Thai guest house

Every year for the past six years my daughter, Alison, and I have taken a trip to Thailand. In Chiang Mai we stay at Sarah Guest House (20 Tapae Road, Soi 4, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand; phone [66 53] 208271, fax [66 53] 279423). It is owned and operated by Sarah, who is from the United Kingdom, and her husband, Jack, who is a Thai tour guide.

Sarah’s accommodations are very basic and clean, with no frills. For $8 or $9 per night, Alison and I shared a room, with bath, that had a fan but no air-conditioning; air-conditioned rooms cost about $13. The shower was the type where you need to drain the entire floor after showering.

The guest house is a short distance from Tapae Gate and also close to the night market, which takes place every evening. We’ve stayed there twice on New Year’s Eve, which in Chiang Mai is a lot of fun with all the lanterns lighting the sky.

Sarah and Jack have always offered helpful suggestions, as for local dentists and doctors and attending the massage school. Every year we feel as though we are returning home to all the wonderful people at Sarah’s, not to mention the happy dogs.

RHODA PERRY

Mitchellville, MD