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Basil Cookery School

A hands-on Thai cooking school in central Chiang Mai, led by dedicated instructors with small, personalized classes.

5.0(295)
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Hours
Mon–Sat 08:30–20:30

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Details

Full opening hours
Monday08:30–20:30
Tuesday08:30–20:30
Wednesday08:30–20:30
Thursday08:30–20:30
Friday08:30–20:30
Saturday08:30–20:30
SundayClosed

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Why go, and how to do it well

Basil Cookery School offers an immersive introduction to Thai cuisine through small-group, hands-on classes led by knowledgeable instructors. Based on Witchayanon Road in central Chiang Mai, the school takes a culturally grounded approach that begins before anyone sets foot in the kitchen — classes typically start with a visit to a local market, where participants learn to identify fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices used throughout Thai cooking. Instructor Tom and his team are frequently praised for their attentiveness, warmth, and ability to explain the reasoning behind each technique, not just the steps.

Class sizes are kept small, which allows for a genuinely personal experience. Participants prepare multiple dishes per session, meaning a single class can cover a broad range of recipes and flavor profiles. The school caters to all skill levels, from complete beginners to those with prior cooking experience, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it accessible without feeling superficial. Each session ends with participants eating the dishes they have prepared.

Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026

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Around here, on foot

Well-rated places within a short walk of Basil Cookery School, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.

Experience hints

Visitor favorite

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Reviews from Google

We had the most amazing experience last night at Basil Cooking School with Tom! From start to finish, the class was engaging, well-organized, and so much fun. We started at the local market to purchase the produce. Tom was an incredible instructor — patient, knowledgeable, and full of personality. He explained each step clearly, shared helpful cooking tips we can actually use at home (we also received a digital cookbook), and gave us great insight into Thai ingredients and flavors. You can tell he truly loves what he does, and that energy made the entire experience even more special. The food we prepared was absolutely delicious (and surprisingly doable!), and the atmosphere felt welcoming and relaxed the whole time. If you’re visiting Chiang Mai and want an authentic, hands-on Thai cooking experience, I can’t recommend Basil Cooking School enough — and definitely ask for Tom! 🌿✨

We did a cooking class with Tom a few weeks ago. Both of us had six different recipes so we tried twelve unique dishes that night. Since it was only the two of us we got a chance to chat with Tom in between dishes and had wonderful conversations. Before cooking we visited a local market for a lesson on local ingredients. Tom also drove us from and to our hotel. We really enjoyed the experience and are hoping to create similar dishes at home for family and friends with the help of the recipes we got at the end.

What an amazing experience! The food was delicious, the chef was so helpful and kind. The entire Basil Cookery School was amazing! The groups are pretty small, which is great! We were 6 and there are only about 8 woks. The team makes everything so simple and easy to follow. My gluten free boyfriend was able to make everything with gluten free soya sauce and mushroom sauce they have on hand.

A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 295 reviews on Google.

381 witchayanon road, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand

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Basil Cookery School: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Basil Cookery School worth visiting?

Basil Cookery School holds a 5.0★ rating from 295 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated activities & tours in Chiang Mai.

What are the opening hours of Basil Cookery School?

Basil Cookery School is typically open 08:30–20:30 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.

When is the best time to visit Basil Cookery School?

The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: Mid-February – April (smoke & heat).

Where is Basil Cookery School located?

Basil Cookery School is at 381 witchayanon road, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city center).

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