Bookstores

• DK Books on the outer rim of the east side of the moat and Suriwong Book Store on the southeast corner of the moat are good places to find teaching materials and novels in English.  
• B2S has several locations including 4^th floor of Robinson’s at Airport Plaza and 3^rd floor of Central Dept. Store at Kad Suan Kaew. 
• CLC Bookstore (Christian Literature Crusade) (053-240-447 or 080-494-0772 for English) opened a new store in December 2010 at 276/10 Tung Hotel Road with an expanded English language section including many popular authors.  There are also Bibles and Christian gift items and music for sale. 
• Sinai Christian Books is on Hwy 1001 (heading toward San Sai) on the left side just after the intersection with the  second ring road.  Parking is available right in front of the store.  Hours 10 am - 8 pm Monday to Saturday.  English, Thai and tribal products, Bibles, books, music and great gifts.  (053-350-230 or 0871769567)
• Used Book Stores – there are numerous used bookstores in and around the old city.  Gecko Books has several locations near Tha Pae Gate.
• Silkworm Books (by the domestic arrivals area at the airport) has some interesting local interest books.

Churches

There are 6 English language fellowships held weekly in the Chiang Mai area. 

For a morning service you are welcome to attend Chiang Mai Christian Fellowship which meets on Sunday mornings at 10:00am at the Campus Crusade Facility in Muu Ban Sri Anan, behind Tepbanya Hospital #2 on the north side of the city.  This interdenominational, multi-cultural church offers contemporary worship and strong Biblical teaching.  Child care is available along with Sunday school for children up through 6^th grade.  Please find a map with directions at their web page www.thaiconnections.org.  For more information contact Pastor Tim Dunham at 081 952 2205, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Gathering is an evangelical fellowship that offers blended worship music, practical Bible teaching and a strong family atmosphere. They meet at 10:30 each Sunday morning on the 5th floor of the Lotus Hotel (Pang Suan Kaew) near the Central Mall. They offer child-care through age 5 and Children's Church for Kindergarten through grade 2. Contact the Gathering Leadership Team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ,'; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text58347); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or  Pastor Dan Dougherty at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 082-187-1182.

The House of Praise international church meets at the COC complex at 78 Santisuk Rd, Chiang Mai (the street next to Chiang Mai Grandview Hotel on the Super Highway). With several services; English 9:00 am - 10.30 am, with Kids Church Program for 3-12 y/o's plus a creche for the little ones during the service. Nursing mothers room available. Thai service: 10 am - 12 noon. Burmese service: 11.30 am - 2.00 pm. Youth (Phenomena) Friday nights 6.30 pm - 9.00 pm (13 - 18 yrs) contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Tuesday Ladies Bible Study: 7.30 pm - 9 pm in Koolapunt 8, Wednesday Discipleship Training: 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm, Young adults (every 2nd Wed): 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Vision Impartation and Prayer (2nd Sunday of every month): 6.00 pm - 8 pm. The church combines passionate worship, Impacting teaching to build and encourage families and ministries, and great fellowship. For more information, contact Pastor Jonathan and Judy Vickers; church office 053-212-904; cell 089-555-1310 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Check out www.cochouseofpraise.com for more information as well as a map

The Vineyard Community Chiang Mai focuses on small groups with an emphasis on worship and prayer (in English).  Sunday afternoon services are from 4 to 6 PM —all are welcome!  They also organize worship events and training seminars for the larger Body of Christ in the city. For more information and directions check their website http://vccm-th.org, or call Norbert Bauer 089-5566742.

For evening services, the Chiang Mai Community Church offers a service beginning at 4:30 PM at the Chiang Mai First Thai Church located diagonally across from the Riverside Restaurant near the Nawarat Bridge.  There is a nursery and Sunday school program through grade 6 as well as a youth program.  For more information, contact the church office (053-244-820 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )  The web site is www.cmcchurch.org

For Catholic services, Seven Fountains (97 Huay Gaew Road) has English services led by Father David /Olivier on Sunday mornings at 9:30am (main church) as well as weekday mass at 6pm (small chapel in Building 2). Call the office 053-211-076 or 053-892-545 for more information.  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .   Father Paul E. Pollock( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) leads silent retreats—call him for more info.  The website is www.thesevenfountains.org

There are 4 Korean churches:

• Charen Tham Church: 202 Moo 7, World Club Land Contact Pastor: Doyun Chung 053-839-557, 081-724-1289.
• Chiang Mai Central Church: Contact Pastor: Sun Kuk Kim 158-2 Moo.1 T. Tasara A. Muang Chiangmai 50000 T: 053-850-506,  089-560-0225 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , www.club.cyworld.com/cmcentral.
• Chiang Mai Korean Union Church/Lent World Church
• Chiang Mai Mission Church (Sunday morning service at Sojos in World Club Land) Contact Pastor- Gyu Ho Jeong 086-187-6088.

