Ubon Ratchathani or Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai?

[Kimau]

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping for some advice on travelling in Thailand. I just booked flights on a sale for Nov next year. We are starting off in Cambodia and then heading to Thailand again (It will be our third time in Thailand - First was to Koh Samui, Bangkok & Chiang Mai, Second was to Phuket & Chiang Mai). We are flying from Phomn Penh to BKK, and haven't decided on where to go from there. We are considering Ubon Ratchathani or heading up North to explore more of the Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai area. I've been to Chiang Mai twice and loved it, didn't really get to explore out of the city while we were there though. We are interested in seeing sights, like to explore on foot or by motorbike and of course enjoy having a few (or a lot) of drinks. We had the best time in Chiang Mai because we were able to meet other travellers and also made friends with some locals. This is the part we enjoyed the most. Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on these places, what there is to do or if there are any suggestions for any other places that might be good to visit? We are looking at spending approx 8 days in a spot before heading back to KL.

I have done a lot of reading on the internet already but it would be great to hear some experiences from people that have been or are living in Thailand. Also any advice on good thins to do/see while in Phomn Penh would be appreciated as well!

Thanks!

Kim

[Sam Gold]

Hi,

Ubon Ratchathani is a nice province but less tourist-friendly than Chiang Mai. If you speak limited Thai and are predominantly looking for other Westerners to have a party with, it may be safer for you to go back to CM. If you're coming from Bangkok I'd stop at Sukhotai which has amazing sights.

[craigt3365]

That's a tough call. But I'd probably opt for CM/CR. There is a lot to see in and around Ubon. A car is necessary, but you'll see few tourists other than those in buses organized by various tour agencies. Lots of Thai tourists though. Some nice national parks, places along the river, etc. But....

There's just soooo much to see in and around CM/CR. Visiting the golden triangle, doing the boat ride over to Laos for lunch. Maybe taking a day in Myanmar, crossing the border at Mae Sai. Doing the day boat trip from Tha Ton to CR. Of course the CM-Mae Hong Son loop could easily take up 5 days or more.

[Kimau]

Thanks for the quick replies!! Not looking to party with other Westerners, I can do that here at home. We just like to meet other people and make friends, thats how I learnt the limited Thai I know If I was to go to Ubon would you recommend going by train or plane? Flights are cheap and quick but would I miss some good sights/experiences on the way?

I love Chiang Mai so it would be easy to head back there. I'll see what others say, I've got plenty of time to make up my mind!

[craigt3365]

Some like the train, but I've heard it's quite slow. Bus is OK. Plane is obviously very fast and easy.

English is not widely spoken in that part of Thailand. Will you rent a car when you get there or try this via public transport? The latter would be very tough.

[DogNo1]

Why not visit some hill tribes around Chiang Rai? I had a good time doing that back in the 80's. I don't know if it's in vogue any more. You can meet some interesting fellow travelers during hill tribe visits!

[rfukata]

I've been living w/my family+children in and out of UBon for the past 6 years. for me, honestly speaking theres nothing much here.

It's pretty much country living, not much to offer unless you like farming. I would think visiting Mukdahan might be a little better over Ubon.

I normally leave Thailand w/family for recreation to places such as Singapore, Malaysia, or US.

[pomchop]

Chiang Rai is fantastic in December....come for the flower show which is a huge event dec 24 to jan 5.....motorbike riding around CR is some of the very best in all Thailand. Weather very nice over xmas time...sunny and pleasant daytime but pleasantly cool at night....

CR is a very THAI town and in my opinion is just the right size to have everything you could want without too much of the stuff you don't want.

Only three hour bus ride..take the vip green bus....from CM to CR. Get a guesthouse down near jed yod road like Orchids for 400 baht...rent a motorbike and take off for all kind of incredible adventures...go to mae sai at the Burma border only about an hour or so away...go to chiang khong and get a riverside bungalow on the mae kong and watch all the comings and goings from/to laos on the other side.....go to tha ton and do the longtail boat trip down the river to CR....go exploring some of the hilltribe areas on motorbike or by foot...

lots and lots of choices in Chiang Rai...and all at bargain prices...BUT....do not come to CR expecting Bangkok or Pattaya type nightlife or you'll be disappointed....try the peace bar on jed yod road on a Friday night for live music and good fun...there is a walking street downtown on sat nights and another one on sunday nights on another street....night market with huge food court will be packed with well over 3/4 th people being local CR thais rather than all tourists..

go to the CR forum on TV and you'll find tons and tons of information and things to do etc....

[el jefe]

If you want to go motorbiking, the roads in the mountains of northern Thailand can't be beat. As Craig suggested, if you're based in CM you could do the Mae Hong Son loop for a few days. Or head east thru the mountains towards Nan for a multi day trip from either CM or CR. And if you wanted to go off road the possibilities are endless.

[bifftastic]

Doi Tung and the Mae Fah Luang gardens/Royal Villa are also really worth a visit if you're up north.

[camerata]

I like Ubon but without your own transport you are limited to a dozen temples, the park and the national museum. As others have said, you won't meet many western tourists there.

[Kimau]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

We are definitely not after the nightlife of Bangkok and Pattaya, we will be visiting Bangkok anyway so we will get enough of a dose of it then. We have family and friends in Kuala Lumpur as well so on the way home we will stop in there.

Definitely keen for the more laid back towns that still have interesting things to see and do and a place where we can meet locals, that way I can learn more Thai and generally make friends!

I got offered a teaching position in Chiang Mai last year but I didnt end up taking it as we bought our first house here in Aus but I'm hoping I'll get the opportunity again a bit further on in life.

Does anyone have any other suggestions of things to do in Chiang Rai? Whats the distance between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai on a motorbike?

What other provinces of Thailand are beautiful spots/worth a visit?