The Chiangmai Gate Hotel advertises itself as Chiangmai’s friendliest budget accommodation but I never would have dreamed that this was a budget hotel. A swimming pool, air conditioned rooms, Internet, mini-fridge, cable television and hot water. The Chiangmai Gate Hotel is centrally located close to the Thapae gate, old temples and only 10 minutes ride to the airport and famous Night Bazaar. (Still have some “stuff” in the house bought at the Night Bazaar years ago.) One night here before beginning “The Temple Tour” and then we’d return.
Getting Around Chiang Mai. The most common way to get around Chiang Mai is by either songthaew or tuk-tuks. Songthaews are covered pick-up trucks with two rows for sitting in the back. They usually operate on fixed routes and are everywhere. Stick our your arm and wave one down. The driver will tell you if you’ve waved down the wrong one (if he speaks English) and this is a mistake we repeatedly made in Java, Indonesia. When you get near to where you want to go, press the roof switch, he’ll stop, you get out and pay. Fares are approximately 20 bahts around town and on the fixed routes below. Hang on for dear life or you’ll find yourself in the street if you’re sitting at the end of the row.
Songthaews have different colors (sometimes) that indicate their routes. Red ones inside the old city, white to Sankampaeng, yellow to Mae Rim in the north, blue to Sarapee and Lamphun in the south and green to Mae Jo. Despite that being said, we saw songthaews pull up in front of the hotel when they had no business taking this route. It must just depend on how busy the songthaew is.
Tuk-tuks are another source of transportation (what we usually used) and go short distances for 30-40 Bahts. Approximately 50-100 Bahts for longer distances. Haggle! Tuk-tuks that wait outside hotels and guesthouses always try to gouge you. You wouldn’t believe the exorbitant prices they asked. Did they think we wanted to buy their tuk-tuk? Just walk away and hail another one not in front of where you are staying.
Do not drink the water and avoid ice cubes, even in restaurants and bars. You never know if they are using unsafe tap water. Don’t drink the tap water in hotels or brush teeth unless you know without a shadow of a doubt that it’s safe. Drink bottled water only or drop iodine tablets in to purify.
You’ll have major buyer’s remorse if you miss the gigantic and interesting Night Bazaar. This beyond huge market covers a long street. The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar Building, a three-story shopping center with Thai temple-style roof, is at the center. There are also street vendors up and down both sides of the street. This market is one of Chiang Mai’s largest tourist attractions and sells products from Northern Thailand, Burma, Laos and other neighboring countries. Again, bargain hard.
