2012 Backpacking to Northern Thailand day 1, 2 to Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon National Park


L-R: Bernard Lee, Tay Seok Hooi, Lee Kam Boon, Chew Leng Soon, Ching Neng Bin at the famous Buddha in a tree near the entrance of Wat Mahathat in the ancient city of Ayutthaya.

The Journey: Kuala Lumpur > Chiang Mai > Thaton > Chiangrai > Phu Chi Fa > Phayao > Chiangmai > Mae Sariang > Mae Sot > Bangkok > Kanchanaburi > Sangklaburi > Ayutthaya > Bangkok > Kuala Lumpur.

The Highlights:
01. Trekked the Highest Spot in Thailand on day 2
02. The longest river boat ride of 4 hours on day 4
03. The largest peak at Phu Chi Fa on day 7
04. The largest lake at Phayao on day 8
05. The biggest temple at Wat Sri Khom Kham on day 9
06. The longest songtaew ride (a 5 and a half hour) on day 12
07. Cycled to the westernmost point of Thailand on day 13
08. The best dinner at Ban Khun Mae Restaurant on day 14
09. First two Malaysian to swim in River Kwai on day 15
10. Walked the longest wooden bridge of 1.5km on day 17

Day 1 (06.11.2012) K.Lumpur to Chiang Mai (2,300km) by AirAsia AK 1916

We departed LCCT at 12.45pm and arrived at Chiang Mai at 2.30pm local time. Took a 11 seater van (B120) to Lanna House Hotel at Tha Phe Road. The first temple visited beside our hotel was Wat Phan On founded in 1501. We later walked towards Wat Phra Singh and had coffee along the way at Wavee Coffee Cafe. Visited Wat Phra Singh just in time for the evening chanting by more than 100 monks. We then walked to Garden Restaurant for dinner; however, the food was not as good. From there we walked to the Night Bazaar and then to Pantip hotel to book the day tour to Doi Inthanon National Park (B950 pp) the next day.

Sleeping: Lanna House at B700 a/c room for 2pax


L-R: Lily Yap, Cindy Chong, Tay Seok Hooi, Ching Neng Bin, Chew Leng Soon, Bernard Lee at the Chiang Mai Airport.


Lee Kam Boon and Ching Neng Bin at the Tha Phae Gate, Chiang Mai.


Tha Phae Gate is the eastern gateway into the old city of Chiang Mai. It means "raft landing", and in ancient time when people would arrive in the city on raft.


Wat Phan On was founded in 1501. The gilded chedi and two Buddha images are the main attraction. The temple is in the old city center on Ratchadamnoen Road.


Road entrance to Tamarind Village in Chiang Mai.


Authentic Wooden Elephant Carvings in Chiang Mai.


Within the walls of the Chiang Mai ancient city are several old temples of interest. Wat Phra Singh is perhaps the second most venerated temple in Chiang Mai after Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

Wat Phra Singh was founded in the fourteenth century to enshrine the ashes of King Kam Fu. It houses three main structures, the main attraction being the elegantly decorated Lai Kam assembly hall and its restored murals depicting the lives of locals hundreds of years ago.


The large 'wiharn' (prayer hall) with intricately carved front and the beautiful altar of Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai.


Captain Bernard Lee at Garden Restaurant in Chiang Mai for a Thai dinner.


Most intimidating dog at Garden Restaurant in Chiang Mai.


Little monk set of 6 figurines at Garden Restaurant in Chiang Mai.


Welcome to Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. 


The Chiang Mai Night Market is considered one of the cheapest places for tourists to shop in Thailand, owing to its close proximity to the source of products and the lower cost of living in Chiang Mai. It is situated along a three-block stretch of Chan Klan Road in the heart of the city, and within walking distance of most hotels.


The popular open-air foot massage in the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar for TB150 an hour.


The popular open-air foot massage in the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar for TB150 an hour.


Had very good supper at Chiang Mai Warorot Market - the delicious 'pork leg stew'.


Lee Kam Boon with the 'pork leg' and Cindy Chong enjoying the fruit juice at Chiang Mai Warorot Market.


