Readme before you journey
The rainy season has arrived in full force. While many people prefer to stay indoors, there are others who enjoy venturing out during this time. As someone who falls into the latter category, I recently embarked on a trip to embrace the misty atmosphere and participate in a meaningful activity. This trip was part of the "Social Volunteer" initiative, where I joined a team of volunteers to promote local communities on social media and encourage domestic tourism. My destination was Pang Ha community in Mae Sai district, where I spent two days and one night immersing myself in the local culture and promoting the community's unique offerings.
According to the formula, how can you travel far for only 2 days? So I arranged a 2-day trip, making it a 4-day trip. Where will we go in Chiang Rai? Let's see. Expenses are listed at the end of the trip. Plus a short review of the car and tires at the end of the trip.
Rough trip schedule for July 27-30, 2561
This route roughly follows the northern border of Chiang Rai.
Day 1: Drive all night to arrive at Phu Chi Fa in the morning - Eat pork leg at Doi Pha Tang - Drive along the Mekong River - Visit Phra That Pha Ngao - Visit the Golden Triangle - Participate in activities at Pang Ha Community - Stay overnight at Baan Suan Uikham
Day Two Itinerary:
Morning:
- Visit Doi Sa Ngoe for panoramic views.
Afternoon:
- Participate in a paper-making workshop.
- Visit the Baan Tee Mit knife-making village.
- Learn about gold silk weaving at the Mask Yai Mai Thong.
- Explore the Kim Joo guava orchard.
Evening:
- Travel to Mae Sai.
- Visit Ban Pha Mi and Ban Pha Hee.
- Hike to Doi Chang Moob.
- Return to Chiang Rai city for overnight stay.
Night:
- Visit Wat Rong Suea Ten (Tiger Cave Temple).
- Visit Wat Huay Pla Kang (Big Fish Temple).
- Explore the Chiang Rai Walking Street.
Day 3: Depart from accommodation to visit King Mengrai Monument - Visit Wat Rong Khun again in the morning - Baan Dam Museum - Wat Rong Khun - Travel to Doi Chang - Explore Doi Chang and stay overnight at the Highland Research Station.
Day four: Continue the journey in Doi Chang, descend towards Mae Suai, visit Wat Saeng Kaew Pothiyan, and return to Bangkok.
The journey began on Thursday evening, coinciding with the Buddhist Lent holiday. The outbound traffic was heavy, and we left Bangkok around 10:30 PM. The journey was significantly delayed due to traffic congestion, taking three hours to reach Nakhon Sawan. This deviation from the planned schedule made it impossible to reach Phu Chi Fa by morning.
Woke up at 5 am and drove to Phrae. This time, I slept less during the day than on any other trip. Usually, I sleep a lot during the day and then drive all night until morning. But this time, I couldn't do it. Maybe I'm getting old. Haha. When I reached Phrae, I was exhausted and had to stop at a PTT gas station to nap for 40 minutes. Around 6 am, I woke up feeling refreshed and continued my journey. However, the journey was still long, and it rained almost the entire time. Fortunately, the rain wasn't too heavy, so I could keep going.
Arriving in Chiang Kham, I filled up the gas tank again. The price of gas here is expensive, over 16 baht. I filled the tank and continued my journey.
After a long journey, we were finally approaching Phu Chi Fa, with only about 8 kilometers left. It had been a while since I had taken my black Honda Accord on a road trip. Lately, I had been riding my motorcycle or using my friend's Toyota Vigo for our frequent outings. However, for this trip, I had planned a route with mostly paved roads, and we were only three people, so I decided to take my Accord instead, as it would be much more fuel-efficient.
However, the reception was met with a landslide.
While not inherently aggressive, the low ground clearance of this lowered vehicle makes it susceptible to scraping against the ground, potentially causing damage.
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After much deliberation, they finally chose a design and set off, their front bumper scraping against the ground as they struggled to navigate the uneven terrain. Despite the occasional wobble, they managed to make it through.
Not even at the first place yet, haha.
After arriving at Phu Chi Fa at 10 am, the sky was completely white. It's a gamble coming during the rainy season. It's easy to say that the fog is cool, but in some places, if there's too much fog, we won't see anything. 555 But it's okay because I've been here before in 2016, so I'm not too disappointed.
The path leading to the summit was almost entirely shrouded in white mist, which drenched my face and hair as I walked.
We will continue according to the original plan. If we arrive at Chisi Fa early in the morning as planned at 6-7 am, we will also visit Pha Tang. However, this time we are already running late, and judging from the sky, Pha Tang will probably be covered in white clouds as well, so we will only stop for breakfast of pork leg rice.
