What to do and see in San Sai, Thailand: The Best Places and Tips

March 6, 2018 Matilde Konrad

Discover the best top things to do in San Sai, Thailand including Da's Organic Farm Hut Thai Cooking School, Huay Tung Tao Lake, Fresh Start Fitness Holiday Bootcamp, Wat Mae Kaet Noi, Maerim Elephant Sanctuary, Elephant POOPOOPAPER Park, Siam Insect Zoo, Wat Phra That Doi Saket, Balloon Adventure Thailand, Wat Pa Daraphirom Temple.
Restaurants in San Sai

1. Da's Organic Farm Hut Thai Cooking School

5/1 Baan Sun Thon Muang Nuea | Samranrat, Doi Saket 50210, Thailand +66 89 835 9433
Excellent
99%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 122 reviews

Da's Organic Farm Hut Thai Cooking School

Da's farm was passed down to him from his parents and has been in his family for generations. When you visit the beautiful organic garden, he'll tell you more about the history and show you all of his organic herbs and vegetables. Da grows rice, various types of basil, green beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, bananas, papaya, pineapple, galangal, ginger, and much much more! Almost all of the ingredients that you cook will come from his garden, freshly picked!

Reviewed By Niki I - Chicago, Illinois

We had a great time learning how to make traditional Thai food and also experiencing the farmers market with a local. Great class and Da is full of knowledge and makes the experience so wonderful! Thank you!

Be aware that the bathroom at the farm is a "traditional" Thai toilet

2. Huay Tung Tao Lake

Don Kaeo 50180, Thailand
Excellent
40%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 391 reviews

Huay Tung Tao Lake

Reviewed By denimBandung - Bandung

lots of bamboo huts on the lakeside where you can enjoy delicious thai food here. many restaurants to choose , so hope you get the best taste.
mine is general, but the chicken wing is delicious.
price not too expensive.
i experience this kinda thing in loei, but there they using bamboo raft so you can go in the middle of the lake, not just sitting nearby.
some people do swimming around.
and some sleeping after they eat.
its nice to escape from the city life and just enjoy the silence and the view
if you dont your own vehicle, can rent from the red songthaew and they can waiting for you there.
theres ticket price to go inside, 50B / foreigner

3. Fresh Start Fitness Holiday Bootcamp

165 Moo 4 | The Spa Resort, Huai Sai, Mae Rim 50180, Thailand +66 84 739 6886
Excellent
95%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 154 reviews

Fresh Start Fitness Holiday Bootcamp

Fresh Start is fitness boot camp based in Chiang Mai Northern Thailand.We provide fitness boot camp holidays and one day activity days. Our team is here for YOU and we will motivate and encourage you every step of the way. We have a fantastic varied program and you will also experience Thai culture as we go out and about. The resort is set in a quaint rural Thai village and is surrounded by rolling hills and rice paddy fields. Chiang Mai has the mildest year round temperatures and breath taking unspoiled landscapes. There are two fresh water swimming pools,far saunas, herbal steam room, tea house, spa and massage facilities, exercise track, tennis court and a 18 meter exercise sala which is surrounded by the spa's organic farm. An idyllic and breath taking location. The perfect place to re-charge your batteries, kick start your fitness and feel closer to nature. So if you are looking for boot camp holidays in the sun or boot camp holidays abroad then we would love to have you.

