Rod Daeng from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to Chiang Mai University

Heading back down from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to Chiang Mai University, I took the same Rod Daeng truck as the one coming up as I had already pre-paid the fare to the driver, and the departure time had already been arranged by the Rod Daeng driver.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Rod Daeng Station

The Rod Daeng will depart from Doi Suthep Cable Car Lower Station.

On the opposite side of the road heading uphill, there is a silver version of Rod Daeng (Rod Ngein?) plying the onward route to Bhubing Palace, Doi Pui Mong Village, Doi Pui Summit, and Khun Chang Kian Mong Village.

If using this service, you should negotiate with your first Rod Daeng driver for a one-way fare from Chiang Mai University to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for your timing flexibility.

Food and souvenir stalls line the road opposite Doi Suthep Cable Car Lower Station.

Sai Ua (a northern Thai sausage) is also available, which I grabbed for a quick bite while waiting for my Rod Daeng departure time.

Rod Daeng from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

I headed back to my same Rod Daeng as I took coming up. The driver will recognise passengers by face when boarding, and no extra fare is charged, since everyone had pre-paid the fare earlier already.

The interior of the Rod Daeng, seating 10 comfortably.

Many Rod Daengs line the road, so be sure to take a picture of your own Rod Daeng and the plate number to find it easily.

I was the first to board, so I took the inmost seat.

Handrails are provided along the Rod Daeng’s roof to hold on to for stability.

Once all passengers are back on board, and picking up 2 additional passengers on a one-way trip down, my Rod Daeng departed from Doi Suthep Cable Car Lower Station.

Heading back down the winding road.

Passing by another Rod Daeng on its way up.

Taking a sharp almost-180-degrees turn on the road.

Tour vans are also starting to make their way up. Glad I avoided the tour crowd.

Continuing along the winding road.

Passing by Chaloem Phra Kiat Pavilion Viewpoint. This shared Rod Daeng does not stop here, but perhaps if you are a group of 10, a stop here may be possible.

The road starts to straighten out when approaching the foot of Doi Suthep mountain.

Passing by Chiang Mai Zoo.

Opposite Chiang Mai Zoo Rod Daeng Station

Passing by opposite Chiang Mai Zoo Rod Daeng Station. If heading to Chiang Mai Zoo, a request can be made to the Rod Daeng driver to stop here in advance, or press the buzzer to stop.

Opposite Chiang Mai University Rod Daeng Station

Making a brief stop opposite Chiang Mai Zoo Rod Daeng Station. I remained on board as some locals did, so as to stretch my journey as far as possible before heading back to the city for lunch.

Opposite Chiang Mai University

The final stop of the Rod Daeng down is opposite the main gate of Chiang Mai University. The driver made an announcement for everyone to alight here.

The Rod Daeng then makes a u-turn back to Chiang Mai University Rod Daeng Station to queue up for the next round of passengers heading up to Doi Suthep.

The façade of the main gate at Chiang Mai University.

From here, onward Rod Daengs to the city may be hard to flag down, as Rod Daengs passing here would serve Doi Suthep. However, I got a Grab easily.