Loy Krathong

24th - 25th November there will be Loy Krathong festival like every year during full moon of the 12th month in Thai lunar calendar. Here is one video about festival in Chiang Mai.

Driving in Chiang Mai, Thailand. - Can I, should I?

Author: George Dowhan

Having had my Driver's License for 47 years now and having driven manual transmissions and automatics from Volkswagen bugs, to Corvettes, to Nissan 300 ZX Turbo's to more refined Lincoln luxury cars you would think that I could drive anywhere in the world.

My driving record is excellent. No accidents and no points off in the last 6 years and that qualifies me for the best rating and the best insurance rate in Canada. An experienced driver with the best driving record.

Coming to Chiang Mai, Thailand and renting a car to see the sites and get around town should be a breeze you would expect. Well anyone who thinks so is dead wrong.

Driving here has to be seen to be believed. Do not try it unless you know someone here who has educated you as to What to Watch Out For.

Here is my list:

The lines on the roads do not mean a thing here. You can drive on them, you can drive on the side of them, but do not expect drivers to drive between them. Why? Because on the left side of the road you will find motorbikes so cars move over knowing that this is the preferred route of the motorbikes. That is one reason. Another is that both red taxi's (converted pick up trucks used as taxis) and tuk tuk's (three wheeled motorcycles used as taxis) move over from the fast lane to the middle of the two lanes in an attempt to pick up more passengers and yet not lose out on positioning in a fast lane of traffic.



Traffic signals do not mean a thing here. Vehicles can jump the green and make a turn against the flow of traffic if they are hmmm. the first, second, third or even the fourth vehicles in line at a red light as you want to cross an intersection with the light just having turned green. Expect vehicles to run the red if it just turned red hmmm. what one, two, or perhaps three seconds ago.

Watch out for the 3 wheeled bicycles. These are normally driven by slim men in their sixties who have doing this for years. This may have been a fashionable and popular means of transportation 50 years ago or so but now it is a danger out on the roads as they move along at 4 mph on streets full of cars and motorcycles, all of which are in a hurry to go somewhere.

Watch out for vendors pushing their carts at 2 mph down the street on the left hand side of the road.

Watch out for dogs who lay on the road and refuse to move or move reluctantly as the last second.

If you are keeping up with the flow of traffic on a fast moving road at 45 mph in bumper to bumper traffic EXPECT someone to tailgate your vehicle. Oh maybe 10 ft from your rear bumper or perhaps 5 ft. from your bumper. Nice, polite, quiet people that they are Thai's when they get behind the steering wheel change they make a transition from Mr. Hyde to Dr. Jekyll.

In my opinion most drivers here only have the mandatory basic insurance which is almost useless should they have an accident. So they try to be careful and not hit other cars by driving 3 ft away from vehicles on their passenger side. Either they cannot judge the distance as they are inexperienced drivers or they are extremely careful, either way they will drive down the street using part of your lane forcing you out of your lane.

Overtaking can be done regardless of whether you do it by passing the vehicle in front of you on the left or right side. So if you drive down the road EXPECT to see a vehicle coming straight for you in your lane passing a slower vehicle. They will pass and expect you to slow down or move out of your lane as they are going somewhere in a hurry.

Overtaking another vehicle will happen by vehicles going uphill and not seeing what is ahead of them, overtaking will occur on turns and the drivers not seeing what is ahead of them, overtaking will occur whenever and wherever.

Pedestrians crossing with the traffic light green DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY, vehicles go first and you should cross when you it is safe to do so.

Now having said all of that you may be thinking to yourself, Is this guy trying to scare me, is he trying to be funny, does he not want me to drive in Chiang Mai? The answer to these questions is:

I want you to know what you will be facing should you decide to drive here. I want you not to injure yourself or someone else thinking you can go ahead and rent/drive a vehicle without having driven here before or without some advice.

When I first arrived and saw the traffic I thought that I would never be able to drive here. Well now I do drive here. I know what to watch out for and drivers running greens or red lights does not surprise me or anger me. I merely expect it.

The Thai drivers here have probably not had any formal driving instruction, they may not have any decent insurance coverage, and they may be pushy when it comes to driving as they may be in a hurry to earn money so that they can feed their family. So nothing against them, I try to understand their driving habits and adjust mine accordingly. No matter how they drive they are happy go lucky, cheerful, hard working people and I love them.

If you are interested in learning more about living here, moving here, Thai foods, about Thailand and Chiang Mai visit our website.

