Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is Thailand’s Second largest City and is located in Northern Thailand. The New City as it’s also known is divided into 4 sections, all based around the river Ping with sections within it’s walled interior.

It has it’s own International airport that makes it easily accessible from various destinations. It’s located just a short drive  of 10-15 minutes from the airport. It’s rise in popularity is partly down to it’s cooler climate than Bangkok, with many Expats making the city home.

We only had three days in Chiang Mai so tried to cram in as much as was physically possible. We based ourselves at the Suriwongse Hotel at Loi Kroh Road which was central to everything. Just outside was the night market selling everything that you could imagine and seemed to stretch down the road forever. This was open every night and very popular.

As there is so  much to do and see here,  you will need at least 5 days to try to cram everything in that’s on offer, so with that in mind, and with only 3 days, we got around in local tuk tuk’s, backs of Songthaews and any other means possible.

Our visit was in November, and it was still pretty hot, but the evenings cooled down and we was able to walk around without looking like we had just emerged from a power shower.

Highlights.

We had planned on visiting an Elephant  and Tiger sanctuary, and this turned into a whole day excursion, more by accident than an up to the minute itinerary. If you are ever near this location, it’s worth a visit.

Maesa Elephant camp – Mai Rim – Chiang Mai

The Maesa Elephant camp is located in the Muang district of Chiang Mai and was founded in 1976.  It’s supported by the Thai Government, and the foundation was initially set up for the welfare of the declining numbers of Elephants in Northern Thailand. The camp has successfully raised and cared for elephants in their nursery for over 30 years. To supplement the daily needs thy require of six tons of food everyday. They also grow napier grass, banana, sugar-cane, and coconut trees in the camp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now everyone has had a bad job they hated, but have you ever had a shit job? This will  make you look at what you do in a different light. I once had a job in a shoe recycling plant. It was soul destroying. boom boom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Tiger Kingdom Mae Rim Chiang Mai

The tiger kingdom at Mae Rim is a wildlife reserve based 20 minutes outside of Chiang Mai and is funded by tourism. The tiger population in Thailand is decreasing every year and now has only estimated around 120 tigers in the wild. The Tigers at Tiger Kingdom are hand raised from birth, and used to human bonding throughout it’s upbringing and development process with it’s trainers.

Onward travel

The international airport should be your only requirement for other destinations such as Bangkok. You can pick up Air Asia flights for as little as £15 to Bangkok and takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Alternatively onward travels across to Cambodia or Laos can be organised from various outlet by Bus/Coach.