SE ASIA - DAY 34 - HUAY XAI to CHIANG RAI(Thailand)

Although no restaurant, it was fortunate that the hotel serves simple breakfast. Otherwise, it would have been a problem. 

The weather was still cold at about 12 Degree Celcius, but not as bad as yesterday. It is one of those freaky weather season where northern Thailand got colder than what it has been all along. 

Ok, set off and few minutes later, border crossing time.

Handed over my filled-up departure form, and the green vehicle customs papers.
Then, the man demanded 200THB (SGD8) to get a vehicle to escort me to the Thai border.
Ok, I paid up and was told to follow a car labelled with "Police".
I was thinking what was the whole point of the escort ? Is someone gonna rob me on the way to the Thai border ?

I crossed the Thai-Laos friendship bridge and arrived at the Thai Chiang Khong immigration. I submitted the duly filled arrival card and two copies of the Thailand TM2 vehicle conveyance form, along with a printout of the LTA vehicle registration details. Then men asked me if I speak Thai, I said no. Then he asked me to go into an office where there were English speaking staff.

I went into the office and they took my passport and LTA registration details and photocopied 3 sets. Stamped it and asked for 220THB. 20THB for photocopying the documents, 200THB for vehicle import charges. asked me for the insurance papers, I said I have yet to buy it and will only buy it when I go into Thailand. Ok, paid up and was asked to go over to the customs counter to settle customs paperwork.

I was given 30 days for the vehicle, after which I will be fined 1,000THB/day up to a max of 10,000THB. So the myth of getting 15 days is not true for land border crossing.

After that, I really tried to look for it but could not find anyone selling motorcycle insurance. Even in Chiang Rai. Keep my fingers crossed and hope nothing happens.

The road in Thailand was a big contrast as compared to Laos. Solid well laid tar road, no pot holes. I see myself cruising at 100km/hr again, Vroooooooooom~~~~~~~~~

Arrived in Chiang Rai two hours later. The Wang Inn hotel I had wanted to stay was fully booked.
Saw this bike parked at Wang Inn hotel. It's the BMW F800, an BMW equivalent of what I am riding.

So I have to settled with a the Chiang Rai Hotel at 690THB(SGD28) nearby.

They actually asked me to ride my motorcycle into the hotel, past the reception, into their hall and park here. 😝

Went out for lunch, got this Kway Teow Soup for 40THB(SGD1.65). Nice.

Then I realized that I have some remaining LAO KIPs currency. I recall that I must find ways to use them or else no one will accept it. I went to the bank, the only money changer around and they told me KIPS are not accepted as they have no exchange rate for it. 😢

It is unlikely that I will fly into Laos for holiday after almost covering most of their major cities there during this trip. That's it, the 206K KIPS (SGD32) is likely going to rot in my drawer until someone I know plans to go to Laos.

Then, the SIM card problem. I bought a TrueMove sim card when I arrived in Hatyai that covered unlimited data for 7 days. I tried to top-up using the Internet but somehow they rejected all the 3 credit cards that I have. So I went to hunt for a 7-11 store and bought a 300THB top-up card.

The question is, how to top-up ? I asked the 7-11 staff but she doesn't speak much English.

I thought I could do it on the web browser but the only option is to top up using credit card which failed for me. Their FAQ doesn't have an answer to this. Then I did an online chat to their customer service on their website and got the answer right away.

Dial *123*Password# then press dial. You get to receive a confirmation SMS seconds later.

The password are the numbers that you see after scratching the layer of silver looking thing.

After the successful top-up, I bought a 2GB package valid for 30days for 279THB(SGD11.50) using the web interface. Ok, all logistics settled.

Then I went walking around in the neighborhood to see what is interesting.

They sell really big Avocados.

Local market, look at their dressing, yes, it's still cold unless you get under the sun.

The iconic Chiang Rai clock tower at the round about.

A Wat.

and another Wat.

Dinner time and I strolled to the Chiang Rai night bazaar nearby.

Saw this cat relaxing among the products on the table, I initially thought it's a animal doll.

Then I saw this funny looking fish. Did they bend the head for ease of cooking or the fish breed is shaped like that ?

Arrived at the night bazaar, but it was too early, so I went to a restaurant nearby for a dinner and beer.

The all time favorite Pad Thai wrapped with egg omelette. Reminds me of the Japanese Omu-rice. It comes with a generous serving of prawns. I counted 10 of the prawn tails when I finished the meal.
250THB(SGD10), well, that explains, it's one of the high-end restaurants I can find there.

Lots of people.

Many stalls selling handicrafts.

This is the food section, lots of seating place and stalls selling steamboat, BBQ, deep fried seafood. The food are not expensive, but the tables don't seem to be enough for the crowd. Reserving seats using tissue paper just does not work in Thailand.

There was this particular store selling some kind of desert with very long queue, including the locals. By the time I reach there, they have sold out for the day ! To the boss of the business, time to set up a proper shop and sell it all day !

Chiang Rai is a small town and not much to explore. I am planning to head out to Chiang Mai on the following day and chill out there for a few days.

Back to the hotel, it got really cold. Probably about 10 Degree C.
The air conditioner here only provide cooling function. So I resorted in taking out my pink hair dryer and blowing myself for some warm comfort :) , see, my investment in this hair dryer is well worth in additional to drying my laundry !

Day 35 - Chang Rai to Chiang Mai