northerner

I just had an Epiphone bass set up. The guy spoke good English, knew what he was doing, and has a small workshop in his house near Rimping/Iron Bridge. Find him on Facebook as Music Factory by Tai.

Set up plus fixing the jack - 400b. Took about an hour.

I drove CM to BKK on Saturday - multiple checkpoints but not a single one was manned. Drove BKK - Nakhon Pathom - Cha-am today...zero checkpoints.

Thanks for the replies. Central Bangkok (where I currently stay) is strictly locked down, so it's good to get some up-to-date info on the situation in Cha-am. It helps us to mentally prepare for the move next month. 

To answer a couple of questions: yes, I'll be legally moving to Cha-am, immigration reporting included. As as for my username, when I joined Thai Visa - 13 years ago - I was living in Chiang Mai. I'm also from the north of England.

Hello all,

I'll be moving to Cha-am in May and was wondering what the current situation is there (I haven't been for several months)

- Are most restaurants open and surviving on take-away business?

- Are the locals respecting social distancing/mask-wearing?

- Any predictions on how soon/if Cha-am will return to normal after restrictions are lifted?

Any input from those currently in Cha-am is much appreciated...

The big art store on Ratwithi Road, just along from the UN Irish Pub. They stock UK brand Snazaroo in several colours. 2nd floor, I think, with the rest of the paints. NB: it's safe, but do a patch test for sensitivity first.

Great stuff. I'm directing a music video for a local band soon and have been thinking about locations like this...especially the abandoned disco/massage which sounds perfect. The problem is I'd need access for a few hours, plus there'd be generators, lights and lots of noise. Ideally I need a place with a guard who'll look the other way for a few baht.

Anyone brave enough to check out these places and post a few more pics?

and here we finally are:

Handsome Furs played at Guitarman and were incredible. Here's footage of the gig and interview footage of the band and some CM music characters...highly entertaining

Hbk1ZkjeG-A

Hi all,

I'm looking for a part-time teacher for an intensive course in downtown Chiang Mai.

The hours: Tuesday through Friday afternoons, 2pm to 630pm (including a break) Start 3rd August, end 27th August

The students: 2 groups: intermediate and elementary. All are hotel staff.

Location: downtown Chiang Mai

Pay: 300b per hour.

The future: there is the possibility of a second round in October

The teacher: ideally an experienced, smart and professional native speaker.

PM me for more details

Here's an unmissable event for any music fans in CM: two of the best new indie bands in Thailand will be playing at Guitarman on Friday 29th January.

ABUSE THE YOUTH write anthemic indie-rock songs bringing to mind the power of the Foo Fighters and the dynamics of Green Day, and their English lyrics and ferocious live show prompted writer/rocker Joe Cummings to describe them as the local band most likely to succeed internationally. This is a great chance to catch them up close and personal on the Gman stage.

ZERO HERO are legs-akimbo rockers whose riffs will set your moneymaker shaking.

Support bands TBC but we're speaking to some of the coolest Chiang Mai bands.

And due to the generosity of the folks at Guitarman the event will be FREE ENTRY. No sponsorship neither - just a 100% original independent event for the people of Chiang Mai.

Check out Abuse the Youth's videos on youtube, or just turn up to Gman to be blown away. Not to be missed.

GET SOME!

After a successful screening at Rain dogs, Bangkok, and several sneak previews across CM, the Guitarman documentary finally gets the red carpet treatment. This Friday, 27 Nov, Guitarman will see the official premiere of the film, plus free buffet, plus some great live music from some of the stars of the documentary. Music starts early, with the screening at 10pm, (Running time 30 minutes) followed by an all-star jam session.

From the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Film Documenting Bar in Northern Thailand is Released

Chiang Mai, Thailand – 16 November 2009 Guitarman: The Movie takes viewers on a tongue-in-cheek journey into a homegrown music club in Thailand’s northern capital of Chiang Mai. Here Nicky Scott, the Lambretta-riding, lambchop-wearing owner (who may or may not hail from Liverpool), has created an environment where local musicians of all ages and nationalities come together for long jams, epic drinking sessions and a mutual psychotherapy of sorts based on warm humour and extreme tolerance of one another’s peccadilloes.

Sprinkled throughout the 30-minute film are performances and interviews with regular players Boy Blues, Richie Castro, Tony Putrino and Aussie John, along with a guest appearance by globe-trotting New Orleans accordionist Eddie Baytos. Droll comments and opinions from writer and part-time guitar-slinger Joe Cummings are interspersed through the latter part of the film.

The film premieres in Bangkok at Rain Dogs Bar & Gallery at 8.30pm on Thursday, 18 November 2009, and in Chiang Mai at Guitarman, Loi Kroh Road at 10pm, Friday 27th November.

Tentative date for the premiere is end of September at Guitarman - there are rumours of a free buffet on the night too.

Following that there'll be a screening at Bird's Nest cafe in the Old City, and then at Thursday's music-movie-night at Rain Dogs in Bangkok.

All are welcome to come along and support local independent artists, or to come along and support free beer and corporate sponsorship, should we choose to take that route.

(Thanks to HTWoodson for embedding the clip.)

Or, more directly, search youtube for 'guitarman movie'.

rock and roll.

A documentary has been filmed about a number of local musicians. Filmed at Guitarman, the movie includes their roster of regulars and guests (including footage of the recent Eddie Baytos set) and the trailer is now on youtube.

The film will be shown at a number of venues in CM and BKK (dates TBC)

Unable to post the link here, so search youtube for 'Guitarman Chiang Mai' to get the teaser.

I've been in Thailand during 3 coups and a couple other political changes, including riots. It doesn't seem to affect the real Thai people...they get scr##ed all the time anyway, no matter what party is in power.

It doesn't really seem to matter whatever group of crooks is in power, anyhow.

Dollar/baht predictions aside, this is the most accurate and succinct assessment so far.

We could almost close the thread and all go to bed now.

that said, and with the knowledge that we've all been here before (public protest, coup ousts vile politician, subsequent vile politician takes over) ("here comes the new boss, same as the old boss," sang the who) and therefore that the whole event is pissing into the wind....

what a glorious, defiant piss into the wind it is.

hats off to all thai citizens who care enough about their country to peacefully confront any number of heavily-armoured police.

I've been in Thailand during 3 coups and a couple other political changes, including riots. It doesn't seem to affect the real Thai people...they get scr##ed all the time anyway, no matter what party is in power.

It doesn't really seem to matter whatever group of crooks is in power, anyhow.

Dollar/baht predictions aside, this is the most accurate and succinct assessment so far.

We could almost close the thread and all go to bed now.

I need to get hold of a digital SLR for a week or so.

Anyone know of any places in CM that rent such things?

I'm a Brit married to a Thai lady. She has kept her Thai surname instead of taking mine - we prefer this. We're planning to emigrate to either China or the UK.

Maybe I'm being paranoid (too much time spent in Immigration Offices) but is the 'different surname' issue going to cause problems with visas etc? We have all the proper wedding certifiction but you never know...

Anyone have any experiences, positive or negative, with this?

Thanks,

Gary