Notes:

• The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.
• I have preserved the original HTML structure.
• I have not added any additional information or interpretation.
• The translation is concise and simple, as requested.

A Golden Reflection: Rice Terraces of Ban Pa Bong Piang

Ban Pa Bong Piang's rice terraces, nestled in the Mae Chaem district of Chiang Mai, offer a breathtaking spectacle. While Mănaw's previous visit two years ago captured the verdant reflection of young rice shoots in the water, this time, she seeks the golden hues of mature rice stalks.

The new train was fully booked even a month in advance, so I got a ticket for the old express train, number 13.

Train Schedule and Ticket Prices from Bangkok (Hualamphong) to Chiang Mai

Departure: 7:35 PM from Bangkok Railway Station (Hualamphong) Arrival: 8:40 AM in Chiang Mai

Ticket Prices:

• Lower berth: 841 Baht
• Upper berth: 771 Baht

It has been two years since I last used the old train service, so I'm still not used to it.

The Pantry Car: A Curious Anomaly in the New Train

The pantry car, a curious anomaly in the new train, remains a bustling hub for passengers. While it offers the unique advantage of smoking, it notably lacks the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Love this chair!

Our beds were soon ready.

Sleep well, wake up in the morning and enjoy the view.

This hot coffee costs 40 baht and is deliciously strong.

I enjoy traveling by train. It's a pleasant, safe, and boredom-free experience. Arriving at my destination in the morning allows me to start my day immediately.

Right on time, Manao arrived in Chiang Mai. This is her third time visiting Chiang Mai this year.

We can continue now. Tell the red bus driver to go to the Chiang Mai City Gate. It costs 30 baht per person.

Notice the sign for Chiang Mai-Jom Thong. It says that it goes to Mae Chaem bus station for 35 baht per person and takes about 1 hour.

Upon reaching Mae Chaem Bus Station, be sure to stock up on food, snacks, and drinks, as there are no convenience stores, 7-Elevens, or restaurants of any kind at the Ban Pa Bong Piang Rice Terraces. The only food available will be the breakfast and dinner provided by your accommodation.

Passengers are divided into groups. The fare is 70 baht per person. The journey takes approximately one hour.

**
**

Please tell the Mae Chaem bus driver that I will get off at the fork near Mae Pan Waterfall.

Manow called the accommodation while she was in Chom Thong district to inform them that the Mae Chaem car had already left. Mr. Wichai will be waiting to pick her up. The price for the ride there and back is 700 baht.

It would probably take about half an hour to get a good shake on.

Manaow asked Wichai to take her beyond the Pa Bong Piang village to the Ban Pa Bong Piang rice terraces. Located in a valley in the Doi Inthanon mountain range, the village is home to the Karen people.

The fog was still thick even at noon, making for a truly magical experience.

The thought of Mae Kampong and Ban E-tong immediately came to mind.

The golden rice is being harvested.

This scenic spot boasts a breathtaking view of terraced rice fields, cornfields, and pumpkin patches cascading down the mountain slopes. The alternating patterns of crops create a visually stunning landscape, inviting photographers to capture its beauty.

Revisit and cherish every corner.

Greeting the villagers with warm smiles, I felt an immense sense of joy.

Previously, there was only one accommodation option in Ban Pa Bong Piang, the Ma Chi Po. However, there are now approximately 10 additional accommodations, most of which are owned by relatives. None of the accommodations have electricity, relying instead on candles and flashlights. The houses are simple wooden huts with beds, pillows, and mosquito nets provided. The price is consistent across all accommodations, at 500 baht per person, including breakfast and dinner.

Manaow booked the house behind the legend, but the owner asked her to stay in this house instead, as this year the rice harvest is early, leaving only the golden rice field in front of this house.

The view is as beautiful as my brother recommended. The price is 500 baht per person, including breakfast and dinner.

Ma Chi Pho, Pa Bong Piang

Link to Facebook Page

The bathroom offers two options: a Western-style toilet and a traditional squat toilet, catering to individual preferences.

The view from the bathroom is stunning.

At Chong Thong District, before boarding the Mae Chaem bus, Manow prepared a lot of food, fearing that we would be hungry.

Enjoy a delicious lunch of fried pork, grilled beef, and sticky rice while taking in the stunning views. Even if you're not staying overnight, you're welcome to stop by and take photos or stroll around the Ban Pa Bong Piang area. The locals are very friendly.

After a satisfying meal, let's take a short walk to aid digestion.

The rain suddenly came down despite the strong sunshine, but we were not afraid. We had 24 hours.

A dead end, unable to proceed. It's better to turn back and try again.

As I walked around, I came across some houses. I'll share some pictures of them with you. This one is called Baan Machipo.

The back of this section is adjacent to Ban Machipo, named Ban Piang Na.

A comfortable reclining chair for enjoying the view in front of the house.

House of Little Waterfall

The view from the house on the hill opposite where Manao lives is like this.

The two houses at the bottom belong to Mr. Sonchai.

Mon Na House

Every house has a view of the rice fields, but the view will be different depending on the location.

This is the house where Manao wants to sleep, the first house of Ban Ma Chi Po in Pa Bong Piang.

