dekbannok

I absolutely agree with Don now that I have been spending the last 5 years in C'Rai off and on between the big mango. I miss the country life once I'm away for longer than 10 days. TAT is starting to promote the north and northeast and less for the beach resorts. C'Rai will change in the name of development but let's hope it does not progress too fast. Phuket, Samui, Pataya are for tourists and us to spend a few days. C'Rai is for long term residence and home.

Only a mad man can think of doing that. He is not red, yellow or multi-colored.

I think is terrible,everyone respects that monument.

There should be no justification to desecrate this Royal statue.

I agree hundred percent with you.

We have seen that on a national level the Highest Institution has

been made subservient to political goals, so it is sad to see that it happens

on local level too.

I have a Thai friend who passes this monument, the statue of King Mengrai,

already for more than thirty years on the way to her work and back.

She still makes a respectfull wai in the morning and the evening when passing it.

It is sad in a way, but from their viewpoint understandable of course, that the

formerly yellow, now multi-coloured folks, use references to the Highest Institution

to confirm their rightfullness and decided to hold their meetings there.

They seem to be willing to monopolize the love for the Great King of Thailand.

Limbo

Hi:

I can speak fluent Chinese - Mandarin (Beijing/Shanghai), Cantonese (Hong Kong) and Fukien (Taiwan) plus fluent English and Thai.

I would love to help if the timing is right. I don't mind to travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin/Cha Am and spend a few days.

Please call me at *** *** **** or *** *** **** and give me more details.

dekbannok

Thanks, God! Before more gullible got sucked. I knew from day one that this is fishy. Those who have become members deserve it.

Yes. I agree Malaysia Hotel offers the best deal for about baht800. I have stayed there many times. They used to have a restaurant on the top floor commanding the best bay view no other restaurant in Penang can match.

By the way, FINALLY, the taxi will start to use meter effective August 1, 2006 (another 3 weeks from now). The local government is also revamping the bus system and put in new buses and streamlineing the routes. Hopefully, one can take a nice cool air-con bus in future from Komtar to Batu Ferrigi Beach. And that will put the ugly taxi out of business. I still feel bitter having forced to pay RM8 (more than 80 baht) from Malaysia Hotel to HSBC near the clock tower. In Bangkok, it would not cost more than baht40 and the taxi is cleaner and newer.

Dekbannok

can anyone recommend a hotel that is not too expensive and has a visa agent, that is not in the chulia street area rather on the beach? any food places nearby? thanks

I always stay in the Malaysia Hotel - Jalang Penang look here: - beautiful view over penang bay if you book 7th floor and bay view around 85 M$ - and have my Visa done by: N.J. Books Center in Chulia Street right next (right hand) to "The Swiss Hotel" 425 Chulia Street, 10200 Penang Phone: 604-2616113 [email protected] always had my Visas done through them - never anything went wrong.. - in walking distance from the Malaysia - next to the Malaysia are several (very clean) Indian eateries...across the street a good pub...

Yes, Box. There are flights from Chiang mai to LP. But then you will miss the fun of the boat trip down the mekong. If you can, waiting till end of the year.

dekbannok

dekbannok

Thanks. Yes, I forgot about the water current this time of the year.

How about a flight from Chiang Mai to Luang Prababg ?

Thanks

box

Hi Nagasaki:

Tigerbeer is right that there are bus/coach service from Phuket to Hatyai and from Hatyai you can get o Satun again by bus/coach. If you find bus service travelling along the coast from Phuket all the way to Pak Bara. This is where you can also get a boat to some very beautiful island in the Tarutao national park. I went to a small island called Bulon 12 years ago and it was absolutely stunning. But I heard the corals have been destroyed. But you go to Koh Lipe.

There is ferry to langkawi (operated by Malaysia) from Satun. Also regular ferry services from Langkawi to Penang.

Good luck,

Dekbannok

Hi Dekbannok

Thanks, does that mean that there is a direct coach service between Phuket and Satun, how long it takes and roughly how much, I should have enough time, dont really want to fly unless there is a real need, I will probabluy be travelling solo so that may negate the cost of a a taxi (especially if its a Phuket taxi!), presumably Satun is ferry point to Langkawi/Penang. My knowledge of Thailand down to Phuket is ok, been a few times, but South of that and into Malaysia is a bit hazy and my next holiday will be ideal time to explore

Chiang Rai has some world famous artists including Tawan. And it has abandance of fine culture not limiting to lanna culture. How can we do our bit as expats to promote it? Any great ideas? I am gathering ideas for Khun Worachai, the governor of Chiang Rai, to promote Chiang Rai as a center of arts and culture. All contributions will be duly acknowledged in our promotion.

