Living in Hang Dong, Chiang Mai: Schools, Car Life

Lanna, SBS, Grace, Panyaden and Meritton all give Hang Dong addresses. The district has 11 sub-districts and 109 administrative villages. Ban Tawai in Khun Khong sub-district is known for its handicraft centre, with wood carving a local speciality since the 1960s.

On this page
  1. Hang Dong at a glance
  2. What Hang Dong means and its two zones
  3. International schools in Hang Dong
  4. Getting to town
  5. Deposit and your lease
  6. Air in the burning season
  7. Who Hang Dong suits
  8. Other areas
  9. Common questions

On this page

  1. Hang Dong at a glance
  2. What Hang Dong means and its two zones
  3. International schools in Hang Dong
  4. Getting to town
  5. Deposit and your lease
  6. Air in the burning season
  7. Who Hang Dong suits
  8. Other areas
  9. Common questions

Hang Dong fits a household that needs a school and a garden more than a cafe.

Hang Dong at a glance

  • Schools: five international schools give Hang Dong addresses.

What Hang Dong means and its two zones

The district has 11 sub-districts and 109 administrative villages. This guide covers the expat cluster.

Ban Tawai in Khun Khong sub-district is known for its handicraft centre, with wood carving a local speciality since the 1960s.

Pink and purple water jets lit up at night over a lake
A lit fountain display at Nong Kwai in Hang Dong district.

International schools in Hang Dong

Five international schools give Hang Dong addresses. The international schools guide compares them and the fee guide has the fees.

  • Lanna International School: 166 Moo 10, Baan Waen. It says it was established in 1993 and runs from early childhood through Year 13.
  • SBS International School Chiangmai: 225/900 Moo 11, Banwaen.
  • Grace International School: 88 Muu 3, Harn Kaew. It says it was established in 1999 and uses an American curriculum taught from a biblical worldview.
  • Panyaden International School: 218, 218/1 Moo 2, Namprae. It says it was founded in 2011.
  • Meritton British International School: 168 Moo 7, Nongkwai.
Wooden play tower with slides on a lawn, with a water tower and trees behind
The playground at Lanna International School.
Lanna International School
166 Ban Waen, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Two-storey school building with a covered walkway, a flagpole and potted plants in front
A teaching block at Lanna International School.
SBS International School Chiangmai
225, 900, Ban Waen, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Grace International School
88 Muu 3, Tambon Harn Kaew, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Aerial view of dome-shaped school buildings among trees, rice plots and a pond
Panyaden International School seen from above.
Panyaden International School
218, 218/1, Nam Phrae, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Meritton British International School
168, Nong Kwai, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Getting to town

Plan on a car or motorbike for daily errands.

Without one, a yellow songthaew runs to Hang Dong and San Pa Tong, and Grab is available in the area. Red songthaew prices are fixed at THB 30 inside the city walls but must be negotiated outside them, so agree the fare before you board. In-province buses leave from Chang Phuak Bus Station. No timetable for Hang Dong is published, so ask the landlord how tenants reach town.

Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 1 (Chang Phueak Bus Terminal)
Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Bus terminal forecourt with yellow and red trucks parked beside a roundabout and palm trees
The forecourt of Chang Phueak Bus Terminal.

The getting around guide covers Grab and the red trucks. The motorbike rental guide and buy or rent a motorbike cover two wheels, and the airport guide covers arrivals.

Hangdong Hospital is a community hospital on the HA accreditation register, re-accredited for 17 December 2024 to 16 December 2027. Call to confirm its address and English-language service before you rely on it. The English-speaking hospitals guide compares the private city hospitals, and the ambulance guide covers the emergency number. Empress Dental Clinic is on Chonprathan Road in Nong Kwai.

Empress Dental
224 1 Chonprathan Rd, Nong Kwai, Hang Dong District, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Deposit and your lease

For operators with three or more units, a term letting the landlord collect advance rent and deposit above three months of monthly rent is prohibited. That notification has been in force since 4 September 2025. A landlord who lets fewer than three units falls outside that rule.

Thai Royal Gazette page with numbered paragraphs listing banned contract terms
The gazette page that lists the banned contract terms. Source: Royal Gazette vol. 142, special part 211 ง, page 82 (OCPB-hosted copy) (opens in a new tab), captured 13 October 2026

A single house let by its owner is therefore outside the rule. The rental contract guide, deposit guide and rent guide cover what to check either way.

Air in the burning season

The burning season, February to April, causes severe smog from agricultural fires, and air quality often reaches hazardous levels. The burning season guide covers what to do, and air quality explains the readings.

Aerial view of grey smoke rising from several fires on forested mountain slopes, with a lake and hazy ridges beyond.
Smoke from mountain fires seen from a plane over northern Thailand.

Who Hang Dong suits

  • Suits: families who want an international school within a short drive.

Other areas

To weigh Hang Dong against the city, see where to live in Chiang Mai. The Old City guide, Santitham guide and Nimman guide cover the others.

Photo credits

↑ Contents

Not confirmed: No bus or songthaew timetable for Hang Dong is published: ask the landlord how tenants reach town. Hangdong Hospital is a community hospital: call to confirm its English-language service and its distance from your estate before you rely on it.

Common questions

Which international schools are in Hang Dong?

Lanna, SBS Chiangmai, Grace, Panyaden and Meritton give Hang Dong addresses.

What does Hang Dong mean to expats?

Many new expats start near Nimman and move out to Hang Dong later for cheaper rent and more space.

How big is Hang Dong district?

The administrative district has 11 sub-districts and 109 administrative villages.

What is the nearest hospital to Hang Dong?

Hangdong Hospital is a community hospital on the HA accreditation register, re-accredited for 17 December 2024 to 16 December 2027. For English-speaking private care, see the city hospitals in the English-speaking hospitals guide.

Is there public transport to Hang Dong?

A yellow songthaew runs to Hang Dong and San Pa Tong. No timetable or fare is published, so ask the driver before boarding. Grab is available in the area.

Places in this guide

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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