Free and Easy Budget Holidays in Thailand - CHIANGMAI, KANCHANABURI & PHUKET

Photograph of my younger brother, Heng Wan, my elder sister, Lai Meng, myself, HK Wan and my younger sister, Lai Ling taken at the Air Asia check-in counter, Phuket Airport prior to our departure flight to LCCT

1) HOLIDAYS AT PHUKET FROM 8TH TO 11TH MARCH 2008.

There were 4 of us being my elder sister, my younger brother, my younger sister & myself. Our flight to Phuket was at 12.45pm on 8th March 2008, i.e. the same day for the 12th Malaysian General Elections. All 4 of us voted early at about 8.30 am at Chung Kwok Chinese School which was located behind my primary School, Batu Road School, Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur.

We were lucky as we still have the time to exercise our voting rights and hardly an hour later, we took the KTM Komuter train from Putra Station to KL Sentral for the bus trip to LCCT for our flight to Phuket. On arrival at Phuket at about 4.45pm, we paid Baht 550 for the taxi ride to our budget hotel, ie. The Phuket Seven Seas Hotel, Kathu, Phuket - a brand new budget hotel @ Baht 1200/twin room per day with free wifi. It was a new hotel with good facilities including swimming pool. We stayed here for three nights.

At night, we walked to the shopping areas of Patong Beach, Carrefour, etc. for shopping, dinner, etc. Before we could returned to our hotel, I received numerous SMS on my mobile informing me of the initial results of the 12th Malaysian General Elections - a political tsunami had taken effect on the evening of Election Day when the initial results were out. We rushed back to the hotel and immediately logged-on to my laptop to various blogsites, e.g. Malaysiakini, malaysia-today as well as messenging with my elder brother, friends, etc. Indeed, a political tsunami has taken place in Malaysia after 50 years of Independence from the British. Firstly, Penang has fallen to the opposition, followed by Kedah, Kelantan, Selangor and finally just after midnight, Perak had also fallen. We were shocked with the wind of change as we do not expect it. The other guests of the hotels mainly caucasian backpackers were amazed at what the 4 Malaysians were so enthusiastic over the laptop screen, unaware that we were monitoring the results of the 12th Malaysian General Elections. We slept very late that night at approx. 1.30pm.

The next day on 9 March 2008, we booked a local tour to the neighbouring province of Phang Nga. It took us about a hour ride north of Phuket and then boarded a long tailed boat to James Bond Island (from the movie "The Man with the Golden Gun") or Ko Tapu. The boat ride was scenic with limestone karsts islands of the Phang Nga Bay. The island was rather small and uninhabited with no tourist accomodation except for a small beach, several expensive tourist souveniers shops, the Phaya Naak Cave and Phuket's famous spectacular rocky pinnacle islet.

Myself - relaxing at James Bond Island with Phuket's famous spectacular rocky pinnacle in the background

After James Bond Island, the boat took us to the floating "Muteara Sea Canoe" for canoeing with inflatable kayaks around the mangrove swamps filled with fauna and flora and passing through
stalacite & stalagmite caves & lagoons, limestone cliffs, etc. We enjoyed the fun canoeing activity as this was our first canoe ride within the eco-friendly natural environment while appreciating the fantastic scenery and natural wonders of Phang Nga Bay.

Later, we proceeded to Gypsy Island or Koh Pannyi for lunch.

My younger brother, myself & my elder sister enjoying lunch at a floating restaurant at Koh Pannyi or Sea Gypsy Island


After lunch, we were taken to the rural interiors of Phang Nga for an ox cart ride, followed by an elephant show, rubber tapping, etc. We did not go for an elephant trekking ride as we had done so during our previous 2 trips to Chiangmai & Kanchanaburi - refer to articles below


Photograph taken at the jetty at one of the island within Phang Nga Bay, Phuket

The next day, we spend half a day on our own and travelled by bus from Patong Beach to Phuket town . We had lunch and went shopping for cashew nuts, sea food products, clothings and miscellaneous items. We also walked along the Patong Beach, Kathu Beach, the shopping centres, etc.


Photography of my younger brother & elder sister taken at the scenic Kathu Beach, Phuket with a Star Cruise Vessel anchoring at sea

We left Phuket on 11 March 2008 for 13.30 PM flight to LCCT.

