el jefe

Some 2500 views to this thread, 78 posts with 3-4 arguing for Hillside Plaza 4, 2-3 enjoying the thread but not the format, leaving 2,415 views just for fun. Aren't you having fun?

The Fly Fisherman

Still more buyers than sellers for apts in Hillside 4.

Has anyone noticed the irony that "phishing" is the biggest scam on the internet and that the only person continuing to argue against Hillside 4 is the "physherman"?

I can't beleive this thread is still alive.

I'm one of 3 posters who said we'd like to buy an apt in Hillside 4. There may be some studio apts for sale, but no one has posted here that they have one available nor has anyone PM'd me.

btw, I'm only looking for 90 sq. m. and up. I know about the sign on the pole for the overpriced apt for sale and there is also a poorly laid out 1 br, 2 ba apt.

Lots of vacant apts, maybe? But no one wants to sell.

>>What makes anyone think the construction at many other condos around town is any better?

Not many are, but I don't think that was the point he/she was making.

>>I currently rent at the Nakornping Condo ( a few 100 meters from Hillside 4)

Are you sure it's only a few 100 meters? That's what I had said in a previous post (and I still think so,) but someone assured us that it at least a mile a way.

>> and the huge cracks in the wall indicate a serious problem. I'm sure Hillside 5 is no better, having sat unmaintained for several years.

I wandered through there several months ago. I was afraid that the floors would give way.....

>> Fisherman, the rightside entryway to the building hasn't been closed "two years". I lived there and used that entry until January 2006. Yes, it was closed after that. maybe sometime in early 2005 too, but certainly not Oct/Nov/dec 2005.

Please excuse me. I don't live there, only drive past. It 'seemed to me' that it was two years. If it was only one and a half years, I'm sorry for my mistake. Foolish of me to imagine that it was two years, but I didn't record the actual date of it being closed off. Of course, you do realize that it's almost 2007 (YES I KNOW it's actually and entire 51 days short of that year.)

The Fly Fisherman

FF-

Reread what I wrote. The entryway was open in January 2006. That's this year. it was open last month. I'm not sure how many months in between it was closed but that's a maximum of 9. So you're off by over a year.

I 've lived in both Hillside 4 and Nakornping. I can currently see Hillside 4 from my apt in Nakornping. I walk to the gym in Hillside 4 in about 5 minutes. I'd say they're less than 500 meters apart. No where near a mile. If you drive by so often checking on the walkway you'd know that.

I'm interested in buying a condo in Hillside 4 too but I'm only interested in a 90sq meter, one bedroom apt, or larger. No studios.

What makes anyone think the construction at many other condos around town is any better?

I currently rent at the Nakornping Condo ( a few 100 meters from Hillside 4) and the huge cracks in the wall indicate a serious problem. I'm sure Hillside 5 is no better, having sat unmaintained for several years.

I haven't been to Hillside 4 since April when I rented there for 6 months. There were 3 or 4 power outages when I was there, usually in the middle of the night. I only recall one during the day that lasted more than a few minutes. In the 6 months I was there, there was only one day when there wasn't enough water pressure for a shower and the building management notified us in advance that they were doing work. As for the heat, that comes with most building with a Mountain (west) View. You want a cooler apartment? -- get one with a city view. Fisherman, the rightside entryway to the building hasn't been closed "two years". I lived there and used that entry until January 2006. Yes, it was closed after that. maybe sometime in early 2005 too, but certainly not Oct/Nov/dec 2005. i givethem credit for closing it as a safety hazzard. Most places would just take their chances.

I can't wait for the problems to start showing up at Twin Peaks.

This debate has gone on before. If you're an experienced cyclist and you learn to anticipate what the drivers will do (both Thai and farang), cycling here is relatively safe. Unfortunately for you, I've found the roads on the west side of town to be much better for cyclig than the roads on the east side.

It also wouldn't be any fun riding to Sankampeng on a regular basis on the cheapest bike you can rent in CM -- a single speed clunker that can't be adjusted to fit properly. You'd need to rent from one of the reputable bike shops in town, something like a Trek 4300, and that would probably cost around 1500b/month.

Sorry, but if you can anticipate what any driver is going to do here then you have a special gift - use it and buy lottery tickets - can't lose.

I agree.

I worked as a bicycle messenger in San Francisco for many years and used a bicycle as my only transportation in Hanoi when I lived there - where traffic is worse than here - however, there is NO way to "anticipate" what a bunch of selfish, brain dead drivers are going to do.

