If taking a taxi or Tuk Tuk to Baan Suan from the Airport, Train or Bus Station: Travel down Highway 1 towards Chiang
Rai (4 lane), until you get to Prabat Intersection (Signed as Prabat Junction). Turn Right (South). Go past the Yonok
Intersection (Yonok College on the right) until you get to the Pha lad (Pa-lat) Intersection. Turn left and travel 2 km (1
mile) and Baan Suan is on the Right. Total distance is about 12 km or 6 miles. Baan Suan is on the Mae Mo Hwy., so
you may ask most anyone how to get to the Mae Mo.
Rai (4 lane), until you get to Prabat Intersection (Signed as Prabat Junction). Turn Right (South). Go past the Yonok
Intersection (Yonok College on the right) until you get to the Pha lad (Pa-lat) Intersection. Turn left and travel 2 km (1
mile) and Baan Suan is on the Right. Total distance is about 12 km or 6 miles. Baan Suan is on the Mae Mo Hwy., so
you may ask most anyone how to get to the Mae Mo.
Information & Map & Directions
Travel Tips for Touring Thailand & Asia
As an independent traveler, how much time should I allow for my trip?
There is so much to see and do while in Thailand it will be impossible to see all of the spectacular sites in a two week period. But assuming you want to
see the important sights such as the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Golden Triangle and other sights in the north. You should allow yourself two
weeks as a bare minimum. Keep in mind, Thailand is about 1,000 miles long so always allow for travel time. If traveling by train, car or bus it will take one
full day to travel to Bangkok to Chiang Mai, but only one hour by plane. Try to plan your long trips by traveling by plane and your satellite trips using the bus,
rented car or train. Select a guest house,hostel or B & B as your base of operations to travel and leave your personal belongings there while traveling on day
trips. It will be much more relaxing and less intense.
There is so much to see and do while in Thailand it will be impossible to see all of the spectacular sites in a two week period. But assuming you want to
see the important sights such as the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Golden Triangle and other sights in the north. You should allow yourself two
weeks as a bare minimum. Keep in mind, Thailand is about 1,000 miles long so always allow for travel time. If traveling by train, car or bus it will take one
full day to travel to Bangkok to Chiang Mai, but only one hour by plane. Try to plan your long trips by traveling by plane and your satellite trips using the bus,
rented car or train. Select a guest house,hostel or B & B as your base of operations to travel and leave your personal belongings there while traveling on day
trips. It will be much more relaxing and less intense.
When is the best time to Travel to Asia?
Much depends on what type of weather you like. If you like lots of rain, then the summer is the best time. If you like lots of sun, then the winter is the best
time. If you like hot temperatures, then the spring is the best time. This is pretty much the seasons in Asia. I enjoy August, September and October,
because the temperatures are not too hot (70 to 83) but usually cloudy about 60% of the time. The scenery is lush and green and very beautiful. In the
winter, it is cooler at night and always sunny during the day. It is hotter during the day (80-90) but can drop to 60's at night. Good for sleeping if you can't
afford a place with air conditioning. By January, the jungle has turned to yucky desert brown because of the lack of water and rain. Not real pretty for
pictures. Also, the rice fields are being burned in Jan. and Feb. so lots of smoke in the air. If you have breathing problems, be cautious during this period.
In March and April it is HOT. Well, how hot is it? Temperatures can average well over 100 degrees day in and day out, and also consider the humidity as well.
The beaches are usually cooler, so it is a good time to go during this time of year.
Much depends on what type of weather you like. If you like lots of rain, then the summer is the best time. If you like lots of sun, then the winter is the best
time. If you like hot temperatures, then the spring is the best time. This is pretty much the seasons in Asia. I enjoy August, September and October,
because the temperatures are not too hot (70 to 83) but usually cloudy about 60% of the time. The scenery is lush and green and very beautiful. In the
winter, it is cooler at night and always sunny during the day. It is hotter during the day (80-90) but can drop to 60's at night. Good for sleeping if you can't
afford a place with air conditioning. By January, the jungle has turned to yucky desert brown because of the lack of water and rain. Not real pretty for
pictures. Also, the rice fields are being burned in Jan. and Feb. so lots of smoke in the air. If you have breathing problems, be cautious during this period.
