Sappaya Guesthouse, Thaton

Sappaya Guesthouse, A friendly and good value guesthouse in the heart of Thaton

Sappaya Guesthouse in the small town of Thaton, just 2 miles from the Burmese border on the Kok river, really is a home away from home. 

As we pulled into the driveway of the pretty pastel coloured house, the owner Nang, stood greeting us, a big smile lit up her face as she waved enthusiastically.   Hugs were given all around as we decanted out of the car after the longer than expected drive up from Chiang Dao.  

Sappaya Guesthouse, garden & parking area

Even Eden was not left out of the moment, she was showered with strokes as she poked her head out of the car door sniffing the new surroundings.

Eden, happy to be in Thaton

After exchanging just a few emails previously confirming our stay, the warm welcome we received made me feel like I had known Nang for years and we were returning home.  Warm feelings of positivity mixed with excitement soared through me as Nang eagerly showed us around the house and let us pick our own room.  I liked it here instantly. 

Me & Nang

The guesthouse is right on the river and is in an amazing location. You can hear the sound of water flowing constantly and watch the boats coming and going from the pier opposite. 

Sappaya Guesthouse, the 1st building in the image

Sappaya guesthouse has nice sized rooms which all share two very clean bathrooms with hot showers.  There is a fully equipped kitchen which if you so desire you can cook your own food and Nang opens up her house and kitchen to you as if it were your own.  Waking up in the morning and going downstairs to make coffee and toast made me feel as if I were indeed in my own house, Nang shared her homemade yogurt with us and filled us up with steamed corn and mangoes.  

On our last day Nang also taught me how to cook mango with sticky rice dyed a gorgeous blue from the butterfly pea flowers in her garden. 

Me & Nang in the kitchen 

Mango & sticky rice, delicious! 

There is also a large communal style dining table on the ground floor of the guesthouse, with open views out over the river.  

Communal downstairs area 

We had chosen a room upstairs and with the huge terrace being right outside the door, it was our favorite spot to sit and relax with a drink or read a book.   

Large upstairs terrace area 

Nang has an infectious enthusiasm for Thaton and is very knowledgeable about the town and surrounding area. 

Temple in Thaton

Nang recommended that we walk up to the temple, about 2km from town uphill, we certainly weren’t disappointed with the views once we were up there.

View from the temple

She told us about the farms near the guesthouse on the other side of the river, and giving us free use of her bicycles we spent a few enjoyable hours exploring these endless paths snaking through the fertile scenery. 

Farmland & lake near to the guesthouse

We could easily have stayed for ages at Sappaya guesthouse, as it was we extended our trip by 3 nights as we were reluctant to leave, a fellow guest was staying for a month and you could see why.  The easy going atmosphere made it a nice place to live and by the end of our stay Nang felt more like a sister rather than a total stranger that we had only met just days ago. 

If you like to take your travels slowly and at a more chilled out pace this guesthouse is certainly a good place to rest your head. 

One of the bedrooms at Sappaya

The fan rooms, though they are basic are equipped with everything you need and at a very pocket friendly price of 400 baht per night or 500 baht for the family room with free tea, coffee and snacks and wi-fi, you would be hard pushed to find somewhere of better value in Thaton.  

Us, Eden & the lovely Nang

We left Sappaya Guesthouse relaxed, refreshed and best of all, feeling like we had made a friend. 🙂

Sacha El-Haj

Sappaya Guesthouse Location & Map

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