Living /retire in Chiang Mai

Nopphaburi Si Nakhon Ping Chiang Mai’, the city’s original name, (Chiang Mai translates as New City,) was founded in 1292 as the capital city of the Lanna kingdom by the great King Mengrai. In 1598, 266 years later, Chiang Mai was subdued by the Burmese during their invasion of Thailand, with the Lanna kingdom becoming an occupied vassal state.

In 1774, the Burmese military presence in Chiang Mai was expelled by King Taksin, the son of a Chinese father and Siamese mother, and a man of considerable personal charisma, leadership and courage. The city once again became part of Siam and the capital of the Lanna, (translated as ‘a million rice fields’) kingdom as an independent princedom and tributary to Bangkok.

Today, Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, possessing unique cultural characteristics and surrounded by truly magnificent natural beauty. Chiang Mai is also a centre of learning, art, music, education, antiques, and the ancient Lanna traditions and culture. An increasing number of tourists, both Thai and foreign, visit again and again, impressed by the hospitality and talents of the people as reflected in the diverse products of hand –crafted silk, cotton and silver, the wood carvings, ceramics and other handicrafts – and, of course, the delicious and spicy Lanna cuisine.

Geographically, the city of Chiang Mai is situated 300 metres above sea level in the Ping River Valley and surrounded by a mountain range, part of the foothills of the distant and mysterious Himalayas. The province encompasses approximately 20,000 square kilometres, is 700 kilometres north of Bangkok, and is located between latitude 17-21 and longitude 98 – 99. Its western Fang and Mae Ai districts are separated from Burma’s Chiang Tung State by 277 kilometres of mountainous territory, and parts of its northern districts are bordered by the Kok River. It is bordered in the north by Chiang Rai province, in the south by Lampang and Lamphun provinces and in the west by Mae Hong Son province.

Recently, ( and unsurprisingly for those of us who live here), Chiang Mai residents were proud to read that their much-loved city was voted one of the top five visitor destination cities in the world by a famous travel magazine. (Ref. Travel and Leisure Magazine, U.S.A)

Recently, Chiang Mai people were proud that their city was voted to be one of the top five destination cities in the world. (Ref. Travel+Leisure Magazine, U.S.A.)

Geography

Chiang Mai is situated at 300 metres above sea level in a large mountainous area. The province encompasses approximately 20,000 square kilometres. Chiang Mai is separated from Bangkok by 700 kilometres of highway or 761 kilometres of railway. Chiang Mai province is located between the northern latitude 17-21 and the eastern longitude 98 – 99. Chiang Mai’s northern border of 277 kilometres of mountain range separates Chiang Mai’s Fang and Mae Ai districts from Myanmar’s Chiang Tung State. In some parts of northern Chiang Mai, the Kok River plays the role of the border between Chiang Mai and Myanmar. In the east, Chiang Mai is bordered by Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun provinces. The south of Chiang Mai is separated from Tak province by the Mae Tuen River and also borders Lamphun province. To the west lies Mae Hong Son province.

ประชาสัมพันธ์จังหวัด ถ.โชตนา
โทร. 0-5321-9092,0-5322-1047, 0-5321-9291

ที่ว่าการอำเภอเมือง ถ.อินทวโรรส
โทร. 0-5322-1016,0-5322-2636

เทศบาลนครเชียงใหม่ ถ.วิชยานนท์
โทร. 0-5325-2484,0-5335-3486,0-5325-2488

สำนักงานท่องเที่ยวเทศบาลนครเชียงใหม่ ถ.ไปรษณีย์
โทร. 0-5325-2557

สภอ.เมือง ถ.ราชดำเนิน
โทร. 0-5327-6458,0-5327-6040

ตำรวจท่องเที่ยว ถ.ศรีดอนไชย ต.ช้างคลาน อ.เมือง เชียงใหม่
โทร. 053-278798

ท่าอากาศยานเชียงใหม่ ถ.สนามบิน
โทร. 0-5327-0224, 0-5327-0222, 0-5327-0223

ตรวจคนเข้าเมืองเชียงใหม่ ถ.สนามบิน
โทร. 0-5327-7510,0-5320-1755

ศุลกากรเชียงใหม่ ถ.สนามบิน
โทร. 0-5327-0660-1

สถานีขนส่งอาเขต ถ.ซุปเปอร์ไฮเวย์ เชียงใหม่-ลำปาง
โทร. 0-5324-2664

สถานีรถไฟ ถ.เจริญเมือง
โทร. 0-5324-5363-4

โรงพยาบาลมหาราชนครเชียงใหม่ ถ.สุเทพ
โทร. 0-5322-1517-8,0-5322-1075

มูลนิธิโครงการหลวง ถ.สุเทพ
โทร. 053-810765

Link ที่น่าสนใจ

สำนักงานจังหวัดเชียงใหม่ (http://www.chiangmai.go.th)

ตำรวจท่องเที่ยว เชียงใหม่ (http://www.tourist.police.go.th)