Hiking Monk’s Trail? Take These 3 Things With You
December 20, 2025
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Chiang Mai is a city of mountains, but it is also a city of water. We have the moat, the Ping River, and the waterfalls. But when the heat of the afternoon sun hits the asphalt of the Old City, and the air conditioning in your room feels a bit too confining, there is only one place the locals go.
Located just 20 minutes from the city center, Huay Tung Tao (HTT) is a massive reservoir sitting at the foot of Doi Suthep. It is framed by jungle-covered peaks, guarded by giant straw King Kong statues, and lined with hundreds of bamboo huts jutting out over the water.
For the Haze Buds community, Huay Tung Tao isn’t just a reservoir; it is our living room. It is the best open-air lounge in the world. It is where we go to test new strains, to recover from long weeks, and to watch the sunset paint the water in shades of violet and gold.
But here is the secret: A great lake day requires strategy.
We have seen too many rookies show up unprepared. They forget a lighter. They lose their weed through the cracks in the bamboo floor. They get dehydrated. They order the wrong food.
To ensure your session is legendary, we have compiled the ultimate Haze Buds Picnic Protocol. This isn’t just about throwing things in a bag; it’s about curating an environment. Whether you are a solo traveler looking for peace or a group of friends looking to laugh for four hours straight, this is what you need to pack.
Before we pack, you need to understand the terrain. At Huay Tung Tao, you don’t sit on the grass (unless you want red ants). You rent a Krathom—a bamboo hut built on stilts over the water.
The Vibe: Rustic. You sit on the floor on bamboo mats.
The Service: The kitchens are on the shore. You wave a flag or write on a notepad, and runners bring food and drinks to your hut.
The Risk: The floor is made of bamboo slats. There are gaps. If you drop a joint, a lighter, or a bud, it falls into the water. Gone forever. A sacrifice to the Naga spirits.
This specific environment dictates our packing list.
Why you need it: Stability and Safety.
This is the most critical item on the list. Remember our blog about the Thai Teak Wood Bongs? The same logic applies here. The floor of the bamboo hut is uneven. It wobbles when you move. It has gaps. If you try to roll a joint on your lap or on the bamboo mat provided by the restaurant, you are playing a dangerous game. One gust of wind coming off the water, and your precious ground flower is scattered to the fish.
The Solution: Pack a Wooden Rolling Tray (preferably Teak from Haze Buds).
The Anchor: A heavy wooden tray provides a flat, stable surface. It anchors your setup.
The Windbreak: Good trays have raised edges. When the lake breeze picks up (and it will), the edges protect your herb from blowing away.
The Aesthetic: There is something incredibly satisfying about laying out your grinder, papers, and lighter on a beautiful piece of dark wood against the backdrop of the glittering water. It elevates the ritual.
Pro-Tip: If you don’t have a tray, bring a large hardcover book. But seriously, get a tray. It saves lives.
Why you need it: Balance and “Cotton Mouth” Management.
It gets hot at the lake. If you are consuming cannabis, dehydration is your enemy. But we aren’t just talking about water; we are talking about Cannabinoid Balance.
At Haze Buds, we are huge proponents of the “Entourage Effect.” If you are smoking a high-THC sativa to enjoy the visuals of the mountain, you might sometimes feel a little too buzzed or anxious. This is where CBD Drinks come in.
The Packing List:
3-4 Bottles of Cold Water: Do not rely on the restaurant service for this. Bring your own insulated bottle (like a Hydro Flask) with ice. You want water immediately available.
CBD Sparkling Water or Tea: Brands like Bloom or local craft CBD sodas are perfect here.
The Science: CBD helps modulate the THC high. It smooths out the edges. Sipping on a cold, lemon-lime CBD sparkling water while smoking a joint creates a “high” that is clear, manageable, and physically relaxing. It prevents the “groggy” feeling that heat and weed can sometimes cause.
Why you need it: The restaurants are slow, and you need immediate gratification.
Yes, Huay Tung Tao is famous for its food (we will get to the main course later). But kitchen service can take 20-30 minutes, especially on weekends. When the munchies hit, they hit now. You need a bridge.
The Haze Buds Snack Pack:
Fresh Fruit: Stop by a street cart on the way. Sliced mango, pineapple, or watermelon.
Why: Cannabis enhances taste receptors. Fresh, cold fruit explodes with flavor. Plus, the natural sugars help stabilize your blood sugar if you smoke too much.
Crunchy/Salty: Potato chips or Thai rice crackers (Khao Tan).
Why: Texture. Sometimes you just need to crunch something.
Chocolate: Keep this in a cooler bag so it doesn’t melt. A piece of dark chocolate pairs beautifully with the terpenes in earthy strains.
What NOT to pack: Heavy, greasy fast food. Save your appetite for the local Thai food at the lake.
Why you need it: Hygiene and Luxury.
The bamboo huts come with mats, but let’s be real—thousands of people have sat on them. They are fine, but they aren’t “luxury.” If you plan to spend 4 hours lounging, lying down, and watching the clouds, you want a nest.
The Upgrade:
A Sarong or Picnic Blanket: Lay this over the restaurant mats. It defines your territory and feels softer on the skin.
A Travel Pillow: This is the game changer. The huts usually have triangle pillows, but they can be hard as rocks. A soft travel pillow or a hoodie bunched up allows you to lie completely flat and drift off.
