Courses in Chiang Mai
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, these 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 Tapae Gate and teaches you how to prepare a number of standard Thai dishes, such as green curry, tom yum and papaya salad. Other schools include; Baan Thai (baan_thai@yahoo.com), Gap's Thai Culinary Art (gap_house@hotmail.com), Siam Thai Cookery School and Thai Chocolate. You’ll also find Mr. Kwan at A Lot of Thai to be funky and fun tutor with a great website. For a more upmarket and exclusive experience try the Four Season’s Cooking School. 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 700 - 900 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!
The American University Alumni (AUA) school near Tapae rd (Rachadamnoen rd) is one of the most popular and convenient places to learn. Beginner courses last six weeks and cost 3500 baht (aualanna@loxinfo.co.th).
The intensive course at Payap University (out of town to the northeast) has highly recommended courses lasting from 30 hours to full-time semesters and costing as little as 3,000 baht.
The Australia Centre (south of Chiang Mai University), offers private tuition in nice surroundings (austcent@loxinfo.co.th).
Chiang Mai Thai Language Centre is a little farther down Rachadamnoen rd and offers short, inexpensive courses.
Thai massage courses in Chiang Mai
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, a well established and popular venue opposite the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre , offers two 10-day courses a month costing 5000 baht. Their focus is on traditional Northern style massage. 238/8 Wualai Rd. (across old chiangmai cultural center) (053) 201663, 275085
Baan Nit (near the northeastern corner of the Moat) 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. Nit, the Chinese woman who instructs, gives personal tuition at 100 baht an hour.
Lek Chaiya (Ratchadamnoen rd) 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 4000 baht and are subject to minimum numbers.
International Training Massage (itm@itmthaimassage.com) offers five-day courses similar to the Old Medicine Hospital curriculum, costing 3,500 baht.
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. Tel: (053) 278620
A recently introduced meditation facility has been added to Wat Doi Suithep isolated from the city and the tourists, offering twenty-one 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).
Wat Chom Thong is remotely located, near the base of Doi Inthanon - a ninety 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 the serious practitioners.
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!.
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) 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 there. 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 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.
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 (Hillside Fitness Centre, Hillside condos, Huay Kaew rd), tai chi, qi kung and several practical crafts such as jewellery-making, photography, Thai painting and more.
Chiang Mai hotels
Chiang Mai tours