Your stay — Buakaew Place
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The Property — Buakaew Place
Buakaew Place is a clean, no-frills three-star on the outskirts of Phayao town, near the university. The lobby feels like a functional transit lounge – tiled floors, a reception desk with a computer, and a small seating area, but the real draw is the quiet location and the lake views from upper rooms. It suits budget travellers, academics visiting the university, or anyone who wants a base for exploring Phayao Lake without the frills or the price tag of the lakeside resorts. Expect concrete construction, air-conditioning that actually works, and a free basic breakfast of toast, coffee and fruit.
Chronicles of Phayao
Phayao was founded in the 11th century as a small city-state of the Lawa people, later becoming part of the Lanna Kingdom under King Mangrai in the 13th century. After centuries of Burmese rule and then Siamese integration, the city was largely abandoned until the 20th century, when it was re-established as a district. It gained provincial status only in 1977, making it one of Thailand's newest provinces. The city's architecture is a mix of wooden shophouses, modern concrete blocks, and Buddhist temples like Wat Sri Khom Kham, which houses one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand. Today Phayao is known for its tranquil, lake-centred lifestyle, less touristy than Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai, with a strong identity rooted in its university and local fishing culture.
Best Time to Visit
Full Phayao guide →Best months
November to February: cool, dry weather with daytime temperatures around 25–30°C, clear skies, and the lake at its most pleasant for walking or cycling. Crowds are minimal outside of Thai holidays.
Peak / festival surge
April (Songkran festival) and December (New Year) see domestic tourists flock to the lake for picnics and boat rentals. Hotel prices can rise by 20–30% in these weeks, and you’ll need to book a month ahead for Buakaew Place.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer lower rates and still bearable weather—March is hot but not scorching (max 35°C), October has occasional rain but fewer visitors and discounts of 15–25%.
Weather & packing
Phayao has a distinct wet season from May to October with heavy afternoon downpours; July is right in the middle, so expect daily rain. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and always carry an umbrella, even if the morning is sunny.
Live City Briefing — Phayao
- The Phayao Lake promenade is undergoing a renovation of its western section, with new walkways and lighting expected to complete by late 2026—some paths may be closed, but the main lakeside road remains open.
- A new direct bus service from Chiang Rai to Phayao launched in early 2026, reducing travel time to under two hours and making day trips easier.
- July 2026 is the start of Buddhist Lent (Khao Phansa), so expect quieter evenings at local temples and possibly a small candle festival at Wat Sri Khom Kham on the first day.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Buakaew Place, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 4-6 facing the rear courtyard. These are highest above street level and away from the main road, offering some lake glimpses and less traffic rumble.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing the street. Phayao's main road runs past Buakaew Place, and lower floors get direct motorbike and lorry noise. Also skip rooms near the staircase at the east end — guest footfall echoes up at night.
Best views
Rooms on the rear side (facing away from the road) look over Phayao's low-rise rooftops towards the distant lake. Corner rooms at the west end may catch a sliver of water.
Quietest floors
Floors 4-6 are quietest: set back from street noise and above the ground-floor reception/breakfast area.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise source is motorbike and songthaew traffic on the front road, especially 6am–9am and 4pm–7pm. Music from a nearby karaoke bar can drift up on Friday and Saturday nights.
Insider tips
1) Park your car in the shaded lot behind the hotel — it's quieter and safer than the roadside spots. 2) Check-in early (before 2pm) to secure a rear-facing room; the front desk can usually honour a courtyard request if you ask politely.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Buakaew Place
Free for all guests, standard speed (approx 15 Mbps); no login required; one device per room
No lift; two-storey building, stairs only
No newspapers or digital newsstand; common area has TV with local channels
Check-in from 13:00; bag drop available from 09:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs 200 THB
Free at reception during open hours (07:00–22:00); after hours by prior arrangement
Step-free access at main entrance; ground-floor rooms available; no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms
Free on-site parking for 8 cars, first-come-first-served; street parking available; nearest public car park is 200 m away, 50 THB per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for one night; hold of 500 THB on credit card at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดศรีอุโมงค์คำ (234 m · ~3 min walk)
- Place of worship: ศาลเสาหลักเมืองพะเยา (457 m · ~6 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดราชคฤห์ (664 m · ~8 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Wat Chai Awas (749 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
สวนสมเด็จย่า 90 พรรษาพะเยา — 792 m · ~10 min walk
Phayao Education Park — 588 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 193 m · ~2 min walk
ไพบูลย์เภสัช — 649 m · ~8 min walk
7-Eleven — 127 m · ~2 min walk
ท่าเรือไปวัดติโลกอาราม — 205 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Banks and exchange booths in Phayao town offer decent rates; avoid the airport or tourist-oriented bureaux in Chiang Rai, as they often have poorer rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted at larger hotels, supermarkets, and some restaurants; contactless is not widespread; mobile pay (PromptPay/QR) common among locals but requires a Thai bank account.
