Visually
Stunning
16 Nights Festival of Lights in November - Chiang Mai THAILAND
Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash
INFORMATION
Thailand's Most Beautiful Festivals
HIGHLIGHTS - light in the darkness
Phitsanoluk 2N
Sukhothai 2N
Chiang Mai 4N
Tha Ton 2N
Chiang Rai 3N = 16N
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Thai Massage
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Rebel Brewery
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Kok River Trip
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Wat Tha Ton
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White Temple
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Black House
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Blue Temple
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Grand Palace
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Emerald Buddha
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Reclining Buddha
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Mon pottery and desserts
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The Birthplace of Loy Krathong
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UNESCO listed Sukhothai Historical Park
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World Capital flying through the air fried morning glory vine
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The 2 best Loy Krathong and the only Yee Peng Festivals in the World
All travel information including hotels etc is at the bottom of this page
book everything very early - even the bus from Sukothai to Chiang Mai
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Most Thai festivals work on the Lunar Calendar so the dates change every year and it can be frustrating trying to find out what they are early enough to get your bookings in. This festival is for 3 days on the 12th full moon of the Thai lunar calendar usually in November. You will need to time your trip so that your 2nd night in Sukothai is the first night of Loy Krathong and your first night in Chiang Mai is the 2nd night of Yee Peng when they have the major release.
1 Bangkok - 3N
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Fly in and out of Bangkok's main airport (BKK). An authorised taxi is the best way to get into town if there are two of you or more. Otherwise take the Airport Rail Link. Stay at or near the New Siam Riverside near the Khao San Road area. Spend your first night getting acquainted with this unique neighbourhood. This is one of the premier places to sit (with a bottle of Sang Som Thai Rum) and watch the world (literally) go by. Spend a few days seeing the sights and experiencing some of what this amazing city has to offer.
Image by TheDigitalWay from Pixabay
Tuk Tuks
2
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Off for a walking tour today to cross the major bucket list items off of your list. The restaurant Krua Apsorn doesn't open until 10.30 so you can have a bit of a sleep in.
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Watch out for pickpockets around the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Make sure you have Maps.me downloaded with the appropriate maps to help you find your way. You can get a sarong at the entrance of the Grand Palace to cover your legs or arms.
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Make your way to the the 14 October 1973 Memorial - 500,000 people gathered here to protest the Three Tyrants
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Then down to the Democracy Monument - where it all began in 1932 and it has become a place for protesters to assemble
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Brunch at Krua Apsorn (Apsorn's Kitchen) a famous place to eat that uses recipes that were used in the palace to feed Royalty - (Stir fried crab in curry powder is highly recommended)
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The Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha) - hard to miss this one at 21 meters tall, at one time Louis Leonowens the son of Anna (as in the King and I) donated the teak for the swing)
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Next door is Wat (temple) Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworahawihan - is one of the oldest and most important temples - King Rama 8 is buried here
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Nuttaporn Ice cream - time for a cool break, they have local flavours and have been making ice cream pretty much since Bangkok has had it and use the finest mangoes money can buy
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Phraeng Phuton Square - next to Nuttaporn and has some classic old shops that are worth a look
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Bangkok City Pillar Shrine - this was the first building put up on this side of the river
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The Grand Palace (Phra Borom Maharatchawang) and the the Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaeo Morakot) - which has had an interesting life with lots of travel
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Wat Pho - the home of the Reclining Buddha and Thai massage
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Wat Arun - aka the Temple of Dawn. The central tower represents Mount Meru the centre of the universe
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Museum Siam - an interactive and fun lesson in Thai history and Thai culture.
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At 4.00 it's time to start thinking about beer o'clock and make your way over to the Amorosa Bar at Arun Residence. It's one of the best places for sundowners and has a magic view of Wat Arun from the balcony. Get there early to get a good seat. Their bar snacks are pretty tasty too.
