James T

Damn, I hate being hated by people on the Internet...but like the others, I was just trying to offer some light-hearted advice...which was obviously mis-construed...

In the Chiang mai area, you have a mix of people from all over Thailand. You also have a huge mix of small restaurants serving them - doing Bangkok style, Chiang Mai style, Issan, Lanna, Mae Hong Son, southern seafood, etc.

A lot of these smaller places DON'T carry signage in English, as they cater primarily for regular Thai patrons. I'd suggest, therefore, that if you speak any Thai, ask the local people (from different provinces) where they like to eat. Better still, invite them to go with you!

Happy hunting....

Sorry, mate...you are in Chiang mai, and the last time I looked that's in Thailand!

The restaurants in Chiang mai - from street barrows to 5 star - serve Thai food, cooked and served as eaten by the Chiang mai Thai people!

If you want different, you might need to try a different city...province...or country!

oh...and not sure about different, but if you want good quality cooking....watch the restaurants and check out where the Thais go to eat. If it's full, the food will be good!

I've lived in Chiang Mai 15 years, used Chiang Mai Ram many times for minor appointments...and I've NEVER had to wait for more than 20-30 minutes to see a doctor!

What may have caused a problem for you could have been that the relevant specialist wasn't available for your needs (many doctors and specialists have Clinics there at certain times of the day, as they work at Govvie Hospitals as well)

Call the Ram in advance, and ask what time the Ear/Nose/Throat clinic is available - arrive at the appropriate time and you shouldn't have any problem.

Like everyone, I agree that this is an issue that needs to be improved....and I do worry about the effects on the health of myself and my family.

Remember though, that the smog is a result of the burning of NATURAL materials (wood, crops and vegetation). I therefore wonder, too, if the effects are any more harmful than our daily (12 months a year) exposure to cigarette smoke, pollution from traffic exhaust fumes and 'acid rain' caused by remote industrial pollution.

Does the crop-burning make Chiang Mai a worse place to be than the continually polluted streets of Bangkok/London/New York, etc? I don't think so....

Good turnout at yesterdays meeting with hundreds of people turning up, the majority of whom were against the highway completely.All present had a chance to vote for their choice.

No final answer yet but hopefully,and a good one, by the end of the month.

Banwangtan was well represented taking up about 20 per cent of the venue and delivered 537 anti highway signatures to the authority.

One downside was the lack of foreigners who are affected by the proposed highway, many of whom live and own property in BWT. I was told before that there would be an apathetic response from the Thai's and that was completely the opposite, they were there in force and the pathetic response from the foreigners was 4!

Great news about the strong turn-out, the 'negative' vote (which, it is hoped, will produce the result we all want) and the great representation of the BWT residents....

Don't be so quick to judge the expats for their 'apathy' though - I for one feel just as strongly as many others do, and would have been happy to attend these meetings and express my opinions. However, I have this nbecessity which prevents me from being there....something called WORK! I'm paying for my little slice of heaven by working in Kazakhstan, and I didn't get to the meeting because the Taxi ride was too long! Please forgive me....

Haha genuine lady in Chiang Mai? you would be the first one to find..

alternative medicine? thats one hobby I share

Have you ever actually BEEN to Chiang Mai? (Other than the odd nite trawling bars on Loi Kroh, I mean...)

I've been married to a Chiang Mai girl for 15 years, and trust me - the city is FULL of genuine girls! Sounds like the opinion of someone who's only mixed with bargirls - and 90% of them don't even come from Chiang Mai, they just go there for the work!

If someone wants to meet real (genuine) girls, forget the bars - try shopping malls, markets...and try learning to speak Thai - not difficult, and it helps!

after advise from uptheos i can say i got my booking last night.1201.a.m.maybe very lucky but done none the less...why does it have to be stressy.(well for me anyway)...is it payback time for us..or a sense of superiority.for them you decide..thanks for the advise uptheos.a happy but tired man today.

Nope.....no stress, no 'payback', no 'sense of superiority'....

We, as expats, are guests in Thailand, and that is the system that Immigration use. It obviously works for them, so it's up to us to go with it!

You needed advice...you got it...acted upon it...and got your appointment! Where's the stress in that?

I think considering that the OP has only received 3 replies to his post since yesterday, says a lot about what there is to do in Chiang Mai.

Try this site here:

http://www.chiangmailocator.com/

It may help.

THere are a LOT of great things to do in Chiang Mai (which DON'T involve alchohol or girls)...and a hundred and one tourism websites that tell us what the possibilities are...

....all you need to do is READ THEM! That way, you don't get loads of sarcastic comments when you raise the subject!

Easy answer...to stop the karaoke bars doing this? Just don't use them!

Unknowing, naive tourists coming from Malaysia/China/Korea? Most of them holiday through Travel agents and tour companies who know EXACTLY what goes on in those places, so they should be warned before they arrive! They also stay in hotels, where receptionists and concierge will happily tell them not to go there!

Dodgy toilets in Hang Dong? Well, I spend 4-5 hours on the course, and maybe 1 minute in the toilets, so I don't worry about them too much! Anyway...If you like you toilet trips a little bit more frsh and clean, you could always sneak behind a tree! Watch out for the ants and snakes though....

Head up to the Lanna course on the Chiang mai - Mae Rim road. Opposite the the car park gate, on the southbound side, there are 5 or 6 shops that do both new and used sets, and will also do refitting, new grips, etc. They always have some promotions/discounts on, and they are so close together you can compare prices while you're looking...

In response to a few negative comments on Hang Dong Golf club....

If you guys enjoy your golf, you need to get out of bed a little earlier!

I play there regularly with buddies, and we tee off at around 7:00am first light.....and even allowing for the Thai 'money matches' and the Chinese/Korean 6-balls, we usually finish in 4 to 4 and 1/2 hours! We have NEVER taken longer than 5 hours...so anyone who's hacked round in 7 hours is either exaggerating, or needs to ask themselves why!

Yes...you WILL get a better golf experience if you go to Royal Chiang Mai, Gold Canyon or Highlands....but you'll be paying 5-10 times as muchj for the privelige!

OK - if it's a bit crowded occasionally (and at 360 baht for 18, it's gonna be...) - just remember.....Jai Yen Yen! Relax, have a beer and enjoy it! Isn't that why we play?

As a follow up...I'll be there on hols and hitting out with my buddies in early March, so if you're looking for some company drop me a line....

If you like your golf cheap, my home patch...and very well recommended...is the Hang Dong Golf Club. Just google it for the location...

No booking needed, just turn up and play...it's only a 9 hole course, but a very good one - just enough water to make it interesting!

Green fees? 9 holes is 250 Baht including caddy fee, 18 holes (2 x 9) is 340 Baht including caddy fee.

The caddies are friendly, and real good at what they do! We usually tip them 250 Baht for 18 holes, so you are looking at 600 Baht ($20 US) including the tip...

I'd also recommend North Hill (off the Hang Dong road behind Kad Farang) and definitely Inthanon Golf Club (about 45 minutes drive, going south-west out of Chiang Mai, but well worth the visit!)