During the hot season, many people choose to go to the beach to cool off. However, I decided to go against the flow and head north to Chiang Mai.

I had the opportunity to participate in the Blogger Matching project by Readme, which connects bloggers with hotels for review purposes. I applied to the hotels that interested me and waited for their response. I was fortunate to be selected by Casa Marocc Hotel by Andacura.

The hotel offered me a one-night stay with breakfast for two people. This gave me the chance to visit Chiang Mai during the hot season, which many people avoid due to the extreme heat.

As I live in Korat, a one-day trip to Chiang Mai seemed like a waste. Therefore, I did some research and found additional accommodations at Heuan Khwan Khao in Chom Thong district. This extended my trip to three days and two nights.

My husband and I traveled together for this trip.

We planned our trip for early April, specifically from April 3rd to 5th. We flew to Chiang Mai and returned by train. We rented a car for the three days we were there, which was very convenient.

I think I've provided enough introduction.

Now, let's join me on my trip to Chiang Mai during the hot season.

I will provide details starting from our departure from home. It might be a long post with many pictures, so please bear with me.

Orange has also been made into a video format. Please follow and watch.

Travel planning

• -Outbound

As mentioned earlier, we traveled to Chiang Mai by plane. For this trip, I flew with Bangkok Airways because I participated in the "Angpao with Wings Year 7" project and won a 1,000 baht discount on airfare. I used it for this trip. Traveling with two people cost 1,980 baht. This price includes everything. After paying and checking the details, we were ready to travel.

Return trip:

*

According to the news, there is a new train service available. Som and her husband were interested in trying it out, as they had never taken a train before. They decided to use the new train for their return trip. The new train that Som is referring to is the Utra Vithi Express Train, train number 10, from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Som booked her tickets online 60 days in advance. She was able to book a first-class seat. The online system showed that there were two first-class rooms available, room numbers 21-22 and 23-24. Room 23-24 was next to the bathroom, so Som chose to book room 21-22. After reading the details, making the booking, and paying, she was able to check the details and wait for her trip.

• -Cars used in Chiang Mai

During our 3-day trip to Chiang Mai, we needed to travel to various districts, sub-districts, and the city center. We decided that a car would be the most convenient option. I had been following a Facebook page called "กินเที่ยว รถเช่า เชียงใหม่" (Eat, Travel, Rent a Car Chiang Mai) for some time. The page had many positive reviews, and the owner seemed friendly. I saw a promotion for a New Vios for 900 baht per day with a 3,000 baht deposit. We agreed on the dates and times and made a reservation. We paid for the car upon pick-up.

Trip Plan:

April 3, 2017:

• Chiang Mai Airport - Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Park (10.9 km)
• Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Park - Wat Phra That Sri Chom Thong (55.3 km)
• Wat Phra That Sri Chom Thong - Youngfolk (1.1 km)
• Youngfolk - Lotus Chom Thong (5.9 km)
• Lotus Chom Thong - Heuan Khwan Khao (3.3 km)

April 4, 2017:

• Heuan Khwan Khao - Doi Inthanon (47.6 km)
• Doi Inthanon - Wat Ton Kwen (97.2 km)
• Wat Ton Kwen - Casa Marocc (12 km)
• Casa Marocc - Tong (5.9 km)

April 5, 2017:

• Casa Marocc - Graph Cafe (3.2 km)
• Graph Cafe - Wat Umong (5.7 km)
• Wat Umong - Wat Suan Dok (2.4 km)
• Wat Suan Dok - I Berry (1.1 km)
• I Berry - Kway Teow Lud Lok (270 meters)
• Kway Teow Lud Lok - Wat Pan Sao (1.2 km)
• Wat Pan Sao - Wat Lok Moli (1.1 km)
• Wat Lok Moli - Wat Chiang Man (1.4 km)
• Wat Chiang Man - Three Kings Monument (650 meters)
• Three Kings Monument - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (350 meters)
• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep - Wat Chedi Luang (120 meters)
• Wat Chedi Luang - Kad Luang (2.2 km)
• Kad Luang - Chiang Mai Railway Station (2.1 km)

