Tha Ton

A small village of 19,000 inhabitants, Tha Ton brings together, with its hill tribes, its picturesque guesthouses, and its unique setting on the banks of the Kok River, all the assets to attract travelers, all just a 3-hour drive from Chiang Mai!

It is on foot or by bicycle that Tha Ton reveals all its beauty. Valleys, hills, and green rice fields succeed each other as far as the eye can see. Here is a quiet town, far from the tumult and stress of civilization. Lost in the mountainous heights of northern Chiang Mai, Tha Ton is so small that it is forgotten on the maps of the province. Yet, Tha Ton's tourist potential is unmatched by its size. The village itself is poor in monuments, except for the large monastery perched on the hill. It serves as a base camp for a boat trip to the surrounding hills where conservative ethnic minorities have taken refuge: Shan, Lahu, Lisu, Akha, Karen, etc. Embark on Tha Ton and fulfill your desires for nature escape during a stay in Chiang Mai.

History

Thaton or Tha Ton—both spellings are accepted—is a border village with Burma. The Kok River serves as a natural dividing line. Political unrest has torn the region apart in the past. The Burmese and the Lanna kings fought for control of Tha Ton. Thus, the advancement of the Thai border 3.2 km upstream of the river has led to ethnic and cultural mixing. Since the beginning of the 20th century, families from Shan State have found themselves within the village limits. The territorial rearrangement alone does not suffice to explain the massive exodus of Burmese minority tribes. Poverty, military dictatorship in Burma, and the ungratefulness of agricultural lands in Yunnan, China, are all compelling reasons. The area of Tha Ton occupied by the Shan is commonly called Ban Rom Thai.

Today

Located on the scenic route between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, Tha Ton is a popular stopover on an adventurous journey in northern Thailand. Guesthouses come in a wide range, from rustic cabins to two- or three-star holiday resorts. Administratively, Tha Ton is under the jurisdiction of Mae Ai, a district at the northern tip of Chiang Mai province. The tambon is divided into 15 quarters, with Ban Tha Thon as its capital. The reason to stay in Tha Ton is twofold: on the one hand, one appreciates the nice view of the Kok River, and on the other hand, longtail boats take pleasure seekers to the nearby high hills to meet traditional tribes and share their simple way of life, where tradition reigns supreme.

Must-See attractions

Road trip enthusiasts, cultural encounter lovers, or backpackers? You will certainly love exploring Tha Ton and its surroundings.

Wat Tha Ton

Built on a series of rocky hills just behind the bridge, Wat Tha Ton takes its name from the village. The ascent to reach the different levels may be physically challenging (there are nine in total), but it is worth it, as the monastery is an exceptional architectural icon. Throughout the walk, multiple stops are required to observe the rich collection of Buddhist iconography.

At the first level, the image of Guanyin stands before you. This bodhisattva with feminine traits is revered as the goddess of mercy. Two giant Buddhas await you at the third level: one is designed in the Thai style and the other in the Chinese style. At the next step, you will stand in the presence of a seated Buddha in meditation, whom Mucalinda, the prince of the nagas, comes to protect under the shadow of his seven hoods.

The main attraction of the temple is to be discovered at the eighth level: the Kaew stupa, or "crystal pagoda,"  a colorful monument that is made entirely of recycled glass. The breathtaking view of the valley, accessible from a terrace, will compensate for your fatigue. Do not miss the stupa museum, especially if you are accompanied by children.

Traditional ethnic villages

More attractive, in our opinion, is the cultural immersion within the hill villages of Chiang Rai. It is possible to get there by road, but the boat trip on the Kok River is unmatched. Baan Ruam Mit is among the most visited destinations. Getting off the boat, go and meet the Lahu, Karen, and Akha tribes. They combine various subsistence farming cultures: tea, coffee, corn, not to mention rice… Crafts are the women's affair, intended to fill cash gaps. This agricultural way of life is in perfect harmony with the natural environment: caves, waterfalls, hot springs, and grassy hills alternate between landscapes. At the same time, tourists can visit elephant camps.

Best time to go

To escape the fury of the showers, be sure to take your dates during the right season, namely from November to February. It is constantly warm all year round (around 24 °C), with significant temperature differences between day and night that are due to altitude.

How to get there?

With the development of road and maritime connections with the major cities of the North, getting to Tha Ton has never been easier.

From Chiang Mai

Three hours of travel over a total of 180 km. Rest assured, the beauty of the panoramas will help you pass the time. The public bus is an alternative to the car to save on transportation costs. Go to the Chang Phuak station in Chiang Mai and get on the next bus to Tha Ton. The ticket costs 120 baht per person, equivalent to 3.36 euros. There is a departure every half hour; the first bus leaves at 5 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 5:30 p.m.

From Chiang Rai

No direct bus connects Tha Ton and Chiang Rai. Bus lines stop at Tha Ton with connections at Mae Chan and Mae Salong, but the journey takes a good 6 hours. To reach Tha Ton from Chiang Rai, the boat is the simplest, fastest, and cheapest way. You are free to take the government longtail boat, which departs at twelve thirty for 350 baht per person, or to pay for the services of a private ferry for more tranquility.

To get around the area, consider renting a motorcycle near local inns and guesthouses. The price varies between 300 baht and 350 baht per day, which is around 8.5 € to 10 €.

You will love…

• Capturing in photos Wat Tha Thon and its Buddhist images;
• Testing the local cuisine, mainly composed of freshwater fish;
• Going on a boat trip on the Kok River;
• Sharing the daily lives of indigenous minority peoples;
• Going on a family excursion to an elephant sanctuary;
• Participating in agricultural activities in the hills.