Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [240]
COURSES
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Buddhist Meditation
The following temples offer vipassana meditation courses and retreats to English-language speakers. Participants should dress in modest white clothes, which can typically be purchased from the temple. Following Buddhist precepts, there is no set fee but donations are appreciated. Peruse the various websites for course descriptions and daily routines.
International Buddhism Center (IBC; 0 5329 5012; www.fivethousandyears.org; Wat Phra That Doi Suthep) is headquartered within the temple grounds on Doi Suthep. They offer beginner to advanced meditation retreats, lasting from three to 21 days.
Northern Insight Meditation Centre (0 5327 8620; Wat Ram Poeng) is located 4km south of Chiang Mai and offers an intensive 26-day or longer course. Days start at 4am and meals are taken in silence. The formal name for Wat Ram Poeng is Wat Tapotaram.
Wat Sisuphan (Map; 0 5320 0332; 100 Th Wualai; 7-9pm Tue, Thu & Sat) offers a two-hour introduction to meditation using the four postures: standing, walking, sitting and lying down.
Wat Suan Dok (Map; 0 5380 8411 ext 114; www.monkchat.net; Th Suthep) offers a two-day meditation retreat every Tuesday to Wednesday. At the end of each month, the temple extends the retreat to a three-day period (Tuesday to Thursday). Participants should register in advance and meet at Wat Suan Dok for transfer to the meditation centre, 15km northeast of Chiang Mai. Check the website for cancellation notices.
Cooking
Courses in Thai cuisine are another staple of Chiang Mai’s vacation learning scene. Dozens of schools offer cooking classes, typically costing 900B a day, either at an in-town location, like an atmospheric old house, or out of town in a garden or farm setting. Classes are usually offered five or more times a week and the menu might vary each day. Students will learn about Thai culinary herbs and spices, tour a local market and prepare a set menu. Of course, you also get to eat the Thai food and travel home with a recipe booklet.
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking (Map; 0 5341 8657; www.asiascenic.com; 31 Soi 5, Th Ratchadamnoen) is a place run by Khun Gayray who speaksgreat English and has done some back-packing herself.
Baan Thai (Map; 0 5335 7339; www.baanthaicookery.com; 11 Soi 5, Th Ratchadamnoen) has an in-town location where you can select which dishes to prepare; their ‘intensive’ courses include a menu of northern Thai specialities.
Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School (Map; 0 5320 6388; www.thaicookeryschool.com; booking office, 47/2 Th Moon Muang) is one of Chiang Mai’s first cooking schools and holds classes in a rural setting outside of Chiang Mai. The school also has a ‘masterclass’ with a northern Thai menu.
Gap’s Thai Culinary Art School (Map; 0 5327 8140; www.gaps-house.com; 3 Soi 4, Th Ratchadamnoen) is affiliated with the guesthouse Gap’s House (where you can make your booking) and holds its classes out of town at the owner’s house.
Thai Farm Cooking School (Map; 08 7174 9285, 08 1288 5989; www.thaifarmcooking.com; booking office, 2/2 Soi 5, Th Ratchadamnoen) teaches cooking classes at its organic farm, located 17km outside of Chiang Mai.
Language & Culture
Being a university town, Chiang Mai fosters continuing education opportunities in Thai language and culture.
American University Alumni (AUA; Map; 0 5327 8407, 0 5327 7951; www.learnthaiinchiangmai.com; 73 Th Ratchadamnoen; group course 4200B) conducts six-week Thai courses that work on mastering tones, small talk and basic reading and writing. Classes meet for 2¼ hours, Monday to Friday. Private instruction is also available.
Chiang Mai Thai Language Center (Map; 0 5327 7810; www.thaicultureholidays.com; 131 Th Ratchadamnoen; group course 3000B) has a more flexible class schedule and offers courses for beginners to advanced learners, as well as private classes, business Thai and northern Thai dialect lessons. As part of the course it is possible to stay in a village homestay just north of Chiang Mai. Classes run for