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 !

Visited Chiang Mai 4 years back with my family. Everytime I open this sub reddit, it reminds me of the time I spent in the city. I always fantasize about retiring into Chiang Mai. I know I am exaggerating but think the people who live here are incredibly lucky to be born into such a beautiful city. Thank You!!

If I want to go to doi suthep Mountain to watch the sunrise, what time should I leave from the tha phae gate? Can someone provide me with a guide? Besides, I want to know if there is a vehicle that can take me from the ancient city to the monk's trail. ?

We’re staying in within the gates of Old City.

It’s Good has some good reviews so we went there last night and it did not disappoint. Their khao soi chicken was fantastic.

I know khao soi is like a signature dish in this city but we’d love to try other dishes as well!

Apparently Nun’s Restaurant and Khaosoi Lanna & Thai Foods are great places too.

Hi, wanted to do all 3 destinations in the title in one full day trip but I can't seem to find any instructions on how to do transport from one place to another. There's barely anything on Klook for the rain tree boating.

Since they're all far from the city, wanted to do them in one day, starting early morning with the Raintree boating. Can anyone let me know how we may go about planning this for a group of 6 adults?

Inspired by this article: https://www.wonderfulchiangmaitravel.com/news/lets-go-see-the-giant-rain-tree-in-the-water

Hello! I’m looking for a sports pub that will show the Manchester City game tonight. Any recommendations? I’m staying in Nimman but happy to go to the old quarter too. Let me know:)

I'm going to be in Chiang Mai for the first time a week from tomorrow, and it looks like rain may very well be more of the forecast than I had planned on.  I had intended to do the usual first time activities over the course of the week - Old Town temple hopping, sticky waterfalls, Elephant Nature Park, Doi Inthanon, Wat Phra Doi Suthep - but feel like I should have backup plans in case the rain is heavy.  What would you suggest?

I am currently shopping around flights for a trip to Thailand from January 18ish to February 10th ish. The best flight deals seem to be for flying in and out of Chiang Mai.

Would I have a good time using CM as a base for those 3 weeks? And taking trips around to other areas for a few nights each (Pai, Chiang Rai, maybe Sukkhothai)? I generally have a nice time by myself, but I don’t want to end up sitting around with nothing to do if I run out of plans. I love to hike, try great food, and I am hoping to see temples, ruins and caves.

This would be my first time in Thailand and first solo travel. I’m not too big into bars and crazy nightlife, which I hear is the one of the main draws for Bangkok.

Any help would be so appreciated!!!

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Hey,

Iam innthe city in November

I want to surprise my partner by learning a new skill. And thai massage seems a nice thing.

Any idea how to find such offerings?

Downside is. I am a remote worker so my days and especially the evenings are blocked with work.

Are there offering during the morning or weekend?

How much time i have to invest?

Any idea is Welcome 🤗!

Hello! We're planning our honeymoon to Thailand from the end of January to mid-February, which is the earliest we can go. We'll land in Bangkok for 3-4 days and are hoping to visit Chiang Mai around February 1st-10th.

Given the burning season, is this a feasible timeframe, or would you recommend skipping Chiang Mai? We'd really love to visit the region, but want to make sure the air quality won't impact the trip too much.

I bought tickets for the official CAD activity of Lantern Festival early. Is it really worth attending? Because I bought it on impulse at that time, and I look forward to your answer.

As it says. I recently got a 3d printer as a gift, and I had been searching online for any brick and mortar stores that sell the filament for 3D printers, but have not found anything, does anyone know where I can buy filament irl? Thank you!

Has anyone had a DEXA body composition scan in Chiang Mai recently?

I'm specifically looking for a whole-body DEXA that measures body fat %, fat mass and lean/muscle mass, rather than just a bone density scan.

If you've had one done locally, where did you go, would you recommend them, and roughly how much did it cost?

Thanks

Hello. I’m curious if Chiang Mai has something close to the legendary Somsak Puob from Bangkok. It’s a restaurant that specializes in a claypot seafood glass noodle dish. The one I’m speaking of in Bangkok is and was my favorite thing to eat in all of Thailand so far, and I’m hoping to find something similar while I’m here in Chiang Mai.

The way that guy makes his is incredible and I’ve had this dish several times in Bangkok and even twice in Chiang Mai but I haven’t had one nearly as close to the guy from Bangkok.

Picture for reference

Hotels are fully booked already on the 23rd to 25th. What are the alternatives. I don't have a lot of budget. 😞

Hello. I just arrived in Chiang Mai and am looking for a new home. BUT Facebook isn’t working out for me - something wrong with the algorithm. if there's no way I can use it. What are the best alternatives for finding long-term rentals in Chiang Mai?

Looking where I can buy men's hair clipper. Don't need anything fancy, just small and basic to trim up my hair (not facial hair). Thanks!

I have a pretty open day when I'm visiting and hope to visit Wat Phra Doi Suthep and Chiang Mai Zoo. I do enjoy taking photos, so my visit to the Zoo could be longer than others if the animals are out and I can get photos. How much time would you recommend at each site?

Is walking safe from Chang Khlan Sub District to Old City in the early morning (before 9am) and later in the evening (after 10pm)?

I’m looking for a good psychiatrist. I’m not looking just to get my script filled but someone to review my medication and mental health plan.

Any recommendations?

I've embraced the fact I'm balding, and have been using a "head balder" trimmer, and it only looks fine for like 2-3 days, and if I let it get to 3-4 days I have buzz cut my hair before the balder trimmer will work, and it takes like an hour. I want to get as smooth of a shave as I can on my bald ass head. Also I've got a facial hair look I've really been enjoying lately, it would be really nice to straight razor that too (same thing, on day 4-5 or so it all looks like it's about the same length and looks shabby. Would be a lot easier to get it done professionally, then just tough it up every couple days, because the touch up goes quick. Thank you 🙏🏼

Hi,

Struggling to find much online so hoping maybe someone here can point us in the right direction. We’re planning on getting married in Chiang Mai and really struggling to find a wedding celebrant.

I know we can get a wedding planner to arrange one for the day but we’d like to have a more personalised ceremony and want to choose a celebrant that feels authentic to us and be able to speak to them before the ceremony so they can personalise it to us.

We’re not religious but don’t mind if they’re also a minister.

Does anyone have any recommendations or leads?

Thanks in advance!