For Chiang Mai Expats: How do you keep yourselves occupied in Chiang Mai?

[cyberfarang]

A couple of threads that were closed, the OP`s were complaining about how dull the Chiang Mai forums have become, so I thought I’d try and liven it up a bit.

As expats living in Chiang Mai for the long term, as the title says; How do you keep yourselves occupied in Chiang Mai?

Having lived in Changers for quite a while and just about seen and done all there is to do in Chiang Mai, I am finding that I have too much time on my hands lately, staying home more because there seems to be nothing new and exciting happening in the city.

But this is not about me, I am just interested in what others do or in other words, what rocks your boat in Chiang Mai? So the focus is on you and please do not criticise what others are doing.

Do any of you consider that Chiang Mai was better in the good old days, or much better now? If so, why?
Is there anything you miss that was available in Chiang Mai, say 10, 15 to 20 years ago, that has changed now?
What do you like/love about Chiang Mai and what really irritates you in Chiang Mai?

[poanoi]

i dont venture into the bush myself, but i've read about several that do,

and the entertainment seem to be to drive umpteen miles to macro,

stock up ingredients, drive back, and then cook basic food,

and then freeze the leftovers

[JLCrab]

3 hours ago, cyberfarang said:

<snip>Having lived in Changers for quite a while and just about seen and done all there is to do in Chiang Mai, I am finding that I have too much time on my hands lately, staying home more because there seems to be nothing new and exciting happening in the city.<snip2>

How amusing -- whenever I visit CNX all I hear fron the locals is how boring it must be to live in Khon Kaen.

[simoh1490]

We have a house with a large garden, between the two of them there are always projects that need to be done, the garden alone occupies 50% of my spare time and it's work I enjoy. My wife works from 9 to 5 so I do a lot of the traditional housekeeping jobs, cleaning, shopping, laundry etc and that's work I don't mind doing. In between all of those things is Thaivisa Forum by way of me getting a break, I then have investments to manage which can also be time-consuming and then there's the gym twice a week. Free time is not in a huge supply so I rarely get bored. Sometimes I cancel all of the above and go shopping or out to lunch or just go somewhere and explore.

 

What I miss from 15 years ago in Chiang Mai is lower traffic density and the ability get around more easily. What mildly annoys me now about going into the centre of Chiang Mai is western backpackers who feel entitled and Chinese tourists on motorbikes, red cars are divine by comparison. Oh, and western tourists riding motorbikes as if they were in the UK, but without a crash helmet whilst wearing shorts and flip flops (even the locals don't do that), I expect that from locals but westerners should know far better.

[LomSak27]

35 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

What mildly annoys me now about going into the centre of Chiang Mai is western backpackers who feel entitled and Chinese tourists on motorbikes, red cars are divine by comparison. Oh, and western tourists riding motorbikes as if they were in the UK, but without a crash helmet whilst wearing shorts and flip flops (even the locals don't do that), I expect that from locals but westerners should know far better.

15 years ago western backpackers did not feel entitled? What does that even mean? Western backpackers have been in CM in force for over 30 years. They were here before the expats/retiree brigade moved in.

The Chinese are new group making their numbers felt

Somewhere 2 and 4 years back Chiang Mai merchants decided renting motorbikes to backpackers, Chinese and anyone else was the new money spinner. WooHoo!!  As such rental shops have increased by 3 or 4 times Check out the moat, by the spotlight, check out lower Ratchadamnoen RD.  Flipping M cycle shops up the ying yang

If you a re really PO’d about westerners and Chinese riding motorcycles better take that up with the locals ………… probably a lot less dead western backpackers and Chinese too. I doubt that is going to work though.

 

[MaeJoMTB]

The hiking and cycling in CM beats every other place in the world I have lived.

Hiking,

For the unfit, a gentle walk up the Pilgrims Trail to Wat Palaat, for the fit extend that walk to Wat Doi Suthep, for those who like excess, run up the Caffiene trail from Wang Bua Baan to the Hmong Village near Dui Pui.

Cycling,

Many people ride road bikes from the Zoo to Wat Doi Suthep every morning (11Km up), there is also a road running behind Mae Rim to Mon Chairm (25Km up). And for a change there are many off road and on road MTB routes.

 

Most days the weather is suitable for one activity or the other.

[simoh1490]

9 minutes ago, LomSak27 said:

15 years ago western backpackers did not feel entitled? What does that even mean? Western backpackers have been in CM in force for over 30 years. They were here before the expats/retiree brigade moved in.

