Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Hillside temple above the city, reached by a long stairway or a funicular, with a gilded chedi and wide views over Chiang Mai. Visitors dress modestly and remove shoes in the shrine areas.
Chiang Mai
Hundreds of temples, night bazaars, mountain trips and an old walled centre characterise this cool northern city.
Attractive locations
Wat Chedi Luang
Temple in the old city centred on a massive brick chedi, partly ruined by an earthquake centuries ago. It is said to have once housed the Emerald Buddha, and monks still live on the grounds.
Wat Phra Singh
Major temple in the old city, a fine example of northern Thai style with layered roofs. A small chapel holds old murals, and a revered Buddha image is kept in the grounds.
Wat Umong
Forest temple at the foot of Doi Suthep, known for old tunnels with Buddha images and for its quiet wooded grounds with a pond. A calm contrast to the temples inside the old city.
Tha Phae Gate
Restored brick gate in the eastern wall of the old city, a recognised landmark and common starting point for walks around the moat. Events and markets often take place in the square outside.
Doi Inthanon
Thailand's highest mountain, rising above forested hills south-west of Chiang Mai. The summit area, twin royal pagodas, waterfalls and cool air draw visitors to the national park around it.
Wat Chiang Man
Said to be the oldest temple in Chiang Mai's old city, founded by King Mengrai in the 1290s. Its chedi is supported by a ring of stone elephants, and the grounds are quiet.
Airports
Chiang Mai International Airport CNX
It is about 3 km in a straight line from Chiang Mai.
Lampang Airport LPT
It is about 80 km in a straight line from Chiang Mai.
Mae Hong Son Airport HGN
It is about 120 km in a straight line from Chiang Mai.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Thailand page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan19.3 °C15 mm
- Feb21.7 °C5 mm
- Mar24.6 °C23 mm
- Apr27.1 °C63 mm
- May25.8 °C189 mm
- Jun25.0 °C141 mm
- Jul24.3 °C178 mm
- Aug23.8 °C237 mm
- Sep23.6 °C222 mm
- Oct22.7 °C123 mm
- Nov20.8 °C37 mm
- Dec18.9 °C13 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Dec. Wettest months: May, Aug, Sep.
Costs
Prices here are about 31% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
festival
Yi Peng & Loy Krathong lantern festival
Hotels book out and prices climb for this event, one of the largest the country holds annually, so plan early.
festival
Yi Peng & Loy Krathong lantern festival
Hotels book out and prices climb for this event, one of the largest the country holds annually, so plan early.
Who can help
Emergency
Tourist police 1155 (English). Emergency 191. Ambulance 1669.
local government
Tourist Police Bureau
Helps with: Thai police bureau set up to protect visitors and their belongings. Its hotline 1155 gives information and help to tourists, runs 24 hours a day and supports eight languages.
Who qualifies: Tourists and other foreign visitors anywhere in Thailand.
Phone: 1155
Email: [email protected]
Address: 999 Moo 1, Suvarnabhumi 4 Road, Nong Prue, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan 10540
local government
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Helps with: Thailand's national tourism body. Its Travel Buddy call centre 1672 gives travel information and help to visitors, and its website takes complaints and suggestions.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Thailand or planning a trip there.
Phone: 1672
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1600 Phetchaburi Rd., Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
local government
Tourist Assistance Center (Ministry of Tourism and Sports)
Helps with: The tourism ministry's assistance centre for visitors. It offers help in the aftermath of natural disasters, assault, accidents and other distress.
Who qualifies: Tourists in Thailand who have had an accident, been attacked or are otherwise in trouble.
Phone: 0 2134 4077
ngo
Thai Red Cross Society
Helps with: Thailand's national Red Cross society. It provides medical and health care services, the blood transfusion service, and disaster preparedness and relief for people affected by disasters.
Who qualifies: People in Thailand who need its medical, blood or disaster relief services.
Phone: +66 2256 4032
Address: Terd Prakiet Sodej Phra Yanna Sangworn Building, 1871 Henry Dunant Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Thailand
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Thailand it works to save lives and protect people on the move, including vulnerable migrants and people affected by trafficking, such as into scam centres.
Who qualifies: Migrants in Thailand, especially vulnerable migrants and people affected by trafficking. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +66 2-343-9300
Email: [email protected]
Address: 18th Floor, Rajanakarn Building, 3 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
embassy
Foreign embassies and consulates in Thailand (official list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The Thai foreign ministry's Diplomatic and Consular List (April 2026) gives each mission's address and phone; some are based abroad.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.
local government
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM)
Helps with: Thailand's national department for disaster prevention and relief. Its hotline 1784 is the national contact line for disaster situations.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Thailand affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 1784
Address: 3/12 U-thong Nok Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300
local government
Emergency number 191 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 191
local government
Ambulance emergency number 1669
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 1669
local government
Fire emergency number 199
Helps with: Reaches the fire service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 199