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2) HOLIDAYS AT KANCHANABURI (VIA BANGKOK) FROM 13TH - 17TH SEPTEMBER 2007

For this trip, there were three of us, namely my elder sister, Lai Meng, my younger brother, Heng Wan and myself, HK Wan. We left via Air Asia Flight AK 886 arriving Bangkok at approximately 17.30 pm and checked-in the usual Bangkok Centre Hotel (opposite Hualamphong Railway Station). At night, we had dinner & shopping at the nearby chinatown, Yaowarat Road.

The next morning, we checked out of the hotel, walked to the nearby bus stop and took a stage bus to Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal @ Baht 11/person. We then board a 1st class coach (with toilet facilities) to Kanchanaburi @ Baht 100/person. The journey took approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. On arrival at Kanchanaburi bus terminal, we took a trishaw ride to our guesthouse, The Riverhouse Guesthouse and stayed at a triple-bedded raft-house @ Baht 800/night with hotwater bathroom/toilet, air conditioner, fan and a balcony facing the River Kwai. It was valued for money as you can watch sun rise or sun set from the balcony. Also, whenever, boats passed by or there were river swells (due to strong wind), you can enjoy being "rocked and craddled" in the comfort of the rafthouse. This was our first stay inside a raft and it reminded me of an oldie song during my younger days - "Rock Me Gently by Andy Kim" with some of the lyrics being " Rock me gently, rock me slowly, take is easy, don't you know, that I had never been rocked/loved like this before"

In the afternoon (14 Sept 2007), we went for our first local tour arranged by River Guesthouse at Baht 120/person for transportation to Tiger Temple or Wat Pa Luangta Bua. The pick-up van took about 50 minutes and on arrival, we paid Baht 300/person being donation fees to the temple.

On arrival we were taken to the Tiger Canyon where a few tigers & cubs were taken here for their afternoon exercise from 1 - 4pm. All visitors queued up and 2 visitors were allowed at one go to be with the tigers for photography or human contacts with the tigers within the fenced compound. However, you have to hand over your camera to the handlers who will take the photographs using your camera. You can go in as many times as you like but you have to queue again. We went in twice to be photographed and humanly touch with the tigers.

At about 4pm, visitors were allowed to walk with the tiger on its way back to the tiger cages. Along the way, you will meet herds of other animals such as buffaloes, wild pigs, wild goats, horses, peacocks, etc. These animals were fed with animal pellets along the roads. There were also two playful tiger cubs where visitors were allowed to stroke or carry them if you wished to. These two tiger cubs were very playful and sometimes 'howling' at each other.

The half day afternoon tour to the Tiger Temple was worth every cent. I would recommend you to visit here if you are in Kanchanaburi. You will surely enjoy it.


Myself taken with an adult tiger at tiger canyon, Tiger Temple or Wat Pa Luangta Bua, Kanchanaburi


My elder sister walking with the tiger (my younger brother & myself following behind) with a Buddhist Monk leading the way.

The next morning, we booked a full day local tour @ Baht 1000/person and visited the following places,

a) Erawan Falls - a spectacular 7-tiered waterfall dropping down over 1,500 Metres. It was located within Erawan National Park - about 65 KM from Kanchanaburi. You can swim in some of the pools as some caucasians do. The top level of the falls was said to resembe a three-headed elephant called "Erawan" in Thai which was riden by Indra in Hindy mythology. The falls are photogenic and said to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand.

b) Elephant riding & trekking across a river, passing villages and difficult terrains

c) Bamboo Rafting - a 30 minutes ride with 2 perso per raft along the river.

d) The Krasae Cave which housed sacred Buddha images, was located approximately 55 kilometres from Kanchanaburi, beside the surviving remnants of the Death Railway overlooking Khwae Noi River near Wang Pho Railway Station. The cave was within walking distance from the railway tracks of Wang Pho Railway Station.

e) Death Railway- Constructed by the local & allied POW's, this part of the railway was one of the most interesting sections still in commission today.. You can also enjoy the nice sceneries of the mountain & river at this location.

f) Bridge over the River Kwai - This famous bridge from the movie of the same name was about 4km north of Kanchanaburi, crossing the Kwai Yai river. The original railway construction material was brought from Java by the Japanese Army and assembled at the River Kwai by Allied prisoners of war. The bridge was bombed several times in 1945 and was also rebuilt after the war. The curved spans of the bridge are the original sections. An estimated 16,000 war prisoners and 49,000 forcibly recruited labourers died during the construction of the bridge and the Death Railway that leads to Burma (now Myanmar).