The view from Wiang Pha Tang to Pha Tang.
The low-lying clouds will be in the fog if they rise high enough.
We arrived at the restaurant "Pasuk" just before the ascent to Don Phatang. It is said to be delicious, so let's try it and see if it really is.
It was almost 11 am by the time I arrived, so I decided to combine two meals into one.
The braised pork knuckle was delicious and very large. It only cost 250 baht, making the total meal 500 baht. This was a great value, as I had enough for two meals and even had some leftover to take home for dinner.
The food is delicious, and the view is equally impressive. The weather is pleasantly cool, and there are currently few tourists on this route.
Following the map, we will continue to the community of Pang Ha on the first day of our journey, skirting the outskirts of Chiang Rai.
The scenic views along the Mekong River unfolded intermittently.
The rain keeps falling and stopping intermittently. I'm not afraid of the rain under the sky, so let it fall.
The road is a bit steep up and down through Chiang Khong and Chiang Saen. We stopped at various points with beautiful views.
The road we took earlier.
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We will arrive at Phra That Pha Ngao by 2 pm.
The view here is stunning.
After paying respects at the beautiful temple, we continued our journey.
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Park on the side of the road and walk.
This point at the Golden Triangle offers a view of three countries.
The journey is not difficult at all. The village is located in Mae Sai and is easily accessible by car.
Upon arrival, a variety of activities are available, including papermaking, gold silk mask making, foot spa, and a tour of the local villagers' way of life. These activities also include knife forging, candle making, and a visit to the Kim Joo orange orchard.
The first activity I will do today is making Sa paper. Sa paper is made from the pulp of the Sa tree. In fact, many types of wood pulp can be used, but the pulp of the Sa tree is the best.
The initial step involves pounding the harvested jute stalks to flatten them. Subsequently, they are submerged in water, resulting in the formation of jute bundles.
Spread the pulp evenly throughout the block.
After designing the desired shape, apply a thin layer of rubber glue and let it air dry.
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However, the day we went, it rained intermittently and there wasn't much sun, so we couldn't dry it.
Some of the photos are from the morning activities of the second day, as we arrived late on the first day and did not have time to do them. However, they are part of a continuous activity, so I will describe them all at once.
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If you are unable to stay overnight or the paper is not yet dry, the community offers a delivery service to return it to you. This is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. If you are interested in purchasing paper products made from saa paper, please contact the community directly.
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Translation:
The innovation involves creating a 100% silk mask sheet using a method that allows silkworms to weave their own silk until it forms a sheet. Once the silkworm finishes weaving, it transforms into a chrysalis and then a butterfly to lay new eggs, completing its life cycle without dying.
Sericulture, the cultivation of mulberry trees for silkworms, is a primary occupation for the people of Pang Ha. They use the silk to produce silk fiber masks and various products under the brand name CEILK.
Those interested in the products can find more information at Ceilk Natural Gold Silk Mask.
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This air-conditioned room has one bedroom and an extra bed outside, which can accommodate up to 3 people.
This set of food comes with a khantoke, which I paid an additional 500 baht for on top of the package price.
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"I'm not feeling well. Could you please feed me?"
The next morning, we will take you to Doi Sa Ngo to enjoy the mist and the view. This trip is not included in the community's tourism package, but we can easily go there ourselves or ask the community to arrange a car to pick us up. Doi Sa Ngo is located in Chiang Saen, but the journey from Pang Ha is very easy, taking only 15 minutes to reach.
In a short while, we arrived, with the mist swirling around us.
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The beautiful view is revealed as the fog dissipates.
When you arrive in Sakon Nakhon, don't forget to try the Loei swing.
The view is beautiful all around. It's a great place to camp and sleep.
The view is beautiful from every angle, especially from the top of the shop where tourists can enjoy free chrysanthemum tea on a hot morning.
This 360-degree view is breathtaking. The morning mist creates a magical atmosphere. A night spent here would be unforgettable, with stunning sunset and sunrise views.
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After returning from Doi Sango in the late morning, we had breakfast at Baan Suan Uikham.
The uncle forges knives every day except on Buddhist holy days. He can forge about two knives a day. I tried forging a few times, and it was quite difficult. It is truly a craft that requires skill and traditional methods.
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Next, we will prepare Khao Soi Noi, also known as Shan or Tai Lue Thai pizza.
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Leaving the house with a knife, we headed to the Kim Joo orchard to take a look at some agriculture.
