Chiang Mai Tourist Trap Tips by SumTingWong Top 5 Page for this destination

Bamboo rafting

OK in all honesty I include bamboo rafting under tourist traps. I have done this once before in Northern Chiang Mai province and I wasn't that impressed. There are two main reasons as to why:

1) This type of tourism is really hurting the natural bamboo in the jungles, the higher the demand for this tourism activity, the more bamboo is wasted. The rafts are built once and not used again. Waste!

2) Rubber rafting is a lot more fun! On the bamboo rafts you have to stand the whole time as you get cold, hot, wet, annoyed, and bitten by spiders and mosquitoes. You get tossed easily on rapids and by the end the rafts fall apart into junk.

Fun Alternatives: Go rubber rafting. It was a lot more fun!!!!! You can sit, relax, and experience the white water adventures of northern Thailand. You have a better time steering (not with bamboo sticks) and it is just a lot more fun!!

Elephant Riding Elephant camps Review

I must also include elephant riding under "tourist traps". I myself am guilty of riding elephants in Thailand (twice, sorry). The riding itself isn't so bad or anything (it is hyped up for nothing though, it isn't anything special), but the whole system of elephant riding is bad. The elephants are chained, beaten, and cut to act as tourist machines. Going on an elephant ride in northern Thailand is memorable, but do you want to support people who beat and harm these gentile creatures??

Unique Suggestions: If you have some burning desire to ride elephants, than you should try and help the amimals, find out if you can donate to help the elephants. In many places you can feed them, go for it. Tell the people to treat the elephants better (maybe with a small cash reward??).

Fun Alternatives: Go trekking by foot, ot rubber rafting! A lot more fun!

Getting ripped off at Wat PhraThat Doi Suthep

There are many venders at the Wat PhraThat Doi Suthep and they will over charge you by a lot. You can buy the same stuff at the Night Bazaar and or Day Market. Don't buy from these people; they won't even have respect for you!

Unique Suggestions: Yes, do go to the Wat PhraThat Doi Suthep. It's about 15 Kilometers west and quite a bit above Chiang Mai city. Tour busses go up commonly. This wat is amazing and I recommend that you go, however, just don't by from the hounding venders. Here are some important Thai words for you:

No thank you: Mai Khop Koon Krap(m)/kaa(f)

I don't want to bay anything: Mai yahk mai krap(m)/kaa(f)

I don't like it: Mai ao krap(m)/kaa(f)

No: Mai (falling tone) krap/kaa

Goodbye: Laa gorn krap/kaa

Fun Alternatives: Buy things at the Night Bazaar and Day Market.