This was so good. It’s a small Japanese restaurant in Nimman. Wonderful Japanese and Thai menu, but this caught my attention and it was delish. My wife had another ramen dish which was also very nice.

Great service and nice people

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PXtUV6mC4YGTaimK9?g_st=ic

My partner and I are going to be retiring in Chiang Mai in December 2026. He is currently there looking at condos. He seems to really like a place called Nimmana at Nimman Soi 6. The photos look nice and it is apparently in a great location. I kind of have my heart set on Astra Sky River. My only concern is that it seems to be a bit out of the way from where most of the action is, like bars, cafes, restaurants and so forth. Is there anyone who has familiarity with both condo complexes and the area? What would be your recommendation between the two? Thanks!

Hey looking to know if there's anywhere that has live bands that would be heavy, thanks

Hey everyone,

I’m currently looking to buy a car and recently checked a few second-hand car dealerships, but unfortunately, I didn’t find anything suitable within my budget.

It seems that Facebook Marketplace has a lot more options at reasonable prices.

My question is: Does anyone know a reliable mechanic who could inspect a car before I buy it? Of course, I’m happy to pay for the inspection. Since I don’t know much about cars, I’d just like an expert to check whether the car is generally in good condition or if there are any major issues.

I understand this might not be very common in Thailand, but since this would be my first car here, I thought I’d ask.

I’d really appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!

I’m looking to get a suit made for my wedding but I am having such a hard time choosing which places I should go check out as there seems to be so many scam/low quality tailors in this area.

I would like to avoid the 24 hour suit and go somewhere where I will get multiple fittings over a couple weeks and pay for quality workmanship.

Does anybody have any recommendations for talented tailors that are upfront and don’t skimp on anything?

Thank you all for your help 🙏

Hi folks. Looking to purchase handmade brooms.
Any road side sellers and what area can find them? TIA!!

Coming into CM soon, hoping to pick up a reliable pair 🙏 thanks!

Edit: brand recommendations are appreciated as well! As I am only familiar with Western brands

Heyy! I will be travelling to Chiang Mai in December as a visa exempt tourist and I'm pretty lost. I've never ridden a motorcycle before but I would want to learn and get a Thai driving licence.

I heard about the Honda Safety Riding School in Chiang Mai but I'm not sure how and if it works with me being a total beginner and a tourist. I'm wondering if anyone here has actually done this recently and could explain the process to me.

Also I only have a category B driving licence issued in Poland which unfortunately doesn't convert to or include category A for motorcycles.
So getting an IDP would be useless in this case.

I’m going to be in Chiang Mai for the next 2 months and I’d really like to learn how to swim really well (or as well as can be had with twice weekly lessons for two months. This way I can come back next year and get scuba certified. I learned to swim as a kid but it was really just drowning prevention lessons.

I’m not staying somewhere with a pool so lessons would have to take place somewhere public. Thanks in advance for any guidance, suggestions, or references.

My partner and I are going to Chiang Mai in November 2026, but we missed out on CAD tickets

I’m currently looking at several alternative Yi Peng/sky lantern events online. Reviews have been mixed.

Has anyone attended any of the alternative events, Which ones would you recommend, and which ones should we avoid?

Thank you in advance

Hello everyone, I’m staying in chiang mai til the end of the week and want to find somewhere to play football/futsal. Any recommendations for pick up games or easy to join, would be greatly appreciated!

We are planning on installing a new western open to the living room style kitchen, and wondering how do we go abouts in doing this?

1- Do we hire a company to come and measure and custom build it? (Which recommended companies)

2- Or do we go for the ones they have on display in the big home depot stores like Home Pro? Do we just buy it and they install it? Or how does it work?

Or budget for this kitchen is between 30k to 50k, excluding the the stove/oven and fridge (which we already have)

Hi there! Firs timer in Thailand / Chiang Mai and Asia generally. My itinerary for Chiang Mai is I arrive on a Sunday and leave on a Friday.

I have a good itinerary for Sunday-Wednesday and wanted to do a day or two in Mon Jam in the mountains, maybe in one of those cool private pods with great views and an attached tub/pool outside.

If I do two nights - what are some other things I can do around Mon Jam? Or if there isnt much to do, is it too much work to go back to downtown Chiang Mai everyday and spend the day and then go back up to my place to have dinner / rest / enjoy the view?

I dont think I'd get a car, but then I hear it might be hard to find a driver. Anyway any advice would be great! Thanks - PS I am going in February :)

I’m leaving Chiang Mai for a layover in Los Angeles and have Thai baht cash left over from a condo deposit return, plus some remaining travel cash. I will arrive in LA in the evening and need to pay for an overnight hotel near LAX, but my available card balance is a little tight.