** A German fellowship meets every Sunday afternoon in the McClanahan Hall at the McKean Rehabilitation Center. We meet and greet at 15:30 (3:30pm) with coffee and tea and church starts at 16:30.  There is a special program for children.  Please email for details: Daniel & Anja Katzmarzik This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.christenchiangmai.com   or phone: 0884080801 (Daniel), 0839454431 (Friedhelm)

**A Japanese fellowship meets at Chiang Mai Chinese Church on Faham, in the new building, 3rd floor. Sunday morning 10:30-12:00.  Contact Pastor Rev. Nojiri at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Crafts

Central Department Store has a small section on the top floor.  The Warorot market has fabric, yarn and basic sewing notions, as well as several shops that sell cross-stitch items.  If you take along a sample of what you want and point, people are very helpful at directing you towards the correct shop.

Computer Stores

There is a computer complex called Computer Plaza located at the northwest corner of the moat for most of your computer needs.  Be aware that much of the software available are pirated copies.  Another suggestion is IT Center on the 4^th floor of Central (Kad Suan Kaeo).  This store is holds the largest inventory of computer supplies.  Pantip Plaza is a computer shopping center with 4 partially occupied floors of computer shops.  The largest of these shops would be IT City on the 3rd floor.  The food court is also a good place to get a cheap rice meal.  Pantip Plaza is located at the south end of the Night Bazaar street right before you reach the street light intersection.  (There is underground parking around the back by Sojo's restaurant.)  For Apple/Macintosh, we recommend the Apple Centre (053-224-058/053-224-059 or call Khun Khongsak, one of the owners/managers at 081-764-2427) with 2 locations; one on Soi Fatanee near the Amari Rincome and the other is at Airport Plaza in the new wing on the 4^th floor. 

Need computer helps?  Itapon Ministry Group is a not-for-profit ministry that has been formed to provide information technology support to the Christian community.  Hardware and software, staff training, network planning—there is an expert that can help you.  Contact Surapol Luckanachai at (053-241-298) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Movaci Technology  - has expertise in computer applications, security, website hosting, as well as technical support.  English spoken & great service.  https://www.movaci.com/home

Internet Access

There are a number of places in Chiang Mai that offer coffee and Internet access.  Internet C@fe is located just across from McDonald’s in the same shopping complex on the road where the Night Bazaar is located.  There is also an internet coffee shop across the street from Central Mall on the bottom floor of the shopping complex.  Prices range from 1-5 baht per minute.  Also, there are several shops along ThaPhae Road with Internet signs.  Mail Box Express on Chang Klan road offers access at two baht per minute. 

Framing

An inexpensive framing store is located near the Warorot market on Chang Moi Road and can generally be finished in a few days.  A higher quality-framing store is located at the southwest corner of the moat and can also finish framing in a few days.  There are several shops near the corner of Bamrungrat and Kaow Nawarat that do excellent work.  (This is the same street as Thai Tribal Crafts and the British Consulate.)

Grocery Stores

Kasems, a small local import food grocery store, is located in 2 locations, the original (053-234-986) near the corner of Chang Moi Road and Rajchaweng Road.  Look for bread in the window.  The second store (053-400-112-3) is located on Nimanhammen near the Siam Commercial Bank.  You can buy baking goods, bulk spices, cake mixes, cereals and hard to find western products.  If you don’t find what you want—ask.  They are great at trying to locate that special ingredient.  Tops grocery stores are located at the bottom of Central Mall and Airport Plaza (and they will deliver your orders over B1000).  There are 4 Rim Ping Superstores that carry a variety of western food items, including cake mixes and frosting—even frozen blueberries!  One is located opposite Niyom Panich near Airport Plaza, another out the Mae Jo Road at the first ring intersection, the third is south of Chiang Mai Community Church along the river, and there is a small branch at Kad Farang near Hang Dong.  Chiang Mai also has several Superstores that sell everything: Makro (warehouse style—must get a member card or use their free one day passes, please note: they take only cash), Lotus and Big C.  In the Waworot Market, the large plastics store (appropriately called "Chiang Mai Plastics") sells household items and Ziploc-type bags—worth checking out!