Reviewed By Disha D

Wow...what can I say? I just had to come back here...it was like coming home in a way. The familiar beauty of Chiang Mai, the peaceful setting of the Pavana Resort, the excellent food at Radiance restaurant and the perfect spa & infrared sauna treatments - and of course, the Fresh Start Bootcamp fitness program and the passionate people behind it that make it the success it is.
I was excited to come back for the week from 18th-25th August, because I knew how just 1 week with Fresh Start could transform me. I lost 2.2kg, 2.7% body fat and an incredible 8cm from my waist in just one week. I couldn't believe the 8cm number so I had myself measured a couple of times to be sure haha!
I have to say a very big thank you to Anton for being such an amazing Instructor. Anton was very intuitive and motivated each and every person in the group to take their fitness to the next level. In my case, this meant extra long rounds of Muay Thai sessions, push-ups, pull-ups, sprinting, one-legged squats, uphill cycling and so much more. Anton even did an extra Muay Thai surprise session for us on the last day after bootcamp finished!! Really going above and beyond, so thank you Anton! By the way, Anton also has some cool ideas for fitness on the go - for example, burpees at the airport anyone? :D
I had few goals in mind from the last time I went to Bootcamp. First time around, I didn't complete the cycling day i.e. I didn't cycle the last 5-6 kms back to camp. This time I was determined to cycle all of the 30 kms we did that day and guess what - I did! Slowly but steadily with the superb motivation of Anton & Lek :) Anton even challenged us with a super steep slope and when we got to the top drenched in sweat (yes, you feel like you are under a shower the whole time!), the whole group was so happy to have worked together supporting and encouraging each other all the way. Furthermore, last time I really struggled to get to Level 10 of the Waterfall taking an hour or so easily and this time I took about 30 minutes (and running downhill on the way back!!) :D
Another thing to mention is that Anton was very creative and ensured that people who had been at bootcamp for over 1 week did not get bored doing the same activities. We went on different hiking trips to national parks not visited before, we swam in the 'Grand Canyon', we played team games (which were surprising super calorie burning) and canoed in the massive swimming pool at Prem School and also had Aqua sessions at Pavana.
We had a wonderful group of people from Qatar, UK, Canada, Bermuda & India - it was such a fun group and everyone was inspired & inspiring :) Some people stayed on for 2-3 weeks, some for 4 and one even for 7 weeks. That says a lot about the kind of place that Fresh Start is.
My favourite part about the bootcamp were the circuit sessions, HIIT training, cardio tennis, the Muay Thai sessions and of course the cycling day. The days were hard work but there was a great sense of accomplishment come 6pm each evening.
You know how sometimes we eat while being distracted by the TV or mobile phone and can't remember whether we ate or not or what it is that we ate? Eating food at Fresh Start was like meditation and we all ended up savoring and relishing each and every bite. Never in our lives had any of us given so much attention to the food we were eating - the taste, texture, aroma etc. I was amazed when I had black coffee once during bootcamp and could only think of its taste for the next 10 minutes - bootcamp really helped bring me in tune with food and connect with what I eat instead of being distracted and wolfing everything down.
To conclude, I recommend Fresh Start to anyone looking to do just that. I myself hope to return later this year for my 3rd time and take my fitness to the next level.

4. Wat Mae Kaet Noi

Moo 5, Highway 1001, Pa Phai sub-district, San Sai, Thailand
Excellent
64%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Wat Mae Kaet Noi

Http://mapdethai.web.fc2.com/

Reviewed By OneWeirdGlobe - Krabi Town, Thailand

Thai parents take their kids here to scare them straight. Not sure how well that works - my guess is that it just desensitizes kids to the blood and gore.
Wat Mae Kaet Noi is a stunning example of a 'hell garden' or 'hell temple'. It has the trappings of a usual temple, but the real reason people come is to see the (usually graphic) images of people suffering based on their sins. A liar has their tongue pulled out, an adulterer has their genitals tortured, and so on.
After the shock wears off, you're left with two options: you either can't look back, or you can't look away. If you're of the former category, no worries and move along. If you're of the latter category, there's plenty to take in.
GPS: 18.877943,99.03681 - I take pride in being exact with these on my blog =)

5. Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary

31 Moo 8, Mae Rim 50180, Thailand +66 99 243 9111
Excellent
93%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 522 reviews

Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary

Maerim Elephant Sanctuary - "Where elephants are loved and respected."

Reviewed By bjornevalen - Sliema, Malta

Maerim Elephant Sanctuary is highly recommended. Friendly staff, great food, magnificent elephants, and all in all a great experience. And best of all is knowing that the money you spend there goes to the preservation of these vulnerable creatures. They are all the time acquiring new elephants from living in captivity in riding or logging camps, and making sure that these wonderful animals get the love and compassion they deserve.

