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[xray99]

Friends:

Considering a trip up to Chiang Rai from Bangkok in mid-December.
Sounds like a fascinating place. Anyone been there recently, i.e. since the "troubles" in Myanmar? Safe for Americans? How about transport from/to Bangkok and in the area? And accomodations?

Thanks in advance,
- Peter

[wakingdream]

Hi Peter,

I haven't been to Chiang Mai very recently but you can easily get back and forth via the overnight train, numerous flights and bus as well. Transportation in the area is possible by foot, by bus, bicycle and scooter. We did a lot of walking, use public transport a few times and rented a scooter for longer jaunts, like up to Doi Suthep.

There is plenty of accommodations. Are you looking for budget accommodation? Nice hotel?

We've always stayed at the Royal Guesthouse. It's a close walk to area attractions like the night market, serves good food if you don't feel like going out and has great, clean austere rooms for a decent price. I think the rates might have gone up but I we used to pay around B200-250 a night.

[Paul]

Hey Susie - that is Chiang Mai - he said Chiang Rai

He he

Anyway - the recent protests and crackdown in central Burma don't seem to have changed the situation in the outer areas of Burma much - ie. the civil war that has been going on for the last 40 years or so is still going on.

That doesn't effect Chiang Rai.
It is safe for Americans.
Transport options from BKK include:

a bus.
a train to either Chiang Mai or Lampang and then a bus.
flights

Accom - lots of options. But I am in a rush so i will tell you later. Or look up the Tips on Thailand - during a discussion about dentists I listed a whole bunch of accom available in Chiang Rai.

Good luck.

[thellie]

i live in chiang rai and there are plenty of accomm options.
i've put 3-4 choices in the forum on our site:

http://www.mirrorartgroup.org/newsletter/p...pic.php?p=19#19

if anyone has more for my list, please let me know and i can add them. it would be good to get a comprehensive list of accomm, restaurants, shops etc for it (which i'll start doing soon), so if there are ideas or needs for other info, please ask and i can put those in as well...

[xray99]

All:
Thanks for the tips. Since I've only got a week I'll likely fly up. Want to visit both Chiangs (Rai and Mai).
Perhaps I'll fly into one (from Bangkok) and out of the other. How's the trip between the 2?
Cheers,
- Pete

[wakingdream]

Hey Susie - that is Chiang Mai - he said Chiang Rai

Haha, and the blonde comes out yet again!

[thellie]

by road, it's a 3 hour coach journey. there is a twin engined prop that flies as well, but that's probably gong to take just as long with all the faffing around you get at even the little airports. can't remember the bus price, but should be less than a couple of hundred baht.

flight from bangkok to chiang rai is 1hr 20mins, and costs between 900-3000 baht depending on airline and offers at the time.

[xray99]

All:
Thanks very much for the info. This probably belongs in its own topic, but since everyone's been so helpful, I'll ask here: can anyone recommend a decent hotel close to the (new) airport in Bangkok? I'll have flown overnight for 10 hours from Munich and need a place to crash before heading up north the next day.
Best Regards,
- Peter

[Paul]

Hi - that question seems to be asked a lot at the moment - I don't know the answer but it is clearly one I need to look into and get an answer for. So I will get back to you.
If anyone else has the answer off the top of their head - it'd be appreciated by quite a few people.

[thellie]

try this:

http://www.chiangdao.com/thailandhotels/ba...rporthotels.htm

[johnrankin]

Hi Peter,

I haven't been to Chiang Mai very recently but you can easily get back and forth via the overnight train, numerous flights and bus as well. Transportation in the area is possible by foot, by bus, bicycle and scooter. We did a lot of walking, use public transport a few times and rented a scooter for longer jaunts, like up to Doi Suthep.

There is plenty of accommodations. Are you looking for budget accommodation? Nice hotel?

We've always stayed at the Royal Guesthouse. It's a close walk to area attractions like the night market, serves good food if you don't feel like going out and has great, clean austere rooms for a decent price. I think the rates might have gone up but I we used to pay around B200-250 a night.

Hi Peter,
Riverview Gueshouse was delightful and cheap.

[Paul]

There is a bit of construction at Riverview Guesthouse at the moment, so a bit of noise, but still mainly nice.