4 common mistakes travelers make in Chiang Mai, one of Thailand's most popular tourist destinations, according to locals

The province, which is the second-largest in Thailand, is home to more than a million people. It is located in northern Thailand and spans over 20,000 square kilometers.

Chiang Mai is located 720 kilometers, or around 447 miles, away from the capital city Bangkok. The province is known for its unique language, culture, and cuisine.

With over 10.8 million visitors in 2019, Chiang Mai draws in travelers with its mountainous terrain, cool weather, and animal sanctuaries.

I visited the city for a reporting trip in late July and was curious about what locals thought of the tourists who visit their province. Several of them shared some of the most common mistakes they have seen tourists make.

Buddhism is the provincial religion of Chiang Mai, so many locals consider monks to be sacred. I traveled to Wat Chedi Luang, a local temple, to join a "monk chat," an initiative that invites locals and tourists to speak with monks.

Charoen Pomsiri, a teacher at the Samakkee Buddhist Center, told me the biggest faux pas a tourist can make is making physical contact with monks.

"Some tourists have tried over the years to touch the monks or initiate hugs," Pomsiri said. "But monks should be respected, proper clothing should be worn when meeting them and they shouldn't be touched."

Thailand, like many countries in Southeast Asia, can have especially unpredictable weather during the monsoon or rainy season. In Chiang Mai, the monsoon season typically starts in May and ends in October.

Chalern, a worker at the local temple, said tourists should be careful of what activities they choose to do during these months. He added that the hot weather can be deceiving, so tourists should still be careful even when it seems sunny outside.

In July, a Belgian-Thai man was killed after he was swept away while rafting on the Mae Taeng River.

"The biggest no-no is to go rafting while it's monsoon," Chalern said. "It can flood very quickly and it's not safe. But other than that, there are very few things you shouldn't do, especially when sightseeing in the city."

While bargaining is welcomed in places like night markets in Chiang Mai, some locals say that asking for discounts can be frowned upon.

"Some tourists don't negotiate prices but ask us to deduct the amount we are asking for after sightseeing," Yan Wang, a local tour guide, said.

Wang advises tourists to discuss prices with guides or organizers before booking activities like visiting an animal sanctuary to avoid offending locals.

One of the biggest taboos in Chiang Mai is touching people's heads, even if they are children.

The head is considered the most sacred part of the body in Thailand. In Chiang Mai, many young boys undergo monastic training and have shaved heads. Locals, however, say that it's not invitation to touch their heads.

"Thais consider touching and rubbing the head rude," Puangphet Kanthathum, a local, said. "Even playing with the hair is rude."