• Public Park
• Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
• Wat Ratcha Burada Temple
• Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden
• Ban Hmong Mae Sa Mai
• Pha Taem National Park
• Khao Luang National Park

The wife of a Thai land activist who disappeared in mysterious circumstances has been jailed for trespassing, her lawyer said Friday, a crushing blow to a rural community locked in a lengthy dispute with the state. Their community first settled in the rural area in the 1960s, before it was declared a protected forest, and has been struggling against the state for decades. Pressure has mounted since the Thai junta launched a sweeping land reclamation campaign after its 2014 coup, which rights groups say unfairly targets poor, small-scale farmers. On Thursday the Supreme Court upheld sentences against the couple for encroaching on forest land, ending a long-running case that began before Den’s disappearance. Den was convicted in absentia. Supap Khamlae was ordered to serve a “six months jail term for trespassing on national park land,” her lawyer Thanomsak Rawadthai told AFP. Authorities have denied any involvement in his 2014 disappearance, which remains shrouded in mystery three years later. One high profile case involved Por Cha Lee Rakcharoen, an ethnic Karen activist who was was suing park officials for a series of alleged abuses against his community. Den, then 65, led a decades-long battle to secure land deeds for his community in northeastern Chaiyaphum province. That decades of ad-hoc land regulations have made it difficult to prove ownership. Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, whose NGO Cross Cultural Foundation has called for clarity on Den’s disappearance, which they believe was linked to his activism. Authorities have evicted hundreds of villagers around the country under junta orders, often by deploying soldiers to cut down crops and intimidate locals. Rights groups say the communities are not adequately compensated.

Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand but completely different than Bangkok. And remember, this list is really just the start. Chiang Mai was originally founded in 1296. It served as the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom (Kingdom of Northern Thailand) until 1558. All around the old city center you will find remains of the ancient walls, moats and lots of old and active Buddhist temples. I’ve spent about four months exploring Chiang Mai. It is a much quieter city that is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges with thick rainforests, countless waterfalls, wild animals, hot springs, and small villages. Here you will find 12 great places to visit near Chiang Mai that you cannot miss. If you are planning a trip to Chiang Mai then you’ll definitely want to read on. That’s not as long as I was living in Chiang Rai, but long enough to get to know Chiang Mai beyond its old city walls.

It is easy to get there either by taxi, tuk-tuk, or motorbike.

The mountain ranges near Chiang Mai have been inhabited by the hill tribes (Akha and Hmong) for many years. In this article, you will get to experience a bit of the old and a bit of the new Chaing Mai. In more recent times coffee and tea plantations have become a booming industry in the mountainous areas around Chiang Mai. This temple is built at the foothills of Doi Suthep, that huge mountain just outside of Chiang Mai. It was originally constructed in 1297 by King Manglai of the Lan Na Dynasty. It is easy to get there either by taxi, tuk-tuk, or motorbike. Wat Umong is one of the most unique temples I have ever visited, with at least part of the temple being built inside a cave (or series of tunnels). The temple is open from 6am to 5pm. While entry to the temple grounds is free there is a small charge to get into the tunnel section. Wat Umong is located about 20 minutes west of Chiang Mai’s old town.

Sight Seeings At Chiang Dao

Baan Mae Kampong is a peaceful, small village located in the mountains about 50 kilometers east of Chiang Mai. You should also take the opportunity to try the popular northern Thai dish known as Khao Soi. A small creek runs through the village, and in between some of the houses. You will find traditional wooden houses on either side of the steep road which ascends its way up the mountain. This is a rich creamy soup with slow-cooked chicken legs, crunchy noodles and topped with pickled onion and chili. Towards the top of the village, you can visit the Mae Kampong Waterfall, the Wat Mae Kampong temple, and a couple of nice coffee shops. Make the most of your experience and spend a night in the village at the traditional Mae Kampong Homestay. It’s one of my favorite dishes in Thailand! The village is around 100 years old, with most of the inhabitants having migrated here from the Doi Saket District.

We found the Chae Son National Park completely by accident. Up in the Chae Son National Park, you will a nice clean campground where you can hire camping gear from the national park headquarters. While we made it up to the top in a small 1.6L Toyota hatchback, it is highly recommended to use a proper 4WD to get up here. There are also hiking trails, waterfalls, hot springs, and a stunning lookout. If you want to get out in nature, then the Chae Son National Park is one of the must visit places near Chiang Mai! The Chae Son National Park lookout is located way up in the mountains. Camping in the mountains is an awesome overnight escape where you will enjoy the cool mountain air. We were actually on the way up the mountains to The Giant Chiang Mai Tree House when we got lost and ended up in the neighboring Lampang Province. The small winding concrete road is seriously steep, and quite poor quality in some sections.