californiabeachboy

I am a retired American and I am looking for a place in Thailand to spend a few months each year. I just returned from my third trip to Thailand but I have never been to Chiang Mai. I originally thought about beach areas, but I live near a nice beach in the US, and to be honest, the beach areas I have visited so far in Thailand (Hua Hin, Phuket and Jomtien), at least in the populated areas, haven't seemed so nice, so I am heading inland.

I plan on visiting CM for a few days in the autumn to check it out. My question is, what are some of the neighborhoods I should wander around in? My needs/ wants are as follows:

1. I enjoy cooking, so being in an area with good grocery shopping is essential, both local Thai foods and occasionally western food.

2. I have an aversion to taxis, so I would like an area that is very walkable and also has good easy transport (i.e. sonthaew or the like). Close to nice bicycle rides would be nice, although I have yet to find a place in Thailand where I could ride and live to tell about it.

3. An area with some nice serviced apartments, not too old, and with a pool. My budget will probably be around 10,000 baht per week or 30,000 baht per month. I am way too old to be trendy, but a somewhat upmarket area would be nice - nice coffee places, happy hours drinks etc. Late nightlife doesn't really mean that much to me.

If anyone happens to know the Ari area in Bangkok, that is what I am looking for in CM - good local shopping, a good western store (Villa market), nice coffee shops, and good transport.

Any suggestions of areas to visit when I am there would be most appreciated.

San Diego beaches were originally voted number one, but when the editor of the article came to town to bestow the prize on us, we threw him into the ocean to celebrate, and he got hypothermia. So he took us off the list.

But I actually think Australia has the best beaches, kinda like California, but with warmer water.

I am a beach person at heart, so even though I have been to Thailand three times, I have never been to Chiang Mai. Now I must go.

I also think the growth of "airline alliances" has increased prices. They market it as a benefit for consumers, but in fact it also allows airlines to "carve up" certain routes without violating anti-trust laws. There can be certain benefits to the consumer in terms of frequent flyer miles, and ease of booking, but at the cost of a higher price for the long distance flight.

My greatest fear is that the "One World Alliance" will literally become the one world alliance, with every airline as a member - then you will see some real price increases.

I flew on Air Asia for the first time a couple of months ago. The flight was ok. The problem with Air Asia is that they are a full fare airline pretending to be a budget airline. By the time you add on all their "fees" they are no cheaper than other airlines, depending on the timing and circumstances of your flight. The problem is that you have to go all the way through their booking site to find out what the real cost of the flight is - ignore the initial price that comes up when you do a search. As I said, I had no problems with the flight, but in my opinion, they are not a budget airline.

Thanks for the responses. It is more about being annoyed, rather than being bitten, although I was thinking about that at the time I was being annoyed. However, I am not sure I will buy into the getting down on my knees - I have seen too many dogs attack other dogs that were in a submissive position. Plus, I think it would leave me in a very vulnerable position if that particular dog had not read the manual on behavior towards humans. But I am very surprised someone has not come up with a spray that doesn't do serious damage, but will cause the dog to immediately turn around and think - "it is just not worth it".

How about filing a water pistol with a substance, mainly water, but that also has a terrible odor to it? I think there is a business opportunity here.

I just returned from my third visit to Thailand, and I love the place except for the soi dogs. I have posted something about my problem with them, and I have read a lot of other posts about them. Everyone talks about the solutions, including sticks, stones, a pork chop around my neck, or a BB gun (I will explain to security at LAX that the BB gun is to fend off the soi dogs).

But my question is, why not pepper spray? I have never used it, as the dogs and I at home get along really well. But it seems to me that it would work well - dogs are confused when something is pointed at them, the sound of the spray would also confuse them, and if it hits it hurts without doing serious damage. It is also easy to carry with you on a walk.

Is there some reason people in Thailand don't use it? Is it illegal?

Can I put the ants in a pasta? I love pasta, and miss it when I am in Thailand, and I am thinking they may add a bit of spice to the meal.

I am not going to comment on who is right or wrong on this one, but I loved the story. Probably could happen anywhere, but it fits in Thailand.

Thanks to all for the input. I have decided not to do it. Even if it is only a 1% chance of being blacklisted from visiting Thailand in the future, it is not worth it. I will find some other way to occupy my time - shouldn't be too hard.

Cheers.

I just returned from my third visit to Thailand, and I would like to go back for a few weeks or months, but I need something to do. I am a retired American lawyer and thought about volunteering, possibly to teach "legal English" or maybe something else. I realize you need a work permit even for volunteer work. My question is, what are the likely penalties for a violation? Not what the law says, but what are the realities?

If it is simply a fine, that is something I could live with. But if it is more serious. i.e. I am blacklisted from ever returning to Thailand, it is certainly not worth the risk.

Does anyone here have any first hand experience with being caught doing volunteer work without a work permit? If so, what did they do to you?

Thanks.

It really did affect my desire to come back to a place I really liked.

I found that quite a strange post. Your description of how things happened, didn't seem that bad, and you made it sound like it didn't really bother you that much. Yet at the end, you say it makes you think twice about coming back?? I don't follow that logic.

