Finally we have found peace, quiet and beauty in Thailand. After leisurely experiencing the main historical spots North from Bangkok; Ayuthya, Lopburi, Phitsanulok and then Chiang Mai, we are very please to find this little piece of paradise. And hardly anyone is here! I'm sure LP's description of it as little more than a wharf and a place to pick up the boat to Chiang Rai don't encourage travelers to go near it. That's unfortunate.
After the shock of all the hoards of Westerners in Chiang Mai, the traffic and the noise, this is a welcome respite. We're staying for 5 days at the Thaton Garden, 200 feet upriver from the North side of the bridge. (Next to the obviously more expensive Thaton Chalet). We're paying 450 B for a very clean room right on the river and directly across from the monastery. We've looked around and feel it's the best deal in town. The restaurant is also very good.
If you want to get away from tourists, this is the place. It's very convienient to many other activities, trekking, hill tribes, boats on the river etc.. Just make sure you bring plenty of money as there is no bank. (Though Mae Ai, very close, has a bank.)
And when you've had enough, there's always that river trip to Chiang Rai. It's 350 B now, not 250 like LP says. Of course for around 1800 B you can float down on a raft for 3 days.
Dennis Jones
True Dennis, it's a nice place to stop for a few days. I also stayed at the Thaton Garden, last time being 6 years ago. My daughter, then 17, took ill there and eventually required an operation in Chiang Rai. The staff at Thaton Garden were a great help to us during what was a pretty stressful time.
I recall the walk up to the golden Buddha one afternoon. A real tranquil spot. There I got chatting to a monk for ages, so much so the walk back down was in darkness. Packs of crazy dogs made for an interesting descent!
Must get back there this year :-)
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<hr>I'm sure LP's description of it as little more than a wharf and a place to pick up the boat to Chiang Rai don't encourage travelers to go near it. That's unfortunate.<hr></blockquote>
ummm, don't you mean 'fortunate'? Because if LP plugged the place (as you are now doing) then it would probably not be a haven of peace for very long.
OP, why are you telling everyone about it? The only hope for places like that is for those in the know to keep them a secret. ( As Bob says, Shhhhhhhh. )
Come on. Tha Ton was almost a required stop on the way to Chiang Rai 2 decades ago. Everybody and their dog went past it, then on the boat to Chiang Rai. Guess everyone and their dogs now go to Pai. :)
> If you want to get away from tourists, this is the place.
If you want to get away from tourists, go to Om Koi. Or loads more small districts around Chiang Mai province.
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