Aydan Stuart

For years, Thailand’s cocktail crown sat firmly on Bangkok’s head, a city that’s saturated with rooftop bars and hidden speakeasies. But, in more recent years, energy has been shifting further afield, with a number of out-of-the-capital bars capturing the interest of drinkers and critics alike.    While Phuket’s beach-side cocktail scene has a wealthy market ready to sip on gold-infused martinis, Chiang Mai is taking a more creative approach that’s more in tune with its own audience. And out of the many Chiang Mai cocktail bars we’ve reviewed and shared along the way, a little speakeasy-style spot hidden up a flight of bright orange stairs is pushing the city onto the national (and now international) map: Bar Not Found.   In just over a year, this bright, quirky, colour-soaked cocktail den has snagged spots on multiple awards rankings and produced mixologists now making waves on the competitive circuit – from World Class Rising Star Thailand to the Sip Supernova finals in China.   Not bad for a bar that opened its secret living room lair for the first time in September 2024.   Photograph: Time Out – Apiwat Singharach Colour first, then the cocktails   The Bar Not Found story is disarmingly humble. Before launching a venue together, Foam, Game, Jane and Amber were already friends – bartenders, chefs and industry folks moving around Chiang Mai’s growing drinks scene.    Lockdowns, hidden bars and late-night ‘what ifs’ eventually solidified into a plan and the idea for Bar Not

High-season energy is in full swing this week as Chiang Mai bounces between jazzy performances, rooftop movies, decade-hopping dance parties and festival warm-ups. We feel the city is alive – in a very Chiang Mai way – with so much creativity and a little chaos that seems about right given the cool season is here.  At The Cocoon, A Journey Through Time invites you to dance your way through four decades of music, while over at Soul House, the Moonrise Winter Art Market brings lantern light, local makers and cosy creative vibes into the night. Central Chiang Mai turns its rooftop into an open-air cinema for three evenings of classic films, while RongSaDang kicks off festival season early with the Gaia Beats Pre-Party and a stacked lineup of DJs spinning until late. And if you’re craving something calmer, pianist Jonas Dept hosts a golden-hour rooftop concert overlooking Doi Suthep – a gentle breath to end the busy week.

Party season is officially in full swing and the big name DJs continue to hit the isle this weekend, with legendary producer Bob Sinclair holding court at Cafe del Mar on Friday, while Saturday sees house duo SOLARDO heat things up at FIRA and party starters Drum and Bass Thailand back in town to throw a mega rave at Fly’O Patong. It’s not all big beats this weekend though. If you’re on that wellness flex after a busy week of working or training, there’s live piano accompanying zen yin yoga at Elite Atoll Fitness and for a lively but healthy social meet up, Solis Beach Club hosts Zumba x Matcha – a combo we didn’t know we needed, but certainly do now. Vamanos!

Long before hashtags, influencers and TikTok, there was a small blue book that could be found tucked inside every backpacker’s pocket. Its author? Joe Cummings – the man who wrote the first ever Lonely Planet guide to Thailand and lifelong Thaiophile who introduced a generation to the kingdom’s best temples, towns and tuk tuk rides.  As a writer myself (with a few Lonely Planet books under my own belt, as it happens) I couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity to interview the legend himself on a recent Time Out Thailand podcast episode. Before I knew it, we were sat together in the podcast studio inside Sukhmuvit 31’s Public House. As planned, we switched into Thai – a second language for both of us – to begin unravelling the stories, surprises and side-quests of a writer, musician, actor and accidental cultural icon.    Photograph: Joe Cummings His first calling to Thailand was spiritual  Cummings’ story starts far from the tropics. Born in New Orleans and raised everywhere his army father was stationed, he grew up without a hometown – ‘we moved every two or three years,’ he recalls as we discuss his father’s role in the Army.  With travel in his blood, it’s little surprise that when he finally flew the nest, his compass pointed due east. Landing in Bangkok in 1977, he arrived just as Thailand was entering one of its most fascinating eras – a time where stories were just waiting to be told. Thailand in the late ’70s, he says, was ‘slower, quieter, and the air was worse.’