Article Source: Driving-in-chiang-mai-thailand-can-i-should

About the Author:

The author is George Dowhan a Canadian who took early retirement and moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand, a city that thousands of foreigners are calling home and yet it is still unknown to many in North America.

Mr. Dowhan has created a website to help others in vacationing in Chiang Mai, or in retiring to Chiang Mai.

Visit: http://www.retire-on-550-month.com

Visiting Chiang Mai – top 10 attractions and activities

Visitors to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand come for the quaint, unhurried pace of life, the bargain shopping and the potential to break out on retreats into the mountains and jungle with a trekking trip. Whatever your reason for coming, Chiang Mai promises plenty of opportunities for excitement, relaxation and historic journeys into the city's past.


A trip to Mae Sa

A 30-minute drive to Mae Sa is a fun event for the entire family, as the area is packed with activities. Tourists venture out for the orchid nurseries; the well-known Elephant Camp where visitors can ride elephants and watch performances including a football match played by elephants; a snake farm and bungee jumping. Finally, the Mae Sa Waterfall offers a place to relax or perhaps go hiking.


Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Chiang Mai is well-known for its handicrafts, silk and large markets. This all comes to a focus at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, a veritable shopper's dream. Stretching the entire length of Chang Klan road, this market has become more of a tourist's domain than it once was. Here you'll find an assortment of jewellery, clothing, antiques, silver, all manners of souvenirs and knock-off designer items. It's open every evening until midnight. This is where you’ll find many of Chiang Mai hotels.







Doi Inthanon National Park

Situated south of Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon National Park is a unique wildlife preserve and often makes for a comfortable cool weather retreat after spending time in the city. It's the tallest mountain in Thailand at a grand height of 8,415 feet. Camping is permitted in the park and the natural surroundings make for an excellent getaway. This is one of the best places for trekking in Northern Thailand.


Wat Phratat Doi Suthep

Overlooking the Old City of Chiang Mai, the mountain of Doi Suthep holds one of Thailand's most sacred temples. The 300-stair climb leads you to the large chedi and golden spire. This large temple complex dates back to the 14th century and the view of the city achieved from the marble courtyard is worth the trip alone. No trip to Chiang Mai is complete without visiting Doi Suthep. Ask the concierge at the hotels for assistance getting up there, it’s one of the most important in Thailand.






Thai massage and spas

Places to get a massage can literally be found on almost every street of the Old City, and prices range depending on quality and accessibility. Thai massage is world-renown, and some of the most skilled masseurs can be found in the more upscale spas, which also offer body scrubs and detox and beautification treatments. Even at these high-end facilities, the money spent is still fantastic value when compared to the superb quality of the treatment.


Chiang Mai Zoo

Don't be surprised if a local asks you if you've visited the zoo yet—most likely, they're wondering if you've seen the pair of pandas which are on loan from China, an endless source of pride for locals. These are only two of the more than 6,000 animals on display at the zoo which sits at the base of Suthep Mountain, from where there are wonderful views of the city.


Courses and training

Chiang Mai overflows with all sorts of courses in which tourists can enrol for only a few days or weeks at a time. Due to the affordable prices and the comfortable atmosphere in Chiang Mai, visitors are tempted to dig in and stay a while. So whether you're looking to learn the art of Thai massage, perfect your Thai cooking skills or study Thai boxing, you'll find it here for every level and length of time. When in Thailand this is highly recommended.


The Old City

A tour of the Old City is easily done on foot or by bike, and is the best way to come face-to-face with Chiang Mai's legacy. Portions of the old wall were restored in the 19th century, and the 700-year-old moat that surrounds the city has been beautifully preserved. The city gates have also been restored, and each marks an important commercial avenue in or out of the city. Temples are spread across the entire Old City, and some of the more important include Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phrasingh and Wat Chiang Mai.


Adventure sports

Any number of adventure sports can be organised through travel agencies in Chiang Mai. Some of the more popular outings include white-water rafting on the Mae Tang River, which is 1 hour, 30 minute drive out of town; mountain biking on Doi Suthep with the added bonus of spending time at the temple if you make it all the way to the top, and rock climbing at Crazy Horse Buttress. There's also an outdoor climbing wall located to one side of the Night Bazaar. Trekking in Chiang Mai is perhaps the biggest drawcard.





Trekking Northern Thailand

It's impossible to list the major attractions of Chiang Mai without mentioning trekking. Tour guide operators use the city as a springboard from which to organise trips into the surrounding mountainous jungles. Expeditions are packed with a variety of activities and range from daytrips to several night journeys that include hiking, elephant riding and bamboo rafting. Routes are planned around hill tribe villages, where overnight accommodation is provided. Trekking is the best way to see rural Northern Thailand.


