robodelfy

Hi

I am looking to rent an apartment/condo/house for the month of March in Hua Hin, or possibly Cha am if nothings available in Hua Hin. I've spent a few hours looking online, but I'm not getting very far!

The main thing is finding something cheap. I have no need for anything fancy or super clean and posh! But I would love a pool. Other than that, as basic as possible. I have just been in Chiang Mai looking at places for the future and found many apartments for as low as 3500 to 6000 pm, some with pools and in good locations. Really simple not very nice rooms, but thats fine. 

Does Hua Hin have anything like this, and is it too short notice? In Chiang Mai it seemed as if you just turn up the day you want to move in and hope fo the best! But I'd rather book if possible, but its getting quite close now

Any advice? Thankyou ????

13 hours ago, Bezdomny said:

I lived behind Wat Umong. Nice quiet area, close to mountains and 10 min to the city. A lot of food stalls on the Suthep rd near CMU. Payed 5k a month for a room with nice view on Doi suthep. 

Yeah that looks really nice, was that in rainy season? Its so lush and green. I'm also interested in the name of the condo...

also, how bad was the noise of planes taking off? Because every time I''m in that area it seems quite loud! Maybe Id get used to it

1 hour ago, EricTh said:

 

Huay Kaew Residence is not on Nimman, it's on a very busy street.

All these are inside the city center and not considered suburbs. 

 

I moved out from that area because of bars near Kad Suan Kaew who like to blare their speakers out loud until 12 midnight. I need to sleep before 12 sometimes.

 

Suburbs would be like Mae Jo, Mae Rim, Doi Saket.

Sorry yeah I mixed up some road names. I hadn't been there at night yet, but I didn't realise there were bars playing really loud music. Its the same issue in some of the other areas I looked.

I've been living in between two villages 30 mins outside of Chiang Rai for a while, and even there I hear loud Karaoke every night from across the huge lake! But I imagine what you describe would be more close and disturbing

I sleep before 12 every night, often before 11!

1 minute ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

What specific location(s) do you want the data for? Just CM, or elsewhere.....  The sensor data is always specific to particular locations, some cities don't have any, others like BKK and CM have numerous sensors each tracking data for their particular location.

 

Yes I just wanted it for Chiang Mai really, I also would be interested to see Chiang Rais data too. Its weird even today, I see two readings from the old city, one is 127, and then one a few hundred metres down the road is164. Is this just some direct fumes going into the sensor at the time of the reading do you think?

Just now, chickenslegs said:

If I am reading this correctly, it looks like Revolut charges 1% for THB (2% at weekends). This is from their website ...

 

Ah I didn't see that, so I'm sorry if I misled anyone. I've used it for various European countries free of charge, so when I saw they did Thai Baht I assumed the same

Still, theres a possibility it may be useful to some if you want a card you can use anywhere. But 1% still adds up quite quickly. I forgot to say dont change on revolution at the weekends because the exchange is closed and so they charge extra to cover themselves

2 hours ago, lordblackader said:

Monthly stats going back to 2013.

https://www.facebook.com/aqichiangmai/app/190322544333196/

Thanks thats exactly what I was looking. So it has improved over time, I'm surprised. It seems from my visits only to get more busy. But maybe its de to more government bans on burning?

2 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Fees are only part of the equation. What exchange rate do they use?

I can get "no fee" transfers from Barclays Bank UK, but I would receive less THB into my BKK Bank account than using Transferwise and paying their fees.

It uses Interbank rates, and you can choose at any time to exchange to Baht to lock in a rate, or it will just do it automatically when you use your card somewhere or at an ATM. Or for a bank transfer I imagine. Other than that there are no fees

I've used it a lot when I travel anywhere, and I've used transerfwise in various situations. Obviously its best to check both and see what works out cheaper, but it seems to be Revolut would certainly be cheaper with no fees and interbank rates. 

But its worth having Revolut if you are from a qualifying country and you move around a lot.

48 minutes ago, EricTh said:

I used to live in Santitham.

 

It's certainly not a quiet place, most nights there would be cats howling, drunk people speaking out loudly at 2 am in the morning, endless traffic. Cigarette smoke coming from your neighbours room.

