searcher22

I like idea of "CAMP" 24 hours open "meeting and creative place".

We already have that in Chiang Mai. It's called Loi Kroh Road.

Definitely overpriced but let's wait and see. Chiang Mai desperately needs a full-sized gym geared to the average man and woman who just want to stay in shape and can do without protein supplements. Must have well-maintained machines, good showers, good changing rooms and no loud music (only TV screens) and maybe a small corner to hang out for a snack (or a protein shake if they are really craving for one).

Again, I am trying to get opinions on, if money was not an issue, would you still want to live in CM or another city in Thailand, or would you choose a warm climate and friendly small city back home or another western country?

Once again, this assumes you are not addicted to cheap sex or booze.

Oh, now money is not an issue? Maybe you shouldn't have left out that "little detail" in your original post. You said earlier that "the lower cost of living" was one of the main reasons you were in Thailand.

If money is not an issue, then I recommend the Cayman Islands (the air is wonderful there!) and southern France (for the exquisite food!).

I was trying to be a bit more direct with my words as far as affordability. I guess "money is not an issue" was over the top. I originally wrote "If you could afford to live in a similar lifestyle" which in other words mean a life style you want and could afford in your home country.

As an example, let's say, you currently spend USD $1500 to $2000/month in CM. You inherited money that would allow you to live on $3000 to $4000/month and were happy to retain your current comfortable lifestyle, would you leave Thailand and return home?

Even if I won the lottery (tricky as I don't do it!), I would not, under any circumstances, return to the UK - the country as I knew it was finally wrecked by a combination of Tony B-liar's government and the casino games played on Wall Street by immature greed merchants with no morals or ethics. Nor would I leave Thailand unless I was forced to.

Just an observation...I've been reading many posts where commenters lambast their own countries, mainly the UK and the US, vowing never to return (quite justifiably in many cases). Yet you never see the same kind of anger directed towards other countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Holland or even Canada. When's the last time you heard a Swede say "I'm never ever returning to f$% bloody Sweden?" I wonder why, especially when you consider that citizens in many of these places pay twice as much in taxes. Is it simply because there are more Americans and Brits in Thailand? Or does it have something to do with the social democratic tradition in those countries? Who knows?

I also presume you know that Thailand has the 3rd-worst record in the world for road accidents, and that there is a major bus accident every two or three weeks in the country, especially overnight buses (including many tourist deaths). Think hard before making a long journey on a bus (if it's to save a few bahts).

I'm flying to Krabi (near Phuket) next month direct from Chiang Mai for less than the price of the bus. But one has to book many months in advance.

Again, I am trying to get opinions on, if money was not an issue, would you still want to live in CM or another city in Thailand, or would you choose a warm climate and friendly small city back home or another western country?

Once again, this assumes you are not addicted to cheap sex or booze.

Oh, now money is not an issue? Maybe you shouldn't have left out that "little detail" in your original post. You said earlier that "the lower cost of living" was one of the main reasons you were in Thailand.

If money is not an issue, then I recommend the Cayman Islands (the air is wonderful there!) and southern France (for the exquisite food!).

Very interesting article on UNIQLO and its philosophy in the Huffington Post..... Example: new employees must pass the stringent "folding" test for clothes; they must hand credit cards back to their clients...using two hands, etc.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/22/uniqlo-expansion_n_4598031.html?utm_hp_ref=world

cycling tip ... don't cycle.

When I first came to Thailand, I set out to explore the soys of the city by foot and by bicycle. After a few close calls with some menacing dogs, I gave up that ambition. You'll get tips on this forum such as carry a spray bottle with ammonia, blowing a whistle, etc. But often dogs come out of nowhere and have enough time to bite you before you can react. Stay away from temple grounds in the early and late hours or if you're the only person there. Consider moving to a safer neighbourhood and riding a scooter instead.

OP I feel your pain! I always used to dread going to the gas station to use the air line. One day it would work, next day it wouldn't. Different gas stations have different kinds of air valves, so it was a struggle to learn how each one worked. Sometimes there were would be several people waiting in line waiting to use it, so I had to wait my turn under the blazing hot sun. Pressure gauges and bicycle pumps don't always work like they should. Seasoned motorcyclists have all the necessary gear and know-how and enjoy working with tools, repairing flats, etc. but there are many of us out there who are just casual/occasional riders on short hops and don't want to be bothered with all this maintenance stuff.

What would be nice is if there was a place where you could park your motorcycle and go shopping while an attendant inflates your tires to the correct PSI, gives it a quick scrub, and watches over your bike and helmet while you're away. I'd pay an extra 10 or 20 baht for that service! Now there's a moneymaker idea!

There's apparently

- Too Fast To Sleep; a 24-hour cafe for students (first branch outside Bangkok)

- Harrods Tea Room; first branch outside of Bangkok.