In March and April it is HOT. Well, how hot is it? Temperatures can average well over 100 degrees day in and day out, and also consider the humidity as well.
The beaches are usually cooler, so it is a good time to go during this time of year.
Other Misc. Travel Tips
Traveling in Pairs or Groups: To save costs and for your own protection, it is best to travel with a companion. You can share the cost of the room and tours
and trips. If you travel with 5 or more, often you can get a group rate. If you stay for longer period of time, say one month, you can get discounts on your
room, especially if there is a group. Most places offer group rates or long term stay discounts. Be sure to ask when you check on accommodations.
Don't drink the water: This can't be emphasised enough. Those cheap hostels and guest houses and B & B's are cheap because they didn't spend the
money to install a filtration system on their water supply or have the water routinely tested. Don't think about brushing your teeth in the tap water. Use bottled
water only... If you plan to stay for a while at a guest house, ask about their water system. Ask if they have a bacteria filtering system or a septic system?
Remember, just because they are int the city and on public water doesn't mean the water is safe. Even in the city, they should have a filtration system. Also,
take toilet paper with you when you travel, most rest rooms do not supply toilet paper. All decent accommodations and soup kitchen and restaurants always
give you bottled water, which is opened at your table.
How much to budget for my trip: Most independent travelers are under financed. For the independent traveler, as a general rule, you should budget about
$50.00 per day for daily expenses. 1) $6.00 to $16.00 for a room 2) $4.00 for meals 3) $15.00 for trips and tours 4) $5.00 for transportation, taxi,
rentals etc. 5) $10.00 for personals, gifts and a slush fund So, if you plan a trip for two weeks (14 days) you should plan on having $700.00. If you plan to
fly to various locations around Asia, add about $100 RT for each excursion. $1,000 for two weeks will get you a nice enjoyable trip for one person or two
people if you share accommodations. If you plan to spend time at the beach, the cost could be considerably more, because the rooms can be as much as
$50.00 per night, even in a dump. So, allow for a separate budget when spending time at the beach during peak season (winter). The big mistake that
most make is that they read in Lonely Planet or other guide books that they can get a room for $3.00 or $5.00 per night, but when they get to the city, the
cheap rooms are booked or don't exist and what is left is the $20.00 per night rooms (which look amazingly like the $3.00 room). Be leary of the budget
hostels and guest houses. The rooms are cheap but the meals and extras can be expensive.
What should I take on my trip:
You can get most everything in Thailand, especially inexpensive clothes, so don't bother packing lots of clothes. But bring an alarm clock, anti-acid stomach
pills such as Rolaids or Tums, Eye drops and medicines for infections and prickly heat. Medication for intestinal problems is a must, especially if you stay
in low budget hostels or travel to remote villages and islands. Be sure to bring anti fungal foot powder. Many of the budget guest houses and hostels do not
disinfect the showers after each guest, so because of the heat, athletes foot is common and can easily be spread from shower to shower and guest to
guest.
Traveling in Pairs or Groups: To save costs and for your own protection, it is best to travel with a companion. You can share the cost of the room and tours
and trips. If you travel with 5 or more, often you can get a group rate. If you stay for longer period of time, say one month, you can get discounts on your
room, especially if there is a group. Most places offer group rates or long term stay discounts. Be sure to ask when you check on accommodations.
Don't drink the water: This can't be emphasised enough. Those cheap hostels and guest houses and B & B's are cheap because they didn't spend the
money to install a filtration system on their water supply or have the water routinely tested. Don't think about brushing your teeth in the tap water. Use bottled
water only... If you plan to stay for a while at a guest house, ask about their water system. Ask if they have a bacteria filtering system or a septic system?
Remember, just because they are int the city and on public water doesn't mean the water is safe. Even in the city, they should have a filtration system. Also,
take toilet paper with you when you travel, most rest rooms do not supply toilet paper. All decent accommodations and soup kitchen and restaurants always
give you bottled water, which is opened at your table.
