Chom Thong

Chom Thong reviews

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• Chom Thong - Gateway to Doi Inthanon

  Chom Thong is a small town that doesn't have much going on other than a few temples and the fact that its the closest town to Doi Inthanon. I decided to stay there and rent a motorbike to do a Doi Inthanon day trip. I got my motorbike from what appeared to be the only rental place in town, right across from the main temple in the centre of town.
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  ACCOMMODATION:
  
  I stayed at Chom Thong Riverside Resort, which was great! The owner is friendly (but doesn't speak much english) and the setting right on the river is nice. The room was clean and tastefully decorated with a new air-con unit, tv, hot shower, etc. It is not very well known because I was the only person staying there, and it was definitely worth the 400 baht that I spent. If staying there you need a motorbike or car because otherwise it would be very inconvenient. To get there you go north from downtown Chom Thong and turn right on Tha Sala road and continue for about 2km until you get to the bridge over the river. Right before the bridge there is a small road which you turn right on and go a few hundred meters. The resort is on the left side (river side) and the sign is in Thai, so look for the phone number on the sign which is (081) 950 6695. They weren't serving food when I was there, so I had to go into town to eat.
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  FOOD:
  
  My main eating spot was the "food court" at the small market in the centre of town, next to the main temple. On the edge of the "food court" hidden away in the corner behind the big tree is a small vegetarian restaurant ("ahan jay") which had english on the menu. I pretty much ate every meal there. Prices were low and food was decent. If can be hard to spot, so ask people in the food court/market where the veggie restaurant is ("Rahn ahan jay tee nai krap") and they will direct you to it. As with most "ahan jay" restaurants, it closes really early (I'm not sure when, but I am guessing around 3-4pm?
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  SIGHTS:
  
  A few temples, and of course the nearby Doi Inthanon National Park.. thats about it as far as I can tell.
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  OTHER:
  
  This town is not a tourist centre (at all) and pretty much nobody speaks any English. Luckily, I speak some Thai so I was able to get by. However, figuring out how to leave town was quite an adventure since there is no obvious bus station. I finally figured out (after asking about 10+ people who all gave me different answers) that you can catch an Orange bus (fan) that goes from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son a few times during the day (I don't know what times exactly). I caught the 3pm bus south (which only goes as far as Khun Yuam) to Mae Sariang. The "bus stop" is across from the police station a bit south of the centre of town. The stop is not obvious and is basically a little bench near the Government savings bank and under a tree right next to a small stand where woman sells papaya salad (which obviously isn't a very stable landmark). :)
  
  Note: my ratings below are for Chom Thong itself, not Doi Inthanon which I would rate much higher.

  • Sights & activities
  • History & culture
  • Scenery & environment
  • Eat & drink
  • Traveller's scene
  • Romance
  • Value for money
  • I'll be back (or not)

  By shawnstorm (dabbler)
  Written on 28th January, 2013 after a visit to Chom Thong in January, 2013

  Also reviewed by shawnstorm: Mae Hong Son, Phetburi,

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