Scorpion-Tailed River Cruise
Scorpion-Tailed River Cruise
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
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Note : FROM new Scorpion Tailed Boat close "Apologize",The owner sick of heart disease, can not work, so we close untill I will be better. But we have keep as The legend of unique Scorpion Tailed Boat.The tourists will see a mini museum of The Scorpion Tailed Boat at WAT PHRA NONG HNONG PHUNG,AMPHOE SARAPHI,CHIANG MAI,THAILAND To learn history the Ping River with the Chiang Mai's unique boats seeing an old heaven with the boat used by the royal Chiang Mai's Kings.In this museum local guides are given a brief about the historical about along the Ping river to the tourists.By offers lively picturesque of several in the old day in this museum.
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Scorpion-Tailed River Cruise
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
261 reviews
Excellent
143
Very good
81
Average
19
Poor
10
Terrible
8
Viper131
Tucson, AZ2 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
My son read about this on Trip Advisor. We found a map and hiked there from our hotel in the old city. Was a descent 20 minute walk. We were given water to drink while waiting for the boat to arrive. We also were given mosquito repellant for our use.
Once there we were introduced to 'Mr. Elvis' who hosted us on the trip. We thoroughly enjoyed being with our very gracious 78 year old host. We could see the pride in his culture, and feel his warmth as he told us Thai history and his personal Vietnam stories. He answered any questions and had a few jokes to tell. His exuberance was very delightful.
The river cruise portion was fun and relaxing-- obviously it isn't a cruise down the Grand Canyon. However I felt it gave more a sense of the river life from a mere 40 years in the past or more.
There was a pleasant stop on the riverbank of his horticultural gardens. We really enjoyed seeing and learning about the local vegetation. We also were able to sample a little mango and sticky rice. Be sure to ask him about the Snake Whiskey. That alone is worth half the tour price.
Bottom line: Pleasant host, simple river cruise, interesting horticultural experience, and Snake Whiskey. We thought this was worthwhile and fun.
Once there we were introduced to 'Mr. Elvis' who hosted us on the trip. We thoroughly enjoyed being with our very gracious 78 year old host. We could see the pride in his culture, and feel his warmth as he told us Thai history and his personal Vietnam stories. He answered any questions and had a few jokes to tell. His exuberance was very delightful.
The river cruise portion was fun and relaxing-- obviously it isn't a cruise down the Grand Canyon. However I felt it gave more a sense of the river life from a mere 40 years in the past or more.
There was a pleasant stop on the riverbank of his horticultural gardens. We really enjoyed seeing and learning about the local vegetation. We also were able to sample a little mango and sticky rice. Be sure to ask him about the Snake Whiskey. That alone is worth half the tour price.
Bottom line: Pleasant host, simple river cruise, interesting horticultural experience, and Snake Whiskey. We thought this was worthwhile and fun.
Written July 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My name is Samak and I was happy ☺ to serviced your family 👪, This time ⏰ made me too funny because you're got with my joke,, so you help me made everyone in the cruise fun with you too.
If tourists in our trip get fun and happy ☺ I have a stong mind and will be yourer again 💋💜💙💛💝👌
Written August 4, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wendy B
Sydney, Australia102 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
We found the Scorpion Boat ramp on a walk along the Ping river so didn’t have to go through the performance others have mentioned with getting the tuk tuk to take them there rather than the other river cruise place that pays commission.
On the day we went the river was blocked on the usual route by the rebuilding of the Bamboo Bridge, so we ended up being taken far further up in the opposite direction which I actually think was more interesting.
The guide, an elderly 3rd generation Thai/Chinese with a great, if adolescent, sense of humor, (who reminded us of Mr Sulo in Star Trek) was a font of interesting information on the river and the history of Chiang Mai using old sepia photographs to illustrate.
We were also impressed by the quietness of the boats on the river compared with those in Bangkok and discovered they use LPG to power them rather than petrol. Unlike the river in Bangkok, the Ping is not a used for general transport so it is much more peaceful.
A highlight of the trip for us, even more than the river, was the organic garden where we stopped for refreshments and a detailed explanation of all the herbs and other plants.
We had passed this garden on one of our walks along the river bank and it was terrific to be able to go in and learn about the plants with "Mr Sulo’s" wonderful asides.
Refreshment was delicious sticky rice and mango with lychee drink and more information on whisky with snakes in the bottle and how snakes are trapped. Pretty lethal stuff to drink I would imagine.
