Chiang Mai travel articles - Northern Thailand travel
Chiang Mai and surrounds has much to offer
We frequently post a new travel article on Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand for additional reading. Find out more, on everything from temples to whitewater rafting...
Chiang Mai travel articles
Black Lahu hilltribe eco-lodge
Limeleaf Eco-Lodge offers rustic yet comfortable accommodation by isolated pockets of the Black Lahu hilltribe with superb food and trekking throughout the wild northern Thailand countryside...more
Chiang Mai photo tours
Alan McArthur is an award-winning travel photographer with more than 15 years experience documenting the world. He offers fascinating tours of Chiang Mai for avid snappers to demonstrate some of the photogenic nooks and crannies of the Lanna capital...more
Loi Kratong in Chiang Mai
Loi Kratong is one of the most revered festivals in Thailand and Chiang Mai is arguably the best place to experience the magic with thousands of paper lanterns and floating kratongs...more
Vientiane visa runs
Doing a regular visa run over the border is one of the perennial negative points of expat living, but we've got a comprehensive guide to making the process as painless as possible and even have some fun...more
Golden Triangle opium tours
The area between Thailand, Laos and Burma to the north of Chiang Mai was until recently the centre of the world opium trade, tour the picturesque Golden Triangle and learn about this heady crop...more
A picture tells a thousand years
A new website has been launched from Chiang Mai which features a comprehensive database of historic images from all over Asia - we talk to one of the founders about his vision...more
Northern Thailand fishing trips
It may not be on the coast but Chiang Mai has a range of fantastic fishing spots ranging from angling lakes and resevoirs to fly fishing streams with a diverse array of species to catch...more
Handicraft hunting in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has long been known as an artisan centre which produces most of the souvenirs sold at Thailand's many markets, and here we show where to shop away from the tourists...more
Cosmopolitan Chiang Mai
The Lanna capital is more than just a few crumbling temples and it’s pretty moat, Thailand’s second city is fast becoming a hip haven of international bars, clubs and restaurants... more
Getting around Chiang Mai
Whether by tuk-tuk or ubiquitous songthaew (red buses), public transport in Chiang Mai is either loathed or loved by natives and expats…more
Handicraft Heaven
How to find the highest quality souvenirs in the Lanna Capital, which will amaze family and friends, at the best possible price…more
City of stars
Elephant trekking, hiking and waterfalls, just one hour north of the Lanna capital…more
Chiang Mai Museums
Guide to the sometimes weird, and often wonderful, exhibits and galleries in the Lanna capital…more
Beginners’ guide to Thailand’s political deadlock
Security and stability in Thailand has become tense following the assets seizure verdict against former prime minister Thaksin; here’s the back story on this explosive issue…more
Cheap Chiang Mai
Guide to the costs of visiting, living in, and exploring the delights of Thailand's northern capital…more
Chiang Mai Music
Guide to the best bands and live music in Thailand's northern capital…more
Chiang Rai daytrips
Heading North to the Golden Triangle? Here’s some suggestions for memorable day trips in Chiang Rai province…more
Chiang Mai in a day
Short on time before heading off on a trek? Here’s our suggested one-day itinerary to see the best sights of the city, if you insist…more
Chiang Mai’s Panda-monium
The city, Thailand even, is gripped with panda fever as a new black and white ball of fluff finally arrives at Chiang Mai zoo…more
Visiting hotsprings
Northern Thailand is riddled with hotsprings, and they’re worth a visit, even on a hot day; here’s our pick of the best ones near Chiang Mai…more
Slowboat to Laos
The two-day Mekong boat ride from Chiang Kong to luang Prabang is a popular route into Laos and an adventure not to be missed…more
Volunteering in Chiang Mai
Do something rewarding and helpful when visiting Chiang Mai by spending time helping at a local charity venue; here’s some suggestions...more
Relax in a spa
One thing you shouldn’t miss while in Chiang Mai is a relaxing afternoon being pampering in a luxury spa; here’s why...more
Visiting Lampang
An hour south of Chiang Mai is the little-visited, but interesting, town of Lampang; here’s 10 reasons to visit this ancient town...more
Chiang Mai’s Elephant camps
Elephant back rides are the quintessential Northern Thailand travel experience, and visiting an elephant camp is a fun family experience full of surprises...more
Chiang Mai’s luxury hotels
Planning to really splash out? Here’s our list of the city’s most comfortable and luxurious hotels...more
City boutique hotels
Boutique is all the rage in Thailand and Chiang Mai has its fair share of exclusive hotels; here’s a pick of the best... more
Cruising the Samoeng Loop
Chiang Mai’s most convenient day trip is a popular excursion offering mountain views and soft adventure for all... more
Whitewater white knuckle
Adventurers will be pleased to find out that there is some fantastic whitewater rafting near Chiang Mai... more
Khantoke culture show
Don’t visit the North without attending a unique Khantoke evening, an experience of local dance, music and food... more
Golfing in Chiang Mai
Fancy a round? Chiang Mai has at least 10 wonderful courses to choose from that are well maintained with excellent scenery and affordable facilities; here’s a golfers experience... more
City’s trendiest street
Nimmanhemin Street, in the western burbs of the city, may not be on the tourist map but its restaurants and chic boutiques attract the hip locals... more
Chaotic Night Market
One of Chiang Mai’s most popular attractions is a melting pot of foreigners, hustlers, vendors and bargains... more
A brief history of Lanna
700 years of Chiang Mai wrapped up in 700 easy-to-read words! From King Mengrai to WWII and lots of temples in-between... more
Opening a bar locally
Thinking of living your Thailand dream and opening a bar in Chiang Mai? Here’s an insight into the planning and pitfalls...more
Thai handicraft capital
Get your shopping shoes on; Chiang Mai is a cornucopia of delightful Thai handicrafts made locally...more
Chiang Mai’s Top 10
Visiting Chiang Mai for the first time? He’s our recommended 10 ‘must see and do’ attractions, worth getting to…more
Moated city - historical Chiang Mai, a 700 year story
Chiang Mai is the grand old dame of Thailand, a living relic with a long and proud past that is still very much evident in this well preserved historic city... more
City Inthakin Ceremony
Every year in May, Chiang Mai celebrates its Inthakin, or 'City Pillar' ceremony; an ancient ritual at the heart of the city's prosperity beliefs...more
Visiting the Chiang Mai Zoo
Kids, hang out with clowning pandas, beautiful Bengal tigers and singing gibbons at Chiang Mai's lovely zoo...more
Dhara Dhevi masterpiece
Chiang Mai's most expensive hotel is a virtual historic park that recreates the past magnificently…more
Chiang Mai gets a soaking!
