I'm going to Chiang mai for 2 weeks reconnaissance trip. Planning to relocate mid next year with nonO visa.

Any tips how I should best use these 2 weeks?

I'm planning to buy groceries and cook in my Airbnb to get the feel of living in Chiang mai.

Thank you !

Hi guys,

my first time visiting Chiang Mai in November. Can you guys help me with the following:

1. recommendations on bars with chill atmosphere and live bands.

2. whats the man spot hub for bars/night life in Chiang Mai? the Patong of Chiang Mai basically lol

Do all BigC branches have good variety of thailand food/snacks to bring back home ? Do you have a favorite branch to shop at?

Hey y’all,

I have no experience on motorbikes or scooters. No motorcycle license or international drivers license but I believe they’ll still let me ride. I’ve rode normal bicycles and ATVs and stuff which is of course very different. A guy I met wants to rent bikes and go to Pai . I was in the heat of the moment and said yes but now I’m questioning it upon research. I’m 8 days into my backpacking trip and I got a lot more to go. I am so nervous about crashing and ruining the trip. But on the other hand, I’m so nervous that if I don’t do this - which sounds so freeing and fun- that I’ll regret it or not feel I was taking chances as a young man. I used to take more risks but now I guess I’m just thinking of the rest of my trip and how I really don’t want to potentially break something and ruin the trip. But trips like this is about taking chances right? I don’t know I think this decision has brought an existential crisis for me for some reason and I can use help.

My family is thinking about traveling to Thailand for an extended period. We looked at Chiang Mai and found a wonderful place, but it seems very far from the actual highlights in Chiang Mai. It’s in the Doi Saket district near Moo 3 (?).

We ware a family of four - my kids are 10 and 12 and are used to walking while traveling - but we will not have a car or motorbike. Is it feasible to catch a bus or ride share / taxi when we want to go into the old city or surrounding area? If so, what is the cost for this? I’ve seen a wide range from Google. I just don’t want to feel stuck, but like the idea of this place to rent.

Thanks in advance!

We (67m & 68f) will be returning to Chiang Mai for 6 weeks at the end of November. Has anyone experienced a full health check to include a stress test? We have a week in Bangkok prior to CM (been before) and I’m wondering if we shouldn’t take advantage while in BKK or wait until CNX… Any suggestions, advice, or recommendations? Many thanks!

Recommendations for a Thai speaking therapist for a Thai patient in Chiang Mai to coach someone through PTSD or grief. No addiction. Just going over their emotions, thoughts, identifying patterns, creating a safe space to cry if needed, things of that nature, etc.

They tried one place already, but it ended up being a doctor prescribing pills for sleep, antidepressants, focus, and basically said go journal, exercise, vent to friends, 8-hour sleep, and good diet. Not really what they were looking for.

The marketing for psychiatrists and therapists in Thailand appears to be identical so thought it best to just ask here.

If you can suggest but don’t want to post, please send in a DM. 🙏

Hiya everyone!
I recently applied online to extend my Thai visa exemption by another 30 days after someone recommended doing it online. The process was pretty straightforward, and I uploaded all the documents they asked for.

However, my application status is still showing as “Under Check”, and I’ve booked an appointment at immigration for 9:00 am tomorrow as my visa ends really soon.

I’ve heard that online applications can take a few days to be approved, so I’m unsure whether I should still attend my appointment tomorrow and just re do it or wait for the online application to be processed.
I also accidentally paid for the super-urgent service without realising. Does anyone know if this speeds up the approval process, or is it still possible that my application won’t be processed by tomorrow morning?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! 😊

Hi all. I'm about to move into a condo there, as a renter. Does anyone have useful "intel," fun facts, or knowledge about living there? I've been so busy preparing to move that I haven't had the chance to do much gathering of that on my own.

Examples would be how well-insulated the units are from each other regarding sound/noise, how friendly or not the juristic office folks are, any quirks about retrieving deliveries from the lobby, recommendations for nearby places to eat (I've done a little recon on this) and shops, how good/not is Nong Hoi market, whether the little cafe in the lobby is any good, etc.

I think it's going to be great, since I just rented a house in San Sai for the past three years and I'm tired of being so far from more key areas and better food, commerce, etc. It's been nice in some ways living in a semi-rural area, but now I'm ready to get closer to the heartbeat of the central zone, so to speak. Thanks for any tips.

Been gone for 3 years as of today. They were just starting renovations when I left. How's it coming?

Hi everyone! My family and a few friends will be visiting Chiang Mai in early December, and we’re hoping to celebrate Christmas a little early while we’re all together.

Does anyone have any recommendations for restaurants in Chiang Mai that serve a great traditional Christmas dinner or Western-style food, even outside of December 24–25? or are there any places where we could order a Christmas dinner to enjoy together?

I’d really appreciate any recommendations. Thank you!

Hello,
I’d love to hear some recommendations on your favorite clothing stores in Chiang Mai.
Im looking for some flowy, summery dresses or ideally some top + long skirt combo.
Dont mind paying a little bit of a higher price (e.g. not the touristy market one) if the quality is there.
This is +- my inspo but id love to read any recommendations.

Note: also if you have some favorite handbag shops lmk!
I got very owerwhelmed in Bangkok so id love to be more prepared for chiang mai :)

Friend is visiting and she loves chicken Cashew nut. All recommendations welcome. Thanks!

I will be staying in Chiang Dao in early january, and i would like to do some hiking. I have looked into the Doi Luang two day hike, but i was wondering if there are similar scenic mountain hikes, but doable in one day.