- A giant Rimping

- SFX Cinema

Nothing else is that interesting or new.

A brochure I picked up at a Rimping store describes the soon-to-open Rimping at the Maya mall as " a smaller grocery branch" such as at JJ Market and Star Avenue. I hope they're wrong and you're right!

You may want to take a look at Pachkit House in the old city. I believe it meets all your criteria except for the swimming pool. They have a LAN connection in every room and I've always found it to be fast and reliable. "Reliable internet" in Thailand means it works fine most of the time but it won't work for that hour when you really, really need it! You should definitely have a back-up plan (e.g. USB stick or smartphone) if the Internet is that important to you.

Yes it's easy to transfer out again. Just keep the transaction receipt in case the bank asks you for proof that the money came from overseas.

Best place to run is the Huay Tung Tao free track. I've been going there for years and I often see women jogging alone there. It's as safe as safe can be. Just watch out for the occasional speeding bike.Pleasant surroundings.

Around HTT lake is fine with a partner or two. I've never seen women jogging alone there. There are deserted stretches of road.

The problem with running at CMU is the presence of some nasty-looking dogs on the loose adjacent to the soccer field, near Huay Kaew road. That's why I don't walk or run there anymore.

The 700 stadium is also a good place to run. Their jogging track was recently renovated. I prefer HTT because there's more trees and less concrete.

I don't know about the convention centre.

I'm looking forward to the new Maya too. I went back to the KSK shopping mall today after being away six months, and it had a depressing, end-of-an-era feel to it. I'm not planning to go back. I also visited the new Festival Mall which I found nice except for the noisy and cold food court near the skating rink.

The promo was launched in mid-October this year, and had to be booked within a few days. That's the price I paid....1290 THB each way. Looks like more seats are now being offered at that price.

It's not doable in Thailand in my opinion. On top of the reasons already mentioned, I'd be seriously concerned for my personal safety. It could be feasible if there were some sort of trailer park facility available with some amenities, but I don't know of any in Thailand. Besides, you can find dirt-cheap accomodation in Thailand, and your way will end up costing a lot more anyway when all is said and done.

Dark chocolate (minimum 70% cacao). Three squares a day. They go great with a handful of cashews.

While it's true that most email inquiries within Thailand go unanswered, Pidet at the Travel Shoppe is email-savvy. A number of ThaiVisa members can vouch for him.

I inquired about this not too long ago. There is no scrabble group in Chiang Mai at this time. Maybe we can start one if there is enough interest.

Searcher22

What is TD Bank? Are they in the States. The deal sounds great!

The TD Bank (formerly Toronto Dominion Bank) has branches in some US states. They also seem to offer a similar deal, known as "TD Premier Checking." See this link:

http://www.tdbank.com/personal/CheckingDetails.html?product=TD+Premier

The TD Bank in Canada has a chequing account called "All Inclusive" which does not charge for worldwide ATM withdrawals. However, you must maintain a minimum balance of $5000 in order to avoid the $30 monthly fee. You also get free certified cheques and money orders, a free safety deposit box, commission-free traveler's cheques and other goodies. So if you use the AEON ATM, you can withdraw cash as many times as you want for free. Those who have concerns about keeping their money in a Thai bank and being a victim of card-cloning or other fraudulent acts may also want to consider such an arrangement. North American banks will refund you if you are a victim.

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

Very heavy rain and winds right now just south of mae rim

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re.

.there are days when you are just passing thru mate a food court and want a quick chicken rice on a plate

this is the takeaway version from a mom and pop cart i use

at chiang mai gate for 25 baht : )

dave2

ps .. the upstairs food court of tesco lotus kamtien do a huge

portion of this for 30 baht and cold water from the machine is free

I used to eat often at shopping mall food courts when I first arrived in Thailand. But I avoid them whenever I can now (the coupon-only ones). I've seen too many food-hygiene violations and had too many cases of diarrhea. When I'm pressed for time at a shopping mall and I'm looking for a quick and cheap meal, I even opt for the nutritionally-challenged McDonald's (no drink and no fries) simply because it's cleaner. For instance, there's one food court restaurant that stores their ready-to-eat soup noodles at almost floor level, next to mops and brooms. Sure, the little hair, ant or dirt in your soup won't harm you once it's boiled, but why should you eat it? I also cook more at home.

Are more upscale restaurants any better? I don't know. However, I consider street food to be a safer choice than food-court offerings (and also tastier), since vendors have a stake in their business and want you to come back. Most food-court employees don't give two hoots if you never come back again.

I would make an exception for the basement-level food court at the Central airport mall. I never had a problem there. Incidentally, you pay with cash, not coupons. It's always teeming with Thais, including the HI-So's. That's usually a good sign.

There are other exceptions for sure. Feel free to post your favourite coupon-only food court restaurant if you have one.