Dekbannok

IGNORE THE EARLIER VERSION POSTED A FEW MINUTES AGO AS THERE WERE MAJOR TYPO.

Marco, looks like there are many. But they will never identify themselves.

Indeed I might have committed such a BIG SIN here by saying that MOST OF THEM offering foods only fit for pigs. Again I repeat I said "MOST of them" and "NOT ALL of them".

The restaurant owners on this thread. THEY MIGHT HAVE CONSIDERED THEIR FOODS IN THE NEGATIVE TERRITORY. Or else they would not be so offended but would even agree with me!

Dekmai

Just for the record, how many restaurant owners in Chiang Rai on this thread?

Marco, looks like there are many. But they will never identy themselves.

Indeed I might have committed such a BIG SIN here by saying that MOST OF THEM offering foods only fit for pigs. Again I repeat I said MOST of them and ALL of them. THEY MIGHT HAVE CONSIDERED THEIR FOODS IN THIS CATEGORY. Or else they would not be so offended but would even agree with me!

Dekmai

Just for the record, how many restaurant owners in Chiang Rai on this thread?

THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAY YOU SAID...

PIGS WILL EAT ANYTHING INCUDING SHIT WHEN SERVED WITH A SMILE!!!

The title of this thread is offensive and insulting to a lot of ppl here in C.Rai.

It serves no useful purpose to customers and proprietors alike

indeed , written by someone with a ' pigbrain ' , maybe he eat to much of it already

be carefull not to return as a pig in your next life

i am already happy with the food if served with a nice smile ,

if this makes me a pig sometimes , so be it

peace brothers ,

flupke

Oh, Limbo:

I forgot to tell everyone that I did try the beef noodle suggested by Soap yesterday. It was indeed very good and very inexpensive for sao baht.

I was meeting someone at Doi Chang cafe near the clock tower and happened to park my car, believe it or not, right in font of the noodle shop and not knowing it at first. I immedaitely ordered a bowl of beef noodle even after I just finished lunch soemwhere.

Well, I can now see that this topic is generating some very good "eating out guides" for all of us. Perhaps one of the nice things the forum brings when people with knowledge network and share experience.

Limbo, keep it up...

Dek

No Mumbojumbo, I am not replying to my own posting, but I forgot to give Dekbannok some tips.

Keep a sharp eye on places which are popular among the Chiang Rai people (of which the majority still happens to be Thai ). Simple, open restaurants which are often packed in the early hours of the day and during lunchtime. A kind of 'brunch' places.

They mostly are closed during the late afternoon and evening.

Mentioned are already the 'kao soi kai' (kweetio sin la pin as the locals call it) at the Yedyod Road and the 'mo deng' and duck place opposite Thai Airways.

The costs of the meals mostly equals the price of a liter of gasoline, which might be the reason that you often see quite expensive cars parked outside .

I would suggest that you would follow the example of our caretaker Prime Minister and have a beef-soup in the best and most famous beef-soup place in town.

Coming from the clocktower (under construction, design Chalermchai Kositpipat) passing the little Lao style kweetio shop, de gasoline station and the Suknirand hotel you walk on another fifty meters and you stop.

You look to the other side of the street and you see it.

If you come close you will see that the place is decorated with about thirty pictures of the Prime Minister visiting the very same place to enjoy their excellent soup.

Depending on your political views this might enlarge your appetite or not.

But the soup is the soup

Limbo

Hey Tayto:

Thanks for the tip. Do they serve Irish beef? I will go try it soon as possible. I do like a good steak occasionally. But where is the Family Bakehouse?

The steak places I have tried:

1. The Peak, Dusit Island. Comment: Ambience great at the top of the hotel with great view of the river but steak (NZ or Aussie beef), so so...

2. A cheap place called BKK Grill near the night bazaar. Their rib-eye (NZ beef) was better than I thought for less than 200 baht a great bargain.

When the 5-star hotel, The Raintree open for business. They may have good steak as it looks like an int'l hotel chain will be involved in thier operation.

Dekbannok aka "greedy gut"

Having lived in Chiang Rai for over 3 years, it is surprising sometimes to hear of a restaurant you did'nt know about.

One I know , The Family Bakehouse serves the finest steak ever.

Do you know of any good restaurants?

Hi Nagasak-san:

No flight and no boat, the best way is to swim there!!!

