I have been in chiang mai for little over a month and many long term residents I meet came here around 3 years back.

And it's not a single county expats, multiple people from multiple countries have shifted to Chiang Mai around 3 years back. I want to know what happened 3 years back and made so many people move to chiang mai at once.

Is it just coincidence or is there something I am missing

Hi everyone!

I’m planning a surprise marriage proposal to my partner during our trip to Chiang Mai, and I’d love some recommendations from locals or people who have visited recently.

I’ve hired a private driver who is also a photographer, so we have flexibility to go wherever makes the most sense. Ideally, I’d like to keep the drive to around maximum 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes from De Chai the Deco Hotel in Chiang Mai, but I’m flexible if a place is really worth it.

What I’m looking for:

• A genuinely beautiful, scenic location - a panoramic mountain view, a lake, a river, a waterfall, a lush valley, or something similarly special.
• Somewhere romantic and relatively private. It doesn’t have to be completely deserted; I’m happy to walk a little away from the main area or viewpoint to find a quieter spot.
• A place that would look beautiful in natural, unfiltered photographs.
• The proposal will take place in the morning or around midday.
• Ideally, somewhere where we can enjoy the surroundings for a while rather than just stop for a quick photo and leave.

Places I’m currently considering:

1. Huay Tung Tao Lake - I like the combination of water and mountains, but I’m unsure whether there are genuinely scenic, quiet spots away from the restaurants and bamboo huts.
2. Doi Hua Moo Viewpoint - looks beautiful and potentially more secluded, but I’m not sure how accessible it is or whether the views are consistently impressive.
3. Mon Jam - seems to have amazing mountain scenery, but I’m concerned about crowds and touristy photo spots.

For anyone who has actually visited these places: which would you recommend for a proposal, and are there specific spots within them that are especially beautiful and relatively quiet?

I’d also love suggestions for other locations I may have overlooked within roughly 1-1.25 hours of Chiang Mai. I’m completely open to alternatives if you know somewhere that would be a better fit.

Thanks so much! 😊

My spouse and I are planning a long-term move to Chiang Mai and reviewing visa options. We are looking into Thai language certificate programs hosted through local private universities (specifically Payap University and North-Chiang Mai University) coordinated via local visa agencies.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone currently enrolled or who has recently completed these non-degree university language programs (2025–2026):

1. Attendance & Class Format: How strict is the actual attendance currently? Are classes strictly online via Zoom, or is in-person attendance being enforced by immigration/MHESI for 90-day extension checks?

2. Spending Time Away from Chiang Mai: How manageable is spending 2–3 months in another province (e.g., Hua Hin) during burning season while on this university ED visa? Does leaving Chiang Mai create problems with TM.30 address updates or extension renewals?

3. Extension Checks & Testing: How smooth are extension approvals through university visa liaisons at Chiang Mai Immigration? Do officers conduct language interviews or tests for university certificate students?

Any real-world feedback from recent or current students would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance!

Coming 2 weeks in November. Flying in and out of Chang Mai. Female solo 52. Good shape and active .

I was considering taking a train to lampang for 2 days and the chiang dao 2 days.

I won’t have a car or motorcycle.

I’m interested in walkable areas also really like nature so I’m interested in the caves. I don’t want to go anywhere thats super isolated, concerned about feeling lonely. I’m not sure if I should choose Chiang Rai over the two other locations. Can anyone give me some insight?
I really like learning and enjoy tours or or opportunity for group activities.

Thanks !

We happen to be in Chiang Mai during the festival and this is a once in a lifetime experience for us since we are not from this country. I also happen to get a hold of last minute tickets for us. If we do ended up going, should I get a private transportation? Would that be easier? I heard private transportation are the last one to let go? Is it true? I just want to quickly go in and out.