Recommend a place to check out, not too far from Chiang Mai - Not Pai

[banagan]

Hi guys. I'd like to check out another city or town close enough to Chiang mai, like 2 - 4 hours by bus away.

 

I've been to Pai a couple of times, so would like to check out somewhere else.

 

Just looking for a nice, interesting spot to spend a few nights and chill out.

 

Any ideas?

 

Cheers

 

[eyecatcher]

I want to say the obvious....starts Chiang R., now with redesigned landscape....

......but I think its a trick question.

[NancyL]

Lampang or Lampun but maybe not two nights. Don't know about nightlife. It's interesting to check into a "resort" in one of these provinces and then explore the countryside during the day using a bicycle provided by the resort. Better to do in cool season, though. Edited May 29, 2014 by NancyL

[AhFarangJa]

I want to say the obvious....starts Chiang R., now with redesigned landscape....

......but I think its a trick question.

 

 

I thought the op was dying.....  happy to see i was wrong though

[Candyflip]

how about staying on the water for a change?!

 

http://www.lampang108.com/travel/trip/t-18/ล่อแพ-เขื่อนกิ่วลม-จ.ลำปาง

 

It is good or bad depends on the season. I went there once long time ago. Not sure how much it has changed.

Check out this web

http://www.wangkaewresort.com

 

 

 

 

[Ulysses G.]

I don't travel much these days, but this used to be one of my favorite get away spots in Northern Thailand. Beautiful scenery, good Chinese food and cooler weather.

 

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

[quidnunc]

I don't travel much these days, but this used to be one of my favorite get away spots in Northern Thailand. Beautiful scenery, good Chinese food and cooler weather.

 

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

HEre's a  more informative link on wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santikhiri

[jobin]

Any places to stay in Santikhiri?  And where to find the bus in Chiang Rai?  Thnx. 

[sticklee]

Ta Thon. Bus (or van)  from Chang Pheuk station to Fang-Ta Thon. A night's stay at the temple can be arranged. Next day take speedboat or slow raft, with an overnight,  to Chiang Rai. Bus to CM.

[CaptainQueeeg]

 

I want to say the obvious....starts Chiang R., now with redesigned landscape....

......but I think its a trick question.

 

 

I thought the op was dying.....  happy to see i was wrong though

 

 

Exactly!

When I want to check out, I think I will get a massage first at the most expensive place in Thailand I can find, with special oils and fragrances.  It would really be money well spent.

[StevieH]

i'd head to the golden triangle i guess. for different. chiang dao is also lovely.

[Thighlander]

I like Phayao.....even with the lake; it's not real touristy.  It is big enough to have a Tesco, hospital, a few nightclubs, and a KFC.  Soi dog problem minimal.

[Ricardo]

Chiang Dao ? Plenty of nature-resorts to stay at.

 

Buses from the ChangPuak Bus Station (not Arcade) every 30-minutes or so, take a couple of hours, depending on traffic.

[beb]

I was up at Monjam yesterday.  Beautiful area.  You can rent little cabins, tents or a proper guest house.  The prices are higher but you'll have spectacular views.  I guess you can probably find a van or something that goes there.  We always take the scooters.  Right now it is rainy but I think mainly in the afternoon.  I actually want to try it out during a rain storm.  Would love to watch that from a mountain top.

[Loaded]

Chang Dao

Mae Salong

Phayao

 

I love short visits to all the above

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Yes, Chiang Dao comes to mind.  Or past Pai anywhere in between Pai and Mae Hong Son town.

 

Chiang Rai I think is kind of 'meh'.  I'd go to Phrae first then. Although there's not much to do in town there either.

 

(The good thing about Pai is that you have all the scenery nearby, AS WELL AS some vibrancy in town for a drink, a smoke, or to shop for some interesting stuff.  That's hard to find elsewhere.)

