August 2018 Trip Mae Sariang, Wiang Ngam

Journey

Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Bangkok

The earliest Bangkok Airways flight on Saturday, the 18th.

The latest AirAsia flight back on Sunday the 19th.

Why not book a round-trip flight with the same airline? Because the flight times are not convenient for us.

This is the most convenient way.

Chiang Mai - Mae Sariang - Chiang Mai

We used ASAP car rental services. We chose the Fortuner model, which cost 5,700 baht for two days.

Where to eat

• Pa Tong Go, Ko Neng, Chiang Mai

• Red Wood House Restaurant, Mae Sariang

• 18 Rad Na Restaurants in Mae Sariang

- Lum Wiang Restaurant, Mae Sariang

- Ohkajhu Restaurant, Chiang Mai

Accommodation

The River House Mae Sariang

#Tourist attractions

- Royal Project Mae Tho, Hod District, Chiang Mai

• The four sacred relics of the Lanna Kingdom: Phra That Chom Chaeng, Phra That Chom Mon, Phra That Chom Kitti, and Phra That Chom Thong.

And the Mae Sariang city center

Let's go then.

We arrived in Chiang Mai and had lunch after the car was fixed.

Previously, I was looking for breakfast near CMU. I happened to see a review of Ko Neng's shop somewhere.

The adorable fried dough looks delicious. I must try it sometime.

The shop is located right at Kad Luang. We parked at the post office and walked across the street.

A short walk down the alley will bring you to the destination. If you have trouble finding the shop, feel free to ask the nearby vendors.

Northern Thai people are known for their kindness and hospitality. They are always willing to help and provide information.

Here is the store.

A dinosaur and a dragon, one of each, so cute!

However, I prefer dinosaurs more.

There is porridge and other food for sale for breakfast.

The price is as follows.

The fried dough fritters tasted like your typical fried dough fritters. They were delicious when hot, with a crispy exterior and a soft interior.

Awarded for its creative and delicious ideas.

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Full, let's go.

Follow Highway 108 from Chiang Mai to Hot and Mae Sariang, and continue on.

This line passes through the Bo Kaeo Pine Forest and Aob Luang. If you have time, please stop by.

We've been here many times before, stopping by every time. This time, let's skip it, okay?

We will stop by the Mae Tho Royal Project, then drive all the way to Ban Kong Loi intersection.

Turn right before crossing the bridge and continue straight ahead. You will see signs for the Royal Project along the way.

No need to worry about getting lost, there is only one main road, a good asphalt road that all types of vehicles can access.

No text provided for translation.

The journey is punctuated by moments of beauty.

The ride is a bit thrilling, so don't fall asleep or you'll end up picking vegetables.

The distance from the intersection of Kong Loi to the Royal Project is approximately 16 kilometers (if I remember correctly).

We will arrive at the village first.

The Royal Project office is located 2-3 kilometers from the village.

The area's historical land use was primarily characterized by opium and shifting cultivation.

Continuous forest burning has resulted in the degradation of the forest ecosystem.

**King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit**

Upon observing the extensive deforestation in the highlands, His Majesty...

Therefore, His Majesty the King initiated the Royal Project on the Development of Upstream Areas to improve the living conditions of hill tribe people in accordance with their local context.

In 1975, His Majesty the King established the Royal Project Development Center No. 6 to focus on promoting and developing occupations.

To reduce the destruction of upstream water sources, employment opportunities are provided, and knowledge about water usage and water circulation systems is disseminated.

Economic concerns within the hill tribe communities must be simultaneously addressed.

The project was renamed from the Royal Project Development of the Upstream to the Mae Tho Royal Project Development Center in 1996.

#Data from

Royal Project Mae Tho

Mae Tho village is currently a mountain of vegetables, with various vegetables and terraced rice fields at intervals.

Villagers in Mae Tho plant vegetables for the Royal Project. The vegetable festival in Mae Tho is spectacular.

In the case of the Royal Project Office, based on my preliminary inquiries…

Those with accommodations can contact the office directly.

This option may not be the most comfortable, but it is suitable for adventurous individuals.

The journey from the main road to the office is straightforward and accessible to all types of vehicles.

However, in addition to the office area, there is also a 360-degree viewpoint, which requires contacting an officer to take you there.

Due to the challenging terrain, access for regular vehicles is restricted. Additionally, visiting the various vegetable plots cultivated by local residents is not feasible.

We did not go there because it rained almost all day, sometimes heavily and sometimes lightly. Therefore, we could only take pictures around the office.

Taking a leisurely stroll and enjoying the scenery along the roadside is a delightful experience.

The photos are a bit much, aren't they? We love taking photos, and once we do, we can't choose. We love them all.

Onward, our destination is Mae Sariang.

