Oscar2

Thailand is a very dangerous place. you put your life at risk every time you drive a vehicle, use electricity, walk down a street, etc. it's not for everybody. Chiang Mai has terrible air quality a few months out of the year. personally i don't think the women are anything special. they are the same in every country of the world. i like Thailand for its beaches and enjoy outdoor activities here. depends what you are looking for.

Very poor response to the OPs request for information about Chiang Mai.

Thailand is a very dangerous place? Compared too what place? What is so

scary about using electricity? You don't have electric in your home country?

After 27 years in Asia, I'd say Chiang Mai is one of the safest places in Asia,

very similar to Japan. And much safer than many places in the U.S. My non-

Thai wife and I feel very comfortable living here in Chiang Mai.

The drivers here are much better than in the Philippines and more courteous

than most places in U.S. Now and then a few wild youngsters on motorbikes,

but nothing really scary or life threatening at all.

From your very negative post it seems you are not talking about Chiang Mai.

Or maybe you didn't notice the OP asked for info about retiring in Chiang Mai.

if you don't think Thailand is dangerous then you are not opening your eyes. take a look at the stones coming up from the pavement, the broken concrete, protruding bolts, etc. any idea how many older people stumble, trip and fall on Thai sidewalks every year and end up in Thai hospitals with severe injuries? you don't think the electrical infrastructure is dangerous here with very few places with earth ground, live circuits hanging open on fallen wires, etc. ever read the Thai newspapers? I do. a very high number of people (including children) are electrocuted in Thailand every year. how many other countries in the world do tourists get electrocuted in hotel swimming pools? did you read about the bus sign that fell down in Jomtien and almost killed an older Swedish tourist?

your assessment of the "courteous drivers in Thailand" is absurd. nothing scary or life threatening? come on...get real. have you ever read the statistics of road fatalities and injuries each year in Thailand? do you drive a car?

for the record, i love Thailand. but i see it for what it is.

Thailand is a very dangerous place. you put your life at risk every time you drive a vehicle, use electricity, walk down a street, etc. it's not for everybody. Chiang Mai has terrible air quality a few months out of the year. personally i don't think the women are anything special. they are the same in every country of the world. i like Thailand for its beaches and enjoy outdoor activities here. depends what you are looking for.

typical shoddy workmanship! probably cheap Chinese bolts that were stripped or nuts and lock-washers missing. Thailand is so dangerous it is unbelievable.

is that what old falangs in Jomtien (never been there or Pattaya in 30 years here) look and dress like in public?

it's the missionaries. they do it every year.

Yes, that map is fairly accurate, the new mitrapap sits right on ratchawong, and they have a parking guy, who would probably let you park there for 20 thb. the SCB is right next door at the SE corner of that intersection, the Tesco Express Esso is on the NE corner, and the noodle place is across the street from new mitrapap and South on ratchawong about 100 meters, passed the newsstand and the three budha stores. A fan room at New Mitrapap is 250 ish, and is OK,not the best, but very convenient to the consulate. That Tesco doesn't sell beer, but there is a 7-11 at Worrorat Market.

Perfect!

You also touched on the last CNX site that I want to locate: Is the Worrorat Market also known as 'Chinatown'? What is the best route to the Chinatown market from the New Mitrapap hotel? I am particularly looking to buy a couple different varieties of banana tree plants.

spot on regarding the location on your map for Sababa Israeli Restaurant. you will be driving right through "Chinatown" on your way to Sababa. but they don't sell plants or trees there. you should go to Talaat Kamthieng plant market for that. it is located behind Tesco Lotus Kamthieng on the Super Highway. you should be able to find a variety of banana trees.

Got it and thanks so much for that tip!

That will complete my 'things-to-do-list' for the upcoming trip to Chiang Mai!

Could you also direct me to a convenient place to have passport photos taken?

i'm fairly certain that you can get passport photos taken right around the corner from the American Consulate at Star Visa Services. map at this link -----> http://www.starvisa.net/en/contact.html

Yes, that map is fairly accurate, the new mitrapap sits right on ratchawong, and they have a parking guy, who would probably let you park there for 20 thb. the SCB is right next door at the SE corner of that intersection, the Tesco Express Esso is on the NE corner, and the noodle place is across the street from new mitrapap and South on ratchawong about 100 meters, passed the newsstand and the three budha stores. A fan room at New Mitrapap is 250 ish, and is OK,not the best, but very convenient to the consulate. That Tesco doesn't sell beer, but there is a 7-11 at Worrorat Market.

Perfect!

You also touched on the last CNX site that I want to locate: Is the Worrorat Market also known as 'Chinatown'? What is the best route to the Chinatown market from the New Mitrapap hotel? I am particularly looking to buy a couple different varieties of banana tree plants.

spot on regarding the location on your map for Sababa Israeli Restaurant. you will be driving right through "Chinatown" on your way to Sababa. but they don't sell plants or trees there. you should go to Talaat Kamthieng plant market for that. it is located behind Tesco Lotus Kamthieng on the Super Highway. you should be able to find a variety of banana trees.

again the International media is making the protests look worse than they are (and more dangerous that they really are), so that could have some bearing on things. every time we go out there are so many Chinese tourists that sometimes we have to move on and go elsewhere because we don't want to wait. we counted 9 double-Decker tour buses in a police-lead caravan yesterday, arriving in the city with signs in Chinese taped on the windows so it sure looks like a lot of Chinese are arriving for Christmas holidays.

