On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 01:23:53 +0100, Ingo Schablitzki
wrote:
>My Question:
>I?m in luck.this year it?s my first time to stay over Songkran in
>Thailand. So i decided to start the party in Chiang Mai -
>i never been ther before!
In my opinion: YES you are in luck. I think Songkran is one of the
greatest parties ever. But I've been around long enough to know it's
not for everyone. Some people love it, others hate it and move South
or leave the country altogether. If there is a middle ground then it
would be those people who kind of had it after 3 days and want to move
on to doing other things besides drinking and throwing water on
people.
Anyway, I think Chiang Mai is the best place. It's massive but still
remarkably well-behaved given the huge number of people and all-out
'war'. There are definitely more negative places around (Pattaya
comes to mind).
>Would you please recommend me a place to stay - not far from the centrum. !?
Traffic is a bit of an issue during Songkran. Many roads are complete
gridlock. (Part of the party is to put big barrels of water in the
back of your pick-up truck and drive around throwing water at people
in other pick-up trucks or along the road. This of course does create
total gridlock.
My recommendation: Stay INSIDE the old city area, inside the city
moat. Most of the celebrating people go AROUND the moat, but the
center remaisn fairly calm, like the eye of a cyclone. :) There's
MANY guesthouses there, getting a room in the backpacker-scene won't
be a problem. Getting mid-range aircon accommodationm WILL be a
problem unless you book ahead. (As many Thais go for a holiday and
mostly stay in mid-range and higher range hotels.). A good option
for a hotel in the city center would be the B.P. City Inn (formerly
Felix City Inn hotel). Do a web search. But you can find much cheaper
(i.e. < 200 baht guesthouses) or much more expesnive (Tamarind Ville)
in the area.
Another good option perhaps is the Chiang Mai Gate hotel and Chatree
Guesthouse just South of Chiang Mai Gate. Top North Hotel (Moon
Muang Road) is also a good mid range aircon option.
Have fun!!!!!!! I'm looking forward to it!!!
>And is there a good advice to see the jungle near Chiang Mai ?
Sure.. will be good when you had enough of teh water war, though keep
in mind you can't stay dry anywhere as kids in the villages will take
great delight in splashing you. :) Only drawback is that it's the
hot & dry season.
>I have been in Khao Yai - beautiful and rich on tourist...
I would aviod the Doi Ithanon area.. seems even dryer than most.
(Better North to Chiang Dao, or to Pai / Mae Hong Son, Or to Chiang
Rai (Doi Wawi area)
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