15 hours ago, TheAppletons said:

 

  I think that the Chiang Mai expat club no longer exists.

 

 

There web site is up.  Not sure if they are active though.  The website still shows links to outside groups which may still be around.
Ah-hah.  There Facebook page is still working.  Try here:  https://www.facebook.com/chiangmaiexpatsclub/

22 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

I'm surprised no one has complained 

Surely there hospital must fill up with respiratory issues?

What are expats doing to manage this ?

Breathe it and die. I tried wearing a mask a few times, but a real filter mask is too hot to wear walking around. The other option is sitting in your condo with one of those portable air filters (they don't work to well really) and just going out occassionally for food, etc. I work on the computer a lot so I'm mostly indoors.

6 minutes ago, connda said:

There web site is up.  Not sure if they are active though.  The website still shows links to outside groups which may still be around.
Ah-hah.  There Facebook page is still working.  Try here:  https://www.facebook.com/chiangmaiexpatsclub/

 

  I stand corrected.  The rumored demise of the CM Expat Club has been put to rest; apparently they were able to field a new board after every member of the previous board resigned.  

 

  "Our Expat Connection, the first one since our new Board was formed, was a bit more serious than normal as we felt it was important to let everyone know where we stood on moving the club forward, and what we’ve been working on in our very busy 4 weeks on the job."

 

https://chiangmaiexpatsclub.optin.com/newsletter/awlist6801548/MjgxOTc1OTA=/the-cec-newsletter-september-30-2025.htm

35 minutes ago, Mark1969 said:

Breathe it and die. I tried wearing a mask a few times, but a real filter mask is too hot to wear walking around. The other option is sitting in your condo with one of those portable air filters (they don't work to well really) and just going out occassionally for food, etc. I work on the computer a lot so I'm mostly indoors.

A lot of us just stay indoor with air filters running 24/7.  It sucks, but it comes with the territory.  Gotta admit last year was not as bad as most years.  It was significantly better.

12 minutes ago, Base32 said:

A lot of us just stay indoor with air filters running 24/7.  It sucks, but it comes with the territory.  Gotta admit last year was not as bad as most years.  It was significantly better.

Last year is when I moved. It was terrible, almost like being in a forest fire. You don't notice it unless you have some sort of view from your condo to see what kind of cloud you are actually in. Just walking down the street you don't notice it much visually. It's only for a couple months, but it's constant breathing it 24/7.

20 hours ago, Cameroni said:

If you like typhoons Vietnam is the best place. 

I disagree, if one like typhoons try the PI and if the storms are not enough for you they throw in an occasional strong earthquake.  But the scuba diving is absolutely some of the best in the world IMHO anyway.

9 minutes ago, Base32 said:

A lot of us just stay indoor with air filters running 24/7.  It sucks, but it comes with the territory.  Gotta admit last year was not as bad as most years.  It was significantly better.

well, I moved to CM 13 years ago as I was fed up with the traffic and pollution in BKK.  I love CM and a couple of years ago my daughter began college in BKK so while we leased a condo for her near the college, we had dogs so needed a house with a yard - a couple of stops from the major airport there.  I have had a 2.5micron meter for many years and have kept daily watch on that in CM as well as in BKK.  I noted that BKK had pollution higher than healthy much more often than CM.  Also, during the rainy season, I find CM seldom has unhealthy polluted air.  Our daughter was selected for the college exchange program and is now in Korea  so we moved back to CM a couple of months ago.  Where we live in CM is nowhere really close to the main city but I have been checking the pollution level and it has not reached the unhealthy level since we returned nor have we been flooded as we are away from Doi Suthep too.  The level in our house without any of the air purifiers on has not reached above 6 since we returned.  I know that once the forests dry out and fields too are set afire, the pollution levels will increase but then the air purifiers will keep the house pollution free and we will wear masks when doing outside visits.  As my career saw me living in foreign capitals for 35 years, and I was an avid runner doing daily training and participating in many road races, I was advised by visiting State Dept doctors to wear masks as most of those capital cities were heavily polluted (doctors mentioned a pack a day of smoking was effect on one's lungs.  Wearing the masks I guess helped as I was examined each tour (2-3 years) with chest rays and no problems at all.  I am now 79 and have no health problems whatsoever including 90-minutes per day exercising so will continue with the masks as it only seems to bother the non-wearers about whom I could care less as they complain about those of us that do wear masks in the pollution.   I am not a medical person so do not advise people on what they should do with their lives, and would appreciate those people not concern themselves with me and my life, but I do wish the best health and life to all.

