fm2002

Ok as I'm a foodie and am looking forward to sampling CR finest foods I decided I'd put some effort into consolidating the "Good Restaurants in CR" thread. Went through all 14 pages and listed in a spreadsheet (see attachment) for the most part the restaurants mentioned. First I need the people in the know to make corrections. Which ones are no longer opened, mis spelled etc. Once I have that we can start adding detail to the ones listed; cuisine, price, rating system. I've noticed that most are listed on Sven Goggle Map so if possible I would like to have a link to each in the location section of the spreadsheet. Of course along with Sven's permission I would need his help with restaurants that need to be added to his Map.Finally we would add new restaurants as they become available.This is all a work in progress and by no means am I appointing myself the expert. Instead I found the Good Restaurants Thread hard to use. Hopefully this will make it much easier.Suggestions, constructive criticism, etc. appreciated.

Pattaya has changed so much IMO over the last 8 - 10 years, Just not what it use to be. Comming from Hawaii I thought I needed to be near the ocean. Now I am up north in Chiang Mai and loving every minute of it.

I wish you well !

I'm mostly Hawaiian Jeffrey so I understand the draw of the Ocean. I'm fortunate enough to have an apartment next to one (not in Thailand). So the way I figure if I can find a place up here in CR I can have the best of both worlds; Ocean and Mountain

Pattaya has no Ocean and I wouldn't be caught dead in it. Well I guess if I stayed there long enough I might be caught dead floating in it from apparent suicide

A warm if wet welcome to the Rai...And remember what happens in Pattaya stays in Pattaya.lol...Try not to spread the knowledge of Chiang Rai i.e.how good it is here or it could all change....Iam sure you will find your own way around in time now live tbe dream.All tbe best to hou Dave

Thanks for the warm welcome. I think people who call Pattaya home are a rare breed. Don't think they would make it a week up here. For me I knew Pattaya wasn't for me and Chiang Rai although a bit slow suits me fine. Can't wait to explore and make it my home.

So in what part of town did you end up finding a home?

And welcome to the potluck this Sunday. The bad foot shouldn't be a problem at that. We don't usually dance. Well, sometimes, but not usually.

At the worst, you may end up at the back of the food queue if you can't move fast. But there is always plenty to eat.

I ended up at the Sanuk Residences. It's about 6 km out of town off of highway 1020.

Was reading about the potluck. Wasn't sure how one was included???

Hi FM

Welcome back to Chiangrai

Hope the wedding went well

Hey Soap. Thanks and Thanks. Glad to be back. Hey when is the next Hash? If my foots better I would like to attend.

Welcome to Chiang Rai. There is a barber on the main road in Hong O that will give you a shave and a haircut very cheap.

Travel further down the road toward the national park and hot springs and you will find Don's Deli, Bakery, Little Longhorn Saloon and Cafe on the waterfront. Watch for the signs on the left. Sunday we have 100 Baht buffet of light foods and the saloon is open. The Cafe is closed on Sunday. Our foods are some of the best in Thailand. When you come by ask for Don or call 081 894 6401,

Hey Don. You might remember me I sent you a email about my interest in different cuts of meat ie: strip loin, tenderloin etc. Anyway I went by twice to eat while I was here last time, but you were away. As soon as I can get around I'll be by. Don't you have a party coming up?

I use the guys opposite the Thai Air Office on the Phahonyotjin Road. Typical cut "down to the bone" THB 60

P. S. Welcome to the Rai

Went to the place yesterday. The place was just what I was looking for. Thanks

I use the guys opposite the Thai Air Office on the Phahonyotjin Road. Typical cut "down to the bone" THB 60

P. S. Welcome to the Rai

Thanks I'll check it out.

How about a good "straight" Thai massage ?

Well I made the move to Chiang Rai from Pattaya. Been here a week and finally got my internet hooked up. Wanted to thank all who helped me. Found a nice place to live and so far enjoying the Rai life. Had a little problem with my foot so I haven't been out much, but hoping to get out and about next week. Hope to see you all around !

