The Solo Traveler’s Guide to Making Friends in Chiang Mai

Solo travel is an addiction. Once you taste the absolute freedom of waking up in a new city with no itinerary, no compromises, and no one to answer to, it is hard to go back to group trips.

But let’s be honest about the flip side. There is a specific moment—usually around 7:00 PM on your third day—when the novelty wears off. You are sitting in a restaurant. The food is amazing. The sunset is beautiful. But you have no one to clink glasses with. You have no one to turn to and say, “Can you believe how good this Khao Soi is?”

Loneliness is the tax we pay for freedom.

But here is the good news: Chiang Mai is the easiest city in the world to make friends.

It is a “Sticky City.” People come for three days and stay for three months. The vibe is slower than Bangkok and friendlier than Phuket. It is a melting pot of digital nomads, backpackers, artists, and locals who are genuinely open to connection.

At Haze Buds, we see solo travelers every single day. They walk in looking for a pre-roll, and they walk out with a conversation. We believe that cannabis is the ultimate social lubricant—it breaks down ego, lowers social anxiety, and turns strangers into “buds” (pun intended).

In this guide, we are going to give you the blueprint. We will show you the hidden spots, the psychology of breaking the ice, and the specific “Social Strains” that will help you find your tribe in the Rose of the North.

The Psychology of the “Social High”

Before we tell you where to go, we need to talk about how to be. Social anxiety is real. Walking into a bar alone is terrifying for many people.

Cannabis can either be your best friend or your worst enemy in this situation.

The Wrong Move: Smoking a heavy Indica like Dopamine or Alien Mint before heading out. You will become introspective, quiet, and likely glued to your phone in the corner.
The Right Move: Choosing a euphoric, talkative Sativa or Hybrid.

The Haze Buds “Ice-Breaker” Strains:

Orange Cream Pop (Hybrid – 23% THC): This is our number one recommendation for social anxiety. It contains Limonene (citrus terpene) which elevates mood and suppresses stress. It makes you giggly and chatty.
Pineapple Express (Sativa – 35% THC): High energy. If you are going to a place with music or dancing, this is the fuel. It removes the “wall” between you and the room.
Jelly Donutz (Sativa – 30% THC): A sweet, happy high that sparks creativity and conversation. Great for deep talks.

Pro Tip: Don’t get “stoned.” Get “lifted.” Take two puffs. You want to be present, not zoned out.

The Hidden Gem: SPV Cafe 48

If you read the mainstream travel blogs, they will tell you to go to “Zoe in Yellow.” If you like chaos, buckets of cheap alcohol, and screaming teenagers, go there. But if you want to meet cool, interesting people—locals, expats, and travelers who know what’s up—you need to go underground.

Our team member, Nem, insisted we include this spot. It is his personal favorite for meeting people in a relaxed, authentic setting.

The Spot: SPV Cafe 48 The Vibe: Underground, Electronic, “If you know, you know.”

Located slightly outside the main tourist drag, SPV Cafe 48 feels like a secret clubhouse. It operates with a speakeasy philosophy. It is a haven for lovers of electronic music (Techno, House, Drum & Bass) and street culture.

Why it’s perfect for Solo Travelers:

The Size: It is intimate. Unlike a massive club where you are lost in the crowd, SPV is small enough that you inevitably bump into people.
The Crowd: The people who go here are there for the music and the community. They aren’t there to get blackout drunk. This shared interest makes breaking the ice incredibly easy.
The Layout: The bar area is conducive to sitting alone. You can order a drink, vibe to the DJ, and within 10 minutes, someone will ask you where you are from or what you think of the track playing.

Nem’s Advice: “Go after 10 PM. Order a drink. Stand near the DJ booth. The music connects everyone. It’s the friendliest underground vibe in Chiang Mai.”

The “Third Place”: Haze Buds Dispensary

We aren’t just a shop; we are a community hub. Sociologists talk about the “Third Place”—a place that isn’t your home and isn’t your work, where you can just be.

In Chiang Mai, cannabis dispensaries have become the new Third Place. When you come into Haze Buds (either Old City or Sridonchai), you will often find other solo travelers sitting on the sofa, checking out the menu, or rolling up.

How to make friends here: It is the easiest opening line in the world: “What strain are you getting?” Cannabis users love to share knowledge. Ask someone if they have tried the Miracle Fruit. Ask them if they prefer Sativa or Indica. We have seen countless groups form right in our lobby. Two strangers meet over a jar of Bangkok OG, and an hour later, they are heading out to get dinner together.

Activity-Based Connection: The “Shared Struggle”

The best friendships are formed when you are doing something together. It takes the pressure off the conversation.

1. The Skate Park at Thaphae Gate Every evening, the plaza in front of Thaphae Gate turns into a makeshift skate spot. Even if you don’t skate, hanging out here is a vibe.

The Crowd: Young, artistic, international.
The Move: Smoke a little Air Mail (Hybrid), grab a cold juice, sit on the brick wall, and watch the skaters. It’s a very open atmosphere.

2. The North Gate Jazz Co-Op We mentioned this in our nightlife guide, but it bears repeating for solo travelers. Because the venue is so small, the crowd spills out onto the street. You are literally standing shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers holding beers.

The Ice Breaker: “This sax player is incredible.” (Works 100% of the time).

3. The Cooking Class If you want a guaranteed friend for at least 4 hours, book a Thai cooking class. You are put in a small group. You go to the market together. You cook together. You eat together. By the time you are eating your Curry, you will have bonded over the struggle of pounding chili paste.

The Digital Nomad Hack: Coworking Spaces

Chiang Mai is the remote work capital. If you are working while traveling, do not work from your hotel room. That is a recipe for depression.

Go to spaces like Yellow (Nimman) or Punspace (Tha Phae). These places organize “Social Lunches” and “Beers after work” specifically for solo nomads.

Haze Buds Pairing: Before you head to the coworking space, take a few drops of CBD Oil or a micro-dose of Trop Cherry Gas 14. It gives you the focus to work, but keeps you relaxed enough to smile and say hello to the person at the next desk.

The “Lighter Trick” (And Other Social Hacks)

Making friends is a skill. Here are three practical hacks to use in Chiang Mai:

1. The Lighter Trick Even if you have a lighter, ask for one. You see someone smoking (cigarette or joint) outside a bar. You walk up. “Hey, do you have a light?” This is the oldest trick in the book because it works. It creates an immediate micro-interaction. From there, you ask: “Are you living here or traveling?” and the conversation begins.

2. The “Photo” Trick See a group of people trying to take a selfie? Offer to take it for them. “Do you want me to get a photo of all of you?” They will be grateful. After you take the photo, they will almost always ask you where you are from. Boom. You’re in.

3. The “Food” Recommendation If you are sitting at a bar next to someone, ask the bartender loudly (so the neighbor hears) or ask the neighbor directly: “I’m looking for the best Khao Soi in this area, do you have a favorite?” People love being experts. They will fight to give you their recommendation.

Safety First: The Solo Traveler’s Code

We want you to have fun, but we want you to be safe. Chiang Mai is very safe, but bad things can happen when you are intoxicated and alone.

Watch Your Drink: Standard rule. Never leave it unattended.
Download Grab: Don’t rely on finding a Tuk-Tuk late at night. Have the Grab app ready so you can track your ride home.
The Buddy System (Digital): Tell a friend back home where you are going. Share your location on WhatsApp.
Know Your Limits: If you are smoking Death By Boof (Hybrid) and drinking beer, the cross-fade can hit hard. Pace yourself. You want to be social, not slurring.

Conclusion: You Are Only Alone If You Want To Be

The scariest part of solo travel is the anticipation of loneliness. The reality is usually an abundance of connection.

Chiang Mai draws a specific type of person—curious, open-minded, and relaxed. The barriers that exist in big cities like London or New York don’t exist here.

So, here is your mission for tonight:

Come to Haze Buds.
Pick up a pre-roll of Orange Cream Pop.
Head to SPV Cafe 48.
Ask someone for a light.

We promise, you won’t be solo for long.

Find the friendliest spots in town in our guide.