To get to Ghang Mai

[thechairman18 174]

I will arriving in Bangkok on Thurs 7th July, and then coming down to Pattaya, for 4 weeks. I was in Pattaya, in April, and went over to Koh Chang. This time, after a bit of RR in Pattaya, I would like to go to Chang Mai / Chang Rai, I believe there is a bus service from Pattaya up there, has anyone any info? Also what is the best way to get to Koh Samui.

Any help appreciated, re travel, accommodation, bars etc.

thechairman18

[lemons 0]

Mate, with the discount airlines now around, a flight from Bkk to Chiang Mai is pocket change. Check out Nok air or one of the others.

http://www.nokair.co.th/

 

Also, I'd recommend a train ahead of a bus to get up there. Again, a good sleeper will not break the bank.

http://asia-discovery.com/train.htm

 

 

Re Samui, Bangkok Air flies there from U Tapao airport which is only about 30mins from Pattaya. Easy trip, and beats the shit out of either rail or road. Have a look at a map, and you'll see why!

http://203.154.168.55/birts/

 

All the best, Lemons

[thechairman18 174]

Hi Lemons,

Many thanks for the info.

I will most likely do Pattaya-Phuket?-Samui-Pattaya, and leave Chang Mai / Chang Rai for another time. I'm sure there will be another time.

thechairman18

[OnMyWay 0]

Hell, I want to see "Ghang Mai"...never even heard of that one. Can you post pictures and do a trip report when you get back??!?!?

 

Have a good trip....

[stiffler 0]

Chairman,

 

I am going too Chiang mai in Aug, amongst other places and I booked through http://www.airasia.com flying from BKK and paid a total of 3,462.52 baht return and that's for both me and my TGF, you can pick a fare up as little as 499 one way without taxes so deffinatly worth a look on their web-site!

I am also going to Samui and Phuket and opted to fly with Bangkok airways, alot more expensive but I booked a multi destination ticket flying from BKK - Saumi - Phuket again using airasia onway ticket from Phuket - BKK.

I don't know much about accomadation in Samui but the here is the place that I am staying at http://www.r24.org/thailand1st.com/samui/moonhut/pictures a bit away from the action but only a 10 min taxi ride to the nightlife areas!

 

Jai yen yen!

 

Stiffler.

Edited July 19, 2005 by stiffler

[gs joe 1,778]

Just to let you know taxi's can be hard to get a night ,

and a bit expensive ,

Try not to stay to far away from the nightlife .

 

Joe

[ting_tong 63]

Hi Lemons,

Many thanks for the info.

I will most likely do Pattaya-Phuket?-Samui-Pattaya, and leave Chang Mai / Chang Rai for another time. I'm sure there will be another time.

thechairman18

chang mai = elephant no!

chang rai = elephant mean!

[Leebanon 2]

and leave Chang Mai / Chang Rai for another time.  I'm sure there will be another time.

yeah, go to C.M./C.R., wehn you are ready for it (chatcha cha),

 

but forget Gun Mai, cause this will drive you crazy.

 

Have fun and be good to your body,

 

then your body will be good to you.

Edited July 9, 2005 by Leebanon

[jacko 8,815]

If you don't want to go all the way back to Bangkok Airport there are buses from Pattaya to both Ciang Mai, Chiang Rai and even on to Mae Sai.

It is a bit of a drag, but so is the trip to Bangkok. Probably be about 600 baht each way, recommend Fan 1 or VIP bus with NakhonChai Air, they have their own bus station on Sukhumvit, just turn right onto Suk off Pattaya Klang, it is on your left after about 50m. Computer booking and reservations recommended. English no problem.

[fi33er 1]

chairman i booked a flight from bangkok to chiang mai on air asia it was 1400 baht (per person) one way only thing to watch out for is they charge you 70 baht per kg excess baggage 15kg is the allowance, i was lucky enough to be with a woman at the time with no shortage of things to fill 2 suitcases with, we had 61 kg's between us needless to say the cheapflight wasn't so cheap. i don't know if this is expensive as this was the first time i travelled with air asia i booked the flight in pattaya in topps, the little boothe outside of the pool hall on the 2nd floor

 

hope this helps fi33er

[BONE 0]

I'm doing Bang/pattaya then Chiang Mai and staying Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel has anyone been to this Hotel and has experience? My Bang and Patt Hotels ok have been before.

[RIORAY 0]

TRY WWWBANGKOKAIR.COM I BELIEVE YOU CAN BUY AN AIRPASS AND FLY TO EACH LOVCATION FOR 50.00 US HOPE THIS HELPS!!

[justtony 1]

any hotels anyone recomened in chang mai with internet connection close to the night life?

[spacebass 0]

I recently spent a few nights in Chiang Mai and stayed in a Guest house not really in the centre of things , though they said easy walk to night bazzaar, not so easy in reality! Too far to walk.

 

I resolved then that when I visit Chiang Mai again I will stay in the Royal Lanna, here:

 

http://www.chiangmai.thaihoteldiscount.com/roylanna.html

 

Being slap in the middle of the night bazaar, and with other night type entertainment close by.

 

Because it includes breakfast it ends up swings and roundabouts with the cheaper places you may book yourdelf, and I don't want to stay in some trendy boutique hotel if its not absolutely in the right LOCATION.

[stiffler 0]

When I visit Chiang Mai in Aug time I will be staying at the Suriwongse Hotel right in the middle of the night bazzar booking it through http://www.asiarooms.com paying £12 a night without breakfast! I will inform you all about the hotel when I get back!

 

Jai yen yen!

 

Stiffler.

[JohnnyK 28]

IMO the best way to CM is the overnight sleeper train.

Go 2nd class air con lower berth for about 700THB.

 

The beds are clean and comfy, you get a good night's sleep unlike on a bus, there's a family atmosphere on board as its full of Thai families, good scenery at daybreak.

 

You arrive around 9am ready for a nice day out in CM and you haven't wasted 12 hours on a bus or 4 hours arsing around with airports for a 1 hour flight.

 

TIP: Bring a roll of bumwad and a bottle of water. The toilets are pretty bad and you don't want to brush your teeth from the tap (if its working!).

 

You can book the train and get your ticket at Pattaya railway station. Take a taxi there, tell the driver you want to go to "rot fai" (train). He will know.

[BONE 0]

 

Now back uk and can say Chiang Mai ok did the tourist things as had my Thai lady with me .

 

Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel very good b1000pn for big room lanna style and pool and free gym/sauna but rate if booked in advance and pay on line.

 

not in centre but taxis easy and cheap for bazzar etc, for flight went bang/chiang Thai air 45 min b9000 return 2 person includes sausage roll and nuts!

 

I had a good time but obviously most of it in my room!