Neil Aronson When visiting Northern Thailand most people visit Chiang Mai or even Chiang Rai. And for good reason, there are a lot of activities and things to do. However we live out in Chom Thong district of Chiang Mai, so we know there are some great things out here too that are worth checking out.
This article will give you some local advice for visiting this area. Chom Thong city is located only an hour southeast of Chiang Mai, on the highway connecting the two cities.
The city is located about 60 Km south of Chiang Mai, and is primarily an agricultural region. Surrounded by beautiful mountains of Doi Inthanon and other National Parks, perfect for day trips. There are famous historical temples, golf courses, unique coffee shops and restaurants, and some great resorts, such as the Parinda Garden Resort shown here.
The road out to Chom Thong is a simple straight two lane highway, with usually not much traffic. For those who want to get away from the bustle of Chiang Mai for a bit. coming out here is a good change of pace.
Out in the countryside is beautiful to drive around. Take in the mountains, rice fields, and the local way of life. Getting there is simple from Chiang Mai. Take highway 108 all the way.
If you don’t have a car or motorbike to take you to this or another amazing national park, there are other smart options. One would be to book a tour through Viator, which is an excellent Expedia company that focuses only on tours. Alternatively, try the transportation company 12GO, which is the top source in Asia for public and private transportation.
If you are looking for nature, there are butterflies and birds to be found all over the area. I found these Butterflies at Mae Klang Waterfall In Doi Inthanon National Park.
The area is most famous for being the gateway to Doi Inthanon National Park. This for sure is the highlight of the area, but there are other good things to do and places to see as well. For a more detailed guide on Doi Inthanon read our article.
Wat Phradhatu Sri Chomtong Voravihara
The highlight of the city center is this historical temple and meditation center. Very easy to find, as it is located right on the main route through town. If you are traveling east, it is on the left hand side in the middle of town, you can’t miss it.
This is a stunning temple in the city with a world famous meditation center, that welcomes visitors from all over the world. The temple can be dated back to the mid-1400s and houses a collection of bronze Buddha images while the secondary Chapel contains a holy Buddha relic.
Many locals, such as my mother in law, use this temple regularly and the meditation center. The former wife of the King of Thailand used to come here often.
Another Temple worth stopping by if your going up to Doi Inthanon National Park is Wat Numtok Maeklang. It is on the left hand side of the road, right when you turn to enter the park. I would not go out of my way to see it, but if your passing by.
Play Golf In Chom Thong
Chiang Mai Inthanon and Natural Resort. For Golf in Chiang Mai, outside of the city, we have some options. Inthanon is a great option if your also making the trip out to Doi Inthanon National Park.
As you are driving towards Chom Thong city from Chiang Mai on route 108, you will come to an intersection of route 108 and 1010. Turn Right on to a small road, it does not look like you are going the correct way, but there is a sign. The course is a KM up the road.
Play some golf and make your way towards Doi Inthanon staying a one of the many modestly priced hotels on the way. There is a hotel on the property. However, I recommend staying at the other locations we have listed below. There is nothing to do or see out by the golf course, except golf.
Golf Rates are some of the least expensive around, partly because it’s far from the city, but good golf for around 500 baht if you go with a local. I asked in November of 2023, and rates were about 1500 baht for foreigner. Check their website for deals. You can stay at the resort or start heading up the mountain.
Visit Doi Inthanon
The main reason most people come to this area is to visit this spectacular park. Doi Inthanon National Park is one of the most popular and best National Parks in Thailand for locals and tourists alike.
If you enjoy nature, wildlife/birding, culture, large waterfalls, hiking, day trips, sacred sights, picnics, cooler weather, then you will want to visit Doi Inthanon.
The park is located in the Thanon Thong Chai Range of the Western Hills, about 80 kilometers (50 mi) north of Chiang Mai. It is home to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand at 2,565 meters (8,415 ft).
Bring warm clothes when going, especially between October-April. It actually gets cold for Thailand. I am writing this in November, and the weather is almost perfect. December and January it can actually be cold.
Waterfalls:
If you are a fan of waterfalls, then Doi Inthanon does not disappoint. The best time to go to see them at their fullest is at the end of the rainy season in October through December. All of them are easy to see, as they are close to the main roads with good parking.
One of the best ones is Wachirathan. It is often called the rainbow waterfall, since you can see a rainbow at the bottom. Once you drive in the park it is the first one up the mountain and the biggest. There is also good food and the restaurant stands and a coffee shop.
There are several places to see the falls from, as well as below along the river. Lots of butterflies here too.
Sirathan is also amazing, and super easy to get to off the road. However you can only get so close, so the views and not as good and the other ones. Siriphum waterfall is up by a hilltribe village. There is a nice hike you have to take to get close, but the trail is maybe better than the waterfall.
The two best falls you need to see are Mae Ya and Mae Klang. I talk about both in the next section, since you can visit them from Chom Thong without actually going in to the main part of the park.
