What is the obsession in Thailand with boiling eggs in hot springs? Today we decided to go and find out at San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, about 44 Kilometres East of Chiang Mai. Once we arrived at the main hot springs entrance we realised, with it being Sunday, that there were lots of Thai people with the same idea. We even spotted a big, pink coach outside the entrance. We therefore made the snap decison to go and investigate Roong Arun hot spring ‘resort’ next door. It proved to be a wise decision as we immediately gained access, without queuing, to 4 pristine eggs, one basket and one bit of wood with which to lower our eggs into the boiling, sulphurous water.
Tina wanted hers “soft”, I wanted mine hard-boiled, and after a bit of “I know best” between us, Tina got her way as usual and was proven right with her egg-timing.
The hot springs around San Kamphaeng are renowed for their high mineral content and several of the near-by resorts, including Roong Arun hot springs ‘resort’ offer various health treatments, from traditional massage to mud body wraps and facial treatments. There are even bungalows available if you would like to stay a night or two.
Directions
To get to the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, head due East on Route 11 towards San Kamphaeng (also written ‘San Kamphang’). Carry on past the turn off to San Kaphaeng about another 10-15 KM until you see the sign for the Hot Springs (they are regularly sign-posted on the way). Eventually, once you have driven down a couple of kilometres of windy country roads, you will come to a split in the road – heading right takes you to the ‘public’ springs and heading left takes you to Roong Arun hot springs ‘resort’ (also sign-posted). For a 20 THB entrance fee, (plus 25 THB for 4 ‘boil-in-the-basket’ eggs), it’s a cheap and fun day out.
Where’s the accompanying egg-boiling podcast Thomas W? 🙂
Following closely behind the coffee enema podcast…
I love this post Tom and Tina. Nothing like a goog in a hot tub. What the .. ?
I’m with Costas, where’s the egg podshow? HaHaHa. Give an elephant a banana from me. Duncan 🙂
Hi! Came across ur site while searching about the hot spring. Just wondering if the place has any nice warm pool that you can actually soak up in? Or all that’s there is boiling water?
Hi Maria,
At the Roong Arun resort that we visited, as far as we know there were no hot springs that you could soak in – however we didn’t look that hard as it was swelteringly hot when we were there so the last thing on our mind would have been to climb into hot water! I think it is likely that amongst all the resorts in the area, one of two would have a pool cool enough to soak in…
Tom