Chiang Mai Information guide
Chiang Mai is a city built on the roots of a traditional heritage that
dig deep into the soil of time. It's a city with a beautiful cultural personality
of its own. In addition, it's been blessed with much majestic beauty in nature.
The people themselves are an unforgettable part of Chiang Mai.
Handicrafts of silk, silver and wood are timeless souvenirs for visitors from
all over the globe. Along with all this, a wide variety of accommodations, restaurants,
and entertainment all help to make Chiang Mai one of Thailand's prime tourist
attractions.
Location : Chiang Mai, 761 kms. by rail, approximately 700 kms. by road
north of Bangkok, with an area of 20,107.1 sq. ms., is Thailand's second largest
city and capital of the northern region.
Situated between north latitude 17-21 and east longitude 98-99, the province
of Chiang Mai is found in the upper area of Thailand's northern region. Chiang
Mai valley is 310 meters (1,027 feet) above sea level. The widest point of the
province measures 136 kms. (85 miles), and the longest 320 kms. (200 miles).
To the north, a 277 kms. (141.82 miles) stretch of mountains divides Chiang
Mai's northern districts of Fang and Mae Ai from Myanmar's (Burma's) Chiang
Tung (Shan) State. In certain areas, the Kok River also acts as a border between
Chiang Mai and Myanmar.
On the east, Chiang Mai is bordered by the Chiang Rai, Lampang, and Lamphun
provinces. The Mae Tuen River, Ream Mountain, and Luang Mountain separate Chiang
Mai's South from the province of Tak. Some portions of Chiang Mai's South also
border the Lamphun province. Tothe west, Chiang Mai is bordered by Mae Hong
Son province.
Distances from town to neighbouring districts
Chom Thong 58 kms. Mae Ai 58 kms.
Chiang Dao
68 kms. Wiang Haeng 68 kms.
Chai Prakan 13 kms. Samoeng 13 kms.
Doi Tao
121 kms. San Kamphaeng 121 kms.
Doi Saket
18 kms. San Sai 18 kms.
Fang 154 kms. San Pa Tong 154 kms.
Phrao 103 kms. Saraphi 103 kms.
Mae Chaem 156 kms. Hang Dong 156 kms.
Mae Taeng 40 kms. Om Koi 40 kms.
Mae Rim 8 kms. Hot 8 kms.
Mae Wang 35 kms. Mae On 35 kms.
Bo Sang Area Doi Inthanon Area Chiang Mai City Area
How to get there :
Car
a) From Bangkok drive on Highway No.1 (Phahonyothin) to Highway No.32 passing
the provinces of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, and Nakhon Sawan, then
take Highway No. 117 to Phitsanulok and drive on to Highway No. 11 to Lampang,
Lamphun and Chiang Mai. The route is 695 kilometres.
b) From Bangkok drive to Nakhon Sawan and then take Highway No. 1 passing Kamphaeng
Phet, Tak, Lampang, and Chiang Mai. The route is 696 kilometres8.
Bus
The 10-hour journey from Bangkok can be made on air-conditioned buses originating
from the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2), contact tel. 936 2852 for more information.
Buses leave for Chiang Mai several times a day from 8.00 to 21.00 hrs. In Chiang
Mai contact Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station, tel: 0 5324 2664.
There are services from Chaing Mai's Chang Phuak Bus Terminal to various districts
in Chiang Mai. Buses ply along the northern route (Highway No. 107) passing
through Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao, Chaiprakan, Fang and Mae Ai. Some buses
continue to Tha Ton. Local city buses ply between Chiang Mai and Lamphun on
Highway No. 106. Chang Phuak Bus Station tel: 0 5321 1586.
Train
The State Railways of Thailand operates daily services from Bangkok Railway
Station (Hua Lamphong). Trains leave for Chiang Mai 6 times a day from 8.00-22.00
hrs. For more information, contact tel. 1690, 223 7010, 223 7020. Chiang Mai
Railway Station, tel. 0 5324 2094.
Air
From October 20,2003, Phuket Air offers 2 daily shuttle service flights from
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai with YS-11 aircaft. The journey takes only 40 minutes
and the flights time are available at 07.30 and 18.00 hrs. For more information,
call Bangkok Office 66 2679-8999 or Chiang Mai Office 66 5392 2118-9 or view
at www.phuketairlines.com
Thai Airways has numerous daily flights servicing the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route.
In addition, they have daily flights connecting Chiang Mai with Mae Hong Son,
Chiang Rai, and Phuket. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at
Reservations by Phone 24 Hrs: Tel : 66 2628 2000, Chiang Mai office at tel.
66 5321 1044-7, or view their website at www.thaiairways.com
Bangkok Airways has 2 daily flights connecting Chiang Mai with Bangkok. In
addition, they have daily flights servicing the Chiang Mai-Sukhothai route.
For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel: +66(0)265 5678 For
Reservation tel: +66(0)265 5555 or E-mail: reservation@bangkokair.co.th
Topography
A large part (69.31%) of Chiang Mai's land is covered by mountains and forests.
These generally run in a north-south pattern through the province and give birth
to several streams and tributaries (such as the Mae Jam, Mae Ngud, and Mae Klang)
which in turn feed important rivers and irrigation canals (such as the Muang
and Faay) which provide the water necessary to Chiang Mai's agriculture. Chiang
Mai's largest and most important river is the Ping, which originates in the
mountains of Chiang Dao and flows southward for 540 kilometers (337.5 miles).
