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 Golden dragon bus Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/golden-dragon-bus-chiangmai-to-chiangrai.jpg)
![Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai road north Thailand Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai road north Thailand](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiangmai-to-chiangrai-road-north-thailand.jpg)
![Bus ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Bus ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/bus-ride-from-chiangmai-to-chiangrai.jpg)
![Highway to Chiang Rai north Thailand landscape Highway to Chiang Rai north Thailand landscape](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/highway-to-chiangrai-north-thailand-landscape.jpg)
![Welcome to Chiang Rai board highway sign Welcome to Chiang Rai board highway sign](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/welcome-to-chiangrai-board-highway-sign.jpg)
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 Hotel Raungnakorn road Chiang Rai](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/hotel-raungnakorn-road-chiang-rai.jpg)
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 Wat Phra kaew temple Chiang Rai Thailand](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/wat-phra-kaew-temple-chiang-rai-thailand.jpg)
![Evening market Chiang Rai clock tower Evening market Chiang Rai clock tower](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/evening-market-chiangrai-clock-tower.jpg)
![Road leading Chiang Rai Golden clock tower Road leading Chiang Rai Golden clock tower](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/road-leading-chiangrai-golden-clock-tower.jpg)
![Golden clock tower junction Chiang Rai Golden clock tower junction Chiang Rai](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/golden-clock-tower-junction-chiangrai.jpg)
![Golden clock tower roundabout Chiang Rai Golden clock tower roundabout Chiang Rai](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/golden-clock-tower-roundabout-chiangrai.jpg)
![Chiang Rai golden clock tower Chiang Rai golden clock tower](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiangrai-golden-clock-tower.jpg)
![Chiang Rai bar restaurant Jetyod street Chiang Rai bar restaurant Jedyod street](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiangmai-bar-restaurant-street.jpg)
![Wat Jedyod temple Chiang Rai Thailand Wat Jedyod temple Chiang Rai Thailand](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/wat-jedyod-temple-chiang-rai-thailand.jpg)
![Black cat in front of Buddha statue Black cat in front of Buddha statue](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/black-cat-in-front-of-buddha-statue.jpg)
![Wat Jedyod golden buddha statue Chiang Rai Thailand Wat Jedyod golden buddha statue Chiang Rai Thailand](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/wat-jedyod-golden-buddha-statue-chiangrai-thailand.jpg)
![Gautum buddha staring eyes Wat Jedyod statue Gautum buddha staring eyes Wat Jedyod statue](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/gautum-buddha-staring-eyes-wat-jedyod-statue.jpg)
![Wat Jedyod Indian god paintings Chiang Rai Wat Jedyod Indian god paintings Chiang Rai](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/wat-jedyod-indian-god-paintings.jpg)
![Indian gods Thai ancient wall paintings Wat Jedyod Indian gods Thai ancient wall paintings Wat Jedyod](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/indian-gods-thai-ancient-wall-paintings-wat-jedyod.jpg)
![Wat Jedyod temple hall Chiang Rai Thailand Wat Jedyod temple hall Chiang Rai Thailand](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/wat-jedyod-temple-hall-chiangrai-thailand.jpg)
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 Sanpanard road Chiang Rai Thailand](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/sanpanard-road-chiangrai-thailand.jpg)
![Chiang Rai night bazaar entrance Chiang Rai night bazaar entrance](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-night-bazaar-entrance.jpg)
![Chiang Rai night market shops Chiang Rai night market shops](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-night-market-shops.jpg)
![Chiang Rai night market food court evening Chiang Rai night market food court evening](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-night-market-food-court-evening.jpg)
![Phaholyotin road shops Chiang Rai Thailand Phaholyotin road shops Chiang Rai Thailand](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/phaholyotin-road-shops-chiang-rai-thailand.jpg)
![Chiang Rai bus stand Thailand Chiang Rai bus stand Thailand](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-bus-stand-thailand.jpg)
![Phaholyotin road Wangcome hotel Chiang Rai Thailand Phaholyotin road Wangcome hotel Chiang Rai Thailand](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/phaholyotin-road-wangcome-hotel-chiang-rai-thailand.jpg)
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 Chiang Rai evening market fresh vegetables](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-evening-market-fresh-vegetables.jpg)
![Golden clock tower at night Chiang Rai Thailand Golden clock tower at night Chiang Rai Thailand](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/golden-clock-tower-at-night-chiangrai-thailand.jpg)
![Sukgatis road night golden lamp posts clock tower Chiang Rai Sukgatis road night golden lamp posts clock tower Chiang Rai](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/sukgatis-road-night-golden-lamp-posts-clock-tower-chiangrai.jpg)
![Chiang Rai night bazaar street vendors Chiang Rai night bazaar street vendors](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-night-bazaar-street-vendors.jpg)
![Chiang Rai night bazaar street stalls musician Chiang Rai night bazaar street stalls musician](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-night-bazaar-street-stalls-musician.jpg)
![Chiang Rai night bazaar food court Chiang Rai night bazaar food court](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-night-bazaar-food-court.jpg)
![Chiang Rai fried insects Thailand Chiang Rai fried insects Thailand](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-fried-insects-thailand.jpg)
![Chiang Rai night bazaar seafood bbq Chiang Rai night bazaar seafood bbq](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-night-bazaar-seafood-bbq.jpg)
![Chiang Rai night bazaar stage music Chiang Rai night bazaar stage music](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-night-bazaar-stage-music.jpg)
![Chiang Rai night bazaar dining crowd Chiang Rai night bazaar dining crowd](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-night-bazaar-dining-crowd.jpg)
![Spicy Thai seafood soup Chiang Rai night bazaar Spicy Thai seafood soup Chiang Rai night bazaar](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/spicy-thai-seafood-soup-chiangrai-night-bazaar.jpg)
![Chiang Rai night market live stage entertainment Chiang Rai night market live stage entertainment](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-night-market-live-stage-entertainment.jpg)
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 Chiang Rai night restaurants tourists](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiang-rai-night-restaurants-tourists.jpg)
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 Chiang Rai golden clock tower at night](http://mithunonthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/chiangrai-golden-clock-tower-at-night.jpg)
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