A Train Journey to Chiang Mai: Embarking on a New Adventure

This trip to Chiang Mai marks a departure from the usual, as we opt for the unique experience of traveling by train. This mode of transportation promises not only a scenic journey but also the potential for unexpected discoveries along the way. With anticipation building, we set off on our adventure, eager to see what awaits us in the vibrant city of Chiang Mai.

Booking Train Tickets:

For a seamless booking process, we turned to the official website of the State Railway of Thailand: https://www.thairailwayticket.com/.

Outbound Train Ticket Details:

• Route: Bangkok - Chiang Mai
• Travel Date: August 10, 2017
• Passengers: 4 adults
• Train: Express No. 13
• Departure Date: August 10, 2017
• Carriage Type: 2nd Class Sleeper (Upper Berth)

Sample Image of Sleeper Carriage Selection:

[Image of sleeper carriage selection]

Sample one-way ticket

Train Ticket - Return Trip Details

Travel Information: Chiang Mai - Bangkok | Travel Date: August 13, 2017 | Adults: 4

Train: Train No. 8 (Special Express)

Departure Date: August 14, 2017

Carriage Type: Second Class Air-Conditioned Carriage (Carriage No. 76)

Example of seat selection on the return flight, as shown in the figure.

Example of a return ticket ** For the return trip, we changed the ticket to a slightly later return date.

Embark on a journey from Hua Lamphong.

This is the train we will be taking to Chiang Mai. It will be an older model because we were unable to book the newer model in time.

Day 1 The morning began with smiles on the faces of the two siblings, excited for their first trip to the north. They enjoyed the classic atmosphere of riding an older-model train in the early hours.

While the train was stopped at Khun Tan station, I quickly ran down to take some photos.

Enjoy the panoramic view from the moving train.

9:00 AM. Arrived at Chiang Mai Station.

Car Rental Experience

Before the trip, I searched online for car rental services and found a shop that offered both motorcycles and cars. I contacted them via LINE to inquire about the rental details.

Rental Summary:

• Vehicle: Toyota Vios
• Rental Period: 3 days
• Price: 900 THB/day (3,000 THB deposit)
• Delivery Service: The shop offered delivery to and from the train station for 100 THB each way.
• Website: http://www.moderncarrent.com/

We immediately called the car rental shop. When we walked out in front of the station, we saw our brother standing there waiting for us. The service was good, he even waited for us. Most importantly, we didn't have to carry our luggage to the car rental shop.

After picking up our rental car, our stomachs started to growl! It was time to find something to eat. The group suggested a restaurant called Ohkajhu. We opened Google Maps and found a branch in San Sai. Without hesitation, we headed straight to Ohkajhu.

It's almost 10 am and I'm feeling hungry, so I'm having a big breakfast.

This dish is called "Lady Ribs Oh Gaju". The plate is very, very, very, very, very, very, very large.

"Braised Pork Ribs with Pineapple"

Black pepper pork rice

"Sunflower sprout rice with garlic pork"

"Stir-fried rice with young chili paste and sesame-crusted fried pork"

"Japanese salad"

After finishing our meal, we set off for Doi Inthanon, taking the Khun Wang route. At the checkpoint, we stopped to use the restroom, where we encountered this adorable little dog. We couldn't resist giving him a name, so we called him "Happy Dog." He greeted us with a big smile, ^__^, and seemed very friendly. He was quite the affectionate dog, allowing us to scratch his belly.

Accommodation for Night 1

The first night's accommodation will be at the Royal Inthanon Agricultural Station, which costs 1,100 baht per night (including breakfast).

Booking:

• Visit the website: http://www.royal-inthanon.com/Club/House
• Contact the accommodation to confirm your reservation.
• The key for your room, Siri Bhum B8, will be provided upon arrival.

Upon entering the room, there is a staircase leading to an additional sleeping area for two people.

The room was spacious and equipped with towels. Air conditioning was not available, as the weather is cool year-round. During my visit in August (rainy season), the temperature was pleasantly cool, bordering on cold.

The bathroom appears clean. There are cups and hand soap available at the sink.

The bathroom is equipped with a water heater, which has been set to an optimal temperature for your comfort.

After settling into our accommodation, we decided to explore the nearby attractions. We visited the Siriphum Waterfall, located close to the Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station where we were staying. The entrance fee was 20 baht.

Emerging from Siriphum Waterfall, the resort next to the car park offers a serene and inviting atmosphere. The small houses, available in two styles, provide a tranquil escape amidst the natural beauty of the waterfall.

Dinner on the 1st night We had dinner at the restaurant of the Royal Agricultural Station Inthanon. There were many recommended menus.

Day 2 Wake up in the morning, take a shower, get dressed, and eat breakfast.

Stroll through the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden at Doi Inthanon and admire the diverse plant species.

Accommodation for the second night

The second night's accommodation will be at Baan Mae Klang Luang Hill, priced at 1,500 baht per night (excluding breakfast).