P.S. Anyone know a good old style barber where I can get a cut and a shave ?

when is the going out of business sale?

i have a friend who wants to know .

If you wait for a while you might find some second hand goods going round

Yeah like the ones at anglewithch:)

International chemicals is the place to go, coming from the kings statue towards Big C just after the traffic lights for Wiang Chia, get into the service road and its on your left side, look for a blue sign. i get all my pool stuff from them for less than half the price of the pool shop shops in town. :jap:

[/quote

]Thanks. I'll check it out !

I'm working on a deal to rent a house. The owners live outside the country. Said house has a pool and is cleaned twice a week by an outside service. We decided on a price, but in addition to the price agreed I would have to pay the monthly cost of cleaning the pool, which get this it's 6000baht per month!!! Before you think he's hog washing me he sent me a receipt . As I know may way around cleaning a pool and will have plenty of time I suggested he let me clean the pool. He has all the equipment; vacumn, brush etc. so I will need to buy chlorine and perhaps some soda ash. You guys know any pool supply wholesalers in town ?

Won't make this one Don, but looking forward to relocating to Chiang Rai mid June and sinking my teeth into a Steak or two

Thanks Kandahar. Hopefully the house Andrew showed me will pan out. If not would appreciate any help.

Frank

In fact I suspect I will leave here soon w/o anything concrete.

I am sorry about this oversight. I meant to buy you a small concrete garden figurine before you left.

Next time?

I missing your point ? Wouldn't buying me a saddlebag be more appropriate?

Well after a grueling 10 hour drive yesterday I made it back to Pattaya. Of course right as we leave the expressway onto Sukhumvit I'm met with bumper to bumper traffic.

I would like to thank everyone on TVF and elsewhere in Chiang Rai who helped me. I looked at maybe 10 rental properties and had a glance at few land and houses for sale. On my last day as I was driving out of town Andrew showed me a place I liked the best. Haven't made contact with the owner yet so it's by no way confirmed, but hopefully it will come through. If not there is 2-3 more that would suffice.

Look forward to seeing you all again soon. Look for me around end of June

Thanks all for the tips.

Yeah...no opium in the golden triangle. What color is the sky in the universe you live in? The hill tribes have been processing opium for hundreds of years. Maybe it is less in your face, but it is still there, and now we have added Meth to the mix as well.

Opium was introduced into the hills of Southeast Asia as a cash crop relatively recently, about 150 years ago. Prior to that it was harvested in India and Turkey. There has been relatively little opium production within the Thai borders since the 1980s. There are still to be found a few small poppy plots for tourists to admire. Cross border traffic in illegal drugs use to be raw opium, but by the early 1980s, after the police action against Khun Sa in Hin Taek, the processing labs had moved across the border and the traffic tended to be in refined heroin. Over the last 15-20 years most of the labs and drug traffic has switched to methamphetamines as the old school opiate dealers like Khun Sa in Burma and his able lieutenant in Thailand Laota, retired or were temporarily imprisoned and replace by the meth crowd, still financed by the same cast of characters in Bangkok.

And what's with Doi Hang? I though that was just west of Chiang Rai town. You would need to follow the Kok river on almost a straight line in a northwest direction, into Chiang Mai province, and to the Burmese border to do some serious drug business.

That pretty much sums it up except I think your under estimating the opium trade out of Burma. Perhaps through Laos these days.

Looking for a store I can go to and see the best selection of Stones & Tiles and also one I can trust in cutting a countertop for kitchen cabinets from cut sheets/plans I will provide them. What if anything I will buy will be shipped out of Thailand to go in a upscale apartment I'm fitting out. I cannot source materials locally.

I currently live in Jomtien and have looked around there. Boothavorn is the best place I've seen so far. Will be in BKK shortly and wanted to see if there is any stores that would be better?

Thanks

Sorry i don't have any independent leads on rural country nice properties with land. Saw some on the realators site, and one on Thai Visa in the classafieds. Located toward the White Temple for 15,000 baht.

No problem. Appreciate the leads you gave me. Actually will be leaving to check them out in about 30 minutes.

