If you're planning to stay longer in Chiang Mai, you may wish to tackle the tonal gymnastics of spoken Thai. Despite the confusion of multi-tones to correctly pronounce one of several similar sounding words, the grammar is remarkably simple and it's not difficult to quickly start stringing sentences together.

 The locals will love you for it and are very non-judgemental of pidgin language. Taking Thai language courses is fun and you may even want to impress your friends by learning to read and write Thai with its 46 consonants and 32 vowels!

The American University Alumni (AUA) school near Tapae Rd (73 Rachadamnoen Rd) is one of the most popular and convenient places to learn. Beginner courses last six weeks and cost 3500 baht.
Tel. 053 - 278406
E-mail: cmlibrary@auathailand.org

The intensive course at Payap University (out of town to the northeast) has highly recommended courses lasting from 30 hours to full-time semesters and costing as little as 3,000 baht.
Intensive Thai program, Academic Thai for Non-native Speakers.
website: http://lip.payap.ac.th
E-mail: intthai@payap.ac.th
Tel. 053 - 851478

The Australia Centre (south of Chiang Mai University), offers private tuition in nice surroundings.

Chiang Mai Thai Language Centre is a little farther down Rachadamnoen Rd and offers short, inexpensive courses.