The Chinese are new group making their numbers felt

Somewhere 2 and 4 years back Chiang Mai merchants decided renting motorbikes to backpackers, Chinese and anyone else was the new money spinner. WooHoo!!  As such rental shops have increased by 3 or 4 times Check out the moat, by the spotlight, check out lower Ratchadamnoen RD.  Flipping M cycle shops up the ying yang

If you a re really PO’d about westerners and Chinese riding motorcycles better take that up with the locals ………… probably a lot less dead western backpackers and Chinese too. I doubt that is going to work though.

 

The OP did ask you not to criticise other posters comments and I did write the word, "mildly", now please, get a life!

[cyberfarang]

I`m going to admit I used to enjoy the girly scene when it was at it`s heyday in Chiang Mai. It was rough, but it was cheap and it was fun.

 

Not much fun hiking or cycling between February and the end of April, breathing in all the choking fumes from the acrid air. Same if going out on long motorbike trips. A lot of my friends are leaving Chiang Mai during those months.

 

What has become most irritating for me in Chiang Mai, is the immigration procedures. What used to be a simple process has now become a chore. Either having to take a chance and maybe wait hours in a queue or paying an agent to ensure a slot. Worse in the whole country.

 

 

[MaeJoMTB]

4 minutes ago, cyberfarang said:

Not much fun hiking or cycling between February and the end of April, breathing in all the choking fumes from the acrid air. Same if going out on long motorbike trips. A lot of my friends are leaving Chiang Mai during those months.

You just drive to Wat Doi Suthep and hike UP from there, the air above 900m is fine all year round.

[NancyL]

There is no shortage of things to do in Chiang Mai.  I keep busy with activities with the CM International Rotary Club and with assisting other expats as part of Lanna Care Net involvement. 

 

Sometimes the LCN activity can be very time consuming, as in going with someone to an outpatient appointment at Suan Dok hospital to help them understand what the doctor is saying and asking the right questions and navigating the process of check-in, paying upfront for labs/x-rays, having a blood draw and/or x-rays, waiting for the doctor, then paying again for doctor time and prescribed meds and waiting for the pharmacy to fulfill the prescription.  It's like navigating an obstacle course there and can be difficult for someone who has limited mobility and/or early stage dementia.  But, I get my exercise on those days just hoofing around Suan Dok and the employee lunchroom has pretty good Thai food for just 35 baht/meal in nice aircon.  No one seems to mind when I eat there.  

 

If I have time, I like to play bridge on Monday afternoons -- that's the "beginners day" for the bridge club.  That group is very active and there are people who play bridge nearly every afternoon, with different days having slightly different rules about how ruthless the competition or forgiving of stuff like chit-chatting while playing.  

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, cyberfarang said:

I`m going to admit I used to enjoy the girly scene when it was at it`s heyday in Chiang Mai. It was rough, but it was cheap and it was fun.

 

Not much fun hiking or cycling between February and the end of April, breathing in all the choking fumes from the acrid air. Same if going out on long motorbike trips. A lot of my friends are leaving Chiang Mai during those months.

 

What has become most irritating for me in Chiang Mai, is the immigration procedures. What used to be a simple process has now become a chore. Either having to take a chance and maybe wait hours in a queue or paying an agent to ensure a slot. Worse in the whole country.

 

 

Having tried the "girly scene" along Loi Kroh ( does it even exist elsewhere? ) and found it to lacking in everything that make such interesting ( and the prices outrageous ) I don't even bother anymore.

Agree 100% about immigration.

Will be interesting to see if it improves when it moves back to the airport locations.

[JLCrab]

1 hour ago, NancyL said:

<snip> If I have time, I like to play bridge on Monday afternoons -- that's the "beginners day" for the bridge club.  That group is very active and there are people who play bridge nearly every afternoon, with different days having slightly different rules about how ruthless the competition or forgiving of stuff like chit-chatting while playing.  

Just to note that both my late parents were Life Masters ACBL bridge players. I'll pass with no comment.

[miamiman123]

Things to do in CM?....waiting to get your prescription filled?, playing bridge?, eating at the 35 baht lunch room?, tending a garden?....,God what a boring life you have! 

CM is not made for you!

I remember those good ole days in CM 20 years ago, and i was not doing those things then or now! 

[sammieuk1]

If its not the TV its laptop time a splash of tablet and phone then send the Mrs out to the Heston barista and back to TV if I have time I wont piss on the sofa or floor by the way what year is it.    

[Foxy52]

First came here in 1978. Loved it then and love it now. The most noticeable difference is that the traffic around the moat is a lot better these days

[1FinickyOne]

Hy Cy - 

 

I am not sure how place specific being bored really is... I have lived in Bkk, Cm & baan nork [ nakorn nowhere ]

 

And my being bored tended to revolve more around what projects I was engaged in that kept my interest. In some ways living in Bkk became more boring or 'wearing' as I had no getaways nearby, too much cement... 

