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Courses to Attend
Taking a courses are another popular activity in Chiang Mai. The city is ideal for lingering a week or two to update your skills or simply have some fun learning something new. Whether it's a one-day Thai cooking course or a month-long meditation retreat, there are courses to suit all interests and time schedules. |
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Thai cooking courses in Chiang Mai
There are several cooking schools that offer excellent one-day courses in preparing Thai cuisine, these include visits to the local market to provision and learn about unique vegetables, herbs and spices commonly used in this country and region. Each school offers standard one-day courses, half-day courses, evening courses and selected schools offer a variety of programs which include vegetarian cooking and preparing Thai desserts. Many of the guesthouses advertise courses offered informally by an endless supply of local kitchen maestros.
Thai language courses in Chiang Mai
If you're planning to stay longer in Chiangmai, you may wish to tackle the tonal gymnastics of spoken Thai. Despite the confusion of multi-tones to correctly pronounce one of several similar sounding words, the grammar is remarkably simple and it's not difficult to quickly start stringing sentences together. The locals will love you for it and are very non-judgmental of pidgin language. Taking Thai language courses is fun and you may even want to impress your friends by learning to read and write Thai with its 46 consonants and 32 vowels!
Thai massage courses in Chiang Mai
Massage courses usually last a week and are offered by several places near the town centre. However, those people hoping to earn money from the skill back in their home country should follow the example of serious massage practitioners and choose Thai massage courses that are certified.
Meditation in Chiang Mai
Many foreigners come to Chiang Mai to enter a temple and spend time learning meditation and familiarizing themselves with Buddhism. The most serious option is to enter Wat Rampoeng, near the foot of Doi Suithep, which has a fairly strict but manageable 30-day programme. Here you'll live like a monk, taking only two meals a day (none after noon), undertaking plenty of meditating, vows of silence and carrying out the usual chores expected of monks. Women and men are welcome, and accommodation is provided by small 'kuti' huts. There is no charge, although a donation is welcomed.
A recently introduced meditation facility has been added to Wat Doi Suithep, A recently introduced meditation facility has been added to Wat Doi Suithep, isolated from the city and the tourists, offering twenty-one day courses as taught at Wat Chom Tong. The kutis are fairly comfortable, if spartan, and the approach a little lighter and less uncomfortable for newcomers to the practice of meditation, more details call 053-295012.
Wat Chom Thong is remotely located, near the base of Doi Inthanon - a ninety minute drive south, and offers strict but popular meditation programmes under the direction of well-known monk Ajarn Thong. There is a minimum stay period of two weeks, the environment is similar to Wat Rampoeng and there is a forest retreat nearby for the serious practitioners.
At all three, you can simply show up, instructions are very basic and the activities deliberately slow and boring to help you focus on the present moment - in keeping with the teachings of the Buddha.
The Middle Way is an entire village devoted to meditation, and for those who are serious about their meditation then this is the place to come. Set in quiet, peaceful surroundings, The Middle Way is perfectly suited for those in need of a real escape from the hustle and bustle of the real world. The seven day courses provided will leave you refreshed, relaxed and possibly even enlightened!
Thai Boxing or Muay Thai courses in Chiang Mai
Muay Thai is popular among both men and women wishing to learn or hone their skill in Thai kickboxing. The camp gets you in shape with daily fitness and sparring routines, along with a number of highly experienced fighter trainers. Training and tuition is provided for beginners. There is a reasonable daily rate for attendance and participants are encouraged to spend a reasonable time there. The daily routine occupies about five hours a day, including the taking of meals and undertaking cultural practices. Most schools offer pick up service but easier if participants stay at guesthouses around the area.
Yoga classes are taught at various centres. One is the Marcel Kraushaar Hatha Yoga group that meets at the Pa Daet intersection.
Flying courses in Chiang Mai
Come and join intensive courses at any age, although you must be 16 to solo and 17 to get a pilot certificate – Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL). A current medical certificate will allow you to continue. All you need is some dedication, a handful of pilot tools, and of course some money – although flying in Thailand is considerably cheaper than in many places.
Golf in Chiang Mai
The North is ideal for a golf holiday, with its long mountain ranges, wide valleys and spectacular jungle scenery within easy reach of culture rich cities, and pleasant weather year round. Because of the altitude it is cooler than other regions, with temperature in the single digits in the cool months of December and January.
The regional capital of Chiangmai, 700 kilometres from Bangkok, has the biggest number of golf courses, most with magnificent views of surrounding hills and valleys. Chiang Rai, three hours' drive further north, boasts a number of championship courses in picturesque settings. Around the region are gems of courses owned and run by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, in areas surrounding its dams, with moderate albeit comfortable accommodation nearby.
Other courses and drop-in classes
Throughout the city, advertised on guesthouse message boards, in tourist magazines and on street poles are details on informal instruction in all of the above pursuits as well as Tai Chi, Qi Kung, Diving, Horse Riding, Rock climbing school and several practical crafts such as Jewellery-making, Photography, Silver Making, Soap Carving, Sand Stone Art, Thai painting and more.
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