Courses in Chiang Mai
Learn to prepare pungent papaya salad - bokbok!
Taking a course is another popular activity in Chiang Mai. The city is ideal for lingering a week or two to update your skills or simply have some fun learning something new. Whether it's a one-day Thai cooking course or a month-long meditation retreat, there are courses to suit all interests and time schedules.
Thai cooking courses in Chiang Mai
There are several cooking schools that offer excellent one-day courses in preparing Thai cuisine that include visits to the market to provision and learn about unique vegetables, herbs and spices commonly used in this region. The original school is the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School, which is conveniently located near Thapae Gate and teaches you how to prepare a number of standard Thai dishes, such as green curry, tom yum and papaya salad. Office hours: 08.30 - 18.30 (daily), School 11/29 Moo 1 Chiang Mai Floraville Doi Saket, 47/2 Moon Muang Road, tel: (053) 206 388, 053-206315, mobile: 081-8835206, email: booking@thaicookeryschool.com.
Other schools include; Baan Thai (11 Rachadamnoen Road, Soi 5, Sriphoom, tel: (053) 357 339), Gap's Thai Culinary Art (Hours 10.00-16.00, closed Sundays, two-day course 1,800 baht, one-day course 900 baht, Rachadamnoen Road, Soi 4, tel: (053) 278 140 / 270 143, email: info@gaps-house.com), Siam Rice Thai Cookery School (211 Moo 13, Soi 5, Canal Road, Suthep, tel: (053) 4177 3160, mobile: 08 5038 8600) and Thai Chocolate Cookery Center (32 Loy Kroh Road, Soi 1, 053 272569, 053-276886, mobile: 080-5022029, email: thaikitchencentre@hotmail.com).
You’ll also find Mr Kwan at A Lot of Thai to be a funky and fun tutor with a great website (165 Soi 9 Chiangmai-Lampoon Road, tel: (089) 9544930, mobile: 08 9853 9680, full day course: 09:30- 16:30 for 1,300 naht, half day course: 09:30-13.30 for 1,000 baht, email: alotofthai@gmail.com). For a more upmarket and exclusive experience try the Four Season’s Cooking School (Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, tel: (053) 298 181, closed Sundays).
Each school offers standard one-day courses, and selected schools offer a variety of programmes which include vegetarian cooking and preparing Thai desserts. Rates vary from 900-1,200 baht (one day) and many of the guesthouses advertise courses offered informally by an endless supply of local kitchen maestros.
Thai language courses in Chiang Mai
If you're planning to stay longer in Chiang Mai, you may wish to tackle the tonal gymnastics of spoken Thai. Despite the confusion of multi-tones to correctly pronounce one of several similar sounding words, the grammar is remarkably simple and it's not difficult to quickly start stringing sentences together. The locals will love you for it and are very non-judgemental of 'pidgin' language. Taking Thai language courses is fun and you may even want to impress your friends by learning to read and write Thai, with its 46 consonants and 32 vowels!
Chiang Mai University Language Institute offers a one year course that comes with a visa application (double-check!), making it a popular means of remaining in Chiang Mai legally. The course costs 25,000 baht and involves 180 hours of intensive learning (not compulsory). Enrolment enquiries: 239 Huey Kaew Road; tel: (053) 943 751-3, email: licmu@chiangmai.ac.th.
The American University Alumni (AUA) school, near Tapae Road (Rachadamnoen Road), is one of the most popular and convenient places to learn. Beginner courses last six weeks and cost 4,200 baht, 1-4 students, while a private class is 320-480 baht per hour. 73 Ratchadamnern Road, tel: (053) 278 407 / 277 951, email: cm-thai@auathailand.org.
Payap University has intensive courses covering several levels lasting from 30 hours to full-time semesters, and costs as little as 4,000 baht. It’s a little out of town, though. Super-highway Chiang Mai - Lumpang Road, Tel: (053) 241 255 - ext. 7238, fax: (053) 241 983, email: intthai@payap.ac.th, info_english@payap.ac.th.
Chiang Mai Thai Language Centre is a little farther down Rachadamnoen rd and offers short, inexpensive courses. 131 Ratchadamnern Road, Prasing, tel: (053) 277 810 / 431 918, email: cnxmat@hotmail.com.
Thai massage courses in Chiang Mai
Massage courses in Chiang Mai are good value
Thai massage courses usually last a week and are offered by several places near the town centre. However, those people hoping to earn money from the skill back in their home country should follow the example of serious massage practitioners and choose Thai massage courses that are certified.
Thai massage courses in Chiang Mai include:
The Old Medicine Hospital is a well established and popular venue, opposite the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre, that offers two 10-day courses a month for 6,000 baht. Their focus is on traditional Northern style massage. Office open: 09:00-18:00 (Monday to Sunday); 238/1 Wualai Road (across old chiangmai cultural center), tel: (053) 275 085, Fax: (053) 201 663, email: info@thaimassageschool.ac.th.
Baan Nit (moved to Nong Hoi) is more practical for the experienced masseuse looking to learn new techniques, particularly related to deep tissue and nerve rehabilitation using herbs and ancient techniques. Courses are one to 30 days and cost 1,000-15,500 baht (prices subject to change). Open: 10:00-16:00 (closed Sunday); 78/4 Moo 3, tel: 08 4714 5416.