 

When I was living in a small village, other farang would ask me how I could do that  - - I told them that my life was probably not that much different than theirs. I slept in my own bed, had my morning coffee and routine, did my emails and such, usually in the afternoon I would go into town and get a massage at the temple, meet a friend for coffee or lunch and wander about the mall a bit until I picked up my niece from school and went home - there was always some distraction of having plenty of family around, nice people, near always positive. 

 

But, the point being, for me, living in a small village - the difference was never more than the manner in which I killed a few hours a day... and CM has nice and a very wide variety of restaurants... but most people will pursue their hobbies wherever they are... 

 

I do think this is an issue for retirees everywhere, no matter where. 

[Sparkles]

After 11 years here,post Bangkok working, there arent many places my wife and I haven't been too or experienced . The aging process, now 75, has slowed me down and am finding the heat around April/May more draining but no lack of things to do to pass the time, swimming for exercise,shopping locally,gardening,DYI house maintenance,writing the histories of my football clubs,reading quality books, that I never had time to do when I was working and of course a multitude of good TV programs.

 

Going into CM City has lost its glow,parking a car has become near impossible unless its in the likes of Airport Plaza.

 

To avoid becoming stale we have the odd night away either Chang Dao, Phayao,Fang and tomorrrow a nice resort at Mae Rim.I am lucky my Thai wife of 15 years is a great, compatible partner, loves to swim and a night or 2 away in the low season fits in the budget.

 

We get vistors & family who come repeatedly to CM and that provides a lift and good company

 

I could not see myself living here as a single guy I would return to my home country where my close friends from my footie and school days are still living.    I sense there's quite few very lonely souls here in CM which must be very depressing for them.

 

Life is what you make it I guess

[wicketkeeper]

Feed cats.

Walk to coffee kiosk.

Witness the death of conversation.

Count the interval between a red light and a green one in Thai.

Receive daily confirmation that Thais cut corners.

Discover what the bell ring of each intinerant hawker means in my quiet moobaan.

Trawl the secondhand bookshops for unexpected gems.

Resist eating anything until midday.

Microwave porridge oats for lunch.

Swim and water aerobics.

Endure a rough Thai massage I call Muay Thai.

Read about Donald Trump and adjust my date of impeachment bet as necessary.

Cancel my order for a Tesla 3.

Watch The Big Bang Theory.

Sip a dram.

Read.

Out.

 

 

 

 

[PerkinsCuthbert]

Get yourself a nagging wife. Never a dull moment.

[Lacessit]

Play golf, swim, enjoy finding new restaurants. Download golf and AFL videos from Youtube. Coffee every morning, read my Kindle for an hour. Eat out at lunch every day, evening meal in my condo.

Drive up to Chiang Rai every three weeks. Other pastimes that should not be mentioned in a family publication.

[Telly]

City folk in CM for the last year,  and a year to go. 

 

I need my shopping- cen fest, cen apt, Maya, KSK, Tesco superhighway, Tesco hang dong, Big C extra, Big C, Big C hang dong,  the various night markets above,  Wulai night market, Sunday night market 

 

Can't forget the buffets either- Lunch grand view 199, orchid dim sum 299, ibis 179, Siripanna 199, Auf de Aui 250. Dinner retro cafe 139, countless 99, 119, 139 Mookata,  Sunday gecko 220

 

Wednesday movie day- Major is the cheapest at the Cen at 80, SF squeezes you for a 100 at maya

 

Gyms and pools aplenty.  Creative hunting for the free ones. 

 

Daily reading on fb groups,  TV, stories online. 

 

Once a week take the big bike out for a ride. 

 

Busy busy busy

Edited May 7, 2018 by Telly
Add details

[sammieuk1]

26 minutes ago, wicketkeeper said:

Feed cats.

Walk to coffee kiosk.

Witness the death of conversation.

Count the interval between a red light and a green one in Thai.

Receive daily confirmation that Thais cut corners.

Discover what the bell ring of each intinerant hawker means in my quiet moobaan.

Trawl the secondhand bookshops for unexpected gems.

Resist eating anything until midday.

Microwave porridge oats for lunch.

Swim and water aerobics.

Endure a rough Thai massage I call Muay Thai.

Read about Donald Trump and adjust my date of impeachment bet as necessary.

Cancel my order for a Tesla 3.

Watch The Big Bang Theory.

Sip a dram.

Read.

Out.