Okay, let's see, you may not be a marathon swimmer. I will suggest you go by land if you have the time. It does not make sense to fly somewhere for a connecting flight. If you by land, taxi or coach or rent a car and drive yourself. You can stop along the way...and there are lots of beach resorts before you reach Satun.

Once you are in Satun, take the ferry to Langkawi. And when you tired of Langkawi take another ferry to Penang. Just that simple.

Enjoy your trip.

Dekbannok

so what is best (most convenient and quickest) way to get from Phuket to either langkawi and or Penang, i am thinking of vuisiting all 3 on my next Thai holiday, what does it cost and how long does it take

Hey, Limbo:

My bottle of dimple is not yet opened as I am waiting for you to share it with me!!!

I am hoping to see more sense of humor and tolerence in this forum in future. I have almost decided to declare quitting this forum if it were not for you such an understanding moderator.

No, I think Soap has mentioned a place for beef noodle about 200m from the cloack tower I have been trying to find. I have other friends who have recommended. The kao soy place she mentioned is also new to me as the place behind Wang Kham hotel is not 15baht but 25b or 30b. I will check it out. Thanks, Soap. I love noodle and have it almost everyday. Favorite is Japanese Sapporo Miso Ramen I cook at home as I have not come across any in the local restaurant. And of course Phat Thai, Lat Na.

Dek

Dear Dekbannok,

I started my career here at Thaivisa by being banned

I am looking forward to your future postings.

Limbo

PS: Dek, did you open that bottle of Dimple already?

Ya, I agree with you Limbo. CEI is such a small town that if we are not nice to each other, we will end up having the entire population as enemy.

I stated in my posting that I was not a greedy gut and to be called one was not acceptable. So you see I did not start this melee.

No, I will still be nice to Mymechew if I meet him. I said he was a few months older tham me in this forum and not my actual age.

dekbannok

Dear Limbo:

Many thanks for your diplomatic response. I hope every one read my initial posting very carefully. In the title, I said "most" restaurants and "all" restaurants. I also gave credit to quite a few of the restaurants mentioned and their special dishes etc...Therefore, they were not ALL NEGATIVE comments as claimed by a certain idxxt!

Don't let us put salt on snails!

Whoever Mymechew is, he is certainly not an idiot. He is one of my most respected friends in this town. The same town we all choosed to live. So let us be nice to each other!

You lived in Hongkong and Bangkok, big towns. There you can, sitting anonymously in your car, put up your middle finger to strangers. In Chiang Rai however you are going to meet them a thousand times.

Limbo

PS: I told my befriended cooks not to poison you when you show up

Hi box:

I don't think there is any boat from Chiang Sean. I took this trip 10 years ago. We took the boat from Chiang Khong to LP. It took one whole day to get there. But it was worth the journaey as LP was still pristine with hardly any tourists. And in those days very few boats operating. The one I was on was chartered by our group of friends. I think there are more now. Sorry I can't give any detailed info now perhaps later when I find out. I think the best time to go to LP is in Nov or Dec when the rain stopped and the river is swollen and not rough. During rainny season, it may not be so enjoyable.

Dekbannok

Hi,

We want to go for few days to Luang Prabang by boat, probably from Chiang Saen. Anyone who made this boat trip please supply some information, best company, price, where to book in Chiang Mai, tips and any important thing we have to know.

Thank you

box

Dear Limbo:

Many thanks for your diplomatic response. I hope every one read my initial posting very carefully. In the title, I said "most" restaurants and "all" restaurants. I also gave credit to quite a few of the restaurants mentioned and their special dishes etc...Therefore, they were not ALL NEGATIVE comments as claimed by a certain idxxt!

Dekmai

Gentlemen, gentlemen!

Put these ingredients on a plate, try to eat them with chopsticks

and see if they fill the belly (=old Islandic wisdom).

Being a hobby cook myself (I just succesfully microwaved a stuffed bean-curd soup which I bought fresh in Big C a couple of days ago) I felt that the title of Dek's thread is indeed a little bit harsh towards my professional colleagues here in town.

As I regularly consume the results of their cooking myself I felt in a way declassified to pigstatus.

It might have been a similar sentiment which was the bearer of Mymechews wordings.

We support our local cooks!

Let us embrace one the finest virtues in Thai culture: To avoid confrontation!

Limbo

PS: "Being a dek mai in CEI certainly deserves no bully ... from someone like you I believe only a few months older than me".

The first part of this statement is absolutely true, but the second isn't.

