Post: #101

I've been in town for a week now and will be here for another month or so.

Cool city, incredibly delicious food at unheard of prices. Love the clear blue skies and fresh air specially coming from the cold, cloudy, rainy North Eastern China. Only disappointing thing is the kinda boring nightlife as everything closes early. Some tasty birds tough. Haven't gone out much as I've been mainly working on my biz but looking to go out more over the next few days.

Any of the high reps guys in town, let's meet for beers/hunting together.

Post: #102

Having spent a month in Chiang Mai last year, I have a couple of recommendations to make:

*Check out The Siri Wattana Market(old name)/ Thanin Market(new name). It's a 10 minute walk north of the North Gate. It's a lunch market (primarily takeaway food) with incredible variety and value. You can usually get three dishes for 90 Bhat.

*Brickhouse Hostel is probably the largest hostel in town, so it's a safe bet for meeting large number of travellers. It's clean, well run, air conditioned, and offers a Western-style buffet breakfast daily.

*For a real therapeutic massage, go to HHC Therapeutic Massage. ( http://hhcmassage-chiangmai.blogspot.ca/?m=1 ) Try the Abdominal Massage, it is an incredible release of physical and emotional tension.

*If you're looking to train muay thai, send me a PM, I know an amazing instructor in Chiang Mai that speaks great English, which is a rare find in Thailand. Very technique oriented, private lessons with him offer a great return on value.

*Lastly, if you're looking to train muay thai in Northern Thailand, I STRONGLY encourage you to visit Charn Chai Muay Thai in Pai ( https://www.charnchaimuaythai.com/)
The facility is great, the trainers are technique and conditioning oriented, and everyone is welcoming.

Post: #103

I'm in Chiangmai this week (2017-02-28), PM me to chat shit or talk shop.

Post: #104

Today I was riding my motorcycle around Chiangmai. I rode past a bunch of police and got pulled over. They demanded to see my license, so I pulled it out. They said no, we need to see an International Driving License. Well, I didn't have one, so they charged me a "fine" of 400 baht. Bastards, that's just plain extortion.

So be aware of this if you do go to Chiangmai - if you don't have an international license, try to avoid the clusters of police around.

Post: #105

(03-01-2017 01:29 AM)rafaeld Wrote:  Today I was riding my motorcycle around Chiangmai. I rode past a bunch of police and got pulled over. They demanded to see my license, so I pulled it out. They said no, we need to see an International Driving License. Well, I didn't have one, so they charged me a "fine" of 400 baht. Bastards, that's just plain extortion.

So be aware of this if you do go to Chiangmai - if you don't have an international license, try to avoid the clusters of police around.

Only giving 200 and saying that you don't have more than that can work. Difficult though if one only have 500 and 1000 bills in the pocket. If you will stay in Thailand for sometime you can get the Thai license. But you will probably still have to pay the police.

Post: #106

Its easy not to pay them anything, just say NO if they ask for money and insist for the ticket that you gonna pay at the police station.
Worked for me 3 separate times, only they made me wait for about 10 minutes each time tho. That was March 2016

Post: #107

Funny to see they still start with saying the fine is 400 baht. Hasn't gone up since my first visit in 2006

Post: #108

(03-01-2017 01:29 AM)rafaeld Wrote:  Today I was riding my motorcycle around Chiangmai. I rode past a bunch of police and got pulled over. They demanded to see my license, so I pulled it out. They said no, we need to see an International Driving License. Well, I didn't have one, so they charged me a "fine" of 400 baht. Bastards, that's just plain extortion.

So be aware of this if you do go to Chiangmai - if you don't have an international license, try to avoid the clusters of police around.

This is not new, in fact I had already lived in Thailand for 4 years and rarely been stopped at a police check until I moved to CM and was stopped twice in the first week.

An International Driver's Permit needs to have a motorcycle endorsement or they will probably still give you a ticket. CM police regularly set up check stops to nab tourists and to be fair many tourists that rent and ride in CM are a menace (Chinese) and there have been several incidents in the last few years.

