Reality

shashimel

Almost back to reality, but my mind is still all the way there......#krabi #hotspringswaterfall #thailand#thailand2018 #water #nature #hotsprings#welivetoexplore #welivetotravel #travel#travelblogger #wanderlust #instamoment#instagood #instatravel

A couple of Thai teasers, nothing too serious.

Let's just start somewhere in Central Thailand, Khanchanaburi naturally. A bit cheeky too.

amnicky at Rock Valley hot spring:

What a badass!? #badass #gaytrip#gayboy #gaytravel #hotsprings #fishspa#nature #naturepool #pool #ass

Then heading northwards, but close to the Burmese border, there's the riverside hot spring of Umphang (Mae Sot):

roxannevidot

Hot spring time 🙌🏼♨️-#thailand#hotsprings#roaming#greenway#exploremore#friends#chill#floating#natural#pool#jungle

Strawberries 

rechterning

Sometimes luxury does not mean a lot of money. It may seem like a 5-star hotel, but it is just an hot spring in the rural area of Thailand. Let me tell you the story of this picture:During the lunch break at Samoeng we met a Thai-UK couple, owners of a strawberry farm nearby. We have not only visited their farm, eaten their awesome strawberries, but we were also recommend this hot springs. They were not on our plan or route, but we decided to accept the challenge. We drove like 30 km passing by a lot of villages, real authentic Thai countryside, until reaching a dirty road. We had almost lost all our hopes of finding the hot springs when suddenly we saw the sign ⚠️ 150 baht per person and you get towel and swim clothes. A lot of different hot pools with different temperatures and depths in a lovely setting... the rest you can judge by the picture or pay them a visit 😉

After this description of how to get to the Samoeng hot spring, following is another Chiang Mai hot spring, that of Pong Duet:

lilou_tomnud

Hot spring...#thailande #thailand #water #photooftheday#landscapelovers #moment #instadetente#holidays #honeymoon #hotsprings#sourcechaude #detente #eauchaude #relax#lunedemiel #verygoodday #trekking #trek#pause #barbotage #swim

Staying north there are two articles on the hot springs of Chiang Rai. 

The first article from Chiang Rai News (Sep. 25) concerns hot spring promotion: 

'Chiang Rai province launched a Lanna Wellness tourism campaign over the weekend, promoting local hot springs.
Speaking at the event, Pranpreeya Polyiam of the Provincial Tourism and Sports Office said tourists and local residents travel to the hot springs for relaxation, as well as health and wellness. She revealed that a research team from Chiang Rai Rajabhat University has performed a study, detailing health benefits of the 12 local hot springs.
To set Chiang Rai apart from other northern provinces, waters from the hot springs will be delivered to nearby hotels. Hot spring-based beauty and spa products and services will be developed and sold through the province’s hotels and spas to promote the popularity of local hot springs'. 

Happier

Then from the officialdom to the slightly whacky. 

The Bangkok Post (Nov. 14): 

'Chinese tourists visiting Thailand in the thousands are making a lesser-known attraction far more popular – boiling eggs in a northern hot spring.
Scores more travellers from China were buying eggs from vendors at the steamy site in Chiang Rai’s Wieng Pa Pao district on Tuesday morning.
Chillier temperatures also encourage tourists to dip their feet in the warm water.
The egg suppliers of Tambon Mae Chedi Yai couldn’t be happier. Business has never been so brisk.
One vendor said she’s lately been selling 300 to 500 eggs a day to tourists, most of them Chinese.
The usual price is Bt20 for a woven basket holding three eggs.
Tourists suspend the baskets in the hot spring for a minute or two if they want their eggs soft-boiled and three minutes for hard-boiled'

black_fluffy_cloud

Boiling eggs in the hot springs. 98 degrees Celsius. Tastes very good, fresh eggs. #chiangrai#thaihotspring#hotspring#thailand

More hot springs from Chiang Mai province:

summercurve

Taking a bath with the locals in the hot springs of Chiang Dao#chiangdao #hotsprings #spontaneous #thailand #adventure #southeastasia #lovelypeople #hotwater #goodtimes #explore #scooter #norththailand #earth #jungle #bathtub #river #travel #twogether #happy

pipat147

ออนเซนเมืองไทยไม่แพ้ชาติใดในโลก #onsen #onsenthailand #sippahotspring #sippa #chiangmaitrip

Day

nowa_jqjq

#thailandhotspring #ratchaburiเช้าๆๆคนน้อยดี

Now back south, first central Thailand's Khlong Pha Ong (?), Rathchaburi. Further south, near Ranong is the Porn Rang (Rung) hot spring, while finishing off in Krabi, back where this blog entry started: 

alisapul

😝

Iphruaia at Wareerak:

Day 4 #hotsprings #spa#footmassage

Time

anitagoldenbeauty at Chaeson

Relax time Lampang way 💕 #onsentime #lampang #thailand #dvicioexclusiveth #love #friends

As the Thai soaking season is well and truly behind us, what are the pictures popping up on instagram concerning Siam's soaking haunts?  And no, not those of the most popular soaks. well, maybe ...

