Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Boat Trip to Chiang Rai
( 0 5305 3727; ticket 350B; departs 12.30pm)
Long-tail boats make the journey between Chi-
ang Rai and Tha Ton daily. It is a scenic, forested route past thatch-hut villages and fisher-
folk casting nets in the shallows.
The boat takes up to 12 passengers and makes pit stops along the way. The best time to
go is at the end of the rainy season in November when the river level is high. The travel
time depends on river conditions, taking anywhere from three to five hours.
Some travellers make the trip in two or three stages, stopping first in Mae Salak, a large
Lahu village, or Ban Ruammit, a Karen village. Both are well touristed, but you can get
off the path by joining a trek from here to Shan, Thai and hill-tribe villages. Doi Wawi,
south of Mae Salak, is a large multi-ethnic community of
jeen hor,
hill-tribe and Thai
peoples known for its coffee and tea plantations; Chiang Mai's Wawee coffeeshops get
their beans from this district. The Wawi area has dozens of hill-tribe villages of various
ethnicities, including Thailand's largest Akha community (Saen Charoen) and the oldest
Lisu settlement (Doi Chang).
You can also make the trip (much more slowly) upriver from Chiang Rai; this is pos-
sible despite the rapids. The boats are also available for charter hire (2200B, six people).
BOAT RIDE
Sleeping
Tha Ton's guesthouses enjoy a peaceful setting beside the river. Guesthouses can arrange
motorcycle and bicycle hire, trekking and tourist information. Unless otherwise noted in
the review, these guesthouses are located across the bridge opposite the boat launch.
GUESTHOUSE
$
Sappaya Guesthouse
( 08 0792 8725; r 400-500B)
This newcomer is a friendly and breezy spot with simple, shared
bathrooms in a two-storey terraced house. There are shared kitchen facilities, lots of local
information and an outgoing host.
Thaton Garden Riverside
( 0 5345 9286; r 400-600B)
You don't get a lot of personality at this old-school establishment
but it is one of Tha Ton's best-priced options. You could go for a cheap fan room and at
least get a private bathroom or step up to the air-con rooms and spend your day hanging
out in your riverside terrace.
GUESTHOUSE
$
Old Tree's House
HOTEL
$$