Departure:

• I left home around midnight and took a taxi to the new Korat Bus Terminal.
• The distance was not far, but I was charged a fixed price of 150 baht.
• I always use Air Korat when I travel. I don't know why, but I've never used any other company.
• My husband always takes me to the bus terminal, and we always use this company.
• We arrived and bought tickets for the 0:40 AM bus on April 3, 2017.
• The bus was almost full, but it didn't take long for it to leave.
• The ticket price for Air Korat from Korat to Bangkok was 191 baht per person.
• Before boarding, I put my luggage in the lower compartment of the bus.
• It was this bag that made our hearts skip a beat.

This time, I got off at Mo Chit because I had to catch a flight at Suvarnabhumi.

It was my first time at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and it was also my first time making a big mistake.

The thing is, I arrived at Mo Chit around 4:00 AM, and there were a lot of people there.

The couple, each carrying their luggage, got off the bus and immediately joined the long taxi queue. After waiting for almost 5 minutes, the husband suddenly remembered that he had forgotten his clothes bag. He dashed off, leaving the queue, unsure where the bus had gone.

They ran a long distance, reaching the other side of the terminal, where they encountered the Air Khon Kaen desk. They inquired about the bus they had just arrived on, and luckily, the staff member who had served them on the bus recognized them and informed them that they had been looking for them.

This was their first experience of forgetting something on their trip. They had to run back to the bus stop, where the staff member had placed their bag. Fortunately, the bag was still there, waiting for them. They were immensely relieved, as they thought their trip might be ruined before it even began.

They rejoined the taxi queue, which had grown even longer. After waiting for a while, they were asked their destination. When they said Suvarnabhumi Airport, they were directed to another taxi already waiting. It would have been more efficient to have a separate queue for airport passengers.

The taxi fare from Mo Chit to Suvarnabhumi Airport, including two expressway tolls, came to over 400 baht, which was quite expensive.

As mentioned earlier, this was the first time flying with Bangkok Airways. The taxi dropped them off at Gate 3 on Level 4, where they checked in at the F counter.

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Som did not check in online from home, thinking that arriving early would be fine.

Som explained that she had booked the first flight with Bangkok Airways, which was at 6:05 AM and arrived in Chiang Mai at 7:25 AM.

About a week before the trip, she received an email informing her that the flight had been rescheduled to 8:05 AM, arriving in Chiang Mai at 9:25 AM.

She was a little disappointed because she had to change her plans.

She had originally planned to visit Doi Inthanon on the first day, but she had to change her plans because she would arrive late.

She had also booked a seat in the 15th row, near the wing, because she wanted to take pictures.

However, she was moved to the 7th row, which did not have a wing view as she had wanted.

But she didn't mind, as long as they got her there safely, she was okay with it.

She was impressed with everything else, including the lounge, the ground and in-flight service. Now, let's continue.

The check-in line was very long at almost 5:00 AM. After checking in, she received her boarding pass.

She used it to board the plane and enter the airline's lounge. Som took a few pictures because there are already plenty of reviews of this lounge.

There were plenty of seats available on the early flight, so she could choose her seat comfortably.

It's almost time to board, so let's head to the gate.

Today, we'll be taking a bus to the aircraft for boarding.

Before the plane even took off, Som rushed to sleep.

She was very tired and not comfortable with flying, so she decided to sleep to avoid getting airsick.

After a while, the flight attendant will serve the food. You can request juice, tea, or coffee from the flight attendant.

The plane soon brought us to Chiang Mai.

After picking up our luggage, Som called the car rental company we had booked. Som had made an appointment for 10:00 am to pick up the car at the airport.

The car arrived early because Som called to inform them that we had arrived. If it was convenient, they could come right away.

We didn't have to wait long before the car arrived. Today it was a new gray Vios.

We completed the paperwork, checked the car for any scratches, and made sure the fuel tank was full (we had to return it full when we returned the car).

We paid the car rental fee. Som rented it for 3 days at 900 baht per day, for a total of 2700 baht.