6. Elephant POOPOOPAPER Park

87 Moo 10 | Mae Ram, Mae Rim 50180, Thailand +66 53 299 565
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 519 reviews

Elephant POOPOOPAPER Park

Elephant POOPOOPAPER Park is an eco-friendly, outdoor museum park that explains the unique steps involved in making our world famous paper products from elephant poop fibers! See artisans crafting! Learn a bit about the history of paper! Take incredible pictures! Visit our Adobe Cafe and grab a pile of souvenirs at the POO-tique Gift Shop - full of incredible products made from elephant poop!

Reviewed By John H - Rochester, United Kingdom

We stopped here as part of our elephant trip and would have missed it as an independent choice. It is ideal for children and adults offering hands on paper making from elephant poo. So ecological. You can buy there paper products their but they are also available in plenty of other shops and the airport in Chaing Mai.

7. Siam Insect Zoo

23/4 Moo1, Mae Rim-Samoeng Rd | Mae Raem Subdistrict, Mae Rim 50180, Thailand +66 89 184 8475
Excellent
58%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 275 reviews

Siam Insect Zoo

The Siam Insect-Zoo & Museum is a great place for famlies visiting Chiang Mai. The facility was renovated in 2010 and includes exhibits with insects ranging from caterpillars to beetles to butterflies.

Reviewed By peterandraewyn - Sydney, Australia

Thorough and engaging collection of dead (pinned) insects, and a wonderful collection of living spiders, butterflies, scorpions, lizards, turtles, and some others. We had an expert staff member lead us through each living exhibit and answer questions. Scientific information about insects & arachnids worldwide is provided. The highlight though is handling all live exhibits except tarantulas - yes, even the scorpions can be held! Adults & children all fascinated.

8. Wat Phra That Doi Saket

Choeng Doi, Doi Saket 50220, Thailand
Excellent
54%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 50 reviews

Wat Phra That Doi Saket

Reviewed By DanielNorfolk - Norwich, United Kingdom

My weekday visit was peaceful and relaxing, as I was one of only a handful of visitors. Steps lead to a temple whose walls are decorated with modern art rarely seen in temples in Thailand. There is a 10-metre-high gold-coloured statue. You can enter the white chedi and see the golden chedi within. The wat is situated on a mountain, so offers impressive views. The grounds also house a line of boards depicting amusing Thai idioms translated into English.

9. Balloon Adventure Thailand

200 Moo.7 Chiang Mai - Doi Saket Road | Horizon Village & Resort, Doi Saket 50220, Thailand
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 52 reviews

Balloon Adventure Thailand

One of the best sightseeing tour in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Experience the Panorama top view over the sky. Come fly with us

Reviewed By Janejit - Bangkok, Thailand

I was not prepared for a balloon ride, but somehow it turned out to be quite enjoyable.
My first balloon flight was 8 years ago also in Chiang Mai but with different operator. It was at the festival so, a bit chaotic.
This time even without (mentally) preparation (acrophobia!), the flight was pretty pleasant to a great extent. Khun Terapat and Khun Peach the management came to take care of us on that morning which was very comforting.
Captian Pop was the pilot. Long time experiences. Smooth ascending - smooth landing. Nice weather, okay scenery, great companies, so all was perfect.
After the flight, breakfast at Suan Taweechon was also fulfilling. A little certificate presentation ceremony was impressive.
The whole thing was about 2.5-3 hours starting from 6am (if you want to see the whole process). So your day in Chiang Mai would be well-spent.
Worth a try!

10. Wat Pa Daraphirom Temple

Mae Rim, Thailand
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 44 reviews

Wat Pa Daraphirom Temple

Reviewed By jqui3166 - Hughesdale, Australia

We were very honored by our Tuk Tuk driver to be taken to his own place of worship: Wat Pa Daraphirom. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. The temples and surrounding grounds are truly divine and we felt so peaceful and blessed to be given the opportunity to have come here. It is not on the usual tourist trail and we were able to quietly blend in with the locals that worship here. We spent considerably time admiring the architecture, the magnificent art work and the simply gorgeous Gardens. The Gardens were home to many unique and wonderful flowers and plants and it was easy to see why our driver was so proud to bring us here and show us around. If you get the opportunity to visit here, don't hesitate. It is definitely in our top 3 of the best temples in the Chiang Mai area.

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