new Chiang Mai, Thailand

Introduction

Instead of spending our first days in Thailand in Bangkok like most other travellers, we decided to fly immediately to Chiang Mai. Bangkok can be a very hot and overwhelming city, and we thought it would be therefore better to acclimatise to the heat and the jet lag in the North, and I think that was a good decision.

Getting to the North

By air

Thai Airways has several flights a day to CM, We had a reservation for the 11.15 am flight, but all formalities at the BKK airport went so smooth that we managed to change our booking into the 9.15 am flight without problem. The plane was almost full though. Price BKK-CM is around 1870 Bht (4/99).

Bangkok Airways has 1 flight a day with stopover in Sukothai. They are slightly cheaper at 1400 Bht, but you have the possiblity to stop in Sukothai (and visit the ruins f.i.) and take the plane to CM the next day on the same ticket.

By train

A lot of people opt to go by night train to CM. Reports regarding the availibility of places on these trains differ. I spoke to both people saying there was no sleeping place left anymore, others saying they had a place in 2nd class the same night. In fact, a lot depends on which days you want to book it. If it's a holiday for the Thais, then forget it without booking, otherwise you might be able to get a place right away.

It is possible to book train tickets online. Check out this website. It's a travel agent who will purchase the tickets for you for a 200 Bht fee. They can also send it to you with DHL for 20 US$.

Note that these trains stop about 45 minutes after departure time in Don Muang airport, so people willing to take a train North without going to BKK center can catch the train there. Check out Richly's site for exact details on this.

Here is the schedule with fares BKK-CM (info as provided by TAT Chiang Mai 3/99):

TRAIN	Dep.	Arr.	3rd	2nd	2nd AC	2nd sleep	2nd AC/sleep	1st Rapid
Rapid	6.40	19.35	151	311	-	-	-	-
Sprinter	8.10	18.50	-	-	471	-	-	-
Rapid	15.00	5.00	151	311	-	411/461	-	-
Express	18.00	7.00	-	331	-	461/531	581/651	1163
Daewoo Exp	19.25	6.15	-	-	471	-	-	-
Nakornping SpecialExp	19.40	7.55	-	-	-	-	601/671	1183
Rapid	22.00	11.30	151	311	-	411/461	-	-

By bus

All the travel agencies in Kao San Road offer buses to CM. Price ranges around 280 Bht for an overnight bus. Sometimes a free night at a guesthouse is included in the price, but this is not always a good option and it may depend on your willingness to take a trekking with them.

A better option if you want to go by bus are the public AC buses.

We visited 3 places in the North:
- Chiang Mai with trekking in the Pai region
- Mae Hon Son
- Sukothai

Article Comments:

03/14/2006
Emily (5)
In Chiang Mai, I stayed at the Je'Taime Guesthouse for about a month. It's not right in all of the action, but it's definately w/in walking distance (~10 min, depending on how hot it is). It's very clean, almost like apartment style living w/ toilets and showers in each room. It was fairly cheap too and the man in charge speaks english (he's an artist who shows his work in France a few times per year). If you want something right in the middle of town, this isn't the place for you, but if you don't mind a walk or waving down a song-tao, this place is nice!

