Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PHITSANULOK TO LAMPANG
CONNECT TO THE
CULTURE TRAIL
The cradle of the Thai nation sits due north of Bangkok. If you're travelling by train,
disembark at
(1) Phitsanulok
, an average provincial town with bus access to Suk-
hothai. Thai tourists stop here to make merit at Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat and
eat
gŏoay·đĕe·o hôy kăh
(literally, 'legs-hanging' noodles).
Continue to
(2) Sukhothai
for two to three days of ruin reconnaissance. Suk-
hothai's dynasty lasted 200 years and included the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng
(1275-1317), credited with developing the first Thai script. Deeper into the coun-
tryside is
(3) Si Satchanalai-Chaliang Historical Park
, a Sukhothai satellite city
where you can view ancient ruins and pottery. The rural setting offers glimpses into
the country's agricultural rice basket.
Detour to
(4) Kamphaeng Phet
, a pleasant provincial town with a handful of
Sukhothai-era ruins. Then head north to
(5) Lampang
, another historic town filled
with teak temples.
CHIANG RAI TO SOP RUAK
CRUISE AROUND THE
COUNTRYSIDE
Thailand's northernmost province, Chiang Rai has always been a migration route:
for the ancestral Tai people of southern China, the pony caravans during the Silk
Road era and the pack mules carrying opium from the Golden Triangle.
Start in
(1) Chiang Rai
for a multiday trek led by an NGO that uses the proceeds
from their trekking ventures to aid local hill-tribe villages.
Day-trip to
(2) Mae Salong
, an ethnic Chinese village on a mountain ridge cultiv-
ated with tea plantations. Or base yourself in
(3) Mae Sai
, a border town and con-
venient base for exploring the former Golden Triangle area of Chiang Rai Province.
Do a driving tour of
(4) Doi Tung
where coffee now grows instead of opium pop-
pies.
Move on to the Mekong border town of
(5) Chiang Saen
, filled with temple ruins
and river barges delivering goods from the interior of China. Take a day trip to
(6)
