Your stay — Tharn Thong Hotel
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The Property — Tharn Thong Hotel
The Tharn Thong Hotel is a straightforward, no-fuss 3-star property on Phayao's main road, a short walk from the lakefront. The lobby is clean and functional, with polished tiles, a small seating area and a reception desk that moves efficiently. It appeals most to budget-conscious travellers who want a reliable base for exploring northern Thailand's lake city without any frills — think guesthouse efficiency with hotel-standard facilities.
Chronicles of Phayao
Phayao was once the centre of the Phayao Kingdom, a small but influential Lanna state that flourished from the 11th century before being absorbed by Chiang Mai in the 14th century. The city's name translates to 'land of fish and rice', reflecting its ancient reliance on the vast Kwan Phayao lake, which was formed by damming the Ing River in the 1930s. The old town still retains a grid of narrow lanes and wooden shophouses dating from the early 20th century, when the area served as a trade hub between Chiang Rai and Lampang. Today, Phayao is a quiet provincial capital known for its peaceful lake views, weekend walking street and a growing reputation among travellers seeking an alternative to Chiang Mai's crowds.
Best Time to Visit
Full Phayao guide →Best months
November and December: after the monsoon, the lake is full, the air is crisp and skies are clear. February is also excellent for cool, sunny days and the annual Phayao Lake Boat Festival.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak season due to cool weather and domestic holidays; hotel prices rise 30-40%. The Loy Krathong festival (November) also brings a surge, especially around the lake.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer the best value: March is warm but still dry, October sees clearing rains and near-empty attractions, with discounts of 20-30% off high-season rates.
Weather & packing
Phayao sits in a valley and gets noticeably cooler than Chiang Mai at night, even in summer. Pack a light jacket or fleece for evenings and early mornings, regardless of forecast.
Live City Briefing — Phayao
- The Phayao Lake promenade extension is complete, adding 2 km of new walking and cycling paths along the eastern shore, with benches and shade trees — great for June sunsets.
- The new Phayao Bus Terminal opened last year on the city's southern edge; local songthaews now run a direct route to the old town and lakefront, but expect a 15-minute walk to Tharn Thong.
- Several Thai airlines have resumed direct flights from Bangkok to Phayao Airport (PYO) twice weekly, though most visitors still fly to Chiang Rai or Lampang and take a bus.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Tharn Thong Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (third floor) facing away from Donsanam Road. These rooms get more natural light and less street-level noise from traffic and early-morning market activity.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or facing the street – you’ll hear footsteps, reception chatter, and road noise from 5am onwards.
Best views
Rooms at the back of the hotel (away from Donsanam Road) look onto a quiet residential lane and the small gardens of neighbouring houses. No lake view, but you get morning sun without street glare.
Quietest floors
Third floor (top floor) is quietest because the stairwell dead-ends there and no foot traffic passes your door.
🔊 Noise notes
Donsanam Road carries local traffic from dawn (songthaews, motorbikes) until about 10pm. The bus station adds periodic engine idle and announcements. No bar or club noise nearby – the area is mostly shophouses and temples.
Insider tips
Parking fills by 5pm: if you arrive late, use the bus station car park (40 THB/day, 3-min walk). Request a third-floor room at booking to guarantee less noise, and bring a small torch – hallway lights switch off automatically after midnight.
- 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 — Tharn Thong Hotel
Free WiFi for all guests; speed is adequate for emails and browsing (roughly 10-15 Mbps), no login gate (simple one-time password given at check-in).
No lift — this is a three-storey walk-up building with stairs only.
Complimentary daily physical copies of Thai newspapers (Bangkok Post, Thairath) in the lobby; no digital newsstand.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed if room not ready; late check-out until 12:00 costs 200 THB (negotiable at front desk).
Free storage at the lobby for same-day arrivals/departures, no formal left-luggage room.
No step-free access; there are 2–3 steps at the entrance and no ramps. Internal corridors and rooms are navigable by wheelchair once inside, but the lack of lift severely limits upper-floor access.
