THAILAND (CHIANG MAI), LAOS AND MYANMAR

Hj Zulheimy Maamor 

12 March 2024 

Chiang Mai (sometimes spelled Chieng Mai) in Thai means "New City." Located on the border with Myanmar (Burma), it is the second largest city in Thailand. The history of Chiang Mai is said to begin in 1296 and was established by King Mengrai as the capital of the Lannathai Kingdom.

In December 2007, my colleagues and I from The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia had the opportunity to visit Chiang Mai, which is located in Northern Thailand.

The distance traveled by air from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai is 2,148 km

CHIANG MAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Located in Suthep district, Mueang Chiang Mai District,Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand. Chiang Mai airport provides both domestic and international terminals. These terminals coexist in the same building. 

ELEPHANT TREK AND BAMBOO RAFTING

Explore the beauty of Chiang Mai with a watefall trekking experience and an elephant sanctuary in one day and enjoy bamboo rafting in the jungle. 

CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI

On December 9, 2007, we continued our journey to Chiang Rai, which is approximately 186 km away, with a travel time of 3 hours and 7 minutes.

Chiang Rai is a city in northern Thailand, in the mountainous province of the same name. The city is near the border of Laos and Myanmar (formerly Burma). Chiang Rai is surrounded by lush nature and small hilltribe villages, which are often unexplored by tourists.

On the way from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, which took 3 hours, we stopped at several places to take memorable photos, such as a temple and a hot spring. However, I don't really remember the name of the place.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE AND MEKONG RIVER

The Golden Triangle locally know as Sop Ruak is a region in Southeast Asia where the borders Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong Rivers. The region is known for its high production of opium, which is used to make heroin. Those days are gone. Now, the area is peaceful and tranquil dotted with hill tribes villages, ancient temples and markets. 

Golden Triangle is rich in history, the place you can go to see no mans island. 

Here, you can do a ferry on the Mekong River where you can see Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. The Mekong River winding almost 3,000 miles from the Tibetan Plateau down to the South China Sea,flows through six countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam. The Mekong River boasts the world's largest inland fishery. 

A fun way to explore the is to take a long tail boat trip on the Mekong river. Boats can be chartered for trips along the shore of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand lasting about 20 to 30 minutes. 

Moei River is a natural borderline between Thailand and Myanmar. It is a river of 327 km long, and unlike other river, it flows northward. Its watersource is in Baan Makoe, Tambom Phob Phra. This river is the borderline between Myanmar and Thailand. 

DON SAO, LAOS

A short boat ride away is Don Sao, a Laos Island in the river where tourists can visit a local market. A visit to the island does not require a visa to Laos. 

AMPHOE MAE SAI - THE NORTHERN MOST OF THAILAND

The northern most point is Amphoe Mae Sai, Chiang Rai Province, with tourists attractions like Mae Sai Market, Golden Triangle, Wat Phar That Doi Wao and Wat Thampla (locally known as Money Temple). 

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are both worth visiting, depends on what you're looking for in the trip. If you are interested in culture, history and street food, Chiang Mai is the best choice. If you're looking for natural beauty and more relaxed atmosphere, Chiang Rai is the better option. 

Here they also sell Roti Canai Susu

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

13 March 2024 > 2 Ramadan 1445H: 11.50 am