Hoping someone can help since it is close to Chiang Mai:)

My dear wife has agreed to join me on my next trip to Thailand with our first stop being CM. It will be her first time there. Coincidentally (not), it will also be our 39th wedding anniversary (Saturday in late October).

I'd appreciate any ideas or suggestions you might have regarding fun afternoon and evening activities/places hopefully involving sights, some food, some light partying. Budget is not really an issue but I'm also not necessarily looking for the seven star best on the planet thingy - we're equally happy in a dive bar and with street food. Memorable is the target.

Thanks for any suggestions.

First time in Chiang Mai and not long enough, but please provide your thoughts on the pace and activities. Recommendations of what to add, remove, or sub welcome. My husband and I are active, big foodies, and love animals. Debating between cooking class or sticky waterfalls, but we don't love waiting in lines. Let us know, thank you!

Day 1: Arrive 10 PM

• Check into hotel
• Late Night Bite: Namtok Noodles Spicy Chili Tom Yum (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวน้ำตก ต้มยำพริกเผารสเด็ด) or Hear Tong Food Shop

Day 2:

• BaanBaan.Breakfast
• Tha Phae Gate, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh
• Lunch: Mr. Kai
• Wat Umong Suan Putthatham
• Baan Kang Wat / Artist Village (Hours 10-6)
• Dinner: Chiang Mai Gate Market

Day 3:

• Breakfast & Coffee: Coffee Plus
• Elephant Nature Park
• Return to Chiang Mai ~5:30/6 PM
• Dinner: It’s Good Kitchen 

Day 4:

• CoolMuang Coffee (opens 7:30)
• 9-2 PM: Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School
• Warorot Market
• Chapter 2Wo Coffee, Rivers & Roads Ceramic Shop, Old Soul, Kumbo Matcha
• Dinner: And Then (&THEN)
• Snack: Roti Pa Dae (Michelin Bib)

Day 5:

• Nice Kitchen Breakfast & Brunch
• Coconut Market (Hours 8-3)
• Lunch at Khao Soi Maesai (Michelin Bib), CHARLIE THAI TEA x KAME KAFE Nimman Soi9
• One Nimman 
• White Market + Nimman Market
• Dinner: Mae–Jin Thai Food & Bistro

Sat, Nov 21: Leave Chiang Mai in AM

I’ll be in Chiang Mai from 11/14 to 11/20 (and driving the Mae Hong Son loop 11/14-11/17). It’s been difficult to locate any information about Chula Kathin festivals that might be happening then. Maybe it’s too late in November. Does anyone know of any dates and places where these might be happening?

I’ll be visiting Chiang Mai probably solo in January next year and looking to rent a car to drive myself to visit Doi Inthanon and Chiang Dao area. What type of car is suitable for driving in those area like sedan or SUV? Also how much engine power do I need? Is 1.5 enough for hills or do I need 2.0?

I drank orange juice that was bottle and stored in an ice bath from a street fruit vendor outside 7/11. Is it safe?

I am a Thailand newbie and coming in November. I had no idea about Loy Krathong or anything so please forgive my ignorance. I would really like to be there and experience it, but all the places I see are a bit far out. Is Mae Rim, Nimman, or near the airport too far for me to stay? Any recommendations on what I could do? From early November to the 18th I'll have a place to stay but not after that.

Hi guys, basically I got bitten by a dog when I was in Vietnam and I need to continue my injections here. What hospitals would you recommend, any private clinics or public hospital will be okay I’d appreciate some recommendations if possible. Thank you. ( I’m in the old city)

Thanks

My girlfriend and I are spending a week in Chiang Mai this January, and I’m trying to decide between doing an overnight tour that combines Doi Inthanon and an ethical elephant experience, or booking them separately.
We originally planned on doing the 2-day/1-night tour with Elephant Eco Trails. It includes hiking the Pha Dok Siew trail, visiting some of the main sights around Doi Inthanon, spending a night at a rustic jungle accommodation, and then doing a hands-off elephant experience the following day.
I really like the idea of spending a night out in the jungle, but after doing some more research, I’m wondering if we’d be better off splitting the activities up.
We’re both pretty active and love hiking, so I started looking at Green Trails’ full-day Doi Inthanon tour, which includes both Kew Mae Pan and Pha Dok Siew. Then we’d do a separate half-day elephant experience with ChangChill (likely their Hillside tour).
The cost works out to be pretty similar either way, and we have plenty of time in Chiang Mai, so that’s not really a concern.
I’m leaning toward doing them separately because we’d get more hiking in, but I’m wondering if we’d be missing out on a unique experience by skipping the overnight jungle stay.
Has anyone done either of these tours? Is it worth doing both trails at Doi Inthanon, or is one enough? Also open to other recommendations, particularly for ethical, hands-off elephant experiences.
Would love to hear what people think

Hi! I’ll be in Chiang Mai in January 2027 and I’m looking to rent a road-legal quad/ATV for 2–3 days for a small road trip around the area.

It needs to have proper registration/license plates and be legal to ride on public roads.

Preferably something with a decent engine size, around 300cc+ or bigger, rather than one of the small ATVs used for guided tours.

Does anyone know a rental company or private owner in or around Chiang Mai that rents these for multiple days?

Thanks! 🙏

Sorry if this is a stupid question. We are staying in old town and on our last day wanted to see a cobra show and a buttefly park. They are both near this village. Can we go there with a Grab, get around there with Grab and come back to the old town?

I rented a car once, but I dont want to hassle with the traffic myself again. Thank you