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Thailand

My travel experience and tips for this great destination

Golden clock tower at night Chiang Rai Thailand

Thailand 2010: Heading to Chiang Rai by bus, Wat Jedyod and Golden Clock Tower

By Mithun Divakaran
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Jun 25, 2011
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Chiang Rai, Thailand, Travel

Date: 23rd November 2010

After 4 splendid days in Chiang Mai (amid some disappointments), today I left the city to go further up north. I went to the main bus station and only managed to get a ticket for 12 noon as all others were sold out. (Don’t remember exactly how much I paid for the ticket, but it was around ฿100)

Golden dragon bus Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai — After the instructional video on bus safety, they played ‘Predators’ (in Thai)

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai road north Thailand — I got a seat right in front

Bus ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai — Chiang Rai city is around 200kms from Chiang Mai

Highway to Chiang Rai north Thailand landscape — The journey is quite scenic

Welcome to Chiang Rai board highway sign — After nearly 2 1/2hours, I arrived in Chiang Rai

The bus first stopped at what looked like a new bus station. I didn’t get down here because a lot of the Thais stayed in their seats. So I assumed this was not the final stop. Unfortunately some western tourists did get down and started hailing for taxis towards their hotels.

For which there was no need for, because the very same bus started again and drove straight into the city in 5 minutes time. This bus station was according my prior research, very close to the night market.

I hired a tuk-tuk and checked into my hotel.

Hotel Raungnakorn road Chiang Rai — Raungnakorn Hotel is located on the road of the same name

The room cost ฿350 for the night and I was only going to be staying one night. My flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok was the next day evening. I know one day isn’t much in Chiang Rai, but this was my first time here and as always with first visits, this would be more a surveillance visit than any other.

Wat Phra kaew temple Chiang Rai Thailand — It was near this temple

Evening market Chiang Rai clock tower — The hotel is close to the fresh market

Road leading Chiang Rai Golden clock tower — Spotted it already haven’t you?

Golden clock tower junction Chiang Rai — Chiang Rai’s Golden Clock Tower

Golden clock tower roundabout Chiang Rai — Designed by a renowned Thai architect named Ajarn Chalermchai Khositphiphat

Chiang Rai golden clock tower — It was built in 2008 in honour of the King (as is usually the case in Thailand)

Chiang Rai bar restaurant Jedyod street — Jedyod road, you find a lot of restaurants here

Wat Jedyod temple Chiang Rai Thailand — I decided to check out this temple

Black cat in front of Buddha statue — Oh the irony of seeing a black cat at a place where people come to pray for good luck

Wat Jedyod golden buddha statue Chiang Rai Thailand — The temple is named Wat Jedyod

Gautum buddha staring eyes Wat Jedyod statue — The eyes…

Wat Jedyod Indian god paintings Chiang Rai — The hall had paintings depicting Hindu gods and some connection with India mythology

Indian gods Thai ancient wall paintings Wat Jedyod — I was very curious to know the connection, but unfortunately there weren’t any descriptions in English or a local guide in sight

Wat Jedyod temple hall Chiang Rai Thailand — I left the temple

I dropped by a few travel agents and tour operators along the way and asked them about day trips to the Golden Triangle. But because it was already late in the evening, nobody could assure me a spot as they needed few more tourists to fill up a group as tomorrow’s first group were already full.

A British guy who was behind, overheard me and told me he was in the same situation as I. So we chatted for a bit and exchanged numbers in case either of us managed to get into a group tour that was going tomorrow morning.

Sanpanard road Chiang Rai Thailand — I like their sign posts

Chiang Rai night bazaar entrance — A few steps from there and I was at the entrance of Chiang Rai’s Night Bazaar

Chiang Rai night market shops — But since it wasn’t night time yet, nothing was open

Chiang Rai night market food court evening — I would be coming back here for dinner

Phaholyotin road shops Chiang Rai Thailand — I decided to go the main bus station to find out when the first bus to Mae Sai would be

Chiang Rai bus stand Thailand — I was told that there are buses every 30 minutes starting 6am

Phaholyotin road Wangcome hotel Chiang Rai Thailand — I headed back as I still wasn’t feeling too well, and it gets pretty chilly in Chiang Rai at night

I rested for some time after applying some Vicks. I just didn’t want to fall sick. It’s the worst thing that can happen on one’s vacation. Well, one of the worst things.