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On your way home get a tuk tuk to drop you off at Pratu Phi or Ghost Gate for dinner. There are two famous establishments here. Sister Mole or Jay Fai is a one woman powerhouse who has collected herself a Michelin star. The other one Thip Samai is the most popular place to have Pat Thai in Bangkok.
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Continue on to Khao San for another night out not too far from home.
3
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Have a sleep in you've earned it. Today will be nice and relaxed and you can travel at your own pace. With a nice long boat cruise to start things off. You are going to a riverine island called Ko Kret. This one was Mon made when a short cut was forcibly dug in by hand. The Mons ended up settling on the island. Mons actually inhabited this area before the Thais came along.
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It gets very busy on weekends and some people prefer the serenity coming here during the week. When you're ready make your way down to Phra Athit Pier. Did you know the CIA used to have an office on this road you are walking down? If you're hungry there's a very good beef noodle shop here.
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You're heading North today, all the way to the last stop - the Nonthaburi pier. From here you can hire a long tailed boat to take you up to the island which is another 20 minutes North.The island is nice and flat and there is one 6 km ring road so hiring a bicycle is the best way to get around. You can do it on less than an hour. You can also hire a motorbike taxi lady if you'd rather.
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The island is famous for it's pottery and there are several villages which specialise in this. It is also famous for it's Thai Desserts. Also there is the leaning Pagoda. So get yourself a pushbike and start exploring.
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The Rongsi Studio is a cafe set in an old rice mill and a great coffee stop. Find somewhere interesting for lunch. And even pick up a souvenir or two on the way around. At the end of the tour settle into Chit Beer for a few frothies looking out at the river. It has an interesting back story about taking on the big boys. And a little further on De Pala is another good beer stop.
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Catch the ferry back straight across the river to the mainland. You're going back a different way to what you came. Get a taxi to the Nonthaburi Civic Centre. Ask him if he'll use the meter before you get in. Catch the MRT to Tao Poon Station where you will transfer from the purple to the blue line. Next stop Sukhumvit - this station connects with the Asok BTS Sky Train Station which travels up and down Sukhumvit Road. (Which goes to the Cambodian border by the way - and it has numbered Sois (lanes) to help you work out where things are). Odd numbers head North and even numbers South. Numbers increase from West to East. They also have their own names as well.
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Now Bangkok is your oyster and you have some decisions to make. (Some of these will need pre-booking of course) Have a look around the -
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Terminal 21 Shopping Mall which is basically where you are.
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Dine in the Dark - a short walk away at the Sheraton Grande
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Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar, Soi Sukhumvit 57 - for sunset
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Dinner at Gaggan Anand Restaurant - one of the world's most famous
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Siam Square - shopping Mecca and upscale everything
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Sukhumvit Soi 11 - Soi 38 Street Food Night Market and the other hundred + Sois.
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High speed Tuk Tuk home
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Wat Sunthon Pradit - Phitsanoluk
Go to Bangkok tours 1
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4 - 5 Phitsanoluk - 2N
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Fly or catch the train up to Phitsanoluk the World Capital of Flying Through The Air Fried Morning Glory Vine. Another one to cross off of your bucket list. Stay in a nice riverside hotel in the centre of town. Have some dinner, find a good spot, order a bottle and enjoy the FTTAFMGV show.
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Phitsanulok doesn't see a lot of independent travellers so it remains an authentic Thai town. Spend the day learning it's history and trying it's specialties. There is a tramway service around the city. You can go white water rafting. And head to the Night Market and Night Bazaar later on. A lot of the action happens down along the river.
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Hop on the bus to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sukhothai. This was the capital before Ayutthaya and was the first capital of Siam. It's most famous king was King Ramkhamhaeng who is remembered for creating the Thai alphabet and having a bell on the gate where commoners could air their grievances and get a fair hearing. The Sukhothai Historical Park is nothing short of spectacular and never more so than during Loy Krathong. See the details below.
