My trip to Northern Thailand


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Asia » Thailand » North-West Thailand » Chiang Mai
June 4th 2013
Published: June 5th 2013
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Although I had been to Thailand before and had some idea of what to expect, arriving in Chiang Mai I couldn't help but notice more of a difference than I expected in comparison to Cambodia. Everywhere was generally cleaner, smarter and more developed than Phnom Penh and other places I have recently visited, which obviously, in the case of the latter, is due to the country's recent troubled history. I did notice a slight drop in temperature, especially going up into the mountains, which was a welcome relief.

As a town I thought Chiang Mai had a really nice ambience about it. It consists of the old town in the centre, which is shaped like a square with many streets intersecting it, some of which are quite narrow. A few sections of the old city walls remain, a canal extends all the way round the 'square' and then the outer section of the town spreads out beyond. As Chiang Mai is situated amidst a backdrop of beautiful scenery i.e. mountains, forests and national parks, I decided I wanted to visit some of these places. Also there is a limit to what one can do in the town itself; walking around
Tha Pae GateTha Pae GateTha Pae Gate

This is the eastern gateway into the old city of Chiang Mai
the streets, sitting in bars and restaurants, browsing in shops, visiting the famous night markets and the numerous buddhist temples (wats) but my capacity for looking at any more religious buildings was pretty well exhausted!

I spent a day in the Doi Inthanon National Park about two hours drive south of Chiang Mai, where I went to the highest mountain peak in Thailand, visited the King and Queen's pagodas, a tribal village and saw two picturesque waterfalls amidst the rainforests. On another morning I visited a famous temple, Wat Suthep situated in the Doi Suthep National Park, which overlooks the city of Chiang Mai from its mountainside perch and another tribal village. I also had a private trip in the hotel minibus to see some hot springs and on the way back stopped first at an umbrella factory and then a Thai silk workshop. I am not going to say any more about these places, as the photos and various captions are self-explanatory and give sufficient information.

However I am going to mention about one of my favourite excursions whilst in Chiang Mai; an elephant nature park, which was established in the 1990's to provide a sanctuary and rescue centre for some of Thailand's vastly decreasing elephant population. The founder of the park is a local woman Sangduen (Lek) Chailert, who has devoted many years in saving the Asian elephant from the cruelty, suffering and the poor conditions in which they live. For example elephants have been used for begging, street entertainment, painting pictures and logging, although the latter is now illegal in Thailand. With a small group of other travellers, I spent the day at the nature park, observing the elephants in a completely natural and nurturing environment. We followed their daily routine and even helped feed them and wash them in the river.

My travels are almost at an end now and there will be one more blog following my few days spent in Kampot in the south of Cambodia.


Additional photos below
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One of Chiang Mai's tuk tuksOne of Chiang Mai's tuk tuks
One of Chiang Mai's tuk tuks

A different design to those in Cambodia
One of Chiang Mai's night marketsOne of Chiang Mai's night markets
One of Chiang Mai's night markets

This is the Sunday walking market, which is popular with both locals, tourists and travellers.
At the Elephant nature parkAt the Elephant nature park
At the Elephant nature park

These elephants were waiting expectantly to be fed!
Water melons for the elephantsWater melons for the elephants
Water melons for the elephants

Adult elephants are fed twice a day and eat about 300 kilos of fruit and vegetables daily!
A woman preparing the bananasA woman preparing the bananas
A woman preparing the bananas

Elephants either eat a whole bunch in one mouthful or sometimes they are peeled and given individually, especially if the elephants are lacking in teeth!
Bath timeBath time
Bath time

Yes it is me in the water giving a helping hand!
A view across the elephant park and its beautiful surroundingsA view across the elephant park and its beautiful surroundings
A view across the elephant park and its beautiful surroundings

The park is set in a natural valley, bordered by a river and surrounded by forested mountains, where the elephants are allowed to roam free.
At the top of Doi Inthanon At the top of Doi Inthanon
At the top of Doi Inthanon

This is the highest point in Thailand at 2,565 metres above sea level
The way through the forest up to Doi InthanonThe way through the forest up to Doi Inthanon
The way through the forest up to Doi Inthanon

It was raining slightly and it was only 16 degrees. I felt a little cold for the first time in several months!
The King's Pagoda in Doi Inthanon ParkThe King's Pagoda in Doi Inthanon Park
The King's Pagoda in Doi Inthanon Park

This was built to celebrate the 60th birthday of the king of Thailand in 1987
The Queen's PagodaThe Queen's Pagoda
The Queen's Pagoda

Similarly built to celebrate the queen's 60th birthday in 1992


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