Just got to hope for good luck, because "experience" only helps so much.

I've got 400,000 kms experience on a bike, 200,000 of it in the NYC area and another 200,000 kms in 30 countries around the world. I've had 4 accidents involving cars. 2 were mostly my fault. I think those are pretty good odds, but I don't think it's luck.

Thai drivers are different than European and American drivers. Worse? No. Different? Yes.

Your opinion may differ. But if you think it's so dangerous, you should stay off the road for your own safety.

This debate has gone on before. If you're an experienced cyclist and you learn to anticipate what the drivers will do (both Thai and farang), cycling here is relatively safe. Unfortunately for you, I've found the roads on the west side of town to be much better for cyclig than the roads on the east side.

It also wouldn't be any fun riding to Sankampeng on a regular basis on the cheapest bike you can rent in CM -- a single speed clunker that can't be adjusted to fit properly. You'd need to rent from one of the reputable bike shops in town, something like a Trek 4300, and that would probably cost around 1500b/month.

hey thanks for everyones input. Ok, just want to ask is Grand Hillside different to the Hillside condos?.

And does anyone know where i can obtain additional information about Grand Hillside .

thanks!

Grand Hillside, aka "Hillside 5", is right behind Hillside 4. Construction started over 10 years, stopped and then was taken over by the Hillside people. many apartments on the top floors were sold and some are now occupied. The rest of the building is pretty much empty. There are rumors that they are going to rent out rooms by the night like a hotel. Grand Hillside is supposed to be more upscale than Hillside 4, but who wants to live in a deserted building?

The best way to get more info is to go in and talk to the people at the Reception Desk.

hey guys

looking at maybe renting at Hillside condo for several weeks but am unable to find an official website. Anyone have any idea whether they have their own website or i have to go through an agent?

Cheers

No website.

I'm hoping for a replay of the 1968 World Series, albeit with a different outcome.

So far, so good.

Now am hoping for a different outcome than 1968, and especially 2004!

Me too!

But congratulations to the Mets for a hard fought series. They are a good young team and will be in the hunt for years to come.

It will be interesting to see Leyland and LaRussa playing chess again.

At the beginning of the season, no one expected the Mets to go this far. Now they've signed Reyes and Wright to long term contracts, a year before they had to, which shows a commitment to the fans and the team. it will help them go out and get the players they need to make them a winner in 2007. Look for them to pick up a lefthanded ace -- either Zito or Willis -- and fill the remaining gaps in the lineup corner outfielder and 2nd base with top free agents.

But for now, Let's Go Tigers!!

There are always a few bikers at the track behind Seacon Square on Sunday mornings.Mostly CBRs,Hayabusas and GSXs.Not sure of the cost to use the track though.Try giving Storm Riders a call,just search for their site on google.

Are you talking about a Velodrome or just some BMX track?

And if there's a Velodrome, is it real racing? I'm up in Chiang Mai but would fly down for organized racing.

I hear from the pharangs I meet that going to a bar and picking up random thai chick is about the standard form of entertainment here other than finding good food. They are 35-50 y.o guys who tell me all the stories of thai chicks they meet ...

35-50 years old???

I thought most of those guys were in their 60's!

Anyway, I ride a bike, usually with some British and European friends. There's also a CM Sunday Cycling Club that leaves from Tha Pai Gate every Sunday morning at about 8:00am. They go at a very moderate pace. Their rides are usually anwhere from 40 to 75 km.

Now you know all about us but you still haven't told us what you do.

Well there chaisoot, I'm going with Mets-Tigers and Mets take series in 7 games

You're assuming, of course, that the Mutts are going to get past the Cards.

I agree.

Now that my Yanks are out of the picture, I see it as Cards and A's for the series now.

I hate to throw statistics and logic into this, but I assume you know that the Mets had the best record in baseball against righthanded pitchers (and they sucked against lefthanders -- I believe they were 9-17 in the last 2 months of the season). Both the Mets and Cardinals announced their starting rotation for the 7 games and the Cardinals don't have a single lefthander among them. The pitching matchups strongly favor the Mets in Games 1, 2 and 4 while the Cardinals have the advantage in Game 3, using ace Chris Carpenter against Steve Trachsel. Both teams have said that in Games 5 and 6, if necessary, they'll use the same pitchers as in Games 1 and 2.

What a Nightmare....

Oh Well..... I'm sure all the Yankee Haters are pleased now....

