🇹🇭 Thailand – Chiang Rai: Travel and Backpacking Oct-Nov 2019

Disclaimer

The information in this blog is accurate as of November 2019.

🤔 – What to Expect
🌅 – Activities
🍛 – Amazing Eats
🚇 – Transport
🛌 – Accomodation

🤔 What to Expect

A step away from Chiang Mai but a leap from the bustling Bangkok. This quiet little town takes you further North.

Less Hectic.
Distant Mountains are a 1 Hour Drive away.
Three Major Sites – Black House, Blue Temple and White Temple.
If confident hire a scooter – great way to get around. Roads are quieter.
2-3 Night stay is more than enough.
Illuminating Clock Tower.
Can get a sleeper coach to Laos: Luang Prabang.

🌅 Activities

Baan Dam Museum aka Black House

The Baan Dam is an ode to artist Thawan Duchanee and also features other contemporary Thai artists work. The museum was once Duchanee’s residence and there are lots of quirky, mysterious and dark objects to explore.

80 Baht per person.
Straightforward journey from Chiang Rai – one main road.
We hired a scooter for the day but it is not easy to find due to lack of sign posts.
Free parking.
Interesting place that is worth the cost.
2-3 hours spent here.

We also were lucky to have the opportunity to watch a mini Thai dance performance that took place at the entrance of the Black House. It was free to watch but donations were welcomed.

Wat Rong Suea Ten aka Blue Temple

This (free entry) temple is small compared to others and their attached grounds nonetheless it is spectacular and a must see. Food, just across the way, at the local Biker Cafe is a great cheap eat too.

The Grandeur of the Beautiful Blue Temple.

No entrance fee but there are vendors selling flowers/gifts to be placed inside the temple as an offering. 20-30 Baht per gift.
Just outside the city limits – not far but a good 40 minute walk from near the centre where we stayed.
Impressive and unique with plenty of photo opportunities.

Wat Rong Khun aka White Temple

The surrounding grounds and free exhibition are the hidden jewels to visiting the white temple. However, for 100 Baht each to simply enter the temple was a rip off and an underwhelming experience.

The sea of tourists walking towards the White Temple entrance. Here was also where we were told to keep walking. 🚶

100 Baht entrance fee to enter the temple – no photography allowed inside.
Save yourself money and enjoy the grounds instead.
Overcrowded with tourist that pushed and shoved.
Constantly told to keep walking, which rushed us through the experience.
Photo opportunities are limited because there are a sea of umbrellas and selfie sticks. Furthermore, tourists don’t give a shit you’re trying to take a picture and will constantly walk into your shot or push through you for their own photo opportunities.
Did I mention tourists?!
It’s not all bad – the grounds are lovely and there is a gallery of other works done by Chalermchai Kositpipat.

Illuminating Clock Tower

Gooooold-Tickaaa. It’s a clock. A clock that Midas has touched.

An impressive local monument piece.
Did I mention it was a clock.
Unveiled in 2013.
It was built to honour the king, Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Built by Chalermchai Khositpipat who is the same artist behind the white Temple.
At 7, 8 and 9pm there is a “show” with lights and music.
In comparison to the Old Tower Clock the new one is rather fancy.

Night Baazar & Saturday Night Market

Once again the markets offers the same goods, street foods and nick nacks.

Tea Plantation & Waterfall

There are tours available that could let you explore the local tea plantations and see how the locals harvest. Furthermore, there are also waterfalls. Not sure on price or wow factor because we skipped this experience. However, maybe next time.

🍛 Amazing Eats

Oak and Awe

Thai Food Menu.
Cheap but decent food our meal was £5.20 including one dish each, a soft drink and a beer.
The green curry fried rice was tasty.

@Burger

This was the cheapest place I managed to find for a burger. Because sometimes it’s nice to have a little home comfort.

Juicy burgers for a reasonable price – 79 Baht (£2.10) for an Angus Premium Burger with bacon without chips.
This sounds like a lot but the next cheapest place we found was 160 Baht (£4.20) without chips.

Not gonna lie the patty was not massive but they did run out of beef. This made me think I got smaller than normal.
Rachael got the pork burger which was equally tasty and a great alternative.
The meat was juicy and tasted just like home.
The fries were tasty for me but a little salty for Rachael.
I would totally eat here again but next time go for the combo set.

Biker Cafe

Located just opposite the blue Temple.
Convenient cheap eatery that is great for a lunch. Only £4.90 for 2 mains & 2 softs.
Thai based dishes.

Pad Thai

Thai based dishes.
Trip advisor had great reviews for this place but not sure why.
Cheapish but we have had cheaper.
Food was okay not brilliant. You also get a free nuts and a plate of fruit.
Owners were lovely.

🚇 Transport

Public Bus

20 Baht per person for each ride.
Easy connection to White Temple and Bus Terminal 2.
No service to Black House or Blue Temple.
Air con.

Public Bus to Bus Terminal 2 or Airport. Sign in the bottom left tells you which direction it is going.

Songkraew (Red Trucks)

Again, like most places in Thailand, the red trucks are local taxis which provide transport around town and to local attractions. We boarded one back from the White Temple to Chiang Rai bus terminal and it only cost 20 baht each. I’d certainly say check & barter (if required) before you board.

Sleeper “VIP” Coach to Laos: Luang Prabang

See our upcoming blog, Jeepers Sleepers, for the full details.

Not for the fainthearted.
A coach of chrome, leather mattresses and embroidered pillows.
2 people share a “bed/seating” space. You could share with complete strangers if on your own.
Bumpy and weavy roads.
Someone was sick. We’d advise to take travel sickness pills.
950 Baht per person (£24.00)
Snacks and water provided.
Halfway point to grab food.

🛌 Accommodation

Tourist Inn

A great central location that offers the basics and smashes it with a hearty breakfast.

500 Baht Per Night (£13.00)
Large plug in fan only.
Aircon was an extra 500 Baht per night.
King size bed but mattress a little on the hard side.
Hot water. Soap and Shampoo provided.
Relatively clean.
If requested your room can be cleaned daily, including fresh towels and new sheets.
Communal Fridge/Freezer.
Standard scrambled egg, plate of fruit and yogurt for breakfast. However, there is plenty of bread, croissants, jam, cereal, coffee and tea.
Highlight – bread is not sweet! They bake it fresh daily too. #breadgoals