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 Good
food can be had just across the river from the hot springs
at the Karen village of Rhummit where you can also arrange for
elephant riding. Your boat driver will take you there when you want
to eat.
If you don't speak Thai it is best to arrange
for a guide from one of the tour companies or your guest
house in Chiangrai. They can also provide things like blankets
or sleeping bags and food if you would rather eat by
campfire.
 Sleeping
is aboard the boat which has plenty of room and comfortable. The hot
springs has toilets and showers along with a small
store. The springs run into the river which is a good place
to take a refreshing bath as the water is not too
hot. The Akha hill tribe village next to the hot springs is very authentic
with most dressed in their traditional costumes and
all living in Bamboo houses. Not many tourists visit the village as
most go to Rhummit to do elephant riding and trekking which leaves
this area peaceful and mostly unspoiled.
The last bus from Thatorn to Chiangmai
leaves at 2:25 in the afternoon. Don't be in a hurry to leave as
Thatorn has many things to see and do along with accommodations from
60 to 2000 baht. There is also Asa's
guest home in a Lisu village that is very easy to get to from
Thatorn if you would like a nice hill tribe experience. The Tourist
Police in Thatorn will help you with any information you may
need. They are located along the river not far from the boat landing.
Hundreds of people each day
during the busy season ride to boats from Thatorn to
Chiangrai. They all leave about the same time in a large
convoy one behind the other. For a better experience
be different and see the river in the opposite
direction. When you see the boats full of people passing
just smile and wave from your uncrowded boat as they
are sure to be envious.
(This article is contributed by All
Thailand Experiences - Editor.)
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Categories
One
of the most enjoyable things to do while visiting Northern
Thailand is to take a "Long-Tail" boat ride. The most
popular ride is on the Mae Kok river from Thatorn, in far north
Chiangmai province, to Chiangrai. Most ride the local bus from the
Chang Puak bus station departing at 7 and 9 am, although those
leaving at 9 might miss the boat, which departs at 12:30 pm from
Thatorn, as the bus journey is 3 1/2 hours. It's much better to take
your time and stay in Thatorn for the
The
boat holds 12 passengers but don't worry as there are plenty of
boats. Each person sits sideways with their legs crossed
for the entire 3 hour trip with one stop in Ban Mae Salak, about 45
minutes from Thatorn. However, there is a much easier and
better way to enjoy this great journey on the Mae Kok and
that is to go from Chiangrai to Thatorn.
The
reason is 95% of the people riding the boats start in Thatorn
leaving a lot of empty boats going in the opposite direction.
The boats depart Chiangrai at 10:30 am arriving in
Thatorn about 2 pm. This way you miss the heat of
the day and you will probably be the only one in the boat. This
means you can stretch out and relax while enjoying
the beautiful scenery along the river. Local hill tribe people who
live along the river also take this boat as it will stop for them if
they wave it down. The boats from Thatorn filled with tourists going
to Chiangrai won't stop but those who live along the river with
boats and provide a ferry service to Chiangrai do.
Another
possibility is you can charter a boat and spend the
evening on the river at the hot springs next to an Akha hill tribe
village before going on to Thatorn. This is a great way to enjoy the
river for a group of two to four persons.