Chom Thong
Chom Thong at a Glance
Costs: Affordable with nature options - uS$25-50/day for guesthouses, markets and park fees.
Safety: Generally safe, tourist-oriented - low crime; standard caution on mountain roads and at night.
Best Time: Cool dry season November-February - clear weather ideal for Doi Inthanon and hiking.
About Chom Thong
Chom Thong is a bustling market town about an hour’s drive south of Chiang Mai, best known as the gateway to Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain. It has traditional values and the easygoing charm peculiar to hilltribe catchment towns, with several hilltribe villages tucked into the surrounding hills. It’s common to see colourfully dressed villagers wandering through the market.
Chom Thong is rarely a destination in itself, but it makes a convenient rest stop if you’re heading from Chiang Mai up to Doi Inthanon National Park. The streets are lined with classic wooden houses, and the main town market is a perfect spot to grab local northern Thai food for a picnic in the park.
If you have time, walk around Wat Phra That Sri Chom Thong, one of the more impressive temples in the area. Its gleaming chedi draws people in, but it’s a relic of the Buddha himself, the Holy Dakkhinamoli Buddha Relic, that brings pilgrims from far and near. All transport pulls up in front of the town’s famed temple and beside the market, so travellers continuing up the mountain by songthaew pass right by it.
Why Visit Chom Thong?
South of Chiang Mai, Chom Thong is a draw for temple pilgrims and nature lovers. Historic sites like Wat Phra That Chom Thong and nearby Doi Inthanon National Park provide spiritual and mountain scenery, while hill-tribe markets offer woven textiles and seasonal produce. Short drives reveal waterfalls, hot springs and community-run homestays that make for an accessible rural escape from the city.
Best Things to Do in Chom Thong
Mountain
Doi Inthanon
Thailand's highest peak with cloud forest ecosystems
Park
Doi Inthanon National Park
Thailand's highest mountain within biodiverse national park
Park
Op Luang National Park
Thai national park featuring canyon and waterfalls
Historical Site
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
Thailand's highland botanic garden focused on native plants
Zoo
Chiang Mai Night Safari
Nighttime safari park featuring nocturnal animal exhibits
National Park
Mae Wang National Park
Northern Thai park with waterfalls and mountain trails
Palace
Bhubing Palace
Royal palace and hillside garden in Chiang Mai
Waterfall
Wachirathan Falls
Scenic waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park
Chom Thong Bucket List
Don't Miss
Wat Phra That Chom Thong - Important hilltop stupa with panoramic views and annual pilgrimage ceremonies.
Doi Inthanon National Park - Thailand’s highest peak with waterfalls, trails, and Hmong villages nearby.
Mae Klang Luang Village - Hmong community village offering coffee farms, local handicrafts, and guided walks.
Hidden Gems
Royal Project farms - Royal Project agricultural demonstration farms growing temperate fruits and vegetables.
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail - Kew Mae Pan Trail for shaded forest walks and viewpoints atop Doi Inthanon.
Wachirathan and nearby waterfalls - Series of waterfalls within the park offering easy access and photo opportunities.
Day Trips
Chiang Mai city - Short drive to Chiang Mai for temples, Night Bazaar, and museums.
Doi Inthanon hill-tribe and waterfalls - Visit hill-tribe markets, waterfalls, and coffee farms scattered around Doi Inthanon.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Chom Thong
Chom Thong benefits from northern Thailand’s cool season November-February, when mornings are crisp and skies clear. Hot pre-monsoon months get intense, while the monsoon drenches the hills June-October.
Hot Season
Scorching plains and hot hillsides; best to hike early, visit highland temples before midday, and expect smoky air at times.
Rainy Season
Cloudbursts and slippery trails; waterfalls are spectacular and terraced fields glow, but road travel slows and some viewpoints fog in.
Cool Season
Crisp mornings, chilly nights and clear views; excellent for hiking, temples and festivals-pack layers for early starts and higher elevations.