ก่อนจะมียุคออนไลน์ในปัจจุบันที่เต็มไปด้วยติ๊กต็อก เหล่าอินฟลูเอนเซอร์ และแฮชแท็กสารพัด โลกของนักเดินทางในสมัยก่อนนั้นมีเพียงหนังสือเล่มเล็กปกสีน้ำเงินที่แบ็กแพ็กเกอร์ทุกคนต่างพกติดกระเป๋าไว้เสมอ แล้วใครกันที่เป็นผู้เขียนมันขึ้นมา หากไม่ใช่ชายหนุ่มผู้หลงใหลในมนต์เสน่ห์ของสยามเมืองยิ้มอย่าง ‘โจ คัมมิงส์’ชายผู้จับปากกาเขียนไกด์บุ๊ก Lonely Planet Thailand เล่มแรก และเป็นผู้ที่หลงใหลในเมืองไทยแบบสุดหัวใจ ผู้พาคนทั้งยุคออกเดินทางไปรู้จักเสน่ห์ของอาณาจักรสยาม ตั้งแต่วัดที่งดงามที่สุด เมืองที่มีชีวิตชีวาไปจนถึงการนั่งตุ๊กตุ๊กที่ไม่มีวันลืม ตัวผม ในฐานะนักเขียนที่บังเอิญมีหนังสือ Lonely Planet อยู่บ้าง จึงไม่พลาดโอกาสที่จะได้พูดคุยกับตำนานที่ยังมีลมหายใจคนนี้ ในพอดแคสต์ตอนล่าสุดของ Time Out Thailand เรานั่งคุยกันที่ สตูดิโอ Public House ซอยสุขุมวิท 31 และตามแผนที่วางไว้ เราเริ่มต้นสนทนาเป็นภาษาไทย ภาษาที่สองของเราทั้งคู่ ซึ่งกลายมาเป็นสื่อกลางในการคลี่เรื่องราว ชีวิต และการเดินทางของนักเขียน นักดนตรี นักแสดง และ ‘ไอคอนทางวัฒนธรรมโดยบังเอิญ’ คนนี้   Photograph: Joe Cummings ‘จิตวิญญาณ’ เสียงเรียกแรกที่นำพาเขามาสู่แดนแห่งสยาม เรื่องราวของคัมมิงส์เริ่มต้นไกลจากดินแดนอาคเนย์อันร้อนระอุ เขาเกิดที่เมืองนิวออร์ลีนส์ สหรัฐอเมริกา แต่เติบโตตามทุกพื้นที่ที่ผู้เป็นพ่อถูกส่งไปประจำการในฐานะนายทหาร นั่นจึงเป็นเหตุผลที่เขาไม่เคยมีบ้านเกิดอยู่ที่ใดเลย ‘พวกเราเปลี่ยนที่อยู่ทุกสองถึงสามปี’ โจย้อนเล่าถึงวัยเด็กที่เต็มไปด้วยการเดินทางของเขาและพ่อผู้รับใช้ชาติ ดังนั้นการเดินทางจึงเหมือนอยู่ในสายเลือดของเขา และไม่น่าแปลกใจเลยเมื่อกนกตัวนี้ได้บินออกจากรังตามเข็มทิศที่ชี้ตรงไปทางทิศตะวันออก เขาโผยบินลงที่

It turns out, Thailand isn’t just a holiday hotspot, it’s a dream destination for many from all walks of life. Just this week, Chiang Mai ranked 14th on a list of the happiest cities worldwide, while in January, it reached 28th on Time Out’s 50 Best Cities in the World 2025 list.  Now, it’s the retiree’s time – with Forbes’ ‘Best Places to Retire Abroad in 2025’ list placing four Thai cities in the global shortlist: Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui. The list is unranked, leaving readers and those looking to retire without the pressure of aiming for number one. However, after some serious research Forbes identified 24 countries and 96 recommended spots for the best retirement out there – based on costs, amenities, health care, language, crime and climate risk. And, given it’s a US publication, the rankings also take into account whether American retirees are welcome – so we expect some bias based on this metric.  Either way, it’s hardly surprising that social media is already dubbing Thailand ‘the world’s retirement hub,’ with a growing desire for people to enjoy its unbeatable food and culture on a more long-term basis. Add a cost of living that still undercuts most of the West, and it’s easy to see why so many are trading in their drab morning commutes for fresh lunchtime coconuts. Here’s the cities that made the list and why we think they’re great for retirement. 