Sukhothai UNESCO Historical Park
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6 - 7 OLD Sukothai - 2N
- Hop on the bus to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sukhothai the capital before Ayutthaya and the first capital of Siam. Where as in Ayutthaya the old city was mixed with the new city here old and new are separate and the Sukhothai Historical Park is nothing short of spectacular. Being here for the Loy Krathong festival is the best way to see it.
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King Ramkhamhaeng one of Thailand's most famous Kings ruled here between 1278 and 1298. He invented the Thai alphabet which is pretty much the same that is used today. The other thing he is remembered for is that he had a bell provided on one of the city gates and anyone with a grievance could ring it and the King would listen to their problem and provide a just solution. There is a monument and a museum to him within the park.
- The bus from Phitsanoluk to New Sukhothai takes an hour and a half. When you arrive at the bus station north of the new town you'll need to catch a tuk tuk to the old town. It is about 10 km to the resort and there should be signs with the tuk tuk prices on them. This will add another half hour to the trip by the time you get there.
- Stay at or near Legendha Sukhothai Hotel **** - excellent location on the main road one kilometer from the UNESCO Sukhothai Historical Park, classic Thai design resort, landscaped areas with outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers, sits on the Mae Rampan Canal which the restaurant overlooks and has classical Thai dancing, bar, spa and wellness centre, massage, activities including cooking classes, all rooms have a balcony with canal, temple and courtyard views, bike rental, fabulous buffet breakfast included, tour desk, evening entertainment
- Relax around the resort for a while then grab a bike and checkout sunset at the park. Stick around for the sound and light show and there should be traditional music and dancing. There will be food stalls and vendors all over the place so there'll be lots to see and do. The next day should see parades and ceremonies just get your hands on the schedule to see what is going on and where. The next day will be Loy Krathong day which is the big one. Plenty of activities including parades, ceremonies processions and fireworks. There will be action, noise, food and merry making everywhere.
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If you want to travel between Old and New Sukhothai just hail over a blue Songtheaw going your way (a small truck with people sitting in the back - the name means two benches) or you could charter your own tuk tuk. There's not a lot to see in New Sukhothai but there are more choices for restaurants and bars. Such as the Poo Restaurant. Poo or puu means crab in Thai. In a funny double transliteration error the Poo Restaurant sign had a comment suggesting something like you should try the "Crap - it's really good"😁. (P's and B's get mixed up too). It's still open, why not have a look?
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One local specialty you should try here is Sukhothai Noodles. The resort has a good restaurant and even though some of them near the park cater to the tourist palate you can still find authentic food around. If you are looking for a drink in the evening outside of the resort, go for a wander up the main street and see what's about. Just like food in Thailand you're never very far away from a spot where you can sit down, settle in, have a session and watch the world go by. At the best prices too.
8 - 11 Chiang Mai - 4N
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The bus to Chiang Mai takes 4½ hours and as there are no direct flights this is also the quickest. It would be a good idea to book this one ahead on line just in case.
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Chiang Mai seems to be everybody's favourite town. It has pretty much got the lot. Many ex-pats retire here for that reason. And it's not just the town, the whole area has mountains, resorts, golf courses, hot springs, handicrafts, restaurants, ziplines in an ancient forest, a grand canyon water park in a disused quarry and a whole lot more. You can segway around the old town, shop at the huge Night Bazaar, help rehabilitate female prisoners with massage, the eating options are endless (with some great northern specialties), there are different nightlife areas and the climate is pleasantly cooler than most other parts of Thailand. One local invention is the Khantoke dinner which combines a meal of local dishes while watching a cultural show.