Although I didn't stay overnight, I captured the atmosphere of the legendary house at the Banaue Rice Terraces in Pa Bong Pieng to share with you.

"Sleeping outside the bedroom is also a good idea, the cool air is comfortable."

In the bedroom, I especially like the window.

I wish we had windows like this in our house every day.

"Ma-chi-po" means "farmer" and is the name of the first accommodation option in Baan Pa Bong Piang. There are three houses in total, all belonging to relatives. The houses are arranged in a row, with the leftmost one belonging to Mr. Wichai, the middle one to his younger brother, and the rightmost one also belonging to Mr. Wichai. Mr. Wichai's phone number is 081 020 1691.

Follow him down to find a corner to capture the evening view.

Looking back, you will see rows of houses facing the front, all overlooking the terraced rice fields.

I want to go down to see the farmers, but I can't. My legs are starting to shake.

Oops! Leaving already?

And then, the lime jumped alone in the middle of the rice terraces of Pa Bong Piang (See the lime, haha).

Manai was at home, trying to find Manao. He was very good at it, but Manao still wouldn't come back easily.

The light was beautiful, but it was getting darker. I tried to tear myself away from the scene before me and climb back to the shelter.

Upon arrival, I was covered in mud and famished. Our dinner was illuminated by a battery-powered light bulb.

Excellent service, delicious food, and generous portions.

After gazing at the stars until drowsiness set in, I retreated to my bed, enveloped in the comfort of numerous blankets. The sound of the rooster's crow at dawn served as my alarm clock, signaling the start of a new day.

Wow, there's fog! I'm so happy!

A light and airy view, pleasing to the eye. I have collected many videos of lemons to share with you.

After taking many photos, it's better to go down and play in the rice paddy field.

Selfie with the golden rice fields, feeling relaxed, a little itchy, but the mosquitoes don't bother me.

It's late. Come back and have some coffee and breakfast.

Another great meal! I wonder if they'll run out of food. When I asked P'Wichan about it, he said that there's nothing to sell here, so we should eat a lot. He's so kind and thoughtful, really looking out for us city folk. Thank you so much!

While eating, we continued to take pictures as the sun cast a long beam of light across the terraced rice fields.

The morning sun meets the mist, flowing upwards with the light. It's incredibly beautiful.

As I was about to leave, I encountered another beautiful light. How could I resist taking another picture? This is my second time here, and I am still impressed. Although the rice has been harvested, the charm of the terraced rice fields remains, filling my heart with joy.

At 10:30 AM, I asked P' Wichai to pick me up at my house. It was raining on and off, so P' Wichai dropped me off at the Mae Khlang Headwaters Management Unit. There is a pavilion there where I could wait for the Mae Chaem bus while being sheltered from the sun and rain. I could then flag down a car to take me to Chom Thong, saving me 70 baht.

Manao waited for a long time because she was unsure when the car would pass. When Maejam's car arrived (12:30 p.m.), she immediately flagged it down. Manao then asked the driver for his phone number so that she could share it with her friends. This way, they could schedule a time for their return trip.

Upon arriving at Chom Thong district, the Chiang Mai-Chom Thong bus was waiting to take me back to Chiang Mai immediately.

The Pa Bong Piang rice terraces are divided into three main tourist seasons:

1. The rice planting season occurs during July and August, when the rice seedlings are still young and do not fully cover the ground, allowing the reflection of the sky in the water of the rice fields to be visible.

2. During September and early October, the rice fields are lush and green.

3. In late October, the rice fields turn golden.

Sharing a photo of my first visit to Ban Pa Bong Piang two years ago.

The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful in a different way. Isn't it? I'm sure you'll want to return to admire the lush green rice fields. The best time to visit is during the rainy season when the rice paddies are full of water. It's an affordable and accessible destination that will fill your heart with joy. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the stunning rice terraces of Ban Pa Bong Piang.

Expenses

- Sleeper train ticket (old train, lower berth) with air conditioning: 841 baht one way, 1,682 baht round trip.

• The red bus fare from Chiang Mai Railway Station to Chiang Mai City Wall is 30 baht one way and 60 baht round trip.

- The bus fare from Chiang Mai to Chom Thong is 35 baht one way and 70 baht round trip.

- The bus fare from Chom Thong to Mae Chaem, getting off at the Mae Pan Waterfall junction, is 70 baht one way and 140 baht round trip.

• The 4WD vehicle driven by Mr. Wichai picked us up and dropped us off at the entrance and exit of Pa Bong Piang Forest for 700 baht, which we split with Mr. Manai, paying 350 baht each.

• Accommodation fee at Machipo 500 baht including breakfast and dinner.

• Manow paid an additional 300 baht for the car ride that Wichan gave them to Baan Tin Pha. The cost was split equally between Manow and Manai, resulting in a payment of 150 baht each.

= Total expenses 2,952 Baht

In conclusion, thank you very much for following the journey of Manao.

Please support my page, "Baan Baan," which is like a close friend. >>>> https://web.facebook.com/manowjourney/

And I would like to leave all 26 review works for you to read for fun >>> https://th.readme.me/id/ManOvv