Chiang rai

Post by kt » Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:59 am

Coming to Hua Hin in Feb for 2 weeks, looking forward to it, But going to Bangkok and Chiang Rai first, just want to know has anybody been there and where to go.

As I said we coming to Hua Hin later looking forward to few beers and relaxing time. We are staying at the Anantara looks good, any feed back will be appreciated in what it is like and where to go and info on car hire as there will be 4 of us (2 couples) to have a good look around

one more thing my sister is going to Ko lak, what is that like?

Post by **buksida** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:44 pm

Hi,
You may want to ask Bamboo Grove about Chiang Rai as he's recently moved up to that neck of the woods.

There are plenty of Bangkok experts around but I'm not one of them.

No end of Hua Hin info on the site, try the attractions guide

Not sure about Ko Lak, but Khao Lak is just north or Phuket if thats the place - very nice.

Post by kt » Thu Oct 21, 2004 2:08 am

thanks for the info Buksida, looking forward to Hua Hin seems so relaxing & plenty of bars

Post by **lomuamart** » Sun Nov 07, 2004 5:18 pm

I'm no great expert on Bangkok either.
If you're up North around Chiang Mai/Rai, you'd do worse than try to visit a small town called Pai. It's almost halfway between Chaing Mai and Mae Hong Song. Just returned from a two week trip there - stayed 3 months last year. The scenery is breathtaking, elevation @ 1,000 mts and a great mix of Thai Buddhist/Muslim, hill tribes - predominantly Lisu, Lahu, Karen, Shan - and Westerners. BTY, everyone lives peacefully together. Try Mr Jan's bungalows. Definitely recommended.
Khao Lak I know well also, having been there 4 times. It's getting more and more commercialised day by day, so the quicker you go the better. There's a town called Biang Niang 3 kms north of Khao Lak which is less developed and a good friend, Kees, from Holland has bungalows there. PM me if you want any further info.
NB. The 140 odd km journey from Chiang Mai to Pai takes @ 4 hrs due to the hills. Brilliant.

Post by **Bamboo Grove** » Sun Nov 07, 2004 5:33 pm

In Chiang Mai you can visit for example Doi Mae Salong, which is a Chinese village in Thailand, nice views and cool and fresh air. Or you could go to Doi Tung and visit different kinds of hill tribe villages, agricultural projects and King's Mother's palace and gardens. From there on you can go to Mae Sai, which is a border town and where you can usually cross the boardor for a short trip to the Burmese down of Tachilek. Further on there's the Golden Triangle which used to be famous for its opium production.
In Bangkok, depending how much time you have, you can visit the Grand Palace and hire a boat to take you to the khlongs of Thonburi, very nice scenery of old Thai style houses and temples. Also the shopping opportunities are great in Bangkok, for example at Ma Bun Khron (MBK) or Pratunam. Try the weekend market if you there on Saturday or Sunday, the sky train will take you right there.