9 minutes ago, Presnock said:

I have had a 2.5micron meter for many years and have kept daily watch on that in CM as well as in BKK.  I noted that BKK had pollution higher than healthy much more often than CM. 

Not from February to May that is for sure.  Burning time. Last year was the first year in many that Chaing Mai was not heavily polluted during that time.  

16 hours ago, TheAppletons said:

 

  I think that the Chiang Mai expat club no longer exists.

 

 

Still exist !

7 minutes ago, marin said:

Not from February to May that is for sure.  Burning time. Last year was the first year in many that Chaing Mai was not heavily polluted during that time.  

As I mentioned, once the rainy season ends and the fields and forests dry out the fires begin.  But BKK doesn't escape the pollution, one may have to maybe stay on an island somewhere to avoid it totally but almost all of S. Asia for sure still uses fire to clear land and is heavily polluted.

Move to a place that has things you enjoy, at a price you can afford. If you're an outdoor lover, Chiang Mai isn't going to be  a place you'll like, with all the smoke and air pollution. Why live in a place if you have to sty indoors most of the time? You can do that anywhere.

 

The only reason I would visit there is the hill tribes, so I'm going with what I've heard for years from many people before I moved here and over 7 years living here. It's a big city with big city things, so if you like a big city, you can move almost anywhere, because they have most everything a city person enjoys.

 

Thailand's beaches are nice, although they are being ruined by tourism, and will continue unless they would do something about it. That won't happen because it makes people money, even though it comes at a price.

 

Why Thailand anyway? What you can get here you can get most anywhere, although it's a little cheaper for some things. Some have mentioned Vietnam, and I liked it there when I visited in march, and would like to go back as there's a lot more to see. It also has beaches.

 

Why leave Australia? From what I hear, the beaches are nice, although you might not want to swim there, as there are a lot of sharks. The country is nice, if you watch out for snakes and spiders. The Great Barrier Reef is a world class fishing spot, if you like fishing. 

12 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Move to a place that has things you enjoy, at a price you can afford. If you're an outdoor lover, Chiang Mai isn't going to be  a place you'll like, with all the smoke and air pollution. Why live in a place if you have to sty indoors most of the time? You can do that anywhere.

 

The only reason I would visit there is the hill tribes, so I'm going with what I've heard for years from many people before I moved here and over 7 years living here. It's a big city with big city things, so if you like a big city, you can move almost anywhere, because they have most everything a city person enjoys.

 

Thailand's beaches are nice, although they are being ruined by tourism, and will continue unless they would do something about it. That won't happen because it makes people money, even though it comes at a price.

 

Why Thailand anyway? What you can get here you can get most anywhere, although it's a little cheaper for some things. Some have mentioned Vietnam, and I liked it there when I visited in march, and would like to go back as there's a lot more to see. It also has beaches.

 

Why leave Australia? From what I hear, the beaches are nice, although you might not want to swim there, as there are a lot of sharks. The country is nice, if you watch out for snakes and spiders. The Great Barrier Reef is a world class fishing spot, if you like fishing. 

Well if you are talking "nice" beaches, don't ignore the PI as they have over 7K islands and the waters are full of beautiful sealife.  In addition, unless doing deep deed dives, one doesn't need a wet/dry suit as the waters are tropical and to even top that, the waters there are as clear as drinking water.  I did over 500 dives there in many different areas, lots of sunken war vessels, outstanding sea life - one fellow diver, a mentioned that she got paid by National Geographic to dive in the red sea and take photos of the sea life but that she pays her own way to come dive in the Philippines as the sealife is much more interesting.  Plus a lot of golf courses too if that is what one likes to do too.

Just now, Presnock said:

Well if you are talking "nice" beaches, don't ignore the PI as they have over 7K islands and the waters are full of beautiful sealife.  In addition, unless doing deep deed dives, one doesn't need a wet/dry suit as the waters are tropical and to even top that, the waters there are as clear as drinking water.  I did over 500 dives there in many different areas, lots of sunken war vessels, outstanding sea life - one fellow diver, a mentioned that she got paid by National Geographic to dive in the red sea and take photos of the sea life but that she pays her own way to come dive in the Philippines as the sealife is much more interesting.  Plus a lot of golf courses too if that is what one likes to do too.

