Quiet places: aircraft noise in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) sits at the south-west edge of the city, close to the Old City, and its runway runs roughly north to south. Aircraft landing from the north descend over the western side of town, including parts of Chang Phueak, Nimman, Huay Kaew and Suthep, and departures to the north climb over the same area. For many renters this is the noise they did not expect: Nimman is the most popular area for monthly stays, and some streets there sit close to the approach path. Every listing on this site shows a modelled aircraft-noise level in dB Lden. Lden is a 24-hour average sound level in which evening noise is weighted by 5 dB and night noise by 10 dB, because noise at those times disturbs more. It is the measure used in European noise maps and in the World Health Organization's 2018 Environmental Noise Guidelines, which recommend keeping aircraft noise below 45 dB Lden to avoid health effects. This page lists places with a modelled level of 54 dB Lden or less; the EU maps aircraft noise from 55 dB Lden. The figures are modelled from flight paths, not measured on site, and indoor noise depends on windows, orientation and floor, so visit or ask for a room facing away from the flight path if you are sensitive to noise.