Loy Krathong Parade
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This is a great place to celebrate Loy Krathong and Yee Peng which usually run simultaneously. So you will have a sky full of lanterns and a river full of floating candles. Numerous other events are happening over the multi day program as well. The dates which are based on the Lunar Calendar can be frustrating to find out a long way in advance. Many people have seen the pictures of the mass release of lanterns at Mae Jo and that's what they want to do. In reality the sky is full of lanterns everywhere and the mass release is very expensive, tiresome and time consuming. And you may miss it because you were in Sukhothai last night. If you really have your heart set on it just change the dates and the bookings. The best way to enjoy this double festival is to find a bar by the river, get there early and get a good seat and just soak it all in. You can buy and release lanterns and krathongs anywhere you want and there are all manner of celebrations going on.
Tha Ton - the Kok River
Go to Chiang Mai Tours 1
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12 - 13 Tha Ton - 2N
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Chiang Mai has 3 bus stations and the one you want is Chang Puak Bus Terminal 1, it is 650m north of the North / or Chang Puak Gate. Take the local transport to Tha Ton, it may be a bus (no a/c but much more leg room) or a minivan. It's a pretty little town very close to the Myanmar border. It sits on either side of the scenic Kok River which you will travel along to Chiang Rai in a couple of days. You can even organise an overnight Hill Tribe stopover along the way or you could go trekking from Tha Ton itself. Anything from a few hours to several days.
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Don't forget to book your boat tickets at the pier by the Police Box. It takes 4 hours and leaves around 12.30pm. If you can get the numbers together you can hire your own boat and make a day of it with a few stops along the way. Or the public boat is still a great experience. The daily service runs between July to December and until the river levels are too low. You still may be able to charter your own boat when river levels are low. This river trip is one the highlights for many people.
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You can rent a scooter and visit the Hill Tribes and check out the awesome scenery. Or you could climb the nine levels at Wat Tha Ton (temple) and see the incredible view from the top and have a look into Myanmar. Or you could laze around by the pool or find a nice riverside restaurant and chill out for a few hours with a beer or a banana shake.
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The northern rice sausages that come out on the main road in the afternoon are excellent along with some sticky rice and som tam goong (spicy green papaya salad with dried shrimp). It's a great little town to have a day off and recharge the batteries for the rest of your trip.
14 - 16 Chiang Rai
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Boat trip today along the very scenic Kok River to Chiang Rai. If you can get the numbers you can hire your own boat and make a day of it with a few stops along the way. Or the public boat is still a great experience. Book into your upmarket Hotel near the Night Market in Chiang Rai. This is the second largest town in the north after Chiang Mai and was the first capital of the Lan Na Kingdom. The Night Market is a large rectangular area surrounded by food stalls and bars. One end has a stage where musical and cultural performances happen for free. They have a delicious cook your own soup that costs about $3. All in all it's hard to beat and the bar area is a short walk away.
The White Temple
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If you like your temples coloured you're in the right place. Here they have White, Black, Blue and they are all very impressive. The Black one is more of a museum in numerous buildings. Pay close attention to the details especially in some of the murals. On Saturday nights a big Street Food Market is set up and there are some interesting night clubs worth a visit later in the night. They put on a great show and the nearby noodle shops cap off a great night before you head home.
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Fly back to Bangkok direct from Chiang Rai. You still have 2 weeks on your Thai visa and this is the best time of the year to be in this neck of the woods. Have a look at the Thailand page or the Motorbike Trips page for one of the Loops starting and ending in Chiang Mai. Other possibilities include the river cruise to Luang Prabang in Laos.
Go to Chiang Rai Tours
LOY KRATHONG / YEE PENG
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The evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar usually in November.
LENGTH -
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4 days, Yee Peng is 3 days and comes first then Loy Krathong is 3 days, some concurrent.
HISTORY -
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Loy Krathong is believed to have originated in Sukhothai the old capital before Ayutthaya about 800 years ago. Thais give thanks to the water goddess for providing it and ask for forgiveness for using to much or contaminating it.
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Yee Peng has Hindu origins and is associated with the old Lanna Kingdom of which Chiang Mai was the capital.
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They have been releasing lanterns here since 13th century AD.
