ChiangMaiFun

well that is true - hence I am here! anyway not sure the value of posting 'first impressions' on here - populated as it is by those that are committed to the city. I came here at least six times before deciding to settle here - my first impressions (for what it's worth - which is not a lot) was great when comparing other Thai and, indeed, Asian cities.

I am a bit more than a tourist, I am looking for a base where I can spend several months of the year. I would agree with much of what you said about your three year impression of CM. I can definitely see that it has potential as a base, So before I go to chiang rai and other places in the north, I want to spend a good amount of time exploring and getting to know the city and definitely learning more thai and learning the script will definitely enhance my experience.

I think there are some posters here who have forgotten that they were new and outsiders once and they are coming across to me as rather elites and pompous. If I posted a very positive rirst impression I am guessing that very few would have questioned its value.

I think this is a sensible approach. I came here a minimum of six times before deciding - and I still travel regularly as even a Paradise can get boring! but as a 'jump-off' place to other Asian delights it's ideal (and not too in-your-face). I also live in two places here - a small house for weekdays and a small condo more in town for weekends - this splits it up again. I can honestly say that I could not see another Thai city having quiet the same mix that suits me personally.

Have you really invested into furnishings? Most of the condos I have looked at were pretty lame. People want to feel comfortable and at home. The best furnished condos will always go first. I saw one place with 2 recliner chairs for seating. A week later I saw an add in the paper for the same chair, 2-for-1. Go figure. If you bought one of those 2-seat sofas, forget it. People enjoy a nice long sofa, 3-seat, so they can stretch out.

Have you put some real money into decoration? Paint? Most thailand condos come in Hospital Room White. What about a kitchen? If I am going to pay 35kbaht, that place better have an awesome kitchen. Most Thai condos are laughable in this respect becasue single Thai's will not cook, but eat out. If you got a 2 or 3 bedroom, then most likely they have a family and will do some cooking. But most Thai's will not pay so much anyway, so you are after the foreigner market. In that case, they will expect to see a nice kitchen even if they don't use it.

Right let's go through this again... all my units are very high western standard including kitchens/bathrooms with granite tops, microwaves, double door fridges, cookers - rain showers, quality sofas, 50 inch TVs, DVD's - quality flooring, built in units and original art work.

These units would look good in any modern city. My ROI of 6/7/8% is REAL and allows for all deductions including agents fees, renovations etc. My recent unit (for example) cost 1.5 million to renovate- I only let on year contracts and my most recent tenant is a Japanese corporate let at 30,000 for a unit costing 5m - 7.2% gross and about 6% net

What is Prasertland?

Large block of land where they hold noisy concerts - very, very noisy - they sometimes put fun fairs there

I see. There's a lot of open land around there; do they use a particular plot for these concerts etc., or can it be anywhere around there?

It's a particular piece where they hold the 'Chang Food festivals' and many other concerts - near Nimman off the canal road - off one of the soi's leading to Nimman (same soi as Punna Condo)

Just my opinion but I think the land office are the people that actually know the real price/value off a piece off land

just because some ferang pay well over the odds for what is basically a piece off jungle land of which there is shed loads about does not mean that that it is real value I think if they new some of the prices payed they would struggle to hide their laughter in the office

nonsense - Thais do the same - I have sold condos to Thais and declared half the price and vice versa. It's endemic and with all due respect you are obviously not in the business.

I see them all down 2nd road in Pattaya and Soi Bukaow near to the English pub, sorry cant remember the name. WIll be there in a week or so, and will look again. Not so sure how much protection they offer?

Thanks - was hoping to find a shop that could deliver to me here in CNX - naturally I want a 'safe' helmet and will pay more for that of course - I know there is a specialist dealer in BKK but I've lost the link

so no bias there then...

I have a scooter and was hoping to get a classic helmet

very rare - I have one at Ayuddhaya but was lucky and i'm hanging onto it

Does anyone understand what he's talking about?

very quick to evaluate when others might be a little more 'reserved' in their judgement that's all.

Where London is concerned I've lived there for most of my life, there are things to do but the cost of living and value for money is not good, amongst other things. There are good and bad points for me personally I want out.

well that is true - hence I am here! anyway not sure the value of posting 'first impressions' on here - populated as it is by those that are committed to the city. I came here at least six times before deciding to settle here - my first impressions (for what it's worth - which is not a lot) was great when comparing other Thai and, indeed, Asian cities.

I know this thread has been about land, but just thought that perhaps I'd point out - for those reading this who may be less experienced with Thai real estate - that under-reporting the value of the property when selling a condo raises other issues.

In that instance you may make a saving on tax only to then find you can't get (all) the sale proceeds out of the country .... maybe not so clever.

On a related matter, I read recently that only about 2.3 million Thais pay personal income tax. Even allowing for the many Thais who fall below the tax threshhold, that would seem to imply there are a heck of a lot of people who are out there dudding the system

most of us who do this have no intention of taking the money out - so, actually, it is clever! it's up to the government to be even more 'clever' and see the contract etc. and charge tax on the sell price - but that's too obvious TIT

Rental yield is over 6% pa after common fees.

I think you are lucky to be getting that much. I doubt I would pay that, unless it reflected a bargain purchase price.

It would be interesting to know the OPs purchase price for his units, and how that compares with 40,000B rent.

