Temple etiquette - shoulders and knees covered, no shoes
NO PDA, women cannot go near monks
Silly looking when men to wear shorts; women should cover knees/shoulders in temples
Never touch someone's head or the Buddha's
Use knife/fork, not chopsticks
Many ingredients were introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th century via Americas (chilies, pumpkin, nuts)
Bow with palms pressed instead of handshake
Tipping not expected, but nice for massages, etc.
Cab from airport to hotel: 150 baht ($5), 10-15min
CHIANG MAI
120 baht taxi to hotel from airport
airport map
8am-5pm
2500 baht ($85)
Elephant Nature Park, a unique conservation project set in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand has been in operation since in the 1990's with a goal to provide a sanctuary and elephant rescue center. We have been involved in dozens of rescues and sustain a natural home for this endangered species.
The park can facilitate small numbers only. For safety reasons, and to protect our herd, we are not open to casual visitors and all visits to our park must be pre-booked. Please secure your place by booking online. Elephant rides, painting and tricks are not featured at our park.
Wat Phra Singh
6am - 5pm, free
Situated in the middle of the old city, this temple contains Chiang Mai’s most important Buddha statue. The recently restored Viharn Lai Kham is a classic example of a Lanna-style viharn while the main viharn (c. 15th century) houses the much venerated Phra Sihing Buddha, which has a murky background yet a unique lion-style originating from Sri Lanka. A distinctive, elevated Hoi Tra (scriptures repository) is also on site. The mural paintings on the walls of Wat Phra Singh depict the scenes of Suwannahong and Sang Thong classic literature.
The park can facilitate small numbers only. For safety reasons, and to protect our herd, we are not open to casual visitors and all visits to our park must be pre-booked. Please secure your place by booking online. Elephant rides, painting and tricks are not featured at our park.
Wat Chedi Luang, highest point in old Chiang Mai
6am-5pm, free
This is perhaps Chiang Mai’s most striking relic and was once the most important in the Lanna capital. Dating from 1441, the 91-metre high pagoda was felled to half that height in an earthquake in the late 16th century. To this day the partially renovated chedi remains the tallest structure in the old city and the main attraction. There are several Viharn or Ubosots in the compound as well. The much revered Emerald Buddha, found in the Grand Palace in Bangkok, briefly lived here during its remarkable travels.
6am-5pm, free
This is perhaps Chiang Mai’s most striking relic and was once the most important in the Lanna capital. Dating from 1441, the 91-metre high pagoda was felled to half that height in an earthquake in the late 16th century. To this day the partially renovated chedi remains the tallest structure in the old city and the main attraction. There are several Viharn or Ubosots in the compound as well. The much revered Emerald Buddha, found in the Grand Palace in Bangkok, briefly lived here during its remarkable travels.
6am - 5pm, free
Situated in the middle of the old city, this temple contains Chiang Mai’s most important Buddha statue. The recently restored Viharn Lai Kham is a classic example of a Lanna-style viharn while the main viharn (c. 15th century) houses the much venerated Phra Sihing Buddha, which has a murky background yet a unique lion-style originating from Sri Lanka. A distinctive, elevated Hoi Tra (scriptures repository) is also on site. The mural paintings on the walls of Wat Phra Singh depict the scenes of Suwannahong and Sang Thong classic literature.
Wat Suan Dok
6a, - 5pm, free
Temple built on what were once a 14th-century monarch's gardens. Today, site of a Buddhist university and a popular spot for photographers, especially during sunset. Some of the temple's chedis (spires) contain ashes of Chiang Mai's royal family. Also, one can see half of a holy Buddhist relic brought from Sukothai in 1371, which unfortunately split into two upon arrival in Chiang Mai. The other half is buried at Doi Suthep. A 500-year-old bronze Buddha image, one of the largest in northern Thailand, is also housed here, in the small hall at the back of the compound.
Temple built on what were once a 14th-century monarch's gardens. Today, site of a Buddhist university and a popular spot for photographers, especially during sunset. Some of the temple's chedis (spires) contain ashes of Chiang Mai's royal family. Also, one can see half of a holy Buddhist relic brought from Sukothai in 1371, which unfortunately split into two upon arrival in Chiang Mai. The other half is buried at Doi Suthep. A 500-year-old bronze Buddha image, one of the largest in northern Thailand, is also housed here, in the small hall at the back of the compound.
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (15km away)
6am-8pm30 baht ($1) for tram
Located, 30min from Chiang Mai center, the temple base visitors can climb 309 steps for free to reach the pagodas or there is a tram. Entry to the temple on the tram costs 30 Thai baht for foreigners (or 50 baht if you would like a two-way tram ticket included). Once inside the temple grounds; visitors must take off their shoes. Visitors must be appropriately dressed. The original copper plated chedi is the most holy area of the temple grounds. Within the site are pagodas, statues, bells and shrines. Aspects of the Wat draw from both Buddhism and Hinduism. There is a model of the Emerald Buddha and a statue of the Hindu God Ganesh. Views of Chiang Mai can be seen on the other side of the temple.
Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures
Cave Rock Climbing Intro: 2795 baht ($94)
http://www.thailandclimbing.com/
The morning portion of the course will be spent introducing you to the basics of top-rope climbing. Top-rope climbing (or top-roping) is the easiest, simplest, and safest way to climb. During this course, we won't just take you climbing: we will introduce you to the mechanics of the top-rope system, teach you how to belay, and help you develop the fundamentals you need to be a responsible and knowledgeable climber. You'll get lots of time climbing, and our instructors will coach you on technique and help you have a successful and fun day on the rock! In the afternoon, you will get a chance to learn the basics of rappelling (abseiling). Applying your new skills of top-roping and belaying, you will help build a rappel and then step out over the edge and lower yourself to the ground. Finish the day with an exhilarating rappel into the mouth of a massive cave.
May Kaidee's Thai Vegetarian/Vegan Cooking class
9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm
1200 baht ($40)
http://maykaidee.com/
46/32G Ratchawithi Rd., Sri Phum, Muang
Pun Pun Vegetarian Restaurant - TripAdvisor
6/1 Moo 1, Suthep Road | Suthep, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Anchan Vegetarian
Nimmanhaeminda road, soi Hillside 3 | Opposite Soi 13, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
1200 baht ($40)
http://maykaidee.com/
46/32G Ratchawithi Rd., Sri Phum, Muang
Pun Pun Vegetarian Restaurant - TripAdvisor
6/1 Moo 1, Suthep Road | Suthep, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Anchan Vegetarian
Nimmanhaeminda road, soi Hillside 3 | Opposite Soi 13, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
AUM Vegetarian Food
65 Th Moon Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand0 5327 8315
Hilltribe visit
http://www.thailandhilltribeholidays.com/
Visit four different hill tribe villages in Chiang Mai province, namely the Akha, the Palong, the Karen and the Lisu. Every tribe has its own culture, distinct colorful dress and language, which only exists in the spoken form.
The hill tribes people live a nomadic lifestyle and originate from Tibet and China. Traditionally, they are engaged in farming using slash and burn tactics, where the forest is cut down and burnt. When the land is exhausted, the move on to the next area.
Although many hill tribes people have converted to Buddhism and Christianity, originally they are animist, a believe where not only humans, but also animals, plants, mountains, rivers and other natural objects possess a spirit.
Custom clothes/suites in 2 days
Night bazaar (5pm-11ish)
There are so many things to buy at the Night Market you'll be spoiled for choice. Thai silk is always good to buy (and its inexpensive), they have a great collection of suitcases and bags, jewelry, wooden carvings, handmade clothing, DVDs and CDs, packets of Thai snack food, handmade notebooks, soaps and perfumes, pretty much anything you can see there is worth buying. 
20 baht entrance, 100 baht lantern + guide
KRABI, RAILAY BEACH, AND KOH PHI PHI
Tide table
Shared minibus from airport to Ao Nang: $150-200 baht pp each way, or 600 baht taxi
Tonsai Beach (bars, rastas)
Phra Nang Cave princess shrine and Beach
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Diamond Cave, Railay East
Princess Lagoon
Railay Rock climbing
http://www.railay.com/railay/climbing/climbing_courses.shtml
1-day course: 1800 baht ($60)
1/2 day course: 1000 baht?
9-12:30/ 2-5:30
Moo 5 | Ao Nang, Krabi Town 81000, Thailand
phranangfullmoonkayaking@gmail.com
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Island hopping tour and snorkelling, Koh Poda/ Koh Tub, etc
Food
Utopia International Delights
The Last Bar
Mangrove Restaurant
Phi Phi
http://www.phiphi-ferry.com/
Railay (in front of Sunrise Tropical) - Phi Phi (Tonsai bay) 9am-11am
Phi Phi - Railay 3:30pm - 4:45pm
500 baht each way ($17)
Example Itinerary for tour to Phi Phi
The Dive Ao Nang - snorkel trip to Phi Phi - 1900 baht ($63)
Railay Dive Center
Half day snorkeling* Day trip 08.00- 13.30 Longtail boat/ Big boat 950 thb ($32)
Sunset snorkeling* The trip starts 15.30, 2-3hours Longtail boat/ Big boat 950 thb ($32)
Local Islands Snorkeling* Day trip 08.00- 13.30 Longtail boat/ Big boat 950 thb ($32)
Phi Phi Snorkeling* Whole day Longtail boat/ Big boat 1950 thb ($65)
