Mae Rim is a town in Chiang Mai Province.
Understand
[edit]Geography
[edit]Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Mae Taeng, San Sai, Chiang Mai, Hang Dong and Samoeng of Chiang Mai Province.
Get in
[edit]Road 107 is the main North to South road, from Mae Taeng in the North to Chiang Mai in the south; it is part of the Mae Hong Son Loop. Going West is road 1096 to Samoeng and part of the Samoeng Loop. Road 1260 connects to road 1001 in Mae Jo.
Get around
[edit]
Map of Mae Rim
See
[edit]- 1 Huai Tueng Thao Reservoir. Big figures made of rice stalks and picknick huts on the water. Very popular with locals. 50 baht entrance fee.
- 2 Mae Sa Waterfall (Turn onto Rte 1096 to Samoeng. Travel ~7 km to waterfall on left), ☏ +66 53-210244. 08:30-16:30. Set in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park on the Samoeng Loop. The path winds up for almost 2 km to the 8 tiers of cascades. There are many secluded areas off the trail for picnics. Crowded on weekends and holidays. Foreigners, 100 baht; Thais, 20 baht.
- 3 Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, 100 Moo 9, Mae Ram (Turn onto Rte 1096 to Samoeng; travel 12 km to garden on left), ☏ +66 53-841234. Daily 08:30-16:30. Thailand's oldest and foremost botanical garden. Dedicated to the conservation of Thai flora, it holds collections of, and carries out research on rare and endangered species. Lovely gardens in a mountain foothills setting. Run by the Botanical Garden Association of Thailand. Adult 150 baht; child 100 baht; car 100 baht.
- 4 Princess Sirindhorn AstroPark (NARIT (National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand) headquarters), 260 Moo 4, Tambon Donkaew, Amphoe Mae Rim. Tu-F 08:30-16:30, Sa 10:00-22:00, Su holidays 10:00-17:00, closed M. The planetarium includes a digital FullDome DX4 system with a 17-meter-diameter screen for 160 seats. Showtime: Tu-F Su holidays 11:00 and 14:00; Sa 11:00, 14:00, 17:00. The astronomy movie is in Thai without English subtitles except that the movie shown F at 11:00 is in English. Besides the movie, it has astronomy exhibitions and a scientific learning environment (simple games and toys to demonstrate scientific and technological concepts, mostly oriented to kids). There is also a public observatory for stargazing on Saturday nights (18:00-22:00 from November to May. Also, the mountain view at the outdoor area of the third floor of the planetarium is beautiful. There is a restaurant called The Planets on the second floor of the planetarium, but if you want to eat something fast and cheap, there is a food cart providing simple street foods (noodles, grilled skewers, etc) near the foot of the planetarium, opposite to NARIT headquarters. free (50 baht for movie).
- 5 Wat Phra Putthabat Si Roi. Wat Phra Putthabat Si Roi is a temple belonging to the Maha Sect of the Sangha. It is located in Saluang Subdistrict of Mae Rim. It is enshrined with the footprints of 4 Buddhasam, which is said to be the oldest Buddha footprint in Thailand.
- 6 Dara Phirom Palace.
- 7 Wat Pa Dara Phirom.
- 8 Sainamphung Orchid. 100 baht.
- 9 Siam Insect-zoo & Museum.
- 10 Suanbua Maesa Orchid.
- 11 Mae Ram Orchid Farm.
Do
[edit]- 1 Princess Dara Rasmi Remembrance Day (around the Daraphirom Palace). Yearly on 9 December. Princess Dara Rasmi was a consort of king Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and a member of the original royal family of Chiang Mai. 9 December 1933 she died. Now there is a yearly event around her villa. The event has a fair and performances of traditional dances.
- 2 Extreme Sports Centre (X-Centre), 816 Moo 1, Rim Thai, Mae Rim (17 km N to Mae Rim on Rte 107; onto Rte 1096, direction Samoeng), ☏ +66 53-297700. Daily 09:00-18:00. Kiwi-run business, totally buttoned-down and professional. Bungy jumping; off-road buggies; dirt bikes; paintball; indoor drift carts; Xorb ball; sports bar and restaurant. Transport available from Chiang Mai at 09:30, 13:00, 15:00.
- The Lake at Huay Tung Tao. A reservoir in surrounding woodlands. Admission, 50 baht.
- 3 Huai Tueng Thao Sheep Farm. Feed some sheep and see a farm. A nice quiet area with lots of big statues around. 50 baht.
- 4 Supha Bee Farm, ☏ +66 86-911-0407. 08:00-17:00. Walk-in tourists are welcome to visit every day from 08:00 to 17:00. A lecturer will be available to assist you. There is no charge.
For those interested in a beekeeping training course to develop a beekeeping career, they offer an intensive one-day course taught by experts in both theory and practical application. Participants do not need prior experience. Individualized instruction is provided. Please book at least 7 days in advance. The fee is 4,900 baht per person. - 5 Tiger Kingdom, Rim Tai, Amphoe Mae Rim.
- 6 Mae Sa Elephant Camp, 119/9 Tha Phae Rd, ☏ +66 53 206 247, +66 53 206 248. An elephant camp in the hills about an hour's drive north of the city centre. Now their website says No Elephant Riding and No Elephant Show. They encourage sponsoring the elephants with a monthly amount of minimal 50 baht. 300 baht entrance fee (admission includes basket of fruit to feed the elephants).
- 7 Grandma's Thai Recipes, 48 Chaiyapoom Rd (15 min out of the city, transportation provided), ☏ +66 53-121656. Traditional Thai cooking instruction. Vegetarian-friendly. Restaurant and booking office located near Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai.
- 8 Crocodile show. 300 baht.
- 9 Mae Sa Snakefarm (Many different species of snakes.). 200 baht.
- 10 [dead link] Mae Rim Shooting Range. 1,700 baht for shooting with 1 calibre. 6 calibres available.
- 11 Monkey centre.
- 12 Chiang Mai King Cobra. Sylvester Stallone was here while shooting his last Rambo movie. 200 baht.
- 13 Mae Rim Snake Farm Cobra Show (More dangerous species). 200 baht.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Mon Cham Camp Site (Mon Jam). Nice place for lunch.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Akha Ama Living Factory. Needing a place to do the smelly coffee roasting job, created this place, also serving coffee.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Four Seasons, Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, ☏ +66 53 298181. 28,000-160,000 baht.
- 2 Panviman Resort, 197/2 Moo 1, Tambon Pongyeang, ☏ +66 53 879540 (-50), fax: +66 53 879495, [email protected]. 5,000-16,000 baht.
Connect
[edit]Cope
[edit]Consulates
[edit]
1 Sweden (Svenska Konsulatet i Chiang Mai), 186/48 Green Valley, Moo 5, Mae Sa, Mae Rim (map marker is at a position where a direction pointer to the consulate can be found), ☏ +66 99-3787773, fax: +66 53-298632.
Go next
[edit]- 1 Wat Den Sali Si Mueang Kaen (Wat Ban Den) (in Mae Taeng).