Thailand: Reuniting with My Son in Chiang Mai

After spending a week traveling through India with my sister Judy, I was excited for the next part of our journey—Thailand.

My son Sean had been attending Payap University in Chiang Mai studying Thai language and culture. I had not seen him in nearly nine months. and wondered what his life was like in Thailand.

Nothing could have prepared me for the moment I saw him waiting for us at the airport.

As soon as I spotted him, all the emotions of the past months came rushing to the surface. I burst into tears and wrapped him in a hug. After so many months apart, simply seeing him standing there was overwhelming. It was one of those moments a parent never forgets.

On the drive into Chiang Mai, I was immediately struck by how different Thailand felt from India. Both countries were fascinating, but the contrast was remarkable. Thailand seemed to blend modern conveniences with ancient traditions. The streets appeared cleaner, the pace felt calmer, and there was a unique beauty everywhere we looked.

Sean followed our taxi on his motorbike with his girlfriend, Pink, as we made our way to the hotel he had recommended. The hotel was located directly across from Chiang Mai’s famous moat, which surrounds the historic Old City. The building was beautiful, and our room was comfortable and welcoming after our travels.

What we did not realize was that we had arrived just as Songkran was beginning.

Songkran is Thailand’s New Year celebration and one of the country’s biggest festivals. Held during the hottest time of year, it transforms the city into an enormous water fight. The moat becomes the center of activity, and everyone participates.

The moment we stepped outside our hotel, we became part of the celebration.

Smiling Thai locals armed with buckets, hoses, and water guns soaked everyone in sight. The streets around the moat were lined with vendors selling food, crafts, and colorful water guns. Music filled the air, and the entire city felt like one giant party.

For two days we embraced the fun, even though it was impossible to stay dry for more than a few minutes.

Eventually, we decided to escape the festivities for a day and visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the famous temple overlooking Chiang Mai from the mountains above the city.

That adventure almost ended before it began.

After renting a car, we noticed the fuel gauge was nearly empty, so we stopped at a gas station. Unfortunately, the attendant accidentally filled the tank with diesel instead of gasoline. A few blocks later, the engine sputtered and died.

Fortunately, luck was on our side.

We happened to break down directly in front of one of the few mechanics open during Songkran. The mechanic quickly diagnosed the problem, drained the tank, refilled it with the correct fuel, and soon we were back on the road.

The drive up Doi Suthep was beautiful. Winding roads carried us through forested hillsides, and every so often the trees opened to reveal sweeping views of Chiang Mai below.

The temple itself was breathtaking. We wandered through the grounds, admiring the architecture, the intricate details, and the sense of history surrounding the ancient buildings. It was a peaceful contrast to the excitement of Songkran in the city below.

During our stay, we also explored some of the countryside surrounding Chiang Mai. The back roads led us through small villages, farmland, and lush green landscapes. Everywhere we turned seemed to reveal another beautiful view.

One day we visited the Chiang Mai Zoo, which was much larger than we expected. We spent hours exploring the grounds and enjoying the variety of animals and exhibits.

Most importantly, we spent time with Sean.

The days passed far too quickly, and before we knew it, it was time to leave. Sean drove us to the airport, and we said our goodbyes.

But Thailand had one final surprise waiting for us.

While sitting in the airport, Judy and I decided to spend the last of our Thai baht rather than bring it home. We browsed the gift shops and picked up a few souvenirs we probably didn’t need but couldn’t resist.

Feeling pleased with ourselves, we headed toward check-in.

That was when we discovered that Thailand charged an airport departure fee.

We had completely forgotten to save any money.

Standing there with empty wallets, we suddenly realized we couldn’t leave the country. My sister had to make a frantic dash through the airport searching for an ATM so she could withdraw enough baht to pay the fee.

Thankfully, she returned just in time, and our journey continued.

Looking back, my memories of Chiang Mai are filled with laughter, surprises, and unforgettable moments. From the joy of reuniting with my son, to getting soaked during Songkran, to breaking down because of the wrong fuel, every day seemed to bring a new adventure.

It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip.

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