 

Santitham is considered  inside the city center and not a suburb area.

 

If you prefer a quiet place, it's best to live in a house in a village.

Thanks, yeah these places were actually off various side roads from Santhitam, and some of them were relatively quiet. But the main road wasn't, and there was a lot of loud music at night next to one of the apartments

One of the cheapest places, Huay Keaw Residence which is basically on Nimann and fairly popular although with mixed reviews. This place funnily enough felt quieter to me than most of the ones further from Nimann. I think because on the other side away from Nimann theres not really anything behind it, and its made up of variious big buildings which creates a quite quiet central space, with a pool. So this is definitely on the short list

2 hours ago, mikey88 said:

There’s no such thing as nipping anywhere sadly....there’s is no nip in Chiang Mai.

The old timers say there’re used to be a nip....but the nip is long gone.

You could try Mar Rim or Doi Saket etc....but you won’t be nipping anywhere from there.

Youre either inner city or you’re not.

Thats it. 

If you have ‘throat problems’ ? Then from now until somewhere in May ...it’s going to be polluted.

 

 

Thanks yeah its busier than I remember it! I first came 14 or so years ago, and the traffic was bad then! But still I've found certain routes are ok on a motorbike, but I'd hate to be getting around in a car.

As you say there will be no nipping from those outer areas! I think I'd feel reluctant to even attempt to get into the city from far out for any reason! 

12 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Emporium Residence, 5k/month in Santitham Road (1 months deposit)

View Doi Mansion, 6k/month just off (2 months deposit)

 

7-11 and Tesco Lotus just outside, beer bars in Santhitham Plaza, Oxide and T-bar close by.

https://www.facebook.com/OxidePubChiangmai

 

YMCA just down the road for your Thai language lessons.

And 1 million CMU and CMRU university girls floating around in the evenings.

Thanks yeah I checked Doi Mansion, its nice but you have to book months in advance because its small. I will have to check out Emporium, I didn't see that. I did go to Empress apartments. 

Thanks

Hi

I would like to look back over some air quality readings from the past months/years in Thailand but I dont see any way to do this on the AQICN website. 

Any ideas?

Thanks

Better than Transferwise if you are an EU/UK citizen is Revolut. Its free to get a card, and you can do bank transfers completely free to many countries including Thailand. 

You just get the app on your phone, deposit money using your debit card. Then you can convert it to any other currency. You then have multiple 'accounts' in your revolt app for different currencies

I recently transferred some money to my girlfriends Thai Bank account, completely free and arrived in a few days.

I should really make a thread about Revolut so people know. It's also free to use the Revolut card anywhere, so I use it at Tops, at the mall etc, 7/11. And you get £200 free ATM withdrawal per month on the free account

Hope that helps

Thanks for all the advice everyone

I've been in Chiang Mai for 5 days exploring on my motorbike. I feel like I have a much better grasp of the city now. I do find the traffic and fumes a bit overwhelming. But it probably also because of the air quality and heat currently. Its probably nicer when the smog clears in rainy season.

I've found so many condos/apartments all over the place, ranging from 3500 baht per month to well over 10000. But I was hoping to spend about 5 to 8k per month. I dont need anything fancy. I dont really see what everyone loves about Nimman although there are some good apartments around there. I preferred just north near Santhitham road, where it feels a bit more Thai and lots of street vendors etc. 

I imagine I will end up somewhere around this area, just north or north west of the old city. Where I'm staying in the north east of the old city is actually really quiet and chilled, and lots of nice places to eat including cheap Thai places. 

Thanks again for the help

7 hours ago, elektrified said:

I used to be a patient for a number of years but the last two visits left me very disappointed with him.

 

I think he told me once that any surgical procedures he does start at 40,000 Baht.

 

Get another opinion.

 

His name is Dr. Rak, not Rat.

Thanks, could you explain more why the last two visits left you disappointed, do yo know if he is a good surgeon? Also would you be able to recommend anyone else for a second opinion here in CM?