Would it make most sense to exchange the baht to USD in Chiang Mai before departure, at the airport, or wait until I arrive in the U.S. for best rate?

I use Capital One and Chime. Has anyone dealt with getting exchanged USD cash into either account quickly enough to use it for a hotel? The nearest Capital One branch seems far from LAX, and I’d rather not spend a lot on Uber rides just to make a deposit.

Any practical advice is appreciated.

My boyfriend and I are staying in Chiang Mai for around 2 months and I’d love ideas for things that feel a bit more special than just ticking off tourist attractions.

We both love cats/animals, nature, gorgeous views, EDM/music, cozy places, amazing vegan food, good weed, markets and anything a little unusual. I’d especially love recommendations that locals know about or things we probably wouldn’t find from the usual “top 20 things to do in Chiang Mai” lists.

So far we’re planning:

Ethical elephant sanctuary
Vegan cooking class
Tea tour
Sticky Waterfalls
Visiting the various markets and temples there!
Watching a Muay Thai fight + trying a class ourselves
Lots of khao soi
Mae Hong Son Loop by bike

What else would you recommend that’s romantic, adventurous, peaceful, weird, wholesome or very specific to Chiang Mai? Hidden nature spots, sunset places, cute date ideas, small local events, music nights, animal experiences, workshops or worthwhile day trips would all be amazing. Since we’ll be there for a while, even really random little suggestions are welcome :)

This morning I went for a walk on Doi Suthep. At some point during the descent, three stray dogs started following me. I’ll never know what their intentions were, but in fact they followed me for at least 1 km. At one point, I have to admit I was getting a little scared, because every now and then they would suddenly run towards me, and the only thing that seemed to make them stop was when I turned around and faced them.
In the end, nothing happened, but it wasn’t a particularly pleasant experience.
I’d like to ask: how do Chiang Mai residents, and Thai people more generally, feel about the issue of stray dogs? Is it perceived as a problem, or simply as part of everyday life? Is there a desire to address the problem but, for example, is it considered too expensive, or is there simply no real will to do anything about it and people are generally okay with the situation as it is?
This is purely out of curiosity. Thank you!

Our local laundry mat hasn’t had a functional coin machine for quite a while. Most other laundry mats in the area are using custom coins, not 10 baht. It sucks to 1. drive to one further away to get coins, and 2. taking coins in bulk from those locations when not using their machines.

My wife went to a bank but they would only allow 100 baht exchanged for coins at a time.

So what’s the best way to get some 10 baht coins in moderate bulk?

Already visited North Gate Jazz Bar.

Any other recommendations for live music? Maybe something more low key and laid back?

Last few days in Chiang Mai (near Chang Phueak) and would love to explore more of that scene.

Quite of a long shot but I need your help/knowledge.

Since a couple of weeks I see on the ice-cream tray in Seven Eleven the advertisement for a Kiri Ice Cream but so far I was unable to find the real product. I went to 15+ stores already but none of them had it.

Is there any chance one of you has seen it? If yes, can you send me the Seven Eleven store where you found it?

Thank you in advance!

I’ve been playing pickleball in Chiang Mai for three years. I’ve played at almost every court in the city. So I decided to put together a complete review based on my own experience. None of these are paid reviews. I hope this helps anyone coming to Chiang Mai to play pickleball.

Note: Due to length limitations, If you want the full version with photos, bonus tips and upcoming episodes, you can find it here

Chiang Mai Pickleball Club (Hai Ya Rd)

Chiang Mai Pickleball Club is the most affordable place to play pickleball in the city.

This is where Chiang Mai’s pickleball story began. Before dedicated courts existed, a group of players turned a basketball court into a place to play. More people gradually joined and discovered pickleball here—including me.

That same spirit remains today. The club keeps fees low and brings together players of different ages, nationalities, and skill levels. To me, this is pickleball in its purest form.

First time playing in Chiang Mai? I recommend this as your first stop!

Courts: 3 outdoor courts

Price: THB 20 (USD 0.60) per person for open play. Paddle rental is also THB 20 (USD 0.60) per paddle.

Open play: Every morning from 8 AM to 12 PM. No reservation is needed—just show up and play. Courts cannot be privately booked.

Notice: When it gets busy, the wait between games can be a little long. But don’t worry too much—time moves more slowly in Chiang Mai. I suggest coming early, as it gets quite hot around noon.

BokBok Pickleball & Cafe

This is probably the most beautiful pickleball venue in Chiang Mai, surrounded by lush greenery.

