The most common means of transport in Chiang Mai, however, and actually the most sensible for local conditions, is a "see-lor" (literally, "four wheel"). Plenty are around; they all are in vivid colors and look something like pick-up trucks but with a roof over the back.
The driver and one passenger can sit in the front, while other passengers sit on benches along the two sides of the back of the truck. These are "communal taxis" in the they pick up as many passengers as they can and drop them off as the drivers reach their destinations. The red color see-lor travels within the city and the red trucks marked with CMU travel on to Chiangmai University on Huay Kaew Road.
So once you are in one, don't be startled if the driver also picks up other passengers who may also be going in your general direction. To go by see-lor simply tell the driver your destination. If he nods his head 'yes', just get in and pay 10 Baht per person when you get out. If he asks, "How much will you pay me?", that means he wasn't planning to go your way, but if you are willing to pay perhaps 20 Baht per person, he might be persuaded to go.
One can travel inexpensively to suburbs by going to specific see-lor queues. The yellow see-lor that departs Vorawote Market travels to east to Doi Saket. The white see-lor that departs Vorawote Market travels to Sankampaeng. Yellow seelor departing from Pratu Chiangmai Gate yellow travel to Sanpatong.
Go to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Airport : Chiang Mai International Airport handles both domestic and international flights. Travelling from and to the airport can be done by hotel shuttle bus, private limousine, "Song taew" minibus or Thailand's symbolic tuk tuk. Always negotiate fares before boarding any vehicle.
Chiang Mai Railway Station : The train trip form Chiangmai - Bangkok takes about 12-13 hours.
Arcade Bus station (Khon Zong 2) : The Arcade is located on the eastern end of Kaew Nawarat Road, near the Superhighway Intersection (Highway 118). All arrivals and departures from the northwest, north, northeast and Bangkok. The bus tripfrom Chiangmai- Bangkok Takes about 9 hours.
Chang Puak Bus station (Khon Zong 1) : Located on the southern section of Chotana Road. Buses ply 2 routes to and from Chiang Mai, the northern route is highway 107 passing through Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao, Chaiprakarn, Fang, Mae Ai and Thaton.
