Readme before you journey
Rainy season getaway in Chiang Mai
During the rainy season, we took a weekend trip to Chiang Mai. With lower prices and fewer tourists, it was the perfect time to relax and explore. We spent our time chilling at a coffee shop on a mountain ridge, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of a mineral water resort in Chom Thong district, and visiting a waterfall surrounded by lush rice terraces. Join us as we delve into the heart of this refreshing escape.
Note:
The trip took place on September 8-9, 2018 (departing Bangkok on the evening of Friday, September 7 and returning on the morning of Monday, September 10). The approximate cost will be included at the end of the review.
Travel
Tour bus
We will be taking a long-distance bus operated by the Transport Co., Ltd. (BKS) departing from Mo Chit Bus Terminal at 7:50 PM. The bus will pick us up at Rangsit Bus Terminal at 9:05 PM (the exact time may vary depending on traffic conditions). The estimated arrival time at Chiang Mai Bus Terminal (Arcade) is 7:45 AM.
Motorcycle rental
Whenever we visit Chiang Mai, we always rent motorbikes from Bikkychiangmai. Their branch is conveniently located near the bus station, allowing us to pick up our motorbike immediately after arriving. We can book in advance through Line and only need to present our ID card. Importantly, there is no deposit required. This Grand Filano costs 300 baht per day.
No text provided for translation.
Open daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Tel: 084-6878809, 094-2299599
Line ID: bikkychiangmai
Facebook: Bikkychiangmai
For those who prefer not to ride a motorbike from Chiang Mai city to Chom Thong, you can hail a red songthaew to Chang Phuak Bus Terminal. From there, yellow shared taxis (songthaews) depart for Chom Thong. The first departure is at 5:00 AM and the last at 6:00 PM. The fare is 35 baht and the journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. You will be dropped off in front of Wat Phra That Sri Chom Thong Worawihan. Across the street, you will find motorbike rental shops. Alternatively, if you are not comfortable riding a motorbike or traveling with a group, you can hire a songthaew for a day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park.
We opted to rent a motorbike from the city center and ride to Chom Thong. This allowed us to explore at our own pace without worrying about the unpredictable schedules of public transportation. Our primary goal was to savor the famous satay, but unfortunately, the vendor was absent that day. Instead, we refueled at a restaurant near the Chang Phuak Bus Terminal.
Young Chicken Rice Restaurant, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Visiting Chiang Mai and Enjoying Delicious Local Cuisine
While visiting Chiang Mai, I had the opportunity to indulge in a delightful culinary experience at a local restaurant. Although my initial intention was to try a different dish, I opted for the "Khao Mok Gai" (chicken biryani), a popular dish from Nakhon Si Thammarat. Despite not being a local specialty, it proved to be an excellent choice for my first meal in the city.
The "Khao Mok Gai" arrived with two generous chicken drumsticks and a flavorful broth infused with aromatic spices. The accompanying vegetables, including spring onions and coriander, were thoughtfully placed on the side, allowing for individual preference. The owner, a friendly and chatty lady, provided valuable recommendations for local attractions, enhancing my overall experience.
Another intriguing dish on the menu was the "Bamee Betong," a unique noodle dish I had never encountered before. Its thick, soft noodles resembled those of "Bamee Moo Daeng" (barbecued pork noodles), but with a distinct flavor. A squeeze of lime added a refreshing touch, making it a truly enjoyable dish.
The restaurant's efficient service and the owner's warm hospitality contributed to a memorable dining experience. The "Khao Mok Gai" and "Bamee Betong" offered a delightful introduction to the diverse culinary offerings of Chiang Mai, leaving me eager to explore more of the city's gastronomic treasures.
Mae Jok Luang Dam Coffee
After a satisfying meal, we headed to the 80th Anniversary Stadium, 11 kilometers from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal. With permission from the authorities, we rode our motorcycles up to the dam crest, where a café offered stunning views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains. Despite the late hour, the weather was perfect for a run, with cool air and no sun due to impending rain. We completed a 10k jog back and forth along the dam crest before settling down for a refreshing smoothie while waiting for the rain to subside. It was a truly enjoyable workout.
After a relaxing day exploring Chiang Mai, we set off for our accommodation in Chom Thong district, a 64-kilometer journey on a smooth road perfect for a leisurely motorbike ride.
Touch Star Resort
"Touchstar Resort" is a resort located near Doi Inthanon, just 1 kilometer from the park entrance and 39 kilometers from the highest point of the mountain. During the low season, the resort offers a discounted rate of 990 baht per night without breakfast. In October, the high season begins, and the room rate for two people with breakfast is 1,500 baht per night. The resort's unique feature is that it has a natural mineral spring, so all guests staying at the resort will have filtered mineral water delivered directly to their rooms for private bathing.
The welcome drink is a sweet and refreshing lychee juice served in a charming silver bowl. It comes with breakfast coupons and Wi-Fi codes. At the reception, there is a small shop selling snacks and drinks. If you don't want to go out in the evening, you can use this service.
