Bangkok is de hoofdstad van Thailand en met iets meer dan 10 miljoen inwoners ook de grootste stad van het land. De stad bevindt zich in de rivierdelta van de Chao Phraya die zo een 25 km ten zuiden van de stad uitmondt in de Golf van Thailand.
Met zoveel inwoners is het niet alleen druk op de baan, ook op het water krioelt het van de bootjes.
Dit in het achterhoofd houdende en met een verblijf van amper 2 dagen in het vooruitzicht moesten er strategische keuzes gemaakt worden in functie van de bezienswaardigheden en de verblijfplaats.
We kozen voor het historische centrum van de stad, genaamd Rattanakosin. Hier vind je onder meer het Koninklijk Paleis en de tempel Wat Phra Kaew met zijn Smaragdgroene Boeddha, het Nationaal museum en de tempel van Wat Pho, bekend om zijn liggende Boeddha.
Aankomst en tochtje op de Khlongs
Aankomst
Omdat onze tijd in Bangkok beperkt was boekte ik een uitstap op de Khlongs op de dag van aankomst. Dit met het idee dat het hotel ons wel een vroege check-in ging aanbieden. Helaas pindakaas want toen we rond 8 u ’s ochtends aankwamen in het hotel was de kamer nog niet beschikbaar en was het wachten geblazen tot 14u.
Na de bagage te hebben achtergelaten in het hotel gingen we dan maar te voet op verkenning door Bangkok. Maar na een vlucht van 10 u en reeds 24u wakker te zijn kregen we snel een slag van de hamer. De vermoeidheid en temperatuur van om en bij de 35 graden deden ons snel terugkeren naar het hotel in afwachting van onze uitstap op de Khlongs.
Dat gaf mij de tijd om rustig uit te dokteren hoe we met de metro aan het startpunt van onze excursie moesten geraken. Naast de gewone metrolijnen heb je namelijk ook twee bovengrondse metrolijnen in Bangkok, de zogenaamde skytrain. Deze rijdt op grote betonconstructies zo een 12 meter bover de grond.
Khlongs
Khlong is de term voor een kanaal. De kanalen werden aangelegd omdat Bangkok gebouwd werd op de oevers van de rivier Chao Phraya en transport op het water vroeger het belangrijkste vervoermiddel was. De stad werd daardoor vaak het Venetië van het Oosten genoemd.
De kanalen werden gebruikt voor transport en drijvende markten maar ook om afvalwater te dumpen. De meeste Khlongs zijn vandaag de dag echter gedempt en vervangen door straten behalve ten Westen van de rivier, in Thonburi, waar er wel nog kanalen in gebruik zijn. Het was dan ook daar dat onze excursie ons heen leidde.
De kanalen worden bevaren door Long-tail boats of langstaartboten. Deze zijn ongeveer 15 meter lang en worden aangedreven door een verbrandingsmotor die veelal afkomstig is van een auto maar in ons geval was de motor afkomstig van een vrachtwagen. De motor is op het achtersteven gemonteerd en is verbonden met de schroefas. De motor is zowel zijwaarts als in hoogte draaibaar, waardoor met de schroef kan worden gestuurd in plaats van met een roer.
De toer op de kanalen leidde is naar een orchideeën kwekerij en een tempel. Wat onderweg opviel was het grote contrast tussen arm en rijk. We passeerden bescheiden houten huisjes op palen, grote villa’s langs het water maar evenzeer ingestorte huizen en stortplaatsen waar hier en daar tussen een paar houten planken nog mensen woonden.
De tempel waar we stopten was Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen. Helaas stond het grote Boeddha beeld in de stellingen. Van daaruit hadden we ook zicht op de Wat Khun Chan.
Na een welverdiende nachtrust stond een bezoek aan Wat Pho op het programma. Wat Pho is de grootste en oudste tempel van Bangkok en is bekend vanwege de grote liggende Boeddha. Deze is 46 meter lang en 15 meter hoog. Hij is versierd met bladgoud en met parelmoer in de ogen en de de voetzolen.
Dinner Cruise op Chao Phraya
Lekker eten en genieten van Bangkok by night vanop het water, dat was de idee achter de dinner cruise op de rivier. Tijdens de twee uur durende rondvaart met 7 gangenmenu hadden we het geluk de Vijit Chao Phraya 2024 lichtshow te kunnen meepikken.
Wat Arun
Als laatste op ons programma stond Wat Arun of de tempel van de dageraad. Deze bevindt zich op de Westelijke oever van de rivier en is makkelijk bereikbaar met de overzetboot.
Kenmerkend zijn de kleine porseleinen tegeltjes waarmee de tempel bedekt is. De grote pagode is 82 meter hoog.
