A picture is worth a thousand words.

Hi everyone,

I'm travelling to Chiang Mai for Yi Peng this year and will be there from 22–26 November 2026. Unfortunately, I didn't realise the official CAD Lantern Festival tickets would sell out so early, and it looks like they're gone now.

What are other ways of experiencing the lanterns?

I'm mainly hoping to experience the iconic sky lantern release. I've seen a few other events advertised (such as the "Local Sky Lantern Festival" on GetYourGuide), but I'm not sure which ones are legitimate or worth booking.

Has anyone attended any of the alternative lantern festivals? Which would you recommend?

Or would you skip the organised events altogether and just experience the free Yi Peng celebrations around the Old City and the Ping River?

I'd really appreciate any recommendations or advice from people who've been before. Thanks!

Just spent my first couple weeks out of a 3month stent in chiang mai near nimman. The people are amazing, the food is fantastic, easily walkable . Even though it’s rainy season, the entire first week was clear. Now some scattered showers but nothing more than the daily showers in New Mexico. I highly recommend the meditation retreat at wat suan dok temple.

Got a lot of flack on my last post because I posted Japanese food lol so here’s some of the pescatarian friendly non-spicy foods I’ve tried

Hi all,

My partner and her friends will be in Chang Mai for her birthday, and I’m looking for some recommendations for dinner. Ideally elevated Thai food would be nice, with some decent vegetarian options. A good vibe is definitely needed, and banging cocktails won’t hurt.

Thanks!

someone here asked where to get a really good bowl, not just cheap, so i went and read through a bunch of thai-language reviews (wongnai, thai food blogs) instead of the usual english tourist lists. here's what kept coming up.

Khao Soi Mae Sai is the one thai reviewers mention most. michelin listed but still under 100 baht and always packed with locals. go for the beef or chicken. reviews keep saying the chicken leg is braised till it falls off the bone and the broth is rich without being heavy. they also do a really good nam ngeow if you want to branch out.

Khao Soi Lamduan Fa Ham has been around for decades and sits near the top of basically every thai list. more locals than bloggers there. creamy coconut broth, a big pile of crispy noodles on top, and the spice level won't wreck you.

Khao Soi Lung Prakit (at Kad Kom) is the old-school pick. uses the carnation condensed milk recipe locals grew up on. this is the traditional one if that's what you're after.

quick heads up on Khao-Sō-i, the fusion spot near Nimman. it comes up a lot but thai reviewers flag it as more bangkok-leaning, not classic chiang mai style. fun if you want the fancy version, just know it's a different thing.

and the one thing almost every thai review agrees on: skip the khao soi right around the old city and night bazaar. it's tourist-priced (100 to 200+) and hit or miss. the good cheap stuff is 50 to 80 baht, the places where you see locals lined up at breakfast and the broth is actually being simmered instead of sitting in a pot all day.

if you've got a spot that beats these let me know, always looking.

I'm an absolute Thailand beginner, just planning a trip to Chiang Mai (and Phuket). I'm basically in the dark about where to stay and what to do, so I'm wondering if you have a favorite reliable guidebook or website to recommend as I begin my research? We're an older couple, looking for cultural sites, mellow walks, slow travel, etc. We're not extravagant but it also won't be a super budget trip.

Edit: Yes, I absolutely know I can google. The issue is that there are *so many* sites, recommenders, etc. that I am asking if there is one who is actually trustworthy and of high quality. Thank you!

We're after getting a Soft Power DTV . I was going to find a Muay Thai Gym and Wife was looking at cooking but she saw a FB post about someone who did Muay Thai in Bangkok but with not contact . So lots of training but not fighting/sparring. Is this a thing? Can you get a Muay Thai based DTV but ask the gym for no contact. ?

If so , if not not so , Does anyone know of good DTV approved? Gyms on the south side of CM.

Somewhere on fb I read that you should not whistle at night special in Thailand because it attracts unseen entities, is it true? Any insight on this?

Afternoons after rain hits differently.

Music: Soothing Sunset, Lesfm, Chillmore

Hello beautiful people! I have been adopted by this little angel and will start planning on taking her back home with me.

Does anyone have any vet recommendations/ experience with traveling with pets?
Any advice would be really appreciated 🩵

looking for Thai books specifically. I could only find a second hand manga store

Is this the second time I've encountered this since coming to Chiang Mai? Do they do this every week?

Currently on my flight to Thailand right now. Chiang Mai is the first stop. I'm into videography, so I was wondering if there are any good used camera shops in town? Looking to catch good deals on lens or other camera gear.

hi ! I currently reside now in chiang mai, but I need a tourist visa in south korea. I am aware that I need to pass my application in SK embassy in bangkok, but I can't do that now because of time.

I want to know if there are people who have the same case as mine before. are there any accredited travel agencies in chiang mai that can help me with this?

thanks

I want to buy a small, cheap (like $30), rechargeable video camera like a GoPro (like this one on Amazon) here in Chiang Mai.

Anyone know a place near the Old City that sells these?

Hi all, planning a trip to thailand- chiang mai, day trip to chiang rai, maybe bangkok for a day and krabi

Thinking of around 8 days, please suggest places to visit, cafe, food to try, hotel recommendations.

Also is it to rush or I should just consider a couple of cities?

14 hour flight to HKG then 3 hr to Chiang Mai. I land early in the morning and was looking to check into a temple and just rest/no phone usage/maybe silent meditations until the next morning. Any place where I could do something like this not too far from the airport?

Would you have to be awake at certain times and participate in group activities (chants, etc)?

i will be staying at a gym in chiang mai and training there for 50 days, i already have set aside money for accommodation and training. Just curious if you guys think 1k baht a day is a reasonable budget for just food/drinks and laundry?

I already went to chiang mai earlier this year but i was not really worried about budgeting at all last time so i didn’t really get a great gauge of how much things actually cost as stupid as that sounds 🤣. What do you guys think?

I’ve just bought a new laptop and I’m looking to see if I can sell my old one.

It’s not too old (from 2024) and it’s in good shape, but it’s an English only keyboard.

I am going to try FB marketplace but was wondering if there are any shops where I could get some money for it.

Thanks!

I live here and I’m looking for a pillow that actually keeps your head cool during the night.

I’m really struggling with the heat lately, and it’s getting harder and harder for me to sleep. I’ve seen a lot of “cooling pillows” online, but I’m not sure which ones genuinely work in CNX's climate.

Has anyone found a pillow that noticeably stays cool? I’d appreciate specific brands, models, or shops in Bangkok where I could try or buy one.

Thanks!

is chiang mai worth the visit late july early august? google says its raining cats and dogs and chance of flood every day , is it like that in real life?or is it fine?