Chiang Saen Travel Tips

The quiet town of Chiang Saen has virtually no crime to speak of, especially against foreigners. Travellers need only use their common sense and keep their cash and valuables safely tucked away. Thieves will take advantage if you leave things lying around your hotel room, so use the hotel’s safe. Violent crime against foreigners is extremely rare, so visitors of any gender and race can feel safe walking around Chiang Saen after dark.

The tap water throughout northern Thailand is unsafe to drink, so always stick to bottled water which is readily available at shops throughout the country. Ice is usually made from purified water, but can become contaminated if stored in a dirty ice chest. There are no strict hygiene standards for restaurants in Chiang Saen, so use your common sense when eating out. If the restaurant looks dirty and unused by the locals, it is probably best to avoid it. Make sure any meat and fish has been thoroughly cooked, and avoid fruits that have not been peeled.

The official language in Thailand is Thai, although many locals in Chiang Saen speak a northern dialect. Most locals outside of the tourism industry are unable to understand or speak proficient English in Chiang Saen.

The currency used in Thailand is the Thai baht. One baht can be divided into 100 satang, although these tiny golden coins are rarely used. Banknotes come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 baht. Coins come in denominations of 10, 5 and 1 baht.

Chiang Saen is a very small town, but it still has a branch of most major Thai banks where you can exchange money and traveller’s cheques into baht. Most banks have an ATM, and some of ATMs accept international debit and credit cards with PLUS or Cirrus affiliations. Money is best exchange at banks in Chiang Saen. 

Every visitor to Thailand over the age of 18 can bring one litre of alcohol and 200 cigarettes into the country. Prohibited items include: firearms, weapons, drugs and pornography. With regards to exports, the government does not allow the export of any antique, artwork or historic Buddhist images without the written approval of the government. This is particularly true of antique Buddhist images, statues and other religious items. If the Buddhist image is a recent work of art then it should be fine, as these are popular souvenirs.

Thai etiquette is based around Buddhism, the family and the monarchy. At first, all these different social rules may seem a bit overwhelming, but the Thais are very forgiving and tolerant if you are willing to make the effort to learn their etiquette. Thais typically don’t shake hands when they meet, though this is slowly changing. They greet each other with a wai by putting their palms together and slightly bowing to show respect. This is particularly true when greeting an elder. If you really want to impress a Thai, greet them with a wai, but never wai a child, and don’t feel obligated to return the wai of a waitress or doorman.

Thais take a lot of pride in keeping their cool. Try not to get upset or raise your voice in public, as this is a major loss of face. Discuss problems calmly and you’ll reach a solution much faster than by shouting. The Thais follow a wonderfully passive philosophy of not worrying about things they can’t control, known as mai pen rai. Be prepared to go with the flow during your travels around Chiang Saen.

Buddhism and the royal family are the two things Thais hold dearest. When visiting any temple, dress respectfully by covering yourself and removing your shoes and show respect. Be discreet when photographing monks, temples and Buddhist images. When dealing with the royal family, never imply any disrespect towards them. The king is almost universally revered in the kingdom controversial questions about the monarchy are best left unasked.  

Even though it’s hot in Chiang Saen, dress conservatively. Pants and a decent shirt are the recommended for men, while women should not reveal too much flesh. Public displays of affection should be kept to modest levels such as walking arm in arm.

Pay attention to what your feet are doing as well. Never use your foot to point at someone or something as feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. It’s extremely insulting to put your feet up on a table or touch someone with your foot. On the other hand, the head is the most sacred part of the body. Don’t ever touch another person’s head, even a child’s. A friendly pat on the shoulder will suffice to show affection.       

Citizens of nearly every country are allowed to enter Thailand on a 30-day tourist visa. These are issued on arrival and are free. All travellers must have a passport valid for six months past the date of entry and may be asked to show a return or onward ticket. Visitors can extend their tourist visa for an additional 10 days at any immigration office for a fee.

Alternatively, many travellers who want to stay more than a month cross the border at Mae Sai into Myanmar (Burma) and then return to Thailand, receiving a new 30-day tourist visa upon reentering. Be sure you don’t overstay your visa, because the penalty is a steep fine.

There is no official Thailand tourism office in Chiang Saen, so your best source of local travel information is a local tour shop or your hotel. The regional TAT office is located in Chiang Rai.