I want a driver to take me from chiang mai to the anatara in the golden triangle and then be available for 2 days to take us sightseeing. I will certainly check to see if Poon (whom I have used in chiang mai twice before and love) can do it but I'm wondering if there are any other options. We don't want to drive ourselves -- or rather my friend doesn't and I don't drive at all. I don't need a guide but want someone with decent English who may know how to get to some of the hilltribes etc.

If anyone has done this I'm also wondering where the driver stays. I certainly don't want to pay for them to stay at the Anantara.

I would think you would be paying a premium to keep a driver based in Chiang Mai for use at the Anantara. I would expect that a Chiang Mai based person would not be as knowledgable about the Chiang Rai area, though they would know the basics.

Why not simply get a transfer to the Anantara, maybe with some stops along the way, from Chiang Mai. Then have a Golden Triangle based person for your time at the Anantara. There have been reports of at least a couple of great guides, booked through the Anantara directly or booked independently. You might try contacting them...crosscheck posted about one, and travelmom13 posted about another, both recently. The Anantara also offers some good sounding itineraries with the option to customize, which we'll probably do some version of...but we will wait until we are there to work all that out b/c we are doing the elephants too.

Gloria, on a similar topic, I found a wonderful (local) driver when I was in CM. If you look at my trip report (Kathie's Penang, CM and Bangkok trip report 2006) I used him for shopping at fair trade and non-profits, including a real find, a shop of Akha crafts.

gloria...about 2-3 months ago someone posted the name and contact info for a driver in the GT...i did not write it down but perhaps they will see this message to assist you...

i bet poon will drive you up there and then she would stay in a cheap guesthouse, which is how most of them do it....ask ratt....

Keeping a driver with you does not add much to the trip at all. Just their per day charge. Our's was with us in Chiang Rai, Pai, Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai, Lampang and Chiang Mai. The driver lived in Chiang Mai and the guide kept a small apartment there and lived near Chiang Rai. That is not such a large area that a skilled driver and guide would not be familiar with the whole area. Most of our hotels had driver/guide rooms. They charge them nothing if their guests are staying. A couple of places like the Legend in Chiang Rai did not have driver/guide rooms. They stayed at a guest house for around $10.00 per night. We were not charged any extra for any of this. It is quite common in Thailand. I believe our per diem for guide and driver ran about $100.00 per day. Sometimes we bought their meals, just because we wanted to for a few $$ here or there. I would think just a driver would be much less.

Check with Sgt Kai. He's based in Chiang Mai though and we've used him there. Wonderful person, we had a great time with him. Do a search, I think he has a website.

Just heard from Anantara and their prices are absurd for tours. Definitely not using them. Will contact Poon-- anyone know anyone else in Chiang Rai area?

Gloria -- I take it Chaiya isn't willing to do this? If you haven't asked him, I would. I know he's done treks with people before so ... just a thought.
[email protected]
01/998-9461 (local cell)

I hadn't asked him -- didn't know he did anything other than chiang mai. Jenskar-- can I use your name? And, if so, what is it?

Just emailed Chaiya so will let you know what he says.

I was very leased with our guide on our budget trip to Northern Thailand. Total cost for us each, including room in guesthouse (shared 4 nights, separate 3 nights), narlyall meals, all tours we rquested, all transportation and a great guide/driver, and a 2 hour thai massage for me, of course, came to less than $400 each...for 7 busy days.

Mark-

By the way, our Guide.Driver was Sun, from Chinaphat Northern Tour, his e-mail address isn't working for me, so I will need to wait for that.

He actually led our tour because our original guide through Northern Thai Tours had to go out of the country and asked Sun, who, while a competitor, is a good friend.

Both companies were very good at changing things for us on the fly and keeping us informed and in the loop. very professional and great prices.

Mark-

We used Poon, Ratts sister in CM for 3 1/2 days. She has an old but very reliable Mercededes with good A/C. (just make sure she keeps it running all the time when you are coming back to car). Her English is fair but we told her to slow down and it was fine. She is very knowledgeable amnd was 2800Baht for 10 hour days though we used her 8-9 hrs. one day and maybe 11 another.She is very accommodating and helped find some real out-of the-way places for us. Can contact her through Ratt in BK.

Thanks stan. I've used Poon twice in CM and plan to use her again there but wasn't sure that she knew the golden triangle area. I'll contact her as well.

Gloria -- I'm Jennifer -- Chaiya will remember us as Kit and Jen, Susan's friends who stayed at the 4 Seasons. I think when you wrote to her you thought my name was Ericka cuz she wrote back and said "Who's Ericka?"
I wonder if the older Hmong woman who wove with hemp is still weaving outside CM -- he took me there. She's in the Hillside Textile book and they have beautiful things including the old batik style Hmong skirts.

I used one licensed guide in Chiang Mai to visit GT.
His name is Pong and you can contact him at :[email protected]
He has excelent English, great sense of humor, drives safety and is not young.
Fernando -Brasil

To get a license in CM is realy justr a matter of filling out some forms and aying a modest fee. It is not like in BK where a number ob classes are requires. All I can tell you you is Poponn is very knowledgeable and lovely and will do what you want without watching the clock.

Gloria, I HIGHLY recommend Sgt Kai. He took us to several untouristy not-usually-visited hilltribes in the area where he has relationships and has done work, such as helping to build a community bathroom & engage a teacher for the children. He is a lovely person, very nice to spend time with, and very knowlegeable about the area. He is based in Chiang Mai but I actually think he lives closer to Chiang Rai and he will not have trouble finding accommodations in the area. Do a search for him on this forum or the internet. I'll try to find an e-mail address for him when I get home this evening.