Many cows of Li

[Ally]

Mid October is when we experience a radical change in the climate here in the north of Thailand. Nights are cooler and there is often a haze blanketing the country with occasional lifting when the sun breaks through. But it is also the start of the burning by farmers and it's often hard to tell whether your looking at weather or smoke!

Today I rode down to the 106 at PaSang & then followed the 106 all the way down to Li, stopping first at Wat Phra Phutthabat Pha Nam. The lower area of this temple is littered with the usual sights of a country temple but the Chedi developments up on the mountain behind are likely to be groundbreaking. The girl who was keen to show me around at the summit, explained they were opening a coffee shop underneath the chedi along with a cascading waterfall. Mmm... And by the look of the development it could well be air conditioned too!

My next stop was to be Mae Ping National Park & the end of the road at Ko. But ! At the park entrance I was asked to pay 150 Baht as I was a farang. I showed my Thai driving license and the guy pushed it away & said it was not a Thai id card. After quite a bit of discussion & his continued insistence & a reduction to 120 baht, I took their photo & told them I would enjoy talking to TAT in Chiang Mai & turned around & left the park.

In the photo the prices are all in Thai:
1.1 Adult=20baht
1.2 Child=10baht
1.3 Foreigner=50/100baht
2.1 Pedal Bike=10baht
2.2 Motorcycle=20baht
2.3 4 Wheeled vehicle=30baht
So 1 motorbike + 1 Adult should be 40 baht ! if Thai or previously understood to be with Thai driving license.

I now visited Sri Maha Chedi Chai / Sri Wiang Chai Temple which seems bigger than ever but I think it is just more gleaming more than my previous visit. The cows are still smiling and the leaf bells are still tinkling in the wind.

Next stop was Wat Phrathat Ha Duang where there is an amazing statue of Rama V in front of a very attractive temple area.

GpxViewer

 

[Lone Rider]

Looks like very interesting places you visit and "sigh", my list of places to visit is growing. At National Parks I have the same attitude - if they don't want to give me the local price with my Thai driving license I just walk away. My best experience at a National Park up to now has been at the Phu Hin Rongkla National Park where, when the guy saw my age at the driving license, I was given the Senior Citizen entry price which was free entry at that time.

 

[Ally]

Seems we keep going around in circles with the parks charging what they want. Tuesday at Mae Ya it was quite ok with my driving license & charged local prices.

Next time at Mae Ping, I will simply say I am going through to Mae Prik.

 

[bsacbob]

I thought they had stopped the dual pricing crap in order to attract more tourists, but i guess the parks do as they please.

 

[alexuk]

I thought they had stopped the dual pricing crap in order to attract more tourists, but i guess the parks do as they please.

So many Li-ing cows there -in the park
They tried to over charge me too at some park on the way back from Chiang Rai, so I rode off

The track to Mae Phrik was very nice, 4wd track, someone I was riding with hit a cow there iirc.
I like the temple too at Li

Inside Wat Li

 

[Ally]

Thanks for sharing those pics Alex, I was too pissed off to take my boots off, so never went inside this visit

Good to see coffee shops opening up in that area now, pretty good quality too, not just the carnation & falcon tin barricade style stalls

Ally

 

[alexuk]

I have a video of riding around it somewhere, and the Mae
phrik track

 

[Ally]

Visited TAT office in Chiang Mai today and explained the shenanigans to them and they phoned Mae Ping National Park Office Director. They were very pleased to have the details of my discussion, liked the photo too

Kh Gositt, the Director, can be contacted on 0814010454 or her secretary Kh Wattanawalee 0931409323

They confirmed that a Thai issued driving license issued to a farang is a valid form of proof to qualify for Thai entrance rates.

Hope this info helps any future visits you might make.

 

[bsacbob]

Very useful numbers to have, thanks Ally.

 

[CraigBKK]

Visited TAT office in Chiang Mai today and explained the shenanigans to them and they phoned Mae Ping National Park Office Director. They were very pleased to have the details of my discussion, liked the photo too

Kh Gositt, the Director, can be contacted on 0814010454 or her secretary Kh Wattanawalee 0931409323

They confirmed that a Thai issued driving license issued to a farang is a valid form of proof to qualify for Thai entrance rates.

Hope this info helps any future visits you might make.

Unfortunately in Thailand one is never quite sure if this kind of behaviour is driven by ignorance or simple greed...

 

[skeedary]

Auke you remind me of my visit to the Rongkla NP and think I was treated similarly to you, benefits of being a fossil.

 

[oldbloke]

Unfortunately in Thailand one is never quite sure if this kind of behaviour is driven by ignorance or simple greed...

Historically, across most countries, rulers have always had problems with getting edicts implemented in provinces.. both your factors come into play. Must remember to try the Senior age concession next time when I'm back, though.