WHERE -
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Various sites around Chiang Mai 690 km north of Bangkok
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Loy Krathong is celebrated all over Thailand but Yee Peng is only celebrated in the north.
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They are two different festivals celebrated at the same time in Chiang Mai.
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It marks the end of the rainy season. Loy Krathong is lights floating in the river and Yee Peng is lights floating in the night sky.
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Loy Krathong comes second to Valentines Day for when Thai teenagers lose their virginity.
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Both festivals represent sending out wishes for the future and getting rid of the bad stuff from the past.
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If they disappear before the lights go out your dreams will come true.
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Floating back to the river bank is not a good sign.
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If young lovers Krathongs stay together as they float away it is a good omen they too will stay together.
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It is a popular time to make wedding proposals.
HOTELS -
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Bangkok - Stay at or near the New Siam Riverside *** - anywhere in the Banglamphu area will be fine.
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Phitsanoluk - Stay at or near Little Jasmine by the River - great location on the river, by the bridge and next to Walking Street, it has a Cafe, superb buffet breakfast included, every room has a patio and some have river views, bar, close to floating house restaurants
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Sukothai - Stay at or near Legendha Sukhothai Hotel **** - excellent location on the main road one kilometer from the UNESCO Sukhothai Historical Park, classic Thai design resort, landscaped areas with outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers, sits on the Mae Rampan Canal which the restaurant overlooks and has classical Thai dancing, bar, spa and wellness centre, massage, activities including cooking classes, all rooms have a balcony with canal, temple and courtyard views, bike rental, fabulous buffet breakfast included, tour desk, evening entertainment
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Chiang Mai - Stay at or near the Raming Lodge Hotel & Spa **** - excellent location on Loi Kroh Road near the moat, close to many restaurants and bars, walking distance to the Night Bazaar and the river, close to Sunday Walking Street, outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar, spa, massage, Thai-style rooms, tour desk
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Tha Thon - In the town stay at or near Saranya River House **** - excellent location near the river, the boat dock and the main street, outdoor swimming pool, ATM, restaurant, cafe, tour desk, minimart, massage
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Resort a little further out (1.5km from the bridge) Maekok River Village Resort **** - excellent location riverside with stunning views, beautiful tropical gardens, outdoor swimming pool, full English breakfast included, Spice Garden Restaurant, Aod's Bar (coffee), trekking, cycling and cooking classes, all rooms have patio / balcony with mountain and river views
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Chiang Rai - Stay at or near the Wiang Inn Hotel **** - excellent location in the centre of town, outdoor swimming pool, 3 dining options, northern Thai furnishings, bar, very good buffet breakfast included, massage, karaoke, cafe, night club, 24 hour desk
VISA -
INCLUDES -
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Floating candles, Floating lanterns, Fireworks, Parades, Giant Krathong contest
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Mr and Mrs Peng contest, Cultural Performances
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lots of Street food, Live music, Beauty Pageants, most beautiful Krathong contest, light shows, folk music
HIGHLIGHT -
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A world full of floating lanterns
FLIGHTS -
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Suvarnabhumi Airport (New Bangkok Airport) (BKK) - has direct flights to 103 cities in 48 countries, covering everywhere except the Americas. They should link up with Europe, Asia or the UAE. Catch the airport shuttle into town or if there are 2 or more of you it will be cheaper to get an official airport taxi.
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Once you have bought your airline tickets get some travel insurance to cover yourself
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BRING -
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Your dreams and bad karma
SAFETY -
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Personal firecrackers have been banned.
PARTY FACTOR -
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A world famous fair, the population doubles and it's party time.
TIPS -
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Only use Krathongs made from natural materials
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No need to buy them or the lanterns in advance as there are plenty for sale on the night
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Be careful not to tear the paper on your lantern (Khom Loy)
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Don't wear revealing clothes if going into a temple or going to the mass release
Information for this page was sourced from the following websites -