Na wat ergenis om de meute toeristen die zich hier in traditionele kledij laten fotograferen en de menig andere “poseurs en poseuses” keerden we terug naar het hotel om de taxi te nemen richting Jomtien Beach in Pattaya. Hier vindt momenteel de Jet Ski World Cup 2024 plaats.
Maandag aanstaande rijden we terug naar Bangkok om door te vliegen naar Chiang Mai voor het vervolg van de reis. Tot binnenkort dus!
The park premises like the campsites, visitor center and waterfalls are open daily from 8 am until 4 pm, but there are no time limits to enter the park.
As of June 2022, the entrance fees for Doi Suthep-Pui National Park are 100 Baht for adults
The high altitudes of the park makes the climate cool and pleasant all year round, average temperatures are around 20-23 °C. During the winter months the temperatures may drop to as low as 5-6 °C, often around February.
Monks Trail naarWat Pha Lad
One of the most known trails in Doi Suthep, starting from a trailhead west of Chiang Mai University and ending at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.
It takes around 1.5 hours to walk this trail. Half way through this trail in about 45 minutes hiking is another temple, Wat Phra Lat which is near the main road into the park. Once on the road, the hikers need to walk a couple of hundred meters and continue the trail from the other side of the road.
Ban Khun Chang Khian: wandeling zie All Trails =>7 km
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
The temple can be reached from the main road through the national park, accessible by walking 309 steps steep up or by tram for 30B. The way up is flanked by trees and Naga snake figures.
All visitors must take off their shoes and dress appropriately to enter the temple terrace. No shorts allowed and shoulders must be covered, there are clothes available for rent at the entrance.
Opening times are irregular, people seen in the temple from very early in the morning from around 5 to 6 am, closing around 7 pm.
Huay Keaw Waterfall
A nearly 500 meters short trail from this waterfall ends up on the main road of the park.
Nam Lod Cave: Guides (with lanterns) for Tham Lod are only 150 Baht per group (1-3 people), and the bamboo rafts inside the cave are 400 Baht for 3 people (return trip through the cave). It takes about 2 hours to see all three higher level caverns, and the main river tunnel.
Ban Jabo (Black Lahu community) & Ban Mae Lana: indien mogelijk proberen overnachten bij Ja Bo Campground
Doi Inthanon National Park is open from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm every day, all year round. The main trail of the park -Kew Mae Pan Trail- is closed for the visitors from June to October for annual forest recovery reasons.
As of June 2022, the entrance fees Doi Inthanon National Park are 300 Baht for adults. Cars will be charged with 30 Baht.
Two Chedis is the only attracition inside the national park that is not managed by the park, an additional 100 Baht per person entrance fee required to visit it.
The rainy season is May to October with most rainfall around July to September. The rest of the year is quite dry with colder weather around November to February.
Doi Inthanon Summit
Located at km 48 at the end of the road 1009, with an altitude of 2,565 meters asl, it is the highest peak in Thailand.
If you are after a challenging hike up to the highest point in Thailand, forget about it. The summit is accessible by car or bike all the way up, but you could hike a few hundred meters from the parking area to the actual summit. There are no longer trails to hike to the summit.
The summit viewpoint is a popular place for watching the sunrise, but the view from the road near Kew Mae Pan Trail a bit further south is a better spot to target the sunrise. Summit area is risky to target the sunrise because it is too often misty. For sunset, please read Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Naphamethanidon (Two Chedis) further below.
Ang Ka Luang Nature Trail is not too far down the road, see below for more info.
There is a cafe next to the summit trailhead. There are a couple of squirrel and bird species which get very near people while sitting and enjoying the view from this cafe.
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail
Starting from the main road just a few hundred meters north of the two chedis, this 2.5 km long circular trail must be accompanied by a Hmong Tribe guide. The hike is easy to moderate to walk, clear and well maintained. Part of the trail is along a mountain ridge with a beautiful view over west. The very rare Chinese gorals are relatively common along this trail but sighting is rare, a lot of attempts needed to eventually see one. It costs 200 Baht to hire a guide, there are always a few of them waiting at the trailhead on the main road and can only be hired on spot.
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is closed from June to October every year, re-opens 1st November.
Two Chedis
Also known as Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Nophamethanidon in Thai, Two Chedis are on the main road 5 km south from the top of the main summit of Doi Inthanon
There is a viewpoint with a good view over the west side of the park, a popular place to see the sunset.
Two Chedis are not managed by park. The entrance os 100 Baht per person.
Watervallen
Wachirathan Waterfall
One of the most impressive waterfalls in the park, the most popular one due to its location and easy access. As with most other waterfalls, the size of this waterfall is very exaggerated by park staff or guides, but still, with around 40 meters height and the impressive wide look, it is no doubt one of the best falls in the park.
There are a number of restaurants, cafes and shops around the car park area of the falls.
