I need to arrange transportation from Houeisay to Phu Chaisai (near Chiang Rai) Then a few days later from Phu Chaisai to Angkhang Nature Resort, (between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai) then from Angkhang to Chiang Mai.

It seems there are buses that go from CR to CM, but probably not to these more out of the way places...the hotels want to rape me for transportation. Will I be able to find someone to take me by private vehicle upon arrival at these places or do I need to arrange that in advance, and if so, does anyone know of any english speaking drivers I could hire?

Thanks!

Lori, my experience is that you can always find someone once you get there. If you ask hotel to pre-arrange these things the prices are very high. Once you get there and talk with people there is always someone's uncle or cousin who will drive you for a reasonable price. If it were me, I'd just wing it.

Kathie, that's what I'm thinking.

Although the notion of hanging out in a border town with no transportation sort of wigs me out.

But hey it will make for a good trip report if I get stuck!

That's what we're looking for, i.e., exciting trip reports with excruciating experiences. While we pretend to support each other and trade semi-useful information, our primary motivating force is Schadefreude (Sp?).

Having said that, I completely agree with Kathie that you can probably work everything out on an Ad Hoc basis. You might inquire of Sergeant Kai (ChiangMaitours.com) to see what he would charge for the various transfers.

Once you cross the boarder from Houeisay to Chiang Kong in Thailand you will be able to find a taxi as this is a popular crossing point and usually has lots of transport available. If the driver does not know where the Phu Chaisai is then have him take you to Chiang Saem (53kms) and then get transport to the hotel from there (not very far). If you do this then you might make arrangements with the driver to pick you up and take you to Chiang Rai. I doubt that he would agree to take you to the Angkhang Nature Resort as it is around a 5 + hr trip and you have to go through CR anyway. Phu Chaisai is quite isolated and you must depend on the hotel for transportation otherwise. If you have to use hotel transport only go to CR (about a 1-11/2 hr drive) and arrange for a car from there for the 4+ hr drive ( around 173 kms). Or you could take the 10.30am longtail boat from CR to Thaton (very interesting and cheap way) arriving around 3pm and then take a taxi to the hotel around 11/2hr drive (roughly 80kms).
From Angkhang it is about 3 hrs to CM. If the hotel is charging too much get to Fung (40kms) and arrange a car/driver from there.

Thanks for posting scotters. Those details really help.

And don't worry Andy I'm sure I will have plenty of horror stories after this trip...as yes you spelled Schadefreude correctly. Why isn't there a word for that in English?

There's no English word because we like to pretend that we are above enjoying others misery. It is of course a complete societal falsehood. How else does one explain our fascination with the life and death of Anna Nicole Smith?

you look like ANS in your speedo