yeoldesage

Gl seems actually that there are perfect places in chiang mai, say o malleys, queen vic, the bear.. All of them perfect for a good afternoon crowd (esp the bear, what a stunning location) just: strictly 'bring your own crowd' because in all of those places you don't find a soul during the day.

And check your bill and change.

Sorry wrong post this reply was to the mention of "The Pub"

A few more details please

Many thanks gents for your replies. As it was only for a small gathering and I was running out of time I was looking for something quick and easy. But the info you gave may prove to be well worthwhile in the near future.

Thanks again

Anyone know who can provide outside catering for a small party at home? Must be local and able to deliver...and not too expensive. Mainly expat finger pickin' stuff with a few hot and spicey nibbles.

Many thanks.

I think Huay Thung Thaew Lake is one of the best deals in the area. Beautiful. Numerous spots to choose from, depending on whether you want peace and quiet, eating, swimming, kayaking or peddle boating... A place where kids have plenty of room to play, and where parent's chances for a quiet momentary respite from kids is a good possibility..

Ajarn, sounds like it's well worth a visit. Can you give me directions please coming from CM

Many thanks

The most direct route is to follow the road that goes to the new stadium. About 2 kilometers past the stadium, before the road goes to the right and connects with Chotana rd., you'll see a sign and a turn to the left that crosses over the klong. Follow this paved road about 2 more kilometers, until you reach the front entrance to the lake. Admission for one person/one car is 15 baht. Basically, the lake is due north of the stadium.

Yep, got that Ajarn, thanks again.

I think Huay Thung Thaew Lake is one of the best deals in the area. Beautiful. Numerous spots to choose from, depending on whether you want peace and quiet, eating, swimming, kayaking or peddle boating... A place where kids have plenty of room to play, and where parent's chances for a quiet momentary respite from kids is a good possibility..

Ajarn, sounds like it's well worth a visit. Can you give me directions please coming from CM

Many thanks

Haven't seen any comments on The Pub on Huay Kaew Rd, I hear the fish'n'chips are excellent.

Hi, I'm looking for a reliable garage to service my elderly car, not too posh but genuine. Any suggestions/experiences esp. in Nong Hoi area.

Cheers 

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There is a guy that has a little garage up on the Klong road as you would go to the 700 Year Stadium. Not far North of La Casa Restaurant. It may seem a little far to you but believe me he is worth it. The guys nick-name is 'Klong'. He has been doing all my car work now for close to ten years. I have recommended him to a dozen people or more. Not one complaint and they too all rave about him and his work. Rebuilt the engine in an older ute [pick-up] for a friend of mine 2years ago and the guy is still telling me how good the work was done. And not expensive.

You can arrange for pick up and delivery with him also. He speaks very little English but if you can arrange a friendly Thai to translate if necessary, I am sure you will be pleased with his work.

PM me if you would be interested in having his contact details.

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Thanks Gonzo but me thinks a wee bit too far, appreciate your input.

Thanks wimpy, I'll call in this week.

Hi, I'm looking for a reliable garage to service my elderly car, not too posh but genuine. Any suggestions/experiences esp. in Nong Hoi area.

Cheers

Many thanks micky

I'm hearing something about a Chiang Mai Expats Club (or whatever) starting up in CM anyone throw any light on the subject?

Unfortunately I feel it's only a matter of time. I feel sorry for the Thais in the south tryng to make ends meet, this on top of everything else, they really didn't need. Hope they get through it OK.

Good luck to you all.

This pic was taken at 08:00 this am, of the Mengrai Bridge. The two previous flood sessions the water covered the transverse blue pipe you can see running the length of the brige. So getting near the 'previous best'. The white house in the background had water up to about 18" from the bottom windows on the two previous occasions.

Heard last night the Mae Taeng dam was breached, any news?

Why don't you introduce them to Thaivisa.com with particular attention to the Chiang Mai Forum, I'm sure then they'll get the message(s).

My family is moving here in July, but we will be in town November 8-15 to check things out before we move.  I am an avid tennis player, and I was wondering if there was a local tennis scene in Chiang Mai. If so, do any clay courts exist? Recommend any particular tennis clubs?