Mae Sariang

We arrived late due to the continuous rain and occasional landslides along the way.

Let's check into the accommodation first.

We are staying at The River House.

Room Rates and Amenities

The room rate is 900 baht and includes breakfast and free bicycle rentals. (Please note that this price is for the low season. During peak season, the price is 1,200-1,500 baht.)

Despite the affordable price, the room is excellent. It is spacious with beautiful views.

Fully furnished except for a refrigerator.

The River House comprises both a building complex and wooden structures.

The wooden building is called Riverhouse Hotel (The Teak House).
The other building is called Riverhouse Resort.
Choose whichever one you prefer.

This is the building zone.
We didn't take any pictures inside, but from what I've seen on the page, it's very beautiful.

The newer building zone may offer more amenities (at a similar price).

We opted for a wooden building, as we felt it better captured the essence of Mae Sariang.

The old red wooden building is made entirely of teak wood and has three floors. We stayed on the second floor, which likely has the best view.

Disadvantages of Wooden Buildings: Sound Insulation

Wooden buildings have the disadvantage of poor sound insulation. This means that conversations, footsteps, and other noises can easily be heard from one room to another. This can be a major issue for privacy and noise pollution.

It worked wonders for us. It seemed magical.

Rooms like this

Bathroom

A balcony, and looking down from the balcony, that is the Yom River.

The building has a swimming pool by the Yom River, but we didn't go in because it was drizzling and we were feeling lazy.

Guests staying in the wooden building can use the swimming pool in the concrete building, which is approximately 50 meters away.

After checking into the hotel, I took a shower and relaxed for a bit before heading out to find something to eat. Based on online reviews, I decided to try Baan Mai Daeng restaurant, which seemed to be the best option.

This restaurant is owned by the same people as our accommodation. It is within a hundred meters walking distance.

I'm not very hungry, as I just passed by a noodle shop on my way here.

The tantalizing aroma of the dish sparked a craving for "rat na," a stir-fried noodle dish with gravy, prompting me to leave extra space in my stomach for it.

The food at Baan Mai Daeng is decent, with flavors ranging from good to excellent. However, be prepared for a significant wait between courses.

That day, there was only one customer table, or rather two. At the other table, a foreigner was dining alone.

Worrying about how to handle a full house in such a large restaurant.

We are not bothered by the long wait because the restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere, so we can relax and enjoy ourselves.

I recommend the fish menu. The fish here is fresh and has a sweet, delicious flavor.

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Next, we had rad na at this restaurant.

Yes! This is the kind of Rad Na I like. It has the aroma of dark soy sauce and the smell of a burnt wok.

We enjoy the aroma of this Rad Na. Adding fermented soybean paste would elevate it to a heavenly level.

I'm stuffed! It's getting dark, so I'm going back to my room to sleep.

The evening atmosphere at the accommodation is truly delightful.

Good morning from Mae Sariang! The view from my balcony is truly breathtaking.

Let's go for a bike ride.

Early in the morning, you can wait to offer food to the monks in front of your accommodation. However, you need to prepare the food yourself.

I haven't seen any food vendors selling offerings for alms like at other tourist attractions in this area.

Yet, we favor this approach. It feels authentic, genuine, and unstaged.

The food for the alms offering should be bought at the morning market, but we didn't go. We were too busy cycling and got lost.

It's okay that I didn't get to make merit today. I still plan to visit this place again in the future.

Mae Sariang's beauty is understated and unpretentious. It is free from artificiality and lacks the excessive development often found in tourist destinations.

Mae Sariang is a town, not a forest. It is a town surrounded by mountains with the Yom River flowing through it.

Mae Sariang is what it is. In the city center, there are many pubs and bars, as is typical of a city.

Cycling out of the city, the suburbs give way to rice fields and rivers.

Traditional rural livelihoods include rice cultivation, fishing, and weaving.

There are currently no organic farms open to the public for tourism. (This is the case as of now, but the future is uncertain.)

We prefer this way, the way it normally is.

Accommodations and various shops are all located on the same road, almost entirely along the riverbank.

The air is fresh and pleasant in the morning, making it perfect for a leisurely bike ride around the city.

Most accommodations offer free bicycles for guests to use.

Narrow alleyways lead to rice fields surrounding the city.

The rainy season is in full swing.

Let's go back and have breakfast. It's starting to drizzle.

Breakfast options include either rice porridge or ABF.

Coffee, drinks, croissants, bread, and refillable juice are enough to keep you full.

Let's pack our things and check out so we can continue to the four sacred pagodas.

Moving on to Wat Phra That Si Chom

This sentence, originally in Thai, describes a transition to a new location: Wat Phra That Si Chom.

#Four Relics Pagoda

This refers to the collective name of the four temples that serve as the guardian temples of Mae Sariang, each situated on a mountain in one of the four cardinal directions.