My Dear Mymechew:

Thank you so much for your very kind comment. You made my day!!! Ha ha ha!!! That's exactly the kind of response I wanted when I posted this provocative topic. Like art, if it is not provocative, no response, BIG FAILURE! Now I feel my topic is a great sucess especailly getting such response from you. Go ahead, pPlease send more very negative nasty comments. I love it.

I stated clearly that I am not a greedy gut and I don't eat out daily. I do want to explore good places in CEI to go myself and with friends and visitors. To clear your doubt how much I know about food, I have been flying around the world for more 30 years on a big US corporate expenses account. Sure, I have eaten in some of the world's best restaurants including the Normandy Grill in The Oriental. But I don't try to compare them with what we have in CEI. I said I was looking only for some "decent places".

Being a dek mai in CEI certainly deseve no bully especiall big bully from someone like you I believe only a few months older than me. Just a reminder, you are on the border of flaming another member. Suggest you go back to read the rules.

I thank all those who have posted nice suggestions especially Joel barlow giving exactly the place's name so that members of the forum can go to try out on their own. Thanks for correcting my Thai Joel.

I can't claim to be an expert on CEI in 6 months. I certainly have learnt faster than you who have been dongky years and have forgotten how to learn. By the way, I have been been a regular visitor to CEI in the past 15 years sometimes staying for more than a month. That's why know many of the older local restaurants if they are still around. Yunnan has been around for a long time and it is a sad case as they basically cater for Chinese package tours that go for quantity and not quality.

I certaily have some other better things to do than to put out a guide on CEI restaurant. The "GUIDE" is right here on this forum...are you duxx???

Dekmai

During your 6 months here you seem to have filled your “greedy gut” with all the unpalatable offerings available at Chiang Rai eating establishments. You’ve been kind enough to provide us with your critique of these places – all negative – then try to interest us in a Chiang Rai restaurant guide authored by you. What more do you have to say on the subject? And, your expertise comes from where?

Jeez, another newcomer becomes an instant expert on Chiang Rai.

Mymechew

Tigerbeer:

Yes. I agree absolutely that Penang and Phuket should always be linked by air or by sea. If you go back history, these 2 islands had had a very intimate relationship. Not surprisingly you can see many old building in downtown Phuket similar with those in George Town Penang. If fact many Chinese there also speak the type of Chinese Hokkien dialect as in Penang.

I suspect tourism competition and rivalry has something to do with the suspension of the flights that TG/MH used to operate same with Hatyai to Penang. Perhaps the Thais are smarter than the Malaysian that they effectively stopped the drain of tourists to Malaysia.

Why not email to AirAsia suggest them to start the route. I am sure they could have smelt this business opportunity.

Dekbannok

they should start a penang-phuket ferry route. or at least langkawi-phuket.

Hi Numpty:

Stay at the new Bangkok City Suite for B650 with breakfast. You can book online. This is a well kept secret very popular with Singaporeans. You get also 30 minutes of free Internet service at the lobby. And it is on Petchburi Soi 1 (near exit of Yommarat from the express way, the beginning of Petchburi Road that run for almost 10 km all the way to Klong Tan).

It is about 5 minutes by cab to Indonesian Embassy or 10 - 15 minutes walk straight up along Petchburi Road.

Dekbannok

has anybody got any suggestions, and not the indra!

arriving late in the evening, check out after the embassy early morning so don't want to be spending much over 1500 baht...

any suggestions people

Hi:

if you want to do beach and golf and have almost 3 weeks. I think there are only 2 islands you can consider Phuket and Samui as there are nice beaches and golf facilities. There are plenty of hotels and flights on offer.

Dekbannok

Coming Thailand for the first time and bring my familly with me.

After 2 days in Bangkok we would like to go on some island.

Which is the best Island or the best beach to spend 20 days?

(and some golfing as well!!!)

Thanks for your advice!

There is a saying in Japan or China that good food and sex are human nature. Therefore, I believe everybody enjoy good food and good sex not necessary daily as too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Those who think otherwise should consider going to live in the temple where they eat only 2 meals a day and eat whatever they are given by their patrons. I am seriously considering doing that when I am too desperate for both!!!

dekbannok

Some people live to eat and some people eat to live. I am the ladder. Macaronni and cheese is the cat's meow with me. I dissagree with the comment that the food here isn't fit to feed a pig. There are exellent places to get a descent meal. If your not satisfied with the local kitchens, then make it yourself at home.

Perhaps I am still very new in town (about 6 months), I have had problem finding a decent place to eat out. I heard the locals do not eat out much but certainly the expats do.

