Chiang Rai

Boating

For something adventurous, catch a bus to the border town of Tha Thon and board a high-powered longtail boat there and ride the rapids 130 km (81 mi) to Chiang Rai. Boats leave from a pier near the town bridge at 12:30 pm and take about three to four hours to negotiate the bends and rapids of the river, which passes through thick jungle and past remote hill tribe villages. The single fare is B350. For a more leisurely ride to Chiang Rai, board a raft, which takes two days and nights to reach the city, overnighting in hill tribe villages. Fares start at B1,000. Take bottled water, an inflatable cushion, and (most important) a hat or umbrella to shade you from the sun. The best time to make the trip is during October and November, when the water is still high but the rainy season has passed.

You can book the trip through Four Lens Tour (131/6 Moo 13, Mae Korn Intersection. 053/700617 to 20. www.4lens.com) or Inbound-Outbound Tour Service (199/38 Phaholyothin Rd. 053/715690).

More Sports and Outdoors

• Boating

• Golf