428110

Good Parking at both Hotels

You're excused for assuming he meant Pattaya with 'Monkey Town'.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

And i think it is pretty much on my route, for i'm heading down to trat to get to ko chang. Those guest houses sound the ticket, will we see any monkeys there?!

Yes, loads. Especially at those Khmer style corn-cob pagodas near the railway station. If anything the issue will be to keep them at bay! Don't bring food, don't bring things that are easily snatched away, like glasses.

They're an amazing sight, some have a naughty streak about them though. Most are cute and shy, others are truly obnoxious. A bit like people really. Stand your ground.

Is it a big town, or pretty much an 'obvious' town centre? Any landmarks you can alert me to so i know when i'm near the old town? Or do i just wait till i get to the big roundabout?!

VERY obvious town center. More obvious than Kamphaeng Phet anyway. Lopburi is one of those places where the old ruin sites are in the same area as the current town center, like Ayudthaya (and Chiang Mai in a way). That makes it very interesting in my book, I like seeing ancient temple structures right next to a 7-Eleven and AIS Office rather than far away in a park-like environment, but I'm just weird in that way.

Outside of the old town center it really feels like the outskirts, there are many huge military compounds there along this really long road (Pahon Yothin Rd). The old town basically starts where you cross the railway line, near the monkey pagodas. Inside there are old ruins of pagodas and palaces, all very interesting to see.

Ah, forgot there are TWO big roundabouts. (or three if you count the road going around the Phra Kai shrine near the monkey pagodas.) Can't miss em. The old town is straight West from there:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...038624&z=15

Edited April 29, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai

[femi fan]

VERY obvious town center. More obvious than Kamphaeng Phet anyway. Lopburi is one of those places where the old ruin sites are in the same area as the current town center, like Ayudthaya (and Chiang Mai in a way). That makes it very interesting in my book, I like seeing ancient temple structures right next to a 7-Eleven and AIS Office rather than far away in a park-like environment, but I'm just weird in that way.

Outside of the old town center it really feels like the outskirts, there are many huge military compounds there along this really long road (Pahon Yothin Rd). The old town basically starts where you cross the railway line, near the monkey pagodas. Inside there are old ruins of pagodas and palaces, all very interesting to see.

Ah, forgot there are TWO big roundabouts. (or three if you count the road going around the Phra Kai shrine near the monkey pagodas.) Can't miss em. The old town is straight West from there:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...038624&z=15

Thanks for the info winnie. The map's helped me a lot with bearings since my road map doesn't have a city map for lopburi for some reason. Since i'll be coming in from chiang mai way, i anticipate hitting that first smaller looking roundabout. Can i just confirm with you where those guest houses were that you mentioned? Can you direct me in relation to the two big roundabouts? Will i find the guest houses while driving on the main road, or are they down sois?

Funnily enough travelfish says there are no guest houses, but it seems to have been written by someone with a monkey phobia, so perhaps they were in and out too quickly to review properly!

To add: the food market you mentioned near the big roundabout: which is the 'big' roundabout, the one most east?

Edited April 29, 2009 by femi fan

[WinnieTheKhwai]

It's been a while, but from what I remember the guesthouses were inside the old town. So not on any major road. (The old town area isn't that big). the bigger hotels were way out along Pahon Yothin. They weren't expensive either for a regular (somewhat worn) aircon room.

(Probably your friendly Lonely Planet travel bible can help here as well.

Some more info may be here as well : http://www.travelfish.org/location/thailan...lopburi/lopburi

As for which road you use to get there, I'm not sure you'd get there on Highway #1.. If you just stick to the main road towards Bangkok via Kamphaeng Phet and Nakhon Sawan then you find yourself on highway #32. From there you could connect to Lopburi via highway #311.

Edited April 29, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai