CMHomeboy78

We live near Wat Muang Guy and the Gymkhana Club.

Over the years we've had some bad flooding. The problem in our area could be solved by building a floodwall from about where the iron bridge is, to the Holiday Inn in Nong Hoi.

It's not rainfall that causes the flooding where we are, it's the Ping River overflowing its banks.

There was a contentious thread last year where several members challenged me on this and insisted that the problem was caused by the drainage system being flooded, and the Siriwattana housing development blocking runoff. I can remember flooding in Nong Hoi when Siriwattana was a ricefield and the drainage system in the talad area was ditches covered by old boards.

The river is the problem, and until a proper floodwall is built we are going to be flooded out every few years.

Thank you so much for this very interesting piece. It is always a pleasure to learn from your writings.

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...and thank you for your encouragement.

I sincerely appreciate it.

Funny that because I find getting all sorts of things (small services on my car, repairs to clothes etc) done here in Thailand amazingly easy and pleasant compared with, say, Europe. Do you mean to say that no Thai or indeed carpenter of any nationality working here is not interested in doing a job for a couple of hours for which I would be prepared to pay around 500 Baht, well over the standard minimum daily working wage? Thanks for the reply btw

You may find someone to do it - and I hope you do - but it has been my experience that most good carpenters here don't want to do small jobs unless they have done other work for you in the past.

The more people [preferably Thais] you talk to, the better your chances of finding someone.

Again, good luck.

I don't think many good and competent people would be interested in coming in for such a small job.

Try to find a shop that will repair it, and take it in yourself. Some places might pick it up themselves.

If possible, make contact with tradesmen through Thais and keep a low-profile yourself. That has always worked for me.

Good luck.

It sounds like arrested development in both your cases.

The military let her go for a reason... but what that reason is, is hard to guess.

The topic of the discussion sounds interesting and I'm sure it will be well-attended.

However, for those who are unable to attend, will there be a published - or posted - summary of what the ten secrets are after the meeting?

What a great idea for a special promotion on our Facebook page or something. Hmm, gotta do some thinking.

(You are a member of CEC, aren't you? Only members are going to be told, you know.)

I might join up just to learn your secrets.

The CEC is getting as secretive as Skull and Bones!

One of my grandfathers was a Bonesman at Yale, but he went to his grave without telling anything.

The topic of the discussion sounds interesting and I'm sure it will be well-attended.

However, for those who are unable to attend, will there be a published - or posted - summary of what the ten secrets are after the meeting?

They wouldn't be secrets if everybody knew them

If he thinks the CM Expats are going to keep his secrets, then he's in for a surprise.

The topic of the discussion sounds interesting and I'm sure it will be well-attended.

However, for those who are unable to attend, will there be a published - or posted - summary of what the ten secrets are after the meeting?

Does Prayuth really want Thaksin back?

Maybe he heard Lyndon Johnson's remark about J.Edgar Hoover... "Better to have him inside the tent peeing out, than outside the tent peeing in."

In UK they are double or triple that btw

And the difference in wages is............. ?

Not that much really...

if you consider taxes and, as mccw says, cost of living.

Most impressive thing about CM for me has to be Khao Soi. Easily my all time favorite Thai food. Usually get it on the ring road near the river. Sorry but no idea on the name of the place

Next time you're in Chiang Mai try the Khao Soi at the little Thai place opposite the iron bridge between Rim Ping and Dukes.

To answer Part B - I'd go to GranMonte winery in Khao Yai, their Rosé is quite good as is their Viognier. Accept visitors and have accommodation.

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I've often heard that there are many good wineries near Khao Yai. It seems to be to Thailand what Napa Valley is to California.

Thanks for your input.

Looking up info on vineyards and came across these though further north near Chiang Rai.

http://www.maechanwinery.com/index.html

http://www.winetourthailand.com/wine_tours_northern_thailand.html

http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/thai_wine.html

That's exactly what I was looking for.

The Chiang Rai Winery could be done in an easy day trip, and combined with a visit to the hot springs at Pong Din and the other big one that has become something of a tourist trap - forget the name.

Thanks again for your help.

As wine's lover, I strongly suggest "Buonissimo" in ChangKlan Rd.

Thanks for that recommendation. We'll give it a try.

Have you ever heard of a vineyard/winery in Northern Thailand?

Nobody on this forum seems to know... or if they do, they're not telling.

This thread, which started on a positive note, quickly degenerated into such a free-for-all of childish nastiness that it brought the nannies into the room to rap knuckles.

Contemporary Chiang Mai, even with all its negatives, is a youthful lively place, with none of the desperation and despair that characterize so many other cities.

There is another dimension worth looking at, and that is the 700+ years of accomplishment, turmoil, war, and disaster that the Kohn Muang have experienced and ultimately survived.

Most of what is currently written about Chiang Mai history and culture is in short articles aimed at the tourist trade. Factual as far as they go, but they don't go very far.

This situation contrasts sharply with the many intelligent and perceptive first-person accounts left by visitors and residents in the past.

A careful study of this unique history would certainly leave anyone "Impressed by Chiang Mai."

If she's allowed to go, she won't be back anytime soon.

The wine industry in Thailand is in it's infancy and the just slowly figuring it all out. As it takes time for root stock to acclimatize etc. the products are not especially good yet. I suggest while traveling on should seek out and enjoy the what is good where one is and wine would not qualify as that here. The imported wines are probably much more expensive then where brother lives due to the high taxes and anyways wine doesn't really pair well with Thai cuisine. France, Italy and Napa Valley are my preferred places to go for good wine though there are many wonderful varietals in many other places around the world with good food to match. As a connoisseur I expect your brother would understand that and want to delve into the wonderful local food culture with a Lao Khao and glass of beer.

Beer Lao Dark is a good brew to try for instance and it's an experience trying some of the different local rice wine whiskeys. That being said my favorite winery in the Kingdom, though not in the North, is Hua Hin Vineyards as they have been around a while, have the financial backing to attract expert vinters and make wine to suit the international consumer, not just the sweet preference of the Thai palette.

When Rome do as the Chiang Maians do!

Thanks for that information.

As a beer drinker myself, I agree with you about the Beer Lao Dark. But what I really miss is Mekhong Whiskey, distilled from 95% sugarcane/molasses and 5% rice. Remember when it was really cheap and available in every other shophouse in every soi in town? Mekhong, soda, and the juice of a manao on ice. It tasted like a good rum drink. Then it was bought-out by Sangsom in 2010 and they stopped producing it... no doubt to boost sales of their own stinking rotgut. It eventually came back, but at a much higher price. Well over 300 baht, when it used to be 120, and at 300+ baht per bottle it didn't seem to taste the same. Thus joining so many other things that have become "Chiang Mai memories."

Also thanks for the tip about Hua Hin Vineyard. I'm suprised there has been zero-input about vineyards/wineries in the north. Don't they exist? I thought they did.

Anyway, choke dee.

No question about it, Chiang Mai has had its ups and downs since it was founded in 1296 by King Mengrai.

The period of the city's build-up was followed by what historians agree was the Lanna Thai's golden age, c.1400-1525. The high-point came in 1477 when the 8th Buddhist council [sangayana] opened in Wat Jet Yot, establishing the importance of Chiang Mai in countries where Theravada Buddhism was practiced.

Under King Tilokarat the Emerald Buddha was brought to Wat Chedi Luang and the city prospered like never before

Chiang Mai's decline began during the reign of King Khetchettharat [1525-1538], at the end of the Mengrai Dynasty. There was a period of chaos before Lanna Thai became a dependency of Burma in 1558.

Burma's policies fluctuated according to its own internal situation. Direct control alternating with periods of laxity when Chiang Mai nobles were allowed to participate in its administration.

Nevertheless, resistance to Burmese rule continued until they were finally driven out in 1774. This was followed by a period of nearly twenty years when the city was deserted.

Chiang Mai was refounded at the turn of the 18th century by King Kawila and flourished until the end of the 19th century when it lost its sovereignty to the central government in Bangkok and was incorporated into the state of Siam.

The 20th century began with Chiang Mai being subjected to political and business interests that effectively marginalized the local people - the Kohn Muang.

There seems to have been something of a revival in the 1960s, and when I first came in the late 70s the city was full of life.

The mid-80s saw a building boom that transformed Chiang Mai out of recognition. The modern city we see today co-exists with traditional ways of life that are still here, like the remains of past dynasties that are to be seen everywhere.

Wow, fascinating. Serious. I love reading about SE Asian history, and esp about Thailand and Chiang Mai. Can you recommend any interesting books? I'm reading a book right now about SE Asia in general. Talks about Vietnam being different from all the others (not counting the Philippines) because it was heavily influenced by China early on, as opposed to India.

Interested in local history? Welcome to the club!

But it's a rather small club, and we get quite lonely at times... new members are greeted with open arms... no English reserve here.

For an overview start with: A History of South-East Asia, by D.G.E.Hall [st. Martin's Press], first published in 1955, it has been revised and reprinted many times since then. It is a classic that has never been surpassed.

For Northern Thailand: A Brief History of Lanna, by Hans Penth [silkworm Books 1994]. There has been a recent reprint by the same publisher.

Dr.Andrew Forbes is probably the dean of Chiang Mai historians at present. His series of ebooks, Ancient Chiang Mai, vols. 1-6, CPA Media, is a goldmine of interesting information.

My ongoing topic, Chiang Mai Farangs - In Perspective, on this forum, might be of interest to you as well.

Otherwise, many first-hand accounts have been reprinted, notably by White Lotus and Silkworm Books. Suriwong Book Centre on Sri Dornchai has an excellent selection of local history books. Also check out the used bookshops; there are two very good ones on Chang Moi Kao, and others around town as well.

The first farangs to take up residence in Chiang Mai were American Protestant missionaries in 1867. They were followed soon after by British teak wallahs. Both these groups left extensive records of what life in Chiang Mai was like in the latter half of the 19th century... and a fascinating history it is.

All the best to you.

Wine Terminal often has a wine buffet - https://www.facebook.com/wine.terminal.thailand

Also a list of wine buffets in Chiang Mai but the list is a year old so not sure of current validity - http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=3763

Much appreciated.

in response to A

Wine Connection

Whisky shop opposite Thai Airways office near Three Kings Monument

Thanks for that... we'll check it out.

For some, it's a cleaning out of the Augean Stables... for others, it's another step toward the gentrification of the farang community here.

I can see both sides of the argument, but I tend to favor letting things stay as they are. Chiang Mai has always been a haven for rogues, but we've avoided getting the worst of the worst like Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket.

Let the authorities zero-in on the real, dangerous criminals and leave the marginal types alone as long as they're not causing serious trouble.

marginal criminals? A new definition.

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"Marginal criminals" may be a new definition, but it's not mine. I never said it.

What I said was "marginal types" and what I meant was the kind of raffish characters that I knew as an art student living in Greenwich Village in the 1960s, and similiar types after settling in Chiang Mai ten years later.

It's true that people like that can't be fully trusted or relied upon, but for my money they're preferable to the judgemental, self-righteous prigs that seem to be everywhere nowadays.

Home pro are opening a massive new one on the outer ring road 121 ,near where it meets the 1001 Sansai road .Also North of that about 3 km is Home Mall also on the 121.Just two of many .

Nobody mentioned HomeMart... great place.

Two of the biggest locations are on opposite sides of the Super between the San Dek intersection and the river.