Bakery Supply stores:  Chiang Mai Baker’s Mart (053-334-111) is jam-packed with anything you could possible want to bake with, including oats and flour at good prices, as well as nuts, specialty items and bake ware.  They now also carry molasses.  Open 8am-6:30pm.  Located at 104-8 Chiang Mai-Lampun Road.  UFM Outlet on Suthep Road in front of the market, next to the Top Charoen Optical Store—not fancy, but wholesale flour, butter, raisins etc.  Yok Yok Intertrade store specializes in all things related to baking – specialty flours, mixes, bulk pie filling, cake decorations and so much more.   They have a wide selection of quality utensils, bakeware and appliances (check out the 2nd floor too).   There is also a large section of materials for packaging baked goods.  All stock is well displayed.   Even if you aren’t a baker, this store is worth a visit.  It is located on the Super Highway, opposite Index. 

438/2 Chiang-Mai Lampang Rd.   (053-248-248)

Hairdressers

Salons are found in Airport Plaza and Central Mall.  Cut including shampoo is about 200 baht.  Permanents are 850 – 1000 baht.  Pon, a popular hairdresser for foreigners, is across from the Pornping Hotel at the Salon de Pon (081-992-6121). He is a bit pricier (B250/cut) but understands farang hair—and does coloring as well.  There is a salon run by a Christian on Tung Hotel called "Grace" that is also recommended.  Some are also using a shop in Koolpunt 5 called Eden.  Many like Wit who works at Hair Pro right beside the Rimping Supermarket in Kad Farang.  The phone numbers are 053-400-253  and  053-430-544 for an appointment.

Laundry

Most neighborhoods have individuals who have small shops that will wash and iron clothes that you drop off, and they charge by the piece.  Look for the placards, or ask a neighbor for direction.  The laundry service located on the night safari road opposite the feeder road into GIS does good service (even has a dryer).

For dry cleaning, several places have been recommended.  Changthai Dry Cleaning (053-277-530 084-949-1311) on the left 2 blocks down from AUA language school on Ratchadamnoern Road just past the stoplight.  Allow about a week for dry cleaning orders.  Super Clean Laundry and Dry Cleaner at 304/5 Lamphun road Phone 053-802-109 or 081-884-9474.  Perfect Dry Cleaning (053-234-555) has 3 locations—one behind Carrefour near the Germany Brewery, another in the Meechok Plaza (the plaza that has Rimping on the Mae Jo Road) near the Siam Commercial Bank, and a third one on Huay Kaew near the export shop (all branches take about a week though.).  American Laundry/Dry Cleaning on Huay Kaew Road (after the Shell station in that series of shop houses) does a good job inexpensively, and finally, Koolpunt 5 Laundry and Dry Cleaners (on the right near the front) was also recommended.  Tess Dry Cleaners in Chiang Mai Land, right on corner of first intersection when you enter CMLand from Mahidol Road. The nicer hotels (like Ratilanna and Chiang Mai Orchid) also have services but are reportedly quite expensive.

Libraries

Raintree Resource Center (053-262-660) located on Charoen Muang near the Nawarrat Bridge is open Mon, Tues, Thurs., Friday, Sat. from 10am-noon, Tuesday and Thursday from 3-5pm and Sundays from 3-4:15pm.  This free lending library has a wide range of English books for all ages, as well as an extensive DVD collection for loan.  The Well has a free library focusing on topics such as counseling, Christian living, member care as well as training resources. The catalog can be found at www.thewellcm.com/resources/the-well-library.

Local Transportation

Two forms of local transportation are the red pickup trucks, “song tiaws” and the three-wheel “Tuk-tuks.”  With either of these, you will need to bargain.  Song tiaws start at 10 baht and prices increase depending on distance.  To catch them, stand on the side of the road and hold your arm out.  Tell the driver where you want to go when he stops.  If he is going that way he will tell you to get in.  If you have a big group you can negotiate a price or rent the truck for longer periods of time. Song tiaws of different colors have routes to communities outside the city core, while the red song tiaws are willing to go anywhere.  Tuk-tuks are more expensive than song tiaws.  Tuk-tuks average around 30 - 60 baht. 

Metered taxis are also available.  They are B40 for the two km and then 4 baht/km after that with an extra charge if they pick you up at a set location.  You can also negotiate a price from location to location.  Phone 053-279-291 (they speak a little English).

