Leisure Activities in Chiang Mai

Cinemas

Educated Thais increasingly prefer to watch English 'soundtrack' movies rather than versions dubbed into Thai. Foreign visitors might like to sample a film from the Thai movie industry, which has produced some memorable footage over the years.

Vista Cinema

English soundtrack, Thai subtitles.
Vista 1-4 Kad Suan Kaew, Huay Kaew Road Tel: 224444 ext. 15002 &
Vista 1 & 2 at 12 Huay Kaew opposite Kad Suan Kaew. Tel: 404374.
Midi theaters show latest Hollywood blockbusters with dynamic surround sound. Long term schedules are not available. To find out what is playing at any Vista theater, call the Vista Hotel (252 Phrapokklao Road Tel: 210663-4 Fax: 214563)

Vista Charoen Muang Road 1 & 2, Thai soundtrack, 459/5 Charoen Muang Road Tel: 260372

Vista Maha Nakhorn Cinema, Thai soundtrack, Chang Phuak Road Tel: 221675

Vista Thiphanet Cinema, Thai soundtrack. 124-6 Thiphanet Road Tel: 275682

Cultural Studies

Take a course for a view on the culture as well as an opportunity to meet people.

Buddhist Meditation:

Wat Rampoeng Tapotaram, Soi Wat U-Mong, Tambon Suthep, Chiang Mai 50200.
One month residential meditation courses.
Tel: 278620, 810197

Wat U-Mong Suan Putha-tham, Soi Wat U-Mong, Tambon Suthep, Chiang Mai 50200.
An informal discussion, in English, is held at the Chinese Pavilion on Sundays 15:00hrs.

Classic Home Cooking, Chiang Mai Thailand
The best cooking school in Chiang Mai

WE ARE THE BEST
" Learn cute technique Thai food "
Enjoy Cooking, Eating & take away some food
We are the only one cooking school in Chiang Mai where you can choose any dish from more than 50 dishes of our menu.
6 dishes per day for morning class and 4 dishes for evening class. The cooking class is running every day in our own house.

Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School, 1-3 Mun Muang Road.
Three day course. Days may be taken individually.
Tel: 206388 Fax: 206387

Lanna Muay Thai, 64/1 Soi 1, Chang Khian, Huay Kaew Road, Chiang Mai 50300.
Day and monthly training rates for Thai kick boxing. Tel: 01-9513164

Thai Kitchen Cookery School, 25 Mun Muang Soi 9, Chiang Mai 50300. Hrs. 09:00-21:00. Tel: 219896 Fax: 418191

Golf Clubs

The Prem Golf Academy
The only indoor/outdoor golf facility in Northern Thailand which offers first class golf instruction in a professional learning environment.
Web: http://golf.premcenter.org, Tel: (66) 053 301500 (ext. 5415), Mobile: 084 769 4503

Chiang Mai Green Valley Country Club, H108 Chiang Mai-Fang, KM.15, east turn, Closed Tuesdays.
A course over flat ground close to the River Ping. A very modern club-house. Tel: 298220-3, 298249-51 Fax: 297386

Chiang Mai - Lamphun Golf Club, R1147 KM.24 - east turn 3 km.
Modern course in a small side valley offers some of the best golf in the Chiang Mai area (Official venue for 1995 SEA Games). Tel: 880880-4 Fax: 880888

The Gymkhana Club, Chiang Mai - Lamphun Road.
Tennis, squash and nine-holes of golf very close to the city. The club is the second oldest sports club in South-east Asia and has a magnificent old rain tree in front of the club house. Tel: 241035 Fax: 247352

Lanna Sports Club - Golf, KM.1 Chotana Road.
A course with 27 holes close to town. The complex includes a driving range as well as facilities for horse riding, tennis, badminton, fitness and shooting. Tel: 221911 Fax: 221743 

Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club, R1001 KM.26 east turn 4 km. Par 72 course set in low hills. Modern facilities include a 56 room hotel as well as clubhouse. Tel: 849301-6 Fax: 849310

Thai Language Courses

AUA, 24 Ratchadamnoen Road, Chiang Mai 50200, Tel: 211973

YMCA, 11 Mangrai Rasmi, Sermsuk Road, Santitham, Chiang Mai 50300. Tel: 221819

Book-shops

Brain Center, Kad Suan Kaew, 2nd Floor. 9914 Moo 2, Huay Kaew Road Chiang Mai 50200. Hrs. 11:00 - 21:00. Tel: 210372-3 Fax: 210374

D.K. Book House, 79/1 Kotchasan Road, Chiang Mai 50100. Hrs. 09:30-21:00. Tel: 206995 Fax: 206999

Suriwong Book Center, 54/1-5 Sridonchai Road, Chiang Mai 50100. Hrs. 08:00-19:30. Tel: 281052-5

Chiang Mai University Library, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200. Hrs. 08:00-21:00, weekdays; 08:30-16:30 weekends and semester breaks. Tel: 221699 ex 4528

Sports

Thais like to be outside in the very early morning and the closing hours of the day. The changing light at dawn and dusk is a source of magic colors and enjoyment.

Fitness and jogging

Most major hotels have fitness centers near the pools for use by hotel guests. Membership rates for non-guests include the use of the pool and range from a single day to a year. There are also fitness parks on the south side of Nimmanhaemin Road near Soi 17, and Huay Kaew Road at the arboretum near the zoo. For jogging in better air, try the lanes near the mountain or the Rama IX park on Chotana Road at KM.5.

Horse Racing

H107 KM.5 after Lanna Gardens (Saturday afternoons). The army run racetrack is one of the few places where betting is legal. The Thai punters seem more interesting than the horses.

Speedway

Chiang Mai Speedway. (H108 KM. 12. Hrs. 09:30-18:30. Tel: 430059. Baht 150 for 10 min.) If you get bored with the ordinary roads, try the go carts.

Swimming

Several city hotels allow the public to use their pools: The Amari Rincome (50 Baht), the Diamond Riverside (100 Baht - shaded in the afternoon), the Prince Hotel (40 Baht), the Top North Guest House (50 Baht).

Inline skating

The "Space Roller" Circuit on Kaew Nawarat Road, near Arcade Bus Station offers inline skating for young and old in Discotheque ambiance. 20 Baht a day if you bring your own skaters, 50 Baht a day if you rent the skaters there. Food and Beverages at reasonable prices.

Traditional Thai Massage

A full Thai massage usually takes two hours, but shorter facial and foot massages are offered. Rates vary from 100-300 Baht an hour, but masseurs like tips to supplement their income. Several of the hotels offer traditional massage for non-residents.

Traditional Medicine Hospital, 78/1 Wualai Road, Hrs. 08:30-17:00. Tel: 275085
10 day courses twice a month in traditional Thai massage.

Suan Samoonphrai, 8 Wang Sing Kham Road, Hrs. 08:00-22:00. Tel: 252716, 232664

See also: [Traditional Thai Massage]