I got up at around 8pm and craved to have some hot Thai soup for dinner.

Chiang Rai evening market fresh vegetables — I walked to the night bazaar

Sukgatis road night golden lamp posts clock tower Chiang Rai — It also changes colour

Chiang Rai night bazaar street vendors — You have the usual wares being sold at the Night bazaar, no different from any other night market in Thailand

Chiang Rai night bazaar street stalls musician — But you do see locals and a few students trying to make some dime with their talents

Chiang Rai night bazaar food court — Quite a change of scene from earlier

Chiang Rai fried insects Thailand — This place sells you french fries…and fried insects. How nice of them!

Chiang Rai night bazaar seafood bbq — Despite being very far the sea, you still get good enough seafood in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai night bazaar stage music — Poor guitarist on stage was hardly getting any applause from the diners

Chiang Rai night bazaar dining crowd — I scanned the vendors for appetizing soup to warm my body up

Spicy Thai seafood soup Chiang Rai night bazaar — I ended up picking up this big bowl of tangy seafood soup loaded with veggies (cost ฿100)

Chiang Rai night market live stage entertainment — They had cultural dances later

Post dinner, I scanned the shops a bit. Unlike last year, when I bought 10 t-shirts from Thailand, I figured I wouldn’t need to buy much this time.

Alas, I ended buying two from a small vendor at the night bazaar after bargaining it down to ฿300 for both. Oh well, we’ll see how many t-shirts I end up buying this year.

Chiang Rai night restaurants tourists — This was right in front of the vendor I bought the t-shirts from

As I needed more rest for an early start tomorrow, I headed back. Plus, there was little else to do in Chiang Rai. There is barely any nightlife in Chiang Rai. It’s a lot quieter (and smaller) than Chiang Mai.

Chiang Rai golden clock tower at night — I took one last look at the Golden clock tower

As I was clicking this photo, I bumped into the same British guy I had met earlier at the travel office. He told me he met up with a group of people who were planning on going on a trek (Chiang Rai is famous for trekking and cycling) and asked me if I wanted to join them. I told him I was unfortunately not in the best of health and that I had to be back in town early enough for my evening flight to Bangkok.

We wished each other well and parted ways.

I reached my room, freshened up, dabbed some more Vicks and snuggled up for a good night’s sleep.

Next posts in this series:

Thailand 2010: Golden Triangle in Mae Sai; Chiang Rai’s White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

Thailand 2010: Pattaya — Beach road, Viewpoint, Jomtien Beach, Walking Street

Thailand 2010: Back to Bangkok — Chinatown, Patpong, Platinum Mall and Chatuchak Market

Thailand 2010: Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Sampeng Market, JJ market (again)

Thailand 2010: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market tour, Cobra show… and leaving Bangkok

Previous posts in this series:

Thailand 2010: Chiang Mai Zoo (Day 4, Part 1)

Thailand 2010: Chiang Mai Loi Krathong celebrations; first Grand Parade

Thailand 2010: Chiang Mai cooking class; Loi Krathong celebrations in Mae Jo, Sansai

Thailand 2010: First day in Chiang Mai for Loi Krathong; driving up Doi Suthep

Thailand 2010: Arriving in Bangkok and preparing for Loi Krathong in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Loy krathong grand parade royal float

Thailand 2010: Last day of Loi Krathong; Sunday Grand Parade (Day 4, Part 2)

By Mithun Divakaran
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Jun 19, 2011
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Chiang Mai, Thailand, Travel

Date: 22nd November 2010

Today began with a visit to Chiang Mai Zoo, to pay a visit to see the city’s most famous residents. After a brief rest, I stepped out again to witness what the final night of the Yi Peng Festival had in store.

Loi Krathong start participants gather — The parade was about to start

Loy Krathong ornate float — Ornately decorated floats!

Loy Krathong tourists light man — This guy was attracting attention today as well

Loi Krathong Grand Parade start — Fascinating art

Yi Peng sunday parade silver float — Man, the work done on some of these floats!

Loy Krathong grand parade silver float — “Don’t call me now, I’m in a different era! You’re ruining it!”