This is my experience:

1. CHINESE FOOD

Despite the fact that you can read road sign in Chinese (the only place in Thailand?) and there seem to be a faily large Chinese community (Thai Chinese , Taiwan, Hongkee or mainland Chinese) why isn't there a decent Chinese restaurant? The food at Yunnan truly is so bad that even my lab and panda won't eat it like the Thai saying "Ma mai de". There is one so so at a big hotel but then it is a pricey place even for a small family- not quite affordable.

2. FARANG FOOD

For lunch, both Wiang Inn and Rimkok offer great buffet with lots of farang food along with the normal Thai fare at reasonable affordable prices. Apart from the hotels (more are coming out now in Chiang Rai- see my May 26 posting on the Thailand Travel Form on this topic), there are only a few other places. I recently discovered 2 real Italian outfits, one in front of the Wang Come hotel and the other near the Chiang Rai Hospital. The Italian food near the night bazaar all are really fast food, run of the mill stuff not for someone like me who has been eating real Italian food for more than 30 years. Any French? Watch the tiny shop on Sangkongnoi clled Le Petit Cafe. just saw a sign a couple of days ago and wondered if a new French eatery is coming up.

3. THAI

The popular joint for most new visitors is Sabannga kantoke where one can sit on the fllor, eat his sticky rice and watch the dances. I like Thalungkham's BBQ and their best dish I crave for now and then- fried frog legs in garlic sauce. My English professor friend thought they did it better than many French restaurants he has been. Tong Tung at Airport Road is very lanna only for those who understand the food. I have yet to acquire a taste for northern cuisine that I feel very much Burmese influenced. Kao Soy is definitely originated from Burma and the best place to have it is behind Wang Kham Hotel, a shop owned by the famous CR artist Chalermchai's stepmother. There are lots of repros of his works on the walls. Cabbages & Condoms- they serve the normal Thai food with a good selection of wine. Their best dish I think is the chicken in Chinese herbs. In the day, the place is too dark and the live band too noisy. I still don't understand the mentality of most restaurants owners in CEI for having live bank for luch and dinner. They propably think their customers can't digest their foods without loud live music and songs???MK Suki - never go there for suki as I don't believe they wash there vegies thoroughly and they are not organic. In the long run, it can pose great danger to one's health. May try their roast duck some time. The best roast duck, pork BBQ. Hainan chicken rice is at Nakorn Pathom across THAI's office near the Odean Department Store. Barong near Rajabhat Univ. is a charming and romantic place with good Indo dances performed by the staff every weekend. But strangely they serve southern Thai food and not Indonesian as you might expect. The dish I like best is the famous Kao Yam.

That's all I know off. Where else can I go for more a rewarding experience???

4. Others ASIAN

Japanese- At Bhucha Cafe near Cabbages & Condom, I think Hana cooks many simple traditional dishes well. She also serves the best cappacino in town!

Another place near Wat Jetyod called Shinme. This very place used to house an Italian restaurant serving the best Italian food I ever had in CEI some 12 years ago when I first visited. There was also a Canton siki place nearby.

I think there is a Korean place across Shinme. Never been there, can't comment.

I see there are quite a number of Indians living in town. But no Indian restaurant?

As CEI develops further and with an increasing expat population, I think the reastaurant scene here will change for the better but how quick remained to be seen. For the time being, I thing the 1,000 baht per head dining party organized regularly will answer all the problems. Perhaps we can set a theme for each one like one for Italian, one for Indonesian, one for Japanese and one for BBQ etc...

I hope I have not sounded like a greedy gut. Just exploring my option for a meal out. I can do a CEI restaurant guide someday. Any takers? Don't believe what they say in the Lonely Planet if you are not a back-packers.

dekbannok

Ya, Limbo. You said it. I also thought Doi Kao Kwai is only for the dare-devils. Even my car had a hard time climing up the hill last time I was there. You know, I think in the old days only baffalos went up there and they did not seemed to have survived. They managed to get up there but could not come down and their bodies simply melted away leaving only the horns remained on the top of the hill. That's how they got the name "Doi Kao Kwai" I believe. Please enlighten me if I am wrong as you know I am a new kid on the block or dek mai Chiang Rai.

i would not recommend taking a picture of my backside going up a hill but i would second everything svenivan posted,good exercise ( i did not think i was so fit)

Dek, to be sure that we survive it (these dare-devils must have climbed the Doi Kao Kwai, which is a real calf-biter), let's join the soap-section of the Chiang Rai HHH.

And don't forget to bring your camera

Limbo