 

26 minutes ago, wicketkeeper said:

Interesting that you have big Dons demise on daily instead of hourly and suggest to add an extra 10 seconds to your busy routine try adding Teflon Theresa May or indeed the whole of the UK's cabinet who will be the next brexit scalp.    

 

 

 

[Goanna]

I have one friend mad keen on bicycles, and does the many loops noted in the facebook pages. Apart from keeping fit, the interaction, the views, the small roadside restaurants can be entertaining. 

Also, the Ulysses motorcycle club are very active around Chiang Mai. Mainly Expats. They have a facebook page also.

[Formaleins]

Since my doctor prescribed Tramadol, I haven't found Chiang Mai to be boring, in fact counting my fingers and toes is quite fun too.

[Ajarnbrian]

10 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

The hiking and cycling in CM beats every other place in the world I have lived.

Hiking,

For the unfit, a gentle walk up the Pilgrims Trail to Wat Palaat, for the fit extend that walk to Wat Doi Suthep, for those who like excess, run up the Caffiene trail from Wang Bua Baan to the Hmong Village near Dui Pui.

Cycling,

Many people ride road bikes from the Zoo to Wat Doi Suthep every morning (11Km up), there is also a road running behind Mae Rim to Mon Chairm (25Km up). And for a change there are many off road and on road MTB routes.

 

Most days the weather is suitable for one activity or the other.

Good post. 30 years ago I first visited Chiangmai, spent a lot of time there in the 90s and a month or two every year since. I have never been bored but have found more of interest away from the tourist and expat scenes. So many westerners and Chinese visit Chiangmai these days it`s a bit harder. Canal side restaurants and cycling south of the city along the Ping river are more recent favourites.

[connda]

I didn't move here for "The Excitement."  I moved here because it was laid back, and being Buddhist, I'm in my element here unlike 'back home.'  I'm also much more attracted to Asia women than my European counterparts of the opposite sex.  So, what's exciting to do in Chiang Mai and the surrounding provinces here in the North?  Visit wats, go on meditation retreats, and immerse in the culture.  Sight-see. Enjoy my family life with my Thai wife who is about my age and my extended Thai family. That's all laid back, just the way I like it.  And if I want to 'hang with my tribe', I take in a Chiang Mai Expat Club event.  I'm old, I'm retired, and I don't mind being around old, retired expats.  <laughs>  They're laid back too. 

[connda]

1 hour ago, Formaleins said:

Since my doctor prescribed Tramadol, I haven't found Chiang Mai to be boring, in fact counting my fingers and toes is quite fun too.

You won't be bored when you quit Tramadol either.  Lol 

[uffe123]

get an oxygen cylinder/mask and sit and breathe, you will need it after breathing the great Chang Mai air.

[hugocnx]

14 hours ago, simoh1490 said:

We have a house with a large garden, between the two of them there are always projects that need to be done, the garden alone occupies 50% of my spare time and it's work I enjoy. My wife works from 9 to 5 so I do a lot of the traditional housekeeping jobs, cleaning, shopping, laundry etc and that's work I don't mind doing. In between all of those things is Thaivisa Forum by way of me getting a break, I then have investments to manage which can also be time-consuming and then there's the gym twice a week. Free time is not in a huge supply so I rarely get bored. Sometimes I cancel all of the above and go shopping or out to lunch or just go somewhere and explore.

 

What I miss from 15 years ago in Chiang Mai is lower traffic density and the ability get around more easily. What mildly annoys me now about going into the centre of Chiang Mai is western backpackers who feel entitled and Chinese tourists on motorbikes, red cars are divine by comparison. Oh, and western tourists riding motorbikes as if they were in the UK, but without a crash helmet whilst wearing shorts and flip flops (even the locals don't do that), I expect that from locals but westerners should know far better.

Oh?, even locals don't do that? You are maybe going Makro, Talaad Nat and back home again without noticing the country you are in?

Per definition you might say a Thai drives the motocy with flip flops, shorts and no helmet. Being not all sober or just recovering from a last nap is not even mentioned.

[hugocnx]

I had the Chiang Mai kick just 12 years back. People who have lived here much longer will probably have the best view when it comes to answering op's questions.

But what is actually ruining my kick is the enormous growth of Chiang Mai with all the negative things that come in the slip stream of rapid growth.

Traffic, pollution, 'staggering' prices, migration, policing.

I am not sure if night life is still good these days. I got fed up when people started over pricing while service went down the drain. What I know is that 10 years ago it was fun going out like in good old Nr 1 or in the boxing ring. The magic is gone; maybe that goes for me only and that new comers will still get the kick as I got way back when.