JC’s Road Trip to Phayao, Thailand Part 1

Well for all the fans sick of seeing me at the beaches and want to see me head back to the North of Thailand, well here you go!

Let’s head off to a small town called Phayao. What does it cost and what is it like to live in Phayao? Can a category 1 RIPper (Retiree In Paradise) live well and be happy there? Let’s find out about transportation, costs of some food, getting your laundry done and some shopping options in Phayao.
Put on your traveling shoes and let’s jump in the RIPper mobile and see what Phayao has to offer!

Phayao is one of the northern provinces of Thailand. Some of the surrounding provinces are Nan, Phrae, Lampang and Chiang Rai. And to the north-east direction it borders Laos.

The city of Phayao is located on the shores of Phayao lake in Thai called, Kwan Phayao.
Phayao is surrounded by three big mountains Doi Luang with an elevation of 1694m, Doi Khun Mae Fat with an elevation of 1550m and Doi Khun Mae Tam with an elevation of 1330m.

Phayao was founded in 1096 and at that time it was a small city-state kingdomDuring the 13th century it had enough importance to be an equal partner of King Mengrai of Lannathai and the Sukhothai kingdom.
Phayao was later captured by a king of Lannathai in 1338, and he made it part of Lannathai. Phayao and Lannathai became ruled by the Burmese and during that time the city became deserted. Then in 1897 Phayao became part of the province of Chiang Rai. It stayed that way until August 1977 when it was split from Chiang Rai province and became a province of its own.