Ask a Local — Post Any Chiang Mai or Thailand Question Here

[don]

This is the open question thread. No question is too basic.

Members of this forum have lived in and around Chiang Mai for years — some of us have been on this board since 2011. If you are planning a trip, already here, or deciding whether to stay longer, ask.

Things people ask most

• Is it safe to walk at night? (Generally yes, in the areas tourists use.)
• When is burning season and how bad is it? (Roughly February to April. It is real. Check the AQI before booking.)
• Do I need to book a massage in advance? (Rarely, except at well-known spas on weekends.)
• Can I drink the tap water? (No. Bottled or filtered water everywhere. Ice in restaurants is factory-made and fine.)
• How much cash should I carry? (1,000 to 2,000 THB a day covers food, transport and a massage comfortably.)
• Is Grab better than a taxi? (Almost always, yes — the price is fixed in advance.)

You do not need to register to reply. Guests can post in this board. Write in English — someone will answer.

Tell us: when are you arriving, how long are you staying, and what is the one thing you are unsure about?