Lee Kam Boon had his foot massaged at 11pm after a tiring walk in Chiang Mai.


Sleeping: Lanna House at TB700 a/c room for 2pax.
 
Day 2 (07.11.2012) Chiangmai day tour to Doi Inthanon National Park (60km)

After hotel breakfast, the van came to pick us up at 8.30am. It was a one and half hour drives south west up the Thanon Thong Chai mountain range to The Highest Spot in Thailand at Doi Inthanon. At the end of the road, we had to trek up to the peak at 2565.44m (8415ft) high. We then trekked downhill to a ranger station and a rest area.

The van then picked us up to visit the 2 Royal Pagodas – Naphamethanidon and Naphapholphumisiri. Visited a 80m Wachirathan Waterfall and had free lunch and the best coffee (B40) beside the waterfalls.

We visited another 40m Sirithan Waterfall, a Karen tribe village then to the Royal Agricultural Project. We arrived at the hotel at 5pm. After a short rest we then walked out for a refreshing fruit juice at the Wat Mahawan beside the hotel. Here we also enjoyed this ‘Tongsen’ leg massage (using hammer and wooden stick). We had fried rice for dinner by the road side and later walked through the night bazaar.

Sleeping: Lanna House at B700 a/c room for 2pax


Entrance to the Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai.




We trekked up to the Doi Inthanon peak at 2565.44m (8415ft) high.


Lee Kam Boon, Ching Neng Bin, Lily Yap, Chew Leng Soon at the highest spot in Thailand 2565m (8415 ft).


The small memorial shrine at the top of Doi Inthanon and a board walk to explore the park.


Lee Kam Boon and our local guide at Doi Inthanon.


This morning temperature at Doi Inthanon is at 9c - the park is situated about 60 km from Chiang Mai.


At the entrance to the Naphamethanidon Chedi at Doi Inthanon.

The Naphamethanidon Chedi is a brown-colored stupa built to celebrate King Bhumibol's 60th birthday.


The Naphamethanidon chedi on Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand.


The Naphapholphumisiri Chedi, dedicated to Queen Sirikit on her 60th birthday anniversary in 1992, near the summit of Doi Inthanon. Both stupas were constructed by the Royal Thai Armed Force.


The Naphamethanidon chedi on Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand.


Lee Kam Boon at Naphamethanidon chedi on Doi Inthanon, Thailand.


Ching Neng Bin and Lily Yap taking elevator up to Naphamethanidon chedi Doi Inthanon.


The wall engraving at Naphamethanidon Chedi.


Ching Neng Bin was shot at, while taking photos at Naphamethanidon Chedi.


Lee Kam Boon, Ching Neng Bin and Lily Yap at Naphamethanidon Chedi.


Ching Neng Bin paying respect at Naphamethanidon Chedi shrine.


A mountain view from Naphamethanidon Chedi.


The garden view from Naphamethanidon Chedi.


The steps and elevator up to the Naphapholphumisiri Chedi.

Naphapholphumisiri Chedi is a purple-colored stupa built to in conjunction with the 60th birthday of Queen Sirikit.


The beautiful paintings on the wall at Naphapholphumisiri Chedi shrine.


The beautiful paintings on the wall at Naphapholphumisiri Chedi shrine.


Ching Neng Bin and Lee Kam Boon at Naphapholphumisiri Chedi shrine.


The garden view from Naphapholphumisiri Chedi.

The garden view from Naphapholphumisiri Chedi.


The garden view from Naphapholphumisiri Chedi.


Ching Neng Bin with the monks and the view of both Chedi at Doi Inthanon.


The puppies from the Royal Agricultural Station Inthanon.


Inthanon Royal Project Research Station is an initiative by King Bhumibol to improve the living standards of hill tribes. It occupies 243 acres of Khun Klang, established in 1979 as part of His Majesty's Royal Project Foundation.


Lee Kam Boon and Ching Neng Bin walking up to Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


The fish pond at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Black Swans playing in the pond at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Black Swans playing in the pond at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Black Swans playing in the pond at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Fishes swimming in the pond at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


The Inthanon Royal Project Research Station carries out work on developing marketable crops, ranging from fruit trees to flowering plants, to help the surrounding hill tribe villages, composed chiefly of Hmong and Karen tribes.