Feeling the Bangkok burnout? It happens to the best of us. Leaving the city, with its Michelin-starred temptations and glorious, beautiful chaos, feels like a betrayal. Here's the secret: you don't have to break up, just take a break. Thailand is packed with ridiculously easy getaways that feel like you've crossed a border, not just a province line. From the cool mountain air of Khao Yai to the sun-soaked beaches of Phuket and the serene shores of Koh Samui, these October getaways are made for slowing down and recharging. Whether you want to explore nature, unwind by the sea, or indulge in a peaceful resort escape, there’s something nearby to refresh your mind and spirit. This October, let these escapes remind you that a little getaway is sometimes all you need.

Chiang Mai’s got no shortage of good eats, but when the chefs are as obsessed with the origin of their ingredients as they are with flavour, you know you’re in for something special.  From wild salad plucked fresh from the mountains to complex 360-degree systems that leave nothing but a crumb of food waste, some of Chiang Mai’s most exciting kitchens are shrinking the distance between farm and fork in ways that actually make sense. Think high-rise romance over sunset dinners, long lunches that roll lazily into the afternoon and menus built entirely on local, seasonal, socially-conscious ingredients. With that much goodness baked into the concept alone, just imagine how good your soul’s going to feel once you’ve cleared your plate.

Rooftop bars can be often overlooked by visitors to Chiang Mai who assume our low-rise cityscape has little to offer above eye level. But look up and there’s a lot of fun to be had atop our taller hotels and Old City townhouses. What’s better than sitting above it all, cocktail in hand, enjoying the purple hues of sunset over Doi Suthep? Answer: not much. So with that in mind, let’s elevate your weekend (or week, we’re not judging) with a cocktail or two at the city’s best and most eclectic rooftop bars. 

Chiang Mai may be laid-back by day, but after dark the city reveals a more mysterious side. Tucked behind unmarked doors, winding alleys and quiet staircases are some of the city’s most intriguing watering holes – places where the cocktails are serious, the lights are low and finding the entrance will require a bit of detective work. From speakeasy-style lounges with live jazz to minimalist hideaways in heritage buildings, these hidden bars are where Chiang Mai’s creative energy and nightlife scene quietly thrive. You won’t find big signs or flashing lights – these spots may appear on Google Maps, but good luck finding your way in. If you don’t know the secret, you could be pushing bookshelves or following mysterious red lanterns like moths to a flame. We’ll give you a hint, but it’s the whisper of music down an otherwise empty alley that will be your beacon call.  Once you eventually find your way inside, cocktails laden with the best liquor available to man are to be found – from rare international reserves to our favourite locally distilled spirit, Sonklin, from Choeng Doi Distillery just up the road. With a bit of planning (and some comfortable shoes), it’s entirely possible to turn these tucked-away gems into a weekend-long bar crawl – or even squeeze into one night if you’re feeling brave. Instead, we’d opt for a relaxed weekend of shaken drinks, sultry jazz and mysterious discoveries made by candlelight.

Pizza. It’s a staple among almost all cultures. From questionable 2am slices from delivery chains that hit just right after a few towers of beer to artisanal, hand-crafted sourdough pies that practically demand a knife and fork they’re so fancy, there seems to be a love for this food that transcends social status. Uncles, aunties, politicians, teens, kids, tourists and locals – they all love a pizza pie and, honestly, so do we.  So, without further ado, here’s our best list of pizza spots in and around Chiang Mai that hit the spot on many levels, from that gloriously gooey grease-topped New York special to the crispiest of thin crusts topped with a whole burrata. Whatever form your pizza craving comes in, these are the slices that deliver the goods.

Ok, full disclosure, I don’t frequent nail bars too often. Although, with a wife, daughter and mother at home, I do probably visit them more than many other cisgender males. Either way, for the sake of accuracy, I’ve teamed up with my most informed nail bar addicts to bring together a list of Chiang Mai’s best nail bars this side of 2025. And while this list is not exhaustive, it is growing every day, so bookmark and revisit every time those ten shimmering finger ends need a little colour or pizzazz. 