How much to budget for my trip: Most independent travelers are under financed. For the independent traveler, as a general rule, you should budget about
$50.00 per day for daily expenses. 1) $6.00 to $16.00 for a room 2) $4.00 for meals 3) $15.00 for trips and tours 4) $5.00 for transportation, taxi,
rentals etc. 5) $10.00 for personals, gifts and a slush fund So, if you plan a trip for two weeks (14 days) you should plan on having $700.00. If you plan to
fly to various locations around Asia, add about $100 RT for each excursion. $1,000 for two weeks will get you a nice enjoyable trip for one person or two
people if you share accommodations. If you plan to spend time at the beach, the cost could be considerably more, because the rooms can be as much as
$50.00 per night, even in a dump. So, allow for a separate budget when spending time at the beach during peak season (winter). The big mistake that
most make is that they read in Lonely Planet or other guide books that they can get a room for $3.00 or $5.00 per night, but when they get to the city, the
cheap rooms are booked or don't exist and what is left is the $20.00 per night rooms (which look amazingly like the $3.00 room). Be leary of the budget
hostels and guest houses. The rooms are cheap but the meals and extras can be expensive.
What should I take on my trip:
You can get most everything in Thailand, especially inexpensive clothes, so don't bother packing lots of clothes. But bring an alarm clock, anti-acid stomach
pills such as Rolaids or Tums, Eye drops and medicines for infections and prickly heat. Medication for intestinal problems is a must, especially if you stay
in low budget hostels or travel to remote villages and islands. Be sure to bring anti fungal foot powder. Many of the budget guest houses and hostels do not
disinfect the showers after each guest, so because of the heat, athletes foot is common and can easily be spread from shower to shower and guest to
guest.
Renting a vehicle or motorcycle:
You can rent a vehicle or motorcycle in almost any city of any reasonable size. Remember that in Thailand they drive on the left side, right side or middle
lane; that is, the steering wheel is on the right. This may not be a problem if you live in a country that also drives on the left lane, but if you are from North
America, then I recommend that you hire a driver. They usually charge 200 to 500 baht per day ($5-$15) and well worth it. Don't even think about driving in
Bangkok..... even the people that live there refuse to drive in Bangkok. Rentals are cheap in Thailand. I suggest that you rent when traveling along the Super
highway or the other freeways in Thailand and avoid major cities, especially during rush hour. Thailand's drivers are infamous, they may even be in
"Ripley's believe-it or not", under driving oddities. Stop signs, no passing lanes and speed limits are strictly advisory. If you do stop on a red light, everyone
knows you are a tourist. The general rule is that the bigger the vehicle the more right-of-way you have and own. So, unless you plan to rent a tank (highly
recommended), leave the driving to the kamikaze rent-a-driver. Make sure that when you make an agreement with your driver, that if he gets a ticket, he is
responsible to pay it. Tickets are paid on the spot when you get caught... If he is not made responsible for the ticket... he will rent a high performance
draggster and try to beat the land speed record.
You can rent a vehicle or motorcycle in almost any city of any reasonable size. Remember that in Thailand they drive on the left side, right side or middle
lane; that is, the steering wheel is on the right. This may not be a problem if you live in a country that also drives on the left lane, but if you are from North
America, then I recommend that you hire a driver. They usually charge 200 to 500 baht per day ($5-$15) and well worth it. Don't even think about driving in
Bangkok..... even the people that live there refuse to drive in Bangkok. Rentals are cheap in Thailand. I suggest that you rent when traveling along the Super
highway or the other freeways in Thailand and avoid major cities, especially during rush hour. Thailand's drivers are infamous, they may even be in
"Ripley's believe-it or not", under driving oddities. Stop signs, no passing lanes and speed limits are strictly advisory. If you do stop on a red light, everyone
knows you are a tourist. The general rule is that the bigger the vehicle the more right-of-way you have and own. So, unless you plan to rent a tank (highly
recommended), leave the driving to the kamikaze rent-a-driver. Make sure that when you make an agreement with your driver, that if he gets a ticket, he is
responsible to pay it. Tickets are paid on the spot when you get caught... If he is not made responsible for the ticket... he will rent a high performance
draggster and try to beat the land speed record.
Your contract Numbers: Cell Phone: 081-960-5547
Email address: doug@asiaworldnet.com
Email address: doug@asiaworldnet.com
Address: 2 Ban Pha lad M4 T. Prabat A. Muang
Lampang, Thailand 52220
Lampang, Thailand 52220
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