Sri Chiang Mai

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Tiny little Sri Chiang Mai is best known as being the spring roll capital of Thailand -- wherever you look, spring roll wrappers sit on their bamboo frames, slowly drying in the sun -- and that's just about as exciting as Sri Chiang Mai gets.

Aside from providing ample opportunity to take photos of drying spring roll wrappers, Sri Chiang Mai offers a relaxing atmosphere with lovely views of Vientiane on the other side of the river. It can also be used as a base to explore the surrounding rural area.

A promenade lines the bank of the Mekong and it makes for a pleasant late afternoon stroll and it is also the best jumping-off point for the rather unusual historical park in Udon Thani province.

It's always been a little odd that one couldn't cross to Laos here -- afterall you could see the Lao capital straight across the river -- so we're pleasantly surprised to here of a new border crossing near here that does allow foreigners to cross over to Laos -- sort of.

From the nearby village of Ban Mo, just to the west of town, ferries run twice each week, Sundays and Tuesdays (yes, you read that correctly), both days at the same time of day (6:00 pm ... so, in the dark!).

According to immigration staff at the crossing, foreigners, with a valid Lao visa can take the boat. So it's an odd crossing, that's for sure, but if you happen to be in Ban Mo at 6pm on a Sunday night, why not!

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Accommodation: Sri Chiang Mai
Tim Guesthouse |

Text and/or map last updated on 12th August, 2009.

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No More Spring Roll Wrappers :-(

I stopped through Sri Chiang Mai twice in early January 2010 and didn't see a single spring roll wrapper drying in the sun, so it looks like this most charming tradition may have finally ended. I didn't see any signs of life at the former Tim Guesthouse either, and it doesn't look like it will open again soon, if ever, although the caretaker does sometimes sell ice cream from a cart out front to people passing by on the riverfront promenade. It is in between Soi 16 and 17 if you want to swing by and have a look.

There are still other spots in town to stay, so for those coming through town on a bicycling trip or who mistakenly wound up here after an all-nighter in Bangkok thinking they were heading to the Rose of the North, don't panic. The best of the other accommodation options looks to be the Sitsuwan Hotel, in the same area as the former Tim's, near the end of Soi 16 along the riverfront.

Sri Chiang Mai is a small, typically Thai town, and the promenade is pleasant with excellent views of Vientiane across the river, but there isn't much else going on here. Given the better river views upstream in places like Sangkhom, apart from a necessary stopover on a bike trip, I can't think of much reason to stay here any more.
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By exacto (dabbler)
Written on 17th February, 2010 after a visit to Sri Chiang Mai in January, 2010

Also reviewed by exacto: Champasak, Chiang Mai, Kamphaeng Phet, Ko Maak, Lopburi, Mukdahan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Khai, Pakse, Phitsanulok,

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