Room Types
The resort offers a variety of room types at the same price, with the exception of family cottages. Each room type offers a choice of two bed configurations: a double bed for friends and a single bed for couples. Family cottages are available for family or group stays.
Swiss Cottage
The charming cream-colored houses are surrounded by garden views, each spaced far enough apart to avoid overcrowding. The 26 sqm room can accommodate 2 people. Each house has a different color and pattern. Some rooms have a koi fish pattern, while the room we stayed in was light blue with a painted pattern on the wall and floral patterns embroidered on the curtains, making the room sweet and lovely.
Waterfront Cottage (Single Cottage)
The best-selling room type, with only 8 units available. The room size is 24 sq m. and can accommodate 2 guests. It is located by the stream and has a balcony in front of the house. This zone offers more privacy than the Baan Kiang Duen zone.
Deluxe Room: Sky and Star Pavilions
เรือนเคียงฟ้า เรือนเคียงดาว
A two-story building with 28 sqm rooms for 2 people. Lanna style for those who like simple luxury. It is a room for 2 people with a wider room than other types. Decorated with wooden furniture.
Swiss Chalet
Wooden house for families or groups
This wooden house can accommodate up to 8 guests and features 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room, a sitting area, and a balcony with scenic views. The balcony wraps around most of the house. During the low season, the price is 6,000 baht per night, while during the high season, it ranges from 10,000 to 12,000 baht per night. This house is an iconic landmark of the resort, perfect for taking beautiful photos to share on Facebook.
From the balcony, you can see a view like this. Sometimes, you can see the fog floating up.
The house has four rooms, including one attic room. We loved it because we saw it on TV when we were kids. The attic and the bunk bed room were our dream rooms. When we visited the house, no one was staying there, and the housekeeper had covered the beds with dust covers, so we only took pictures of the living room and the private corner. The house is decorated with wooden furniture throughout.
Camping
Camping is only allowed during the end of the year. There are shared bathrooms (pictured below) available for campers.
On-site activities
This resort prioritizes relaxation and mountain excursions. For additional activities, such as health courses, massages, yoga, or cooking classes for groups, guests must contact the resort in advance for arrangements. Campfire, karaoke, and barbecue enthusiasts can rent large grills suitable for multiple people. For guests without personal vehicles who wish to explore Doi Inthanon, the resort can arrange car rentals. During high season, the resort may combine guests into groups for excursions. In addition to mineral water delivered to each room, an outdoor mineral pool is available for guests to enjoy.
Meeting and Banquet Rooms
Outdoor activity services, social gatherings, meeting rooms for up to 200 people, sound system, projector, karaoke, food and beverage services.
Surroundings
From the top, you can see that there are many houses, but it doesn't feel crowded because the resort has managed the space quite well and the owner has not built more houses because they want to have a large area and a garden area for a natural atmosphere.
If the sky is clear and the Milky Way is visible, this location would be ideal for stargazing and photography. The absence of tall trees provides an unobstructed view. However, the clarity of the sky depends on the weather conditions. During our visit, the sky was cloudy, preventing us from observing the stars.
Restaurant
Open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. We had dinner here and didn't want to go anywhere else because we had been traveling almost all day. The rest of the time was spent eating and sleeping. There were a lot of mosquitoes, but the staff brought us mosquito repellent.
One of our favorite dishes was the sun-dried pork, which had a delicious flavor. The pork was cut into large pieces that were surprisingly tender and not chewy. The saltiness was just right, and it was so delicious that we had to ask which part of the pig was used so we could try making it at home. The chef kindly told us, but we forgot when we got back. Haha! If you visit this restaurant, be sure to try this dish. We highly recommend it.
The next dish looked decent, but the one we really liked was the stir-fried beans… Oh, I forgot again! We asked what kind of beans they used, got an answer, but then forgot. Anyone know? They were similar to green peas but crunchier. We loved them!
The panang curry has a strong, spicy flavor.
"Fermented pork sausage in a basket should be eaten with side dishes to achieve a balanced flavor."
The clear soup is delicious, and the hot broth is very smooth and easy to swallow.
The resort's walkways are well-lit at night, making it easy and safe to navigate.
We went to bed at 10:00 PM, the earliest we've slept in months. This resulted in an early wake-up, but we decided not to force ourselves to watch the sunrise, as it was the rainy season and we didn't expect clear skies. We played on our phones until our bodies couldn't sleep any longer, because… we were hungry. Breakfast was served from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. We presented the coupon we received at check-in to the staff and were able to choose our food. The breakfast buffet included toast with jam, fried eggs, boiled eggs, sausages, ham, fried rice, plain rice, clear soup, rice porridge, seasonal fruits, cereal, milk, orange juice, and coffee and tea.
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In the past, our trips required us to wake up early to watch the sunrise, admire the sea of mist, and visit all the planned locations, returning to our accommodation only after sunset. However, on this trip, we checked out at 11:00 a.m. and made the most of our time at "Touchstar Resort." It was a tangible pleasure, thanks to the affordable price, comfortable amenities, and natural ambiance that didn't require much embellishment. We woke up to fresh air, enjoyed a mineral bath, savored delicious food, and were greeted by friendly and courteous staff. We were particularly impressed by the waitress who served us during dinner. We extend our gratitude to "Touchstar Resort" for making our stay so enjoyable.
