Northern Thailand Questions
May 26th, 2011, 12:37 PM
#1
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Northern Thailand Questions
Hi, some more questions regarding Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai areas).
Is Ban Sop Ruak and the Hall of Opium worth a visit from Chinag Rai? If so, would this be a day trip from Chiang Rai or should we plan on staying stay overnight (either in Ban Sop Ruak or down the road in Chiang Saen)?
We were thinking of doing a portion of the Mae Hong Son loop from Chiang Mai. Would two nights in Pai and then another two nights in Mae Hong Son itself be adequate time to do the area justice? (We would return to Chinag Mai from Mae Hong Son via Pai.)
Most importantly, we are considering renting a car, certainly for the Mae Hong Son loop and possibly for Ban Sop Ruak if it warrants an overnight visit. I know that Thai roads can be quite anarchic and crowded (and that driving is on the left hand side of the road, which I’ve done before). That said, is renting a car and driving ourselves the four nights of the Mae Hong Son loop advisable? Or should we rely on alternative transportation? Same question for the Ban Sop Ruak overnight.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Is Ban Sop Ruak and the Hall of Opium worth a visit from Chinag Rai? If so, would this be a day trip from Chiang Rai or should we plan on staying stay overnight (either in Ban Sop Ruak or down the road in Chiang Saen)?
We were thinking of doing a portion of the Mae Hong Son loop from Chiang Mai. Would two nights in Pai and then another two nights in Mae Hong Son itself be adequate time to do the area justice? (We would return to Chinag Mai from Mae Hong Son via Pai.)
Most importantly, we are considering renting a car, certainly for the Mae Hong Son loop and possibly for Ban Sop Ruak if it warrants an overnight visit. I know that Thai roads can be quite anarchic and crowded (and that driving is on the left hand side of the road, which I’ve done before). That said, is renting a car and driving ourselves the four nights of the Mae Hong Son loop advisable? Or should we rely on alternative transportation? Same question for the Ban Sop Ruak overnight.
Thanks in advance for your help.
May 26th, 2011, 04:50 PM
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Road conditions around Northern Thailand are generally good. The only place with traffic will be Chiang Mai but then again only rush hour traffic.
Driving from town to town will be fun and I advise you bring a GPS for convenience. Distant wise on the mountain roads might look short but driving time will be long. For example, the Chiang Mai to Pai route distant is around 150KM but you will find that it will take you around 3 hours to drive. Lots of bends and sharp curves, around 900+, one of the more famous roads in Thailand.
Have fun!
Driving from town to town will be fun and I advise you bring a GPS for convenience. Distant wise on the mountain roads might look short but driving time will be long. For example, the Chiang Mai to Pai route distant is around 150KM but you will find that it will take you around 3 hours to drive. Lots of bends and sharp curves, around 900+, one of the more famous roads in Thailand.
Have fun!
May 26th, 2011, 04:57 PM
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i found the northern roads all around CR and north to be 100% excellent...
i rented a car for our entire time up there and was very pleased as it allowed for total flexibility... i would do it again--budget and avis...
the opium museum is one of the best small museums that i have visited in asia... CR is about one hour from there... have lunch across the street at the anantara...
doi tung, the queen mother's former estate is another fantastic visit in the same area... it would make a full day so you might like an overnight up there
i rented a car for our entire time up there and was very pleased as it allowed for total flexibility... i would do it again--budget and avis...
the opium museum is one of the best small museums that i have visited in asia... CR is about one hour from there... have lunch across the street at the anantara...
doi tung, the queen mother's former estate is another fantastic visit in the same area... it would make a full day so you might like an overnight up there
May 26th, 2011, 06:05 PM
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I cannot imagine going to change Mai and not going out to Lampang Elephant Conservancy (35 minutes from town) and to Doi Suthop Temple (My spelling off by a letter or two). You can do both in 4 hours getting to Lampang at 9:30 and back in the city before 1PM.One good place to eat is the Good Earth and it is pretty reasonably priced as well.Enjoy.
