Yelly

My husband and I are just starting to wonder about this, ourselves. We're in our mid-twenties and we've been here a month. Outside of the other TEFL course graduates (most of which are leaving CM, actually), we wonder how to make friends. (I've no interest in making friends at work - I like to keep personal and work life separate.)

I'm just not into sitting at bars paying twice the price of a beer at home. I wasn't in the States and I'm not into it, now. /sigh/

I wear them around the house. They dry quick and they're lightweight...helps a lot on stifling days.

Agreed that I wouldn't wear them "out" on the town, though.

I see older Thais wearing them at the markets and in more rural areas.

Curious: when IS avocado "season" here?

Maybe it's time to rejuvenate the members. Imagine the same survey in 2031: average age will be 70 - 79!!!!

Of course, most of the farang living in Thailand are old chap like us but I see, on a daily basis, young guys LIVING in the country, mostly in Bangkok, I mean expats not tourists.

They would probably not be interested by the useless discussions / forums about Thaksin but they obviously like the country and have something to tell about it.

At this moment, where do they meet (on line)?

Well, perhaps they are just happy to stay here and do not mind about politics and criticisms about Thailand.

That depends on what you consider young

I mean VERY young. 20's. I dunno how they make a living in Thailand, maybe Mum's monnies.

Or they work. I am 25. I know a lot around my age who are teachers.

There was one farang on here recently that went to San Patong and back and a few other places to try and save 500 Baht. Wake up people...this is not the Thailand that it once was. Prices are up on everything. How much in gas and how many hours did one poster spend to try and save 500 Baht???

I was the farang that made the post asking about where to find a cheap bicycle. Someone mentioned that there were some cheap bikes down there and I entertained the thought of checking it out. I found a bicycle elsewhere, but there's no harm in ASKING where cheaper bicycles might be and there's absolutely nothing at all wrong with entertaining the idea of an adventure to San Patong.

My husband and I wound up with decent new bicycles for 2,750 each. They come with back seats and pegs and nice big baskets. OP can PM me if interested on where I went. We had to search a little harder because we're pretty tall. A lot of the bicycles we tried out were too short for us. If you're the same height as most Thais, it seems easy to find a new bicycle for 1,500.

What happend to your plan to buy a bicycle?

Nothing has changed. Can someone not own a bicycle AND a motorbike?

I thought it would be as easy as just buying a motorbike, but I've learned I need to make an appt with the US consulate for some reason. What exactly is the process to buy a bike with papers in Chiang Mai? I am an American citizen with good standing with a 1-year non-imm B visa.

Many thanks in advance.

OP, branch out of the city a bit! Shopping and markets are fun, but if you have a motorbike...see the surrounding areas! My husband and I made a day of the aquarium and Doi Suthep yesterday. I HIGHLY recommend both

Also, the surrounding mountains are beautiful. I wish I had a motorbike....there are so many hikes I want to look into!

Well pass on the good agent, then! 555

I booked with exploretrip getting here from the USA, but there were some hurdles and problems just before our flight took off. We DID, however, wind up in much nicer seats on a much nicer airline with a more desirable itinerary, even though it left about ten hours later than my originally booked flight.

I also know of hipmunk, which was developed by a man who doesn't want to take a cut - he just wants searching for affordable airfare to be easier.

I try to keep it culturally respectful. I very rarely venture out of the house with a tank top on, unless I have a shrug/cardigan/etc covering it. I keep my shorts no shorter than knee-length. I still have some funky clothing, but it covers me appropriately. I do wear a lot of dresses and skirts. (And I am 25 - so still young and I DO keep up with fashion) I went out on Friday without much cover, but I was going to a club to go dancing.

I have been blown away since moving to Chiang Mai at some of the stuff I see. Today, I went to the temple and there are farang girls all over the place in short-shorts and tank tops. What are they thinking!? In a TEMPLE!?

Aye aye aye

I'm from the Midwest and our local zoo (St. Louis) has temperatures that can reach similar levels, with similar humidity, to Chiang Mai.

About five years ago, all of the polar bears died over the summer. One after another. In-adequate facilities and the heat, I imagine.

The shocker is that this is one of the best zoos in the country - right up there with the San Diego Zoo. Polar bears just aren't meant for this climate.

I got an old Chinese style bike at the cow market in Sanpatong for 500. Rides fine. It was a while ago but I'm sure they still have them there.

MP

Hm. How would one go about getting to Sanpatong without a car or motorbike? I'm sure it's a bit far for a tuktuk or truck?

You take the yellow Songthaews that depart from Chiang Mai Gate (where Wua Lai road starts). There are different final destinations but they all go past the Sanpatong buffalo market. Alternatively you can take the blue mid-sized bus to Doi Tao.