The basic requirements to follow and not get fined are actually simple; wear a helmet, make sure the motorbike you are using has its registration up to date and carry an IDP with a motorcycle endorsement or a 2 yr temporary Thai DL or permanent 5 yr Thai DL.

You can comfortably drive in the wrong direction, cruise at speeds in excess of 100 km/hr in the city, drive through solid red traffic lights and even purposefully clip dumb Chinese pedestrians who venture out on busy roads without paying attention. I use all of these aggressive manoeuvres, occasionally in the presence of the police and never have a problem because I wear a helmet, carry a Thai DL, and ride a registered bike.

I also wrote a post on how to obtain a Thai DL in one of the CM threads a while ago.

Post: #109

So basically you can either drive like shit or aggressively, and it's no problem with Thai cops as long as you wear a helmet, have a valid registration and permit/DL?

Post: #110

You live here and have seen it I'm sure. I didn't even mention drunk driving and overtakng on blind bends which I would never do, but is quite common and rarely punished.

Post: #111

Yep. That's why I refuse to ride in BKK and look both ways, twice, before crossing the street. Or shadow a local when doing so.

Even when riding a motorbike in the smaller towns like Chiang Rai or Udon Thani, I've had enough close calls to know how dangerous it is and how Thais drive.

Post: #112

There was a lot of useful information in this thread and I want to thank everyone who posted here.

Any update or reputable source on apartment pricing in CM for 2-3 months in 2018?

I read a thread here where Beyond Borders had kind of broken some things down but that was awhile ago.

I was initially going to go and stay for 2 to 3 months in the same place, and I "still" plan to do that, but only after a quick 10-day trip to CM to kind of get the vibe of the city.

If I like the general vibe I'll be making a longer trip later in the year, so I'm not really in a rush to find girls this time around, but I'm not completely opposed to it.

I'm kind of looking for a housing situation where I will be able to have air conditioning, very few mosquitoes in my area, a nearby supermarket (even if it's 30 minutes on foot), and the kind of quiet needed to where I can write a novel if I so chose to.

Any help would be helpful. Thank you.

Post: #113

Check out Santiham area. Lots of choice from low to mid range budget. Also centrally located.

Post: #114

Whats your budget? What kind of place are you looking for?

Nice condo with pool and gym for $600ish a month or cheap bare bones place for $200 a month?

Post: #115

For 3 months for example I'd be perfectly fine with $600 a month range. I don't know if I need to spend that much. But if 200 bare bones style means that I have to be overly-exposed to mosquitoes and all sorts of other pests, then I'd rather spend more. Since I'm not really going for girl hunting I don't really need a pool. I'm not really opposed to one though. Sorry for being a little bit vague. When I get over there for a week I hope to look at something that goes for $200 or 600 and then rent that place later in the year when I go for a longer stay.

Post: #116

Talking $600 a month for a rental in Chiang Mai?

When I first researched CM in 2015, I was browsing decent places for $100-150 a month. Have things gotten much more expensive there lately?

Post: #117

(02-14-2018 03:35 PM)Mr.GoodThread Wrote:  For 3 months for example I'd be perfectly fine with $600 a month range. I don't know if I need to spend that much. But if 200 bare bones style means that I have to be overly-exposed to mosquitoes and all sorts of other pests, then I'd rather spend more. Since I'm not really going for girl hunting I don't really need a pool. I'm not really opposed to one though. Sorry for being a little bit vague. When I get over there for a week I hope to look at something that goes for $200 or 600 and then rent that place later in the year when I go for a longer stay.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Baan+T...58184,19z/

that's the cheapest place in the area, $200ish a month, very bare bones (see pics)

https://www.google.com/maps/place/PT+Res...07714,20z/

slightly nicer, no pool, dated building, $300 are the cheapest studios

https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Mi...70902,20z/

right next to it, $500 for the cheapest studios, no pool or gym

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Palm+S...69125,19z/

stayed there a couple months ago, $600 on a 3 month contract, bad noise insulation otherwise no complaints

mode of operation: get hotel for 2 nights in the area, visit a bunch of condos and rent what you like via the building management office

hope this helps

this is all in Nimman, some don't like it because it's too touristy but it's all very walkable and convenient

Post: #118

"mode of operation: get hotel for 2 nights in the area, visit a bunch of condos and rent what you like via the building management office

hope this helps"

This is EXACTLY what I was hoping to do. Thanks for typing it up as a further reminder.

