A Chiang Mai native shares her riverside city: morning alms by rowboat, a slow-cooked Lanna curry, and a hidden walk most visitors never take.
Early each morning, before Chiang Mai’s traffic starts, a monk rows up to the pier at RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort. Guests wait on the teak landing with food prepared by the resort’s kitchen. Behind them the Ping River moves slowly past, and a few local fishermen are already out on the water.
For General Manager La-iad Bungsrithong, this quiet ritual sums up why she has never wanted to work anywhere else.
“Chiang Mai is not only where I work,” she says. “It is home.”
A Hometown with Its Own Character
Khun La-iad was born in Chiang Mai, and her whole career in hospitality has been in her hometown. What she loves most about it, she says, is something that’s hard to copy.
“What I love most about Chiang Mai is its distinctive character,” she explains. “It is a city with great potential, where art, culture, cuisine and lifestyle come together in a way that feels uniquely its own.”
She has watched the city change over the years. New ideas, new cafés and new kinds of travellers have arrived, but she believes Chiang Mai has managed to keep hold of what matters.
“We have learned to adapt to each era while staying true to our way of life and the values that make our city special. That balance between change and continuity is one of the things I value most about my hometown.”
A Resort Built by People Who Know the River
RatiLanna was created by Chiang Mai people, and that is part of its appeal. The resort sits on a peaceful bend of the Ping River, about five minutes from the Night Bazaar and less than ten minutes from the Old City. Its design tells the story of the neighbourhood around it.
“The architecture looks back to the historic Wat Gate community, once a lively trading port on the Ping River,” Khun La-iad says. “The interiors bring together Lanna artistry and the heritage of the Tai Shan, Tai Lue and Tai Khern communities.”
Teak, local craftsmanship and Northern Thai detail run throughout the resort. Guests also experience the river directly: in a traditional Lanna-style boat along the river, or at the morning almsgiving on the resort’s own pier.
“We hope these thoughtful details help guests feel not only welcomed to Chiang Mai, but connected to its history and way of life.”
A Monk, a Rowboat and a Quiet Moment
The morning alms ceremony is one of the most memorable experiences at RatiLanna. It is rooted in the Buddhist tradition of merit-making, in which local people offer food to monks. Along the Ping River, life has always been closely tied to the community, so welcoming a monk by rowboat feels natural here.
“For many guests, it is a quiet and meaningful moment,” Khun La-iad says. “A chance to show gratitude, learn about a local tradition and feel a deeper connection to Chiang Mai’s spiritual and cultural life.”
Festival of Lights on the Ping
November is Chiang Mai’s most magical month. Yi Peng and Loy Krathong fill the night sky with lanterns and the river with candlelit krathong. For a riverside hotel, it is the high point of the year.
Her advice to visitors is to take their time. “The best way to experience the festivals is to slow down and appreciate both their beauty and their meaning,” she says. “Take a moment for reflection, gratitude and reverence.”
At RatiLanna, guests can join a krathong-making workshop and make their own offering. There is also a Loy Krathong dinner with cultural performances and a Kad Mua market of Northern Thai dishes, all beside the Ping River.
One Perfect Day, Slowly
Ask Khun La-iad how she would spend a free day in Chiang Mai, and she doesn’t send you racing between sights. She keeps you by the river.
The day begins with the almsgiving at the pier, then breakfast overlooking the water. “In the early hours, guests may catch a glimpse of local life along the water, with residents setting out by boat to fish.”
After breakfast comes a traditional massage with Thai herbs at RatiLanna Spa. She describes it as “a restorative experience that engages the senses through touch, scent, sound, and a calming riverside setting.” Then there is a cooking class and lunch, where the chef introduces local herbs and fresh curry pastes.
As evening falls, guests board the resort’s Dip & Sip boat for drinks and snacks on the river. The day ends with a candlelit dinner at Mira Restaurant.
The Dish to Try: Lamb Hung Lay
If there is one Northern Thai dish every visitor should try, Khun La-iad says, it is gaeng hung lay, the rich, spiced Lanna curry with Burmese roots. At Mira, the kitchen makes its own version: Lamb Hung Lay with Ginkgo, served with crispy roti.
“We marinate lamb shank with freshly pounded curry paste for about three hours, then slowly cook it until tender,” she explains. Ginkgo adds a soft, nutty note. Tamarind, fresh ginger and natural cane sugar balance the curry’s tang, warmth and sweetness.
“For a taste of Lanna by the Ping River, I would certainly recommend starting with our Lamb Hung Lay.”
The Hidden Walk Most Visitors Miss
Her favourite hidden gem is just across the river: Wat Ket Karam and its old riverside neighbourhood. The same community inspired RatiLanna’s design.
Before the railway arrived, Wat Ket was an important boat landing on the river route into Chiang Mai. Today a small community museum at the temple keeps the objects and stories of those trading days. From there, Khun La-iad suggests crossing the Chansom Memorial Bridge, known locally as Khua Khaek. There has been a crossing here since around 1878. The present bridge was built in the 1960s in memory of the donor’s late wife, Chansom.
On the other side is Warorot Market, known to locals as Kad Luang, which is full of local goods and Northern Thai street food. “It’s a lovely way to experience Chiang Mai’s history, riverside life and everyday flavours in one walk.”
For Golfers and the Ones Who Don’t Play
Khun La-iad doesn’t play golf herself, but she has hosted plenty of golfers. She has noticed what they care about.
“Golf travellers often plan their day around the course, but they also value what comes before and after the game: a good night’s rest, a relaxed breakfast and somewhere peaceful to unwind afterwards,” she says. “There’s also a lovely social side to golf. It brings friends and family together, even when not everyone plays.”
For golfers, RatiLanna offers a calm base by the river, with the spa, the infinity pool and dinner at Mira after a round in the mountains. For partners who don’t play, she suggests a day at their own pace: a massage, the pool or the cooking class. The resort’s tour partners can also arrange day trips to the Old City, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep or the scenery around Mae Rim.
“That way, while one partner is on the golf course, the other can choose an experience that feels just right for them.”
“Guests leave Chiang Mai feeling inspired to share the warmth of its people, the beauty of its art and culture, the charm of its lifestyle, and the wonderful flavours they discovered here.”
Planning a golf holiday in Northern Thailand? Golfasian can pair a riverside stay at RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort with rounds at Chiang Mai’s best courses, including Chiangmai Highlands and Alpine Golf Resort, plus tee times, transfers and tours for non-golfing partners. Contact Golfasian to start planning.