Did the fun you had in between the first and last day, not make the slightly expensive cab rides, seem barely worth worrying about? Probably added $20 to the cost of your entire holiday!

Was the $20 a big deal? - no it certainly wasn't, and that is why I didn't say "I am never coming back blah blah". But it did afffect my perception of the place as a nice place to spend a few weeks each year, which is why I was there. Phuket has to compete with many other nice beach areas both within and outside of Thailand, and these things that may seem small can tip the balance. I don't know how I would deal with the taxi situation if I am staying there for several weeks and really want to explore the island, or buy groceries, etc.

I don't think it is simply a case of the hotels being in bed with the taxi drivers, otherwise when I wnet out on the street (Khoktanod Road) to find an "independent" taxi, I could have gotten a better deal, but I couldn't. The first two places that sais taxi outfront wanted 1000 baht, but quickly came down to 800 baht. When I offered 600 baht they both said no. The third simply said 800 baht and made it clear that was it.

Just from my brief experience, my feeling is that someone/group has divided the area up into territories, and that is the charge for that territory. If a taxi driver can get more, great for him, but there is a floor under which he cannot go or he will be in trouble.

Having just returned from my first visit to Phuket (Kata Beach), I wanted to add my comments about the so-called taxi mafia.

The taxi ride from the airport to my hotel was fine. As others have said, you go out the doors, turn right and you will see the taxi stand. She said 500 baht, I said OK, and I got in the taxi. When I got to my hotel I paid the driver, and he seemed happy. Given the distance (about 35 minutes), I think it was a fair price (except that he drove like a bat out of h_ll). No problems at all.

The return trip - not so much. I woke up the day of my departure to get a taxi for mid-morning, and as I walked the streets looking for places that said "taxi" I realized that it was a controlled business (they all wanted 1000 baht but would settle for 800). So I went back to my hotel and ordered a taxi, and not surprisingly, they said "800 baht". I didn't want to spend the last few hours of my trip trying to save a few bucks so I paid it. They had obviously called the taxi driver out of bed, because he had a horrible cold (I sat as far away from him as I could in a taxi), and I felt bad for him because he didn't want to be doing what he was doing.

While I was waiting for the taxi I was chatting with one of the staff of the hotel. She said that 800 baht was what I would probably have to pay, as the town is divided up into territories, and that is it. She said that the hotel orders the taxi, and may get it for less - I appreciated her honesty. Basically - the hotel gets a cut.

So I understand why some of the major hotels don't want to change the system. But I was there in mid to late March and I was shocked at the number of empty restaurants, empty bars, etc. There is no way you are going to convince me that the problems with the taxis don't affect the smaller hotels, the restaurants, the tour operators, etc. It seems to me that if there is any change, it is going to come form them. It really did affect my desire to come back to a place I really liked.

Just to follow up, I am now back in the safety of American dogs, who like me and I like them. But I refuse to waste a good pork chop on a dog when I could use it for a good meal myself, and I have never knowingly eaten dog, but I did eat a lot of street food in Bangkok, where there are suspiciously a lot fewer dogs, so who knows. I think the problem in one case was that I stopped walking and was looking across Beach Road when the dog came up to me growling - maybe because he felt I was squatting in his territory.

But these are some of the ugliest dogs I have seen anywhere in the world, and I suspect that makes them a bit testy.

As the OP I just wanted to follow up. I was in Jomtien for a few days in late March. I tried the Richman Poorman.

I really liked the Richman Poorman as, what we would call, a "neighborhood bar". The first time I went in the Thai bartender/hostess asked me for my name and wrote in on the glass, and to be difficult I said "William" instead of "Bill". Two nights later I came back there she remembered - pretty good. I also chatted with the owner for a while. It is mostly Yanks. I had the best fries I have had in Thailand - verry crispy. I would definitely go back next time I am in Jomtien.

I walked by Love Joy but it was early (around 5 PM) so not much happening. I think Love Joy is more of a people watching bar, and Richman/Poorman is more of a friendly "having a chat" bar.

I have been visiting Pattaya for a few days now, and I go for an early morning walk. Of the thousand or so stray dogs I pass most are ok, but each morning I have had one bad encounter (diffeerent dogs) in which they will come up to me with a growl and follow me for a few feet, then go back. I am not particularly afraid of dogs, but you never know. Each time I stopped again a few meters away and watched and they didn't seem to bother anyone else when I was watching.

Does this happen often to others? Do they sense a newby? Curious as to how big of a problem actual bites are in Pattaya.

One way to keep out the Russians, as well as a lot of the Europeans, is to pass a law that says nobody who weighs over 200lbs/80kilos is allowed to wear a skimpy "speedo" during daylight hours. I spent three days at a hotel up in NaKlua last year, with mostly Russians and Germans. The number of pot-bellied old men (and a significant number of women) who strutted around with their belly overhanging whatever they may have been wearing underneath was shocking and offensive, and I am not easily offended. I could not sit out by the pool. Let's get a law passed, and get the someone (who?)to enforce it, and the problem would be solved.