There was also a 3000 baht car deposit. In total, Som paid 5700 baht.

We originally planned to visit the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, but we changed our minds.

As I mentioned before, our plans are subject to change depending on the circumstances.

It was around 10 am, so we decided to head to Chom Thong District instead.

The distance was over 50 kilometers, and we drove leisurely. Our first stop was:

Wat Phra That Sri Chom Thong Worawihan

Wat Phra That Sri Chom Thong, a third-class royal temple,

is the zodiac temple for the year of the Rat, located in Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province.

When I arrived, the weather was extremely hot, and there weren't many people around. I parked my car in front and walked in to pay respects to the Phra That.

After leaving Wat Phra That Sri Chom Thong Worawihan,

our next destination was to find a comfortable place to sit and enjoy some coffee.

I had researched beforehand and found that Chom Thong has a café called Youngfolk.

I really liked the atmosphere of the café, which felt like being in someone's home.

The café has its own unique style and was quite busy.

Today, I tried the strawberry smoothie, which was very refreshing and delicious.

It was the perfect way to cool down after the heat earlier. My husband ordered an iced mocha, which he also enjoyed.

During the month of April, they have a special menu item: traditional coconut ice cream with a variety of toppings.

It was fragrant, sweet, creamy, and delicious.

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It's time to check into our accommodation for the first day.

Follow me to sleep in a small house in the middle of the rice field.

Kwan Khao House

Our first night's accommodation is Kwan Khao House.

I have been following this accommodation page for a while now, because I saw a review on Pantip.

I follow every post because I really like it.

The house is in the middle of a rice field where the rice is very green. I can feel the freshness and the good air.

And the owner of the accommodation, who I read the reviews about, is very good, kind and lovely. Their names are P'Tai and P'Kwan.

I talked to P'Tai regularly before checking in, asking about the weather and other things.

P'Tai kept sending me pictures, P'Tai is really lovely.

I asked P'Tai for permission to fly my drone, and P'Tai allowed me to.

Because there are not many houses around the house, there are only rice fields around the house.

When the owner allowed me, I was ready to take my new son to Chiang Mai with me.

You can check in at 13.00. When you arrive, you can call P'Tai.

P'Tai told me to walk to the house, I can do whatever I want.

When I arrived, I loved it, it was worth the wait because it was quiet, peaceful and private.

It seems like only me and my husband are staying here today.

Welcome to "Kwan Khao House".

Khwan Khao Homestay: A Tranquil Retreat in the Heart of Thailand

Khwan Khao Homestay offers a peaceful escape amidst the lush landscapes of Thailand. With three charming houses nestled within its grounds, this homestay provides a unique and immersive experience for travelers seeking a taste of authentic Thai culture.

The main house, known as "Heuan Luang," boasts two spacious floors, each offering comfortable accommodations for guests. While the exact price per room remains unconfirmed, it is estimated to be around 1,000 baht. The interior of Heuan Luang echoes the traditional Thai aesthetics found in Heuan Khong Khwan, with warm wooden furnishings and intricate details.

The remaining two houses, unfortunately, were not accessible during the visit due to the absence of guests. However, based on the description, they are expected to offer a similar level of comfort and charm as Heuan Luang.

Khwan Khao Homestay presents an opportunity to connect with the local community and experience the warmth of Thai hospitality. Its serene setting and comfortable accommodations make it an ideal choice for those seeking a tranquil retreat in the heart of Thailand.

The other house is called "Heuan Khwan," which costs 1,500 baht and includes breakfast. It's a wooden house in the middle of a rice field. If we book this house, we'll get the whole house to ourselves. It's a raised wooden house with the bedrooms on the upper floor and the lower floor as an open space for relaxing. There are hammocks, swings, wooden tables, and bamboo mats for sitting. The front of the upper floor has a balcony where you can sit and enjoy the view. I booked this house.

The room has two futons that can accommodate four people.

The room is equipped with air conditioning, a fan, and a bathroom with a hot water heater.