Setting the tone, above a delightful typical Thai setting, soaking with the extended family (and friends?), a great way to start this photographical tour.

Going south, Ranong has one of Thailand's best hot springs: Porn Rong, a number of larger tubs located in a forest with a babling brook along side. 
The photo following this is probably the lesser appealing of this blog entry, but beggars are no choosers ...

dekyingkae555

 PornRung #hotspring 🔥🌫🌋💦🌫🔥อยากแช่มั้งเนาะแต่ต้องไปทำงานแล่ว😢

mairinfo 

Shortly after our luxurious bathe in the hot springs, this field trip full of school children arrived. They were so excited to jump right in, much to the amusement of the remaining adult bathers who came for a relaxing soak. #school #fieldtrip #children #allsmiles #purejoy #hotsprings #soak #mineralwater #thailand #krabi #seetheworld #natgeotravel

Stylish

nunnycosci staying at River Kwai Resotel and heading to Rock Valley hot springs

#หมูบุรินอินไทยแลนด์แปร๊นแปร๊น #kanjanaburi #working #บันทึกไทย #ThailandRecords #thailand #socool #feedgood #travelingram #traveling #travel #traveladdict #ilovetravel #hotspring #onsen #thaistyal #outdoor #canon #canon60d #canonthailand

Further up the isthmus brings to Khanchanabri (above) and of course Bangkok where fake Japanese style bathing places seem all the rage.

aomzaa_phakkasupat at Let's Relax Onsen and Spa Thonglor

Onsen Onsen สบายจาย

#ถ่ายรายการ #RogerWu

#TVB #HongKong

#Onsen #LetsRelax

#Spa #Thonglor

Lovers

nacklouis at Maejok, Phrae province

ออนเซ็น @แพร่ คือดีนะ

ไม่ต้องไปไกล.สบายตัวมาก

#onsen #phrae #phraeonsen #onsentime #แช่น้ำพุร้อน

Unfortunately many of Thailand's hot springs are locked up in unappealing cells. Above it says Maejok, but could be anywhere in the country. 

Following this, are more appealing hot springs of north Thailand, including another (spruced up) cell. 

Rounding this blog entry off is another from Pai's Sai Ngam hot / hot spring. 

 

kwang_litter, just out of Mae Hong Son town enjoying a soak at Pha Bong hot spring.

 #naturelovers #meahongson #hotspring

khunmamui at Sippa hot spring resort (near Sankamphaeng) with the transcript 'as hot as the water!'

ร้อนๆเยี่ยงนี้ แช่น้ำร้อนสิครับบบ 😂😂😂 #Hotspring #Chiangmai

too_badz86 at Pha soet (?) hot spring

Life is so much easier when you just relax.

#holiday #chiangraitrip #Thailand #hotspring

peter_morcos 

#Thailand #Pai #hotspring #a7s2

Welcome to the jungle

yy_aannee 

ได้ตื่นตอนเช้าเช้ามานั่งแช่น้ำพุร้อนแบบนี้ทุกทุกวันก็คงจะดี.. #สิปปาฮอทสปริง #ที่พักดี #มีบ่อน้ำพุร้อน #บอกต่อ #เที่ยวเมืองไทยไม่ไปไม่รู้ววว!!

Against expectations of little change, I've set out to compile the last 12 months most popular hot springs of Thailand. 

Were there little changes? No doubt.

As always I tampered with the points system; after all the way we use internet changes constantly as well. 

The major changes were adding Instagram counts for locations, while Tumblr was discarded. 

The former proved to be difficult to achieve a significant difference between the most popular soaks. Problem is, Instagram has no count function for locations (as opposed to tags). Let's just say after counting 300 photo's each I gave the three most popular soaks the same number of points .... Mentionable is that this change allowed for more influence of Thai speaking posters, something which has been difficult to overcome in the past.

