Northern Thailand Recommendations

After fleeing Vietnam, Thailand welcomed us back with open arms and delicious curries.  Having spent some time in the south of the country in November, we went north from Bangkok on this visit.  Totally different, but still fantastic.  We can't really recommend Thailand highly enough.  There is so much to do here, and you can have so many different experiences here.  From laid back to very active, you can likely find it here and all with fairly good infrastructure and nice people.

Below is a short list of recommendations...

Chiang Mai:

Vanilla Place Boutique Guesthouse - Near the old city, but not too near.  This was the perfect spot to stay for New Year's.  It's an easy walk to the action, the rooms are nice and the folks who run the hotel couldn't be sweeter or more on it.


Chiang Mai River House - A solid ten minute tuk tuk ride from the old city.  This place is a guesthouse in the truest sense.  The proprietor is lovely and cooks amazing breakfast.  Staying here is like staying in her house, her super beautiful house on the bank of the Ping River.  Not as convenient as Vanilla Place, but a great place to stay.

Kruabanok Restaurant - This incredible restaurant  was recommended by the proprietor of the Chiang Mai River House.  Rodney and I went twice.  The English name above is a rough translation of the Thai (and there is no English signage).  The place is not that easy to get to from the old city, but is totally worth it.  It is located north of the super highway bridge on the road on the west side of the Ping River.  If you're walking north on that road the restaurant is about five minutes north of the bridge and has a yellow sign in Thai and a roof with three peaks.  We would highly recommend the deep fried pork shank (there's a picture of this dish on every table).  It was amazing.

Bhubing (Bhuping) Palace - The seasonal residence of the royal family of Thailand.  It is located on a mountain overlooking Chiang Mai.  The grounds are beautiful with many impressive gardens.

The Duke's - When you're craving Western food this is an excellent spot.  Good chili, decent pizza.  It was perfect on New Year's Day.

Elephant Nature Park - There's a lot of opportunities to see elephants in Northern Thailand.  Many of them involve riding elephants and watching elephant shows.  You can't do either of these things at the Elephant Nature Park, and, once you've been there, you likely won't want to ever again.  This place is largely the effort of one woman who has dedicated her life to rescuing elephants that would otherwise be put to work in the Thai tourist industry and broken using harsh physically abusive techniques.  Elephants are really cool and we were lucky to spend the day with them.

Chiang Dao:

Chiang Dao Nest - We didn't stay here, but we wish we had.  We stayed next store which was fine but nothing special.  We did however eat at the restaurant at Chiang Dao Nest.  WOW.  Some of the best high(er) end Western food we've had.  Period.  It is expensive by Thai standards but well worth it.  The grounds are beautiful as well.  We'd definitely try to stay there next time we are in Chiang Dao.

Wat Tham Pha Plong - Nestled into the side of jungle covered mountain, this wat is definitely worth the trip if you find yourself in Chiang Dao.

Pai:

Bueng Pai Farm - If you love to relax, stay here.  It's not in town, there's no hippies or late night activities.  You can just lie in a hammock and listen to the fountains and watch the fish pond and chill out.