Chom Thong's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 14°C to 37°C. Moderate rainfall (947 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 14° - 29° | 22° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 65% | 0.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| February | Ideal | 16° - 33° | 24° | 8 mm | mostly sunny | 54% | 0.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |
| March | Excellent | 19° - 36° | 28° | 19 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 1.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 23° - 37° | 31° | 62 mm | some cloud | 53% | 1.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Good | 24° - 34° | 33° | 145 mm | overcast | 73% | 1.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.9h |
| June | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 100 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.1h |
| July | Good | 23° - 31° | 31° | 108 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.0h |
| August | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 31° | 157 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 27° | 173 mm | overcast | 87% | 0.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 22° - 31° | 26° | 117 mm | overcast | 85% | 0.7 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Excellent | 19° - 30° | 24° | 45 mm | some cloud | 80% | 0.8 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.2h |
| December | Ideal | 15° - 28° | 22° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 73% | 0.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 10.9h |
How to Get to Chom Thong
Chom Thong (Chiang Mai province) is conveniently reached via Chiang Mai city - either by flying into CNX or taking an overnight train from Bangkok. Local buses, songthaews and taxis cover the last mile to the district.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): Chom Thong district in Chiang Mai province is best reached from Chiang Mai airport. Drive time from CNX to Chom Thong town is about 45-70 minutes depending on traffic; taxis typically cost 400-800 THB. CNX has regular domestic connections and some international flights.
Bangkok airports (BKK/DMK): If arriving from overseas you can fly into Bangkok then take a domestic flight to Chiang Mai and continue by road. Driving directly from Bangkok by road takes substantially longer (8-10 hours) and is less common for tourists.
Train: The State Railway of Thailand runs overnight and daytime services to Chiang Mai station; from there take a taxi or local bus to Chom Thong (roughly 45-70 minutes). Trains are a comfortable budget option for northern travel.
Bus / Minivan: Buses and minivans from Chiang Mai city to Chom Thong and nearby attractions run frequently; travel time is about 45-70 minutes and fares typically range 50-150 THB. Local songthaews and taxis handle short local trips.
How to Get Around Chom Thong
Most visitors combine a flight or overnight train to Chiang Mai with a taxi or bus for the final leg to Chom Thong. For local exploration a rental car or motorbike works well, while public minivans keep costs down.
- Train to Chiang Mai + taxi (Train 200-1,200 THB; taxi 300-800 THB) - Overnight and daytime trains arrive at Chiang Mai station; after arrival, taxis or a booked transfer take you to Chom Thong. Trains offer sleepers for longer routes and are comfortable for overnight travel from Bangkok.
- Domestic flight to CNX + taxi (Flight 1,000-4,000 THB; taxi 400-800 THB) - Flights to Chiang Mai are frequent from Bangkok and other Thai cities. From Chiang Mai airport a direct taxi or airport transfer will get you to Chom Thong in under 90 minutes; useful if you prioritize time over cost.
- Bus / minivan (50-150 THB) - Local buses and minivans from Chiang Mai city are a cost‑effective way to reach Chom Thong and nearby temples. Minivans are frequent but can be cramped; buses are roomier and better for luggage.
- Motorbike taxi / songthaew (20-150 THB) - For short journeys within Chom Thong, motorbike taxis and songthaews are common. They are cheap and flexible but negotiate fares ahead of time and wear a helmet on motorbikes.
- Rental car (≈800-1,800 THB/day) - A rental car gives freedom to visit waterfalls, temples and rural areas around Chom Thong. Roads are generally good but expect narrow rural sections; an international driving permit is advisable for foreign drivers.
- Walking - Chom Thong’s town center and many temple sites are walkable; however, distances between attractions can be significant and hilly in places. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water.
Where to Stay in Chom Thong
Budget
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Mid-Range
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Luxury
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Where to Eat in Chom Thong
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Chom Thong’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Chom Thong
Nightlife in Chom Thong is low-key. You’ll find modest bars and eateries, plus occasional temple fairs or local events with music, but no major nightlife venues.
Shopping in Chom Thong
Shopping is local and practical: markets, small shops and stalls sell food, souvenirs and daily necessities. For larger markets or a wider shopping scene, travel up to Chiang Mai city.