May 26th, 2011, 07:50 PM
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I"ll answer this:
Is Ban Sop Ruak and the Hall of Opium worth a visit from Chinag Rai? If so, would this be a day trip from Chiang Rai or should we plan on staying stay overnight (either in Ban Sop Ruak or down the road in Chiang Saen)?
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Yes the Opium Museum is world class!!! VERY well done. I'd leave CR and (1) Do the museum (2) Cross trver to Laos and see the casino (3) Then cross into Myanmar (you don't need visa but they will take your passport). Check out the pagoda. Cross back at sunset. Back in CR for dinner. Very easy in 8-hour day trip
Is Ban Sop Ruak and the Hall of Opium worth a visit from Chinag Rai? If so, would this be a day trip from Chiang Rai or should we plan on staying stay overnight (either in Ban Sop Ruak or down the road in Chiang Saen)?
===========
Yes the Opium Museum is world class!!! VERY well done. I'd leave CR and (1) Do the museum (2) Cross trver to Laos and see the casino (3) Then cross into Myanmar (you don't need visa but they will take your passport). Check out the pagoda. Cross back at sunset. Back in CR for dinner. Very easy in 8-hour day trip
May 27th, 2011, 10:27 AM
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Try being in Chiang Rai on a Sunday evening for the market. Also, do not miss seeing the White Temple which is spectacular, just outside of town. We heard there is also a Black Temple, but did not know about it until we were back home.
If you can work it out, also try being in Chiang Mai for their Sunday night market.
If you can work it out, also try being in Chiang Mai for their Sunday night market.
May 27th, 2011, 10:52 AM
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I do think the Opium Museum and Doi Tung are both worth seeing. These could be done as a day trip from Chiang Rai. We also enjoyed the ruins and museum at Chiang Saen.
I wouldn't bother crossing the border into Laos - a short boat ride across the river. They had set up a "market" there that had very poor quality goods, nothing of any real interest. I also don't recommend the day trip into Burma (Burma is where the casino is located, and I wouldn't want to spend my money there!).
I wouldn't bother crossing the border into Laos - a short boat ride across the river. They had set up a "market" there that had very poor quality goods, nothing of any real interest. I also don't recommend the day trip into Burma (Burma is where the casino is located, and I wouldn't want to spend my money there!).
May 28th, 2011, 12:11 AM
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We did the MHS loop a few years ago using the Budget Car Rental World Class Drive map - free download @ http://www.budget.co.th/travel_worldclass.aspx
It was all we needed really as it provides info on the various places of interest along the way, side trips etc. As
I recall we took 5 days to do the drive along the very winding roads which gave us pleanty of time to do what we wanted along the way. All the roads were in good condition with very little traffic excepting Chiang Mai and even that was not too bad. The only concern we had was the seeming lack of petrol stations along the way. I suupose you could do it in 4 days but the first section from CM to MHS is very long and probably best to break your journey at Mai Sariang for a night even if it means droppping a night in MHS or Pai.
We stayed 2 nights at the Fern resort about 5 miles out of MHS which was definitely the best place to stay at the time (very peaceful and great food). We stayed a further two nights in Pai on the way back to CM at http://www.bellevillaresort.com/pai/index.php again a lovely place. Pai has alot going on in terms of artists, local crafts etc. Our first night was spent in a small riverside hotel in Mai Sariang which is a nice little town and far less geared towards tourists than MHS or Pai.
Renting a car is by far the best way of driving the loop. The driving is easy and the traffic light. We kept our car and headed on up to Chiang Rai and explored the areas aound the Myananmar and Lao borders. Enjoyable but not as nice IMO as the MHS loop. If it is within your budget try the Ananatara hotel it is expensive but a great place to stay. there website has some good ideas for local trips (beware the cost if booke dthrough the hotel - DIY!). I agree with bob & kathie re the cross river trip. Just not worth it. the towns near the Myanmar border have better markets and Chiang Rai town itself is often overlooked as a palce to shop - much cheaper than CM.
