About
An independent guide to Chiang Mai
We publish practical, locally-informed writing about living in and visiting Chiang Mai, current local news alongside evergreen guides that get updated rather than abandoned.
Why this exists
Chiang Mai is one of the most written-about cities in Southeast Asia and one of the worst served by that writing. Search almost any practical question, which visa, which neighbourhood, how bad is March, and you'll find a mix of listicles written by people who spent a fortnight here in 2018, forum threads where the useful reply is buried, and content marketing dressed as advice.
The Chiang Mai Brief is our attempt at the thing we wanted and couldn't find: a single English-language publication that treats Chiang Mai seriously, keeps its facts current, and is written from the position of actually living here.
What we cover
Six sections, each built around the questions readers actually ask. Living in Chiang Mai handles the practical machinery: visas, cost of living, renting, healthcare, banking, remote work and air quality. Neighbourhoods covers where to stay and live. Eat & Drink covers Northern Thai food and the coffee scene. Things To Do covers temples, culture and markets. Travel handles transport and day trips. Events covers the festival calendar.
Alongside those, our News & Updates feed carries dated coverage, openings, changes, event details, and our guide library holds the evergreen reference material.
How we work
We are independent. We don't run sponsored guides, we don't sell visa or property services, and we don't accept payment for inclusion in a recommendation. Where something has a genuine drawback, we say so. That applies as much to the city itself as to a restaurant.
Guides carry a published and updated date. When rules change, fares rise or a place closes, we revise rather than republish. If you spot something out of date, tell us. That's how a resource like this stays accurate.
Editorial principles
How we decide what to publish
Specific over general
We name places, quote prices and give dates. A recommendation that doesn't tell you where to go isn't a recommendation.
Current over evergreen-looking
Anything that changes, visa rules, fares, opening hours, gets an updated date and a revision when it moves.
Useful over promotional
We're not selling tours, property or visa services. If something isn't worth your money, we'll say so.
Local over touristic
We write for people who will still be here next month, which tends to produce better advice for visitors too.
Who writes this
Meet the team
The Chiang Mai Brief Editorial Team
Editorial Team
The Chiang Mai Brief publishes practical, independent guides to living in and visiting Chiang Mai. We cover neighbourhoods, food, transport, accommodation, events and the practical details that help readers get more from the city.
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Twice a month: new openings, events, changes worth knowing about, and our latest guides. No filler.
The Chiang Mai Brief
Got something we should cover?
Openings, closures, changes, corrections: we read everything. The best tips come from readers who live here.