jaideeguy Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 The wife wants to take visiting relatives up to Doi Intanon tomorrow and being the designated driver, I really don't wanna fight holiday traffic for a full day up and back down to CM. Any recent traffic reports?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoodMaiDai Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 I saw on Thai TV that the weekends are having turnouts of OVER 5000 Thais up there camping. It looks anything but peaceful. Looked like a crowded market with camping tents instead of umbrellas and tables. So I'd avoid the weekend at all costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbrun Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 I drove up there today with my family, and it was quite busy. We left early enough to get ahead of some of the minibuses, but once we left the main road, it was fairly steady traffic all the way up. I just let the crazy ones go by, and took my time. We were on top by 10am, and it was very pleasant. We did not stop at the two stupas, because they were packed out. Some big monk was visiting today, apparently..? We took our own lunch, so didn't have to worry about finding something to eat/drink. The board walk was fun, as we hadn't done that in a while. Driving back was worse. It is a long, tiring day trip, which we don't do often. The first big waterfall on the right was in full flow, but the rest were not as exciting. Have fun..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elektrified Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 They showed Doi Inthanon on the Thai news this evening. Looked very busy. Busier than I have ever seen it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellodolly Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 I drove up there today with my family, and it was quite busy. We left early enough to get ahead of some of the minibuses, but once we left the main road, it was fairly steady traffic all the way up. I just let the crazy ones go by, and took my time. We were on top by 10am, and it was very pleasant. We did not stop at the two stupas, because they were packed out. Some big monk was visiting today, apparently..? We took our own lunch, so didn't have to worry about finding something to eat/drink. The board walk was fun, as we hadn't done that in a while. Driving back was worse. It is a long, tiring day trip, which we don't do often. The first big waterfall on the right was in full flow, but the rest were not as exciting. Have fun..! What is the normal time to make the trip? Of course a week or so after the New Year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MESmith Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Jaideeguy, why don't you take them on the scenic route via Mae Kamphong (with a waterfall) & then over the hill to Jae son NP, returning via the hwy 1252. All to the NE of Chiang Mai, closer to where you live? And probably a lot less crowded. Beautiful scenery, far from the madding crowds.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbrun Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 I drive pretty slowly, and it took me 2.5 hours from our house in Sansai to the top of the mountian. We did have a couple of stops, for coffee and photos though. It is 105 km each way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellodolly Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 I drive pretty slowly, and it took me 2.5 hours from our house in Sansai to the top of the mountian. We did have a couple of stops, for coffee and photos though. It is 105 km each way. thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaideeguy Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share Posted December 28, 2012 Jaideeguy, why don't you take them on the scenic route via Mae Kamphong (with a waterfall) & then over the hill to Jae son NP, returning via the hwy 1252. All to the NE of Chiang Mai, closer to where you live? And probably a lot less crowded. Beautiful scenery, far from the madding crowds.... That was my plan B anyway. One of my favorite drives and so close and I consider it one of the best kept tourist secrets around CM......but they are discovering it fast with the 2 different ziplines. Also can hit the SK hot springs on the return. Thanks to all for the traffic reports. now I can tell the wife that I have 1st hand knowledge of the situation. It will be so great after Jan 3, when we can have our rose of the north back to ourselves again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choonpon Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Drive safely folks. Do look out for drunk drivers, especially this period. Chok dee na Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmsally Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Really busy in town today. I think the car might be staying in the garage till after New Year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MESmith Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 (edited) Really busy in town today. I think the car might be staying in the garage till after New Year! Really busy on superhighway near Saraphi, this afternoon. A lot of vehicles heading towards the city And a lot of fresh "white graffiti" on the 500m run up to the traffic lights Edited December 28, 2012 by MESmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circusman Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 A nearly solid line of cars from Hong Dong to C.M. Reminder to myself, more leg power and less horse. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rene123 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Really busy in town today. I think the car might be staying in the garage till after New Year! Very true. I took a ride from the south side of town and down the moat to the road up to Doi Sutthep. It was solid cars all the way and every intersection was a bolox with people going through on red lights and then getting stuck in the intersection... which of course blocked all the vehicles trying to go through on a green light. I'm sure glad I was on my scooter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khwaibah Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 This is the number one holiday I refuse to drive anywhear in Thailand. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/607957-33-dead-as-seven-dangerous-days-of-new-years-break-begin-thailand/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaideeguy Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share Posted December 28, 2012 luckily we chose the northeast loop, as traffic was minimal and we had a nice cruise up the mountain and back around to the San Kapheng hotsprings [which was a little crowded] and an easy return home.... I hate traffic, especially with a truckload of kids!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MESmith Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 luckily we chose the northeast loop, as traffic was minimal and we had a nice cruise up the mountain and back around to the San Kapheng hotsprings [which was a little crowded] and an easy return home.... I hate traffic, especially with a truckload of kids!! Which way did you go around, & can you avoid paying to go through Jae Son NP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muchogra Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Thank you guys for pointing out new places to visit. I checked out Mae Kampong on the Google map but couldn't locate it. But, somehow, I managed to find it. And then this Jae Son NP that MESmith has mentioned is actually Chai Son (Som) National Park. That Highway 1252 seems an interesting route. Will surely visit when the daughter come visiting in Feb. Thanks guys! Oh, it seems it's got hot springs in that national park also! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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