'''Thaton''' (??????, also spelt Tha Ton) is a small village in Chiang Mai Province with a number of hotels and guesthouses of variying prices.

Get in

Thaton is located between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. A journey by road from Chiang Mai is about 180km and takes about 3 hours, but with some excellent scenery along the way.

You can take the boat from here to Chiang Rai, which takes about 3 hours. From Chiang Rai to Thaton is an upriver trip, and takes about 5 hours. The village has a relaxed atmosphere, and some people hang out for a few days before moving on.

The bus station is near bridge. Buses depart from/to Chang Phuak Bus Station in Chiang Mai several times a day with the journey takeing about 3/4 hours (prices are around 90 Baht). The buses are usually easily identifiable with English information on them. Buses to Chiang Rai and Bangkok also run albeit less frequently, a journey to Chiang Rai takes a couple of hours and to Bangkok about 12 hours (890km).

From Thaton you can also go to Mae Salong, and on to the Myanmar border at Mae Sai (where you can extend your visa).

Get around

Thaton is a small (~2000 people) village and can easily be explored on foot. A songthaew can easily be hired if you need to travel out of the village.

See

Bordering the village is Wat Thaton, a large monastery with nine levels or hills. Each hill has something on it to visit, like a big Buddha image or a stupa. Level 4 has a meditation center, where they teach vipassana meditation, also in English. For information on the meditation course in Wat Thaton, see [http://www.wat-thaton.org]

Do

Buy

Eat

There are a number of small roadside restaurants, stalls and bars serving Thai and some western food. Many also offer internet services as you eat. As always western drinks are easy to find.

Drink

Sleep

There are numerous guesthouses beside the river, near the jetty. There is a tourist police station nearby and it is a good idea to register with them before you stay, although there is no major crime problem in Thaton it is best to be safe rather than sorry.

'''Apple Villa'''Overlooking a bridge across the Kok river in the heart of town, has 6 bungalows, all with air-con. The attached restaurant serves decent quality Thai food and passable Farang food. Rooms go from 800Baht in the high season. Discounts should be available from May to October.

Get out