San Pa Tong: See Thailand’s History and Culture in this Humble Provincial Town
San Pa Tong is a district in northern Thailand in its second-largest province, Chiang Mai. Originally, San Pa Tong, Thailand was called Ban Mae, before being renamed to San Pa Tong in 1939. The district is composed of 11 sub-districts, or tambons, and 122 villages, or mubans. The nearest airport to the district is Chiang Mai Airport.
Best Time to Visit
An ideal time to visit San Pa Tong, Thailand, is from October to April, when the weather is pleasantly chilly, making for the best conditions to visit some of the area’s most notable tourist spots. The period from May to October generally sees a drop in tourism, making this another good time to visit, as it sees the least number of crowds. An event not to miss is the Songkran Festival, held at the start of the year to celebrate Thai New Year.
What to Do & Area Attractions
One of the best sites to visit in San Pa Tong, Thailand is Wiang Tha Kan, once a grand town part of the Haripunchai Kingdom, now a city of ruins dating back centuries ago. Kad Sala Mae Kru Kum is an artisan’s village, where visitors can purchase local crafts and even stay and volunteer for cultural immersion with the Thai locals. Notable San Pa Tong accommodations include Oey-Chan-Dha Villa, a humble lodging where guests can truly experience provincial life in the Thai countryside. Tai Resort is more upscale, blending the modern with the traditional, making for a comfortable posh accommodation in tune with its natural surroundings.