Thai National Parks

Sonthaews to Doi Suthep-Pui

Songthaews are converted pickups, they leave to Doi Suthep from a few spots. They take off once around 10 people have entered the car, not following any timetable. Here are few spots where songthaews departs to Doi Suthep;

From Talat Chang Phueak to Doi Suthep & Doi Pui

Chang Pueak Market, right outside the northern gate of the Old City, at the front of 7-Eleven.

One way price; Doi Suthep 60 Baht, Phuping Palace 90 ?Baht, Ban Hmong Doi Pui (Hmong Village) 120 Baht

Coordinates; 18.795842, 98.985968

From Chiang Mai Zoo to Doi Suthep & Doi Pui

This is the nearest place to the park to take a songthaew to Doi Suthep, on the main road right at the entrance to Chiang Mai Zoo.

One way price; Doi Suthep 40 Baht, Phuping Palace 70 Baht, ?Ban Hmong Doi Pui (Hmong Village) 90 Baht.

Coordinates; 18.810673, 98.948136

To Chiang Mai

By plane

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) handles both domestic and regional international flights. The route from Bangkok is one of the busiest in the country (Thai Airways flies daily almost every hour, with additional flights in the peak tourist season).

The airport is some 3 km southwest of the city centre, only 10-15 minutes away by car. Legal airport taxis charge a flat 120 baht for up to 5 passengers anywhere in the city; if you take a metered taxi, the fee will start from 40 baht + a 50 baht service fee from the Meter Taxi counter. Taxis operate from the exit at the north end of the terminal, after baggage claim and/or customs, walk into the reception hall and turn left. Alternatively, take bus #4 to the city centre for 15 baht, or charter a tuk-tuk or songthaew for 50-60 baht per person. Most hotels and some upmarket guest houses offer cheap or free pick-up/drop-off services.

By bus

Bus stations

Chiang Mai has two official bus stations, consisting of 3 terminals:

• Arcade Bus Station (Bus Terminals 2 and 3, Tel. +66 53 242664) - At the far end of Kaeo Narawat Rd just before it meets the superhighway. Buses from and to destinations outside Chiang Mai Province use this station. It effectively has two terminals, separated by a tuk-tuk stand and a road.
  • Terminal 3 is the larger of the two. It has an Internet cafe, small food vendors, ATMs, the booking window for Green Bus (Window 20), and numerous other ticket sellers. Buses for Bangkok, Phitsanulok, Ubon, Korat, Nan, Luang Prabang, Mae Sot depart from here.
  • Terminal 2 has a tourist police office, ATMs, food vendors, and many ticket sellers, including the booking office for government buses. Buses depart from here to Bangkok, Phitsanulok, Udon. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to what buses go to which destination from which terminal. There is a good deal of overlap.
• Chang Phuak Bus Station (Bus Terminal 1, Tel. +66 53 211586) - Off Chang Phuak Rd, on the north side of the moat, about 1 km north of Chang Phuak Gate. This station handles buses within Chiang Mai Province including Mae Rim, Chiang Dao, Fang, Tha Ton, Phrao, Hot, Chom Thong, Doi Tao, and Samoeng.
• See travel mobile applications that also provide timetables, maps, tickets, landmarks or visit Tourism of Thailand (TAT) webpages.

From Bangkok

A variety of daily buses leave frequently from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), offering varying choices of price, comfort and speed.

• Rattling government buses make frequent stops at every minor township. The journey takes around 12 hrs.
• Non-stop 24/32-seaters and 1st class buses such as Nakhonchai Air provide larger seats and snacks; making the long trip more comfortable. They manage the trip around 9 hours. Be cautious about the so-called "VIP" buses touted on Khao San Rd. They may be cheaper, but you may end up crammed into a 2nd class bus or worse.

At Arcade Bus Station, where you'll arrive, public songthaews wait nearer Terminal 3, adjacent to the road that bisects the two terminals. Look for local people getting into them, and ask the driver if he goes to your destination.

By train

Services from Bangkok's leave on a regular daily schedule and take 12-15 hours to reach Chiang Mai. If you go by night train (recommended), try to choose one which arrives late to get an opportunity to see the landscapes. They are really impressive, with bridges, forest, villages and fields.

Daytime services leave at 08:30, and 14:30 with second-class (281 baht) and third-class (121 baht) carriages. The seats in each class differ in softness and width and can become uncomfortable after 10+ hours.

Overnight sleepers provide comfortable bunks with clean sheets and pillows in first- and second-class. First-class beds (~1,400 baht) are in private two-bed compartments; in some trains first class compartments have only one berth and cost 500 baht more than usual, and whole compartments can be booked for single occupancy for the same amount. In second-class (~900 baht), the carriages are open but each bunk has a curtain for privacy. First-class is always air-con, second class is sometimes air-con. There are usually four trains per day with sleeper accommodation, though only two of these will have first-class compartments. Station staff will be able to help you.

Tickets can be bought up to 60 days in advance at any station in Thailand. Booking in advance is advised, especially for the popular 2nd-class overnight sleepers. Larger stations accept payment with Visa/MasterCard.

Chiang Mai train station is about 3 km east of the city centre. Plentiful songthaews and tuk-tuks await each train's arrival. If you want to walk, exit the station, cross the open square in front and turn left on the first major road you come to (Charoen Muang Rd); this road goes directly to the city centre.

This page uses material from the Wikitravel released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike Licence 3.0.