CHIANG MAI AND CHIANG RAI
Thailand
The city is a good bet for tourists heading to Thailand during the fun Songkran water-throwing festival as it has one of the biggest celebrations in the country. Chiang Rai is a quieter proposition,
close to the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Burma intersect around the Mekong river. You can take boat rides here through limestone karst scenery. Both centres are known for good handicrafts, some made by hilltribes in the area. They are also the departure point for adventure activities like trekking and rafting. No trip North would be complete without seeing an elephant. They used to work in the logging industry and now their upkeep is paid through tourists’ rides or shows demonstrating their strength and skill. Mountainous Mae Hong Son and bohemian soft adventure centre Pai are among considerations for a longer stay in the North.
Things to do • Browse Chiang Mai’s markets. The weekends are best for more authentic crafts
• Join locals at dawn for takbaht (alms- giving to monks) outside one of Chiang Mai’s many temples. Some hotels will prepare the food offerings
• Have a go at planting rice. Chiang Mai’s luxury Veranda resort offers the experience including traditional clothing for you to dress in
• Learn a skill. Chiang Mai offers many Thai cookery and massage courses
• Play golf on one of the numerous local courses
• Befriend an elephant at a hotel or institute offering mahout experiences (see Eco-tourism, page 14)
• See Chiang Rai’s Hall of Opium museum which outlines the history and impact of the drug
• Visit one of the King’s Projects which have helped some Northern communities replace opium crops with food and roses
• Try a deep-fried cricket or bamboo worm from a food stall, or more palatable Northern cuisine at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre
• Visit Chiang Mai’s outlying villages to buy specialist craftware. Bor Sang’s painted parasols are a favourite.
New developments and offers Khum Phaya Resort & Spa Chiang Mai This 80-room hotel is now managed by Centara under its Boutique Collection brand. The resort, originally opened in 2009, has 80 rooms and is designed in traditional Lanna style
www.centarahotelsresorts.com
Anantara Golden Triangle This resort, well known for its elephant camp has various special offers running into Spring 2012. Until the end of April a 25% discount is given on bookings 30 days in advance, plus complimentary tickets to the Hall of Opium. It also has an all-inclusive package featuring a tour, spa treatment and mahout training day.
www.goldentriangle.anantara.com
Orient Express The luxury train company this year
introduced a series of three- and six- night journeys through Thailand, Malaysia, Laos and Singapore aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express. Four new Chronicles of South East Asia journeys have been launched which are limited to 60 guests per journey (132 is usual). Among them, Epic Thailand links Chiang Mai with Khao Yai National Park and takes in village life in the Isan region of Thailand’s North East.
www.easternandorientalexpress.com
Tamarind Village This leafy Chiang Mai resort has an early bird booking offer running until December 2011. A 15% discount is given for stays of two days or more booked over 30 days in advance. It has 42 rooms and three suites set around garden courtyards.
www.tamarindvillage.com
Other options Sukantara Cascade Anjelina Jolie has been among guests at this resort in Chiang Mai’s hills. It has a waterfall at its centre, overlooked by the pool and restaurant. There are wooden villas or cottages to choose from and an eco-tented villa. The spa includes healthy eating options.
www.sukantara.com
Puripunn ‘Baby grand’ is how this 30-room boutique hotel describes itself. Its romantic décor, inspired by colonial times, includes antique furniture and vases of local roses. There’s also a lantern-lit garden with pool. Unsurprisingly Puripunn sees a high
rate of marriage proposals. Thai and aroma massages are given in the spa and a pedi-cab is offered to guests when they go sightseeing.
www.puripunn.com
TOP TIP Best visited from November to March.
Opposite page: Golden buddha in Chiang Mai; Above from left: Mandarin Oriental, Chiang Mai; rice farming; stone carvings in the temple; visiting upriver villages by raft
Thailand Travel Guide 2012 21
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