The CM experience can be great if one avoids various pitfalls.

I met a older european man recently who just came to Thailand to retire.

He met an issan women at a massage shop on Loh Kroh road.

He believes everything she says like he is the first one she has gone with.

In the space of a just a few months he has put her as the sole heir of his will. He has a significant pension and she has talked him into getting the will properly registered at his countries consulate in Pattaya.

I have tried to explain some caution or even light paranoia is a healthy practice in Thailand but he is just so gullible and overwhelmed with happiness now.

I don't think this is going to end well but I really hope I am wrong.

amazing how clever some of those hookers are and how gullible and naive the old falangs are.

OP the reason you got such a negative response the first time was probably due to your incredibly naive idea that you could buy real property in Thailand and put it in a "friends name" or Thai nominee. that is illegal and you could end up as the victim of extortion or have the land confiscated by the government. and then to broadcast this on a public forum was incredibly foolish. yes the people are nice but always keep your guard up. i have not lowered my guard in almost 30 years now. i would also add that you should always keep your guard up especially around other falangs who appear to be overly helpful, have financial advice for you, tell you that you can buy real property in Thailand, have a lawyer that they recommend, etc. there are more foreign white and blue collar criminals in Thailand than probably any other country.

i believe the negative response was only to warn you and not be so gullible and naive and possibly lose everything you have.

enjoy your stay

If you read the OP's first post he said he bought a condo which is fine and legal, he never said anything about putting it in a friends name. You just made that up.

gee obviously you didn't follow part 1 of the saga. maybe catch up before presuming something.

The CM experience can be great if one avoids various pitfalls.

I met a older european man recently who just came to Thailand to retire.

He met an issan women at a massage shop on Loh Kroh road.

He believes everything she says like he is the first one she has gone with.

In the space of a just a few months he has put her as the sole heir of his will. He has a significant pension and she has talked him into getting the will properly registered at his countries consulate in Pattaya.

I have tried to explain some caution or even light paranoia is a healthy practice in Thailand but he is just so gullible and overwhelmed with happiness now.

I don't think this is going to end well but I really hope I am wrong.

amazing how clever some of those hookers are and how gullible and naive the old falangs are.

OP the reason you got such a negative response the first time was probably due to your incredibly naive idea that you could buy real property in Thailand and put it in a "friends name" or Thai nominee. that is illegal and you could end up as the victim of extortion or have the land confiscated by the government. and then to broadcast this on a public forum was incredibly foolish. yes the people are nice but always keep your guard up. i have not lowered my guard in almost 30 years now. i would also add that you should always keep your guard up especially around other falangs who appear to be overly helpful, have financial advice for you, tell you that you can buy real property in Thailand, have a lawyer that they recommend, etc. there are more foreign white and blue collar criminals in Thailand than probably any other country.

i believe the negative response was only to warn you and not be so gullible and naive and possibly lose everything you have.

enjoy your stay.

"Simple Green" www.SimpleGreen.com

they have it in Thailand? i used to use it by the case literally.

There were two local brands of hummus with tahini being sold at Rimping for $3 (100 baht) a few months ago that tasted pretty good to me. I think that it was 100 grams. I don't want to make my own anything.

one brand was from the Israeli restaurant in the old city. it was acceptable but had an odd flavor of some spice that was a tad bitter. but for some reason Rimping has not had it for months now. at least i never see it anymore nor do i see their pita or baba ghanoush. there is another Thai brand of humus now. it's terrible. same company makes pita that is also no good.

tahini is always the ingredient that makes it uneconomical. Rimping used to have 2 brands. one was about 260 Bath for a small bottle and another was about 320 Bath for a slightly larger bottle. you can buy sesame seeds almost everywhere (Thai markets all have them, Makro, etc. and they are very cheap here) and grind them in your grinder/food processor into a paste and there you have it. (you will need to add a little sesame oil, salt, and we add a little warm water so it is more of a creamy texture rather than a paste).

zeichen, 1 tsp? personal taste of course but we use a heck of a lot more than that (as they do in the Middle East).

no, but if you walk east from scb, there is an outstanding/cheap/clean duck place on the right. You're on the edge of Chinatown there.......Some great street food closer to the bridge. My favorite noodle shop on the planet is about 200m from SCB, going South, opposite direction of Consulate...30 thb; includes pitcher of green tea with cup of ice.

on the corner of Chang Klan and Sridornchai (kitty corner to Panthip Plaza) is Sababa Israeli Restaurant. i go there all the time for felafel and humus. it's really good IMO.