All together it was a great experience and highly recommended even if you have already done another river tour. We felt the cost of 500 baht was good value
On the day we went the river was blocked on the usual route by the rebuilding of the Bamboo Bridge, so we ended up being taken far further up in the opposite direction which I actually think was more interesting.
The guide, an elderly 3rd generation Thai/Chinese with a great, if adolescent, sense of humor, (who reminded us of Mr Sulo in Star Trek) was a font of interesting information on the river and the history of Chiang Mai using old sepia photographs to illustrate.
We were also impressed by the quietness of the boats on the river compared with those in Bangkok and discovered they use LPG to power them rather than petrol. Unlike the river in Bangkok, the Ping is not a used for general transport so it is much more peaceful.
A highlight of the trip for us, even more than the river, was the organic garden where we stopped for refreshments and a detailed explanation of all the herbs and other plants.
We had passed this garden on one of our walks along the river bank and it was terrific to be able to go in and learn about the plants with "Mr Sulo’s" wonderful asides.
Refreshment was delicious sticky rice and mango with lychee drink and more information on whisky with snakes in the bottle and how snakes are trapped. Pretty lethal stuff to drink I would imagine.
All together it was a great experience and highly recommended even if you have already done another river tour. We felt the cost of 500 baht was good value
Written March 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate your time to share your experience with us. Thank you very much for choosing The Scorpion Tailed River Cruise,Chiang Mai to cruise you and we are glad that your cruise was a memorable one. We hope to have the opportunity of welcoming you back to beautiful Chiang Mai and to our cruise again soon.
To said sorry for you long walk because all drivers have agreements with various tour companies who will pay them a commission to drive tourists to their offices.If you came by yourself made sure you got the right company or not. come before 30 mins boat departure.
Written July 18, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ousemaiden
113 contributions
Feb 2015
We chose this trip for this afternoon after reading the TripAdvisor reviews and were pleased we did. Our guest house is five minutes walk away so it was easy to find. We have read that tuk-tuk drivers don't like to bring tourists here because they get no commission but asking for the Sri Khong temple which is just opposite should get round that problem.
We arrived early and expected a hot wait standing in the sun but were very pleased to find an attractive covered reception/waiting area with plenty of seats and tables and were offered iced water while we waited.
There were only four of us on our tour which seemed a shame as it was very interesting though it gave us a more personalised experience. Our guide was a humorous and knowledgeable elderly gentleman who, as we sailed along, talked about how Chiang Mai life, both on and off the river, has changed over the decades. He showed us enlarged photos of how it looked in the past for comparison. He pointed out birds and interesting features. We stopped part way through the trip at his delightful gardens where he described the various plants with both amusing and interesting anecdotes. We then had a beautifully prepared dish of mango and sticky rice and a glass of lychee juice and he told us more tales of how the Thais caught snakes and eels in the past. We then returned to the starting point.
I can't imagine that any of the other short boat trips would have been more interesting than this. Another reviewer thought it expensive at 500B but I thought it well worth a GB tenner.
We arrived early and expected a hot wait standing in the sun but were very pleased to find an attractive covered reception/waiting area with plenty of seats and tables and were offered iced water while we waited.
There were only four of us on our tour which seemed a shame as it was very interesting though it gave us a more personalised experience. Our guide was a humorous and knowledgeable elderly gentleman who, as we sailed along, talked about how Chiang Mai life, both on and off the river, has changed over the decades. He showed us enlarged photos of how it looked in the past for comparison. He pointed out birds and interesting features. We stopped part way through the trip at his delightful gardens where he described the various plants with both amusing and interesting anecdotes. We then had a beautifully prepared dish of mango and sticky rice and a glass of lychee juice and he told us more tales of how the Thais caught snakes and eels in the past. We then returned to the starting point.
I can't imagine that any of the other short boat trips would have been more interesting than this. Another reviewer thought it expensive at 500B but I thought it well worth a GB tenner.
Written February 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are delighted to read such a wonderful review on your recent experience at The Scorpion Tailed River , Chiang Mai and thank you for your valuable time to write this. It was our pleasure to have cruise you and your family, and glad to hear that you had a great time relaxing at my garden. We hope to have the opportunity of welcoming you back to our boat and my garden again soon.
Kind regards,
Samak
Written July 18, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alexandra M
Dallas, TX132 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
This tour was recommended by lonely planet and I was very disappointed. The guide showed pictures on the boat rather than pointing out sights. Not much to see. Didn't learn anything valuable and paid $15. Would skip this one.
