Chiang Rai is one of the last places in Thailand where you can walk down the street and see an elephant passing by all nonchalant, as if going for a morning stroll. From cafes playing only acoustic, Thai versions of 90’s songs to road side street stalls selling turtle soup, it seems that there is always a novel way to do things in Chiang Rai.
After a short moped ride through small Thai villages and elephant parks, we came to some natural hot springs. The obvious thing for a Westerner to do would be to take a dip, maybe even a sip or even research what kind of minerals were in the water. However we are of course in Thailand, and it seems that the obvious thing for Chiang Rai locals to do is to soft boil quail eggs in the springs and soak their feet in them at the same time
As it is said, you should do as the locals do. After a little dip in the springs, I saw a Thai couple that had taken a photo of myself and my boyfriend, Lee, along the Mekong River earlier that day. They approached us with a straw bag filled with small, spotted quail eggs and urged us to dip it in the springs.
The water was 87° C and was full of minerals such as iron, fluoride and sodium. After 20 minutes of hard boiling, we took the eggs out. As we dipped our feet in the spring and began to peel the shells off, we noticed that the couple had come over again.
After a struggle of hand signals and miscommunication, we realised the couple were trying to invite us to dinner. Having already seen how thoughtful the Chiang Rai locals were from giving us free eggs, we were taken aback when they invited us over to try traditional Thai cuisine. With only a phone for google translate, we were able to feast with the couple whilst hearing about their lives and past travels. I can definitely say it was the most random double date I’ve ever been on.
As Sayum went up to order the food, Lee and I chatted with his wife Jum, explaining that it was Lee’s birthday. After eating everything from Papaya Salad to the traditional Pad Thai, we counted that they had ordered 7 plates of food for us to try. After offering to pay for the dinner, the locals laughed at us, with smiles beaming, insisting that they would pay the bill.
We then realised the difference in charges to locals compared to tourists as the couple left 200 baht on the table which would have covered all of our 7 meals and a tip. (200 baht is the equivalent of $7.50 aud)
As the sun set on our evening, we realised we should drive back. It was getting dark and we urgently needed to return the moped. As we followed the bends and winds of the Mekong River, we noticed that a car was flashing its lights at us and speeding up. Just to be safe, we slowed down and rode over to the left to let them pass.
However, they did not pass us. The car was clearly heading for us. As we braced to swerve, the window of the car lowered and we saw the Thai couple yet again. “I forgot to wish you happy birthday- Suk San Wan Keut!” Sayum exclaimed.
– Jen.
February 16, 2017 at 12:15 am
This makes me happy! It’s been almost nine years since I was in Thailand, but I remember the people of Chiang Rai especially fondly! Similar to your experience, my traveling companion and I ran into a large group of principals from Chiang Rai who invited us to a huge dinner. It was quite an experience! I know Chiang Rai is still a bit off the tourist trail, so it’s good to hear it’s maintained some of that special Thai charm… like elephants wandering in the street! 😉
February 16, 2017 at 12:42 am
I have always wanted to visit Thailand! Looks so pretty and interesting! And according to your experience (the flashing lights incident) it seems that Thai people are super friendly! Thanks for sharing
February 16, 2017 at 2:19 am
Thai people are amazingly friendly! I hope I am lucky enough to return someday 🙂
February 16, 2017 at 3:38 am
I would love to see Thailand! I hear the best things about it. One day 🙂
February 16, 2017 at 3:48 am
This sounds like the perfect day trip! The temperature of the water is insane, 87C – just woww! So sweet and hospitable of the Thai couple to invite you for dinner – Conversations with hand gestured and Google translate guarantee a fun evening!
February 16, 2017 at 11:02 am
Love how you wrote this with the ending! Haha that’s amazing that you got to experience dinner with two Thai locals though – they seem so great!
February 17, 2017 at 1:58 am
I absolutely love meeting random locals of travelers and getting to know them. And wow, that’s awesome that you guys got to do it like the locals with quail eggs. If I ever head that way I’ll make sure to grab some! Hahaa
February 17, 2017 at 4:17 am
This was such a lovely post! The people of Thailand seem so kind. Must go one day soon!!
February 17, 2017 at 5:17 am
This was a lovely read. Stories like this are what makes travelling worthwhile. I love that you had nothing but Google Translate and body language to communicate with yet you manage to have a whole meal together. I’ve heard so many great things about people in Thailand. It seems like a really welcoming place to travel.
February 27, 2017 at 10:53 am
What a great way to spend a birthday! I LOVE these moments, that is why we travel! My husband and I came upon a Medieval wedding anniversary celebration while in Cortona, Italy and were invited to join in on the dancing! So much fun! A memory I will never forget.