Please note that there is no TV or refrigerator in the room.

However, during my stay, this was not an issue as there were many other interesting things to do.

As I am someone who prefers cold water, I asked the host if they had a thermos I could borrow, as I knew there was no refrigerator. They kindly provided one for me.

Interior photos of the "House of Gifts".

The bathrooms here have water heaters, but the bathrooms at Heuan Khwan have no roofs. Therefore, when you take a shower, you will feel free and excited at the same time. Take a shower, look at the sky and rice fields, it's cool. The room is quite high, safe.

After relaxing and enjoying the breeze for a while, P'Tai brought us Khao Niao, a local dish, to try.

It looked like Hor Mok, wrapped in two packages.

When we opened it, it looked like fried rice. It tasted like fried rice with garlic, served with a dipping sauce of fried garlic and dried chili.

Before checking in, Som talked to Khwan, who was kind enough to offer her some longan fruit, Som's favorite. She almost ate them all by herself. ^^

Som informed P'Tai in advance that she would be having dinner. P'Tai will prepare a Khantoke set for her.

There will be 4-5 dishes served with sticky rice. P'Tai asked Som what time would be convenient for her to have dinner.

Som said she would be available around 6 pm. P'Kwan should have just finished work by then, so she will bring the food to Som's accommodation.

P'Kwan will also set up a mat on a platform for Som to sit and enjoy the breeze. The cost of this Khantoke meal is 320 baht.

Our view for dinner tonight.

We sat for a while, and then it started to rain. It's a pity that we couldn't capture the evening scenery for you.

We can only share the photos we took before the downpour.

These are pictures of Heuan Khwan, our cozy accommodation for today.

After the heavy rain, we quickly carried the khantoke trays upstairs. The rain stopped after a while.

P'Tai messaged us not to worry, saying that rain here is normal and only lasts a short while.

And it was true. We slept very comfortably that night. The rain stopped, and Som went outside to look around the accommodation. It was very quiet and peaceful.

It was perfect for Som and her husband. In the morning, P'Tai messaged us to wake up and see the thin fog in front of the house.

It was amazing. Som woke up immediately. It was a little past 6 am, and the air was fantastic.

It was still quiet, peaceful, with cool air and a light mist.

Even as I type this, I still miss it.

Around 7 am, P'Tai brought us breakfast to our accommodation.

It was a full cup of rice porridge with pork and mushrooms, which was delicious.

The hot porridge was perfect with the cool weather.

Around 9 am, Som had to continue her journey.

She talked to P'Tai before leaving and said that she would come back when she had the chance.

This place is really good. Som would say that it is good and Som and her husband are impressed with everything here.

If you are interested in visiting Chiang Mai, stop by Chom Thong.

Don't forget to stay at Huen Khuan Khao. In the future, there may be a coffee shop added, P'Tai said.

Doi Inthanon

After leaving Heuan Khwan Khao, our next destination was Doi Inthanon.

The distance from our accommodation was not far. Upon reaching the checkpoint, we paid the park entrance fee and car fee.

2 people + car fee was 130 baht. I also bought 4 jasmine garlands for 20 baht each to pay respects at the pagoda on top.

The ascent to Doi Inthanon is not difficult, but caution is required.

With mindfulness and avoiding recklessness on all routes, safety is ensured.

We gradually ascend, reaching the Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri pagodas first.

The entrance fee is 40 baht per person. Parking is available at the top.

Nang Phaya Stupa and Nang Phaya Phumisiri Stupa

These two grand stupas were constructed as a royal merit-making offering to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

Let's take a tour around the stupas.

There is an escalator for going up, and you can walk down the stairs for going down.

After a short walk around to enjoy the view, we continued our journey, as we were pressed for time.

We reached the summit of Doi Inthanon, but only went as far as the Naphamethinidon Pavilion. We did not continue further.

On the way back, Som stopped by the Royal Project Inthanon for lunch.

The restaurant was not crowded, with only a few tables occupied when Som arrived.