The fact is that "pipelines" develop, in which people from a particular culture/country come to visit a place go back to their home country and tell their friends about it, and the flow of people from that country increases. I live in California, where strangely enough, most of the donut shops are owned by Cambodians, because they started coming here during the Vietnam War and now hire their cousins, nephews, etc., and pretty soon the cousin opens up their own donut shop. And my understanding is that they don't even eat donuts in Cambodia. I think the important thing is, not whether they are Russian or not, but whether they are a drunk rude Russian, or a Russian who respects the culture, and is respectful and polite to others. I have been to Patttay twice now, and I think Pattaya needs to figure out a way to attract the latter and not the former.

I love the sitcom "Scrubs". My nurse friend says it is the most accurate medical show on TV

Thank you for the responses. Richman Poorman looks good so I will try it out. Lovejoy also looks good, because an international English speaking crowd can be fun. For the record, in addition to not looking for a girlie bar, I am also not looking for a gay bar (not that there is anything wrong with that - per Jerry Seinfled), but what we used to call in the old days a "neighborhood bar".

I also noticed that the song Hotel California is one of the most popular western songs in Thailand. I love to tell the Thais my theory about the place referenced in the song, and and they always assume I am right because I am from California.

I will be visiting Jomtien for several days next month, as I considering it as a place to spend a few months each year (retired American). I am looking for a nice friendly bar where I could go while I am there to have a drink and maybe a chat with some locals. I am staying on Soi 9 in Jomtien. But I am not looking for a bar girl, just friendly people with maybe a good spot for people watching, late afternoon or early evening, maybe a good happy hour atmosphere. I did some research and the videos of Soi 5 looked terrible - just bar girls, but soi 7 looked better.

I will be relying on the baht bus, so i would like a place on the baht bus route in Jomtien.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

As requested here is the Invoice they sent me after I made the purchase:

Flight

1 Guest 3509.36 THB

Airport Tax 200.00 THB

Value Added Tax 259.66 THB

Sub Total 3969.02 THB

Services & Fees

1 x AirAsia Insure Return (1-10 days) 203.30 THB

1 x Convenience Fee 140.00 THB

1 x Pick A Seat 100.00 THB

2 x Regular - up to 15kg 400.00 THB

Value Added Tax 44.80 THB

Sub Total 888.10 THB

Total Amount 4857.12 THB

Total VAT 304.46 THB

Total Paid 4857.12 THB

I probably shouldn't have taken the Insure Return, but by that time I didn't want to check to see if it was useful and it was only 6 or 7 USD for me so I took it this time (I am sure they know there will be buyer fatigue at some point). But the one that prompted my post was the "convenience fee". I can picture a bunch of AA executives sitting around the table trying to come up with a new fee that the majority of people will have to pay, but they got stumped so they just called it a convenience fee. But I guess that is better name than a "those snakes at Visa/Mastercard charge us a fee when you use your debit/credit card so we will charge you a fee" fee.

But hats off to the airlines for reducing our ability to compare out the door fares I still think someone should do a start-up whereby you punch in a route and it tells you which airlines fly that route and what their fees are for that route. I will invest. But there will be an Investors Fee.

I wish now I had booked Nok Air. I looked into it, but since they fly out of Don Muang, and I am not real experienced with getting around Bkk, I decided to go with AA. I was leaving on a Friday afternoon, and as I understand it the only way to get to DM is by taxi. I have found Bkk taxis to be somewhat unreliable, along with Bkk traffic. I know there have been complaints about the new airport link, but it does provide some reliability to getting to the airport. I just wish Nok Air could fly out of Suv, but I assume AA would fight like heck to keep them out.

I just booked my first ticket with Air Asia (online), and I am exhausted. There were so many fees, I just started hitting buttons to get it over with. I am not sure, but I may be sitting next to the pilot. The one that got to me was the fee for using a debit/credit card online. I kept looking for a slot on my computer where I could feed it cash and avoid that fee, but I couldn't find one, so I paid that fee as well.

I remember the old days when, to compare rates, you had to spend a lot of time by calling the different airlines. Then the Internet came along, and it became really easy to compare fares, which I am sure annoyed the airlines. But, as one poster said, you cannot beat the airlines at their own game, so the airlines have found out that by adding various fees at various prices at the end of the booking, it makes it really hard to compare fares unless you go all the way to the end of the site.

But there is a point to this rant. I would like to see a website that compares END prices - that is with the normal traveler needs - one moderate checked bag, choose your seat, and use your credit/debit card. Maybe it already exits, but I haven't seen it.

In my case, the starting price, with taxes (something the airline really has no control over) was about 3,800 baht on a trip form Bangkok to Phuket and back. By the end it was about 4,800 baht, roughly a 25% increase. I am curious as to how that would differ on the other airlines, say Nok or Bangkok Air, or any other airline that flies in or around Thailand

I will be visiting Pattaya area next month, staying in Jomtien Beach (soi 9). Can you help me out with where this market is? - either an address or maybe something I can look up in Google Earth. I love to eat, and I love these markets.

Thanks.