Lek Chaiya (Ratchadamnoen Road) specialises in jap sen (deep touch) massage and the instructor, Khun Lek, has more than 40 years of experience. Her three- to five-day courses cost 4,000 baht and are subject to minimum numbers. Course times: 10:00-16:00 daily; 27-29 Ratchadamnoen Road, tel: (053) 278 325, mobile: 08 1881 9226, email: tanananwillson@gmail.com.
International Training Massage (itm@itmthaimassage.com) offers five-day to eleven-week ancient Thai Massage courses in Northern style, as well as various spa courses. The level 1, five-day course is 5,000 Baht; 59/9 Chang Puek Road, Soi 4, tel: (053) 218 632, mobile: 08 3763 1002, Fax: (053) 224 197, email: itm@itmthaimassage.com.
Meditation in Chiang Mai
Many foreigners come to Chiang Mai to enter a temple and spend time learning meditation and familiarising themselves with Buddhism. The most serious option is to enter Wat Rampoeng, near the foot of Doi Suithep, which has a fairly strict but manageable 30-day programme, although they’ll settle for stays of only 10 days. Here you'll live like a monk, taking only two meals a day (none after noon), undertaking plenty of meditating, vows of silence and carrying out the usual chores expected of monks. Women and men are welcome, and accommodation is provided by small 'kuti' huts. There is no charge, although a donation is welcomed. Northern Insight Meditation Centre, tel: (053) 278 620, Fax: (053) 810 197, email: watrampoeng@hotmail.com.
Traveller tale: Chiang Mai meditation retreat
Spending a week meditating in Chiang Mai...more
A recently introduced meditation facility has been added to Wat Doi Suithep, isolated from the city and the tourists, offering 21 day courses as taught at Wat Chom Tong. The kutis are fairly comfortable, if spartan, and the approach a little lighter and less uncomfortable for newcomers to the practice of meditation (ever tried sitting cross-legged for an hour?). More details: tel: (053) 295 012 (ask for Ajarn Yuttadhammo), email: doisuthepinfo@gmail.com.
Wat Chom Thong is remotely located, near the base of Doi Inthanon - a 90-minute drive south, and offers strict, but popular, meditation programmes under the direction of well-known monk Ajarn Thong. There is a minimum stay period of two weeks, the environment is similar to Wat Rampoeng and there is a forest retreat nearby for serious practitioners. Tel: (053) 826 869; email: watchomtong@sirimangalo.org.
Drop-in meditation retreats dot the town
At all three, you can simply show up, instructions are very basic and the activities deliberately slow and boring to help you focus on the present moment - in keeping with the teachings of the Buddha.
The Middle Way is an entire village devoted to meditation, and for those who are serious about their meditation then this is the place to come. Set in quiet, peaceful surroundings, The Middle Way is perfectly suited for those in need of a real escape from the hustle and bustle of the real world. The seven day courses provided will leave you refreshed, relaxed and possibly even enlightened! Tel: 08 2333 3082, email: info@meditationthai.org.
You can read more about meditation in Chiang Mai in our “Diary of a Dharma Bum” article here.
Muay Thai courses in Chiang Mai
The Lanna Muay Thai camp in Chang Khian (near the university - Lanna Kiat Busaba Muay Thai Camp: 161, Soi Chang Kian, Huay Kaew Road, tel/fax: (053) 892 102, email: andymuaythai@gmail.com) is popular among both men and women wishing to learn or hone their skill in Thai kickboxing. Set up by a Canadian, Andy Thomson, and his wife Pom, the camp gets you in shape with daily fitness and sparring routines, along with a number of highly experienced fighter trainers. Training and tuition is provided for beginners.
There is a reasonable daily rate for attendance and participants are encouraged to spend a reasonable time here. The daily routine occupies about five hours a day, including the taking of meals and undertaking cultural practices. Most participants stay in the nearby Up North guesthouse. The Muay Thai Sangha (tel: 08 0769 4521, email thailandartsinstitute@hotmail.com) is an equally serious outfit which follows a long tradition of Muay Thai training, and teaches a deeply traditional approach to the art, including history, philosophy and various styles. They boast some experienced and respected teachers.
Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures: if you fancy scaling some of the peaks that surround the city then Chiang Mai Rock Climbers have the expertise to make you more skilled and confident. Expeditions involving caving, climbing and high-rope activities to encourage leadership and cooperation among participants, as well as a really unique experience. 55/3 Ratchapkhinai Road, tel: (053) 207 102, fax: 66 (0) 53 207 103, mobile: 66 (0) 86 911 1470, Skype: thailandclimbing, email: info@thailandclimbing.com.
Other courses and drop-in classes
Throughout the city, advertised on guesthouse message boards, in tourist magazines and on street poles, are details on informal instruction in all of the above pursuits, as well as yoga, tai chi, qi kung and several practical crafts like jewellery-making, photography, Thai painting and more. Hillside Fitness Centre, Hillside condos,50/24 Huay Kaew Road, tel: (053) 225 984.
Cultural experiences in Chiang Mai
Fang Valley is a Blood Foundation social enterprise in experiential travel. This small scale, grass roots organisation offers unique cultural excursions in northern Thailand. The Monk for a Month temple stay is an authentic experience within a real monastic order, while long-term hilltribe homestays provide visitors with a intensive insight into some of the fascinating cultures of the region. There are many tours, treks and community volunteer projects which can also be included.
Updated and correct: January 2012
