Planning a Trip to Chiang Mai and north of....

[Bobcock]

Got my best pal and his family coming to stay for 2 weeks, second week will be Angkor Wat.

want to arrive in Chinag mai on Monday August 10th and return to Bangkok Sunday August 16th.

Anyone know a good place to hire a minibus for the trip? we don't want a driver as I'm don't want to have to pay another hotel room for each night. We intend to stay at some nice resorts we have heard about up there.

The route isn't planned yet, anyone got some 'not to miss' places on the route?... Initial plan is through Chiang Dao to Doi Ang Khang, through Fang, Mae Ai, Mae Fa Luang, Mae Sai, and down to Chiang Rai.

I'm thinking if we can drop a van off there, we can fly home from there.

I haven't been North of Chiang Mai other than to play golf for over 20 years.

[Marmite the Dog]

I thought you could fly from CM to Siem Riep, so you'll not need to go back to Bangkok?

You can hire from Budget and others from the airport. Some of them rent out minivans.

[Thetyim]

Mai Sai should be crossed off your list unless you like cheap, works for a week, chinese crap.
There really isn't much else there.

Thaton is nice (near Fang) and down the eastern side there is Phu Chi Fah

[Bobcock]

Thanks Marmers, my secretary has just called Budget and got a van at 1700/day for 7 days.

That's nice and easy....the route is the biggest effort Oh that and avoiding Ant Robertson when he can sniff a free beer.

[Marmite the Dog]

That's nice and easy....the route is the biggest effort Oh that and avoiding Ant Robertson when he can sniff a free beer.

Talking of Ant, can you PM me his phone number as a mutual friend is heading to CM and wants to meet up for a beer.

[Bobcock]

Talking of Ant he has been on the phone already 'suggesting' a restaurant he could meet me at and I could buy him and his family dinner. I told him no kids allowed.

Of course when I asked him how long it took to drive to Mae Hong Son and if it was worth including on the trip the conversation died amongst mutterings about hippies. 3 hours was his eventual answer, whereas someone else told me 6. I asked what route? Dunno.

Frankly Robertson is useless, why anyone would want to have anything to do with him is beyond me.

I've SMS'd you his number.

[Thetyim]

CM to MHS is 250km but the road is full of hairpin bends.

I would allow 4 or5 hours

[friscofrankie]

From CM to MHS; 6 hours either route. Take the southern route through Hod from Chiang Mai in a minivan. The route through Pai is loaded with switchback climbs or descents, not a lot of fun in a minivan although the scenery in either direction is fantastic this time of year.

[Marmite the Dog]

I've SMS'd you his number.

Hmmm... "Unsurported message received"

[friscofrankie]

As far as "not to miss" stuff, the only thing I can think of you should not miss is Wat Ruang Khun, it's right off 118. Hiway 118 is a nice road coming back from Chiang Rai.

If you must go through the Mae Hong Son Loop, start from the south, the road to Mae Hong Son is quite gentle in comparison the descent through Pai. Pai is worth a stop but I wouldn;t overnight there. It is mainly a hippie party town, but if you get stuck and can get someone to watch the kids, "Be Bop" has some of the best live music I've heard in Thailand. The place gets tightly packed by about 23:00 and may, or may not, be to lyour liking. If you make the trip from MHS to Chiang Dao, I can recommend the ChiangDao nest for dinner, some of the best Western food available anywhere is served there. I am not sure about the bungalows though I thought them a bit rough and stayed at the Chiang Dao Rainbow. No aircon, wooden bungalows (about foru years old I guess) on stilts situated right on the rice fields with Doi Chiang Dao just out your front door. There's a small sign pointing to it off teh hiway on the way to Doi Anh Khang Also serves some decent Thai & western dishes reasonable, relaxed and informal as all hell, nothing else around though. Doi Chiang Dao is well known for birding and trekking there is a wild life Sanctuary and National Park.

Doin Ang Khang Garden is worth a few minutes, or more, of your time. There is a hotel there and a good Thai restaurant. I only had lunch there, but it looked more a romantic getaway than a "must see" destnation. Nice Pine shaded route with a few switchbacks on the way in and out.

In Mae Ai there is little to see & do, but getting off the highway headed easterly there is a spot on the Border with A few different Enticities living in a sort of cluster of small villages. I ended up out in the sticks once with two small peaks to my left and right, Both with pillbox looking structures and the Burmese (excuse, Myanmar) flag the other with the Thai. No tourist type things just folks living day to day. Some beautiful country side. Tha Ton is a quiet little town on the Mae Kok river. No night life but the resorts along the north side of the river offer a pleasant way to pass the evening over a few drinks and food. They also have a "White Temple" on top of a hill; you can see the Chedi from just about any resort on the river. I've stayed in a few of them and can;t remember the name of any of them. I felt I got my money's worth at all of them..

There are a few "Hill Tribe" villages along the route, one in MHS that requires a boat ride to visit; just get a tour in town; and one just out of Tha Ton the road in is kind of rough and there is no "shuttle," though. Some photo ops in both. Doi Tung is another "Garden spot" I went for a cup, or six, of the coffee. Heading down from Doi Tung, you get back to hiway 1 for a bit and can turn left, then right onto Highway 1016 towards Chian Saen and the golden triangle. There is usually somethign goin on along the river (Mae Khong) in Chinag Saen and "The Golden Triangle" has plenty to see & do. You can dash over to Laos for a couple hours without a visa, or so I'm told. There's the Opium museum and a few other tings folks wil ltell you are "must see."

