The Ada House journal

Stories from Chiang Mai

Local culture, hidden corners and practical tips — from the people who actually live here.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a sunny water park near Chiang Mai — an inflatable floating obstacle course on a turquoise quarry lake, curving water slides and palm trees against green misty hills, with children splashing and floating.

Things to do · July 3, 2026

Water parks & adventure parks in and around Chiang Mai

Floating ninja-warrior courses on a quarry lake, wave pools and spiralling slides, alpine coasters through the jungle — here's how families and thrill-seekers cool off and let loose near Chiang Mai.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a quiet Chiang Mai night street at dusk, with soft neon bar signs, paper lanterns and a calm, low-key mood, no people and no real text or letters.

Practical tips · July 3, 2026

Thailand's sex industry: an honest, respectful guide

It's a subject visitors ask about quietly. Here's a sober, non-judgemental look at how the sex industry works in Thailand, what the law says, and why exploitation is never acceptable.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a small Chiang Mai post office counter with neatly stacked brown parcels, a woven basket of packages and a friendly clerk beneath teak beams

Practical tips · July 2, 2026

Sending parcels from Chiang Mai: post, couriers & customs

From posting a box home to signing for a Shopee delivery — here's how mail, couriers and parcels really work in Chiang Mai, honestly and without the guesswork.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a calm physiotherapy studio with a treatment table, resistance bands and soft green mountains framed by teak woodwork

Health & wellness · July 2, 2026

Physiotherapy and rehab in Chiang Mai: a guide

Desk-worker back and neck, a running niggle, post-op rehab: here's where to find proper clinical physio in Chiang Mai — and how it differs from a massage.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of tasteful prohibition motifs — a crossed-out vape, a leaf and a temple silhouette — arranged over a soft Chiang Mai skyline, with no real text or letters.

Practical tips · June 30, 2026

What's illegal in Thailand: a calm, honest guide for visitors

A few of Thailand's laws genuinely surprise newcomers, and a handful carry penalties far heavier than you'd expect at home. Here's a sober rundown of what's truly off-limits — so you can relax and enjoy your stay.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of people ziplining through a lush green jungle canopy, with timber platforms and rope sky-bridges strung between the trees in the misty hills near Chiang Mai.

Things to do · June 29, 2026

Ziplining in Chiang Mai: a flight through the jungle canopy

Steel cables strung between treetop platforms, sky-bridges over the gorge, the odd abseil to the forest floor. Here's how to fly through the canopy near Chiang Mai — safely.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of an open suitcase laid out with light clothes, a folded sarong, sandals, a sun hat, a bottle of insect repellent, a face mask and a reusable water bottle, framed by soft Lanna patterns.

Practical tips · June 29, 2026

What to Pack for Chiang Mai (and What to Leave at Home)

Pack lighter than you think. Here's what's genuinely worth carrying to Chiang Mai, how to dress for the three seasons, and what to simply buy once you land.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of the gleaming silver ordination hall at Wat Sri Suphan, its walls and panels covered in intricate hand-tooled repoussé designs.

Local culture · June 29, 2026

Wat Sri Suphan: Chiang Mai's Silver Temple on Wualai Road

A few minutes south of the Old City stands an ordination hall clad entirely in hand-tooled silver. Here's the story of Wat Sri Suphan, its silversmith neighbourhood, and how to visit it respectfully.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of Wat Phra Singh's golden bell-shaped chedi rising beside the ornate gilded gable of the Wihan Lai Kham, tiered roofs and Naga balustrades glowing under a soft northern sky.

Local culture · June 29, 2026

Wat Phra Singh: the revered heart of Chiang Mai's Old City

At the quiet western end of the Old City stands the temple Chiang Mai holds dearest — a royal sanctuary of gilded halls, glowing murals and the revered Phra Singh Buddha.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of the great ruined brick chedi of Wat Chedi Luang, its weathered terraces lined with stone elephants and Naga-flanked stairways under a soft northern sky.

Local culture · June 29, 2026

Wat Chedi Luang: the great ruined chedi at the heart of the Old City

Right at the centre of the Old City stands a colossal brick stupa, half-ruined by an old earthquake and all the more moving for it.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a Thai almanac calendar ringed by festival scenes — monks in saffron, floating lanterns, a closed shop shutter and a crossed-out beer bottle.

Practical tips · June 29, 2026

Thai public holidays: what closes, the alcohol ban, and how to plan around it

Most days the city hums along as normal — but a handful of holidays close the banks, shut immigration and stop the shops selling beer. Here's how to plan around them.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a friendly Chiang Mai evening street scene with rainbow bunting, paper lanterns, welcoming cafés and people of all kinds strolling together.

Move here · June 29, 2026

LGBTQ+ Chiang Mai: A Welcoming, Practical Guide

Thailand is one of the most accepting countries in Asia, and Chiang Mai carries that spirit in its own gentle, friendly way. Here's an honest look at the culture, the scene and what's worth knowing — as a visitor or a future resident.