Edited August 11, 2014 by WinnieTheKhwai

[dru2]

I was up at Monjam yesterday.  Beautiful area.  You can rent little cabins, tents or a proper guest house.  The prices are higher but you'll have spectacular views.  I guess you can probably find a van or something that goes there.  We always take the scooters.  Right now it is rainy but I think mainly in the afternoon.  I actually want to try it out during a rain storm.  Would love to watch that from a mountain top.

Monjam? Where's that?

[beb]

 

I was up at Monjam yesterday.  Beautiful area.  You can rent little cabins, tents or a proper guest house.  The prices are higher but you'll have spectacular views.  I guess you can probably find a van or something that goes there.  We always take the scooters.  Right now it is rainy but I think mainly in the afternoon.  I actually want to try it out during a rain storm.  Would love to watch that from a mountain top.

Monjam? Where's that?

 

about 90 minutes, more or less north of CM.  At the top of a mountain.  Here is a map link.  http://goo.gl/maps/XlK5Z  Spelling can vary.  MonCham, Monjam, Mon Cham etc.  

Edited August 11, 2014 by beb

[dru2]

 

 

I was up at Monjam yesterday.  Beautiful area.  You can rent little cabins, tents or a proper guest house.  The prices are higher but you'll have spectacular views.  I guess you can probably find a van or something that goes there.  We always take the scooters.  Right now it is rainy but I think mainly in the afternoon.  I actually want to try it out during a rain storm.  Would love to watch that from a mountain top.

Monjam? Where's that?

 

about 90 minutes, more or less north of CM.  At the top of a mountain.  Here is a map link.  http://goo.gl/maps/XlK5Z  Spelling can vary.  MonCham, Monjam, Mon Cham etc.  

 

Thank you very much. But it can't be "Monjam". Anyone have the Thai spelling or Royal Thai transliteration? I'm not being pedantic - I had never heard of it, so thanks again!

[Beng]

 

 

I was up at Monjam yesterday.  Beautiful area.  You can rent little cabins, tents or a proper guest house.  The prices are higher but you'll have spectacular views.  I guess you can probably find a van or something that goes there.  We always take the scooters.  Right now it is rainy but I think mainly in the afternoon.  I actually want to try it out during a rain storm.  Would love to watch that from a mountain top.

Monjam? Where's that?

 

about 90 minutes, more or less north of CM.  At the top of a mountain.  Here is a map link.  http://goo.gl/maps/XlK5Z  Spelling can vary.  MonCham, Monjam, Mon Cham etc.  

 

 

Nice map feature thanks. And not far from town too.
 

[northernjohn]

Take the mini bus to Pai. ?Rent a motor bike and get out into the country there are several little villages surrounding Pai. No night life in them and accommodations are extremely Spartan most of the time.

 

In the rainy season they use a 4 by 4 to get up the roads as they can be very muddy.

[watgate]

where would you get the mini bus to Pai? At Arcade Bus Terminal? If so , any idea how much it costs round trip to Pai and back?

[beb]

 

 

 

I was up at Monjam yesterday.  Beautiful area.  You can rent little cabins, tents or a proper guest house.  The prices are higher but you'll have spectacular views.  I guess you can probably find a van or something that goes there.  We always take the scooters.  Right now it is rainy but I think mainly in the afternoon.  I actually want to try it out during a rain storm.  Would love to watch that from a mountain top.

Monjam? Where's that?

 

about 90 minutes, more or less north of CM.  At the top of a mountain.  Here is a map link.  http://goo.gl/maps/XlK5Z  Spelling can vary.  MonCham, Monjam, Mon Cham etc.  

 

Thank you very much. But it can't be "Monjam". Anyone have the Thai spelling or Royal Thai transliteration? I'm not being pedantic - I had never heard of it, so thanks again!

 

I've seen it all three ways but the pronunciation by my Thai friends is closer to Monjam than Moncham.  If you do a google search, I bet the thai version will pop up somewhere.