Greenhouse for flowering plants, ferns and cacti at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Flowering plants, ferns and cacti at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Flowering plants, ferns and cacti at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Flowering plants, ferns and cacti at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Flowering plants, ferns and cacti at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Flowering plants, ferns and cacti at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Flowering plants, ferns and cacti at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Flowering plants, ferns and cacti at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Flowering plants, ferns and cacti at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Flowering plants, ferns and cacti at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


Lily Yap at Inthanon Royal Project Research Station.


This was our lunch beside the Wachirathan Waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park.


This was our lunch beside the Wachirathan Waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park.


The Wachirathan Waterfall is the first waterfall on the way down from the twin stupas and is the most impressive and powerful falling some 80m. The falls is wide and there are plenty of walkways to experience the waterfall.


The Wachirathan Waterfall was quite spectacular. Lily Yap and Ching Neng Bin spent some time wandering around the edge of the falls while trying to avoid getting soaked from the spray.


The Wachirathan water which plummets over the edge of a high cliff into a deep pool below creating spectacular rainbows.


Lily Yap and Ching Neng Bin waited for our special cup of hot coffee at Coffee Ngeggee กาแฟ เง็กกี จอมทอง เชียงใหม่ recommended by our tour guide Peter tel: +66871893501 (chiangmaionvacation@gmail.com).


Our tour guide (left) Peter tel:+66871893501 (chiangmaionvacation@gmail.com), Lily and Lee Kam Boon enjoying a cup of special hot coffee at Coffee Ngeggee กาแฟ เง็กกี จอมทอง เชียงใหม่.


Sirithan Waterfall on Doi Inthanon National Park. From the main road there is a short path through the jungle to access the falls.


From the main road there is a short path through the jungle to access the Sirithan Waterfall. There is also a viewing deck, which is a great place to take some photos.


Sirithan Waterfall is a medium sized waterfall (around 40 metres) that drops down two large steps. There is also a viewing deck, which is a great place to take some photos.


A typical Karen tribal house - they live in bamboo houses raised on stilts, beneath which live their domestic animals, pigs, chickens and buffalos. The mountain-dwelling Karens practice swidden agriculture, and the plains-dwellers, for the most part, cultivate irrigated paddy fields.


Mother and daughter of Hmong tribe in Doi Inthanon National Park.


Hmong tribe in Doi Inthanon National Park.


A Karen lady smoking a pipe in Doi Inthanon National Park.


A Karen lady smoking a pipe in Doi Inthanon National Park.


Karen women are noted for their skill in weaving, which is done on a back-strap loom.


Karen women are noted for their skill in weaving, which is done on a back-strap loom.


Karen women are noted for their skill in weaving, which is done on a back-strap loom.


We had fried rice for dinner by the road side and later walked through the night bazaar.

Day Expenses     THB total   per pax




1 Telephone card top up 100 14

Taxi from airport to Lanna House 120 17

Drinks and coffee at Wawee Cafe 565 81

Dinner at Garden Restaurant 980 140

Lanna House hotel B700 x 4 room 2,800 400




2 Fried rice dinner @ road side hawker stall 280 40

Coconut B40 x 7 140 20

Lanna House hotel B700 x 4 rooms 2,800 400       

5 comments:

  1. A nice and rewarding start for a mountainous trip up Thailand's north.
    You fellas must have done some homework before departure from
    LCCT. Will use your travelogue as a guideline for food, sight-seeing and accommodation for my future trip to Northern Thailand.

    Regards from
    alancykok

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Neng Bin, thank you, you are great, always on the move! and greater, share your expedition with others! and greatest still, promoting backpacking as a way of life. Have a nice trip to the last frontier.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Neng Bin,
    linked... have a look at www.hainan.com.my at the HOME - Backpacking block (scroll to the bottom).

    ReplyDelete
  4. minder benvat21 March, 2013

    Hi, Ching as usual enjoyed viewing your photos. You and your friends are blessed that u get to go to interesting places. warmest regards.

    ReplyDelete
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