For this meal, she ordered Tom Yum Pla Trout, Stir-fried Cabbage with Fish Sauce, Salt-Crusted Chicken, and a Watermelon Smoothie.

The meal cost 670 baht, which is quite expensive. The taste was average in our opinion.

From Doi Inthanon, we headed towards the city.

We stopped at Wat Ton Kwen first.

There were no other people there, which is great for a weekday.

Wat Ton Kwen is an ancient temple in Chiang Mai.

It was used by the Chiang Mai ruler as a resting place during the procession of the Phra That.

As far as I know, this temple is the prototype for the Ho Kham Luang at the Royal Park Rajapruek.

We didn't stay here long because it was very hot.

Casa Marocc Hotel by Andacura

As mentioned earlier, the main purpose of this trip is to review a newly opened hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I was selected to review the Casa Marocc Hotel by Andacura.

This hotel has just opened two months ago.

For this trip, I received a one-night stay with breakfast included. I will refer to the hotel as Casa Marocc for brevity.

Casa Marocc is located on Charoen Phrathet Road, Chang Klan Subdistrict, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

It is a city-center hotel surrounded by local communities.

As far as I know, this area is a Muslim community. The hotel offers city views and is decorated in a Moroccan style throughout.

It has a chic and beautiful aesthetic. When I arrived, I was able to park in front of the hotel.

The staff was very attentive, asking if I was there to check in and helping me with my luggage. They then escorted me to the check-in counter.

The staff at the counter asked for my ID and provided me with a room key card and a card to control the room's lighting system.

Our room for today is on the 4th floor. The hotel has 8 floors.

There are a total of 69 rooms, divided into the following types:

• Deluxe Room (48 rooms)
• Deluxe Corner Room (12 rooms)
• Grand Deluxe Room (6 rooms)
• Family Suite on Penthouse (3 rooms)

I stayed in a Deluxe Room, which is the starting room but it wasn't cramped at all.

The room has standard hotel amenities.

My room had a double bed and a balcony with a city view.

The surrounding area is residential but not noisy or busy.

The room has 2 bottles of water, 2 sets of coffee, and a mini-bar with prices listed.

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The bathroom is well-equipped with amenities, including a bidet and a water heater. The size of the bathroom is just right, not too small or too big. What I like most about this place is that the hot water is just the right temperature, so I don't have to adjust it. In some places, I have to adjust the temperature so often that it gets annoying.

After a relaxing stay, Som took us to see other room types.

However, we were unable to see the highest room type, the Family Suite on the Penthouse, as all rooms were fully booked. It was a shame to miss it!

Grand Deluxe Room

This room is 32 square meters and has twin beds. The amenities are the same as the room Som stayed in.

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Deluxe Corner Room

This 34-square-meter room features twin beds and additional amenities compared to the first two room types. It includes a microwave and sink, making it convenient for guests who want to heat up small meals or snacks.

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Rooftop

The 8th floor not only offers Family Suite on Penhouse rooms, but also features an open-air rooftop.

While currently an empty space, inquiries suggest that it may be transformed into a relaxing tea lounge in the future.

Imagine enjoying a cup of tea while watching the sunset and feeling the cool breeze. With comfortable seating, soothing music, and stunning views, the rooftop could become a truly special spot.

Som went for a walk in another corner of the hotel, which is a small garden corner.

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For dinner, we ate at the hotel's only restaurant, which also serves breakfast to guests and offers a la carte dining until 9:00 PM.

Som and her husband tried the food and found it to be delicious. They ordered Pad Thai wrapped in an egg and stir-fried rice with chili paste.

Aladin Restaurant does not serve pork or alcohol. As Som mentioned, the hotel is located in a Muslim community, and the hotel aims to be respectful of the surrounding area.

Guests at the hotel include Westerners, Chinese, and local residents.

After dinner, they planned to relax, take photos in front of the hotel, and walk around the area. However, their plans were disrupted by rain, which fell again in the evening for the second day in a row.

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For breakfast, the hotel offers an American breakfast buffet.

There is also a salad bar and 3-4 Thai dishes available.