Songkran 2006 descends upon Chiang Mai in a frenzied mayhem of water and fun. Here's what to expect and where to catch all the activities…more
Visas for staying
Thinking of retiring or living here? Get the low-down on the visa options to staying in Thailand long-term…more
Chiang Mai portrait painters
Pick up the ultimate souvenir in Chiang Mai – a charcoal sketch of your favourite photo or pose, from talented local artists…more
City temple tour
The city is noted for its 300 beautiful and ancient temples and a trip here is never complete without visiting some of these…more
Chiang Mai’s tsunami of aid
Several years on from the devastating Tsunami, we look back on Chiang Mai’s aid effort to support the victims in the South…more
Temple in the sky
Chiang Mai’s Doi Suithep temple has gazed down on the city like a spiritual guardian angel for 500 years and remains its top attraction…more
Baan Tawai - a shopper's paradise
Visit the handicraft centre of Thailand and take home a lot more than you bargained for…more
The Siamese Court captured on film in the 1850s
A rare display of mid-nineteenth century photographs captures the life and times of royalty and Bangkok during the reign of King Rama IV.…more
The creepiest museum in the World
A visit to Chiang Mai's Museum of World Insects reveals all manner of creepy crawleys and a fascinating display of (thankfully dead) spiders, beetles, bugs and unmentionables, guaranteed to intrigue the whole family…more
Visiting the markets of Chiang Mai
Get you bargaining boots on and visit the many intriguing markets of Chiang Mai to get a true taste of the city’s traditional commercial character. From the bustling Night Bazaar to the art of the Sunday Walking Street, and even the tropical splendour of Khamtien Plant market, you’re sure to find a bargain…more
Heading East - looking for Mae Kampong
Most tourists overlook the mountains to the east of Chiang Mai's Ping Valley, yet the eco-village of Mae Kampong and the Doi Mon Larn range produces some lovely surprises, including a tea-growing homestay village, waterfalls and a national park, as well as hot springs and caves…more
Northern Thailand travel articles
The Akha hill tribes of Northern Thailand
Northern Thailand’s Akha hill tribes are a colourful tourist attraction and ethnic minority frozen in time, living up in the hills and untouched by development. You can discover this lost tribe by trekking in the area. …more
Wonderful waterfalls of Chiang Mai province
Nothing beats mother nature for design and waterfalls are some of the loveliest examples of how mountains, water and gravity can combine to produce breathtaking sights…more
Pai in the Sky
Late in the afternoon, as the travellers rose from their afternoon slumbers and the heat dissipated I sat beside the small Pai river while it quietly gushed through Northern Thailand’s most chilled out destination, and reflected on a week of doing nothing but relaxing…more
The real story of Thailand’s Akha tribe
Long treated as the lowest group on Thailand’s status ladder, the Akha are a unique hill tribe who’s survival in Thailand’s Northern provinces is a constant struggle.…more
Real wild one!
Rafting the Mae Taeng can be a hair-raising experience, but its certain to be one of the most exciting things you'll do in Thailand…more
The edge of a wild frontier
The Doi Angkhang highlands perch on the Northern border and gaze out over the untamed Shan States. Here you really feel like you're on the edge of nothingness…more
A mountain to climb
Experience Northern Thailand from the saddle of a bike with a week-long ride from Chiang Mai to the Goldern Triangle…more
Diary of a Dharma Bum
experience Thailand from a very different perspective and enter a forest retreat temple for a week of total meditation. It's not as easy as it sounds…more
General Thailand travel articles
The best of Thailand
Here’s the shortlist of the Bangkok Post’s nine-month quest to find Thailand’s top nine tourist attractions…more
Cooking courses
Spend a day learning to cook Thai food. There are more than a dozen schools to choose from; here are some tips on finding a good one... more
Songkran Splash
Join in the world’s biggest water fight as Thailand gets drenched for four days in April. There’s no doubt about it, you’re going to get wet... more
The King and Thai
You can’t miss it; December 5th marks the birthday of Thailand’s much loved King. See just why is he so popular among his subjects... more
Cultural faux paux
Wondering how and when to do a Thai wai, what not to touch and how to use tables manners when visiting Thailand? Here’s a quick low–down on Thai etiquette to help you avoid upsetting the locals.…more
Doing as locals do
Thai etiquette plays an important role here and visitors often overlook local manners. Here’s a quick guide to fitting in…more
Long live the King
With much pomp and ceremony befitting the world’s longest reigning monarch, Thailand celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of their beloved king’s coronation…more
