Highlights:
- Mix of Thai-style homes and new developments
- Authentic Thai life with growing Western conveniences
- Close to the airport and Hang Dong
Best for: Those seeking a more Thai experience but with some familiar comforts
Transportation: Car or motorbike necessary due to the area’s layout
Cost of living: Mid-range housing between ฿10,000-25,000/month, with affordable daily expenses mostly through local markets. Western goods are accessible but require travel, making the overall cost moderate.
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Sandwiched between the meandering Ping River and the straight-shot Canal Road, Pa Daet is Chiang Mai’s southern suburb a hop, skip, and a jump from the airport. This neighborhood provides easy access to both the Old City’s charms and Hang Dong’s expat enclaves.
A particularly beautiful temple near the river gives this burb it’s name – a popular place for pilgrims to ask for boons of Buddha.
If you love well-organized, gridded street systems – stay far away from here! If there’s a sense or plan to Pa Daet’s sois, those are not discernable to the modern metropolitan. There are a lot of hidden gems to be found though, and the Goldilocks location – not too far, not too close to the city center – makes it well worth learning the local maze.
Pa Daet is a bit of a mixed bag, housing-wise. You’ll find traditional Thai homes rubbing shoulders with gated developments (Mooban Wang Tan is one of the most popular in Chiang Mai), some offering enviable views of the Ping River. It’s not exactly a walker’s paradise, but what it lacks in pedestrian-friendliness, it makes up for in variety. Traffic here is generally more manageable than in the city center, but rush hour can still pack a punch.
Amenity-wise, Pa Daet serves up a authentic slice of Thai life with a side of Western conveniences. You’ll find fresh markets (talad sot) and community markets (talad nat) alongside a sprinkling of Western-style supermarkets and eateries. It’s a balancing act – you can grab a croissant for breakfast, then haggle for mangoes at the local market for dessert.
Expat-friendly Amenities in Pa Daet:
- International Schools: Options available in nearby Mae Hia, about 10-15 minute drive.
- Supermarkets: Lotus’s Hangdong, Makro Hang Dong, Big C Hang Dong (the one with the Homepro).
- Hospitals & Clinics: Chiang Mai Klaimor Hospital.
- Parks & Playgrounds: After School, Let Grow, Chada Café and Restaurant.