The road north (1290) out of town will take you to Mae Sai. I'll agree/disagree with Thetyim here. If you go over the border into Tachilek the market is loaded with photogenic, chaotic market scenes and the samosas are good, but other than that not much really.

Coming south into Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai has some stuff on offer. The food court is a pleasant way to sepnd an evening, there's small market and some entertainment. It's quiet town But there is culture and temples if you like. If headig out of Chiang Rai you can turn right onto 118 to head back to Chiang Mai and stop at Wat Ruang Khun. OR, if you decide you can miss that you can stay on Highway 1 and head south to Phayao, lunch on the lake is nice. You can take a boat ride if you like, more photo ops there. Just before town is Wat Analayo, it's well off the highway worth a few minutes of your time, easy to miss. Just south of Phayao, you can turn east on Highway 120 towards Wiang Pa Pao or stay the course and head into Lampang. I prefer highway 120 it's sparsely traveled, good surface and has it's scenic moments. There's a water fall along the way; no fanfare or geedunks just a water fall, you'll miss if you're not paying attention.

The whole trip is a must see, IMO. But only a few "attractions" stand out in my mind. But with a minivan full of people, kids included, I'm not sure a "pleasant drive" is what you had in mind. It is just that; a pleasant drive. I've taken these routes several times in cars and on motorcycles. Driving along some of he most beautiful countryside I've seen, stopping when I wanted, I usually wanted in the more rural and non-tourist spots on the route. There are more traditional attractions along the route, I just never seem to find them as interesting as the roadside vendors and markets (of which there are plenty).

There are also elephant rides, River rafting (bamboo and white water) and "special tours" galore throughout the northern provinces. For the most part I find them disappointing, and I rode and elephant already. There's alot to be said for sitting in a noodle shop in a small village along the way, letting mama spoil your kids for an hour and being an attraction in your own right.

This is a representative Image of th road between MHS and Pai, BTY:


A lot of work in a Minivan, Worth the ride? I prefer a bike.

[Mr Brown]

^ read that damn it

read it

[jandajoy]

Mai Sai - wouldn't bother.

Chiang Saen is ok if you like barges. Nice drive over the mountain, or follow the river to Chiang Kong.

chiang Kong through to Wiang kaen, then follow the road south via Pad Thai back to Chiang Rai.

[Loy Toy]

Got my best pal and his family coming to stay for 2 weeks

Great, Matt Dunning is on his way over.........can you get me his autograph mate?

Have an enoyable and safe trip and I await your picture thread with anticipation!

[Bobcock]

OK, we still having problems with the van, Budget keep deciding we need a driver, we finally negotiated without a driver and when we went to book it, the van wasn't available. yes we did give the dates from the start.

A Fortuner is just a bit too small for 4 adults and 4 children.

So if anyone knows a good rental place that isn't AVIS or Budget, please shout now, and no, we don't want a fuckin' driver.

We plan to stay at the amari in Doi Angkharn, which is a great price at the moment, B1900 with brekkie, plan to stay in some place at the Golden Triangle. Still hoping to drop off the vehicle in Chiang Rai.

Still hoping to avoid Ant Robertson.

[Marmite the Dog]

PM Frankie. I think he may know a local hire company or two.

[Thetyim]

Thai Car Hire - Thailand Car Rental Service, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket by ThaiCarhire.com-

[friscofrankie]

When friends come I use this place:

Head Office : 70/4-8 Chaiyaphum Rd., Changmoi, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50300
TEL: ( 66 53 ) 874-478 FAX: ( 66 53 ) 874-378
Email: sales[at]northwheels.com
Chiang Rai branch : 591 Paholyotin Rd., Viang, Muang, Chiang Rai, 57000
TEL: ( 66 53 ) 740-585 FAX: ( 66 53 ) 740-588
Email: chiangrai[at]northwheels.com

As you can see they have a Chiang Rai office now...

[Bobcock]

Thanks Frankie, Thetyim...your place has supposedly closed down.

[Thetyim]

^^
North Wheels only do vans with a driver

[Bobcock]

That looks like our only option, but we'll live with that as long as we are not expected to pay him into a 5 star resort as well.

How reputable is North Point? Their quote is good.

[friscofrankie]

They've been business longer than I've lived here. The SUVs we've rented from them were first rate, no problems, which leads to teh question, "if there is a problem how do they handle that?" I have no idea. But they are the most professional and reliable out of all the "rental agencies" I've used. A few other agencies will rent you a vehicle and then source it from North Wheels anyway.

Having a driver can be a plus, as long as he goes where, and does what, he is told. Even a more sedate route than what I wrote up above can be tiring and you get to enjoy the scenery, there's plenty of stuff other than traffic to occupy your eyes along the way.

[Thetyim]

I just phoned Blue Sky Car Rent and got the same story, must have driver.
Their rates are cheap though but I have no idea about service
081 724 2121 if you want to try

[Bobcock]

North Wheels have given a good quote, so I'll probably go with them.

Of course with a driver the insurance worries are not there so maybe it's not so bad. They have told us we don't have to be responsible for his accomodation....

[friscofrankie]

He'll sleep n the van???

[Thetyim]

^
More than likely he will be given a daily allowance for wage, food and lodging