The breakfast buffet starts at 6:30 AM and is quite popular with guests.

Location and Accessibility:

Although located in a central area, the hotel was surprisingly peaceful and quiet. Its proximity to major tourist attractions in Chiang Mai was a major advantage. For instance, the Chiang Mai Night Market was only 2.7 km away, the Warorot Market (Kad Luang) was 3 km away, and the Wat Phra Singh temple was also just 3 km away. This made it an ideal choice for a 3-star hotel in the heart of the city.

Morning Plans and Unexpected Change:

After checking out of the hotel, I had a long day ahead of me. As it was the last day of my trip, I wanted to start the morning with a relaxing cup of coffee. After breakfast at the hotel, I planned to visit Graph Café. However, Chiang Mai proved to be a challenging city to navigate due to its numerous narrow streets and alleys. Additionally, Graph Café lacked on-site parking, requiring customers to park and walk to the café. Unable to find parking, I decided to change my plans and visit Wat Umong instead.

Exploring Wat Umong:

Wat Umong, another temple in Chiang Mai, had captured my attention with its unique features. Located a short drive from my previous location, I arrived at the temple around 9:30 am, encountering some traffic along the way. As the name suggests, Wat Umong features a tunnel-like structure open to visitors. Inside, the dimly lit cave houses several Buddha statues. While the temple is said to contain murals, I was unable to observe them due to the darkness.

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After leaving Wat Umong, Som was still determined to find a coffee shop, as she was very hungry.

They decided to go to Baan Kang Wat

as it was nearby. However, it was not yet open, but they were able to walk around and Som took some pictures to share.

Fortunately, there was a cafe and restaurant next door.

The name of the shop is 49 Garden café & bistro

So I decided to have lunch at this restaurant. But in the end, I still didn't order coffee.

I ordered a strawberry soda instead because it was hot and I wanted something refreshing.

My husband still had an iced mocha. The atmosphere of the shop was good. When I went there, there were few people and there was nice music playing.

After leaving the shop, Som headed to Wat Suan Dok.

Following Google Maps, she navigated through winding alleys, but struggled to find the entrance.

Even after locating the temple, she couldn't find parking and ultimately missed her chance to visit.

Next, Som visited Wat Chiang Man.

Prior to her trip, she had researched temples, finding them visually appealing.

This final day of her trip might be dedicated solely to temples.

At Wat Chiang Man, she observed a golden pagoda supported by elephants. She offered prayers and took a few photos.

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After leaving Wat Chiang Man, Som continued to Wat Lok Moli.

It was very hot at that time, the sun was strong. She stopped to pay respects to the Buddha and then went on to the next destination.

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From Wat Lok Moli, Som took us to find something to eat at the Kua Gai Nimmanha restaurant. Last time we came, it was too crowded, so we missed out.

Som ordered the stir-fried chicken, and her husband ordered the hot plate sukiyaki.

Next to Kua Gai Nimmanha is Iberry, a cafe I always try to visit whenever I'm in Chiang Mai.

This time, I finally got the chance to go. The cafe has a lovely, shaded atmosphere and was quite busy, with people both inside and outside.

Most of the customers seemed to be Asian. I even saw the owner, but I didn't dare ask for a photo.

Som takes us to the last temple of this trip, Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan.

Som has been here once before, many years ago, but she likes this temple so much that she came back again.

It is a royal temple of Chiang Mai, and the inside is very beautiful.

At the back there is the Chedi Luang stupa, which Som didn't see on her last visit. This time she captured some images to share with us.

Within the Wat Chedi Luang temple complex, you will also find the Inthakin Pillar and the Chiang Mai City Pillar Shrine.

I was unable to enter the shrine as women are prohibited from doing so.

My husband was able to enter, however, and has provided some photos for you to enjoy.

After leaving Wat Chedi Luang, I stopped by Kad Luang

to buy souvenirs. It was crowded and chaotic with lots of cars.

I parked my car at a shop across from Kad Luang.

I don't know how they calculate the price, but I paid 50 baht.

Inside Kad Luang, it was still the same as before.

