Monday, February 28, 2022

Chiang Rai to Phayao

Thailand Road Trip, Chiang Rai to Phayao

It is a short hop to Phayao from Chiang Rai. Phayao city is in the province of the same name and nestles beside a large freshwater lake that the local authorities have taken full advantage of, providing a long promenade with various objet d'art and beautiful flowers. Many of the locals seem to spend much of their time fishing as many fishing rods are on display. The lake is also a source of freshwater prawns and we were intrigued to see one guy up to his neck feeling for the prawns with his feet before delving under the water to capture his prize.

Promenade by Phayao Lake

Fisherman on Phayao Lake

Promenade by Phayao Lake

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Chiang Rai

The Clock Tower, Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai, founded in 1262 by King Mengrai (hence the name City of (Meng)Rai) is the northernmost city in Thailand and was formerly the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Under Burmese rule for hundreds of years, the territory finally became part of Siam in 1786. We visited the famous Wat Rung Khun (The White Temple) and the lesser-known Wat Rong Suea Ten (The Blue Temple) which is also known as the Temple of the Dancing Tiger. The temples are totally different but both are magnificent in their own way. The excitement for Ann was yet to come as Saturday evening is when the city holds its Walking Street Market. Apart from the food stalls(there is always food wherever you go in Thailand!), there are many stalls selling clothes, plants, handicrafts, jewellery and many other items. On previous visits, it has been difficult to negotiate the street as there have been so many people, but this time, although there were just as many stalls, it was much quieter. Needless to say, Ann made several purchases!

Wat Rung Khun (The White Temple)

Wat Rung Khun, Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Suea Ten (The Blue Temple)

Wat Rong Suea Ten

Saturday Walking Street Market

Food, glorious food! Chiang Rai Saturday Walking Street Market

Chiang Rai Saturday Walking Street Market

Saturday, February 26, 2022

Chiang Saen to Chiang Rai

Road Trip, Thailand, Chiang Saen to Chiang Rai

A beautiful day today and we were in no hurry to leave the Bansaeo Garden and Resort especially as we had only a short trip of about 1 hour into Chiang Rai city. We have enjoyed our stay here but there is still plenty to look forward to on our trip.

View from Bangsaeo Garden Resort over the River Mekhong

We arrived at our hotel the Nakaraj Princess well before 12 but were still able to check-in. We stayed at this palatial hotel on our last visit to Chiang Rai and Ann loves it.

Nakaraj Princess Hotel, Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is home to our favourite ribs restaurant, a place we discovered several years ago and one that we have visited on each occasion that we have been in the city. It was as delicious as usual and the ribs were only THB 499.

Full rack of ribs, Ribs & Co Restaurant, Chiang Rai

Friday, February 25, 2022

The historic town of Chiang Saen

Historically, Chiang Saen is an important town nestled on the banks of the Mekhong River. Believed to date from the 7th century (and reputedly Thailand's oldest city), it was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom before it was moved to Chiang Rai. The town was captured by the Burmese in the 16th century until it was retaken and sacked in 1803 and remained a ghost town until repopulation took place in the early 1900s. Around the town, there are many remains of the Lanna period some of which are relatively intact while others are little more than mounds of rubble. The ancient city wall and moat are, however, in surprisingly good shape.

Temple ruins, Chiang Saen

Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Saen

Wat Pa Sak, Chiang Saen

Ancient city walls, Chiang Saen

A drive along the Mekhong River to Chiang Kong gave us some spectacular views of the river. Chiang Kong is/was the gateway to Luang Prabang in Laos for the many backpackers that used to traverse this route and catch the ferry before Covid. There is currently no evidence of any backpackers or any other tourists for that matter.

View of the Mekhong River

Looking across the Mekhong River to Huay Xai, Laos

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Nan to Chiang Saen

Road Trip Thailand, Nan to Chiang Saen

The road to Chiang Saen took us through the mountain wilderness of Nan province, a wild, sparsely populated area that is truly beautiful. We had high hopes for the hotel we had booked and, on arrival, we were not disappointed with a superb, spotless room with a balcony overlooking the Mekhong River and Laos on the other side.

Bansaeo Garden Resort, Chiang Saen

The day after we went to Mai Sai, a border town we have visited before. The border with Myanmar was closed and the town was not its usual vibrant self. In previous visits, it was obvious that many Burmese crossed the border to sell their wares and then went back again. As this was no longer possible, the ethnic diversity that we were familiar with was no longer evident. Nevertheless, Ann enjoyed herself on the Chinese market making several purchases at bargain prices. Many years ago, when our girls were small and on our first visit here, I was offered drugs on the street. Of course, I was not interested but we later found out that it was probably a scam. Had I bought some. the seller would have turned informant to the police and I would have been arrested.

Almost deserted Chinese Market, Mai Sai

Ann trying on a lampshade!

On the return journey, we stopped at The Golden Triangle, a particularly famous tourist haunt. Here, the River Mekhong separates, Thailand from Myanmar and Laos and all three countries are visible. The place was once teeming with tourists but no more. There are a few Thai tourists but we never saw another Western tourist. The vendors were, however, in good humour, at least those who were still trading.