City Bus—(053 259107-8) aircon, daily from 6 am to 10 pm B15 for a set route Route 2 Lamphun Road to 7th Field Artillery, Mae Rim Route 4 International Airport via Wualai & Charoenmuang roads to Carrefour Route 6 Around the Mahidol ring road. Route 8 Provincial Hall, Mae Rim to International Airport Route 10 Kwan Vieng Village, Hangdong Road to city center Route 11 Bus Arcade (Kaew Nawarat Rd) to Airport Plaza to Night Safari Route 12 Wiang Khum Gaam (Nong Hoy) to city moat to Chiang Mai University to Chiang Mai Zoo. Route 13 Train Station to Wat Pra Singh to Night Safari. For more information and color maps, call. 053-259-107-8

You can rent motorcycles along the inner rim of the East Side of the moat. You will need a passport and current driver’s license and approximately 150 baht/24 hours.  North Wheels for car rental has been recommended.  They are also located on the inner rim of the East Side of the moat, north of ThaPhae Gate.  Or you can call for free pickup and delivery at 053-216 189.  You’ll need your passport and the rate for a sedan is about 1,500 baht/24 hours.  If you rent for longer periods, they will give a better price (for example, one month is B28,000) Check their website northwheels.com.

Mailing

Airmail letters to North America weighing 10 grams or less cost 19 baht (18 baht to Europe) and 15 grams or less cost 28 baht.  For every 10 grams over 15, 9 baht is added.  (For those of us who do not think in grams, a postcard is 15 baht and a lightweight letter is usually 19 baht.)  For a few additional baht your letter can be sent with an EMS tracing number worldwide.   Recommended for important or valuable items. The Thai post offices also sell boxes for shipping.  Purchase first, then use a counter to address, and then take a number for your turn to be served.

When you are attaching your stamps to the envelopes, please do not lick them but wet the stamps on the sponge at the counter.  It is disrespectful to lick a stamp with the King’s picture on it.  They are then given back to the postal clerk to be mailed.

• Faxes and telegrams can also be sent from the Post Office. Postal service hours at most locations are 8.30 am – 4.30 pm, Monday – Friday, and Saturdays until 12 noon. Central Plaza and Central Airport Plaza offer postal services on Saturdays until 17:00 hoursMain Post Office, tel. 053 241070 (on the south side of Charoen Muang Raod about 200 meters west of the train station)
• Mae Ping Post Office (on the west bank of the river just north of the Nawarat Bridge). This is FOC’s Post Office, and opposite is the Thai Philatelic Association, which is well worth a visit.
• Airport Post Office (in the International Departures’ section- open until 20:00 hours).
• Central Airport and Central Airport Plaza Postal Offices (basements)- open until 17:00 hours, including Saturdays.

You might check into a new postal rate called SAL (sea, air and land). This rate is supposedly nearly as fast as Air Mail and considerably cheaper. In some post offices there are packing services that are good and be very convenient to use. Inexpensive mailing envelopes and boxes are for sale at the counter inside.

Money

There are many currency exchangers and the rates are set by a central exchange, so any bank or exchange center will give you the same rate that varies day by day.  The airport has 2 sets of exchange offices that perhaps would be the most convenient, located in both terminals.  Bangkok Bank, Thai Farmers Bank, Bank of Asia and other exchange banks located in the malls and around the Night Bazaar have been recommended.  Avoid hotels as they extract a service charge.  Traveler’s checks and other foreign currencies (except Malaysian Ringgit RM) can be exchanged at any bank money exchange branch; however, there is a transaction fee and a tax.  For travelers’ checks, remember to bring your passport.

Negotiating Prices

If you want to get the lowest possible prices when you shop, dress neatly and learn to speak some Thai! Also smile and be kind. Persistence is okay, but not pushiness.

ALWAYS offer a lower price at the Night Bazaar. Maybe around 60% of the first price you are quoted. If you do not want to pay the next price you are offered, you can begin to politely walk away, or return later. You may be offered something lower.

You can ask for a discount in other markets, too. Additionally, some things that are sold in stores have negotiable prices – i.e. furniture prices are subject to discount (but not in department stores). In these situations you are less likely to get a discount: 1) If the vendor tells you, “No discount unless you buy in bulk” or 2) If the price of the item you want to buy is already very small. It is good to keep bargaining a friendly process. Getting upset about prices does not accomplish anything.  Remember, even though you may feel pressured, it is still always your final choice if you will buy or not.