There were shops selling Chiang Mai souvenirs, but I didn't know which ones were famous or good.

I just bought from the shops that had a lot of people.

As planned, Som had scheduled to return the car at 5:00 PM at Chiang Mai Railway Station.

However, at around 4:00 PM, she had nowhere to go, so she decided to head to the railway station early and organize her belongings.

She filled the car's fuel tank, spending approximately 600 baht.

Parking at Chiang Mai Railway Station is free for the first 20 minutes, after which there is a charge of 10 baht per hour.

After organizing her belongings, Som walked around the station and took photos while waiting for her train.

She had initially booked a train on the Utarawithi route departing at 6:00 PM.

However, at around 4:30 PM, she saw a train waiting at the station and inquired with a staff member, who informed her that she could board the train immediately.

Som contacted the car rental company to see if they could pick up the car immediately. If not, she asked them to pick it up at the scheduled time.

Around 5:00 PM, someone arrived to collect the car. After inspecting the car for any damage, they returned the 3,000 baht deposit.

Som made a mistake by forgetting to give the parking card to the person who picked up the car.

She also forgot to pay the parking fee, which likely exceeded the free 20 minutes. She realized this after the train had departed.

She immediately sent a message to inquire about the situation and was relieved to learn that the car had been removed. She apologized for the oversight.

Let's go home!

I traveled back by train, the Uttaradit Express, train number 10 from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.

The scheduled departure time was 6:00 PM, arriving in Bangkok at 6:50 AM.

The train departed on time, but arrived in Bangkok around 7:30 AM. It was a bit late, but still acceptable.

I boarded the train early, so I had time to take some photos inside the train to share with you.

In the first-class carriage, there were only foreigners, mostly Westerners. They came as families and kept to themselves, which was nice. I'm glad I chose first class.

The First Class Carriage of Train No. 10

The first-class carriage of Train No. 10 on the Utrawithi route consists of 12 compartments with 24 beds in total. Each compartment has two beds, one upper and one lower. The first-class carriage is more expensive than the second-class carriage.

The price of the upper and lower beds in the first-class carriage is different. However, if you are traveling alone, you can rent the entire compartment. If you are traveling with a group, you can connect two compartments.

The room is equipped with a small sink, a mirror, and a storage cabinet above the sink.

Two glasses and two bottles of drinking water are provided. There are two screens for the upper and lower bunks.

These screens display the current station, the next station, and the arrival time at each station.

They are individual screens, and you can also check the availability of the bathroom to avoid waiting in line.

You can watch TV channels 3, 5, 7, and 9. However, the current programs are related to King Rama IX.

Please bring your own headphones, as they are required for listening to audio.

You can also order food from the screen. The food will be delivered to your room. However, it is recommended to purchase food from the pantry directly, as there may not be enough staff to handle room service requests.

The room also has electrical outlets, reading lights, and USB ports. These are also individual amenities.

Two sets of towels and blankets are provided for two people. The towels are sealed in plastic bags and do not have a musty smell.

Around 8 pm, a staff member will knock on your door and ask if you would like your bed made.

The room has a peephole for security purposes. The train also has CCTV cameras, but it is always best to be cautious.

The staff member who made our bed was friendly and chatted with us about the cameras and travel tips.

It took them a very short time to make the two beds. They simply pulled out the beds, spread the sheets, and put on the pillowcases.

They informed us that they would wake us up around 6 am when we arrive at Don Mueang.

I slept on the top bunk, while my husband slept on the bottom bunk.

The bottom bunk is larger than the top bunk. I am 160 cm tall, and my head almost touched the ceiling when I sat up.

There is a small ladder to climb up to the top bunk, which is not difficult to climb.

The air conditioning is notoriously cold, with the room temperature around 18-19 degrees Celsius. If you are prone to feeling cold, it is advisable to bring a long-sleeved shirt and socks, as it can get quite chilly.

I woke up several times because I was too cold, especially since I was sleeping on the top bunk and closer to the air conditioning vent.

