Ah, finally, I’ve made it to Chiang Rai! I’ve wanted to visit this most northern part of Thailand my whole life, as my dear late aunty came from Chiang Rai. Spending a few days up there was delightful, and full of really fascinating experiences, but I’ve narrowed it down to my three favourites for this podcast episode.
First: the White Temple. It’s a very new temple, built on the site of an old one, and is almost more art and architecture than temple, designed and funded by well-known Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. I try my best to describe it and there are some photos here – but you really do have to see it to believe it.
My second highlight was our day at Ahsa Farmstay, a little further north of Chiang Rai city. In this episode I explain what I loved about it and also share an interview with one of the women who run it, Aun Wannamala.
Finally, I explain my day at the Ban Pang Ha village right up in the northern tip of Thailand in Mae Sai. This is another excellent community-based tourism initiative and we enjoyed massages, facials, paper-making, great food and more up here; I chatted to Thiraphon Saraphrom about what makes Pang Ha so special.
Disclaimer stuff: I was hosted for this trip, which means the Tourism Authority of Thailand covered my travel costs. However, my opinions – and my love of Thailand – are all my own, honest truth.
Links:
- Ahsa Farmstay
- Ban Pang Ha community
- Community-Based Tourism – Episode 301
- Amazing Thailand
- Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers
- Join our LinkedIn group for Thoughtful Travellers
You might also like:
Thailand – Abroad Again, Finally! Episode 300 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
Bangkok Travels with Friends – Episode 304 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
Bangkok Trip Diary and Thoughtful Travel Scorecard – Episode 368 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
Secret Thailand: Phrae and Nan – Episode 111 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
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