Myself - photograph taken at one of the scenic spots at Erawan Waterfall

My younger brother & myself rafting along the river at the nearby Kanchanaburi Elephant Camp

Photograph of my younger brother & elder sister taken with a 70 years old elephant with 2 huge ivory tusks.

Myself taken with the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai

Kanchanaburi is a very nice quite place for visitors. You will meet all nationalities of friendly backpackers including Israeli Jews, Aussies, Kiwis, Germans, British, Swedish, etc. Almost all visitors stayed at cheap guesthouses or raft houses along the River Kwai. Food, clothings, souveniers, etc. are among the cheapest in the whole of Thailand. You will definately enjoy your stay at Kanchanaburi, Thailand as we did.

We left Kanchanaburi on 16 September 2007 via express bus but at a lower fare of Baht 77/person directly to Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal and then took another town bus to the same hotel (Bangkok Centre Hotel) for our final shopping at Bangkok prior to our departure for LCCT on 17 September 2007 via Air Asia Flight AK 883 departing at 3.15 pm.

We enjoyed our cheap budget holidays at Kanchanaburi (and also shopping at Bangkok).

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Myself - photograph taken at Donedao Hilltribe Cultural Garden, Tonpheung, Bokeo, Lao PDR

3) HOLIDAYS AT CHIANGMAI (and Golden Triangle, Chiangrai) from 26th - 30th May 2007.

As this trip was during the school holidays, my younger sister and a teacher joined us again and thus, there were the same four of us (similar to the Phuket Holidays - above)

We left on Air Asia Foight AK 896 arriving at Chiangmai at approx. 11.00am and checked into CM Blue House. This guesthouse was recommended by my elder sister-in-law who stayed here a few months earlier. It was owned and managed by two Americans friends, i.e. Tim Riley & Tony Leeds. It was located in the heart of the city and within walking distance to Chiangmai's tourist attractions, shopping malls, the Sunday night market and many of the oldest wats. It has a variety of amenities such restaurant & bar, tours and trekking, hair saloon, wireless internet and laundry services. However, at the time of our visit, there were very few air-conditioned rooms and these were mainly leased to long term guests.

Our guestrooms were clean & tidy with hot water bath & toilet facilities and fan and the rates reasonably cheap totalling Baht 2600 for two double rooms for 4 nights.

The next day on 27 may 2007, we booked a full day tour to Chiangmai-Chiangrai Golden Triangle, etc. @ Baht 650/person. The tour package took us to a Hot Spring at Maekajan, various temples such as Wat Phra That Chedi Luang, and then at The Golden Triangle at Sop Ruak; a small town about 18KM north of Chiangrai. It was where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar & Laos meet along the Mae Khong River. Here we took a speed boat cruise along the Mae Khong river @ Baht 300/person and another Baht 20 Baht (without an official visa) to visit Donesao Hilltribe Cultured Garden, Tonpheung Bokeo, Lao PDR. This was my first step into Laotian Territory. We were given half hour visit/shopping for Laotian souveniors, snake brandy, handicrafts, clothings & garments, etc.

The speedboat later proceeded to the Ruak River (a tributary of the Mae Khong) where the border of Thailand and Myanyar met. Along the way, you will passed by a huge statue of a sitting Golden Buddha as well as a Casino Resort at Myanmar. After lunch, the tour took us to Mai Sai where you can cross over to Tachilek in Myanmar for shopping. However, we did not cross over to Myanmar; we shopped at Mai Sai. One of the foreign tourist crossed over to Myanmar as her tourist visa in Thailand will expire soon and she need a new visa for her extended stay in Thailand. I am sure she enjoyed more backpacking holidays at the tourism friendly paradise in Thailand.

