Amazing Thailand Travel

Regardless how long you intend to be in Thailand travel to the northern regions is a must for families, backpackers and those seeking thrills and adventure in Thailand. Amazing Thailand has lots to offer but the north, with its leafy jungles, fast flowing rivers and ethnic hill tribes offers something a little unusual in Thailand. Travel in the north will be rewarding at any time of the year but just after the rainy season when the rivers are full and water falls flowing will provide you with a spectacle of color as the flowers are all in full bloom.

Chiang Rai is about 190km northeast of Chiang Mai, however it is its proximity to 2 other villages that makes this city more famous. 62 km north is the village of Mae Sai and the Myanmar border, 60 km northwest is Chiang Saen on the Mekong across from Laos. The real value of Chiang Rai however is its location near the Golden Triangle region.

Thriving on the steep slopes around Chiang Rai, opium poppies was a very large industry in northern Thailand. Today however under pressure from the police and military, as well as important rural projects started by the King of Thailand’s mother, Her Royal Highness Somdej Phra Sri Nakarindra Baromraj Chonni, the growing of opium has been replaced with other crops.

Things to See & Do In Chiang Rai

Although not as abundant as it once was it is still possible to find opium poppy fields if you know where to look or who to ask. Not really a tourist attraction of Thailand travel to the surrounding hills for treks or white water rafting you may come across some of these. If you are visiting Chiang Rai in January or Feburary the opium poppies should be in full bloom, but it’s unlikely you will see anyone harvest it now.

Some wats worth visiting while travelling in the area would be Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Ngam Muang and Wat Rong Khun all within the city limits of Chiang Rai. Outside the city Wat Phra That Doi Tong, in Mae Fah Luang district, and Wat Phra That Doi Wao in Mae Sai district may also be worth a trip.

Besides these two popular activities in Thailand travel most visitors are in fact interested in hill tribe treks or boat trips on the Kok River and given its close proximity to two other countries there has been an increase in day trips to the boarders. Shopping trips across the Mekong into a Laos boarder towns gives tourists another reason to get their passports out and a new stamp in it.

Chiang Rai Travel

It is easy to get cheap flights to Chiang Rai from Chaing Mai with airlines like Nok Air and Thai Air who fly a few flights a week, but for total control over your Thailand travel you should consider the coach.
From Chiang Mai you can drive easily to Chiang Rai along route 1019 is less than 4 hours by coach or car. The cost of a coach seat is very reasonable with with 1st class A/C coaches cost between 100-200baht.

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Filed under : Northern Thailand Travel, Thailand Travel

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Located on the banks of the River Nan, Phitsanulok, 390km north of Bangkok, makes an ideal base for exploring the surrounding areas of lower north Thailand. One of the oldest cities in Thailand, Phitsanulok, often shortened to Phi-Lok, is an important and historic city in northern Thailand. It has held a strong strategical and political position in Thailand’s history due to its location on the cross-road between the northern and central regions of the country. Phitsanulok is a major transportation hub in Thailand travel for the region with many tourist attractions not having direct connection with either Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

For Thai Buddhists Phi Lok is often a pilgrimage visit as it is home to the second most important Buddha image in Thailand. Only the Emerald Buddha in Wat Phra Kaew is more important. This large statue of Phra Chinnarat Buddha is the most copied image of any Buddha in Thailand and is sold across the country, no dounbt you willl see this during any Thailand travel, and often it will be the image you will buy as a reminder of your time in amazing Thailand.

Getting to Phitsanulok

The main line train between Bangkok and Chiang Mai stop if at Phitsanulok several times a day. There are direct trains from Bangkok also, these that take about 7 hours or 6 if you are on the rapid train. Buses however are more frequent and take only 6 hours from Bangkok and 5.5hrs from Chiang Mai. There is an airport outside the town that you can fly to from either Chiang Mai or Bangkok, it takes about 50mins from either location.

Things to do in Phitsanulok

Although a major stop on bus, train and flight destinations, Phitsanulok itself holds very little interest for the Thailand traveller. The main shrine of Wat Phra Sri Ratana Mahathat, or Wat Yai, houses the large, Sukhothai style, bronze Buddha statue of Phra Chinnarat. If staying in the town while exploring the surrounding areas, you could wander along the banks of the River Nan and shop for northern Thai products at the markets lining the river banks here. You could also have a meal on one of the many floating restaurants Phi Lok has to offer or pick up a snack at the night market along the River Nan.

Filed under : Northern Thailand Travel, Thailand Travel

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