Farewell Chiang Mai, TBL has left the building.

[thaibeachlovers]

It's been an interesting year of my life. I actually did enjoy some aspects of C M while I was there.

The accommodation was great, and near everything I needed, so no complaints there.

The main problem with C M from my perspective is that nothing gets fixed- the pavements on which I trod were collapsing, and blocked by unused telephone boxes etc; the drains were never properly cleaned which led to floods in the soi I was in and the traffic is appalling- they need more pedestrian crossing lights. Parts of C M are very dirty- never cleaned, and they certainly need gardeners in many areas.

It's got very little entertainment- mainly restaurants- the night life is pathetic. The council never seemed to put on any shows- they did nothing for new year. Pattaya has loads of concerts and other such shows, plus they do fireworks and a great new year celebration. C M could learn from them.

However, there are certainly an abundance of malls, with excellent cinemas.

I went on a number of local tours, but was decidedly unimpressed. The zoo could be great, but it was just a bit sad.

If C M does excel at anything, it would be temples.

Anyway, I'm certain C M will survive and carry on without me, so thanks to those on this forum that helped me over the past year, and a raspberry to those that flamed me.

[sfokevin]

Curious?... You don’t say where you are going next?...

[JLCrab]

25 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

It's been an interesting year of my life.

BUT ...

 

[thaibeachlovers]

27 minutes ago, sfokevin said:

Curious?... You don’t say where you are going next?...

Nothing exciting. Having too many health problems and no Thai health insurance, it's time to go back home.

If I've learned anything in life, it's that everything ends, and the better it is, the sooner it's over.

Thailand was my life and my dream for 30 years- if I wasn't there, I wanted to be and when I retired I wanted to stay there till I passed. An unfortunate marriage changed that, and I really had no choice but to leave. I could not get the pension from my own country in Thailand, and without the family home to live in, it became too expensive to live there on savings alone.

[thaibeachlovers]

30 minutes ago, JLCrab said:

BUT ...

 

Now I feel sad, not that I wasn't sad before, so I guess I am actually just sadder.

[faraday]

Sorry to hear about your problems mate, really.

 

My Dad used to say :

 

'As one door closes, another one opens'

 

He was right.

[thaibeachlovers]

36 minutes ago, JLCrab said:

BUT ...

 

Can hear the words more clearly on the Sam Cooke version.

[pgrahmm]

 

One day at a time - Happy Trails 

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

1 hour ago, JLCrab said:

BUT ...

 

Wasn"t that from the old movie with Marlon Brando? When I saw it as a kid I got a crush on this actress. Probably what got me into Asian chicks!

 

Bon voyage TBL!

[Loaded]

bye bye

[Suradit69]

Wonder what prompts some people to announce their departure to an "audience" of people, 99% of whom really have no idea who they are.

[elgenon]

In the past there always seemed to be some activity at Thapae. Not so much now. Is the Loy Krathong celebration, with days of parades and girls dancing and floats, still the best in the country? Not to mention the men's and women's "beauty" contests. Lots of fireworks too. Unfortunately I missed the last two years. I still think it is the best city in Thailand for music and artists in general.

I understand the logic behind banning the lanterns but they were beautiful.

[elgenon]

Com loy?

[ramrod711]

Happy Trails to you TBL. As for me, I'm staying in Thailand, I could be convinced to move from Chiang Mai but for a different reason than yours. I would go somewhere where there is less going on. I value peace and quiet.

[1FinickyOne]

From a self proclaimed beach lover, an inland mountain city does not sound like a good match... and for entertainment, it likely won't live up to a resort city... 

 

But truly, best of luck in your future... 

[duanebigsby]

So long Thaibeachlover. I admire people who decide to move home for  whatever reason and don't bitch and complain about it. Myself I'll stay until I'm unhappy or have health issues and I won't gripe.

Good on you!

[moontang]

agreed about the local government.  Extremely slack on some very basic things.  Worst garbage situation I have seen.  Selling and moving to the edge of B KK was a great move for me.  Laziness is the rule of the day in CM, and no accountability.  Royal Project is good, and some nice street food....not quite as hot as other areas, but a bad burning season makes that worthless.  There is better action under my local bridge than CM nightlife, without the trannys.

[Odysseus123]

Best of Luck TBL.

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed many of you posts.

 

Have a safe and pleasant journey back to your homeland.

 

 

[Fore Man]

We may be moving away too, after a decent 14 years here. But TBL is right...the fundamental infrastructure...not the fancy malls and highway projects that take far too long...seems to be slipping away into increased disrepair.  This in addition to a lackadaisical attitude to stop the field burning which has made the area nearly unlivable for two+ months every year.  All of this makes Chiang Mai appear to be a tad sleazy and uncaring about the environment they live within. The increasing urban sprawl, road congestion, selfish “me first” attitudes, total lack of concern for traffic law and dearth of parking have turned a once quaint mountain capital into a sort of tawdry backwater. Sad, that.  But we will always cherish the good times spent here and let the less savory aspects of late simply fade away.  

[hobobo]

All the best for the future thaibeachlovers. Hope you find excellent health care back home and that you'll soon be on the mend!

[JLCrab]

1 hour ago, Suradit69 said:

Wonder what prompts some people to announce their departure to an "audience" of people, 99% of whom really have no idea who they are.

... because maybe the 99% will be sympathetic with good intentions while the other 1% will be glad to see him go.

[weegee]

All the best, when you arrive back home...I have enjoyed the banter with you over the years.

AND DONT FORGET....send us an update once in a while.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Suradit69 said:

Wonder what prompts some people to announce their departure to an "audience" of people, 99% of whom really have no idea who they are.

Wonder what prompts some people to flame other people that they have no idea of.

 

Not that I have to justify myself to you, but I have come to know several people on the C M forum, and this was to say goodbye to them, and to comment on what was good, or not about C M. If that's a problem for you, don't stay on the thread. No one forced you to read it.

[thaibeachlovers]

6 minutes ago, weegee said:

All the best, when you arrive back home...I have enjoyed the banter with you over the years.

AND DONT FORGET....send us an update once in a while.

Update- it's cold, and I wish I was still in C M.

[weegee]

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Update- it's cold, and I wish I was still in C M.

Well....when your well enough to travel again....it's 32 here today AGAIN.....?

[cmsally]

12 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Update- it's cold, and I wish I was still in C M.

I thought last week was about 30c in some parts of UK! I guess the weather suddenly changed !!

[Lacessit]

Best wishes TBL. The health issues are what send many back to their home country. Have enjoyed the occasional banter with you.

[faraday]

24 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Update- it's cold, and I wish I was still in C M.

You gone back to blighty?

 

North or south?

 

[4MyEgo]

TBL my dad used to say to me, son, I have been where you are coming from, I suppose there is some truth to that in your situation, i.e. you having completed your journey of 30 years and me beginning mine of 3 years thus far.

 

Just remember, you like many of us here making our lives here in the LOS, had the balls to venture out, to come here for a better quality of life, you certainly did get a good innings IMO, while others were and are still slaving away in the production line knowing no different, with their heads in the sand doing the mudaine thing and calling it an existence, which you cannot compare to living here in LOS IMO. Gotta feel for them.

 

I hope your health condition/s sort themselves and the pension coming your way is enough to survive on, as for you now not living in a hot climate, well I sit here "sweating at you".

[BritManToo]

Good Luck, I agree with you about CM centre.

Just back after 2 years in the UK and it's not worth going into town any more.

(apart from a bit of shopping on the ring road)