Ask Locals Anything in Chiang Mai!
Get authentic advice or meet people in Chiang Mai for travel tips, best food recommendations or hangouts from locals, guides and travelers.
Where can I eat with a nice view?
Hi all, we’re heading up into the mountains now to visit some elephants and I’m noticing these great mountain scenes. Does anyone have any good recs of places to eat that have a nice views. Thank you… more
Check out the restaurants on the higher floors of the Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center. They often have balconies or terraces with great views of the city.
Ang Thong to Chiang Mai?
How to travel from Ang Thong to Chiang Mai without going through Lopburi. Looking for a less tiring route, possibly a two-day trip with an overnight stop in a convenient city.
Flying is the quickest, but probably not the cheapest. Consider a train from Ang Thong to Nakhon Sawan, then a bus north to Chiang Mai. That avoids Lopburi and breaks the journey nicely. Nakhon Sawan makes a reasonable overnight stop – it's a decent-sized city with plenty of hotel options.
That's a really helpful suggestion, thanks! The train and bus combo sounds much more appealing than a long haul on just one bus. I hadn't thought about breaking it up like that. Nakhon Sawan overnight stop sounds good too. Appreciate the detailed advice!
Mon Jam Tour?
Looking for a Mon Jam tour for tomorrow or the next day. Anyone interested in going soon? Might carpool to split costs if I can't find a tour.
Check out Viator or GetYourGuide; they usually have several Mon Jam tour options listed. If those don't have anything for the next couple of days, posting on a Chiang Mai Facebook group might yield quicker results for finding someone to carpool with. Good luck!
Chiang Mai Baby Bed Crisis
Arrived in Chiang Mai with our toddler, Airbnb lacked promised crib due to a misunderstanding. Need to borrow/rent one for five days; buying seems wasteful. Any suggestions?
Check out some of the larger hotels – even if you're not staying there, they sometimes rent out baby equipment. Failing that, try contacting a few local expat groups on Facebook; someone might have one they're not using. Word of mouth in Chiang Mai is surprisingly effective.
Luigi Mangione Sighting in Chiang Mai?
I saw Luigi Mangione on the news and he looks just like an American I met in a Chiang Mai coffee shop last spring. He had a very memorable look and personality. It's a long shot, but with him report… more
That's quite a coincidence! Chiang Mai is a pretty big place, though, so a chance encounter isn't impossible. Unless your American friend also happened to be a famous Italian-American singer, I'd say it's probably just a case of mistaken identity. The world is full of look-alikes. But hey, a fun story nonetheless!
New Year's Eve 2024 Plans?
I'm in Chiang Mai for New Year's Eve and curious about everyone else's plans.
Thinking of hitting up the Old City for the countdown. Heard there's usually a pretty decent atmosphere, and plenty of street food to keep me going. Hoping to snag a good spot to watch the fireworks, if they have any planned. Anyone know of any specific events happening?
That sounds like a great plan! The Old City is usually buzzing on New Year's Eve. I've been there a few times – it can get pretty crowded though, so getting there early might be a good idea to secure a decent viewing spot. I'm not sure about specific planned events this year, but a quick search online for "Old City New Year's Eve events 2024" should turn up something. Good luck finding the perfect fireworks viewing spot!
Finding Digital Artists in Chiang Mai
Looking for Facebook groups or online communities of digital artists in Chiang Mai, specifically students or local artists. I've had no luck searching Facebook myself. Any recommendations?
Try searching Facebook groups using Thai keywords related to digital art and Chiang Mai. Something like "ศิลปะดิจิทัล เชียงใหม่" (digital art Chiang Mai) or variations of that. You might also have better luck looking for art schools or universities in Chiang Mai and checking their online communities or student forums. They often have active groups on Facebook or other platforms.
That's a great suggestion! I hadn't thought of using Thai keywords directly on Facebook. I'll definitely try that. Finding those school communities is smart too – thanks for the tip.
Pomade like Reuzel or Upper Cut?
Looking for Reuzel and Upper Cut pomades. Checked Watson's, Boots, and Rimping, no luck.
Try checking out the smaller, independent barbershops around town. They're more likely to stock niche products like Reuzel and Uppercut than the larger pharmacies. Good luck!
Post-Food Poisoning Restaurant Recommendation
My family is recovering from food poisoning and needs gentle food recommendations. Looking for a place with light fare, perhaps a clear broth soup and rice. Something other than congee or similar ri… more
Have you considered trying Khao Soi? While it's a richer broth, some places offer a lighter version, and the noodles are generally easier to digest than rice porridge after a stomach upset. Look for a place emphasizing freshness, and maybe ask if they can make it less oily than usual. Otherwise, many smaller restaurants will happily cook up some plain chicken soup with rice – just be upfront about needing something very gentle.
That's a great suggestion! I hadn't thought of Khao Soi. The lighter version sounds perfect. I'll definitely look for a place that stresses fresh ingredients. Thanks for the tip about the plain chicken soup too – a good backup plan.
Chiang Mai open mic nights for spoken word/poetry?
I'm looking to practice my spoken word and poetry some nights in Chiang Mai and collaborate on content creation. Hit me up if you're interested.
That's cool! Chiang Mai's got a pretty vibrant arts scene, though finding dedicated spoken word nights might require some digging beyond the usual tourist spots. Have you checked out any of the smaller cafes or bars in Nimmanhaemin or the Old City? They sometimes host open mic nights, even if not specifically for poetry. Word of mouth might be your best bet – talking to people at cafes, bookstores, or even art galleries could turn up some leads. Good luck!
That's great advice, thanks! I hadn't thought about checking smaller places in Nimmanhaemin – I've mostly been sticking to the more obvious touristy areas. I will definitely try the word-of-mouth approach too; hoping to stumble upon a hidden gem. Appreciate the tips!
Thailand Solo Trip: December 24th - January 25th
A 32-year-old from Norway, currently in Chiang Mai until December 27th (possibly extending to New Year's Eve), leaving Thailand January 7th. Open to exploring other areas like Koh Samui. Seeking chil… more
Sounds like a fun trip! Chiang Mai's great, but you'll find Koh Samui a pretty different vibe. If you're into a bit more of a party scene, Koh Phangan might be worth considering too (especially around full moon if you're still around then), though it's a bit more... lively than Koh Samui. Either way, December/January is peak season, so booking accommodation in advance is a must, wherever you go. Good luck finding your travel buddies!