Remember to book your Chiang Mai hotels early in the high season.

Andy Burrows is a web travel writer who has spent considerable time in Thailand and Chiang Mai, his favourites online are:

Complete guide to Northern Thailand
Booking hotels in Chiang Mai
Guide to visiting Thailand
Visiting Chiang Mai – top 10 attractions and activities by Andy Burrows
Article Source: Add-Articles.com

The best hotel in Chiang Mai?

Yaang Come Village



Right in the heart of Chiang Mai, underneath the shade of the gigantic 40-year-old Yaang Come tree, you will find maybe he best hotel in Chiang Mai. Oasis in the middle of the city. Very frienly staff,(smile, smile, smile) service is excellent. Yaang Come Village is not just a hotel, it is experience and very nice one. Rooms are spaciuos, pool is very nice, breakfast is delicious. Hotel is not the cheapest, not the most expensive but the best.

Only 10 minutes from Chiang Mai Airport and just 100 meters to the Night Bazaar gives Yaang Come Village the perfect location.

Chiang Mai (in Thai เชียงใหม)

also sometimes written as "Chiengmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located at [ some 700 km north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river.



In recent years, Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city, although it lacks the cosmopolitan gloss of Bangkok. It has many attractions for the thousands of foreign visitors who come each year. Chiang Mai's historic importance is derived from its important strategic location on an ancient trade route. Long before the modern influx of foreign visitors, the city served as an important centre for handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewelry (particularly silver) and woodcarving.



While officially the city (thesaban nakhon) of Chiang Mai only covers most parts of the Mueang Chiang Mai district with a population of 150,000, the urban sprawl of the city now extends into several neighboring districts. This Chiang Mai Metropolitan Area has a population of almost 700,000 people, nearly half the total of Chiang Mai Province. The city itself is subdivided into 4 wards: Nakhon Ping, Srivijaya, Mengrai, and Kavila. The first three wards are on the west bank, while Kavila is located on the east back of Ping River. Nakhon Ping ward covers the north side of the city. Srivijaya, Mengrai, and Kavila cover the west, south, and east side respectively. The central part(old town) is covered mostly by Srivijaya ward and partly by Nakhon Ping and Mengrai wards.

(source: Wikipedia)



Living a mergering of the past and the present in Chiang Mai where people are proud of the city of 700 years of history. Its rich heritage traditional and unique culture is a perfect base for the development of the city. Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where you can find the heart of the city centuries aged chedis and alongside temples and modern convenience stores and hotels.

The original city layout is a perfect square
surrounded by a moat along with the remains of the outer walls and its four prime main door providing access to the old town.

Today, tourists are surprised by the fact that there is always something new to discover in Chiang Mai. Two weeks in Chiang Mai may not be long enough for serious travelers.

The old city of Chiang Mai with its fascinating identity such as various dialects, cuisine, traditional architecture values, festivals, crafts and classical dances is a must.

Chiang Mai is also endowed with natural resources of mountains , waterfalls, and other nature-based tourism attractions.

At the same time, Chiang Mai people are warm,
gracious and friendly providing hospitality and making visits remembered and significant.

Chiang Mai is a place where the backpackers and
luxury tourists can take full advantage and enjoy.

Chiang Mai literally means new city and has retained the name although it celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai founded the city as the capital of the Lanna (A Million Rice
Fields) Kingdom, April 12th 1296 during the same period of time that the creation of the kingdom of Sukhothai.

From that moment, Chiang Mai has become not only the capital and cultural core the Lanna Kingdom, it was also the center of Buddhism in
Northern Thailand. King Meng Rai himself was deeply religious and founded several temples of the city, they are still very important today.

At the height of its power, the Lanna kingdom expanded its territory far in Burma and Laos, and south to Kamphaeng Phet, the province of Sukhothai.

The Burmese conquered Lanna kingdom in 1556 ending dynasty founded by King Meng Rai, which lasted more than 250 years. As Burma had occupied Chiang Mai for nearly 200 years, Burmese architectural influences can be seen in many temples.

In the past, Chiang Mai was accessible only by river and elephants. Access became easier when the railway line was completed by the end of 1920.

In addition, the first motor vehicle directly from Bangkok arrived in Chiang Mai in 1932.

When we look Chiang Mai today, it is the economic, cultural and communications center in northern Thailand completed with excellent infrastructure, good roads, and reliable communications infrastructure.