Note that this market is on Saturdays.

And on the way back you can ride the bicycle. (Or stick it on top of the aforementioned vehicles.)

You have proven time and time again to be a wealth of knowledge and so helpful. Thank you so much.

I got an old Chinese style bike at the cow market in Sanpatong for 500. Rides fine. It was a while ago but I'm sure they still have them there.

MP

Hm. How would one go about getting to Sanpatong without a car or motorbike? I'm sure it's a bit far for a tuktuk or truck?

I just looked up your location. You seem to be in the NORTH EAST area, yes? If so, try on Kaonarawat about right between the River and the Super Hwy.

I live in the Nong Hoi market area (next to the Holiday Inn and Rajovej Hospital). If you stay on Chiangmai-Lamphun road just south of Nong Hoi market, there are two internet places on your left (facing south) within a km or so of the markets. One is called "RICH INTERNET" and one is "NUT INTERNET." Both are A/C, etc etc etc. (Chiangmai-Lamphun is the major road closest to the Ping on the East. This is Southeast CM.)

The 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house attached to this pool is only 5,000 baht per month.

If you know what you are doing, you can find this too

Teach me. Please. I am 100% serious. My husband and I are staying temporarily in a studio condo for the first two months, and we're halfway through the first month. The idea of getting out there and looking is daunting.

I don't need frills....a brake and a basket are the most I desire. I like the cruiser style - no hills or anything around, so why not go for comfort.

Used/new....doesn't matter. I just want a decent bike that WORKS. I saw new bikes at Carrefour for about 1,300 BAHT, but I wonder if I can find them any cheaper?

Many thanks for any help pointing me in the right direction.

The visa forum might be more useful for this.

If you like the Night Bazaar, go to Warorot Market (the Thai's know it was "Kad Luang"). Also, there is the Saturday night market just by Chiang Mai gate. I find that I like that even MORE than the Sunday walking street.

Other good shopping can be had in Panthip Plaza, but only if electronics and bags excite you. (Well, hey, they excite me....)

I don't need frills....a brake and a basket are the most I desire. I like the cruiser style - no hills or anything around, so why not go for comfort.

Used/new....doesn't matter. I just want a decent bike that WORKS. I saw new bikes at Carrefour for about 1,300 BAHT, but I wonder if I can find them any cheaper?

Many thanks for any help pointing me in the right direction.

I use this glorious coconut oil shampoo and conditioner 2-3 times/week.

Where (in CM) did you find this shampoo? I'm almost out and I want to give some of THAT a try.

As for the not shampooing thing, a man I know has a Thai wife who doesn't use soap or shampoo. She just rinses in the shower three times a day. She says that, by not using soap, it keeps her stink and sweat down, too! I don't think I'm ready to attempt that just yet.

I am still studying for my TEFL certificate, so I have not personally attempted this: BUT, I've read that you can mark out and change a few things in a contract you don't like, then just initial by the changes. So, in theory, you aren't rejecting the position, just changing the things you disagree with. Why not attempt to mark out the 40 hours, replace with 30, initial, then sign as always?

Again, just re-iterating that I have not personally done this. I just have the idea from a book about teaching in Thailand that I read recently.

I've seen them all over Chiang Mai in bigger pharmacies.

Firstly, yelly, do you understand or speak any Thai?

If you don`t then in Thailand you are ripoffs and scam victims waiting to happen.

Forget all the standard prices, at least double these or even treble them if you appear like a gullible tourist.

I know very very basic Thai, but enough to get around, and I am attempting to learn more. Sorry you seem to assume I'm just another farang un-willing to try and live comfortably and peacefully in a foreign country. I'm not here to party or hang out with bar girls.

To everyone else, thank you for all of the positive help. We've learned a lot from the post and we managed to get all over the city yesterday with absolutely no problem.

The information given by NancyL, Ginkas and WTK are all good.

Regarding the information you read in Chang Phueak Magazine, I would not count on that as valid. Blue is Iron Bridge to Lamphun and back. Purple?? Dunno about that. Green - there are 2 shades of green and one goes from Kad Luang to Mae Jo and back. I forget where the other goes. Yellow is usually Pratu C.M. to Hang Dong and back. There are other colors too; white, etc. Some go to Borsang, San Kamphaeng, Saraphi and so forth. I was at Night Safari last night for about 2 1/2 hours and didn't notice a songtaew there - although there were 4 Lamborghini's, 2 Porsche's and a Bentley Continental GT parked out front!

All good to know. For now, the blue trucks fulfill our needs entirely, and we can always hop on a red one if need be. Once we start to branch out a bit more...well, we'll cross that bridge when it comes.