...I will do doing something crazy. will be driving from Bangkok to changmai for the first time next week. trying to catch the flower show in CM. anyone can recommend me what is a good place to visit (not stopover as I plan to complete the drive in 1 day) along the route?
Don't think it's crazy, many tanchart (foreigners) have been there and done it. Personally, I've been meaning to do this myself but for time (and other :p) constraints. If you are now en-route, pls do share with us on your road trip experience.
From my mini "research", straight drive takes 7-8hrs. Think possible stops are Nakhon Sawan (slight diversion), Sukhothai and even Lampang (100kms away from CNX). Before Lampang, a good stopover at elephant sanctuary after khun tan forest area. Not your usual elephant sight seeing joint, but here they do look after elephants and worthwhile drop by.
http://www.thaizer.com/tourist-attr...-conservation-centre-lampang-near-chiang-mai/
http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Attra...ervation_Center-Lampang_Lampang_Province.html
And here's a tongue in cheek on driving north -but holds some truths
Re: Bangkok to Chiang Mai driving
22 June 2012, 4:02
First thing is to go to a good eye hospital in Bangkok and get some implants, you'll need 3 sets, one on each side and one set at the back, then it's off to a local wat to get the car blessed , load up the rear view mirror with protection amulets and glue a statue of your favorite monk to the dashboard.
Rent a car with tinted windows so that casual compensation seekers cant see your farang.
When driving remember that there is an invisible third lane that runs down the center of the road, anyone can use this. If you find yourself on bendy roads like the ones you'll encounter up north, stay away from the center line as they will be overtaking on your side of the road coming from the opposite direction. Buses, lorries ... They all do it , at speed ... So stay away from that invisible third lane on bendy roads and blind hills.
If you find yourself at the front of the line at traffic lights , when they turn green ... DO NOT HIT THE GAS HARD ... You risk being hit by idiots jumping the lights at 120kph ... Watch out.
If you come up behind a truck , like a Hino belching smoke and crawling along , they may notice you if they are not too high on yabba, sometimes they will indicate left to ket you know it is safe to overtake ... IN THEIR OPiNION ... Check it out , if they indicate right, that means it is not safe , seeing a right indicator is rare though. Keep a distance from buses and coaches as they're suicidal and on yabba most of the time and don't care much about passengers or you .... Might is right
If you're in an accident then be prepared to pay up even if it's not your fault , just keep calm , negotiate if you can , pay up and go. You'll always be to blame , even parked with the engine off in tesco lotus car park ... It's your fault !
Hope this helps