Around Chiang Mai

DOI SUTHEP

Sixteen kilometres northwest of Chiang Mai is Doi Suthep, a 1676m town and is 3,520 feet above sea level , who lived on the mountain’s ‘dupes for many years. Near its summit is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: first established in 131(3 under King Keu Naone, it is one of the north’s most sacred temples. A staircase of 300 steps leads to the wat at the end of the winding road up the mountain. To get there, drive along Huay Kaew Road up the mountain. Alternatively, there are song thaew services available at the foot of the mountain. It costs 30 baht/head to go up to Doi Suthep and approximately 50 baht/head to go further to Doi Pui and Phu Phing Palace. Note that these are one-way fares  At the top, weather permitting, there are some fine views of Chiang Mai. Inside the cloister is an exquisite, Lanna-style, copper-plated chedi topped by a five-tiered gold um­brella — one of the holiest chedi in Thailand.

Located 700 kilometers north of Bangkok, for me, Chiang Mai is the must see destination in this fascinating country. With its hundreds of temples, delicious food, cooler climate, and friendly people this is a city that mixes the old and new and has something for everyone.

I have been visiting Thailand since 2002, although it has only been since 2008 that I managed to drag myself away from the islands and beaches of the south. I had always wanted to visit Chiang Mai, after hearing the positive stories from so many of my fellow travelers, so finally in 2008 I decided to bite the bullet and head north by train from Bangkok. Winding its way north through the central plains full of paddy fields, and finally up into the mountains, it took 12 long hours but I will never regret it.

Chiang Mai, at an elevation of 1100 feet is a lot cooler than the south of Thailand, and the friendly and hospitable people certainly seem a lot more relaxed than their southern countrymen. From the train station it was a short and cheap tuktuk ride to my hotel.

The city was built in 1296 by the Thai King Phaya Mengrai on the banks of the Ping river, one of the major tributaries of the Chao Praya which flows to Bangkok. Over the centuries Chiang Mai has been an important stop over of the spice and silk trails between China and India, and therefore has been fought over many times, and the even to this day the city is the cultural and handicraft center of Thailand.

Culture ChiangMai

The old city limits are marked by a moat and wall which were built to keep out the Burmese, today these landmarks make navigation around the city very easy.

Chiang Mai has over 300 temples within the city limits, making for fascinating sites round nearly every corner, but mixed in with these ancient structures are modern buildings, don’t be fooled, Chiang Mai is a modern and vibrant city, and all the modern facilities one would expect.

The city is also the gateway to the Golden Triangle, Burma, and Chiang Rai, but there is also plenty to do outside the city, with hot springs, beautiful waterfalls, and the jewel in the crown that Doi Suthep, a mountain just outside Chiang Mai with one of Thailands most important temples at its summit.

It is possible to trekking in the mountains and jungle, where you can visit and stay with indeginous hill tribes like the Hmong and the famous Long Neck Karen.

Of course its possible to party in this city just like it is down south, although its a little bit more laid back and chilled, just the way I like it!

It’s not difficult to make a journey to Trad in order to explore the beauty of the beaches, as there are many islands for you to admire, such as Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak. But if you ask where the undersea beauty can be seen, the answer is here – at Mu Koh Rang.They are the Islands which are not only famous for their beautiful corals and flocks of fish, but also nice beaches.

Rang is a small Island about 6 kilometers on the west of Koh Mak. The Islands, which is in the area of Koh Chang National Park, cover some parts of the shore and more than 40 islands of Trad. It covers the total area of about 650 square kilometers, of which 458 squarekilometers, or 70%, are in the sea. Mu Koh Rang consist of 12 Islands, which are, Koh Rang Yai, Koh Rang Lek, Koh Kra, Koh Thian, Koh Thong Lang, Koh Yak, Koh Sam Pee Nong, Koh Mapring, Koh Tun and Koh Kampan. Let’s see which one of them is interesting.

Koh Rang Yai : It is the largest island of Mu Koh Rang. Koh Rang Yai is full of green mountains, but lacks of beaches. In spite of this fact, the most splendid beach is located one this island, Had Klong Chao. Impressing you are by the glistering sea. Besides, Koh Rang Lek is located at the end of the beach. Mu Koh Rang Ranger Unit is situated here.

KOH MAK

Koh Mak is the third largest island in Trad Sea to Koh Chang and Koh Kood. There are nine satellite is­lands. They are Koh Rayang Nai. Koh Rayang Nok, Koh Phi. Koh Kham, Koh Kradad. Koh Nok and Koh Nai. Approximately. Koh Mak’s area is 9.000 Rai, or 13 square kilometers. The distance around the island is 27 kilometers. Mostly, it’s geography is plain and partly the southwestern area has hundreds powdery seashores.

Koh Mak is far from the coast about 35 kilometers.

A coconut tree and rubber tree are very fertile here, so most islanders work in the sector of agriculture.

KOH KRADAD

Location : Koh Kradad is located at the west of Koh Mak. It’s far from Laem Son (in Koh Mak) just about 1 kilometer.