It is along the banks of this river that Chiang Mai's flat, fertile valley atea
lies. Chiang Mai is also home to Inthanon Mountain, which stands 2,575 meters
(8,448 feet) above sea level and is Thailand's highest mountain.
Climate
Cool Season : (late October to end of Februry). average temperature 21? C and
much cooler at night. The colest months are December and January. Hot Season
: (early March to end of May) Average temperature 29.9? C. The hottest month
is April.
Rainy Season : (early June to end of October). Average temperature 25.5? C.
The wettest month is September.
Population
With a population of 1,547,085 Chiang Mai is one of Thailand's largest provinces.
Of the above number, 170,348 are currently living in Chiang Mai's city area
with the rest distributed throughout Chiang Mai's 21 districts, 2 sub-districts.
80% of the people in Chiang Mai are locals by birth, and speak a sialext that
is a slight variation of the central Thai language. The remaining 20% is made
up of Thai nationals and foreigners who have moved to Chiang Mai to work, study,
or retire.
There are many hilltribe people living in the mountainous districts surrounding
Chiang Mai such as Omkoi, Mae Jam.
Chiang Dao, and Mae Ai. Statistics reported by the Tribal Research Institute
of Chiang Mai stated that in the year 1992 there were 1,049 hilltribe villages
in the Chiang Mai province, constituting a total of 174,195 people. Of this
amount, 106,116 were from the Karen tribe, 27,392 from the Lahu (Musur) tribe,
17,198 from the Hmong (Meo) tribe, 10,873 form the Lisu tribe, 8,862 from the
Lua tribe, 2,609 from the Akha tribe, 1,145 from the Mien (yao) tribe, and 485
from the Palong tribe. The hilltribe people are agricultural; planting fields,
raising animals, and hunting for a living. Since each tribe has its own culture
and language, they blanket the hills of Chiang Mai with an interesting patchwork
quilt of diverse variety.
The majority (80%) of the Chiang Mai people earn a living through agriculture
and agricultural related professions. The second largest vocation is tourism
and its directly and indirectly related jobs. General commerce and industry-mainly
in the form of handicrafts, and of processing agricultural products-are the
two other major professions in which the Chiang Mai people are involved.
Orientation
Located in north western Thailand, old Chiang Mai is a neat square bounded by
moats and partial walls. Th Moon Muang, along the east moat, is the centre for
inexpensive accommodation and places to eat. Th Tha Phae, the main street, runs
from the moat here at the main square east and over Mae Nam Ping (River). Here
it changes its name to Th Charoen Meuang and passes the post office and train
station almost 3km (1.8mi) from the eastern city moat. Bus stations linking
Chiang Mai to southern Thailand and international capitals are located at various
points around the city. The Chiang Pheuak terminal (a 2 minute walk from the
north moat) links the city to other places within Chiang Mai province, while
the Chiang Mai Arcade terminal (north east of the city, just off Thanon Kaew
Nawarat) is the main link to destinations further afield
Events
The week-long Winter Fair at the end of December is a great festival, as is
the April Songkran Water Festival. The highlight of Chiang Mai's festivals,
however, is the Flower Carnival in February, which features parades, floats,
music and traditional cultural events. Chinese New Year falls in late January
or early February, and is celebrated throughout Thailand. Some other of Thailand's
seemingly endless list of public holidays include Chakri Day (6 April), Coronation
Day (5 May), Constitution Day (10 December) and several holidays celebrating
the birthdays of current and former kings and queens.
Activities
Most people - Thais and foreigners alike - come to Chiang Mai for shopping bargains,
and for a taste of traditional northern culture. Chiang Mai is also a great
place to cycle around, and - especially pleasant on hot days - there are plenty
of swimming facilities. For those wanting to relax Thai massage, yoga and Hindu
meditation are popular pursuits.
Getting There
Chiang Mai's airport takes regular traffic from Thailand's major cities (including
seven daily flights from Bangkok), as well as from other regional centres, including
Kunming, Singapore, Hong Kong, Yangon and Kuala Lumpur. The small airport is
well-equipped, with restaurants, visitor information, gift shops and ATMs.
Buses also plough the route between Bangkok and Chiang Mai several times a
day. The trip takes between 10 and 12 hours, depending on the money you pay.
Twenty-five other destinations in Thailand are also served by buses, most of
which depart and arrive from the Chiang Mai Arcade bus terminal. Trains also
connect Chiang Mai to her southern capital.
Getting Around
Linking the airport to the city are two legal airport taxi services. Pick up
a ticket near baggage claim and present it to a taxi driver outside the terminal.
The airport is only about 3km (1.8mi) from the city centre. Heading back to
the airport, the cheapest option is a t?k-t?k or red songthaew.
In 1997, Chiang Mai cancelled all bus services, so now most residents get about
in songthaews or on bicycle or motorcycle. If you're really adventurous, you
can always rent yourself a car, jeep, motorcycle or mini-van. Look into the
insurance deals offered by the different companies, and try to ask around before
signing on the dotted line.
The best way to get around is bicycle. They are cheap to hire, environmentally
conscious, give the lungs a workout and can be rented conveniently from many
guesthouses and along the east moat. There are also hordes of swngthew (mini
buses), t?k t?ks and Saml?w which are cheap enough but contribure to unnecessary
traffic congestion and pollution.
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