03/14/2006
goodandevil (5)
Continue on the same route, about 7 kilometres from the temple is where the Phu Phing Palace is located. The Palace is famous for its splendid garden that Her Majesty the Queen takes particular pride in it. Generally, visitors can enter and take tour around the palace and Royal Garden, with the exceptional when Their Majesties the King and the Queen spend the nights there on their visits to the north. Other attractions in Chiang Mai can be found around and outside the city. If you are mountain lovers or adrenaline junkies, head to the Chiang Mai-Hot road on the southwest of out of the city. Most of the attractions along this route, such as hiking and white water rafting, tie in with the incredible natural scenery. Highlight of this route, is to reach the highest peak of Thailand at Doi Inthanon. It?s a better idea to spend the night there and get the view of the first light appearing among the sea mist. The scenery will be double splendour during the winter. The mountain is part of the National Park, so you have to reserve the accommodations through the Park Office which can be made online or in Bangkok. Those who are interested in arts and crafts may found of Bor Sang village, situated on Chiang Mai- Sankamphaeng Road, to the east of Chiang Mai. The village is home to numerous artisans famous for producing spectacular hand-crafted umbrellas. Chiang Mai?s Ban Tha-wai Village, some 15 kilometres from the city on Chaing Mai- Hang Dong Road, is a major centre for making furniture. Woodcarving is a traditional northern Thai art featured in numerous temples. Teak is the most popular choice of material, but one also see items carved from the wood of jackfruit and other fruit trees. Every imaginable figure, whether animal or floral, human or divine, finds its way out of the wood carver?s hands. However, wooden elephants are particularly popular among visitors. Besides having a bustling local arts and craft scene, Chiang Mai is also famous for its sensuous and tasty cuisines. The renowned Khan-toke dinner is the traditional northern Thai from of dinning. The food is served on a wooden pedestal tray, called ?Khan-toke?. The diners sit on the floor around the Khantoke, supported by triangular cushions. While enjoying the meal, diners are usually entertained with traditional Lanna dances and music, such as the Fingernail dance, sword dance, or even the candle dance. Chiang Mai Cultural Centre, located in the town centre on Wualai road, is among the most popular. Since the booming as the North?s major tourist destination 30 years ago, Chiang Mai has never decreased its popularity. Several transportation service are provided to serve the demand of numerous visitors, Thai Airways offer several direct flights of Bangkok- Chiang Mai departing almost every hours. It takes only 1 hour with average expense of 57 dollars. Or you may opt to take slower, but allow you to experience more local atmosphere by taking buses or trains. You will get different panoramic views and can observe the changing environments of the Central Plains to the high mountains and steep cliffs along the way. Buses take 10 hour while expressed train takes 12 hours with the similar price of 20 dollars, the bus schedule is varied and more flexible, but train is more comfortable for the long journey.

03/14/2006
goodandevil (5)
Some basic info for first time visitors to Chiang Mai. I wote this article/script awhile ago, but the city's details and famous places dont change, so I think it'd be helpful for those who are interested. ************************ Lying in the Mae Ping basin, Chiang Mai is located about 700 kilometres north of Bangkok. It is Thailand?s second largest city and the capital of the beautiful northern region. Popularly known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is blessed with stunning natural topography and a unique indigenous cultural identity, offering its visitors numerous sights and activities. Some major attractions include historical and religious constructions, bustling markets, nature parks and stores selling an incredible variety of hand-crafted products. Although the general appearance of the province is much bigger than Bangkok, but Chiang Mai city is smaller and less busy. If it?s your first time to visit this ?Rose of the North?, and still have no ideas where to go, maybe starting the old city area, which today still the heart of business and cultural center of the province, is the best idea. This part of Chiang Mai is contained within four walls and a moat, originally built for defense. The wall dates back to the city?s founding in the 13th century and was major renovated in the 20th century. Several of the original gates in the wall have also been restored and serve as useful reference points to help you find your way around. You?ll find many historical and religious traces from the ruins, and temples, and perhaps get some pictures of how the ancient town looks like. The busy Tha Pae Gate and the never-sleep Night Bazaar market on Suriwong Road provide tourists several fine restaurants, great shopping area for local arts and crafts, food, and silverware, and of course, nice places to stay, either comfortable guesthouses or luxurious hotels. Among popular ones are the Lanna-style Lai-Thai Guesthouse, Chiang Inn Hotel and Lodge and Lanna Palace Hotel. Blessed with rich natural beauty, almost 70 percent of Chiang Mai is covered by mountains and forests, so the city is never far from natural attractions. Just a few kilometers from the northwest corner of the central city, Huay Keaw Road leads you to one of the most famous and beautiful mountains in Thailand, Doi Suthep. But along the way, there are several attractions like Kad Suan Keaw Shopping Mall or the bustling Chang Mai Zoo, or the beautiful Huay Kaew Waterfalls located at the foothill. But the tow highlights of the mountain are Wat Phra Tat Doi Suthep, the sacred temple among the locals, and the Phu Phing Palace, which is the summer home of the Royal Family. Even though you are not Buddhists, but a visit to Wat Phra Tat Doi Suthep is something you should not miss. The 600-year-old Phra That Doi Suthep Temple is Chiang Mai?s most important and visible landmark, and overlooks the city from its forested mountain backdrop. After climbing 300 step-staircases, visitors are greeted with a striking panoramic view of Chiang Mai and, inside the temple, an elegant copper-plated pagoda topped by a five-tiered gold umbrella. The pagoda contains holy Buddha relics, and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world.