Im certain he said 3000, as I asked twice. But as you mention 40,000 it cant be that cheap. I might have to go back to ask him again

Sorry, I saw him referred to as Dr Rat on this forum. Dr Rak ???? 

Hi

I've had a 3 years chronic voice/throat issue. I have had 2 laser tonsillectomies in the UK which cost £3300 overall! The second was to remove some left over tissue. It helped my issue but not completely. Today I saw Dr Rat at his Clinic in Chiang Mai thanks to peoples advice here. 

He couldnt understand why there is still tonsil tissue left after two operations! He said I should get the remaining tissue removed, and he could do it. He said it would be 3000 baht, which shocked me, but now from looking online, I'm guessing he meant 30,000 baht? What do you think, it cant be 3000 baht!

He said it would be day surgery and I would recover in a week. I dont believe that because it took about 3 weeks to fully recover last time and the laser is meant to be far less 'brutal'. I have to say I'm nervous about having a proper operation done here. Should I be worried? Do you think it will be on a par with one done in the UK. People have spoken highly of Dr Rat but I also noticed a few people saying they dont think he's that great anymore, but I cant find the thread. His clinic did seem a bit shabby and he wasn't that sensitive when sticking metal objects in my mouth to look.

If anyone has personal experience with him, operations or tonsillectomies here in CM it would be great. I cant afford another one in the UK, and they have failed to get all the tissue out anyway. But I have to make a quick decision as he said we could do it on Saturday! I'm dreading the pain, and also it seems ridiculous to spend so much on multiple laser operations only to finish it all off with a knife which is what I wanted to avoid!!

Thanks for listening ????

I'm a bit confused, is it only considered one of the most 'polluted' cities during burning season? Because I thought outside of those few months the air quality was ok? Can someone explain

As opposed to many Indian cities which are constantly polluted 

9 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

 

Coincidence?

The three years I lived in Thailand have actually been over the last 6, on and off. I've always had throat issues since I was young, and after years of manageable issues everything went wrong!  It doesn't seem to make any difference what country I'm in, apart from I'm happier in Thailand which of course helps ???? 

14 minutes ago, lordblackader said:

Doi Saket is the outskirts of the Chiang Mai Metro area. Note, though you mention Doi Saket hot springs - you might want to look at a map, Doi Saket ranges from the Chiang Rai border to the Outer Ring Road.

 

If you can compromise on nature, take a look at the southern parts of Chang Klan and Haiya - close to town but off the major roads they're quiet and mostly Thai (the northern parts are highly touristy). 

 

Some people love Santitham - again, there are quiet parts and yet you're very close everything. 

 

A little further out Fa Ham might be worth a look as well - close to Central Festival but outside the Superhighway it's fairly quiet. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks very much. I think I'll visit all the places you have suggested on this visit and see what they are like. I'll make a day of it. I can definitely compromise on nature, and I'm quite happy in just quiet areas of cities, which I'm sure there are as you mention. I just want to get to the know the city a bit better, but not just the old city ????

Thanks again

Thanks for the advice for my throat, yes I cant be here when it gets really smoky. Currently its fine up here in Chiang Rai, but in previous years its been unbearable for me. So I would be planning to stay on an METV and avoid March/April/May smokey times.

And thanks for the ideas, I'm looking into them all.  I went to the Hot Springs at Doi Saket, it was very nice around there. I still think its a bit far

Sorry maybe I should have been clearer, as much as I love nature I understand you cant really have it and be really close. So what about some quieter suburbs or neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the old city, so I could get into the city with a 10/15 minute drive. I know the difference between 15 and 30 minutes doesn't seem a lot, but it is when you want to nip in and out a lot.

I currently live 30 mins from Chiang Rai and I rarely go in on a whim! But thanks, its good for me to build up a good idea, and Im visiting Chiang Mai tomorrow so I can check out any suggestions.

Hi

I'm a 34 year old guy originally from the UK. I've been living in Thailand for about 3 years overall, but in 6 month stints, all near Chiang Rai where I spent a lot of time at a community. I developed a serious voice/throat disorder 3 years ago and life has been a real nightmare since. I've decided that I would like to spend as much time in Thailand as possible while I recover, for many reasons, food, massage, weather etc. All good for my throat, where as Brexit is not good for my recovery!! ????

