If you are ever in Chiang Mai in December, I highly recommend seeing the "10 Thousand Monk International Alms Offering".  This was an amazing event to witness, very emotional ... very spiritual.  This was the twelfth yar they have held this event in Chiang Mai.  The monks came from all over Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia.  The donations for this year go to southern Thailand.  The offering starts at about 6 in the morning and ends at 9 in the morning. It is recommended that you get up at 5 a.m. as it takes about half an hour to find a taxi or red truck to take you. I attended this event December 27th on  Charoenmuang Road. You can go later in the morning but you will miss the witnessing of the day unfolding.