Thanks

Two things. I guess on a day tour/trek you really wouldn't know if your guide had a gun, but if you go on 2+ day trek it would be very difficult to hide a gun. You are bathing, sleeping, eating in very close proximity with each other.

Second, a Yakuza in exile in another country happens all the time. Especially in a country like Thailand which wouldn't know who's entering. Also most likely the Japan government know their whereabouts. I personally have a friend where I used to live (very nice guy) who is one such person in exile. He has been there for over 15 years w/o VISA. Missing pinky finger and all. I would suspect that the living Yakuza is very nervous because if they are over here in exile their suppose to be keeping a very low profile.

Well the "Nation" dispelled the rumor that the deceased was the leader of the 3rd largest Yakuza gang. When I read that I laughed. No way no how would the leader of Inagawa -kai, Kazuo Uchibori be in this situation. As the Nation article implies and I agree this was a low level Yakuza thug who most likely is on the lam from a screw up back in Japan. In Thailand he continues to do what he knows best, illegal activities.

I'm currently in Chiang Rai and after just a week of speaking to people it's very apparent what's going on up here in them jungles. Although from what I hear nothing like this ever happens. Too much at stake. As one said they were in a village known for drugs. I've personally been on too many treks to count in Thailand, Burma and Laos some in the heart of the mule routes and NEVER have my guides carried a gun.

What exactly happened, who shot who first I don't think we will ever know (doubt the still living Yakuza member will be talking much), but one thing is for sure these were no tourists and this was no guided tour to see the sights.

Had a great lunch today with Soap and his family @ Rimkok Hotel. Just wanted to say thanks for all the great info! Soap truly is a wealth of information.

Sinthanee 2 Moo Ban Soi 2... middle of the soi, Green house with 2 or 3 A/C units. should be a 3 bed 2 bath and kitchen unfurnished.. they are asking 5,000 but can probably get for little less. Thai owners for rent. This one is probably a pretty good deal and possibly could be fixed up nicely with a little paint and accessories to the yard.

Sinthanee 2 Moo Ban Soi 2... end of the soi, private, large yard recently repainted and lots of work done to the house. 2 or 3 A/C units, at least 3 bed 2 bath kitchen... Last year they were asking 10,000 but did not rent. Might be able to get for less. Thai owners Unknown about furnishings.

Drive by for phone numbers and will need someone to speak Thai with the owners.

Sinthanee 2 is located about 3 Kilometers East of Central Plaza and Big C shopping Centers. From Super Highway 1 traffic light, go east on Highway 1020 toward Chang Kong and Pu Chi Fa for about 3 kilometers. Sinthanee 2 is on the left (north) just after you pass the old dutch style windmill on your right side.

There is also Sinthanee 3 on the opposite side of highway 1020 (south side). Coming out from Sinthanee 2 tack the U turn and then Sinthanee 3 will be about 150 meters on the left side. You could also drive thru there and have a look. sometimes there are rentals in there as well. Around 6,000 +

They have security there that checks all cars so you will just need to give them an ID like driver licence etc to enter.

The brother of the guy that runs Surinam restaurant on Jed Yad (across the street from Cat Bar) has a new small house in a Moo Ban in Bandoo close to Chiang Rai Radjapat University. Inquire at the restaurant, the brothere isknows about the rental and how to reach his brother the owner. Bandoo is about 7-8 kilo's north of Chiang Rai city on the super highway 1. ........ almost new, private 2 bedrooms, maid room (could be 3rd very small bedroom or an office). A/C in Master bedroom, large kitchen and storage area enclosed in the back of the house. Think they are asking about 7,000..........

I never post here, but never saw you around Jed Yad Cat Bar even tho I did enquire about you..

Thanks for the leads will check them out tomorrow. As for Jed Yad we were there last night (Coconut Bar). Will try to swing by Surinam tomorrow night.

Lots of cheap CR apartment rentals listed here. Maybe a good idea to rent for a while and take your time looking for the perfect house in the perfect location.

http://chiangrai.thaiapartments.net/

Thank you for the link, but we are looking for a house.