My first trip after lifting of COVID travel restrictions was a 7-day self driving trip in Thailand. There is no quarantine, no pre-departure and post-arrival COVID tests, so the decision was an easy one.
Car Rental – CarFlexi.com
The road trip started at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport with a rental car from Thai Rent a Car booked through through Carflexi.com. The booking process was smooth and transparent. I got a rate of 10,200 THB (inclusive of full insurance coverage and drop-off charge at Chiang Mai Airport) for 7 days for a Toyota Fortuner SUV which was pretty good I thought.
The vehicle had seen better days with mileage of 122218 Km on the clock. Nevertheless it provided a safe and stable ride over highways and twisty mountain roads through blazing sun and pounding rain.
The Journey
Chronology of the 7-day driving trip:
Day 1: Bangkok to Khao Yai
Set off on the 4-hour drive from Bangkok in heavy rain in the direction of Khao Yai National Park South entrance. Somehow we missed the entrance in the heavy downpour so we skipped the park altogether and had a late lunch at Krua Khao Yai Restaurant recommended by our Thai friend. Big and nice place serving authentic Thai food.
Visited Ban Mai Chay Nam, a quaint museum, restaurant and hotel rolled into one. It is located by the river, offering pleasant views for customers while they dine.
Stayed the night at Pino Hotel Pakchong
In the evening we visited Pak Chong Night Market, a small night market in Khao Yai selling street food, local produce, clothes and other fashion accessories. The stalls are lined in haphazard fashion along both sides of the main street.
Day 2: Khao Yai to Sukhothai
The drive from Khao Yai to Sukhothai took about 6 hours with a detour to visit Wat Pha Sorn Kaew aka Temple of White Buddhas in Khao Kho region.
Stayed at Vieng Tawan Hotel, a nice cosy boutique hotel near the Sukhothai Historical Park.
Had a nice authentic Thai dinner at Sinvana Restaurant recommended by the hotel concierge within walking distance from the hotel.
Day 3: Sukhothai
Visited Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site consisting of 21 historical sites and four large ponds within the old walls. The ruins are divided into five zones; the central, northern and western zones each have a separate 100THB admission fee. Motorbikes and cars are not allowed inside the park. We hired a tuk tuk with driver for 400THB to cover the central and north zones.
There seems to be a night market in every Thai city and Sukhothai is no different. Sukhothai’s Saturday Night Market is located at Nikorn Kasem Road. The entire thoroughfare is transformed into a walking street with street food vendors on each side of the road. As the name suggests, the Saturday Night Market in Sukhothai is only open on Saturdays.
Day 4: Sukhothai to Chiang Rai
The route from Sukhothai to Chiang Rai took about 6 hours.
Visited Wat Rong Suea Ten (aka Blue Temple) before arriving at B2 Chiang Rai Hotel. The hotel is quite convenient as it is within walking distance to the city centre. Along the main road to the city centre are many eateries serving a variety of local food like porridge, noodles and hot buns.
Highly recommend Akha Hill Coffee, a stone’s throw from B2 Hotel. The coffee is rich, smooth and so aromatic we could smell it from the street. According to Alang, the owner, Akha Hill is his family hilltribe’s coffee plantation.
Visited the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar for dinner. It was buzzing with locals and tourists on a Sunday night enjoying the wide variety of local food and live music.
Day 5: Chiang Rai
Just over an hour’s drive from our hotel, the Golden Triangle is one of Chiang Rai’s most famous attractions. Notorious in the past because of the opium trade, the Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of three countries converge: Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). We arrived at the Golden Triangle Park around noon, had a cool drink in the hot noon sun and bought some T-shirts as souvenir. Not much to do here except for the curiosity.
Visited the Karen Long Neck Village on the way back.
Day 6: Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
Left Chiang Rai early in the morning for the 4-hour drive to Chiang Mai. Enroute we stopped by the Wat Rong Khun (aka White Temple). This monstrosity of white architecture guarded by mythical creatures is a sight to behold.
After that we visited Doi Chang Coffee Farm recommended by a couple from Singapore living in Thailand. The drive up the mountain was nice but the coffee was a bid bland for my liking. Akha Hill’s coffee is still better.
Stayed 2 nights at Furama Chiang Mai.
Day 7: Chiang Mai
Situated 1073m in the Doi Suthep mountain 15Km from Chiang Mai is the Wat Phra That (aka Golden Temple). The drive up the winding mountainous road was steep. The temple is said to have been founded in 1383 when the first stupa was built. Half of Buddha’s shoulder bone is said to be located in the temple. Visitors can climb 309 steps to reach the golden pagodas. We took the tram-like furnicular instead for 50THB which includes admission to the temple.
After that we visited the Bhubing Palace along the same mountain road. This serves as the winter palace for the royal family. Can skip unless you like flowers and roses. You can’t enter the Palace but lovely grounds with four different areas of gardens, including a huge greenhouse. It’s 50THB to enter, security is tight and there’s a strict no shorts policy.
That was the end of our road trip. I returned the car next day at Chiang Mai’s domestic air terminal for the flight back home.
Total distance covered – 1649 km.
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