Thailand - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 753

Poom 3 Around the corner from the night market on
Th Anantaworarichides. Simple streetside restaurant
serving excellent, inexpensive Thai and Chinese food. Daily
5pm-late.
SP Guest House On a narrow alley off the main street,
Th Sumondhevaraj T 054 774897. Among a handful of
cheap places in the centre, this is the pick of the bunch. It's
well maintained, friendly and quiet, and has spacious rooms,
all with hot-water bathrooms. The owners are extre mely
helpful, and there's internet and wi-fi, too. Double B400

For the most spectacular views in the
park, head for the twin chedis on the
summit road. Just above the chedis lies
the trailhead of Kew Mae Pan Trail , an easy
two-hour circular walk (closed June-Oct)
through beautiful forest and savanna
- home of the red rhododendrons
- around the steep, western edge of Doi
Inthanon ; you need to hire a guide at the
trailhead (B200/guide). Doi Inthanon's
summit (2565m), 6km beyond the
chedis, is a disappointment.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By private transport The best way to access Doi
Inthanon is by using private transport rented in Chiang
Mai; the roads, though winding, are well paved and the
views are stunning.
By bus and songthaew If you want to use public
transport, however, you'll need to get to the village of
Chom Thong, 58km southwest of Chiang Mai on Highway
108. Frequent buses run from Chang Puak bus station, via
Chiang Mai Gate, in Chiang Mai to Chom Thong, from
where you can catch a songthaew towards Mae Chaem
through the park, leaving you to hitch the last 10km to the
summit, or you can charter a whole songthaew from Chom
Thong's temple (from B1000 round trip). The main road
through the park leaves Highway 108 1km north of Chong
Thong, winding northwestwards for 48km to the top of
Doi Inthanon.
Information The park's visitor centre is 9km up the main
park road from Chom Thong, while the park headquarters
are 22km further on. Both sell park maps.

10

DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK
Covering a huge area to the southwest of
Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon National Park
(B200, plus B20-30 per vehicle), with its
hill-tribe villages, dramatic waterfalls and
fine panoramas, is a popular destination
for naturalists and trekkers. he park
supports about 380 bird species and,
near the summit of Doi Inthanon itself,
the highest mountain in hailand, the
only red rhododendrons in the country
(in bloom Dec-Feb). Night-time
temperatures occasionally drop below
freezing, so bring warm clothing. he
park is best explored as a day-trip from
Chiang Mai using private transport, but
set out early because there's a lot to see
and the distances are deceptive.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
hree sets of waterfalls provide the main
roadside attractions on the way to the
park headquarters: overrated and
overcrowded Mae Klang Falls, 8km from
Chom hong; Vachiratharn Falls, a long
misty drop 11km beyond; and the twin
cascades of Siriphum Falls, behind the
park headquarters. he more beautiful
Mae Ya Falls , believed to be the highest in
hailand, are accessed by a road that
heads west off the main park road 3km
north of Chom hong.
Beyond headquarters, the paved road to
Mae Chaem skirts yet more waterfalls:
7km after the turn-off from the summit
road, look for a steep, unpaved road to
the right, leading down to a ranger
station and, just to the east, the dramatic
long drop of Huai Sai Luaeng Falls . A
circular 2.5km walking trail from the
ranger station takes in some smaller
waterfalls, such as Mae Pan Falls.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
You can stay in the national park bungalows ( T 053
286728-9, W dnp.go.th; from B1000) near the head-
quarters, or camp near the headquarters and at Huai Sai
Luaeng Falls (B30/person). Two- to three-person tents
(B225, bedding extra) can be rented at the headquarters.
Food stalls operate at Mae Klang, Vachiratharn and Mae Ya
Falls (daytime only) and at the park headquarters, and
there's a daytime canteen by the twin chedis.

MAE HONG SON AND AROUND
Set deep in a mountain valley, MAE HONG
SON is often billed as the “Switzerland of
hailand”, and has enjoyed a boost in
tourism due in part to the zoo-like
villages of “long-necked” Padaung
women nearby. Most travellers come here
to trek in the beautiful countryside and
cool climate, but crowds are also drawn