Originally Posted by
Gipsy
Yes, winter time is best... Avoid mid December through mid January if you can; too many tourists, price hikes and a few chilly nights.
Not last year there weren't. But the big hotels still lay on Xmas Eve and New Year compulsory Gala dinners which aren't worth it, so avoid them if you don't want to be forced into it (or tell then you won't and see if they accept your booking).
Chiang Mai was like a ghost town last year, except for New Year's Eve. Credit crunch and red shirt nonsense made a real mess of things.