FIRA Beach Club are officially launching their big party season with a bang on Saturday as UK duo SOLARDO arrive fresh from Ibiza, bringing their signature energy and unstoppable beats to Phuket’s iconic hilltop venue. Expect a pummeling set of house and tek house that’ll keep you on the dancefloor from sunset ‘til the wee hours.  Nov 29. B1000. Fira Beach Club. 4pm-late  

Phuket’s biggest drum’n’bass night returns to Fly’O Patong on Friday, set to be louder, heavier and – errr – bassier than ever before after the club’s recent sound system upgrade. Whether you’re an earplugs in or earplugs out kinda party person, your hosts are setting you up for fun, including Tyke (Playaz UK), Terrance & Phillip (Good Karma Music), Jecht, Trodly, Jaybee and Marysun. A lineup that hits the spot, IYKYK. Nov 29. B500. Fly’O Patong. 10pm-3am  

  Home to the grooviest brunch on the island, Solis Beach Club is holding another fine social event this weekend guaranteed to make you shake – matching a calorie-zapping, laugh a minute Zumba dance class with a classy matcha soiree. So get that heartbeat racing before kicking back on their beach bean bags with your well deserved matcha tea. You’ve earned it.  Nov 29. B950. Solis Beach Club Bangtao. 9am-11am

Back by popular demand, Elite Atoll Fitness hosts a soul-soothing experience this Friday. Think beyond your usual yoga; a live set of ethereal piano tunes played as a Yin class plays out in their heavenly studio. The calming vibes are designed to unwind and reset your system, melting into the yin style poses led by their yogi. Mats at the ready, this one’s gonna align your soul. Nov 28. B400. Elite Atoll Fitness. 7pm-8pm  

With bangers like ‘love generation’ and ‘world, hold on’ in his back catalogue, Bob Sinclar’s name is synonymous with a good time – so his Phuket debut at Cafe del Mar on Friday promises to be a big one. Expect an uplifting set of global house with anthems a-plenty. This is hands down one of the highlights of the season. Nov 28. B2300, book via Megatix. Cafe del Mar. 2pm-late.   

The city is heating up this cool season as the Afro-Latin Festival returns for its fourth edition – a three-day celebration of dance, music and community at Khum Phucome Hotel. Over the weekend, dance it out across two party rooms every night (a full Kizomba room and a Latin room split between Bachata and Salsa) and get involved with more than 30 workshops led by rising stars and local talents. On top of all that (or if you can only make part of it), the weekend wraps with an afternoon pool party with (you guessed it) more Afro-Latin beats and a generous serving of ice-cold cocktails. International DJs will be spinning their stuff, accompanied by live animations and dance performances. Swim, sip, dance, repeat – that’s how it goes right? Festival pass holders get in free to the pool party, while single-entry tickets include two drinks at the door. Nov 28-30. Festival passes from B3,500, Sunday pool party B800 on the door. Khum Phucome Hotel. 1pm onwards

Soul House ushers in the cool season with a cosy evening art market where winter vibes meet a local lantern glow that screams Christmas is (almost) here. Browse hand-crafted works, meet local artists, sip warm seasonal brews and try your hand at small creative projects before gathering for the market’s Moonrise Ceremony as the first quarter moon climbs the sky. With music, makers and a beautifully curated atmosphere, we reckon it’s the perfect gentle start to Chiang Mai’s winter nights. Nov 28. Free. Soul House Chiang Mai. 3pm onwards

Step into a day-long music celebration at our favourite pool-sauna hangout that gets you jumping to the neon-soaked ‘80s, old-school hip hop and modern electronic beats – all through a crisp new outdoor sound system. All they ask is for you to dress in the decade that defined you (hippie, hip hop, retro rave or anything in-between), soak in the salt pool, sweat it out in the saunas and try the ice baths at least once. Pop open a beer when the sun feels warm and snack your way through food and drink pop-ups in the garden till dusk. It’s a colourful, cross-era party built for dancing brought to you by DJ I Lost My Keys, Robert Nipples, DJ Bump, OB1 and DJ Lydz.  Nov 29. B500 at the door. The Cocoon. 2pm-10pm