And looking down, I saw Mae Sariang in all directions.

The four temples enshrine the relics in the chedi, which is the center of the mind.

It is believed that the four cardinal pagodas protect the people of Mae Sariang, ensuring their happiness, peace, and prosperity.

The Four Relics are:

1. Phra That Chom Chaeng

2. Phra That Chom Mon

This is a concise and accurate translation of the Thai phrase "๒.พระธาตุจอมมอญ" into English. It retains the original numbering and avoids unnecessary additions or explanations.

3. Phra That Chom Kitti

4. Phra That Chom Thong

Start at the Chom Chaeng Temple first.

The Holy Relics of Chom Chaeng

Located east of Mae Sariang, at the entrance to Mae Sariang district.

The Mae Sariang Museum is located near Wat Phra That Chom Chaeng, which is a landmark temple on the way into Mae Sariang town.

Let us ascend to pay our respects, for auspiciousness in life.

It is recommended to visit during the early morning hours, while the morning prayers are being conducted.

The monks here chant beautifully, and their chants are not limited to Pali.

The text will be followed by a comprehensive translation in the melodious Northern Thai dialect, offering a delightful listening experience.

A sweet smile crept across my face as I listened.

Just a short walk up the stairs after parking. Only a few steps.

The stupa is located behind the ordination hall.

Surrounding view when looking out

Zooming out from the Chom Chaeng temple, you can see the Chom Kitti temple.

Next up, #JomMonChedi

Located north of Mae Sariang, approximately 3 kilometers from the city center.

Follow the directions on Google Maps.

This place is particularly appealing due to its stunning ascent. The stairs, though numerous, do not induce fatigue.

Stopping to take photos at almost every step of the stairs.

The abundance of trees creates a dense canopy, resulting in high humidity levels.

The stairs are covered in moss, ferns, and tiny creatures.

We were accompanied by a guide, a small dog. When she saw us walking up, she rushed over to us.

We stopped to take photos at the top of the stairs. She waited for us, and then ran down to the bottom once we had reached the top.

The pagoda offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Maesariang town.

The air is fresh and unpolluted, and there are no people around. It is completely silent.

We have arrived.

The place is deserted and completely silent. The air is very pleasant.

The surrounding scenery is truly breathtaking.

Next, we will continue to #PhraThatJomKitti.

Located south of Mae Sariang, approximately 3 kilometers from the city center.

As usual, I set Google Maps. Google Maps has made life much easier.

Undoubtedly, gazing down upon Mae Sariang, its beauty remains as captivating as ever.

You can drive up and park at the top. The pagoda is just a short walk from there.

In the serene stillness, only we, two others, and a dog were present for the prayer session.

Park your car and walk this way.

From the Jomkitti Reliquary, one can see the large Buddha statue at Wat Phra That Chom Thong in the distance.

We will go there soon.

One more stop to go, starting to feel hungry. Let's grab a bite to eat before we continue.

This restaurant. I read the reviews and they said the food is delicious and the view is good. Let's go.

Lum Wiang Restaurant, a small restaurant and bar in Mae Sariang.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

The view is truly beautiful, just as they say (who are they, by the way?). The shop is lovely, perfect for relaxing while enjoying the stunning scenery and listening to pleasant music.

The food is delicious and reasonably priced, with steaks costing between 78 and 80 baht per plate.

However, do not expect much from the drinks.

The shop is located near Wat Saen Thong. You can park your car in the temple. In fact, you can also cycle there.

Mae Sariang is a small and quiet town, making it ideal for cycling.

Most accommodations offer free bicycles for guests to use.

If you can't find the store, just set Google Maps and follow the directions.

Full, let's move on.

Arriving at the fourth chedi, #PhraThat Chom Thong.

Located in the western part of the city, according to Google Maps.

The pagoda is located behind the ordination hall. You can park your car and walk straight there.

To pay respects to the revered "Luang Pho To" or "Phra Phutthamani Mingmongkol," one can ascend the stairs a bit further. The viewpoint overlooking the city is located here.

The four corners of the world are complete.

If you visit Mae Sariang, it is recommended to pay respects to all four revered figures.

Everywhere is beautiful, quiet, and peaceful.

It's time to go back. The rain started to drizzle again, so we ran all the way to Chiang Mai.

It's cool in Chiang Mai, but there are still many hours before my return flight.

Let's eat, what are we waiting for? Oh Kajhu, Nim City Daily branch.

We loved the giant plate and the fresh, crisp vegetables.

However, the restaurant was extremely crowded, and we had to wait a long time for a table. Nevertheless, we were not in a hurry.

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Indulging in large plates until we're exhausted, but we always manage to finish everything.

This concludes my review. As always, my review ends with food.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.