Loi Krathong grand parade Thais dressed — Thai ‘princess’ and ‘prince’

Chiang Mai red t-shirt group parade — Not sure who this red t-shirt ‘army’ were representing

Lord Ganesha Thai women nails float Yi Peng — I wonder if Thais worship Lord Ganesha too

Chiang Mai Loy Krathong performers — Hundreds of locals participate in the Grand Parade

Chiang Mai US consulate family float Loi Krathong parade — The lady sitting on the car is the Consul General of the US Consulate of Chiang Mai, along with her family

Loy Krathong grand parade Japan particpants — Up ahead, I saw many Thais cosplaying. Hmm, I wonder which contingent this is? 🙂

Chiang Mai Loy Krathong celebrations Japan group parade — Why no surprise there! 🙂

Loy Krathong grand parade Japan float — Japan’s float

Loy Krathong grand parade Japan cosplay Chiang Mai — Lots of tributes to anime and videogame characters

Loy Krathong grand parade Japan cosplay Gundam Chiang Mai — Even dressing up as a Gundam robot!

Lavish float Yi Peng grand parade Chiang Mai — Absolutely beautiful work

Loi Krathong grand parade cavalade — The cavalcade made their may down Thapae Road

Loi Krathong parade coverage cameramen — Cameramen readied themselves

Chiang Mai Yi Peng parade cow puppet — Not sure if the creature was meant to be a cow or a goat

Chiang Mai Yi Peng parade animal buddhist monks elders — But it did stop occasionally to be ‘fed’ money

Thai character Chiang Mai Yi Peng parade — I don’t who this character/mascot was

Thai man back tattoo art Chiang Mai — Awesome tattoo art

After following the parade from up front, I got distracted.

Yes, it was food… but…

Fried bugs sale Chiang Mai vendor — Fried insects for sale!

Chiang Mai fried insects vendor Thailand — Was tempted to be all adventurous…

Fried insects cricket bamboo worm silkworm Chiang Mai — …but I hate insects when alive, leave alone when they are fried dead

Fortunately there were more appetizing food on sale.

Fried seafood street vendor Chiang Mai Thailand — All this stuff was cheap

Barbecue boiled meat balls Chiang Mai — My friend Loi’s survival food

Chiang Mai barbecued meat street vendor — Lots, and lots of meat!

Okay, enough food. Back to the parade.

Chiang Mai street Loy Krathong Thais — This being the last day of the festival, everybody was out

Ping river Loi Krathong devotees — Locals thronged the banks of Ping river

Chiang Mai US consulate wall paintings — Walls of the Consulate General of the United States in Chiang Mai

Loy Krathong grand parade vip stand judging — The various floats pass by these stands where judges select the best in show

Ping river candle lit krathongs floating — Meanwhile on the river banks…

Chiang Mai Loy Krathong parade audience stand cameraman — The eager crowd await the parade’s arrival through the final stage

Chiang Mai Loy Krathong grand parade police cars — Leading the parade

Yi Peng festival VIP arriving Chiang Mai — Some formalities

Loy Krathong festival fireworks last day Chiang Mai — …and then fireworks!

Chiang Mai krathongs ping river Thailand — River gods ‘flooded’ with krathongs

US consulate family car float Yi Peng festival parade — The American Consul family still doing the rounds

Dining ping river Chiang Mai Yee Peng festival — You also have fancier dining options by Ping river

Loy Krathong ping river boat ride Chiang Mai — Dinner boat rides are also quite popular

Loy Krathong grand parade march — The parade making their way towards the municipality building

Banana stem used in krathongs — The banana trunk slices are what forms the base of the krathongs

Watching so many people release khomloys into the sky (and the fact this was the last day of the festival), I told myself I better release a paper lantern myself now. I still hadn’t done it yet! The past three days, I was busy clicking away and it made me feel like I was on assignment, on work (which in some ways, it is).

Chiang Mai lanterns Ping river Thailand — So I bought a krathong and a khom loy from nearby

I asked a local if I could borrow a light and instead she kindly shows me how to light the khomloy. She even helped hold it with me as the lantern filled up with hot air.

Khomloy paper lantern Chiang Mai Yi Peng festival — And there mine goes!

Thai lady krathongs in ping river — I then released my krathong after making my wish(es). That’s the Thai lady who helped me.