Chiang Mai’s annual underground music gathering returns with its signature mix of heavy beats, community energy and cross-border solidarity, this time at the aptly named DemoCrazy Cafe. If you’re behind on the scene, MOB Party brings together underground artists from across the region to raise funds and show support for people affected by the ongoing conflicts in Myanmar and elsewhere. Their stacked lineup includes faces like MC Loki Dolo, shining star NuKola, sky dancer Jayreikus, lyricist Babytooth Foxy and even Catsmoke – an activist producer and rapper straight out of the UK. Come for the sound system, stay for the cause – this is a reunion for those in the know and an open invitation for anyone ready to stand in the crowd.Nov 29. B250 per person, via Eventpass. DemoCrazy. 5pm-midnight

Belgian pianist turned local, Jonas Dept, returns with another intimate rooftop concert overlooking the city and Doi Suthep, this time blending sunset views with live piano atop one of Chiang Mai’s most atmospheric venues. Take a seat as the sky turns gold, the breeze sets in and his fingers drift across the keys of a grand piano making for a gentle, elegant way to slow down the week’s end. Seats are limited, so reservations are essential. Nov 30. B600. High Note, D Tower, 8th Floor, Mahidol Road. Doors open 4.45pm  

Join scooter fanatics or become one yourself at Chiang Mai Scooter Club’s annual meeting slash biker party, where Vespas, Lambrettas and all kinds of custom contraptions ride out, park up and get shown off. While the bike is of course the main focus, the hangout will also feature music by DJ Fangnary and Boom 109, and by 9pm the best bikers and their mounts will go head to head in a series of competitions, games and other highlights that will keep any grease monkey happy.  Nov 29. Free. Anusarn Sanpakoi. 6pm-10pm  

After much hype, Skyline Film are finally here in Chiang Mai, bringing with them three nights of open-air movie magic on top of Central Chiang Mai. This touring rooftop cinema gets cosy just in time for the cool weather with their sky-high pop-up that turns heads. When you arrive, simply pop on your headphones, sink into a blanket and enjoy five classic films screened outdoors. Take your pick from About Time, Begin Again, The Shawshank Redemption, The Grand Budapest Hotel or Notting Hill and rally your friends, your date or your whole fam for a perfect low-key way to welcome the coming winter nights. Tickets are still available but are going fast. Nov 28-30. B400 per person, tickets via Ticketmelon. Central Chiang Mai Rooftop. Showtimes 5pm, 7pm and 8pm

Jazz fans (and music fans for that matter), prepare yourselves as Chiang Mai enters full swing. And by swing, we mean jazz, folk and all kinds of funky music played across the city as, for one full week, the mountainside city transforms into a living, breathing jazz stage as the Chiang Mai Street Jazz Festival returns for its 7th edition.  This citywide celebration of brass, soul, improvisation and good music reaches far and wide. From street corners inside the old city moat to intimate club sessions and a grand finale on the Chiang Mai Cultural Center’s main stage, this festival is where Chiang Mai shows exactly why it’s one of Southeast Asia’s fastest growing music hotspots. Whether you’re a diehard jazz listener, a casual genre-hopper or simply someone who loves an excuse to visit Chiang Mai, this is one of the most exciting citywide festivals of the year. And to make it extra easy to navigate the busy schedule, here’s everything you need to know before you go.     Photograph: Chiang Mai Street Jazz Festival   What exactly is the Chiang Mai Street Jazz Festival? Think jazz everywhere – performed in temples, cafes, parks, cultural spaces, clubs, bars, co-ops and on actual street corners. It’s a week where musicians spill out into the city, where locals and visitors wander between pop-up sets, and where you’re just as likely to stumble upon a late-afternoon sax solo as you are a midnight jam session. The festival’s theme for 2025 – ‘Chiang Mai Jazz City: Let the City Play

