Thailand - Chiang Mai

Our Thailand trip was not reminiscent of the Hangover movie series. Instead, we had Mohit's parents fly from India to meet us there! Although we flew in and out of Bangkok, we only got to spend a few hours there. The majority of our time was split between Chiang Mai and Krabi. Thanks to Arm for maximizing our time in Bangkok and having us experience two incredible dinners and a quick tour of the city!

We chose Chiang Mai so that we could get out of the big capital cities and try to experience more of the local culture. They also have a kickass Le Meridian hotel so that definitely helped. Here's a quick summary of what we did, followed by advice, fun facts, and some of our favorite pictures.

• General walking inside "the moat" and visiting temples.
• Drive up to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
• Night bazaar
• Touristy foot massages
• Real foot massages
• Favorite meals: Cooking Love and food stalls at the South gate of the moat

Things to know if you visit

• Things are pretty cheap in Chiang Mai. Meals should not cost more than 250 THB per person, including a beer.
• Get an international driving permit if you want to drive and be on the safe side of the law. The renting company won't check, they'll give you a rental with an American license. The cop will probably care.
• Plenty of tourists rent scooters to get around at about 200 THB a day. Plenty also get hurt. We decided to rent a car for 1000 THB (~$33) a day since it was safer and cost efficient for four people.
• The red pickup truck / group taxis are a good way to get around. For 20 THB per person, you can get anywhere within the city. Just point on the map you get from your hotel.
• A lot of the day time activities are located inside "the moat". The night market is right under the Le Meridian hotel and the food stalls are at the edges of the moat.
• The Le Meridian executive suite is the best hotel room we've ever stayed at (and only 4000 SPG a night!) Definitely stay there is you can. The Westin Singapore sea view suite for 12000 SPG a night was a very close second.
• There's a ton of laundry shops around town that cost just 40 THB per kg of wash, dry, and fold. Check if the shop sprays the clothes with perfume afterwards. If so, ask them not to because its pretty darn strong.

Fun facts

• Way too many tourists in Chiang Mai. In off season, we saw a group of hippies practicing the Brazilian dance/martial art called Capoeira in a park.
• Dance work out classes occur in the park in the Southwest corner of the moat in the evening. Great time for hilarious people watching.
• You can get a foot massage from giggling women at dozens of massage parlors on main streets for as low at 100 THB per half hour. Do some research for an actual professional place if you want a real massage for a slightly higher price.
• The hackysack type game we saw in Myanmar is also played in Chiang Mai but its actually with a volleyball net in the middle!
• We found the Cowboy Lady from Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown - Chiang Mai episode! The pork and rice was delicious but she's got too famous and outsourced her cooking to others... She just walks around now making bank.

Summary of Pictures

View of Chiang Mai from Le Meridien Lounge

The first temple stop for us and one of the oldest temples in the city Wat Chedi Luang

Naga stairs up to  Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Yes I can say that 5x in a row.

The ponchos go well with the golden

Tofu red curry at overpriced restaurant but it was worth it!

Why yes, yet another temple

Street side eating

We were in a mountainous region so Mohit got some fish off the street 

Night Bazaar = Fate caved in for "temple pants"

Should have made this a video. Hilarious dancing class in public park. 

Jade Buddha

We were surprised at how big Chiang Mai is

The moat around old town