More Tv's To The Thai People

[thaibeachlovers]

I went to Mae Sai by Green Line Bus from Chiang Mai, 330 baht in the comfy chairs ( 3 across ). I could have gone by the local non AC bus for a lot less though. Departs Chiang Mai's Arcade Bus Station. Regular departures through the day. Took 4 + hours to Mae Sai via Chiang Rai. Songtheaw to the border 15 baht.

Stayed at the Top North Hotel, 400 bht for a fan room with hot shower and cable tv.

Prices are higher than I expected, presumably due to being a tourist gateway to Burma.

Nothing much to do except shopping and eating; could walk the whole town in a couple of hours and the place closes around 10 pm. They set up stalls on the road in the evening. Usual tourist tat.

Next day took a local non AC bus to Chiang Rai, 39 bht. Leaves every 30 minutes or so. No need to book ( can't! ). Takes about 1 1/2 hours.

Cheap hotels situated around the old bus station. Saw some for 350 bht. I paid 500 for AC with hot shower and cable tv, but that was about a 15 minute walk from the bus station. Plenty hotels at much higher prices.

Restaurants and the food court at the Night Bazzar ( next to the old bus station ) all seem to be at tourist prices.

Not a lot to do, other than walk around the Night Bazzar.

Did a worthwhile trip to the White Temple. Don't need to take a "taxi" or a tour. Just jump on a local non AC bus heading towards Chiang Mai, 20 bht, and get off at the temple, which can be seen from the main rd.

The temple is amazing and it's free. Even the toilets are spectacular!

Going back, just go to the main rd and flag down any bus.

Third day, I went to Chiang Saen by local non AC bus, 39 bht. About 1 1/2 hours.

It is an interesting town with loads of historical sites. I could have done with a whole day there, but instead I went up to the Golden Triangle with a Tuk Tuk driver ( however he used a ute to take me there ) 300 bht. I was able to have a 1/2 hour to look around before he took me back.

Sop Ruak is definitely the most tacky tourist trap I've ever seen in Thailand, with concrete elephants for photo ops and the opportunity to roll coins into a fat Buddha's belly! Interestingly, the telescopes that you can use to look at Laos cost, but on the honour system. You can take a boat over to Laos for a visit, no need for a visa.

There are a couple of huge casinos over there, so a lot of money available to build some pretty expensive hotels in Sop Ruak.

Lots of stalls selling expensive tourist tat.

I had hoped to take a songtheaw on to Chiang Khong, but from Chiang Saen they only go half way, and after mid day there is no guarantee that the connecting songtheaw will be running to Chiang Khong. The driver of the songtheaw offered to take me all the way for 600 bht so I passed on that!

The songtheaws to Chiang Khong leave from the waterfront, in front of the temple. Near where they park there are a couple of open air restaurants where you can eat and observe the boats from China and Laos arriving and departing.

As I couldn't go on to Chiang Khong I tried to take the blue Songtheaw to Mae Sai, which goes around the back road. They depart across the road from the main bus "station". Unfortunately they also don't run after mid day, so I had to go back to Chiang Rai the same way I came.

It was an interesting day, and cost little.

For anyone thinking of going to Chiang Saen, go soon. The roads to there are being upgraded to four lanes, and once they are completed, the upmarket tourists and the casino trippers will flood in to destroy the place. Sop Ruak is as bad as it gets.

　

　

[jonwilly]

Went to Mai Sai on Tuesday, water level not very high in the river between Thailand and Burma.

Had lunch at Golden Triangle, once again Mekong not particularly high.

Had excellent lunch at Hinley yesterday, good food.

The lady says vegetables becoming scarce in CM, Cauliflower and others imported from China.

The lady says Chinese annoyed over the 12 deaths of river boatmen and have cut flow of river and reduced or stopped supply of veg.

john

[Thaifan2]

Thanks for the report TBL .

[hellodolly]

Thanks for the report TBL .

Make that two thanks.

This is the kind of stuff I would like to see more of.

Being as I don't get out that much it is great stuff.

[thaibeachlovers]

You're welcome.

[Rsteeltje]

You're welcome.

Good report. Went to Chiang Saen a year ago and stayed two days and checked out all fortifcations along the wall. This was better defended town than Chiang Mai. Really liked the town but you can bet that development will destroy this part of the world.

Feel free to travel some more and let us share. Brings back good memories when my back was still willing to carry a pack.

Thanks

R'tje