Chiang Rai turns up the volume this cool season as the Chiang Rai Jazz Festival 2025 makes its encore, sending trumpets, basslines and brassy bursts out across the north. Under the theme ‘Analog Pulse,’ the Chiang Rai Contemporary Art Museum (CCAM) shifts from quiet gallery to full-bodied music playground, celebrating all things analogue. From vinyl to live instruments, acoustic sets and physical art, this year’s ‘jazz’ feels more eclectic than ever before. Sure, it may be a ‘jazz festival’, but this year’s lineup is anything but narrow. Headlining this year is the internationally-acclaimed Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band (we can’t get enough of them, honestly), supported by Chiang Mai’s own Rasmee Isan Soul – another one of our faves.  They’re joined by Natt Buntita x PYC, PETITE, Jūji, Nice Guys, Groovy Doopy, Khela, Overload and a wave of other rising northern talent pushing the festival into bolder, more eclectic territory. Throw in some vinyl DJs spinning warm grooves and you’re all-set this weekend. Plus, for the more proactive of us out there, hands-on art workshops, kinetic gallery installations and food stalls all add up to be the most ‘more-than-jazz’ jazz festival the region’s seen to date. And, if you’re flying in specially, why not pair the weekend with a high-energy ‘90s-themed brunch at Le Méridien Chiang Rai – their Italian restaurant, Favola, is to die for.  With its mix of international acts and homegrown talent, Chiang Rai Jazz Festival is quietly

A new global poll by Time Out has named Chiang Mai the 14th happiest city in the world, ranking it ahead of dozens of major world cities, underscoring its appeal as one of the best places to live. The survey, which polled more than 18,000 city-dwellers, asked urbanites across the world how their city makes them feel – including whether they find joy in everyday life, perceive neighbours as happy and feel their sense of happiness has grown recently. From that, we compiled a definitive list of the top 20 happiest cities, with Chiang Mai emerging as Thailand’s sole entry and the highest-ranking city in Southeast Asia. The happiness index was based on the percentage of positive responses to five key statements: ‘My city makes me happy’; ‘I feel happier here than in other places I’ve lived or visited’; ‘People in my city seem happy’; ‘I find joy in the everyday experiences my city offers’; and ‘The sense of happiness in my city has grown a lot recently’. This latest ranking follows Time Out’s 50 Best Cities in the World 2025 list, published earlier this year, where Chiang Mai placed 28 thanks to its growing reputation for excellent cuisine and third-most affordable place to eat out at a restaurant in all 50 cities.

Two of the city’s most innovative cocktail bars  – Bar.San and Bar Not Found – earned national acclaim at the weekend, landing at numbers 10 and 12 respectively on Thailand’s 20 Best Bars 2025 list, revealed at this year’s Bangkok Bar Show Awards. While Bangkok’s heavyweights took the top spots (see the full list here on Time Out Bangkok), Chiang Mai proved it can hold its tipple, with both bars recognised for creativity, craftsmanship and boundary-pushing alcoholic beverages. Bar.San, the sophisticated sister to Noir CMI and its neighbouring jazz-inspired venues, not only placed 10 overall but also took home the title of Best Bar in Chiang Mai. Meanwhile, Bar Not Found – the city’s ultra-modern, Pantone-themed cocktail bar – came in at 12 with nods to its colourful cocktails and brightly lit conceptual flair. The Bangkok Bar Show was co-founded in 2019 by Thailand’s cocktail pioneer Niks Anuman and Singapore’s Colin Chia, who built events that not only spotlight the country’s best bars but also celebrates Southeast Asia’s rising fine-drinking culture and spirited creativity.  And while there’s many more we think could have made the list (check out our best hidden cocktail bar list here), when you’re next in town, head to Bar San for some moody elegance and masterfully balanced classics, or pull up a stool at the well-hidden Bar Not Found – but only if you can find the right doorway first.

As the Yi Peng festival looms closer, lantern sales are up – but beware, there are strict rules this year on where you can release them. From November 5-6, Chiang Mai officially celebrates Yi Peng – the northern counterpart to Loy Krathong is usually celebrated by releasing paper lanterns into the sky, often adorned with names, wishes and prayers to the gods. This year, authorities have drawn up six ‘surveillance zones’ where launching anything that flies, sparks or explodes is strictly off limits. Red Zones, where lantern release is strictly prohibited, includes Hang Dong, Saraphi, San Sai, Mae Rim, San Patong, Muang Chiang Mai and the ‘Toffy Zone’ – a designated flight safe area that stretches 15km north and south from the airport.  If you still want that picture-perfect lantern release for your social media stories, you’ll need to head to one of the few officially approved events, CAD Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival, where thousands of lanterns are set free in one go under strict safety rules. Take this as your warning: if you ignore the ban, you face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to B200,000. This almost doubles if your lantern starts a fire.  If, after all this, you’re still planning your own mini-release, then keep it green by using only biodegradable materials that vanish within a year – yes, this is also a strictly enforced rule from this year.  So if you’re planning to release a lantern this year, swap out the old frames for biodegradable ones and send off

