Many people look forward to long holidays, and this time we have a 5-day break to plan a trip. For this trip, we chose Chiang Mai... Friends asked, "Why go during the rainy season? Who goes there then? What are you going to see? Let's go together, we'll show you around!" (The author's trip was from July 16-19, 2016) There were 5 people in the group.

A rainy season trip to Chiang Mai. The first day, we left Bangkok at 8 pm and drove all night. There was heavy traffic near Nakhon Sawan, which took almost 2 hours. We originally planned to stop in Lampang and continue driving in the morning, but we didn't arrive in Lampang until 6 am. We stopped for breakfast at a famous noodle shop near the Lampang railway station, which cost 270 baht. Since we had already driven so far, we decided to continue driving to Chiang Mai. We arrived at our first night's accommodation, "Plearn Plearn Bed & Bike," which cost 600 and 1,000 baht per room. We called the owner, "P'Add," to ask if we could check in early. P'Add said yes, so we went to the accommodation to rest. The accommodation was very cute and stylish (with a hundred "k"s). The price was good, and they even offered free bicycles. The room was clean, and overall, it was great. I really recommend it. The price is not expensive, and it is suitable for a budget trip like ours.

Before heading out to Mon Cham in the afternoon, we stopped by a nearby restaurant for some Khao Soi. The restaurant was just across the street from "Huen Muan Jai" and offered delicious and affordable Khao Soi. Despite being quite busy, the service was quick and efficient. Our lunch cost 245 baht (no pictures available as we were too hungry!). Afterwards, we headed to Mae Rim and Mon Cham. Mon Cham is part of the Nong Hoi Royal Project and boasts numerous restaurants, cafes, and photogenic spots. The day we visited, the tourist crowd was relatively small, and the weather was pleasant and comfortable, which is a perk of visiting during the rainy season. We also had the opportunity to try the oxcart ride, but it's important to note that children should not ride alone due to safety concerns. Adult supervision is highly recommended.

After returning from Mon Cham, I stopped by the botanical garden, intending to take a leisurely stroll on the treetop bridge. However, it was closed on the day of my visit due to heavy rainfall the previous night. Disappointed, I headed to "Baan Khang Wat," a trendy community known as a "well-designed community." The project features various shops, including cafes, small restaurants, handmade goods stores, and numerous photogenic corners. A spacious courtyard in front serves as a gathering place for community events. Most of the buildings are two-story wooden houses with shops on the ground floor. If you're looking for unique souvenirs, this is the place to visit.

For dinner, we indulged in the authentic flavors of northern Thai cuisine at "Huen Muan Jai," a restaurant renowned for its delicious and affordable dishes. Conveniently located near our accommodation, the meal cost us 865 baht. After dinner, we took a short bike ride to the bustling night market, where we stocked up on snacks and drinks. The market's proximity to our lodging made it an easy and enjoyable excursion. With our bellies full and our bags replenished, we retired to our rooms for a well-deserved rest before embarking on our exciting adventure to Hod the following day.

This morning, we rode our bikes to a nearby chicken rice stall for a hearty breakfast. The meal cost 275 baht. After filling our stomachs, we set off on an exciting trip outside the city.

Driving along the Hod-Mae Sariang route, our first stop was the "Ob Luang National Park." Ob Luang is the name given to a giant rock chasm with a river flowing through it. The water here is very fast, and a yellow bridge connects the gap in the mountain, allowing visitors to stand and enjoy the view... It was a bit scary, haha! Before entering the area, you need to pay an entrance fee (120 baht in total). Park your car in front and walk a short distance to see the magnificent view.

The journey continues from Aob Luang to "Suan Son Bo Kaew," also known as the "Nami Island of Thailand." This pine forest was once part of a project to explore raw materials for paper pulp and served as a test site for planting three-leaf pines and eucalyptus trees. The air here is humid and cool year-round. Located just 36 kilometers from Aob Luang, this romantic spot boasts long rows of pine trees stretching deep into the forest, making it a must-visit for travelers. After the rainy season, you might even encounter wispy fog floating through the air, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

