Talk Talk Language
Looking to truly integrate yourself into Thai culture? Then learning the language is a must! At Talk Talk Language you not only get the opportunity to learn Thai but the two most spoken languages in the world: English and Chinese (Mandarin) as well. You can choose whether you prefer private classes or to learn in groups.
At Talk Talk, not only are the teachers well-qualified, but the classes are small (maximum eight students per class) so you can easily ask questions and bond with your classmates and teachers. Classes are held in a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere in air-conditioned rooms. Located near Nimmanhaemin Road, the language centre is easy to reach from inside and outside the city centre. Lessons focus mainly on speaking and understanding the language. The goal is to be able to converse with locals fluently. Classes are held three times a week. and one class takes two hours and consists of two parts. The first hour focuses on conversations and communication skills, while the second hour (which is optional) concentrates on reading. Tests are taken every 20 hours and the course concludes with a tour of the market where students are dropped in real life situations to talk with locals. It’s a great chance to put your knowledge to the test and the teachers are present to supervise the conversations.
The Thai Language Course for Foreigners consists of three possible options. For students staying here for a short period there is the Short Course which includes 60 hours of lessons and costs 9,630 baht. People with long term plans can follow the 1 Year Course with Non-ED Visa with 200 hours of class for 25,680 baht. If you’re interested in studying in Thailand for a longer period of time and have questions about your visa then Talk Talk Language can assist you as well.
7/1 Soi 6 Sukkasem Road
053 401 085
Kailash Akhara Retreat Center
Kailash Akhara is a lush retreat centre in the inspiring mountains of Northeastern Thailand, an easy bus ride from Chiang Mai. The centre’s 50 acres are dotted with ponds, gardens, and stunning views. Home to one of the largest yoga temples in Asia, the centre also includes an open-air gym, swimming pond and solo meditation retreat huts. The natural scenery provides a peaceful setting to relax, renew, and rejuvenate.
With retreats and trainings in physical health cultivation, yoga, Ayurveda, Tantrik philosophy, permaculture, natural building and meditation, people from all over the world enjoy coming to Kailash Akhara to find vibrant health and personal growth.
The founder and main teacher of Kailash Akhara, Dharma Bodhi, has decades of experience as a doctor, teacher and spiritual advisor. He is a lifelong practitioner of classical Tantra and an adept yogi. He studied extensively in the mountains of Northern India and became a lineage holder of two non-dual Yoga traditions. Now renowned for his Tantrik healing methods, Dharma Bodhi is the creator of Primal Ayurveda and Sauhu – Energy of Mind Therapy. Since 1989, Dharma has travelled extensively teaching classes for complete well-being. He and his family have called Kailash Akhara home since 1998 after moving from the United States, and Dharma continues to offer authentic teachings to people from all over the world.
Explore another side of Thailand and awaken your spirit at Kailash Akhara!
134-135 Moo 3, T. Rongjick, Phu Ruea, Loei Province
087 220 2384 (English)
083 358 3662 (Thai)
Imperial Mae Ping
The Imperial Mae Ping is one of Chiang Mai’s oldest and most established luxury hotels, having been in operation for the past 26 years. A well-located, sprawling complex featuring 371 rooms, two swimming pools and four restaurants, the Mae Ping is great for housing visiting guests or even just stopping by for a family meal. Indeed, whether you’re looking for a feast of epic proportions or simply a salad in the garden, Executive Chef Stefan Frenzel and his team have the capacity to wow.
Try the Gold Leaf Chinese Restaurant, the Imperial Shabu Shabu for Japanese cuisine, the Garden Bar for barbecue and light meals, or the Mae Ping Coffee Shop and Restaurant (which is more like a vast dining room) for a wide selection of Thai and international fare.
The friendly Chef Stefan, a Swabian from Germany with 15 years of experience all over Asia, is always cooking up something new, and loves to cater specifically to the wants and needs of his guests – don’t be afraid to ask him to whip up an off-menu special just for you. The name of the game is keeping things fresh, using local ingredients whenever possible and constantly changing and adding new specials and promotions to the menu. This month it’s all about mangos, from deep fried prawns with fantastically fresh mango salsa to delicate crepe Suzette with fresh mango and ice cream.
Chef Stefan also specialises in German food, often with a Thai twist, such as the the luscious Swabian homemade pasta spaetzle with hang-lay curry and the German pork knuckle with pan-fried bread dumplings and sauerkraut.
For Thai students interested in learning the art of Western cuisine, Chef Stefan offers special cooking classes for only 350 baht per person, with more classes on the way. He also has big plans for the upcoming rainy season, including in-house activities, buffets and entertainment – perfect for whiling away those drizzly indoor days in style.
Dining room open daily, 5.30 a.m. – midnight
153 Sridonchai Road, Chang Klan
www.imperialhotels.com/imperialmaeping
053 283 900
Italia Restaurant
The lovely Sala Lanna Boutique Hotel has just had a major culinary revamp, thanks to their new executive Chef Davide Pritoni, a highly experienced Italian-born chef with over eight years of experience in Thailand. Now, the renowned Italia Restaurant has switched places with Sala Lanna Restaurant, which has become Lanna River Club, a riverside cocktail lounge.
The new Italia features a brand new menu, offering a greater variety of pastas, pizzas, soups and salads. Now most of the pastas on offer are fresh and homemade, and the pizzas thinner and crispier. Chef Davide specialises in traditional, authentic Italian cuisine, and says that his new kitchen is pure Italian, featuring a variety of regional dishes from Venice to the Mediterranean.
Chef Davide’s goal is to always keep things fresh and exciting, with special promotions each month featuring different seasonal ingredients. From the 1st to 14th of May, Italia offers a special dinner menu (6 p.m. – 10.30 p.m. daily) of chef recommended truffle and mushroom dishes. Try a fresh twist on bruschetta with porcini mushrooms and white truffle (200 baht), decadent homemade tagliatelle with porcini, black truffle and pecorino romano cheese (260 baht), and succulent rack of lamb with porcini, black truffle and crispy roasted potatoes (840 baht, but worth it!). Portions are generous and dishes are gorgeously presented with edible flowers and artful flourishes. Cool down on a hot evening with a refreshing beer mojito or shandy, sipped slowly on Italia’s romantic riverside patio, with sweeping trees and candlelit tables.
For special occasions, Sala Lanna’s elegant facilities can be rented out, including their rooftop dining area, perfect for dinner and drinks with a view. Chef Davide is also happy to host private BBQs or parties – just tell him your budget and he will create a customised menu for you!
Open daily, noon – 10.30 p.m.
49 Charoenrat Road, Wat Gate
053 242 588