The latter was discarded as the Tumblr search function does not work as previously; there's precious little number of searches coming up with a result.

These changes resulted in more prominence for Instagram which attributed to f.i. the hot springs of Betong and Wiang Pa Pao moving up the charts.

I also afforded more prominence to Facebook which helped the no. 1 hot spring to stay where it was, but also boosted Rock Valley hot springs; Facebook in general seems to assist the business owned soaks.

So where does this leave us? 

Points were awarded to relative standings on Instagram concerning tags (i.e. #fanghotsprings), Instagram location, Google search (of the last 12 months), Google search (based on % of the first 100 results), Twitter (number of hashtags/last 12 months), Flickr/Youtube finds, Tripadvisor (number of comments) and Facebook (likes). 

I also looked at the locations themselves and concluded that we need to differ the votes for Pai, as they are now distinctly different; without splitting the votes between Sai Ngam and Pai, what was previously known as Pai would have been top of the batch. As such both are now ex-aequo no. 6. It also signifies how the rambling Sai Ngam soak is heading upwards ...:

blondebritchick 

Welcome to the jungle 🌴💦 #hotspring #pai #thailand #travel #gopro #goprohero4

Consummation

Out side the top 10, it's worth mentioning the significance of Krabi's Saline hot springs, definitely a contender for top 10 next year. 

Biggest loser was Lampang's Chaeson hot spring which would dropped from ninth position last year to 17 this year.

The top 10 for 2016

1. (2015: 1) Sankampaeng (Chiang Mai; see also lead photo)

2. (4) Fang (Chiang Mai)

3. (6) Rock Valley (Kanchanaburi; photo below)

4. (3) Hin Dad (Kanchanaburi)

5. (5) Klong Thom (Krabi)

6. (-) Sai Ngam (Mae Hong Son)

    (2)Tha pai (Mae Hong Son)

8. (-) Betong (Yala)

9. (-)Wiang Pa Pao (Chiang Rai)

10. (7) Wareerak (Krabi)

boombmz 

โบกมือลาส่งยิ้มให้ สุขกับความอ้างว้างต่อไป.

What I do find surprising is that less and less of what's considered top soaking  sites of Siam are actually non-consumed: there's more thrill in the notion of naturally occurring hot spring waters than in actually taking the chance to bathe. 

I illustrate this by using only Instagram tags: the top 3 above only have a total of 8 photo's of persons enjoying the waters by immersing themselves. This contrasts with Hin Dad (28 photo's) and Sai Ngam (35 photo's), where the only emphasis is on soaking ...

Possibly it's due to the privateness, but maybe soaking is not so popular with the mainstream ...

Tasty

Take me back #hotsprings #rainyday #pai #paradise #thailand #naturalbeauty #thailandluxe

source

Shy

A photographic slash news update on Siam's soaking opportunities. 

An overview of Bangkok's imitation onsens by toptenbangkok (Mar. 23). Pointers: imported are (in one case) water (from Ranong), salts, concentrate and atmosphere, the former three from Japan ... 

Below an impression from from Kashikiri Soda Onsen and Spa which starts off as follows:

'Too shy for the naked shared baths at regular onsen?'

Oooh lala~~ #Onsen in Bkk [heart_eyes] 

source

Coming up later this month (24-26 Sept.) the World Spa and Well-being Convention in Bangkok with it's Hot Spring Forum:

'The organisers of the World Spa and Well-being Convention 2015 are again pleased to work with the Hot Spring industry to help further develop, educate and build the Thai Hot Spring industry'. 

Unfortunately the forum itself will be only in Thai. And by the looks of the contributors also very marketing (and male) orientated ...

Zen

 

บ่อแช่มีประมาณ 15 บ่อ และนี่คือบ่อสุดท้ายที่ฟินที่สุด ห้ามพลาด #hotspring #fishspa #kanchanaburitrip #miszytravel

Rock valley, Kanchanaburi, source. 

Bangkok Post (Aug. 17) had a video on Phu Sang waterfall with this caption: 

'A jewel of an unspoiled national park in Phayao, Phu Sang is one of the only two warm waterfalls so far discovered in Thailand'.

From a not so recent posting on the blog Tasty bits. Flirty wits: 

'Then on to an Lanna Onsen or hot spring to soak in hot sulfuric smelling water'.

Chiang Rai,  could it be a rejuvenated Pha Bong hot spring they are referring too?