After leaving the Pine Forest Garden, we headed towards Mae Klang Luang. We had booked accommodation at "Baan Mae Klang Luang View" in Chom Thong district. The route from the Pine Forest Garden to Mae Klang Luang is a circular one, passing through Mae Chaem. The road is quite steep, so we had to drive carefully. We arrived at the accommodation around 5 pm. The view from the house was spectacular, with a million stars twinkling in the sky. The balcony of the house extended out, offering a close-up view of the beautiful rice terraces. The rice fields were lush and green, and tourists were constantly coming to take pictures. This is because it was the time when the rice was starting to turn green. If you want to see the rice fields, come before October so you can see the fields change from green to golden. The accommodation cost 1,000 baht per night (excluding breakfast) and could accommodate 4 people (but we were 5 people and it was comfortable). We ordered dinner from the accommodation, which included 3 dishes, rice, and a set of grilled pork for 945 baht. We were all very full. For breakfast, we ordered rice porridge with toppings for 35 baht per cup, or a pot was also available. The weather at night was cool to cold, and it was even colder when it rained. It would be a good idea to bring warm clothes if you are going.

The sunrise this morning was absolutely stunning. I thought the sky would be overcast today because it rained all night yesterday. ^^

Upon arriving at Mae Klang Luang, a charming little coffee shop called "Aum Eib" awaits at the end of the rice paddy on the opposite bank. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the air, enticing visitors even before they reach the shop. The cafe's design seamlessly blends with the surrounding nature, and a fish pond in front allows guests to feed the fish. Relaxing amidst the serene rice field views is a delightful experience. Aum Eib offers not only coffee but also delicious cakes and pastries. For a glimpse into the cafe's ambiance, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/aumerbcoffee.

Leaving Mae Klang Luang, we headed to Doi Inthanon, a popular tourist destination in Chiang Mai. We planned to explore the nature at Ang Ka, hoping to see beautiful mosses and ferns. However, due to the rain, we were only able to admire the surrounding scenery. The temperature was 13 degrees Celsius when we arrived, and it was so cold that our faces went numb. We didn't expect it to be this cold, but luckily we had everything we needed in the car and quickly put on our jackets.

On our way down from Doi Inthanon, we stopped for lunch at a viewpoint on the way to Kiw Mae Pan. There were several restaurants, but only one was open. We had delicious grilled chicken, pork, and papaya salad at a very reasonable price. The total cost for our lunch was 540 baht.

After lunch, we drove into the city. Today, our trip will be spent at the hippest street in Chiang Mai, "Nimmanhaemin Road". We booked a room at Sabai Day Guesthouse for 700 baht per night, located in Nimmanhaemin Soi 3. The accommodation is converted from a townhouse, clean, quiet, and affordable. (No pictures to show, I forgot to take them T_T) The only downside is that there is no parking. Before checking in, we stopped by to pay respects at "Phra That Doi Suthep". We parked our car at CMU and took a red truck for 50 baht per person. After paying our respects, we went down to find food near our accommodation. We walked because parking was very difficult to find. We started from the beginning of Soi 3, first at the famous roti shop, then stopped by the delicious Koh Lanta pizza shop in Nimmanhaemin Soi 5. Mon Nom Sod is also available here. And then we walked to the famous ice cream shop "Iberry". The total cost of dinner was 1120 baht. After eating, we walked back to the accommodation to relax...

Translation:

This morning, we left our accommodation early to pay respects and make offerings to "Luang Pho Tan Jai" at "Phra That Doi Kham" before returning to Bangkok. The temple is located behind the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Park. Today, there were many people making merit because it was Asalha Puja Day. We parked our car at the bottom and took a red car up for 20 baht each. It was more convenient and safer than driving up ourselves, especially since the road was steep and the traffic was bad. Even as passengers, we were on the edge of our seats! After paying our respects, we stopped by Kad Luang to buy souvenirs before returning to Bangkok safely.

This review is for those planning a trip to Chiang Mai. Whether you're driving yourself, flying, taking the train, or using public transportation, renting a car is a convenient option that allows you to explore multiple destinations. Thank you for reading! ^^

The rainy season offers several advantages for travelers. Tourist crowds are smaller, resulting in lower accommodation prices. Additionally, the post-rain mist creates a picturesque atmosphere. The weather is pleasantly cool, sometimes even chilly.

A major drawback of traveling during the rainy season is the unpredictable weather conditions, which necessitate extra caution while driving.

This trip is for 5 people and costs approximately 3,500 baht per person, including everything.