Riverboat ride from Thaton to Chiang Rai

[Chuckycheese]

I'll be in the north in early February and am considering taking the river boat from Thaton to CR. Sabang had a very nice thread regarding Thaton a couple of years back but I've seen very little regarding the river ride. If any of you have done it recently or have knowledge or advice, I'd very much appreciate it.

What I'd probably do is take a bus to Thaton from CM and then boat down to CR.....unless someone has a better plan. Many thanks to all you experts!!

[Kel]

It's a nice day out - around 2 years ago we caught a songteaw to Thaton in the morning and, as I recall the public boat left at around 12:00 getting back to CR at around 16:30.
It stops at a village / elephant camp about 20 mins out of CR by boat.
You can also hire privately Thaton / CR which can be good value if there are a few of you. This will give you some flexibility and you can visit a couple of villages other than th eone mentioned above

[sabang]

I'd love to do that journey on an inner tube.

[pescator]

I did that trip, but not recently.

It used to be a tad dangerous, you would have to stop at several check points along the way to register the number of tourists.

I was in a longtail and it was a rather noisy experience.
We visited several hill tribe villages along the way, it was quite interesting.
We saw mahoots bringing their elephants to bathe in the river.
There are a few rapids on the river depending on the season - I was there in december - but they are none too bad. Just add a little excitement to the trip.

I noticed quite a few bamboo rafts making the journey as well. And in retrospect I should have taken one of these instead.
Seemed much more enjoyable. It did involve spending a night in a village or on the raft. They were equipped with a palm thatched hut.

[Thetyim]

^
The bamboo rafts are the best way to go.

[Chairman Mao]

I noticed quite a few bamboo rafts making the journey as well. And in retrospect I should have taken one of these instead.
Seemed much more enjoyable. It did involve spending a night in a village or on the raft. They were equipped with a palm thatched hut.

anyone know a travel agency that does a 2 day 1 night trip like this?

Thanks, I'd love to know.

[Thetyim]

Siam Sun Tours Ltd. Part., Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand


http://www.thiptravel.com/index.php?...cle&Id=5349295

[TizMe]

I did it nearly 10 years ago. It was in June though, so it got pretty shallow in some places. not enough that we had to get out and carry the boat though..

[Chuckycheese]

I would like to thank all of you, very much, for the responses! And, TizMe, your pictures were great and much appreciated. I've been to Thailand about a dozen times but always learn so much from you "true experts"!