I'm moving back to Texas asap as I've had enough of tropical places as far as living. I chose Texas over Florida, even though I really liked Florida's fishing, as it has too many hurricanes. The same for the Philippines, which is why I wouldn't recommend them unless hurricanes weren't on their fear list, as English is readily spoken, the food is good, and the women can be pretty. They would definitely be on my bucket list if I wasn't this age.

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

I'm moving back to Texas asap as I've had enough of tropical places as far as living. I chose Texas over Florida, even though I really liked Florida's fishing, as it has too many hurricanes. The same for the Philippines, which is why I wouldn't recommend them unless hurricanes weren't on their fear list, as English is readily spoken, the food is good, and the women can be pretty. They would definitely be on my bucket list if I wasn't this age.

several times in the past, I spent a few months each time at Air Force expense in different areas of Texas.  Yeah I reallize it is big enough to have different weather throughout but I also have seen some of those storms up close, huge hail stones, and flooding too but in any case wish you the best of luck there.

3 minutes ago, Presnock said:

several times in the past, I spent a few months each time at Air Force expense in different areas of Texas.  Yeah I reallize it is big enough to have different weather throughout but I also have seen some of those storms up close, huge hail stones, and flooding too but in any case wish you the best of luck there.

Thanks. I lived there 32 years before here and moving here was a mistake, although my daughter came from it. It's hot there, but in the San Antonio are I've never seen any tornadoes and too far for hurricane damage besides rain. It doesn't rain for quite awhile sometimes then hell breaks loose, so flooding in river areas is a problem they need to adjust better for. I've seen some big hail at times, and heavy winds, but the Hill Country is pretty safe from most things. Northern Texas gets the tornadoes yearly as it's flatter, but where I lived I was less than 3 hours from any beach, and there are lakes everywhere, so it's home. 

1 hour ago, Presnock said:

I disagree, if one like typhoons try the PI and if the storms are not enough for you they throw in an occasional strong earthquake.  But the scuba diving is absolutely some of the best in the world IMHO anyway.

 

Yah, Phil is not even an option, Cebu, hit with two typhoons, now several earthquakes, in the space of 4 weeks.

 

Makes the odd rain rather a minor inconvenience.

Just now, Cameroni said:

 

Yah, Phil is not even an option, Cebu, hit with two typhoons, now several earthquakes, in the space of 4 weeks.

 

Makes the odd rain rather a minor inconvenience.

I agree and spent many months in Cebu City and the waters there too many years ago.  Yeah I have read that the PI gets about 20 named storms each year and I was there for an 8+ earthquake too, Pinatubo eruption as well as floods from storms.  At that time the embassy generator for emergency power was in the basement which flooded totally as the embassy sat right on the edge of the bay.  But I still loved my years there and it was my second choice when I retired - here was the number one Paradise for sure which has remained that way.

7 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Thanks. I lived there 32 years before here and moving here was a mistake, although my daughter came from it. It's hot there, but in the San Antonio are I've never seen any tornadoes and too far for hurricane damage besides rain. It doesn't rain for quite awhile sometimes then hell breaks loose, so flooding in river areas is a problem they need to adjust better for. I've seen some big hail at times, and heavy winds, but the Hill Country is pretty safe from most things. Northern Texas gets the tornadoes yearly as it's flatter, but where I lived I was less than 3 hours from any beach, and there are lakes everywhere, so it's home. 

Yeah I spent a few months in San Antonio plus several in San Angelo, and a couple of other US AF bases for different training.  In San Antonio, I went there for basic training - did not have to drill outside the entire time as the temperature was over a hundred and many days over 110 so we could only go to the swimming pool!  I am not joking really!  I did like Texas but some of the "goat ropers" as we called them did not appreciate us Non-Texans there for training and hanging with their attractive women.

4 minutes ago, Presnock said:

I agree and spent many months in Cebu City and the waters there too many years ago.  Yeah I have read that the PI gets about 20 named storms each year and I was there for an 8+ earthquake too, Pinatubo eruption as well as floods from storms.  At that time the embassy generator for emergency power was in the basement which flooded totally as the embassy sat right on the edge of the bay.  But I still loved my years there and it was my second choice when I retired - here was the number one Paradise for sure which has remained that way.

 

i totally agree, I've been to Cebu as well and love the place. I had one of the best pizzas of my life there in a tiny place that makes only pizzas in accordance with the Neapolitan rules, I dined in Abaca, the finest Mexican restaurant in Phil and played basketball with the locals. The people are great, you can live well there. But you would have to put up not just with typhoons, earthquakes, but also crazy traffic, overcrowding everywhere, extremely poor internet, scams, violence, dishonesty, thieving, total lack of consideration for neighbours in terms of karaoke noise pollution and party music (ok, the latter applies a little in Thailand), and rampant heart breaking poverty.