March 16, 2017 at 1:18 am
Delicious food in a beautiful location, this is what I need right now!
March 16, 2017 at 1:28 am
Love this story! Experiencing a new place like and with locals
Is the best!
March 16, 2017 at 1:52 am
What a great post. I haven’t been back in over a decade. Cannot wait to visit Thailand again soon. The people there seem so kind and friendly.
❥ tanvii.com
March 16, 2017 at 2:04 am
Absolutely a memorable experience for you! Mingling with the locals are hearing about their stories are my favorite. 🙂
March 16, 2017 at 5:33 am
Love your post! I haven’t been to Thailand yet, but heard many good stories about it 🙂 I love “do as the locals do” as well 🙂
March 16, 2017 at 9:49 am
What an amazing experience! I love that you got to make such a great connection with a local couple despite the language barrier. It takes me back to the homestay I did in Japan with a couple who barely spoke English and how much we were able to share despite not being able to converse easily.
March 16, 2017 at 11:04 am
Haha! Great ending. What a sweet couple. That really was a cheap meal compared to what tourists would have paid! Even for a local price I can’t believe you got that much food. What great luck!
March 16, 2017 at 11:55 am
Your post made me smile. You did an amazing job painting a picture of this place with your words and photos. I got a warm feeling for a hidden corner of the world that seems a bit off the grid and stuck back in time. Sounds like such a lovely, special experience! I’d love to see an elephant walking casually down the street!
March 16, 2017 at 4:01 pm
Wow, the people you met sound lovely. I’m glad you had such a great (and slightly more authentic?) experience in Thailand. The fact that locals are charged more (if I understood that correctly) for food just seems bizarre to me though! Normally it’s the other way round.
March 16, 2017 at 9:58 pm
What a wonderful travel experience – this memory will stay with you the rest of your life I’m sure 🙂 Lovely writing by the way.
March 16, 2017 at 10:16 pm
What a lovely experience to have with some locals, the best way to discover somewhere!
March 17, 2017 at 12:05 am
What a lovely story! I just arrived in Bangkok last week and this is exactly the experience I’ve had with Thailand so far — people are friendly, curious, generous. I can’t wait to get the Chiang Rai!
Happy continued travels!
C
March 19, 2017 at 9:45 pm
Love that photo of the elephant on the street! I wish I hadn’t missed Chiang Rai when I was in Thailand.
June 18, 2017 at 12:44 am
Thai people are so nice! I met the nicest family whilst I was there who invited me to stay with them for the night. Love your post, brings back happy memories.
June 22, 2017 at 12:35 am
Such aa lovely friendship story! I have never been to Thailand, but heard many stories of this fantastic friendliness. Would love to experience myself.
June 22, 2017 at 2:20 am
Wow, what an experience! It’s always so special to dine with locals. How sweet of the couple to go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Thank you for sharing the story!
June 22, 2017 at 3:39 am
I love when things like this happen! Getting a chance to really spend time with locals feels like an incredible opportunity to get to know a place. Plus, it sounds like the food was great! And happy belated birthday to Lee!
June 22, 2017 at 4:46 am
I keep hearing great stories about Thailand. I really need to make a visit! I think it’s a country I would enjoy a lot!
June 23, 2017 at 2:03 am
Elephants walking down the streets?? I HAVE TO GO HERE. What an amazing village!
June 23, 2017 at 11:10 am
Made it to Chiang Mai but unfortunately not to Chiang Ria. Looks like we missed a cool and laid back village. Great interactions with the locals…so friendly!!
June 30, 2017 at 8:29 am
I’ll be visiting thailand next year an of course it will be nice meeting the elephant walking next to me 😀😀😀
June 30, 2017 at 8:32 am
Thailand looks enchanting. Maybe I will go someday. I’d love to see an elephant just walking down the street!
June 30, 2017 at 8:36 am
This is wonderful! I absolutely love that you related to a local couple so well, and got much more of an authentic feel for the people and place. We took our family to Thailand this past December, and we loved the country and people. But we had more limited interaction, since we were staying with expat friends of ours. Very cool experience.
June 30, 2017 at 8:44 pm
that is a beautiful story! I ve always wanted to visit thailand. and 87 C, at first I thought I was reading that wrong! HOT HOT HOT!!!!!!
June 30, 2017 at 11:12 pm
wow! will definitely try this when I’ll be in Thailand. What a very informative guide for travellers.
July 1, 2017 at 2:36 am
I’ve been to Thailand a few times but never to Chiang Rai – I NEED to see elephants walking down the street! x