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The best courts are at 700 stadium. 5 courts are rebound ace and 6 are regualar hard courts. Also practice wall. There is a doubles league that plays every evening, 500 baht a month, pays for lights,balls and courts. Tennis shops for strings etc.......

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Call into the Red Lion in the Night Bazar area when you arrive and see Kevin, he's one of the owners, and is an official for the tennis club at Gymkhana

I had a similar problem with Hinet. Got the same initial response that you did. Eventually managed to drag 2 TT&T tecnicians out who after 1 hour of checking the system out changed the dial-up number from 0000000 to @999. Had no problem since. They said this? happens to only a few of their users. Give it a try and good luck.

Many thanks guys for your suggestions all of them seem to fit the bill. I did have the Bungy Jump penciled in but you're probably right chanchao, maybe a bit over the top

I seem to remember when I first came to CM I visted some scenic gardens with streams and small waterfalls and a nice restaurant, which didn't involve much walking or climbing any ideas?

Bggg which resaurant has the nicest situation for the Kantoke dinner and do you think I need to book?

What about Simons Cabaret do you think that would strain ye olde tickers too much

Again, thanks for your help

A bit of friendly advice if you would. Got a couple of old dears (77/87) coming to vist me next month for 3 days, having done the beach (Hua Hin) and Bkk. Would like to impress them with the more serene and cultural Chiang Mai, local hilltribe village, gardens, (no long walks) etc, etc. I know 3 days isn't much but that's all there is, so long journeys would be out. Nights will take care of themselves, shopping, shopping and more shopping etc.

Any specifics?

Many thanks in advance.

If you regularly follow restaurant critiques that you read in magazines where the restaurant in question is a regular advertiser I am sure you are a real connoisseur.

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Wow! Looks like my sarcasm was too well disguised, or am I not sensitive enough to your sensitivities? For the record, I'm on your side.

~

We would not agree with recommending Palaad Tawanron (on the hill behind CM Univ). Four for dinner all agreed that the place, on a scale of 1-10, gets a max of four and 2 of those are for the view.  Their service rates a flat zero.

My fresh water prawns were raw in the middle, a recook took half an hour and I have been on the toilet four times in the last two hours this morning. Three of our dishes were taken to the wrong tables where they were dabbled with and tasted before we got them,  two of the five dishes we ordered were either wrong or belonged to someone else and it was never straightened out; the Tom Yum Kung was decent (even tho it was one of the ones tasted by other customers before we got it) but the rest of the food was both boring and expensive.  1200 baht for four and one of us only had a dish of mushrooms and we all drank either iced tea or coconut water.

Nice place tho with a good overlook of CM, decent music but we had to ask them to turn it down a couple of times which we have never done before even here in LOUD Thailand. We may return during the day just for liquid refreshment and the view but will not be returning for a meal.

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It is an overhyped place with overly expensive prices for what you get. One of the dishes we ordered was pumpkin sprouts stir-fried in Oyster sauce (80 baht), and there were 5 sprouts altogether...

The food we ordered did taste good (we had the German pig's leg with sauerkraut, Gaeng Som with cha om and prawns, and pumpkin sprouts in oyster sauce) but I have had better for half that price. The place is still packed with people during the weekends but my guess is this will change very soon, as people are not very likely to return after they have tried it once. The hype will die quickly.

I thought the music was the same tired American commercial folk crap they try to push everywhere else (take me home country roads, hotel california, etc.). It doesnt do it for me at all - the atmosphere would have been much better with proper Northern Thai or acoustic Pheua Chiwit songs.

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Sorry guys you've got it all wrong! See this extract from the latest City Life:

"But, its (Palaad Tawanron) authentic Thai food and service are also outstanding and keep people revisiting the place over and over again. To complement your romantic dinner there are the serenading musicians who sing love ballads at your table."

I rest my case.

PS Could it be (God forbid!) that City Life and Chiang Mai Mail use the same 'Dinning-Out' Team? Makes me shudder at the thought.

.....The restaurant 'review' (I use that term lightly, for nary a contrary word is ever written, it seems) is good for location details and some menu info...

Yea you're right Ajarn, I took time out to drop them an email suggesting it would be more useful to their readers if they gave a more balanced report in the 'Dining Out' column, but they didn't respond, guess they don't want to bite the hand that feeds them eh!