As I walked back up to the main road, I kept telling myself with the disappointment of missing the events at Sansai that I had to come back again and do it right. More importantly, after the ‘assignment’ at Mae Jo, I will not spend all my time taking photos. Instead, I’m going to have fun releasing paper lanterns and playing with fireworks — and I won’t be alone 😉

I went back to the main road for a few more photos.

Thai transgender aids awareness Chiang Mai — Transgenders spreading the message of safe sex

Thai girls posing condom AIDS awareness Chiang Mai — Condom-man distributing free condoms… and posing for photos with girls

Young Thai girl glowing head band Chiang Mai — These kind of headbands are all the craze for young girls out here

Nawarat bridge crowds Yi Peng festival — Nawarat bridge was packed with people

Chiang Mai Thai king tribute gate — I headed back up Thapae road

Chiang Mai Loy krathong parade men — I pity the guys who had to carry the dancer in this heat for hours!

Chiang Mai grand parade traditional palanquin — Don’t you know driving while talking on your mobile is wrong?

Chiang Mai Loy Krathong grand parade traditional palanquin broke — It broke! Poor girl must be so self-conscious now (even through it probably wasn’t due to her weight)

Chiang Mai old Thai lady Loy Krathong grand parade — Hey, I couldn’t be biased

Thai king rama Chiang Mai Yi Peng grand parade — I’m really curious about the Indian connection in Thai history

Chiang Mai Loi Krathong grand parade elaborate float Thailand — These floats are all winners in my opinion

Chiang Mai grand parade Thai mythical animal puppet — This puppet was still doing the rounds

Cow puppet man drinking parade Chiang Mai — But even the men under the animal needed a break for water

Chiang Mai Thapae road Loy Krathong parade end — And that was the end of the parade…

Chiang Mai Thapae road junction street vendor — I walked back to Thapae gate to pick up some dinner

Chiang Mai fried rice shrimp cashews street food Thailand — Picked up some cashews, some fried rice and a shawarma

Leo beer can Chiang Mai Thailand — I even tried LEO beer for the first time. Essentially Singha’s offering to compete with Chang. My verdict? Chang is still better.

The fact that I had to split my last day in Chiang Mai into two posts is proof that this was a long day for me. I was quite tired, still feeling a bit feverish, but through it all — I was more than content with the photographs!

Tomorrow morning, I would head further up north to Chiang Rai and embark on the remainder of my journey across Thailand.

As a parting bonus, here’s a video of the some of the sights from today’s Grand Parade:

Next posts in this series:

Thailand 2010: Heading to Chiang Rai by bus, Wat Jedyod and Golden Clock Tower

Thailand 2010: Golden Triangle in Mae Sai; Chiang Rai’s White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

Thailand 2010: Pattaya — Beach road, Viewpoint, Jomtien Beach, Walking Street

Thailand 2010: Back to Bangkok — Chinatown, Patpong, Platinum Mall and Chatuchak Market

Thailand 2010: Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Sampeng Market, JJ market (again)

Thailand 2010: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market tour, Cobra show… and leaving Bangkok

Previous posts in this series:

Thailand 2010: Chiang Mai Zoo (Day 4, Part 1)

Thailand 2010: Chiang Mai Loi Krathong celebrations; first Grand Parade

Thailand 2010: Chiang Mai cooking class; Loi Krathong celebrations in Mae Jo, Sansai

Thailand 2010: First day in Chiang Mai for Loi Krathong; driving up Doi Suthep

Thailand 2010: Arriving in Bangkok and preparing for Loi Krathong in Chiang Mai

Thailand 2010: Chiang Mai Zoo (Day 4, Part 1)

By Mithun Divakaran
/
Jun 13, 2011
/
Chiang Mai, Thailand, Travel

Date: 22nd November 2010

Yesterday evening was nice. Today was the last day of Loy Krathong, and I’m guessing tonight’s events were going to be a ‘grand finale’ to the festival. But first, I decided to move out of Rux Thai and take a single room at Centerplace Guesthouse because I was going to be out all day and tomorrow morning, I would leave for Chiang Rai.

A single room at Centerplace Guesthouse costs just 200 baht (Rs. 300/$6.7/€4.5).

After transferring my bags, I decided to spend my morning at Chiang Mai Zoo, which is en route to Doi Suthep.