Crossing the street

Be very alert and very careful when walking near traffic because THERE IS NO PEDESTRIAN RIGHT OF WAY IN THAILAND! 

Pedestrian Safety

Know that when you are a pedestrian it’s not wise to take chances. It is better to wait than be sorry! Watch how Thai people cross the street: notice that they hardly ever make a run for the other side. Instead, they walk out slowly, sometimes waiting in the middle of the road for the next lane of traffic to clear. When several pedestrians are waiting to cross, they cross in groups walking closely together so as not to confuse the oncoming drivers. Your best safeguard is to catch the oncoming driver’s eyes; that way you will know that they have seen you. If you run or dart out quickly you will take drivers by surprise. Remember to look both ways even on one-way streets. And never ever step backwards. It will never be anticipated by Thai drivers!

Photocopying

Many places in town, especially near schools like CMU and Dara.  One out on Hang Dong near Lanna School entrance.  Also one on canal road before Mae Hia market.

Repair Shops

Niyom Panich (across from Airport Plaza)-great for large appliance repairs: fridge, washer, dryer a/c. Will come to your home or will pick up from home to fix. Typically quite reliable and knowledgeable.  If an appliance is the same price at two places it is worthwhile to buy here so you can take advantage of great repair service. They also typically do a good job of installing appliances (like oven hoods, dryers etc that have to have holes drilled through the concrete walls). For video, TV, small appliance repairs—there is a small shop on Kaownavarrat on your lefthand side right before crossing the bridge heading into town (look for the TV’s in the shop!)  Carrefour and Big C have Amorn Electric Shops that also do repairs.

Tailoring

The Night Bazaar area has many tailors. English is spoken at Fashion King and they provide great service.  A recommended one is Daniels’ International Tailor located in the basement of the Shangri La ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ,website www.genesistailors.com  053 233 750, 089 433 1988.  Around the Warorot market (a.k.a. Day Market) there are many small shops selling material, sewing notions, etc.  Upstairs in the Warorot market there are less expensive seamstresses.  Take a picture of what you want, and hope for the best!!

Telephone

In several places around the town there are pay phones expressly for calling overseas. Purchasing a phone card or using the Thai /SIM’ Card for your Mobile are easier ways! There is an overseas pay phone located at the main post office in Charoen Muang Road (about 200 meters west of the train station). If you call home on a pay phone, try to find one in a location where there is not a lot of noise making it hard for you to hear. For incoming international calls, the country code for Thailand is 66. The area code for Chiang Mai is 53. For inter-city calls, the area code for Chiang Mai is 053.

To make international calls from your hotel room or other pay phones, you can purchase an international phone card (for example Thai Card or ZayHi) from various places such as 7/11 stores and Post Offices. This allows you to make cheap rate phone calls. You can also purchase an internet card. When entering the phone number for connection, make sure that it is the Chiang Mai number (053) or you will end up incurring a huge telephone bill!

Upholstery and Carpet Cleaners

Upholstery and carpet cleaners-PCS Northern (Thailand) Limited 29/22 Chetyot Road, soi 3 Moo 2 T. Chiang Puak, A. Muang Chiang Mai 50300 (053-414-212-5) 

Veterinarian

House of Dogs and Cats  (Baan Mha Ka Maew Animal Hospital) Vet just before the corner of Chiang Mai Land road on the superhighway is a great veterinary place. They do shots, animal care, washing,  etc. Speak English. 255/10-12 Mahidol Rd. Padaed, Muang, CM  053-205-155 open daily 9-8 (Sunday 9-6)

Emergency Numbers

• Fire                   199
• Medical            1669
• Police               191
• Tourist Police 1155

Other Useful Numbers

Itapon Ministry (053-241-298): A Christian ministry that primary does computer service, they can also book a Kantoke dinner, register your car, including insurance.  They have servants’ hearts and desire to serve—and they speak English.

• For a good site for tracking storms in the region  http://tsr.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/tracker/dynamic/main.html; 
• For flood levels, check out http://www.hydro-1.net 
• Another site that can be useful is from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) which graphs air quality in Chiang Mai: http://www.pcd.go.th/AirQuality/Regional/Graph/QueryGraph.cfm?task=graphsite  choose Chiang Mai as the site under “graph by Particular site”

Additions/corrections/changes to this handout??  Input is always welcome!!  Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .