Zine say it “zeen”
A small magazine or booklet made by one person.
This one was researched, written, drawn and printed by Carmen, so it's a zine at heart. It's just made to feel like a magazine you'd want to keep.
An illustrated historical guidebook
A Zine for the Sleuthing Traveller
Through the five old old old gates of Chiang Mai
A pocket museum that brings you back in time and shows you what Chiang Mai used to look like, one hand-drawn gate at a time.
Hand drawn · Original · No AI
You've walked past the gates of Chiang Mai. Fed the pigeons, sipped some coffee, and kept walking.
Behind each one is a real moment from Chiang Mai's past—a royal elephant parade, a silk caravan, silversmiths, a ghost, a garden of white flowers—pulled from sources most visitors never see and hand-illustrated so you can stand inside them.
Five gates. Five true stories!
One good ‘wait, why?’ and it's done its job.
Researched, Written & Illustrated by Carmen
What's in a name?
Sleuthing
Investigating like a detective!
Sleuthing travellers are curious and ask lots of questions. The zine hands you the clues, so you can solve the old city's small mysteries as you walk.
old old old?
The zine brings you back in time, into Chiang Mai's past!
Cuz Chiang Mai is probably older than we all realise at first glance. And no, not because some houses need new paint. It's because there's so much more than meets the eye, more than a traveller can uncover alone.
Today's itinerary
Through the old old old gates of Chiang Mai.
Our route Chang Phueak → Tha Phae → Chiang Mai → Suan Prung → Suan Dok
Page 1The Map of Chiang MaiRemade from an 1800s map by McGilvary, a fellow traveler, so you know exactly where you're standing.
Page 2Mangrai's story: About the Beginning of Chiang MaiMangrai is the legend himself, the king who built this city, and he never lets you forget it.
Page 3The City WallsWatch it rise from a mound of hand-dug earth into the brick wall you can still touch today.
Pages 4 to 13The Five GatesFive gates, five stories. Ceremonies, caravans, and a ghost or two, happening right in front of you.
Page 14The End. Back to the modern world.Leave feedback, check my endnotes and sources, or find me again online.
The details
- Format
- A5, 16 pages + 2 cover pages
- Language
- English, with some handwritten annotations in Thai
- Style
- Hand drawn, illustrated and annotated
- Made by
- Carmen, by hand. Every illustration is drawn and every story researched and written by her, with no AI.
- Publisher
- Zoopska Studio (self-published)
- Price
- 250 THB
Made for
- Souvenir huntersIllustrations cute enough to take home.
- History loversThe story behind the city you're walking through.
- Art loversA zine drawn and annotated entirely by hand.
- WalkersA pocket museum light enough for your canvas bag.
Where to buy
250 THB a copy.
Available now
Order online
Pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PromptPay. Delivered by Grab Express within Chiang Mai for 45 THB, or collect it from Carmen for free.
Get it nowAvailable now
From Carmen
Carmen sells copies herself on the streets of Chiang Mai.
Coming soon
Shops and cafés
Still sleuthing for the right shelves. Shops and cafés around the old city will be listed here soon.
Run a shop or café? We'd love to hear from you.
Available now
Events
Find our booth at markets and events around Chiang Mai, or follow @zoopska.studio to hear first where we pop up.
Meet usRead the zine?
Tell us what you liked, what surprised you, and where we should explore next.