Baan Hom Samunphrai, Herbal Health Centre, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is one of the most intriguing cities in the whole of South Asia. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas at the meeting point of Thailand, Burma and Laos, this remote 'Shangri-La' is justly famous for its fresh climate, dramatic scenery, vibrant ethnic complexity, exotic rituals, and extraordinary sense of fun. Our Centre, Baan Hom Samunphrai, is only 9 kms from the Chiang Mai city centre, and that means the full range of its wonders are easily available to our students, clients, guests and conference groups. Moving in the opposite direction is easy too, as we're only an hour away from unspoiled hill-tribe settlements, mountain torrents and real jungle. Finally, we're not only just 15 minutes from the Chiang Mai International Airport, with direct connections all over the world, but at the end of one of the last great Adventure Train Rides left in the world--the snail-pace Bangkok-Chiang Mai Express! (You can Click Here for a Google Map of Chiang Mai.)

GRABS & TAXIS: Every Taxi driver in Chiang Mai now has a Smart Phone. Just show, 'BAAN HOM SAMUNPHRAI' on your own phone and he will deliver you here in 15 to 20 minutes -- or pick you up from our gate, day or night. Rarely takes more than 5 minutes for a car to arrive, and costs about 200 Baht either way.

Hill Tribe women selling Hand-woven skirts are still worn There is a festival almost monthly
silver in the Night Bazaar. in the streets & markets of the old city. with extraordinary displays of crafts.

Our small village of Hang Quae (rhymes with 'air') still relies upon agriculture for its livelihood. There are rice paddies, longan orchards, vegetable gardens, irrigation canals and fish ponds all around us, and herbal medicine is still used widely by our neighbours. We ourselves grow most of the herbs we use in our garden, and the fruit we serve at our tables is either picked from our own trees or brought home early in the morning from the village earth market.

Walks and bicycle rides are a delightful way to explore the countryside, and we have a whole fleet of bicycles for our guests.

You push your bicycle through our back gate and over the irrigation canal to get started. The buffalo have just finished grazing and are settling down in the mud to chew their cuds. Faithful and tireless workers, the Thai water buffalo is among the most contented creatures on earth, especially when unemployed!

Homprang's husband, Christopher, introduces some guests to the ancient Kingdom of Lanna, "Land of a Million Rice Fields," with its blue hills and electric green rice. The farmer on the right has just dug up some turmeric for a new mother in the village, and Smokey Lyons from Vermont can't believe his nose -- and it's also a very important herb in our steam baths!

Here's a recent photo taken by Katja Mögler during a bicycle ride in the monsoon rice at the very end of the special Refresher Course for professionals we held here last August. (You can click on her name to see Katja at work in her studio back in Halle near Berlin.)

If you haven't yet seen it, you can Click Here for an 11 minute film, 'Baan Hom Samunphrai.' It was shot by our great friend, Sam Kalayanee, who died at just 50 leaving a huge gap in our lives. He was the co-producer of 'Burma VJ,' the documentary nominated for an Oscar in 2010 -- indeed, some of the scenes in 'Burma VJ' were set in Baan Hom's old wooden farmhouses. And needless to say, Sam was at the table that very evening.

The film was shot during a single afternoon, and stars just whoever happened to be there at the time. The old crank-up gramophone was brought by a Norwegian friend -- the last one out of the steam bath smiling sheepishly at the camera. The fire is what we have every evening in December and January. All the rest is what happens any time of the year.

THAILAND'S ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
April 19th, 2026

VISA EXEMPTION

The THAI VISA EXEMPTION ON ARRIVAL is for 60 days.. All you need to do is arrive at a Thai airport and show your passport. Furthermore, that Visa can be easily extended in Chiang Mai for an additional 30 days -- which makes 3 months in all. And we'll help you here with that.

The THAI VISA EXEMPTION applies to 93 countries -- do check to be sure your country is included. If your country is not included you must apply to your Royal Thai Embassy for your Visa before you arrive.

Please do not ask for a letter unless you are asked to do so by your country's Royal That Embassy. Please ask them first before you ask us!

FLIGHT, ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE INFORMATION

FLIGHTS

Asian, Australian, & European students should be able fly directly into the Chiang Mai International Airport instead of arriving first in Bangkok. This is often cheaper and easier.

North and South American students should try to avoid Bangkok as well. Look at the big international carriers like American, Delta, United, JAL, ANA, Qatar, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and Thai Airways with connections that fly directly into Chiang Mai.

Most major European airlines can connect in Asia to regional airlines like Eva, Ana, Korean, Thai Smile, Thai Air Asia, China Airways, China Southern, Singapore, Viet Jet, Hong Kong Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, JAL, Cathay Pacific, Qatar, and Emirates. Some of those fly directly into Chiang Mai International Airport as well.

ARRIVALS

All students must arrive at Baanhom at least the day before any course as the Rasidaton (Thai Yoga) is at 7am on the first morning. If you can it's best to arrive in the afternoon: the Herbal Steam Baths will be hot at 5.30pm, and dinner will be at 7pm.

(The night before the class begins is part of the first full day of the course.)

We will meet you at the airport on the day before your course starts if you e-mail us your flight details – 1.) Date, 2.) Time, 3.) Airline, 4.) Flight Number, and 4.) final Departure point before you arrive. (we need to know this last to determine whether you will arrive in the International or the Domestic Terminal in Chiang Mai).

Our driver will hold up a sign with your name on it. If you don't see him/her immediately stay where you are by the Baggage Room exit and he/she will come and find you. (Do not budge from there or he/she may not!)

You can always phone us if you have a problem: 081.885.1429.

Takes about 20 minutes to get all the way home!

EARLY ARRIVALS
If you arrive a few days early you should book a Guesthouse or Hotel on-line -- the Old City near Tapei Gate is the best area, and there's a huge choice. The best time to come out to us is mid-afternoon -- the Herbal Steam Baths will be hot at 5.30pm, dinner is at 7pm.

TO GET OUT HERE ON YOUR OWN
You should take a Grab, blue and yellow taxi, or song taew (red pick-up truck taxi) -- show 'Baan Hom Samunphrai' on your phone and the driver will use his GPS if he needs to. Takes about 20 minutes and costs about 200 baht.

DEPARTURES

The course ends after class at 4pm on the last teaching day.

Many students like to stay on for one more night, and they are always welcome to do so -- it's hard for us to see you leave too! We charge 1 extra day for that which includes 3 meals -- we''ll give you a refund if you miss lunch on the extra day.