A write up on travelfish  (Aug. 3) concerning what I personally would consider arguably one of Thailands best hot springs, Porn Rang, Ranong:

'I’d already been to the better known Rahsawarin hot springs in Ranong town and didn’t expect the Porn Rang springs to be any better, but after arriving I found a far more extensive network of pools of varying temperatures. Unlike those closer to town these hot springs are away from any roads and set in a quiet, tranquil area filled with flowers, trees, foot paths and bridges that collectively lend a Japanese Zen garden feel to the place. Before long, what I thought would be a quick peek had turned in to a two-hour excursion'.

Likes
A strange story. The drought in Thailand has lead to extreme lower levels in lakes which has enabled lower level authorities to research a thermal vent (source). What they discovered: 

'... the thermometer showed the temperature around 38 degrees Celsius and the hot water springs out of about 3000 liters per hour'. 

They are now hoping that higher level authorities will develop a hot spring resort. 

An overview of no less than 18 hot springs in Chiang Mai province. All in Thai, but still very informative (with google translate).

 

[sparkles] バンコク最終日 [sparkles] バンコクから片道3時間程で行ける「ボークルン温泉」へ [hotsprings] 湧出量がたっぷりの天然の温泉はぬるめで長めに入れます [exclamation] ^_^内湯に露天風呂、足湯やタイ式マッサージなど施設充実 [wink] #タイ #ボークルン温泉 #boeklueng #hotspring #バンコクから片道3時間 #天然温泉 #無色透明 #苦味 #onsen #温泉アナリスト #北出恭子 #温泉ソムリエ  

source

From GT rider (Jun. 2015) a mention of Sippa hot spring, adjacent to Sankamphaeng and probably using the same waters. Nothing too special.

  

#hotspring#krabi#thailand#spa#hot#healthy#likeforlike#nice#holiday#me#myvacation#relax [relaxed] [blush] [ok_hand] [skin-tone-2] [ok_hand] [skin-tone-2] [ok_hand] [skin-tone-2] 

source

 

Pha Soet: a hot start to the new year

The main swimming basin, with a small changing room in the background

It may surprise many, but northern Thailand faces a longer cold spell during the months of November - February. Nothing like the freezing temperatures elsewhere in the northern hemisphere though, but enough to make enjoying hot springs a real pleasure.

So with a couple of hours of the first day of 2008 to spare while passing through Chiang Rai, my family and I decided to take the plunge at Pha Soet Hot Springs, located roughly at 20 kms westwards out of town. This late in the afternoon getting transport willing to take us out of town proved a challenge, but eventually a compliant tuk-tuk chauffeur gave us a break and in we hopped.

The first day of 2008 (and the final day of a 4 day holiday) had brought Chaing Rai's citizens out en masse to a local flower show, winter being a more convenient time of the year for this, rather than the hot and humid months. It being the time of the day everybody was getting pesky, this mass was trying to negotiate the narrow road leading back to Chiang Rai from the flower show grounds, we were the only traffic facing this exodus head on. Our driver was certainly not upbeat, he had hoped for an early return. Eventually we managed to get to the hot springs just shortly before dusk.

In to hot water: just a foot soak!

An hour was what we had negotiated with the driver, so we walked round the site and quickly decided on the the best place to soak. Despite this being the last day of the holidays, the hot springs park like settings were packed. A grass field between the parking area with approximately 10 restaurants and the springs themselves was used as an impromptu camping site with extensive families revelling in the luxury of having the time off, great weather, the outdoors and the possibilities of unleashing their kids without any worries.

The main springs: cemented and fenced in

Despite this being on a heavily touristed trail, we were, like so often on our tours of Thai hot springs, the odd ones out, i.e. the only foreigners currently visiting. The site (which required no entrance fee) looked well maintained and considerable effort had been made to offer visitors a worthy experience. The main springs had been cemented in and special tanks were there for the very Asian-like pursuit of boiling eggs 'au naturel' (the eggs that is) and the possibility of just heating your feet. A nice bigger pool had been built together with changing rooms and there were about 10 separate buildings with 3-4 private pools.

A slow boil, eggs in woven baskets are boiled while you wait (and are not in a hurry!)

As my wife only had her bikini with her, we felt a little out of place for taking the public pool. Fashion trends are well maintained by the Thai damsels when bathing: currently the most daring bathing costume (for women) was the knee length jeans with a sleeveless high cut singlet. Uncomfortable probably, but it's better to be safe!