I get an average of 7/8% net after common area fees/agents fees/renovation costs etc. little bit tighter this year and some units only returning 5/6% but I know of many that get 10% net because they bought over5 years ago.

What is Prasertland?

Large block of land where they hold noisy concerts - very, very noisy - they sometimes put fun fairs there

I did say 'maybe Mumbai' but that is hardly the same as Mumbai is a sh*thole

'Maybe' only one place that you ever have had a first thought, impression, opinion, good or bad? I find that extraordinary. And I haven't said that Chiang mai is a shithole or anything like that. I would still much prefer to be here than London.

I wasn't particularly criticizing just saying give it more time as somewhere like Mumbai is so obviously a bad place full of people sh*tting in the street etc. that one can instantly say 'wow this is not good' (and I lived in Mumbai a year for work!).

But to even think Chiang Mai as a 'poor first impression' when it so obviously it is a vibrant interesting place (but you don't know that I grant you) is premature. London is not so bad in places too (I lived in Greenwich for six years and loved it) - the theaters, concerts, parks... anyway I digress - you seem very quick to evaluate when others might be a little more 'reserved' in their judgement that's all.

No but I didn't tell those that have chosen to make a life here that

My post wasn't specifically aimed at those who have chosen to make a life here and I definitely not going to be scared to tell whomever what my first impressions are.

here's my nearly three year impression:

• a balance of old and new
• typically friendlier Thais than those down 'South'
• gorgeous scenery
• great restaurants
• normally tolerant surroundings
• reasonably priced
• not much PC rubbish going on
• beautiful temples
• reasonable nightlife
• great 'jump off' point for the rest of Asia

I could go on... and on... and on... (beut I shall resist - for once!). I have traveled extensively but never once when I was in Moscow, Lithuania, New York nor indeed Bali or Mumbai (well maybe Mumbai was THE exception!) was I tempted after one day to make a rather silly judgement on such a beautiful place. Come back and tell us after a year.

Once again, I posted a first impression not any final judgement or final conclusion. Are you seriously saying that you've been to all those places and never had any kind of instant impression, thought, opinion on the first day you got there?

Chiang Mai is not the place to see good Muay Thai Boxing, looks like you havn't really done your homework

Not about muay thai boxing, there is only so much research that can be done and research can't predict the outcome of everything, I'm not going to lose anything by going except 400b and a little time, I'll survive.

I did say 'maybe Mumbai' but that is hardly the same as Mumbai is a sh*thole

and this:

and this: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=Ym5TR4u9QaM

and this:

and I could likely go on.

(The last one is worth watching also if you're been in Chiang Mai a couple years. )

i guess that second one is Wararot?

Serious comment: I think it's likely a matter of expectations. If you expect a city that's so much nicer/cheaper/better than Bangkok then chances are you'll like Chiang Mai.

But some people seem to expect something out of Lord of the Rings.

And some of those are initially dissappointed.

Others persist, get a moped, and stumble upon things like....... this:

and this:

and this: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=VPjhmGkCEOY

two out of three new things for me too!

what is it?

Its a Fiber drink? it's sold everywhere - by the box. I was just looking for a good cheap supply - I buy 10 boxes at a time (15 in a box) so I use 2 boxes a month

It is good but a very bad deal.. .-Agiolax - the best product money wise and effective @ 105 baht -7-10 days worth using everyday .A yellow plastic bottle with screw top. look around though some places sell it for 150-160b .

right thanks... available most places?

Sorry, a bit off-topic, but,

Is it true that when you buy a land in Thailand you can declare that you buy it a lot cheaper than the real price to pay less transfer fee ?

In Krabi it seems that even when they know that the real land price is around 5 millions, lawyers declare that you buy it 500000 thb, and then you pay tax on only 500k ?

How is it possible that land office accept to be cheated that much ?

Thanks for info.

Actually it is not a matter of 'declaring' less. The land department worls their calculations from "their" assessed value NOT from the sales contract.

So u arecorrect, if you buy land for 5million but the land is assessed by the land department records (they have these on file) at less then you pay on the lower amount. The land department assessed values are several years behind market values is the reason.

That's right but isn't it bizarre? they are losing Billions -Amazing Thailand- most countries base it on sale price

here's my nearly three year impression:

• a balance of old and new
• typically friendlier Thais than those down 'South'
• gorgeous scenery
• great restaurants
• normally tolerant surroundings
• reasonably priced
• not much PC rubbish going on
• beautiful temples
• reasonable nightlife
• great 'jump off' point for the rest of Asia

I could go on... and on... and on... (but I shall resist - for once!). I have traveled extensively but never once when I was in Moscow, Lithuania, New York nor indeed Bali or Mumbai (well maybe Mumbai was THE exception!) was I tempted after one day to make a rather silly judgement on such a beautiful place. Come back and tell us after a year.

I have bought two laptops and they are excellent - as long as you target one of the long serving staff. had a small issue with software (installed for free) on my new Dell i7 and they cheerfully sorted it out. They are based at Pantip Plaza 2nd or 3rd floor but they have also opened a shop on the 1st I believe.

what is it?

Its a Fiber drink? it's sold everywhere - by the box. I was just looking for a good cheap supply - I buy 10 boxes at a time (15 in a box) so I use 2 boxes a month

nobody?

it is bizarre - there is over supply for sure

about time!