Take a walk through the orchard and pick fresh guavas. The guavas here are delicious. I bought several kilos to take home. 555
Our Saturday Lunch: Bami Toke Tong
Today's lunch was a special treat: Bami Toke Tong, a unique dish available only on Saturdays. This dish features delicious, homemade bami noodles served on a banana leaf, nestled within a traditional "toke," a container resembling a miniature "khantoke" (a northern Thai dining set). The combination of flavors and textures was truly delightful.
If you happen to visit on a Saturday, be sure to try this dish. Before your main course, enjoy a delightful appetizer of "mieng," a traditional Thai leaf wrap.
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The final stop was a photo opportunity at the village's tobacco curing barn. Its unique and beautiful shape made for an interesting picture.
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If you are interested in participating in activities, whether individually, as a couple, or as a group, you can contact Pang Ha Homestay Community Tourism for details and packages. They offer both day trips and 2-day, 1-night packages. The activities I did on this trip cost 2,100 baht per person, which includes three meals. However, the facial mask is not included and requires an additional fee. The Khantoke dinner is also not included in the price.
An invitation to all tourists to visit the Pang Ha community. "Travel to local Thai communities, communities grow, Thailand grows."
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After filling up with gas, we continued our journey along the outskirts of Chiang Rai.
Let's take a look at today's route. Yesterday, we followed the right edge bordering Laos. Today, we will explore the left edge bordering Myanmar.
The mist is beautiful, clearing the Khao Klor.
Then drive until you reach this bend, where there is parking available. You can then walk around and take photos.
We then continued to the same viewpoint as the Wild Boars team.
Continuing on, I drove to Ban Pha Hi. The road was beautiful, with stunning views along the way. Unfortunately, the narrowness of the road made it impossible to stop and take pictures. This is one of the downsides of driving a car. I hope to return on my motorcycle and capture the beauty of this route.
We soon arrived at Pha Hee, a small village. Let's go to a popular coffee shop.
Take a stroll through the village.
Houses cascading down the mountainside
After leaving Pha Hee at 4:00, I continued for a short distance, less than 3 kilometers, before reaching Doi Chang Moob. It felt like I had entered a different world.
We drove through a thick white fog. The officer informed us that the road would be closed for the entire day at Chang Moob.
Nature never ceases to amaze us with its wonders.
Fortunately, I had already visited Doi Chang Moob in 2016, on the same trip as my visit to Phu Chi Fa. This allowed me to experience the stunning views on a clear day. This time, the different atmosphere was still enjoyable. 555
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This road offers a variety of delightful experiences.
The fog clears as you descend, revealing a breathtaking panoramic view.
We originally planned to spend the night at Doi Mae Salong, but since we had already been there once, we decided to explore the city instead. We had never seen the lights of Chiang Rai before, so we changed our plans right there and looked for affordable accommodation.
And then I found this place, JB Mansion Chiang Rai, near B2 Night Bazaar. I was going to B2 at first, but it was full, so I drove around a bit and found this place. 3 people, 550 baht, perfect, within my budget.
The accommodation is clean, the air conditioning is cool, the bed is soft, and it is safe and quiet. It is also not far from the walking street, just a short drive away.
For dinner tonight, we had Pad Thai and fried oysters from the restaurant across from the accommodation.
The interior is stunning.
Translation:
And Wat Huai Plakang
What are some of the things to see and do on the Chiang Rai Walking Street?
The area is bustling with people, and I was able to find parking at the police station.
Strolling around, I stumbled upon a vintage dance party. I joined in for a couple of songs, which was a lot of fun. It's not often you see such traditional dance gatherings these days. But alas, the rain came down just as things were getting good, scattering the crowd and sending us all scurrying for shelter. And so, we headed home.
Before heading back, I took a short walk to my car as the rain had stopped. I decided to take a picture at the clock tower roundabout. That concludes my work for the night, and I will sleep soundly with exhaustion.
Today's route is not long, it's a loop around the city and then to Doi Chang.
Starting at Wat Rong Suea Ten
Let's take a look at the pictures.
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Exquisitely beautiful.
After visiting Wat Huay Pla Kang, head back down the road to visit Baan Dam, the Black House of Thawan Duchanee. The entrance fee is 80 baht per person.
The interior will be entirely black.
Translation:
The collection of peculiar taxidermied animals is extensive.
Including the bones of large animals
Having visited Professor Thawan's house, how could one not also visit Professor Chalermchai?
After leaving Wat Rong Khun, we stopped by Singha Park Boonrawd Brewery for a quick photo with the lion statue before continuing our journey.