Known to some, new to many, Chiang Mai’s newest (or maybe oldest) natural wonder has had a makeover fit for explorers. Mae Sap Cave – better known as Tham Sai Rung, or Rainbow Cave – has officially reopened after a transformation from dark and dingy hollow to dazzling geological wonder. Once submerged in water, the dramatic stalactites and stalagmites have frozen mid-drip, a dramatic time capsule millions of years in the making. What is new, however, is the visitor-friendly spruce-up: safe pathways, lighting and a proper chance to admire its natural spectacle without a miner’s helmet.  Inside, you’ll find four chambers – Rainbow, Chapel, Emerald and Diamond – each with its own otherworldly formations. Think towing columns, heart-shaped stones and imaginative shadow casting outcrops that form shapes of animals and ghosts.  The star of the show, though, must be the rainbow of colours that ripple across the walls and ceilings, where layers of white, grey, ochre and brown-yellow limestone bands tell their own story of time. Stretching 144 metres in length, the cave can be found inside Samoeng’s Khun Khan National Park, some 90 minutes west of Chiang Mai city centre. While far from the city, entrance is just B100, making it the perfect excuse to swap strawberry picking for subterranean sightseeing instead.

If you thought that Warm Up was only about rock riffs and EDM drops, think again. This month, the city’s favourite nightclub is flipping the script by hosting the legendary ‘50s doo-wop band The Platters for the first time in Chiang Mai history.  The Platters Experience – Sleepy Lagoon brings the timeless sound of the oldies to the city later this month with a live concert at Warmup Cafe across two matinee shows on Sep 20-21.  Tickets cost B2,500 and promise an exclusive experience with the inclusion of premium Martell cognac, fine wines, tasty snacks and a jazzy warm-up ensemble before the main act. Better yet, part of the proceeds go directly to Mae On Hospital to help renovate their outpatient wing. It’s giving good vibes with good intentions. Photograph: The Platters With seating capped at just 150 per show, exclusivity is the name of the game. For two nights only, this is likely the first (and possibly last) time Chiang Mai gets to hear these iconic harmonies live. Don’t sleep on this one. With an evolving line up of band members, their hits remain eternal. Expect spine-tingling renditions of classics like ‘Only You’, ‘The Great Pretender’, and ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’.  Secure your spot by calling 02-113-1234 or messaging the dedicated ticket booking LINE account @theplatterscnx. 

Visitors and locals of Chiang Mai have been advised to avoid the city centre and stay at home as floodwater caused by tropical storm Kajiki leaves many parts of the city submerged.  Heavy rains showered down on Chiang Mai today leaving roads and canals unable to drain fast enough, resulting in citywide flooding.  Authorities have warned of continued heavy rains over the coming days and advise people to avoid the city centre wherever possible. As of today, many cars, properties and public spaces have been submerged by up to one metre in flood water.  Photograph: Traffic Radio Chiang Mai This year, Chiang Mai has been inundated with floods on many occasions, with December last year seeing the largest flood the city has seen for centuries.  Since then, drainage and flood defences have struggled to cope, leaving the city open to more chances of flooding – something many believe to be here for the long-run. Hopefully the rain clears and the flooding subsides fast, just in time for a weekend of city-based fun and parties.

After months of pursuing side projects, Yellow Fang are back – and their comeback tour is tearing through Thailand with the same bite and brilliance that made them a national favourite. Formed in Bangkok back in their uni days, this all-female alt-rock group quickly rose in the charts thanks to their alternative, gender-bending mix of rock, dream pop, lo-fi, shoegaze and atmospheric guitar textures that defined a generation of indie artists in their wake last decade. Their discography – including standout album The Greatest – has made international strides in recent years as the genre resurfaced into pop culture once again, with tours of Tokyo, Malaysia and even further afield over the last half a decade.  Photograph: Yellow Fang When is Yellow Fang playing in Chiang Mai? Yellow Fang is scheduled to take the stage in Chiang Mai on September 20, with a live performance at Muan More Space, Central Chiangmai Airport. Fans can look forward to hearing all their favourite tunes from ‘Unreal’ to ‘I Don’t Know’ as well as a supporting act from Chiang Mai dreampop band srwks. in partnership with Oversee.  Where to get tickets to see Yellow Fang in Chiang Mai? Tickets for Yellow Fang went live today (Aug 13) and are already selling out fast. They’re available for purchase through Ticket Melon. Grab yours here. Ticket prices As soon as the ticket sales opened, earlybird and Phase Two tickets have now already sold out.  Phase Three tickets are live and on sale for B450 per person, with

