Chiang Mai and the North – The Practical Guide (2026-2027 Edition)

Northern Thailand without the stress: the practical, up-to-date guide to planning your trip and making the most of it on the ground.

Golden temples and misty mountains, night markets and khao soi, elephants, Pai, the Mae Hong Son Loop and Chiang Rai: this guide gathers everything you need to know before you go and once you are there, with prices in baht, opening hours and the traps to avoid. Information checked in October 2026.

Inside, in 21 chapters:

• Planning your trip: seasons, the burning season and air quality, visa and TDAC, money, budget, festivals (Yi Peng, Loy Krathong, Songkran, Flower Festival)

• Getting to Chiang Mai by plane, night train or bus, and getting around: red songthaews, Grab, scooters, car hire

• Where to stay, neighbourhood by neighbourhood

• The Old City, Nimman, the Ping River and the great temples

• Doi Suthep, Doi Pui, Mae Rim, San Kamphaeng and Bo Sang

• Markets, Walking Streets, northern food and Michelin Guide picks

• Elephants, nature, treks and activities

• Going out and relaxing: bars, live music, Muay Thai, massages

• Doi Inthanon, Chiang Dao, Pai and the Mae Hong Son Loop

• Chiang Rai, the White Temple, the Blue Temple and the Golden Triangle

• Itineraries from 3 to 10 days, with children, without a car or by motorbike

• Etiquette, safety, health and the 2026 laws

• Thai phrasebook (with a few northern words) and practical directory: emergencies, hospitals, consulates, immigration

4 original maps, prices in baht, practical tips.

By Mr Schaka, a Belgian author who spends part of the year in Thailand, also the author of Bangkok, Pattaya and Hua Hin – The Practical Guide.

PDF ebook, 147 pages, readable on computer, tablet and smartphone.