So we rented a private pool for a minimum hour rate (30 baht = +/- 1 $US per person) and after a little discussion (foreigners oddly enough refrain from using full pools (never know who has bathed before us!); "they want the pools to be filled while they are paying for their hour!") We got undressed and spent a bit more than half an hour warming ourselves to a medium rare, before getting dressed again and taking the chilly ride back to Chiang Rai town (with our anxious driver).

Pha Soet Hot springs: know what you are getting into

Getting There: Pha Soet Hot springs is located on the only road going directly west out of town, once on this road, there are many signboards, announcing it's impending existence and after 20 km's you pass a bridge with the hot springs site on your left.

Soaking Experience: Though the public pool looked inviting (free form, deep), us being the only foreigners and my wife most probably having the most revealing of all to wear (comparatively), we decided to take a private pool, a meter in diameter and naturally (or not) enclosed on all sides. The private pools were nothing special and there had been some considerable wear and tear, though not enough to effect hygienic standards (we hope). Half hour locked up, seemed to be the maximum.

Wear and tear, quite literally: the inside basins

Overall Impression: Though I may seem a bit finicky, we quite liked the place: laid back, well visited but not too tacky. Understand why the Thai must love it!

Originally posted January 2008.

Pong Phra Bat: your local soak

Another 'unknown' hot springs, at least if you let internet be your guide. But Pong Phra Bat Hot Springs are certainly worth a visit, especially combined with the waterfall (with the same name) at the end of the road.

The hot water fountain, the pubic bath behind it

Pong Phra Bat Hot Springs (or alternatively Poang Phra Baht) are quite conveniently located, just north of Chiang Rai town's airport on a side road from the main highway north to Mae Sai which is located at the Burmese border. The trouble is you'll pass it, if you can't read Thai. But after locating the hot springs (the entrance is in a sharp right hand corner, close to local administration buildings), you'll probably fail to be impressed by the site (which is hardly natural nor 'park like') or the facilities consisting of two bathing buildings (one with a restaurant) and a small, roofed but not walled in, public swimming pool. And a fountain next to the parking area which signifies the springs; though hot water is bubbling up at various locations around the buildings. Between the two bathing buildings a stream passes which becomes warmer as it passes through the site.

The main bathing building, with restaurant

So if not impressed, why pay it a visit? Simply because developers have failed to take over the place; this way it keeps it's local charm, or it's appeal to the locals, who turn up every evening to soak for a half hour (privately for 20THB, in the public pool for 10 THB), then catch a bite, drink and go back home. As it is located between well-cultivated farmland, the locals (some farmers, but mostly workers from Chiang Rai) keep the springs going. If prices went up or up-scale facilities built, the locals probably would not come anymore and the situation would deteriorate soon after. Or, it would become a yuppy hideaway, now who wants that?

Getting There: Take highway 1 north out of Chiang Rai, to the first village (Bandu) / turn off, past the airport. Take the access road along the highway and turn to your left, drive up this road for a km or so until you have a sharp right hand turn. Instead drive through the gate straight ahead of you with the pond on your left. For the Pong Phra Bat waterfall just continue on the paved road for another 5 km's until you come to the end parking. From there it's a 20 minute walk. No entrance fee required!

Soaking Experience: Again if you're willing to sign up for the cell-tub experience that's what you get. But if you remind yourself to take your swimmers with you (we forgot) you can enjoy the public pool, which at least gives you the opportunity to look around and breath fresh air.

The second bathing building has bigger cells, but the size of the baths remains more or less the same

Overall Impression: Not excellent, but above average: you want a neat soak, that's what you can get, followed by a bite. Quite literally, experience 'unseen Thailand'. And to make it more worthwhile visit the falls as well, to get some exercise.

Visited October 2007.

Some additional (cryptic) information on Pong Phra Bat waterfall from the Thai National Park Authority:

'Pong Phra Bat waterfall: 14 kms far from the city of Chiangrai in the north along highway number 110 (Chiangrai-Mae Chan). An islet waterfall with the milky fluffy spray when fall down and clear water in the pleasant atmosphere which is encircling with the abundant of plants for relaxing. And enjoying the beauty of the nature'.

Huai Hin Fon: currently under development

This autumn, my family and I were once more in the pleasant circumstances to have both the time as well as to be to able to afford a short autumn (-ish) holiday in the north of Thailand. Traveling here in this time of the year is starting to become a family ritual; it’s our fourth time, I believe.

