Chiang Mai is in the north of Thailand and is a place I've wanted to visit for a long time. As we currently live in Phuket we decided to fly to Chiang Mai from Phuket International Airport. Chiang Mai is a 2-hour trip and is served by various airlines. We booked with Air Asia. This is the first time we have flown since the COVID-19 pandemic so I was interested in what would be different compared to the pre-COVID days.
The Airport
We arrived 2 hours before our 13.55 flight. No temperature checks on entering the airport (or at least none that I could see). Printed our boarding passes at the self-service check-in desk and dropped off our checked baggage, and then headed to the departure gates and the security checkpoint. Here a few things have changed. Firstly you must download the AOT Airport app and upload your picture ID and various other personal information. As you approach the security checkpoint your body temperate will be taken via a thermal scanner (your temperature must be less than 37.3 C). You then proceed through security as normal. Please note a mask must be worn at all times whilst at the airport and on the airplane. Boarding of the plane is done in phases to adhere to social distancing. It seemed to all work well. Your temperature will be taken once more prior to boarding the aircraft.
The Flight
Nothing new to report here apart from a mask be worn at all times. Exiting the plane is done via rows and is very orderly. It certainly beats the days of the scrum to the door once the plane has landed.
The Hotel - Art Mai Gallery Hotel www.artmaigalleryhotel.com
We chose to stay at the Art Mai Gallery Hotel which is a 15-minute taxi ride from the airport and cost 150 THB. We booked to stay for 4 nights in the Premier Art Room. We paid 1100 THB per night. Breakfast was not included.
ART MAI GALLERY HOTEL is inspired and dedicated to Thailand’s well-known artists. Rooms on each floor of the Art Mai Gallery Hotel feature a distinct art theme.
Art Mai Gallery Hotel Video Tour
Dinner and a stroll around the neighborhood
Arty Local Market Soi Nimman 1
After a long day of travelling, we stopped by a small local bakery beside our hotel called Saruda Finest Pastry. To be very honest these are probably some of the finest cakes and desserts that I have ever tasted. Simply delicious! I cannot recommend this place highly enough.