Post: #119

I took a quick look at the places that you chose to highlight here to show the differential in prices. In the comments and reviews section for most of these places it mention that the Wi-Fi wasn't that good. I would like a place with good wifi, an AC, a flat screen TV, etc. I plan to stay in the same place for 3 months max.

Is there a main site where you are finding all of these listings? I wouldn't mind taking a couple of hours out of my day and sifting through all of the reviews and all the places.

Post: #120

(03-07-2018 04:42 PM)Mr.GoodThread Wrote:  I took a quick look at the places that you chose to highlight here to show the differential in prices. In the comments and reviews section for most of these places it mention that the Wi-Fi wasn't that good. I would like a place with good wifi, an AC, a flat screen TV, etc. I plan to stay in the same place for 3 months max.

Is there a main site where you are finding all of these listings? I wouldn't mind taking a couple of hours out of my day and sifting through all of the reviews and all the places.

Stay at one of the palm springs condos, there are three in Nimman. What the unit contains depends on the owner but chances are you'll have a dedicated DSL line in your unit. Cheaper places have shared wifi which might be unreliable.

Post: #121

Thanks for the input AsiaBaller. Any particular reason why you chose to only mentiön the Nimman area in your posts and none of the other Chiang Mai neighborhoods?

Post: #122

(03-13-2018 12:50 AM)Mr.GoodThread Wrote:  Thanks for the input AsiaBaller. Any particular reason why you chose to only mentiön the Nimman area in your posts and none of the other Chiang Mai neighborhoods?

Because he doesn't know any of them or left Nimman.

Check out Santiham (Nakornping condo) also check around the CMU area. Lots of options. Those two areas have the highest amount of monthly places from what I have found.

Post: #123

Thank you for your reply K-Dog. I know that this may sound a little bit off-putting to, but I plan on mostly walking everywhere during my 2 to 3 months in Chiang Mai. I will not be getting a scooter or motorbike. I need to take this into account when it comes to choosing a place to live. And a 100% honestly, the best features for a place will be good internet, low noise level (I know that Nimman has some noise issues but I think I might be able to get used to those so it wouldn't bother me as much), and closeness to a decent size supermarket. Also, I would like to have a kitchen of sorts (this is a requirement that I can't compromise on.

I'm going to search by myself first, and if I feel that a Thai translator (to speak with the building managers) is necessary then l will go that route too.

Post: #124

(03-13-2018 12:50 AM)Mr.GoodThread Wrote:  Thanks for the input AsiaBaller. Any particular reason why you chose to only mentiön the Nimman area in your posts and none of the other Chiang Mai neighborhoods?

It was convenient for me to stay there. Almost everything in walking distance (two supermarkets, restaurants, nightlife etc.), but keep in mind there are no sidewalks outside of the main street and even there they're blocked by vendors / parked scooters or crumbling. The weather also makes you sweat buckets so you kinda want to Uber / Grab everywhere.

There was a bit of noise inside of my place from nearby bars and drunken neighbors but nothing too dramatic. The condos have kitchens. Cheaper ones mostly do not have any.

Post: #125

Thanks for the clarification. I was told by a real estate agency that rent is cheaper in Old City and that "The Chinese" are in Nimman, so the rent is usually higher there. Still, the prices that were being mentioned were still not high at all by U.S standards for someone looking to stay for just 3 months.

I checked the outside of 2 of the nimman areas that you mentioned, and it is super trendy around there.