It was all we needed really as it provides info on the various places of interest along the way, side trips etc. As
I recall we took 5 days to do the drive along the very winding roads which gave us pleanty of time to do what we wanted along the way. All the roads were in good condition with very little traffic excepting Chiang Mai and even that was not too bad. The only concern we had was the seeming lack of petrol stations along the way. I suupose you could do it in 4 days but the first section from CM to MHS is very long and probably best to break your journey at Mai Sariang for a night even if it means droppping a night in MHS or Pai.
We stayed 2 nights at the Fern resort about 5 miles out of MHS which was definitely the best place to stay at the time (very peaceful and great food). We stayed a further two nights in Pai on the way back to CM at http://www.bellevillaresort.com/pai/index.php again a lovely place. Pai has alot going on in terms of artists, local crafts etc. Our first night was spent in a small riverside hotel in Mai Sariang which is a nice little town and far less geared towards tourists than MHS or Pai.
Renting a car is by far the best way of driving the loop. The driving is easy and the traffic light. We kept our car and headed on up to Chiang Rai and explored the areas aound the Myananmar and Lao borders. Enjoyable but not as nice IMO as the MHS loop. If it is within your budget try the Ananatara hotel it is expensive but a great place to stay. there website has some good ideas for local trips (beware the cost if booke dthrough the hotel - DIY!). I agree with bob & kathie re the cross river trip. Just not worth it. the towns near the Myanmar border have better markets and Chiang Rai town itself is often overlooked as a palce to shop - much cheaper than CM.
May 28th, 2011, 05:00 AM
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All - Thanks! It appears that my apprehensions about driving were misplaced.
We tend to travel at a leisurely pace, so we'll probably do the Opium Museum/Doi Tung excursion as an overnight (from Chiang Rai).
As far as the MHS loop, we're leaning towards going to Pai first (two nights) and then on to MHS (two nights). We'd return to Chinag Mai via Pai rather than going on to Mae Sariang.
We'll also be spending at least three nights apiece in both CR and CM and were planning on doing other excursions from both, most likely by bus or other means. However, we may reconsider and do more by rental car.
Thanks again!
We tend to travel at a leisurely pace, so we'll probably do the Opium Museum/Doi Tung excursion as an overnight (from Chiang Rai).
As far as the MHS loop, we're leaning towards going to Pai first (two nights) and then on to MHS (two nights). We'd return to Chinag Mai via Pai rather than going on to Mae Sariang.
We'll also be spending at least three nights apiece in both CR and CM and were planning on doing other excursions from both, most likely by bus or other means. However, we may reconsider and do more by rental car.
Thanks again!
May 28th, 2011, 05:20 AM
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i think you might want to have a driver around CM.... there are many options and using someone who knows the ropes would be helpful....there are many taxis waiting at the airport for just such a job..
May 28th, 2011, 08:08 AM
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Although we're arriving in Chinag Mai overland, I'll note the airport pickup option...not looking forward to driving in dense traffic and dropping off/picking up at airport may be a way of avoiding it.
Thanks!
Thanks!
May 29th, 2011, 07:31 AM
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While in the US I NEVER accept the collision insurance because of traffic in certain areas like CM I have seen several "bump and run" situationans and was the victim of one myself years ago. Therefore though it is expense you may want to consider accepting it even though it will add $12-$14/day to the tab. If you use MasterCard for example they cover in most countries up to $1000 or everything over $1000/$1500. Ten days of coverage will cost you about $130+/-.
May 30th, 2011, 06:49 AM
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Thanks again. Nice to know about hotel options. I believe we have adequate insurance coverage on our credit card to cover possible collision exposure...our goal is to avoid driving in Chinag Mai...we'll be using car to reach remoter areas.
