MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum

MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum is the main reason art lovers head east out of the city to San Kamphaeng district. The building has a mirrored wall, which makes it easy to spot as you arrive along the old Chiang Mai to San Kamphaeng road.

The museum is devoted to contemporary art, presented through changing exhibitions, so it is worth looking at the museum's website before you go to see what is on. Unlike the city's historic sights, the focus here is on present-day art, and a visit pairs well with a temple-heavy itinerary as a change of pace.

There is more to the visit than the galleries. The MAIIAM Café serves Thai and international dishes and drinks, which helps if you are making a half day of it, and the museum shop sells artist books, exclusive merchandise and souvenirs. A car park sits beside the building, with street parking as backup.

The museum suits anyone with an interest in modern art or architecture, and being indoors it makes a calm contrast to the temples. Allow one and a half to two hours including a coffee. Opening hours are 10:00 to 18:00, but the museum's own pages differ on which days it is closed, so check the latest information on the website before you set out.

Getting there is straightforward. By car, take Road 1006, the old San Kamphaeng route, and continue about 1.5 km beyond the Bor Sang intersection; the mirrored building is on the right. White minibuses leave from Warorot Market for a small fare if you ask for MAIIAM, with return services from outside the museum until around 18:00, and red shared taxis or ride-hailing apps are other options.

Plan your trip so that you arrive soon after opening and have time for lunch in the café before heading back. Check whether a guided tour or talk is scheduled during your visit. If you use the white minibus, confirm the time of the last return service with the driver, since you do not want to be left waiting at the end of the day. Combining the museum with an afternoon at the countryside restaurants of San Kamphaeng makes a full and varied day out.