Last week, a clever and wildly popular venture that saw young Thais selling fresh hot coffee at traffic junctions in Chiang Mai hit a red light after police abruptly shut down the operation. However, undeterred by the setback, Chef James Noble, the founder and creative force behind viral sensation Rocket Coffee, is channeling his inner ikigai to reimagine the project and ensure ongoing success for his fast-growing network of empowered entrepreneurial baristas. Photograph: Chiang Mai News The Rocket Coffee phenomenon For the last few months, Rocket Coffee has appeared at red light junctions in Chiang Mai, serving fresh, hot coffee from a rocket-like backpack barista setup to drivers stuck in traffic, straight through their car windows.  As the queues grew, so did the craving for coffee – inspiring Noble and a team of empowered young Thais to join fellow doughnut and Yakult vendors at red lights through a brand new worker-first franchise that generates real income for those otherwise without work.  While Thais took to the streets with their very own equipment, behind the scenes Noble was working hard to maintain quality – importing equipment from Germany and working with local farmers to source and perfect their blend of single origin northern Thai coffee beans.  For under B100,000, anyone could buy and launch their own Rocket Coffee franchise. A price that includes barista training, the branding, portable backpack equipment and the support of a purpose-driven community roote

Chiang Mai is slated to become the entertainment capital of Thailand, and possibly Southeast Asia following a landmark film partnership memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Hylife Group and the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).  Northern Thailand has always been a popular destination for Thai and International filmmakers thanks to its diverse setting, natural surroundings and cheap rates. We covered Chiang Mai on the silver screen in a recent top 12 film list, and that’s just the movies that directly reference the city in their script. Other films like Rambo, American Gangster, Twilight over Burma and Into the Sun were also filmed in our northern province with their stories set elsewhere. So, in a bid to decentralise big industry and capitalise on the popularity of Chiang Mai among filmmakers, Hylife Group – Chiang Mai’s leading conglomerate in real estate, asset management and manufacturing – has struck a deal with Korea’s BIFF, signing an MOU to join forces as key industry partners to position Chiang Mai as a premier entertainment hub in Asia.  Other signatories included K Wave Media, Solaire Partners and Lewis Pictures – three more big industry players that will help solidify this powerful alliance and advance the regional film industry. Under the broader citywide ‘Creative Chiang Mai’ campaign, this historic agreement aims to attract more international film investment, develop training platforms for local professionals and drive job creation.  The firs

Chiang Dao may not be the first place you think of when it comes to fine alcohol production. Its towering mountains and backwater vibes give off more ‘moonshine’ than ‘micro-distillery’ – but hidden just outside of town is a small-batch operation that, despite very strict Thai alcohol production laws, is creating contemporary spirits that exceed all expectations. What better way to spend a weekend than to see it for myself – from planting rice to bottling the final drop of Sonklin, their signature spirit crafted entirely from Sanpatong sticky rice. The result? A boozy, belly-laughing trip that showed me a new side of Chiang Dao where we spent days fermenting, distilling, condensing and popping corks in more ways than one. Photograph: Time Out Step one: Fermentation Any good spirit starts with some fermentation – a bubbling, transformative process that brings that which is inside, out. The same could be said about travelling, which is why a quick soak in the Chiang Dao hot springs helped ease myself into the trip, like an overripe plum preparing to pickle. Spirit lifted and pores open, I made my way to Choeng Doi Distillery for another, more uplifting experience – and not just because of the boozy vapour in the air.  Unlike other distilleries I’ve visited in Thailand, there were no fires burning over blackened stainless steel pots or shelves of old sticky rice bags and questionable permits collecting dust. On the contrary, it was a clean, meticulously planned operation that