1-Day Near-the-Border Tour

Daily Virgo Horoscope (7 May 2008): Wouldn't you know it? Just when you're working like a dog and doing your best to focus on your professional life despite any number of temptations and distractions all about you, along comes the threat of someone or something which could truly upset your career cart. Don't panic! But in as much hard work as you can now, and you'll be as prepared as you can possibly be to weather any storms. It's not like your career is headed for meltdown, but there is room for confusion ahead, so seek as much final clarity as you can now.

Hmm... what's gonna upset me?

I planned to spend some time visiting few places in Northern Thai during the trip.

(click for bigger image) My one week trip went like this: KL - Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - the near border places - Chiang Rai - Phayao - Chiang Mai - KL.

After scanning through some information and considering the advices from others, I decided NOT to cross the border, to either Myanmar or Laos. Therefore, the furthest would just be Mae Sai.

* To go Myanmar, one needs to pay Thai immigration 100B, then USD5 to Burmese guard for a one-day visa, valid till 5pm.

* To go Laos, payment of USD30 is required for a 30-day visa. It worths the money if spending few days there.

It was a very different experience traveling around northern Thai. There were a lot of road blocks, now and then, here and there, many times in a day.

The reason being, the places are very near to the Thai border.

While in Chiang Rai, I wished to join a 1-day tour. My target destinations were at least Mae Salong, Mae Sai, Golden Triangle, and Long Neck Karen Village. In the rain, I visited a few guest houses selling day tours. Nonetheless, no one really offered exactly what I wanted.

The biggest problem was, they had not got anyone joining the same tour. If I were to go alone, I had to pay more than the normal rate.

Going uphill. Nice scenes along the way.

Finally, I found one which offered the tour that met my requirements, after slight "customization" as I required. For example, I did not need the so-called buffet lunch. I could just eat anywhere together with the tour guide and driver - the main concern was to save time. Any tourist-specific treatment was not necessary.

The 2 ladies at the travel agent were very friendly. We had chats happily at their office.

Tungluang Tour
Managing Director: Pongpan Roumthum
Tel: 0-5375-2161
Email: tungluang_tour@hotmail.com

I then made up my mind to pay 2000B (approximately RM200) for a one-day tour. The amount was okay for me, since I really hoped to fulfill my dreams after traveling so long from KL to Chiang Mai, then to Chiang Rai.

The car that brought me around. Not very fantastic but was more than enough for me. I don't require much!

At 8:30am on the day, the 22 year-old lady tour guide (Aof), together with a driver (Mong Kon), picked me from the guest house I stayed. We then started our journey. The schedule that day was as follows:

1. Hill tribes visit (Akha, Big Ear Karen, Long Neck Karen)
2. Mae Salong
3. Mae Sai
4. Golden Triangle
5. Chiang Sean, then back to Chiang Rai

Quite a long way to go...

It was very misty when we were about to arrive at the hill tribe village.

Due to not having a very good impression with the Boonbundan Guest House in Chiang Rai, I left with all my luggages that morning, putting everything in the boot of the car. I planned to left for Phayao that night, after the tour.

FYI, a lot people tend to join one-day tours from Chiang Mai, visiting Chiang Rai and the mentioned destinations. I did not choose that coz it seems too hectic and quick for me. I enjoy a slower-paced type and some self-exploration with the local public transports. I do not like being with tour always, having everything well-arranged.

The farmland looks a bit like my hometown.

If you are really interested to join one-day tour from Chiang Mai, here is the cheapest tour I could find, which is offered by Nature North Travel.

Contact Person: Phakhaphorn Sensak (or call her SOM)
Email: phakhaphorn@hotmail.com
Mobile: 086-1914553, 089-7585119

One Day Golden Triangle (800B)

Go to: Hot Spring at Mae Kah Chan, Chiang Saen Ancient City, Golden Triangle, Mae Sai, Yao & Akha Hilltribe Villages (lunch, tea, coffee included).

Join a group of about 6-10 people, travel on van, 7am - 8pm. Prepare to travel 500km+ in a day :)

As you can see, it's a real big difference from what I paid. No one to blame but myself, due to insufficient research before I went over.


P/S: Okay, this is just the beginning. More posts about the places are coming :)