Khlong Mae Kha — Attraction in Chiang Mai Province

Is tourism friendly here as they have wheelchair services and also accessible too and also pubic toilet here too , even some locals charge a small fees of 5 baht but I think the government should have build a public toilet here as this place with very popular for instagrame and tourists

The waterway acted as an outer moat around the city of Chiang Mai. It is a drainage route to the Ping river. The current flows through Don Kaeo subdistrict, Mae Rim district passing through subdistricts of Pa Daet and Mae Hia in the area of Mueang Chiang Mai district. From there, it flow continues up till it joins the Lam Mueang Kang before emptying into the Ping river in the Pa Deat area, total length approximately 31 km (19.3 mi). In the past, the water conditions were clean and clear, can be used for consumption. Later it became spoiled and polluted. At present, there are efforts by the Chiang Mai government to revive this canal to return it to its former beauty and cleanliness like Japan's Otaru canal or South Korea's Cheonggyecheon.

Mae Kha Canal” was considered as one of seven auspicious significant areas at the establishment of the city in 1296. The watercourse of the canal flows from the north straight into the city and the city moat at the “Sri Phum” corner on the east side of the city. In the past, the canal was a natural outer moat which had been considered as an essential watercourse. lts function was to feed the city with water and it was used by residents of the city for transportation. Then after rampant urbanization, “Mae Kha” canal came to be a a unsubstantial canal and clean water couldn’t flew through properly, Also, more waste was dumped into the canal and turned the canal into a sewer. The sewer becomes a stage

The Chiang Mai local government promotes the rehabilitated and renovated area of the Mae Kha Canal by making it a venue for community events, recreational activities, educational trips, and knowledge exchange on wastewater management practices—all efforts to boost tourism, support the small enterprises of residents, and invite visitors to help promote the Canal. The area even hosted the city-wide Yi Peng Lantern Festival in 2022.

While sections of the Canal are still works in progress, the Chiang Mai local government has already realized how important social innovation is in addressing such a layered issue. Social innovation’s participatory and holistic approach that goes beyond the surface level and addresses root issues has proven to be effective in Mae Kha Canal’s case.

At first, the Mae Kha Canal was a cautionary tale of how rapid urban development without a sustainability approach can lead to the degradation of urban environments. Through cross-sectoral collaboration and social innovation, the Canal has been revitalized to support the natural and human ecosystems around it. The communities of Mae Kha, in turn, have established a sense of stewardship over the Canal that allowed them to play an active role in the decision-making and management of their immediate...

Right now (May 2023) you could say 'Khlong Mae Kha' is Chiang Mai's newest tourist attraction (until the next one comes along), but what a popular one it's proved to be. Mostly popular around sunset and later, it has become a mecca for photographers and selfie-takers.

It is a residential development along a section of the canals that crisscross Chiang Mai. Previously the area was home to unofficial squatter residences and Chiang Mai City Municipality wanted to clean up the area and provide attractions there.

This has been very successfully achieved and having been open now more than six months, it still looks good, and the upkeep by locals is well worth their while, as it is very popular with tourists and is bringing in a lot of unexpected income.

Many of the residents have converted their dwellings to become restaurants, bars, shops and cafes. Massage and music are also available.

Approximately a year under construction, with a budget of around ONE MILLION ENGLISH POUNDS (B40,000,000), about half this amount has been already spent on the developed area which occupies about the first two thirds of the canal from the Mae Kha Rakaeng Bridge to the Suriyawong Alley Bridge.

The final third has the same fine walkway along both sides of the canal, but little in the way of attractions as yet. It will be interesting to see what happens.

As there are so many fine pictures of 'Khlong Mae Kha' already, I have chosen some of my earlier pictures from when the canal was being constructed, to show how much has been achieved. But should you wish to see about 50 of my best pictures of the completed 'Khlong Mae Kha' check them out on the Googles Map site for 'Mae Kha...

A Wonderful Walk with My Dog at Khlong Mae Kha, Chiang Mai

Taking my dog for a walk along Khlong Mae Kha in Chiang Mai was a truly delightful experience! This once-forgotten canal has been beautifully revitalized, turning into a charming and peaceful place for both locals and visitors to enjoy.

The walkway along the canal is clean and well-maintained, lined with small cafés, street art, and traditional wooden houses that give it a unique, cozy atmosphere. My dog loved exploring the area, sniffing around the greenery, and enjoying the fresh air. The relaxed vibe and scenic views made our walk extra enjoyable.

One of the things I appreciated the most was how pet-friendly the area is. People were friendly and welcoming, and I even saw a few other dog owners enjoying the space. It’s a great spot to take a break, grab a coffee, and simply soak in the beauty of this urban oasis.

If you’re in Chiang Mai and looking for a peaceful, pet-friendly place to explore, I highly recommend visiting Khlong Mae Kha. I will definitely be bringing my dog back for another...