Hiking:
Inside Doi Inthanon National Park, it is no surprise there are many options for great hikes. Visit All Trails for a complete list and routes you can download and use offline. The waterfalls also have shorter trails by them you can take for hikes of less than an hour.
If going on a longer hike, make sure you bring a pack with water, some food, and some layers of clothes. Weather can be warm, cold, dry, rainy, be prepared.
Some of the better trails require you to take a hilltribe guide with you, since you are passing on their land. The fee is usually 200 baht.
Visit The Two Chedis
Besides the waterfalls, visiting the Royal Gardens and Twin Pagodas (Chedi) near the summit is the most popular thing to do in the park. The area is maintained by the Royal Thai Airforce.
The two pagodas, one white and one black, known as Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Nophamethanidon in Thai. They are not ancient and not maintained by the park service. The two temples were built to honor the 60th birthday anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1987, and the 60th birthday anniversary of Queen Sirikit in 1992.
For a detailed guide to Doi Inthanon in Chom Thong visit our article.
Local Waterfalls
While technically in Doi Inthanon park, these two waterfalls are outside the main entrance and you don’t need to drive up the mountain to visit them. If you are staying in Chom Thong, you can visit these two easily without taking up too much time.
Mae Klang Waterfall
Personally I think this is the best waterfall in Northern Thailand. The waterfall itself is amazing, but also the rest of the location. Of one thing, it is before you start up the mountain in to the main part of the park. It is literally ten minutes from town and just down the road from the hotels we recommend below.
You pull in to a spacious parking lot. There is where you will find several food vendors with seating along the river below the waterfall. The grilled chicken and sticky rice is delicious. You can buy a cold beer to go along with it. Or you can have your food delivered to one of the many picnic spots on the river.
There are some hiking trails. One goes up the top of the waterfall. Great Facilities. Can be crowded with locals on the weekends. But we have gone early on a Saturday and no one was there yet. The scenery is lush jungle and an abundance on butterflies.
Watch Videos of this and other Thailand sights at our YouTube Channel.
Mae Ya Waterfall Chom Thong
Another one worth visiting is Mae Ya. To reach it you will go through a smaller section on Chom Thong through the town and out through the countryside. It is also easy to get to, but further than Mae Klang. From Chom Thong city it takes about 20-30 minutes, mainly because you have to go up a windy road up to the falls.
When you reach the parking area, there is limited food, and restrooms. You will hike a couple hundred yards up the river to the falls. You can take the road or a nice trail.
It is a wide, but more mellow falls than the others. Bring something to eat and have a picnic.
Have Coffee
It seems like you can find unique and great coffee shops anywhere in Thailand, and Chom Thong is no exception.
Just a few ‘blocks’ down the road from the main road, route 108, is Young Folk Bean & Brew. It looks like a really cool house and property, turned in to a hangout. It has an eclectic vibe, showcasing many old antiques including electronics. And yes the coffee is great. Fun place to hang out.
My favorite coffee shop in the area is WanWaan Cafe. Maybe because it is located just down the road from our house. Or maybe because the view are incredible, and the coffee it amazing. A great local place to relax and take in Thailand.
It is located a little out of the way in the countryside. When you are on route 1009 going to Doi Inthanon, you will take a left off the main road for about 1 Km to get to it. The hotels we recommend near Doi Inthanon are close to this coffee shop.
Where To Stay
Just outside the entrance to Doi Inthanon there are several great places to stay. They are still only 5 minutes from Chom Thong City. They are sort of ‘gateway’ resorts to the area. If you want peace and quiet these are good options.
All of them can be booked on Agoda.
Touch Star Resort. Located just a few minutes outside the park entrance.
Highly Recommended by us. Located just 5 minutes from the first checkpoint. Very spacious grounds with lush landscape and various types of rooms. Wi-Fi, TV and all the modern amenities.
There are standard hotel rooms, small Chalets, as well as small and large group houses to rent. Wedding and banquet facilities if you’re going down that route! Friendly local staff. Good Thai restaurant. My wife and I have stayed in both a deluxe room and chalet and loved it both times. Rates are 1,200 baht and up.
Doi Inthanon View Resort. Popular with Thai tourists, and located on route 1009, close to Touch Star Report. This is a higher end resort offering small villa type rooms. I have not stayed here but we checked it out and I certainly would. Very cool individual cabins. The property features lush gardens, with Thai restaurant and activities.
Parinda Garden Resort Chom Thong. This option is in the city on the Ping River. Like the other options we recommend, the ground are spacious and very nice. We have eaten and had coffee at the restaurant on the rive, but have not stayed here. It seems great.
In Chom Thong city you will find a lot of great local Thai food and noodle shops. There is a pizza place that we have been going to for over 10 years called Tonmai Pizza. It is in a strange location, and does not even look like a restaurant if it were not for the pizza sign. The owner plays guitar in a band and is super friendly. His wife is really the owner and cook. Check it out.
Watch Him Play Guitar:
There is also a Lotus supermarket in town for all your shopping needs. Inside is a KFC and Pizza Hut.
Please drop us a note if you want more information, and enjoy your travels.
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