Phone: 092-419-4142, 080-589-9168, 053-033-594
Facebook: Touch Star Resort, a resort near Doi Inthanon
Website: https://www.touchstarresort.com/
ID LINE: touchstar recommends nearby restaurants and attractions
Tree Pizza (Lake Side Pizza)
A small, homemade pizza restaurant is located near the reservoir behind Wat Phra That Sri Chom Thong Worawihan. The entrance may seem hidden, but Google Maps will guide you there. The restaurant offers a cozy and friendly atmosphere.
We ordered the restaurant's signature menu, Stefano & Stefany Pizza, which features two flavors on one pan. Hearing the words "our own recipe" really piqued our interest. As soon as the food arrived, we dug in without even asking what each part was. The 8-slice thin-crust pizza had a slight char, typical of homemade pizzas. The crust and sauce were especially delicious when eaten hot. This experience of the restaurant's own recipe was well worth the 500 baht price tag.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand and a popular tourist destination, especially during the winter season. The national park is home to a wide variety of attractions, and even after three visits, we still haven't seen it all. This time, we opted for a more relaxed itinerary, focusing on exploring the area around our accommodation and soaking up the atmosphere rather than ticking off a list of sights. Let's take a look at some of the highlights of Doi Inthanon during the rainy season.
Mae Klong Waterfall
Mae Klang Waterfall is located just 2 kilometers from Touch Star Resort. Visitors must purchase tickets to enter the waterfall area: 20 baht for children and 50 baht for adults. Those who bring their National Park Passport can have it stamped by the park officials.
During the rainy season, it is important to pay attention to water level signs and follow instructions. At the time, the signs indicated that the water level was dangerous, and there were clear signs prohibiting swimming. As soon as it started to rain, we immediately left the area. Hiking in the forest or mountains always requires caution.
Below is a stream with a restaurant and seating along the bank. We ordered stir-fried pork with basil, fried egg, soft drinks, and a bucket of ice. The total cost of the food was 190 baht.
Wachirathan Waterfall
Located approximately 14 kilometers from Mae Klang Waterfall, the viewpoint is just a short walk uphill from the parking lot. The spray from the waterfall is strong due to the close proximity of the viewing platform. Visitors who wish to take extended photographs should bring raincoats and waterproof equipment for their cameras and mobile phones. On days when the sunlight is at the right angle to the water spray, a beautiful rainbow may form. Unfortunately, due to the rain, we were unable to witness it. There is a coffee shop near the stairs where you can enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the waterfall view. The restrooms are clean and there is no entrance fee.
Mae Klang Luang Village
Visiting Doi Inthanon: A Guide to the Stunning Rice Terraces
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of Doi Inthanon's rice terraces during your visit. From September to October, the vibrant green hues of the paddies paint the landscape, transforming the village of Mae Klang Luang into a verdant paradise. As October progresses into November, the fields transition into a mesmerizing golden spectacle. Even outside these peak seasons, the rice paddies offer a unique charm, showcasing the traditional farming practices of the region.
For nature enthusiasts, the opportunity to explore the surrounding trails with a local guide awaits. Embark on a journey through the captivating natural wonders of Doi Inthanon, including the cascading Pha Dok Siew Waterfall and the serene Rak Jang trails.
Plan your visit to Doi Inthanon and witness the captivating beauty of the rice terraces, a testament to the region's rich agricultural heritage.
The "Muek Kee" coffee shop is located at the entrance of the village, offering both beverages and made-to-order meals. We stopped for tea and coffee before heading into the village to capture the terraced rice fields. We didn't have much time to take pictures as we had to ride our motorbikes back to Chiang Mai city to catch the bus back to Bangkok.
We departed Chiang Mai on a Somboon Tour bus at 6:30 PM. For the return trip, we opted for a VIP bus as we had to go to work the following Monday morning and wanted to be comfortable.
A Relaxing Getaway to Chiang Mai: A Two-Day, One-Night Bus Trip
This article explores the possibility of a rejuvenating two-day, one-night bus trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand. It emphasizes the importance of planning and choosing comfortable accommodations, such as the "Touchstar Resort," to maximize relaxation and enjoyment. The author highlights the beauty of Doi Inthanon during the rainy season, emphasizing that rain should not deter travelers but rather be embraced as part of the experience. The article concludes with a promise of future travel adventures.
Key Points:
- Planning and choosing comfortable accommodations are crucial for a relaxing trip.
- Doi Inthanon is a beautiful destination even during the rainy season.
- Financial considerations are important when planning a trip.
Note: This translation focuses on conveying the key points of the original text in a concise and formal academic style. It avoids personal pronouns, colloquialisms, and direct quotes.
For more information about accommodation, please visit:
Touch Star Resort
Follow our journey at:
KeepGoing Thailand
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Wednesday, February 26, 2025 7:42 PM