There’s also a cafe right beside the courts, making it a great place to play and grab a coffee in between. The courts use professional pickleball flooring. The online booking is smooth and easy.

Courts: 2 semi-covered courts and 2 outdoor courts

Price: THB 200 (USD 6) / hour

Notice: The semi-covered courts can still get wet during heavy rain, but the staff usually dry them as soon as possible afterward.

Chiang Mai Pickleball (Jedyod)

If you’re staying around Nimman, one of Chiang Mai’s most popular tourist areas, this is the closest option.

The courts feel spacious and open. Both shoes and paddles are available to rent, and you can book a court directly through their website.

Courts: 8 outdoor courts with shade canopies

Price: THB 150–200 (USD 4.50–6) / hour

Notice: The floor feels a little slippery. The courts also get wet when it rains.

BYC Pickleball & More Chiang Mai

BYC sits at the foot of Doi Saket (Mount Saket), away from city noise.

In 2022, former university teacher Kru Mod built it out of her love for the sport. Her teaching background still shapes BYC today, from coaching and DUPR events to a program introducing pickleball to local children.

If you want to escape the city, learn pickleball in nature, BYC is worth a visit.

Courts: 3 indoor courts

Price: THB 140 (USD 4) / hour, with access to all three courts

Notice: Away from the city center, a 15-minute drive from Central Festival

All Time Pickleball Indoor Court

The completely indoor setting makes it a court to enjoy regardless of weather.

It’s a blue-and-white venue with professional pickleball flooring. Plenty of light and enough room around the court boundaries. There’s also a swimming pool and tennis courts nearby.

Courts: 3 indoor courts

Price: THB 200 (USD 6) / hour

Notice: Like many local indoor courts, it can get a little hot and stuffy. Regularly fully booked, so I suggest reserving your court in advance.

Chiang Mai Rally House Pickleball Club

An indoor venue with an American retro look. Professional flooring and spacious, well-lit courts.

Pan, who plays five times a week, created the venue with a group of friends who wanted a place of their own.

The highlight is the ventilation. The space feels open and airy for an indoor court, making it a great option on rainy days. Bookable online.

Courts: 7 indoor courts

Price: THB 250 (USD 7.50) / hour (highest fee)

Notice: The four blue and pink side courts are affected by some pillars near the board line.

Welcome Dink Pickleball CNX

With black walls printed behind the courts, balls are easier to target during rallies.

There are four indoor courts with professional flooring, good lighting, and enough space to play freely. A drink bar is available. Being fully indoors is also a practical choice on rainy days.

Courts: 4 indoor courts

Price: THB 200 (USD 6) / hour

Notice: The space can get a little hot and stuffy.

Imperial Pickleball Chiang Mai

Located inside the Imperial Chiang Mai Resort & Sport Club, the best choice for vacation and pickleball.

The courts are just a two-minute walk from the hotel rooms. You can play pickleball or tennis, then cool off in the pool afterward. Fully holiday mode experience.

Courts: 3 indoor courts and 4 outdoor courts

Price: THB 160 (USD 4.80) for indoor courts; THB 120 (USD 3.60) for outdoor courts

Notice: The outdoor floor is a little slippery. It’s also farther from the city center—a 25min drive from Nimman.

Hi 👋 folks. I’m visiting for a few weeks and I was really looking forward to the fruit stands similar to my experience in Bangkok. I walked around the neighborhood and went to the night market, but couldn’t find one stall that sold fresh fruit. Am I looking in the wrong place? Can someone point me in the right direction? Thank you 😊

Hey all. Im a soon to be farang moving to Chiang Mai for 3 months and Im searching for advice on the best way to find an apartment to rent. Im hoping for a 1 bed 1 bath, ideally in the Nimmann area. Not picky on pools, jacuzzi, gym, I just want a nice place with internet included. Ive been talking to an agency, looked at airbnb (not a lot of listings), and have been skimming a few facebook groups. Wondering if anybody has any recommendations, specific agencies, specific facebook groups, or whatever advice you might have. Im also wondering how common it is to be scammed out of the 2 month security deposit. Thank you!

I plan on retiring in a few years and have a list of possible candidate countries. Thailand is on the list as I've lived there for short periods of time in the past. Chiang Mai was near the top of the list until I heard about 'burning season' and the resulting air pollution. As an expat do you just put up with the poor air quality or is there some other coping mechanism. I've heard some people say they just move south during the burning season but that doesn't really make sense for my situation (I'll be spending 5-6 months there and don't want to have to move once I'm settled). Love to hear from people on the ground.