Sirithan Waterfall
One of the most popular waterfalls, at km 22, accessible by a 200 meters long trail from the parking area on the main road. This waterfall can only be seen from a viewpoint not too far from the falls. It is not possible to get all the way down to the waterfall.
Siriphum Waterfall
1.5 km off the road 1284 north of headquarters, accessible by a trail on the west side of Ban Khun Klang village and the Royal Garden. The area around this waterfall gets sakura blooming in February.
Mae Klang Waterfall
It is the first waterfall on the main road into the national park, cascading nearly 100 meters tall over several tiers with the tallest tier nearly 25-30 meters. It is located 600 meters south of the checkpoint at the southeast part of the park.
Mae Ya Waterfall
A cascading waterfall plunging from several tiers over 250 meters. The main accessible tier is 40 to 50 meters tall and around 100 meters wide, no doubt one of the most impressive falls in the country.
27 december 2024
Mae Cham – Pachor (Mae Wang NP) – Pong Yang 161 km: 3u40′
108 Villa @ PongYang
Daginvulling
Pachor (Mae Wang NP)
The park is open 08:30 am to 4:30 pm every day, all year round.
To get to the park headquarters area and other attractions further inside the park; take the Highway #108 south of Chiang Mai for about 45 km until you reach Santi Suk Subdistrict. Ignore all other possible earlier side road routes various satnav applications such as Google Maps suggests as they involve quite a few turns. Once at Santi Suk, do a u-turn and drive back 800 meters and turn left to 2069 (signposted to Mae Wang National Park). Follow the route until getting to the park entrance. Pha Chor can be reached by taking another side road to the left just 2.3 km before the park entrance.
As of June 2022, the entrance fees are 100 Baht for adults
The dry season in the area is from March to May, rainy season is June to November and colder winter season is from December to February. While the park has cooler weather all year round, it is wise to dress in warmer clothing during the winter months when the temperatures can drop significantly.
Ob Khan NP
Attractions in Ob Khan National Park
Ob Khan Gorge is a strange and beautiful natural sightseeing spot in the area of Maekhan River, near the boundary of Hangdong District and Samoeng District, where the office of the Ob Khan National Park is located. The sightseeing spot is originated from the erosion of cliffs on both sides of Maekhan River.
Ob Hi is a small natural sightseeing spot (approximately 40 meters long), which is similar to Ob Khan and situated in the area of Maekhan River, approximately 1 km away from Ob Khan to the north.
Pha Toob is a small cliff standing beside the hill. The sightseeing spot is situated in the area of Nan River, approximately 2 km. away from Ob Hi to the north. From the base of Pha Toob, there is smooth detritus extending to Maekhan River.
Tukkatan cave is a large cave on the left-hand side of Huai Khanin, situated in the area of Tambol Banpong, Hangdong District (near Namsoom Royal Project). At the mount of the cave, there are beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The depth of the cave has not yet been surveyed due to extreme coolness and humidity inside the cave. The cave should be developed as a tourist attraction. And the National Park’s Protection Unit should also be established at this site.
Maetien Waterfall is a single-step waterfall, originated from Maetien River. At present, Maetien Power Plant of
Mae Sapok Waterfall is a small sized waterfall, originated from Mae Sapok River, situated in the area of Mae Sapok Royal Project, Ban Mae Sapok, Tambol Mae Win, Mae Wang Sub-district, Sanpatong District of Chiang Mai Province.
Khun Win Waterfall is a 3-step small sized waterfall, situated in the central part of Mae Win River (between Ban Huai Yuak and Ban Khun Win, Tambol Mae Win, Mae Wang Sub-district, Sanpatong District). Step 1 of the Waterfall is about 10 meters high (approximately 20 meters away from Ban Huai Yuak or Ban Kariang), meanwhile, Step 3 is about 15 meters high and 9 meters wide (approximately 800 meters away from Step 2 of the Waterfall). Huai Mae Win Waterfall must be reached by walking from Ban Huai Yuak since there is no access road.
Pha Ok Ma is located 50 meters from Ob Khan. The cliff is cleaved by many streams. On the other side, the cliff is not high and there are many plants creating impressive view.
Huay Ta Sai is a curve section of Mae Khan river, located about 1 km from the parking area. The river is shallow and wide and good for swimming. The riverside is covered by grass and flower.
Nature Trail Walk : be sure not to miss the short nature trail walk along the gorge, great for photos.
6 – 7 december 2024
Vluchtschema
Daginvulling
Bangkok
Pattaya – WGP#1 WATERJET WORLD CUP 2024
Bangkok – Chiang Mai
Monks Trail naar 
Huay Keaw Waterfall
Chiang Mai – Pai
127 km: 3 uur
Yun Lai viewpoint: zonsopgang