Written February 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
donald b
Hobart, Australia1 contribution
Sep 2012 • Family
Be warned this is by far the best river cruise but they dont pay tuktuk drivers commission so if anyone suggests another company insist on this one. Guide/owner has gone green, boat uses recycled cooking oil and no toilet (to minimise river pollution) and asks council to get others to do the same but is ignored. The river isn't busy anymore so sit back and enjoy the cool breeze, after sticky rice and mango at the owners property take a look at his odd collection of traps etc. my boys are only six and they enjoyed the trip, even though they didn't see any crocs (all long gone-pity)
Written September 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skye015
Sydney, Australia43 contributions
Feb 2011
I'll admit, I wasn't keen to do this cruise having been on many boring river cruises in the past. I decided to go anyway as everyone else was keen and I didn't have other plans. For 500baht, it turned out to be quite an enjoyable hour and a half!
Before we got on the boat I started chatting to the nice lady at the desk. During the conversation, she asked how we heard about them and if we found the place ok. She asked this as unfortunately many drivers have been taking visitors to some of the other cruise companies, who pay them to do so, even after specifically asking for scorpion tailed cruises. She said she often receives phone calls from people saying they'll be late because they were taken to the wrong place, or sorry they missed the boat altogether. They do not pay commission to anyone and were apparantly the original company before many others copied. I cannot say if this is true or not, but she seemed genuine. Anyway she wasn't bagging the others, just making the point that theirs was the original boat and the tour is different to the others.
Before boarding we were given complimentary water to take with us. We cruised down the river on an original scorpion tailed boat that was very smooth and had no stinky fumes which was a plus. Our guide was an older man who spoke good english and had a good sense of humour. He had a microphone pack so everyone could hear even though there were only about 6 ppl on the boat.
We cruised for a short time before pulling in along the riverside for refreshments at a little fruit garden/guesthouse retreat called "Scorpion tailed boat village". He gave us a guided tour of the unique fruit trees there and showed us inside a cute mud house (which you can rent quite cheap)and explained how it was made etc. Apart from renting a mudhouse, there was nothing to buy so it wasn't "one of those stops" if you get my drift. We sat in a small cafe style area and enjoyed free mango with sticky rice and a fresh lychee juice while our guide showed us many interesting contraptions for catching snakes etc from the past. We got back on the boat and cruised some more. As we went along he held up photos of past images to compare with Chiang Mai today. We were free to ask any questions along the way also.
All in all, a good way to spend a couple of hours and see Chiang Mai in a different light.
Before we got on the boat I started chatting to the nice lady at the desk. During the conversation, she asked how we heard about them and if we found the place ok. She asked this as unfortunately many drivers have been taking visitors to some of the other cruise companies, who pay them to do so, even after specifically asking for scorpion tailed cruises. She said she often receives phone calls from people saying they'll be late because they were taken to the wrong place, or sorry they missed the boat altogether. They do not pay commission to anyone and were apparantly the original company before many others copied. I cannot say if this is true or not, but she seemed genuine. Anyway she wasn't bagging the others, just making the point that theirs was the original boat and the tour is different to the others.
Before boarding we were given complimentary water to take with us. We cruised down the river on an original scorpion tailed boat that was very smooth and had no stinky fumes which was a plus. Our guide was an older man who spoke good english and had a good sense of humour. He had a microphone pack so everyone could hear even though there were only about 6 ppl on the boat.
We cruised for a short time before pulling in along the riverside for refreshments at a little fruit garden/guesthouse retreat called "Scorpion tailed boat village". He gave us a guided tour of the unique fruit trees there and showed us inside a cute mud house (which you can rent quite cheap)and explained how it was made etc. Apart from renting a mudhouse, there was nothing to buy so it wasn't "one of those stops" if you get my drift. We sat in a small cafe style area and enjoyed free mango with sticky rice and a fresh lychee juice while our guide showed us many interesting contraptions for catching snakes etc from the past. We got back on the boat and cruised some more. As we went along he held up photos of past images to compare with Chiang Mai today. We were free to ask any questions along the way also.
All in all, a good way to spend a couple of hours and see Chiang Mai in a different light.