You guys are great, thanx! I knew CM is my favorite city for a reason!

That noodle shop and green iced tea and the Sababa Israeli restaurant will be my stops after leaving the Consulate!

Unfortunately, my main current points of references in that area are the Subway shop in the Night Bazaar and the US Consulate. I have to use a street map and Google Earth w/o GPS coordinates or directions.

So, can you direct me to Panthip Plaza, the Open Market, Chinatown and that (infamous) SCB that is < 5 min walk from Esso/Tesco? Express?

go down the road that runs along the river (U.S. Consulate to your right) in the direction of Kad Luang. it then is a one-way street and you will go through Kad Luang - lots of traffic - market on your right, river on left. turn right on Thannon Thapae and then a quick left on to Thannon Chang Klan. you will drive through the Night Bazaar and continue to Sridornchai (Panthip Plaza on the right corner before you cross Sridornchai). as soon as you cross Sridornchai, park the car. Sababa is the first business on the corner to your left. across the street is another Israeli Restaurant coincidentally but i have never been there.

on the corner of Chang Klan and Sridornchai (kitty corner to Panthip Plaza) is Sababa Israeli Restaurant. i go there all the time for felafel and humus. it's really good IMO.

15C here in Chiang Mai this morning and feeling cool also.

Most houses here are so totally ventilated that any heat produced would be lost.

Out with the winter woolies, beanie and thick socks. Oh for my sheep skin Ugg boots!

NAH------- Cuddle up with my little brownie on the sofa with some sweet music

you must be in Isaan. they are white here.

that website works for me (3BB) but over the last few days there are a number of sites outside of Thailand that i can't access. if you look to the bottom left of firefox you will [probably] see the site being re-directed to the site [government] that censors a number of websites that they don't like for political or other reasons. here's a tip that works on getting around some: lose the "www." from the URL

i too, often get directed to 3BB site when some of the sites are blocked.

Maya may be convenient, but I imagine that if I lived on the west side of Hillside 4, I'd feel as if I were in an old B-movie about some guy moving into a $2-a-night flop house, with a neon sign flashing on and off projecting a garish light show into my windows at night. I live further away down Huay Kaew but can see Maya's big screen tv flashing at night when we go out into the hall to take the elevator. I feel sorry for all the people who will be subjected to this lighting every night. It might be nice if they projected a good movie or music video, but it seems to be just advertising. Hmmm.... maybe not a old B-movie but the beginning of 'Blade Runner.' Is that where Chiang Mai is headed?

I think they will probably have time limits on when the screens can be playing.

That is probably something that residents can complain about and get limits.

People don't like change but the challenge is to channel it into positive energy.

The roads here are so darn dangerous that I look at the congestion as a benefit. Slows drivers down and keeps me off the roads and potentially the hospital.

As noted in other threads Thailand has become one of the worlds most dangerous/fatal road systems.

http://roadskillmap.com/

i have noticed that they have removed a couple of the big screens around town. maybe the rate of accidents increased and people with influence were able to get them taken down.

"People don't like change but the challenge is to channel it into positive energy." yes you are right about that. we are trying to tweak our attitude but it is difficult. in the last week alone i believe we have spent 2.3K Baths on gasoline trying to get from one place to another. how many hours have we sat in gridlock traffic? don't know, didn't count. never thought it would get to that.

"I was trying to explain the location of something on The Ring Rd and my friend kept referring to The Super Hgwy(as The Ring Rd)...."

Thais will never refer to the term "ring road" (90% will have empty look on their face - even fluent English speakers if you use this term) and neither do I because it confuses them too much. they will always say "super" or Thannon yai meaning large road, with the exception of the 121 which they refer to as "Thannon 700 Pi".

stay away from a motorcycle in Thailand if you want to live a full life. i'm being serious.

I went back to the KSK shopping mall today after being away six months, and it had a depressing, end-of-an-era feel to it. I'm not planning to go back.

oh come on,. there is no "depressing, end of an era feel" to Kad Suan Kaew. that's total nonsense. how melodramatic. it feels the same today as it did 10 years ago -- and is as busy as ever. the new shopping malls didn't make a dent in the business there. c'ya....more room to park for others. doubt they will miss y'all...

usually sold in packets. great for snacking at the park and so forth. not really a meal served in a restaurant.

belg, on 18 Dec 2013 - 10:11, said:

give some men a bit of power and soon they will find ways to sponsor their new luxerious life styles way beyond their salary

Wouldn't you???????????????????????????

No.

+1

me neither. some people do have morals.

Oscar: I really hate to "wish" these kinds of things to happen as often times the average layman ends up with the worst of it, but i really feel it's the last emergency brake we have left.

BA, believe me i gave some thought before expressing my true feelings for fear of nasty comments that would follow, but as you said -- it's our only hope of saving what was once a wonderful and charming place to live.

it is HORRIBLE what is happening here! all the beautiful natural resources are being depleted. i can't wait until the economic bubble bursts and many go under , lose everything, and many of the junk building are demolished. then some of the scruff will be thinned out.