The tour package also included visit to minority tribe villages of Lisu and Karens as well as the handicraft & souveniors shops

We left Mae Sai at about 4.30pm and reached Chiangmai at about 8.00pm. It was rather a tiring and boring 3 1/2 hours journey (with only a toilet stop) along the hilly and winding road which made us feel rather dizzy and uncomfortable due to the hot weather.

Photograph of my elder sister, Lai Meng, my younger brother, Heng Wan, my younger sister, Lai Ling & myself, HK Wan taken at the jetty at Tonphuen Bokeo, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic

Myself & my younger brother enjoying our elephant trekking ride

On 28 May 2007, we joined another local tour @ Baht 700/person. This tour included a visit to the Mae Taeng Elephant Camp with elephant shows, elephant taking bath in the river, elephant playing football, elephant art painting with the assistance of their handlers and other humourous and skillful acts by elephants . The painting were then sold by auction to the visitors. After the elephant show, the FUN begins, i.e. photography with elephants, elephants lifting humans, etc. Thereafter, the elephant trekking ride with 2 persons per elephant for almost an hour. The trekking included crossing over the river, trekking over over rough terrains, uphill, downhill, etc. that human beings cannot even achieved, passing through the forest, lychee orchard, the nearby villages. During the trekking, you can also buy bananas for the elephants @ Baht 20 per bunch and the elephant took a few seconds to grub it. It was my most enjoyable elephant ride in Thailand.

After that, we had a 20 minutes ox cart ride to the lunch venue (within the elephant camp); followed by an hour rafting along the river; all four of us shared a bamboo raft and we were provided with a "Vietnamese' headgear to shelter us from the blazing sunrays. The elephant show, trekking, ox cart ride, lunch and rafting within Mae Taeng Elephant Camp were well worth your money.

After exiting from the elephant camp, the tour company recommended a optional visit to the monkey training school cum monkey show @ baht 200/person. The show was for about 30 minutes. The Monkey school was only a gimmick for the tour guide to earn extra cash. I do not recommend you to watch this show if you are visiting Chiangmai as it was not worth it.

Our last and final visit for the day was to the Sai Nam Phung Orchid Nursury and Butterfly farm. Chiang Mai city's largest orchid nursery, home to innumerable species of orchids. This farm was said to possess some of the most beautiful and rarest varieties of orchids. The rare Vanda Coerulea which is more commonly known as "Pure White" orchid was also present in the farm. All visitors had an opportunity to admire these exotic and beautiful plants all year round.

Sai Nam Phung Orchid Nursery and Butterfly Farm, Chiang Mai also had special butterfly enclosures, where tourists can see exotic species of beautiful butterflies in their natural environment. It also houses a few rare breeds of butterflies. The farm also offers visitors a wide variety of souvenirs, like the gold-plated orchid and butterfly ornaments.

My sisters, my younger brother & myself rafting at a river within Mae Taeng Elephant Camp

On 29 May 2007, we went on our own walking to the nearby tourist attractions, such as:

a) Wat Chiang Mun - Chiangmai's oldest Royal Temple built in 1296 and contained a white quartz Buddha Image in Lanna style.

b) Wat Chedi Luang which used to house the revered Emerald Buddha Image now enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo. This temple was the site of an enormous 280 feet pagoda and partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545.

c) Wat Phra Sing - dating back from 1345 and one of the focal points of Songkran festivities every year on April 13 - 15, where people bathe the Phra Buddha Statue.

We enjoyed our stay at Chiangmai especially the Elephant show and Elephant trekking/ride, etc. and we would recommend this tour package whenever you are in Chiangmai. Chiangmai is a nice place to visit in Thailand. It has good and cheap food, reasonably priced souveniors, dried mangoes, clothings, garments, handcrafts. You must visit their weekend night market and Night Bazaar, shopping etc as you can get reasonable priced goods if you are a good bargainer.

My last visit to Chiangmai was in March 2003 (with my two sisters, my wife and son) and I hope to return here in another few years, perhaps with my family whereby we can visit the Chiangmai Night Safari and not forgetting the enjoyable elephant trekking.

We left Chiangmai on 30 May 2007 via Air Asia Flight AK 897 departing at 11.05 am and arrived at LCCT at about 3.00 pm.

Posted by HK Wan on 1st June 2008

email: hengkei@gmail.com