Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


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New Perspective of Chiang Rai at Latitude 19

Text : Note
Images : SP

To avoid car sickness, I intentionally took a nap on the way from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. I spent more than two hours traveling from Le Méridien Chiang Mai Hotel, on Chang Klan Road near the Night Bazaar. I knew I was wrong; taking a nap didn’t help me at all. I felt a bit dizzy after passing many sharp curves. Next time, motion sickness pill is a must for me.

Finally, I reached Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort. Walking through the hotel gateway and looking up to the ceiling, I saw a big canvas. At first sight, I couldn’t tell what it was and figured out later it was the face of a lady welcoming my visit. Stepping into the open lobby of the hotel, I smelled a sweet fragrance from a location I couldn’t identify. For some reason, that pleasant scent got rid of my car sickness and made me feel much better.

I got a room on the third floor with a balcony facing the hotel yard and swimming pool. One outstanding point of the hotel is its prime location on the bank of the Kok River – a tributary of the Mekong River, flowing down to the Mae Ai District in Chiang Mai – and also close to Chiang Rai City. Surrounded with the evergreen lawn and ancient Chamchuri trees (Samanea saman), the hotel provides 159 rooms equipped with many facilities.

Additionally, the hotel also provides a fitness room and peaceful swimming pool situated by the Kok River, itself with a picturesque view of the riverbanks. Beds in each room are designed exclusively for a pleasant overnight stay. I confess that the comfort made me wake up a bit late the next morning.

It’s time for meal! I told myself, rushing to the hotel restaurant - ‘Latest Recipe’ - which provides a la carte menu items and buffets of international food, in addition to desserts prepared by professional chefs. Well, I fell in love with the freshly-baked croissants here. At the hotel, if you want to experience authentic Italian dishes, stop by at ‘Favola’ (‘Fairytale’) – another restaurant by the Kok River. This restaurant will bring you a fantasy world. Many things here are larger than life!

Finding a place to chill out (from dawn to dusk)? ‘Latitude 19’ – that offers a variety of wines, cocktails, and tapas recipes – is recommended. This hotel lounge and hotel are really located at the Earth’s Latitude 19. Another place to unwind is ‘The Chill Bar’ where you can chill out with friends for a drink by the Kok River and see a mesmerizing sunset.

But for the real sense of relaxation, come to ‘Parvati’, a hotel spa on the bank of the Kok River. Parvati means “Daughter of the Mountain’. Let the daughter pamper you with several signature treatments that can bring you deep relaxation, beauty regeneration, and rejuvenation. Try out the Asian Blended Massage, the Asian Tea Blended Body Scrub, the Peace Massage, the Path to Rejuvenation, and many more.

The hotel is located not far from the Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport and also many tourist attractions. From the hotel, getting to the Golden Triangle takes about an hour. Here on the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos you find spectacular scenery across the Mekong and Ruak Rivers.

On the way back to Chiang Mai, I didn’t take a nap again to avoid car sickness. I was watching the green view of the forest along the roadsides. Wonderfully, for me, it could help! I didn’t feel dizzy at all even though some say that doing so results in motion sickness.

I also had the good chance to visit Wat Rong Khun, a temple considered one of Chiang Rai’s highlights. It is totally different from other temples in term of design and architecture, but is nevertheless entirely based on Buddhist principles or teachings. The temple has been built by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a well-known Thai visual artist whose works have been exhibited worldwide.

The use of white in his works signifies the pure grace of Buddhist morals. The entrance to the assembly hall (viharn) has a white bridge and along both sides there are many sculptured hands emerging from the ground. They look dreadful and symbolize the hardships as well as the ‘circles’ of human life. There are many Dharma riddles or puzzles hidden in this temple waiting for you to discover them.

Recently, Chiang Rai celebrated its 750th anniversary of establishment by King Mangrai. Wow! It is older than Chiang Mai. Be sure to visit if you love a small peaceful city with nice people and many interesting places to see.