Fast Facts

ATMs -- For ATMs and money changers, go to Chang Klan and Charoen Prathet roads, around the Night Bazaar, for the most convenient major bank branches.

Bookstores -- Backstreet Books (tel. 05387-4143) and Gecko Books (tel. 05387-4066) are neighbors on Chang Moi Kao, a side street north of eastern Thapae Road just before it meets the city wall. Both have a good selection of new and used books, and do exchanges at the usual rate (two for one, depending on the condition).

Consulates -- There are many representative offices in Chiang Mai. Contacts are as follows: American Consulate General, 387 Wichayanond Rd. (tel. 05325-2629), Canadian Honorary Consul, 151 Super Highway Rd. (tel. 05385-0147), Australian Honorary Consul, 165 Sirimungklajarn Rd. (tel. 05349-2480), and British Consul, 198 Bumrungraj Rd. (tel. 05326-3015).

Dentist/Doctor -- The American Consulate will supply you with a list of English-speaking dentists and doctors. There are also medical clinics; but do bear in mind, for reliable results from any tests, or for serious illness, you must seek professional and advanced care in Bangkok.

Emergencies -- Dial tel. 1155 to reach the Tourist Police in case of emergency.

Hospitals -- In Chiang Mai, standards of hospital care have fallen both medically and ethically. If you -- or especially your child -- fall seriously sick, it is essential that you head immediately to a more reliable and modern hospital in Bangkok, where physicians will offer better and more up-to-date diagnoses. Otherwise, try the private McCormick hospital on Kaeo Nawarat Road (tel. 05324-1311), out toward the Arcade Bus Terminal. Neither The Ram nor Lanna hospital is recommended.

Internet -- In the Old City, there are numerous small, inexpensive cafes with service sometimes costing only 20B (57¢/30p) per hour. Just outside the city and featuring the speediest service in town for just 1B per minute (about 3¢/1p per minute) is NET Generation at 404/4 Thapae Rd. (tel. 05323-3919). In the Night Bazaar area, try Click and Drink Internet Café opposite the Royal Princess Hotel at 147 Chang Klan Rd. (tel. 05327-5333). Just across from the entrance to Gad Suan Kaew/Central Department Store in the northwest corner of the Old City, Buddy Internet is at 12 Huaykaew Rd. (tel. 05340-4550) and is open 8am to midnight. Buddy 2 is at 56 Chaiyaphum Rd. (tel. 05387-4121), and Buddy 3 is in the Sompetch Gold Palace on Chaiyaphum Road (tel. 05323-2970).

Pharmacies -- There are dozens of pharmacies throughout the city; most are open daily 7am to midnight. Bring along any prescriptions that you need filled.

Police -- For police assistance, call the Tourist Police at tel. 1155, or see them at the TAT office.

Post Office -- The most convenient branch is at 186/1 on Chang Klan Road (tel. 05327-3657). The General Post Office is on Charoen Muang (tel. 05324-1070), near the train station. The Overseas Call Office, open 24 hours, is upstairs from the GPO and offers phone, fax, and telex services. There is a 24-hour branch at the airport (tel. 05327-7382). UPS has an office in the basement of the Night Bazaar (Chang Klan Rd.; tel. 05382-0222; daily 7am-10pm), making it easy to send your finds back home.