For more information, please visit the following website:

http://www.maeklangluanghill.com/

Mae Klang Luang Village, Ban Luang Subdistrict, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province. Upon entering the village, there are numerous homestays to choose from. We opted to stay at "Baan Mae Klang Luang Hill," which also has a coffee shop with stunning views of the verdant rice terraces. The owner informed us that the establishment has been open for 10 years and features hand-woven wool crafts. The wool is sourced from the Doi Pha Tang Royal Palace on Doi Inthanon. Notably, the owner's mother and grandmother are the weavers.

As a gift from the seminar, my brother gave me fresh longan to eat for free....(Thank you very much)
** As for the doll in the longan basket, it's mine, I brought it with me on a trip, hehe.

Longan paired with apple tea, a delightful treat for the owner's friends. Today, they enjoyed the ambiance of the verdant terraced rice fields. ^_^

Our host took us to see the traditional roasted and ground coffee from the Royal Project, which was located near our accommodation and within walking distance. The coffee here is offered for free tasting, without any restrictions.

We will be staying at Baan Pu Khao tonight. This is the key to our room.

Let's take a look at the lush green rice terraces and refresh our hearts. My companion tried flying a drone to capture a bird's-eye view. The sunrise was breathtakingly beautiful. It's a truly magnificent memory, isn't it? ^^

A Stroll Through the Rice Terraces and a Coffee Break at "Aum Eib Coffee"

Leaving our accommodation, we embarked on a leisurely stroll to admire the breathtaking scenery of the nearby rice terraces. Just a stone's throw away, we stumbled upon a familiar sight – "Aum Eib Coffee." Previously a quaint little shop nestled beside a tranquil stream, the café had relocated to a larger space just across the way.

Stepping inside, we were greeted by the soothing sound of the adjacent stream, teeming with fish. A sign proudly proclaimed the area as a fish conservation zone, adding to the charm of the establishment.

Dinner on the second night was enjoyed at our accommodation, where we ordered a 500 baht "moo kata" set (Thai BBQ), with an additional 20 baht delivery fee. The restaurant kindly provided a stove for us to cook on. The "moo kata" here is known for its abundance of vegetables, hence the nickname "organic moo kata." We ordered our meal from "Krua Ing Nam" restaurant, located near our accommodation. The owner was kind enough to lend us a motorbike so we could go shopping at the local store in Mae Klang Luang village. ^_^

Tourist Warning: Snake Bite in Rice Terraces

This is a cautionary tale for tourists visiting rice terraces or any natural environment. While it's easy to get lost in the beauty of nature, it's crucial not to forget the potential dangers lurking beneath the surface, especially from reptiles. This story recounts a real-life experience where a tourist was bitten by a non-venomous snake while walking through rice paddies.

The incident occurred early in the morning as the tourist was enjoying the serene atmosphere. While walking along a narrow path, they felt a sharp pain in their leg, similar to a thorn prick. However, the intensity of the pain quickly revealed it was more than just a thorn. Looking down, they saw a snake still attached to their leg, prompting a scream and a frantic attempt to shake it off. The snake disappeared, leaving the tourist to assess the damage.

Fortunately, the bite marks showed no puncture wounds, indicating a non-venomous snake. Nevertheless, the experience served as a stark reminder of the potential hazards present even in seemingly idyllic settings. The tourist's friends rushed them to the nearest medical facility, which unfortunately was closed on a Sunday. They managed to purchase alcohol and wound ointment from a local shop before returning to their accommodation.

The owner of the nearby restaurant, concerned about the tourist's well-being, inquired about the incident. Upon seeing the bite marks, they identified the snake as a "Sai Mak," a common species in the area. This encounter highlighted the genuine concern locals have for tourists' safety.

This incident serves as a valuable reminder for all nature enthusiasts to remain vigilant and exercise caution while exploring natural environments. Always be aware of your surroundings, wear appropriate footwear, and avoid venturing into areas with dense vegetation where snakes might be present. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately, regardless of whether the snake is venomous or not.

Image credit: https://pantip.com/topic/35990086

After a long day of exploring Chiang Mai, we stumbled upon a bustling restaurant called "Khao Soi Fa Ham." With a wide variety of dishes to choose from, we opted for the popular "Khao Soi Gai" (chicken curry noodle soup). The menu also offered a tempting selection of snacks and appetizers.

Accommodation for the 3rd night: Hop Inn Chiang Mai, 650 Baht/night (no breakfast included).
For more information, please visit the hotel's website: http://www.hopinnhotel.com/

Looking for a budget-friendly hotel that is new, affordable, and offers excellent service? Look no further than Hop Inn. With free Wi-Fi and multiple locations across the country, Hop Inn is the perfect choice for budget-conscious travelers.

It was time to travel back to Bangkok, so we opted for the second-class air-conditioned train, specifically the (express) morning train. It was a seated train, similar to a bus, with meals, drinks, and snacks served three times a day. This was included in the train fare we had already paid. Details of the ticket booking and price are above.

The four-day, four-night train journey (on an older model train) from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was an enjoyable experience filled with camaraderie among fellow passengers. This trip marked my first time on a sleeper train, opening up a new travel experience. (Apologies for any errors.) ^_^

Approximate cost summary:

Acknowledgments:

• Some photos were taken with Arm's camera.
• All aerial drone photos were taken by Nat.
• Ae kindly lent me their camera for taking photos.

The original poster does not own a camera and borrowed one to take the photo.