Now I knew Chiang Mai Zoo wasn’t going to be as impressive as Singapore Zoo, but the main reason I chose to visit the zoo is to see a rare animal I rank among my favourites in the animal kingdom — the giant panda!

Chiang Mai Zoo has three of them. But the entrance fees to the zoo are broken up by the individual attractions the place has to offer. The zoo fee costs just ฿100, but it does not include the chance to see the pandas. That’s another ฿100. Also, if you want avail the open air bus, that’s ฿20. So all-in-all, I paid ฿220 (Rs. 325/$7.2/€5) for my entry.

Indian elephant Chiang Mai zoo — The Indian elephant

I walked a bit, saw a few animals at the entrance that I’ve seen many time before and then hopped on to the zoo bus to head straight for the pandas.

Chiang Mai zoo minibus — You have a driver who gives commentary about the attractions as you go along, but it’s only in Thai

Chiang Mai zoo panda statues — I got down here

Chiang Mai zoo Lin Ping house entrance — You hand over the panda entry ticket here

Chiang Mai zoo way to Lin Ping house — First up, Lin Ping, the youngest panda in Chiang Mai Zoo

Chiang Mai zoo Lin Ping playground — This is Lin Ping’s playground. So, where is Lin Ping? (Photo taken on Nokia E72)

Chiang Mai zoo Lin Ping sleep — To the extreme right corner… she was asleep (I hope)

Pandas in Thailand Chiang Mai zoo — Chiang Mai Zoo has 3 pandas, among the only 35 outside China

While young Lin Ping gets her massive play ground, her parents Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui are in a separate air-conditioned enclosure not too far away.

Chuang Chuang panda Chiang Mai zoo — “Ni hao” (Chinese for “hello”)

Chiang Mai zoo panda Lin Hui walking wood — This is the female panda Lin Hui

Chiang Mai zoo panda Lin Hui playing — Play time for Lin Hui

Chiang Mai zoo Chuang Chuang eating — And this bloke here is Xuang Xuang (Chuang Chuang)

Chiang Mai zoo Xuang Xuang panda eating Thailand — Fussy eater! 🙂

Chiang Mai zoo Chuang Chuang sucking thumb — Post-brunch sucking-of-thumb*

Chiang Mai zoo Chuang Chuang eating bamboo — Then ‘tooth pick’ 🙂

Panda Xuang Xuang Chiang Mai zoo — Look at its ears! 🙂

Chiang Mai zoo panda Xuang Xuang eating — Lin Ping was actually born using insemination because this bloke wasn’t interested in ‘doing the job’ with wifey

Chiang Mai zoo Lin Hui eating bamboo — The entire process of how they inseminated Lin Hui is explained near Lin Ping’s section

Chuang Chuang Lin Hui pandas information Chiang Mai zoo — The first two pandas at Chiang Mai zoo

After getting my panda fix, I moved on.

Chiang Mai zoo monorail train — The zoo has a monorail service too (which costs extra as well)

Chiang Mai zoo 7eleven store — And the ubiqitous 7-Eleven can be found inside the zoo as well

I took the tram car again, and it stopped for a while at the newly opened aquarium.

Chiang Mai zoo aquarium entry fee — At those prices, I wasn’t keen on checking it out

Chiang Mai zoo koala tree Thailand — Tree hug

Chiang Mai zoo koala sleeping on tree — Koalas were busy sleeping

Chiang Mai zoo koala sleeping fact — Natural born sleepers

Chiang Mai zoo Dunger koala tail — Dunger is one of the koalas

Chiang Mai zoo kids park — The Kids park

They have a kids section with a bunch of cute animals and some rather interesting tiny creatures.

Chiang Mai zoo pygmy marmoset Thailand — This creature is called the pygmy marmoset

Chiang Mai zoo pygmy marmoset — It’s a really tiny animal and it moved funnily

Chiang Mai zoo deer park reindeers — I moved on to the deer section next

Chiang Mai zoo deer walkway — There’s an overhead walkway

Chiang Mai zoo steep hill — I walked to the next attraction

Chiang Mai zoo monorail track view — There was a huge tree trunk which had a set of stairs you could climb to get this view (Taken on my Nokia E72)

Next, I entered a birds enclosure.