The journey continues to Doi Chang. Doi Chang can be accessed via two routes: the Mae Surin route, which passes through a bridge, or the Huai Sathan route, which passes through a spillway. If you are coming from the city, the Huai Sathan route via the spillway is shorter by several kilometers, but it is also much steeper.
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Stop by the infinity pool for a quick photo.
The car effortlessly ascended the long, steep incline, demonstrating its impressive power and capability.
We arrived at Doi Chang View and enjoyed lunch with stunning views.
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The scenery is beautiful.
We then went to find a place to pitch our tents at the agricultural station high up. My sister, who is from Lampang, came up with another car and we slept together for one night.
Translation:
The photo shows a campsite where we were originally planning to pitch our tents. However, upon inquiring with the staff, we were informed that due to the rainy season, there were no other guests and all the houses were available. For a mere 100 baht per person, we were offered a large house instead of camping. With five of us, it only cost 500 baht, making it an incredibly good deal. The photo depicts the spacious house we ended up staying in.
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Before reaching the viewpoint, we will pass by the sacred well. It is a short walk, only 10 minutes away.
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However, with five people in the car, the rear end was sagging, and it got stuck on two slopes due to the low ground clearance.
Go see the pictures.
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The night air is cool but not too cold, just right.
Waking up at 6:30 am, I looked out the window and saw fog. So I drove to the rice shop from yesterday to take some photos.
It rained heavily almost all night, as seen from the street.
The rain started again while I was taking photos, so I went back to sleep and will head out later in the morning.
After sleeping in until almost 9 am, the rain started to fall harder and the fog began to thicken. For breakfast, we enjoyed a delicious instant noodle and canned fish meal, following our usual recipe.
Heading to Doi Chang
Leaving Doi Chang is not easy, there are still many places to visit.
Upon arriving at Doi Chang, a visit to the original Doi Chang coffee plantation is a must.
The first shop, Doi Chang Coffee Farm, has good coffee, but I don't drink coffee often.
Another stop, this time just for photos and souvenirs. The view was beautiful.
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The fog is very thick and the rain hasn't stopped yet.
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There are additional outfits provided for taking photos.
Let's continue to another restaurant and eat until our eyes pop out. Today, our destination is still hundreds of kilometers away.
From the two hot drinks I tried, Doi Chaang Coffee was the most palatable, but it cost 90 baht per cup.
The lush greenery is incredibly refreshing, with the rain continuing to fall gently.
Refreshing!
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Stop by the viewpoint again.
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After reaching the ground level, we stopped by Balcony Hill for lunch. Coincidentally, one of my companions knew someone there, so we received a 10% discount.
After finishing our meal, we parted ways with our elder sibling in Lampang.
Magnificent and impressive in its size and beauty.
Chiang Rai is renowned for its stunning temples.
The first payment is for the activity fee at Pang Ha village, which is 2,100 baht per person. This includes accommodation, three meals, and various activities. The additional fee for the Khantoke dinner is 500 baht, bringing the total cost for Pang Ha to 6,800 baht.
Three people share 2266 baht equally.
900 Baht for oil
Cost of correction
Gas 400 baht 24.08 liters
Gas 400 Baht 25.87 Liters
The price of pork leg at Doi Pha Tang is 500 baht.
The cost of a round-trip ride to Doi Sako is 200 baht.
Pork blood congee for breakfast on the third day, 140 baht.
The cost of shabu and drinks at Doi Chang is 450 baht.
The cost of rice and side dishes is 450 baht.
The total cost for the coffee farm tour, including tips, is approximately 4,600 baht per person for a four-day trip. The price may seem high due to the inclusion of the Pang Ha tour.
Translation:
The original black Accord has been sitting idle for a while now, so I haven't taken it on any long trips. Despite its age and mileage (220,000 km over 6 years), it still runs strong, even though the valves are starting to stick again. It's never let me down, not once. I can't say enough good things about it!
The fuel consumption for this trip was approximately 2200 kilometers, with a total fuel and repair cost of 3359 baht.
Since we're on the topic of cars, let's talk a bit more about tires and the
This time, I didn't hesitate to get the same model again. This is my fourth set of Nitto tires. I wonder if Nitto knows? Haha. The first two sets were NT830, which lasted 50,000 kilometers per set. Compared to the 860, the 830 has slightly better grip, but it gets noisy faster and is harsher. The 860 is quieter and more comfortable.
Translation:
See you again with the traveling couple. Where will the next trip be? I'll tell you more later.
เหลี่ยมพาเที่ยว
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 8:10 PM