Outstanding Features: Koh Kradad is covered about 1,200 Rai. There is a white sand beach about 6.5 kilometers.

The land characteristic is flat field as Sawanna. At Koh Kradad,you will see lots of 50 year old coconut trees. And deers are browsing at Sawanna in the morn ing and evening. At the day time, deer will stay a In the middle of Koh Kradad there is a small hill that coveredwith various kinds of trees.

The meanings of Kradad in Thai is paper. In the past, KohKrada had a lot of Kradad Tree. So, people call Koh Kradad. Now, there are a few Kradad trees on the is­land but most of coconut trees grow on this island.Regarding to King RamaV , France needed Thailand to be a colony. Therefore France immi­grate some Vietnamese who were a colony to live on Koh Kradad. After that King Rama V bought the Island from the native so Koh Kradad is owned by Thailand.

How to get there :

Koh Kradad is a private Island. There is only one resort on the Island. which is Koh Kradad Resort. So. it doesn’t have a passenger ship to go there as others.

The Resort provides a package tour for 3 days 2 nights. including snorkelling at Koh Kra and Koh Rang. Contact Khun Anusak Chumsai Na Ayutthaya at 0­1432-8027, 0-1490-8915.

Hat Kamala

Hat Kamala is a lovely stretch of sand and sea about 4km south of Surin and 25km from Phuket. The northern end (the nicest area) is shaded by casuarina trees and fea­tures a small thatched-roof snack bar. Please note: Most of the locals here are Muslim and would find topless bathing extremely offensive.

Phuket Fantasea (0 7638 5000; open 5.30pm-11.30pm Wed-Mon), a US$60 million  cultural theme park’, is located just north of Hat Kamala. Despite the billing, there aren’t any rides but there is a truly magical show that man­ages to capture the colour and pageantry of traditional Thai dance and costumes and combine them with state-of-the-art light and sound techniques that rival anything found in Las Vegas (think 30 elephants). All of this takes place on a stage dominated by a full-scale replica of a Khmer temple remi­niscent of Angkor Wat. Kids especially would be captivated by the spectacle. There is also quite a good and varied collection of souvenir shops in the park offering Thai-made handicrafts. The Thai buffet dinner is surprisingly good. Tickets can be booked through most hotels and tour agencies.

Places to Stay Kamala is seeing a fair bit of development as small places expand and go upscale, but budget options can be found

few minutes’ walk from the beach. There are eight beautiful, comfortable, clean and well-furnished rooms at this small and inti­mate hotel. All come with hot water, TV, fridge and good decor.

Benjamin Resort (fax 0 7638 5739; rooms with air-con in low season 350-500B, in high season 700-800B) is very good value. All rooms have TV, minibar and a terrace with table and chairs. The more expensive rooms have sea views, some of which are glorious. The hotel, built in 2001, is on the beach.

Pa Pa Crab Guesthouse (fax 0 7638 5315; rooms with fan/air-con in low season 450/7008, in high season 600/8508) has 10 well-decorated, comfortable rooms and a lovely colour scheme, but will close in low season if business is slow.

Thai Kamala Village (0 7627 9795, fax 0 7627 9797; rooms in low/high season 1200/18008) is another almost-new hotel directly on the beach. All of the 17 air-con rooms face the bay, offer­ing excellent views from their balconies. They are simply but tastefully decorated, and aligned perfectly to catch the sea breeze. There’s a restaurant as well, which is open in the high season only.

Phuket Kamala Resort (0 7621 2775, fax 0 7621 1841; bungalows with air-con in low/high season 1250/16508) is a moder­ately upmarket resort across the street from the beach. It features tennis courts, a pool and a fitness centre. The 40 bungalows have private balconies, minibar and TV.

Kamala Beach Estate ( 0 7627 9756, fax 076324115; apartments in low season US$95-190, in high season US$120-235, villas low/high season US$255/350) is at the southern end of the bay, overlooking the beach. It boasts fully equipped, high-security modern apartments, suites and villas — some with a kitchen and fantastic sea views. The manicured grounds feature an outdoor Jacuzzi, a lovely pool and an on-site restaurant. Each unit is indi­vidually owned and thus uniquely different; 20% are solely owner-occupied. The villas are especially beautifully laid out, with huge flagstone terraces and loads of comfortable and bright space.

Places to Eat The best value for eating is the friendly no-name thatched-roof restaurant

at the northern end of the beach. There are others like it a little to the south. Kamala Seafood (closed in low season), near the centre of the beach, is a decent family-run Thai seafood restaurant catering to farang

The Balcony Bar & Restaurant ( 0 7627 9756 ext 132; dishes 80-2508), at Kamala Beach Estate on the southern end of the bay, is the most upmarket place to eat; it offers good views of the bay, reliable Thai and Western food and a decent wine list.

Getting There & Around A regular sawngthaew between Kamala and Patong costs 20B per person, while a charter costs 250B.