Free on-site parking for about 10 cars (first-come, first-served); no valet. Nearest public car park is at Phayao Bus Station (200 m) costing 40 THB per day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Small advance deposit required at booking (usually 200–300 THB via bank transfer); a refundable 500 THB cash deposit for incidentals is taken at check-in and returned at checkout.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดราชคฤห์ (288 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: ศาลเสาหลักเมืองพะเยา (321 m · ~4 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดศรีอุโมงค์คำ (520 m · ~7 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Wat Chai Awas (537 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
สวนสมเด็จย่า 90 พรรษาพะเยา — 838 m · ~10 min walk
Phayao Education Park — 831 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 855 m · ~11 min walk
ไพบูลย์เภสัช — 162 m · ~2 min walk
7-Eleven — 829 m · ~10 min walk
สถานีขนส่งผู้โดยสารจังหวัดพะเยา — 802 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Banks and exchange booths in central Phayao give fair rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux where rates can be 3–5% worse.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in hotels, larger shops and restaurants; smaller eateries and market stalls need cash. Contactless is growing but not universal.
Not expected; round up taxi fares or leave 20–50 THB at nicer restaurants. Hotel staff appreciate 20–50 THB for luggage help.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Fresh-brewed black coffee from a local food stall: 30–40 THB.
Khao pad (fried rice) or pad thai from a street cart: 40–60 THB.
Simple noodle soup or curry with rice from a local shop: 50–70 THB.
Along the lakefront and near the morning market (Phayao Fresh Market), there are clusters of carts serving grilled meat, som tam, and skewers from 20 THB.
7-Eleven (many in the area) and Lotus's Express for basics; bigger Lotus's and Big C are a short songthaew ride.
Phayao Walking Street (weekend evening market) sells T‑shirts and casual wear from 100–300 THB; the morning market also has cheap household items.
Songthaews (shared pick‑up trucks) cost 20–30 THB per ride within town. From Phayao Airport (PYX) to town, a shared songthaew is ~50 THB; private taxi ~150 THB.
Eat at the morning market or street carts for under 60 THB. Buy snacks and water at 7‑Eleven, not tourist shops. Skip tuk‑tuk hires—walk or take a songthaew.
Good to know — Phayao
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.47 · 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 Tharn Thong Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 855 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · ไพบูลย์เภสัช — 162 m · ~2 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 Tharn Thong Hotel?
Request a room on the top floor (third floor) facing away from Donsanam Road. These rooms get more natural light and less street-level noise from traffic and early-morning market activity.
Which rooms should I avoid at Tharn Thong Hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or facing the street – you’ll hear footsteps, reception chatter, and road noise from 5am onwards.
Is Tharn Thong Hotel noisy?
Donsanam Road carries local traffic from dawn (songthaews, motorbikes) until about 10pm. The bus station adds periodic engine idle and announcements. No bar or club noise nearby – the area is mostly shophouses and temples.
Which rooms have the best views at Tharn Thong Hotel?
Rooms at the back of the hotel (away from Donsanam Road) look onto a quiet residential lane and the small gardens of neighbouring houses. No lake view, but you get morning sun without street glare.
What are insider tips for staying at Tharn Thong Hotel?
Parking fills by 5pm: if you arrive late, use the bus station car park (40 THB/day, 3-min walk). Request a third-floor room at booking to guarantee less noise, and bring a small torch – hallway lights switch off automatically after midnight.
What time is check-in at Tharn Thong Hotel?
Check-in at Tharn Thong Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Tharn Thong Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests; speed is adequate for emails and browsing (roughly 10-15 Mbps), no login gate (simple one-time password given at check-in).
Is there a city or tourist tax at Tharn Thong Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Tharn Thong Hotel?
Khao pad (fried rice) or pad thai from a street cart: 40–60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Tharn Thong Hotel?
Songthaews (shared pick‑up trucks) cost 20–30 THB per ride within town. From Phayao Airport (PYX) to town, a shared songthaew is ~50 THB; private taxi ~150 THB.
When is the best time to visit Phayao?
November and December: after the monsoon, the lake is full, the air is crisp and skies are clear. February is also excellent for cool, sunny days and the annual Phayao Lake Boat Festival.
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.