It's not that we're Yankee Haters, it just that it's so hard to root for a team whose salary is double that of the next highest paid team. It's like rooting for Exxon/Mobil to make MORE money.

Like I said before, I'm not a big fan of the Mets, but they are an Amazing team this year. Who would have thought... Too bad Piazza is with the Pods now ( Was he on the postseason lineup at least? ). San Diego is history - Looks like the Mets will play the Cards, can't wait for that game.

I'm happy the Tigers shut down the Yanks, but they have no chance against the A's.

Piazza was on the roster and played for the Padres. He committed a key error that probably cost them one of the games.

I have to disagree with you about the Tigers though. They outplayed the A's all season and if they continue pitching the way they did against the Yankees, then no one can beat them, not even the Mets, and I AM a Mets fan.

Great fun reading this after the results are known.

I guess all the overpaid Yankees will be playing golf tomorrow.

By the way, Narachon, who is "Mannny" on the Yankees?? Next year they'll probably sign Manny Ramirez, but there are no Manny's on the team now.

LET'S GO METS!!

Why do they call it the "world series" . Never seen it played in Thailand, South East Asia or Oz at any level ?

Where are the rules for the "TV World Series" contest?

You know the one where as soon as someone posts the term "world series", someone has to reply "Why do they call it the world series, blah, blah, blah."

It happens every time.

What's the prize for being first on each thread?

I've tried several of the 89B Thai BBQ's, although I haven't tried the one at the NE corner of the moat. The one behind Hillside 4 was certainly the cleanest and the food appeared freshest. There's no problem with noise or fumes. The restaurant seats about 1,000 guests and there's plenty of parking for all of them.

Great answers. Thank you. Always visited southern Thailand /islands/ and did not even think it may get that cold up north in Chiang Mai.

Am glad that not everyone is so negative about finding a decent place in CM at a reasonable price.

Too many old fogeys replying here. Early morning can be chilly but your kids will have no trouble enjoying the pool in the middle of the afternoon.

I'm not a fan of the staff at the Top North Hotel, but the rooms are fine and the pool is great. With your budget I doubt you'll find a better deal.

The thing about being on a bicycle is that yes your less likely to hit something at speed but the downside is your the slowest thing on the road and your much more likely to be hit from behind which is the one direction you will not see coming.

A number of times I have nearly collided with cyclists while on the moto because they are moving so slow and out of sync with the other traffic.

As I said in one of my earlier posts, I have no trouble keeping up with traffic in CM. I've told my wife, who also cycles regularly in the city, that it's usually better to speed up a little, rather than be overly cautious and slow down every time a Thai driver is about to take your space. Be aware of your surroundings and attentive to other vehicles. Anticipate what they're going to do. Moving at the same speed as the rest of the traffic is the safest way to ride.

When I ride my bicycle in town I crank up the Ipod so if I am run over at least my last moments on earth of complete with some jammin tunes :-)

I hope you're not serious. The last thing I want to do is lose one of my senses while I'm riding. You can tell when you're going to be passed by the sound of the shifting gears, for example.

Now here's an interesting bit of new research just out in the UK..

Im not really sure how appropriate it is to Chiang Mai, but

"Helmeted Cyclists are more likely to be hit."

The original article I saw was in the SMH or the The Age. But the guy's website is at

Dr Ian Walker

David,

That study is making the rounds of all the cycling newsgroups, message boards and egroups. As an experienced motorcyclist, you know how controversial helmet laws are. I'm sure you'll agree that a skilled, experienced motorcyclist/cyclist is less likely to get into an accident than an inexperienced one. It's my contention that someone who rides 500 km/year is MORE likely to get into an accident than someone who rides 20,000km, with or without the helmet. Who's more likely to get into an accident in CM, the tourist who rents a Honda Wave for 2 days, or you? My theory is "Prevent the accident, rather than the injury afterwards."

For all of you, don't assume the unhelmeted rider is less experienced, but feel free to give us all plenty of room.

I ride 1,500 - 2,000 km a month, 6 months a year here in CM and the rest of the time in various other places around the world. While Thailand may not be the safest place to ride a bike, it's far from the worst. I feel safer here than I do in the US or most of western Europe. Thai's may be sloppy drivers but there's very little aggressiveness like there is in the west. For an experienced cyclist who learns Thai driving habits, cycling here is a pleasure. Inexperienced cyclists will undoubtably have a different experience.

I've found that the most dangerous drivers in Thailand are farang in an SUV.

