Chiang Rai, Thailand

The drive from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in northern Thailand is filled with opportunities to experience Thai culture. Our four hour drive was leisurely so we were able to stop and see things along the way. We visited an elephant training center and some hill tribe villages. Many of these are refugee hilltribes that fled the political turmoil of neighboring Myanmar. They make their living by farming, weaving and selling handicrafts and trinkets.

We stopped at an overlook at the Golden Triangle, the area where three countries: Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet, at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak Rivers.   If the border is open, you can take a day trip over the bridge to the town of Tachilek in Myanmar. Here you will see the market filled with a huge variety of stalls selling everything from fruits and vegetables to "designer" jeans and purses. You can also observe the local village life, and visit a golden pagoda reminiscent of the famous pagodas you would see in Bagan. It's easy to cross the border, you just need your passport and 500 baht for a tourist visa.

Elephant polo, visits to temples, gardens and the unique Hall of Opium museum round out the activities available in and around Chiang Rai.

Our top choices of where to stay in the Chiang Rai/Golden Triangle area:

The Four Seasons Tented Camp is a unique resort made for the adventure-seeker who also has a requirement of luxury comforts. With only 15 tents, this is a very intimate lodge with each tent built into the hillside. The tents are exquisite and remind me of the luxury lodging I've seen in Southern Africa. They are beautifully furnished with leather furniture, hardwood floors, king beds and free-standing copper bathtubs. Some units have huge whirlpool tubs on the platform deck just outside the bedroom area. They are all set in the bamboo forest with fantastic views.

The experience starts as you are dropped off at the arrival area with a dock. You climb into a small, long-tailed boat and are ferried to the property on a scenic 10 minute ride. There is a lovely open-air restaurant where you take your meals, along with a bar at the opposite end of the resort used for pre-dinner and late evening cocktails. The spa is comprised of two massage pavilions, perched precariously off the side of the mountain. The rooms are beautiful with decks open to unobstructed views of the nature surrounding you.
A word of caution: you must be in fairly good physical condition and be able to navigate the many stairs involved in getting around this resort.

The Anantara resort is another great choice in the Golden Triangle. Set amongst jungle foliage, the rooms are housed in three-story buildings with lovely views of the valley below. In the morning I could hear the sound of elephants trumpeting as they took their morning baths! Amenities include a beautiful pool area, fitness room, and a full-service spa offering a huge variety of treatments.

We really enjoyed our stay at the Meridien Chiang Rai Resort. This hotel is located within the city of Chiang Rai along the banks of the Kok river. The rooms are very modern and comfortable. There are several dining venues to choose from - we enjoyed Favola, with its rustic Italian cuisine. The breakfast buffet is terrific with a huge variety of offerings. The resort pool is lovely and is a perfect place to relax after a long day of sightseeing.

Book any of these fine resorts with Bee Kalt Travel and receive complimentary amenities during your stay. Please contact us for more information or to book your next stay in Thailand!

Bee Kalt Travel
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