A Portable Fan: This is for the pros. A small, battery-powered handheld fan is a lifesaver if the breeze dies down.
Why you need it: To break the “Phone Loop.”
It is tempting to just scroll through Instagram while high. But you are at a lake! Look at nature! We recommend packing Analog activities. Cannabis enhances creativity and pattern recognition. Give your brain something to play with.
A Sketchbook and Markers: Even if you can’t draw. Just doodling patterns is incredibly therapeutic.
A Speaker (Low Volume): Bring a Bluetooth speaker, but keep the volume low. You want to create a bubble of sound for your hut, not disturb the family three huts down.
Playlist: Search for “Thai Funk” or “Lofi Hip Hop.” Fits the vibe perfectly.
A Deck of Cards: Simple, social, and wind-proof (mostly).
You have your tray, your CBD drink, and your pillow. You are settled. Now, it’s time to order the real food from the hut vendors. Eating at Huay Tung Tao is a specific genre of Thai cuisine. It is bold, spicy, and communal.
The Haze Buds Recommended Menu:
Pla Pao (Salt-Crusted Grilled Fish): This is mandatory. A whole Tilapia, stuffed with lemongrass and pandan, crusted in coarse salt, and grilled over charcoal. The flesh remains moist and sweet. You eat it with sticky rice and a spicy green seafood sauce. It is primal and delicious.
Som Tum (Papaya Salad): Order it “Thai style” (sweet/sour) or “Lao style” (fermented fish sauce/crab) depending on your bravery. The spice cuts through the heat of the day.
Kung Ten (Dancing Shrimp): Only for the brave. These are tiny freshwater shrimp, seasoned alive with chili, lime, and herbs. They jump in your mouth. It’s a texture experience that is… intense… when you are high. (Proceed with caution).
Kai Yang (Grilled Chicken): A safe, smoky classic.
Sticky Rice (Khao Niew): You need at least one basket per person. It is the utensil. You use it to pick up the chicken and the sauce.
You can’t pack for a Haze Buds picnic without the Bud. For a lake environment, you want a specific type of energy. You don’t want a heavy “Sleep” strain (like OG Kush) too early, or you will fall asleep before the fish arrives. You don’t want a hyper-anxious Sativa if the crowds are big.
The Haze Buds Recommendations:
1. Blue Dream (Hybrid):
The Vibe: Euphoric, floaty, and happy.
Why: It enhances colors (the water looks bluer, the trees greener) and induces a gentle body relaxation without locking you to the floor. It’s the perfect “social” strain for laughing with friends.
2. Tangerine Dream (Sativa-Dominant):
The Vibe: Citrusy, energetic, sensory.
Why: The flavor profile matches the outdoor setting. It tastes like oranges. It keeps you awake and engaged enough to draw or converse, but it has a nice mellow finish.
3. Charlotte’s Angel (High CBD/Low THC):
The Vibe: Clear-headed relaxation.
Why: If you are the designated driver (motorbike), or if you just want to relax without the psychoactive trip, this is the responsible choice. You still feel the body relief, but you stay sharp.
Come by the shop before you head to the lake, and we will pack these up for you in airtight tubes so they don’t smell in your bag.
To keep the vibes high and the trouble low, leave these things at home:
Glass Bongs: We said it before, we say it again. Bamboo floors + Water + Clumsiness = Broken Glass. Bring a pre-roll, a pipe, or a Teak Wood Bong.
Heavy Laptops: Do not try to work here. The glare from the water makes it impossible to see the screen, and you will just feel guilty for not working. Unplug.
Bad Vibes: Leave the drama in the city. The lake is a neutral zone.
Transport: It is best to go by motorbike. The drive along the Canal Road is scenic. If you take a Grab, make sure you arrange for them to pick you up, or be prepared to wait a while for a car to accept the return trip.
Entry Fee: There is a small fee at the checkpoint booth. Usually 20 THB for foreigners and locals alike. It goes towards maintaining the park (and feeding the King Kong statues).
Timing:
The “Heat” Shift: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Hot, bright, perfect for swimming and tanning.
The “Golden Hour” Shift: 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM. Cooler, beautiful light, more locals having dinner.
Our Pick: Arrive at 2:00 PM. Get the heat, eat the food, watch the sunset, leave before the mosquitoes take over at 7:00 PM.
Huay Tung Tao allows swimming. There is a designated shallow area marked by buoys. The Haze Buds Safety Rule: If you are highly intoxicated, do not swim deep. Cannabis affects your perception of time and effort. Treading water can feel harder than it is. Stay in the shallow area where you can stand. Wear a life jacket (available for rent) if you want to float in tubes. Safety is sexy.
In a world that demands constant productivity, the Haze Buds Picnic is an act of rebellion. It is a commitment to doing absolutely nothing for four hours.
It is about the ritual of rolling on a teak tray. It is about the taste of cold CBD water on a hot day. It is about the laughter shared over a basket of sticky rice.
So, this weekend, don’t just “go to the lake.” Pack for the lake. Curate your experience. Treat yourself to the luxury of preparation.
Stop by Haze Buds in the Old City or Sridonchai. Pick up your tray, your hydration, and your “Blue Dream.” The bamboo hut is waiting.
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