Well I think it depends on where in Europe or the US your comparing it to. Certainly some places like NYC or LA might be worse but a whole lot of places in the US are in a much higher league when it comes to safety. Where I am from in Colorado there are so many bike paths and separate lanes its night and day compared to Chiang Mai.

The problem with Thai drivers is they might be willing to pass you with only 6 inches of space. That is a recipe for disaster. As for your comment about Falangs being worse drivers. Thanks for making me laugh. I guess some of them are bad but they are such a minority so the probability of being killed by one is pretty remote.

You ride up to 2000 km's a month? Where do you go? Want to go riding?

CSN, You're absolutely right. The majority of my cycling in the US is in the suburbs of NYC. It's totally different when I get out into the country (I'll stay off the bike paths though, thank you. In the US northeast -- anywhere within 200 miles of NYC -- bike paths and lanes become multi-use facilities with too many joggers, dog walkers and roller bladers. Studies have been done showing that cyclists are more likely to have an accident on a bike path than on the road. Sorry, I don't have the website for the study. You can google it.) As for my cycling in western Europe, I found Scandinavian drivers respectful of other road users. I've been told that French and Italian drivers treat bikes with the same respect that would give any other road user. That's the problem -- they don't respect anyone. I'd rather ride in Thailand.

So, where do I go? Northwest and southwest exclusively. I'll go out past Mae Wang (Route 1013) for some gentle rolling hills. Or I'll take the Pai cutoff road (nw from Mae Rim) for a flat ride. And once every 7-10 days I'll do the Samoeng loop. If you're up for any of those, sure, I'd like another training partner. I'm not in CM right now, but I'll be back next month.

I've found that the most dangerous drivers in Thailand are farang in an SUV.

That is interesting can you say how you come to that opinion?

As I said, it's just my experience from cycling 20,000+ km in and around CM. The vast majority of Thai drivers are on scooters going 30-40km/hr. I can easily keep up with the flow of traffic in town. Sure they drive "sloppy" -- pulling out of side streets on to main roads without looking and driving on the wrong side of the road -- but it's easy to anticipate those moves.

I've found two problems with farang drivers:

1. Most are in a hurry and drive too aggressively

2. having not lived in Thailand for long, many don't know where they're going and spend too much time looking at stores, signs, whatever, instead of looking at other vehicles on the road.

I've done plenty of cycling in Laos too, where there are no farang drivers. I think it's safer than Thailand.

Just my opinion.

I ride 1,500 - 2,000 km a month, 6 months a year here in CM and the rest of the time in various other places around the world. While Thailand may not be the safest place to ride a bike, it's far from the worst. I feel safer here than I do in the US or most of western Europe. Thai's may be sloppy drivers but there's very little agressiveness like there is in the west. For an experienced cyclist who learns Thai driving habits, cycling here is a pleasure. Inexperienced cyclists will undoubtably have a different experience.

I've found that the most dangerous drivers in Thailand are farang in an SUV.

tonychang - not really up on my bikes but I dare say you'd be able to get something similar that wouldn't break the bank. Best bet is to go into somewhere like Chaitawat's and have a flick through one of his catalogues.

tigerbeer - that'll be Jacky Bike, which is about 100m up Chotana Road on the left - starting from opposite Chang Peuk Gate. Something like a 19 or 20-inch frame would do the trick for you, depending on leg length. Just give a few different sizes a try.

JackR,

i happened to walk around Supersports at Airport Plaza last night and saw about 4 Mongoose bikes. One of them looked quite nice. Selling at 10,700 or something around there. Disc brakes both front and back. Asked about the size of the frame, they said 26? now i dont get it. You said something like 19 or 20 ought to be ok but 26inch? now i am confused. how do these frame size work??

This was the model:

Mongoose

So a 26in would be S, M, L, or XL?

Mountain bikes are always measured in inches (usually 15, 17, 19, and sometimes 21; or ocassionally 14, 16, 18, 20), although some manufacturer's will convert that into S,M,L. The wheel size on all mountain bikes is 26 inches. That's certainly the answer you were given as road bikes are almost all 700mm with some cheap ones 27 inches. This just proves that you should only buy a bike from a from a specialized bike shop. If you buy one from a general sporting goods store or worse like Carrefour or Tesco/Lotus, they know nothing about bikes. As for what size you really need, the only way to know is to test ride a few. Everybody is proportioned differently. And inexperienced/new riders tend to get frames that are too big. Go with the smallest frame you find comfortable.

I found everything I needed in the small market at the intersection of Suthep & Canal Rds (SE corner).