 

I'd say Thailand is the sweet spot., not perfect, but the sweet spot.

16 minutes ago, Presnock said:

Yeah I spent a few months in San Antonio plus several in San Angelo, and a couple of other US AF bases for different training.  In San Antonio, I went there for basic training - did not have to drill outside the entire time as the temperature was over a hundred and many days over 110 so we could only go to the swimming pool!  I am not joking really!  I did like Texas but some of the "goat ropers" as we called them did not appreciate us Non-Texans there for training and hanging with their attractive women.

I lived 5 miles from Randolph, and used to work out there weekly until 9-11 and they closed it to everyone besides military personnel. I remember it was 100 or more for over a month . I was born in New Jersey but moved there in 1985 as my mom was living there and I got tired of the too cold too long weather in New Jersey, although I do miss the 4 seasons among other things. I know quite a fer servicemen as they came into Academy where I worked and know all about what you said. I was an outsider awhile until I fir in, and all my kids born there say ya'll. Working out in the Randolph gym was rough, as they only had a large fan for circulation

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

Why leave Australia? From what I hear, the beaches are nice, although you might not want to swim there, as there are a lot of sharks. The country is nice, if you watch out for snakes and spiders. The Great Barrier Reef is a world class fishing spot, if you like fishing. 

That's an easy one. Thailand is cheaper. Although you pay for it.

Delete

Some are friendly, but not everybody.

 

 

6 hours ago, Presnock said:

so we moved back to CM a couple of months ago

just curious....

You got all choices....then why CM and not at the sea side far in the South (NOT Pattaya)?

On 10/3/2025 at 5:14 PM, Alpha84 said:

Mostly crusty old expat codgers up there on limited fixed incomes living on the cheap. And CM is as boring as it gets. If you find Pattaya boring then CM will elevate your boredom to levels beyond your imagination. Not to mention the burning season and months of the worst AQI in the world every year. You'd be better off to stay in Mopland Oz. But Have fun up there and do send us those postcards of joy.    

 

Recently I've seen more expats in CM than ever before. Not even close, feels like 10x more. Why are they coming then?

10 hours ago, Presnock said:

well, I moved to CM 13 years ago as I was fed up with the traffic and pollution in BKK.

 

That's funny because as a person who never lived in BKK I'm fed with the traffic in Chiang Mai, and it gets worse every year. People always say well it could be Bangkok! but that doesn't bring me much solace. 

10 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

you're an outdoor lover, Chiang Mai isn't going to be  a place you'll like, with all the smoke and air pollution. Why live in a place if you have to sty indoors most of the time? You can do that anywhere.

 

The only reason I would visit there is the hill tribes, so I'm going with what I've heard for years from many people before I moved here and over 7 years living here. It's a big city with big city things, so if you like a big city, you can move almost anywhere, because they have most everything a city person enjoys.

 

Thailand's beaches are nice, although they are being ruined by tourism, and will continue unless they would do something about it. That won't happen because it makes people money, even though it comes at a price.

 

Why Thailand anyway? What you can get here you can get most anywhere, although it's a little cheaper for some things. Some have mentioned Vietnam, and I liked it there when I visited in march, and would like to go back as there's a lot more to see. It also ha

CM is great outdoors for most of the year. Best walking city in Thailand. Its not a big city. Its way smaller than Bangkok. Its a great cafe city which is why IT guys like it.

9 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

I'm moving back to Texas asap as I've had enough of tropical places as far as living. I chose Texas over Florida, even though I really liked Florida's fishing, as it has too many hurricanes. The same for the Philippines, which is why I wouldn't recommend them unless hurricanes weren't on their fear list, as English is readily spoken, the food is good, and the women can be pretty. They would definitely be on my bucket list if I wasn't this age.

You have been telling us for 3 years you are moving.

10 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

and the women can be pretty. They would definitely be on my bucket list if I wasn't this age.

Have you tried the blue pill? I have found it does wonders for erections, to put it mildly. I'm just glad it eventually wore off or I would have to see the doctor.

10 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

just curious....

You got all choices....then why CM and not at the sea side far in the South (NOT Pattaya)?

Moved to CM and bought a house as we had a daughter and she needed a "quality" school which CM International is really great for that plus neither I nor my wife are beach folks.  We enjoy CM, easy enough to get around to any shopping necessary, abundance of restaurants.