This year, the exact destination was Chiang Rai: never been there, it looks interesting from a landscape point of view (mountainous), a diverse population (many hill tribes), but still enough good roads and a few great places to stay. Added to these 'usual' circumstances is the beauty of the landscape which has just seen it’s annual monsoonal drenching come to an end (resulting in brilliant skies, crispy and starry nights) exuberant greenery and a vibrant agricultural setting with farmers harvesting the main season paddy crop and gearing up to sell their oranges.

The 'sala's' in the background, a spring in the foreground on the shore of the pond

And of course, a few hot springs can be visited. Our first real stop after picking up the car at Chiang Rai Airport is the hot spring of Huai Hin Fon. Situated on the main road from Mae Chan (located 40 km north of Chiang Rai) to Fang (north in Chiang Mai province), it could make an interesting stop. But unfortunately, the level of development is a mishmash. Besides the continuous spouting geyser from pipes on a concrete platform, there’s another continuous spouting geyser (from a set of pipes) just on a field nearby (see photo's). Both equally spectacular, but hardly highlighting the ‘nature’ or 'naturalness' of geothermal springs. Neither are they are an attractive man-made attraction. Between the two geysers is a small row of thatched local restaurants which double as karaoke bars. At least three of these had blaring music, which competed which that of their neighbours.

The main geyser, concreted in

A few springs had been walled in, some with cement walls (to about a meter high) others with concrete drainage pipes. To the non-sensitive cultural tourist this might seem sacrilege, but part of the thinking is that this way, at least it is clear where the hot spots are and by storing the hot water within a small walled-off area, one can easily use them for boiling eggs, which seems to be the number one reason why local tourists come to visit hot springs in Thailand in general or so it seems. Adding to the confusion of styles are a number of recently finished cement rest houses (sala’s), only one of which was offering services, but no bathing facilities.

Disturbingly, there was quite a lot of rubbish around, that does not enhance the site much.

Soaking? Well, that does not rank high here, we found two baths (see photo) at the back of the second, undeveloped geyser, but very fragile; besides there was not anyone around, offering or knowing what to offer. So a chance wasted?

The two bath's

Well, it was a hot day and we were there around lunch time so not ideal. We drove up the road a bit, took a side road to Huai Kaang Pa waterfall. Brilliant find, beautiful pools, deserted to say the least and refreshing.

Karien soaking in the cool water of Huai Kaang Pa waterfall

Getting there: The hot springs are located along the Mae Chan to Fang highway (Highway number 1089). It’s just a few kilometers (7.5 to be precise) from Mae Chan and is situated directly next to the road, on the south side. One of the geysers is so prominent, it’s hard to miss while driving pass.

The (piped) geyser in the field

Overall impression: If you are interested in visiting as many hot springs as you can, it’s easy to add this one to the list. Otherwise, as a destination, it rates poorly. Nothing to highlight.

Soaking experience: If your desperate, let's hope this (the soaking experience) changes in future.

Other links to these springs:

• Joel John Barlows Chiang Rai information site refers to this being the Mae Chan hot spring.
• The Chiang Mai / ChiangRai guide entry on hot springs in Chiang Rai province also refers to this spring as Mae Chan Hot Springs.
• A geological reference [PDF-file]:

  'Mae Chan hot spring is located on the well jointed porphyritic [?] homblende [?]biotite granite, which is altered near the jot water discharge zone. ... There are three springs along Huai Pong Nam River 20 kilometers southwest of Mae Chan'.

• Other reports are scarce to say the least. A Dutch tourist refers (in Dutch) to this hot spring site being 'disappointing'.

There are also some references to Mae Ka Chan (or Mae Khachan) hot springs which are another hot spring all together, though also located in northern Thailand.

More post script. The site tourism Chiangrai.com has a full page on hot springs with a brief description. As with John Joel Barlow's Chiang Rai guide, they report two hot spring sites on the road from Mae Chan, 2 km from each either. One of course Huai Hin Fon and another named Pah Tung hot springs. They also have small descriptions as well as photo's and oddly enough the photo's corresponding to both hot springs are very much similar to what we have visited, the less developed site being Pah Tung hot springs. Their description of Huai Hin Fon hot springs:

'It is about 7 kms. on the Mae Chan-Ta Thone road. There are 8 individual rooms with bath tubs [now all in disrepair] and 6 rooms without the tubs [the sala's?] .

The temperature of the hot spring is between 70-109 degrees celsius. It is situated amid scenic landscape with hydropathic rooms, a pond and a spa garden for those who wish to take a mineral bath for healing purposes'.

Their info on Pah Tung hot spring is very brief. Nor is any info available on the internet, so on the basis on their pictures, we have visited both!

Originally posted November 2007.