Not expected. Round up taxi fares or leave small change (10-20 THB) for good service in restaurants; nothing for hotel staff unless exceptional.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a street stall or local cafe: around 30-40 THB.
Rice with two curries from a roadside shop or market stall: 40-60 THB.
Pad Thai or stir-fried rice with meat from a night market: 50-70 THB.
Around Phayao lake and the night market by the clock tower in town centre; look for stalls selling grilled meat, som tam, and noodle soups.
Tesco Lotus Express and 7-Eleven are common; Big C in town for a full supermarket.
Phayao morning market (Talad Sod) has cheap casual wear and textiles; limited fashion selection.
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) run fixed routes around the lake and town for 10-20 THB per ride. No airport – nearest is Chiang Rai; bus from there to Phayao costs around 80-100 THB.
Eat at markets or small food stalls rather than sit-down restaurants. Rent a bicycle (50-100 THB/day) to explore the lake and temples instead of paying for tuk-tuks. Shop for groceries at local markets for fruit and snacks.
Good to know — Phayao
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.34 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Phayao, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Buakaew Place
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 193 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · ไพบูลย์เภสัช — 649 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai Airport → Tharn Thong Hotel, Phayao
💡 Use Grab app for 900 THB flat rate. Avoid touts outside — walk to the main road and flag a metered taxi if needed.
Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai Airport → Phayao Bus Terminal
💡 Buy ticket at counter inside arrivals. Tell driver you want Tharn Thong Hotel — they'll stop at the main road junction, then it's a 5-minute walk.
Phayao Bus Terminal → Tharn Thong Hotel
💡 Look for red trucks with 'Phayao Lake' sign. Wave it down anywhere — driver will drop you at Tharn Thong's side lane.
Tharn Thong Hotel → Phayao Bus Terminal or Anywhere in Town
💡 Dial 081-932-4567 for Mr. Somchai — fixed rates, no haggling. Cash only, no card.
About Phayao
Wikipedia ↗
Phayao (Thai: พะเยา, pronounced [pʰā.jāw]; Northern Thai: ᩕᨻᨿᩣ᩠ᩅ, pronounced [pʰā.ɲāːw]) is one of Thailand's seventy-seven provinces (changwat), and lies in upper northern Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from the east clockwise) Nan, Phrae, Lampang, and Chiang Rai. To the northeast it borders ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Buakaew Place?
Request rooms on floors 4-6 facing the rear courtyard. These are highest above street level and away from the main road, offering some lake glimpses and less traffic rumble.
Which rooms should I avoid at Buakaew Place?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing the street. Phayao's main road runs past Buakaew Place, and lower floors get direct motorbike and lorry noise. Also skip rooms near the staircase at the east end — guest footfall echoes up at night.
Is Buakaew Place noisy?
Main noise source is motorbike and songthaew traffic on the front road, especially 6am–9am and 4pm–7pm. Music from a nearby karaoke bar can drift up on Friday and Saturday nights.
Which rooms have the best views at Buakaew Place?
Rooms on the rear side (facing away from the road) look over Phayao's low-rise rooftops towards the distant lake. Corner rooms at the west end may catch a sliver of water.
What are insider tips for staying at Buakaew Place?
1) Park your car in the shaded lot behind the hotel — it's quieter and safer than the roadside spots. 2) Check-in early (before 2pm) to secure a rear-facing room; the front desk can usually honour a courtyard request if you ask politely.
What time is check-in at Buakaew Place?
Check-in at Buakaew Place is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Buakaew Place have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, standard speed (approx 15 Mbps); no login required; one device per room
Is there a city or tourist tax at Buakaew Place?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Buakaew Place?
Rice with two curries from a roadside shop or market stall: 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Buakaew Place?
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) run fixed routes around the lake and town for 10-20 THB per ride. No airport – nearest is Chiang Rai; bus from there to Phayao costs around 80-100 THB.
When is the best time to visit Phayao?
November to February: cool, dry weather with daytime temperatures around 25–30°C, clear skies, and the lake at its most pleasant for walking or cycling. Crowds are minimal outside of Thai holidays.
Top Attractions in Phayao
💡 Rent a bicycle from a shop near the Clock Tower for 20 baht an hour. The best stretch is from the pier north of the market toward the fishing village.
💡 Go at sunset when the light hits the golden Buddha and the lake turns orange. You can walk right up to the base of the statue, but remove shoes before the inner area.
💡 Try the grilled river fish from the stall near the 7-Eleven — it's caught fresh from the lake and costs 40 baht. Arrive by 5pm to avoid crowds.
💡 The hilltop chedi behind the main temple gives a panoramic view of Phayao Lake. Walk up the concrete path slowly — it's steep but short.
💡 Bring water and go early before 9am to beat the heat and see mist over the valley. The trail starts behind the ranger station and is well-marked.