Thai dormitories are the cheapest way to live in Chiang Mai for a month or longer. Despite the name, most rent private rooms rather than beds in a shared room, with shared facilities in the building, and they are aimed at students and local workers rather than tourists. They rarely appear on booking sites and are usually booked by phone or in person. This site lists one dormitory: JD House Dormitory in Chang Phueak, north of the Old City. A fan room costs 3,300 baht a month and an air-con room 3,700 baht. Electricity is metered at 8 baht per unit and water is 150 baht per person. You pay a 4,000 baht deposit plus 150 baht for a keycard, and the first month in advance. Room sizes are not published, so ask when you call. JD House is not listed on Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia or Airbnb, and its website is offline, so use the phone number on its listing. If you want a similar budget closer to Nimman, Jatuporn Apartment near MAYA has fan rooms from 2,200 baht and air-con rooms from 3,200 baht.
1 place, cheapest 3,700 ฿ a month. Show them on the map
JD House Dormitory in Chang Phueak charges 3,300 baht for a fan room and 3,700 baht for an air-con room, plus electricity at 8 baht per unit and water at 150 baht per person.
Many accept non-students for monthly stays, but policies differ. Call JD House Dormitory on the number on its listing to confirm before you go.
By phone. It is not on any booking site and its website is offline. Expect a 4,000 baht deposit, 150 baht keycard fee and the first month in advance.