I love Bangkok but dont think I'd want to live there. Chiang Rai is just too quiet and small, but I would like to be close enough to visit, which leaves Chiang Mai as the obvious choice. I just never really fell in love with Chiang Mai like many do. I always found it to be too full of traffic and tourists! That said, it has a lot going on that I'm interested in and the surrounding nature is beautiful. I like do do meditation retreats which there are plenty of.

Could anyone recommend some areas to live? Not including the old city in the middle. My main criteria would be : 

- reasonably priced, I am used to living basic and in non-farang areas

- nature or some quite? Is there anywhere near the centre that still feels peaceful?

- Close enough to buzz of the town but not too close. I would be happy riding my motorbike 15 mins or so to get to the centre

I always thought the northern side of the old city seemed more convenient to get to the malls for the cinema, and go out to doing step etc. But to be honest I dont know Chiang Mai at all well, so thats why I'm here

Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks

16 hours ago, stud858 said:

I've never been asked for return part of flight on metv 

While your renting look for a cheap condo. Rent is dead money. Although, I must say climate now is poor. High exchange rates. Unsure governments and visa rules. Condo boom cycle seems to have come and gone. ( In Pattaya).

Tough decision. But I guess when people buy their own condos things become more comfortable. Just get a good deal. Research.

Thanks yeah I'm just a bit unsure of the future for various reasons and I feel buying wouldn't be the greatest investment right now. Also the pound is very weak and probably will only get worse with Brexit! I remember when I first came to Thailand 14 years ago getting so much for my money!

Thanks. Yeah I dont have a lot of stuff, and I have some friends in Chiang rai so Im sure I could store a few boxes. So its just hoping the embassy will give me the visa, and it seems likely they will by the sounds of it.

They do ask for a return flight, what do you do about this? Because its 9 months in the future and you are never exactly sure because of extensions etc. 

Just now, stud858 said:

Good question. I go back to Oz. I'm lucky. Have understanding parents and brother. Spend 2 to the three months in Oz. No issues with metv whatsoever. Follow the listed rules for application and no problems.

I've asked Oz embassy if there is requirement to stay away for certain amount of time, buy none.

I just see it as a good idea.

You would only face problems if you dress bad, are impolite or don't spend some time back in your home country.

Trying to spend every single day of the full year on tourist visas will bring suspicion on you.

You best buy a condo if you need to keep stuff here while in home country.

Thanks, thats likely my plan to. I've been coming to Thailand for 5 or 6 months the last few years. I need to go back to Europe for help with my chronic pain issue too, hoping for a miracle! 

Someone earlier in the thread mentioned doing 9 months on METV then going to another close by country and getting an SETV. This does sound like it could raise suspicion and probably isn't a great idea. I've also always stayed in the North, mostly Chiang Rai, and from March to May, the burning is horrible and its a good time to leave, also lovely weather in Europe. My chronic problem is with my throat, so the smoke is really bad.

You say buy a condo, do you mean rent? Isn't it complicated to buy one, I thought it needed to be in a Thai persons name. I would probably just rent anyway for simplicity

Sorry accidental that last post!

Thanks everyone for the advice. It sounds like it should be no problem if the Consulate will let me have the METV being a landlord. I have over 5k gap in the bank and my income from my house is £1200pm, so it should be enough. I dont really understand why they would care about where the money comes from, as long as you have an income and its legal!

For the people who are living on METVs for 9 months like I mention. What do you do the other three months? And for those staying multiple years in a row, do you just find a new apartment each time?

Are there any other issues you experience being there on an METV? 

Thanks for all the help ????

10 hours ago, stud858 said:

I've been told must and I've been told don't have to at different times by different officers at jomtien.

My feeling is that if you only go the first time, you'll be ok.

My recommendation though is to go after each border run. No harm done.

Thanks, I am happy to go after each border run. My question was more asking if it is any issue to actually rent somewhere for so long and stay in one place. As it doesn't seem like a very touristy thing to do? But maybe its fine?