The train rocks gently, as is typical of trains, but it is not too intense.

I turned off the lights when I went to sleep because they were very bright. It would be difficult to sleep with the lights on.

Turning off the lights and turning on the reading light above the bedhead provided enough light without being too dark.

Upon arrival, Som took photos of the second-class sleeper car for us.

At that time, there were not many people, so she took some photos for us to see.

The second-class sleeper car has seats facing each other.

When it's time to sleep, you will see who has booked the lower and upper bunks and sleep accordingly.

There are curtains for privacy, but I've read that they are quite thin.

The lights can also prevent some people from sleeping. Each person will be given a bottle of water.

I'm not sure if there are power outlets and reading lights on both the upper and lower bunks.

There are no showers in the second-class sleeper car.

Translation:

At around 9:00 PM, Som walked to the pantry car. Most passengers had already closed their curtains and gone to sleep.

Some passengers were still seen chatting in other compartments. All compartments in the train have CCTV cameras and the lights will be kept on throughout the night.

As mentioned, the pantry is located in carriage 9 of the Utra Vithi Express train. It is situated in the middle of the train and has seating for dining. However, the seating area is not very spacious. The pantry is painted green and has a comfortable atmosphere. It sells frozen food, similar to a convenience store. The menu consists of simple dishes such as stir-fried pork with basil and green curry. Drinks, coffee, bread, snacks, and some personal care items are also available. The prices are not much higher than those in regular stores. When I walked from carriage 2 to carriage 9, all the seats were occupied, and some food items were already sold out.

Train Journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok

For our first train journey back from Chiang Mai, my husband and I decided to give it a try. While the price may be high and the journey time long, it ultimately depends on individual preferences and time constraints. Since it was a new experience and we had the time, we were eager to give it a go.

The journey took as long as driving, but we didn't have to drive ourselves. We could sleep comfortably, chat, enjoy the scenery, and gain new experiences. For us, it was worth it. The train departed on time, but arrived in Bangkok slightly late. However, the delay wasn't significant and we were able to accept it. It seemed like the train got stuck near the final station and had to wait for a while.

In the first-class carriage where we stayed, the rooms didn't seem very soundproof. We could hear noises from the next room and the children playing with their families. The bathrooms and showers on the new train were relatively clean, possibly due to the low number of passengers and frequent cleaning. This was convenient for those who might need to use the bathroom frequently. The bathrooms did get full near the arrival in Bangkok, but it wasn't for long.

The special express train, number 10, from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, brought us to our destination at the Bangkok Railway Station around 7:30 am on April 6th, which was Chakri Day. The station was bustling with activity.

After getting off the train, we found a taxi queue and headed to the Mo Chit Bus Terminal to return home. We took the expressway, which cost an additional 50 baht. Soon, we arrived at the terminal for a total fare of 85 baht.

The Mo Chit Bus Terminal was equally crowded. We quickly bought tickets to return home. The return bus fare was 191 baht per person, the same as before. We arrived early, and the bus departed at 8:45 am, so we had to wait for a while.

After a while, the bus departed. The staff on board emphasized and requested that everyone fasten their seat belts. It's important to wear them for safety.

We arrived back in Korat, the city of traffic jams, around 1 pm. Korat has become more congested than before. During the morning rush hour, especially when schools are in session, the traffic is horrendous.

No matter how bad the traffic or how hot it is, please be careful. On our way back home, we took a taxi again. We encountered a fixed price, but it was much cheaper than the trip there. This time, the taxi fare was 100 baht.

It was a short ride home. As I mentioned before, my house is very close.

Trip Summary

My husband and I enjoyed this trip, as we do with all our travels. We always plan our trips in advance and prepare everything. We adjust our schedule as needed and remain flexible to adapt to any situation.

We travel at a leisurely pace, avoiding excessive haste, and prioritize safety in everything we do. Our Chiang Mai trip went smoothly.

Hopefully, this will be helpful for those who are interested in traveling like us. The post may be a bit long, but I hope it provides some value to the readers. If there are any mistakes, I apologize in advance.