Chiang Mai zoo Lady Amherst's pheasant — Lady Amherst’s pheasant

Chiang Mai zoo Lady Amherst's pheasant tail — Lovely looking thing

Great hornbill Chiang Mai zoo Thailand — Great Hornbill

Trumpeter hornbill Chiang Mai zoo — Trumpeter hornbill

Oriental pied hornbill Chiang Mai zoo — Oriental pied hornbill

Indian peacock Chiang Mai zoo — India’s national bird — the peacock (Edit: A reader just pointed out it took a dump. Didn’t even notice that until she told me!)

Country rooster Chiang Mai zoo — Got the lighting right on this one

Siamese fireback pheasant Chiang Mai zoo — Siamese fireback pheasant

Chiang Mai zoo birds enclosure panorama — This is the birds enclosure (Panorama comprised of 6 shots)

White bellied sea eagle Chiang Mai zoo Thailand — Birds of prey next. This is the White bellied sea eagle

Black kite Chiang Mai zoo staring — A kite… staring at me

Grey head fish eagle Chiang Mai zoo — Grey head fish eagle

Black kite eyes Chiang Mai zoo — Seriously, stop staring

Black kite beak head Chiang Mai zoo — “Duuhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”

Ostrich Chiang Mai zoo — Ostrich (if you didn’t know)

Porcupine Chiang Mai zoo Thailand — Porcupines

After the birds, next up was a large open section entirely for Gibbons.

White gibbon monkey swinging Chiang Mai zoo — Apes with really long arms

Gibbon swinging on tree Chiang Mai zoo — It was fun to watch these gibbons swing around

Chiang Mai zoo buddhist monks — The gibbons have a pretty large playground

Siamese crocodile Chiang Mai zoo — But they share the compound with a Siamese crocodile

Gibbons fighting Chiang Mai zoo Thailand — Fun to watch apes play-fight

White handed gibbon feet shape Chiang Mai zoo Thailand — Look at their feet. Nature and its designs!

Rhinoceros Chiang Mai zoo Thailand — The only Rhinoceros in Thailand

Rhino stegosaurus head Chiang Mai zoo — When I saw this photo, I thought to myself “Looks so much like a stegosaurus”

Elephant ride Chiang Mai zoo Thailand — They have elephant rides here, costs extra of course

Humboldt penguins Chiang Mai zoo — Humboldt penguins, in a seperate temeprature-controlled zone

Chiang Mai zoo Thailand pathway — It’s only at this point I realized Chiang Mai Zoo is quite big

View Chiang Mai city from Chiang Mai zoo — It occupies a large area and is quite hilly

Shooting club ATV Chiang Mai zoo Thailand — The irony of having a shooting club inside a zoo(!) is beyond me

Luge car station Chiang Mai zoo — The land has the slopes for luge riding, but I didn’t see anybody in the cars

Chiang Mai zoo tree panorama — Went in search for more animals

Black bear Chiang Mai zoo Thailand — The Asian black bear

Black bear Chiang Mai zoo wall — Poor thing only has his shadow to talk to

African lion Chiang Mai zoo — Didn’t look at her for too long

Assamese macaque Chiang Mai zoo Thailand — Assamese macaque

Pig tailed macaque Chiang Mai zoo — Pig tailed macaque

Ostrich feather Chiang Mai zoo — The Bare-bum Ostrich*

White tiger Chiang Mai zoo — And finally, the beautiful white tiger

Elephant Chiang Mai zoo — Passed the same elephant on the way out

Also on the way out, I couldn’t help but buy a small souvenir from Chiang Mai zoo. They were selling stuffed toys of the zoo’s main stars, the pandas. I bought a small Lin Ping souvenir for 150 baht.

All in all, I must have spent nearly 4 hours in Chiang Mai zoo. A lot longer than I thought I would spend. I mostly came to see the pandas and ended up seeing pretty much everything the zoo had to showcase.

So is a visit to Chiang Mai zoo worth it? Well, Singapore Zoo didn’t have pandas (they only get them in 2012), and even koalas, when I visited back in September. So yes, this visit was time and money well-spent. At half the price of Singapore Zoo, you still see a lot of animals. Chiang Mai zoo also has animal shows and even a Night Safari. How good those are, I didn’t bother to find out of sheer dis-interest.