Written February 18, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
miseno
Virginia38 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
For just 500 Baht (@ $15) Scorpion river cruise's guide/MC amply entertains for @1.5 hours. While sometimes hard to understand on the river, our guide was a bit easier to understand while showing off the farm. He clearly enjoys teaching visitors about the various fruits, vegetables, herbs, and Chiang Mai history & culture, putting his heart & soul into the presentation. While my decision to go was due to my love to go on river cruises, the visit to the "farm" was more enjoyable than anticipated. And while I had tried some of the fruits my last visit to Asia, I had forgotten how good most of it was! About the little rock-n-roll, our guide told about how Italians had visited and told him all that was needed was some singing, as the gondoliers to in Italy; in response he now sings "Jailhouse Rock!" If you come with the right attitude, it's a nice way to spend a bit of your vacation.
Written March 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimbo Jones
Thunder Bay, Canada64 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
A slightly little less convenient location than other river cruises, Scorpion Tail turned out to be delightful 90 minute cruise and well worth the short walk from the centre of town, so I would recommend spending a few baht on a taxi or tuk tuk to get there if walking is not convenient for you.
To get there by foot, walk across the north side of the Kaeo Narawat bridge over the Ping river, take the stairs down to the riverbank trail on the north-east side of the bridge and walk peacefully along the riverside rather than along the road with no sidewalks, as I did, wondering if the speedy traffic was going to miss me or not!
We took a 3pm departure with just a small group of 4 in total, so we were treated more like friends than clients, the charming and hilarious guide imparted some fascinating history with interesting historical pictures of how things looked a long time ago.
The gentle breeze from the leisurely pace of the boat was a refreshing break from the afternoon heat. With a short stop at their garden you get to enjoy the wonderful scents of fresh picked kaffir lime leaves and citronella plants and then sample several, in season, Thai fruits, dragon fruit, jackfruit, pomelo and champuu (rose apple) plus a little plate of the Thai national dessert of sticky rice and mango with coconut cream.
A wonderful afternoon break!
To get there by foot, walk across the north side of the Kaeo Narawat bridge over the Ping river, take the stairs down to the riverbank trail on the north-east side of the bridge and walk peacefully along the riverside rather than along the road with no sidewalks, as I did, wondering if the speedy traffic was going to miss me or not!
We took a 3pm departure with just a small group of 4 in total, so we were treated more like friends than clients, the charming and hilarious guide imparted some fascinating history with interesting historical pictures of how things looked a long time ago.
The gentle breeze from the leisurely pace of the boat was a refreshing break from the afternoon heat. With a short stop at their garden you get to enjoy the wonderful scents of fresh picked kaffir lime leaves and citronella plants and then sample several, in season, Thai fruits, dragon fruit, jackfruit, pomelo and champuu (rose apple) plus a little plate of the Thai national dessert of sticky rice and mango with coconut cream.
A wonderful afternoon break!
Written February 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K&E
Bargara, Australia130 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
The boat ride and scenery was nice and the sticky rice and mango was absolutely delicious but overall I wouldn't do this cruise again. Even though our super friendly guide and business owner was trying to be informative and funny I found the constant talking and cheesy humor really annoying. A little information then some quiet time to enjoy the river would of been good. I just wanted to chill and enjoy being on the river without the chatter.
Written November 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ColinMcCull
Thessaloniki Region, Greece95 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
The tour is conducted in English by the owner himself and after a jaunt up the river we stopped at his garden. There I was overwhelmed by his knowledge of plants, herbs and fruits all of which grow here in abundance.
Not only do you get to see the garden, you also are invited to try out the various fruits at the end of the garden tour where everything is prepared by his lovely wife. To be honest, it is this garden tour which makes the whole thing as the river has little to offer in terms of views, apart from a secret look into the gardens of the ShangriLa hotel where guests pay upwards of Euro 450/night.
Not only do you get to see the garden, you also are invited to try out the various fruits at the end of the garden tour where everything is prepared by his lovely wife. To be honest, it is this garden tour which makes the whole thing as the river has little to offer in terms of views, apart from a secret look into the gardens of the ShangriLa hotel where guests pay upwards of Euro 450/night.
Written November 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Your river trip sounds lovely. How do we get in touch to book when we are there late Oct? Kind regards, Julie
Written September 10, 2016
Thanks for your interest in esting our cruise .please contact us by my email at the link below tripadvior also our website and cruise start from 11.00 A.m.,1,3 P.M price 500 Bath each.Mins for booking form 2 persons,local transfer in old city cost 100 Bath per 1 way per 2 petsons
Best regards,
Mie
Written September 20, 2016
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