Is Chiang Mai better than Pattaya in terms of gyms and fitness?

 

Do they have boxing gyms too where I could learn boxing or muay Thai for fitness?

 

Is accommodation cheaper than Pattaya or the same?

 

Is transport better

I don't want to stay too far away from shops etc 

 

What about cafes ,bookshops?

 

I'm not really into bars , nightlife etc 

 

Compare Pattaya vs Chiang mai for a month stay 

There’s nothing in cm, please don’t bother.

7 minutes ago, novacova said:

There’s nothing in cm, please don’t bother.

It's been a lot of years since I been there 

I remember there was bookshops , new age cafes , that kind of thing 20 years ago 

 

31 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Is Chiang Mai better than Pattaya in terms of gyms and fitness?

 

31 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

What about cafes ,bookshops?

deleted. 

Please go to Pattaya

 

Please

On 12/16/2025 at 9:42 AM, georgegeorgia said:

It's been a lot of years since I been there 

I remember there was bookshops , new age cafes , that kind of thing 20 years ago 

 

Everything has closed down - please don't come.  Pattaya is wonderful.

On 12/16/2025 at 9:42 AM, georgegeorgia said:

It's been a lot of years since I been there 

I remember there was bookshops , new age cafes , that kind of thing 20 years ago 

 

All closed,

It's horrible now.

Pattaya is much better.

On 12/16/2025 at 12:17 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Is Chiang Mai better than Pattaya in terms of gyms and fitness?

 

Do they have boxing gyms too where I could learn boxing or muay Thai for fitness?

 

Is accommodation cheaper than Pattaya or the same?

 

Is transport better

I don't want to stay too far away from shops etc 

 

What about cafes ,bookshops?

 

I'm not really into bars , nightlife etc 

 

Compare Pattaya vs Chiang mai for a month stay 

400 baht room

60 baht gym

Good book stores

 

No monkeys

Less ladyboys

 

 

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

400 baht room

60 baht gym

Good book stores

 

No monkeys

Less ladyboys

 

 

400 baht rooms?.

I guess no air conditioning 

 

I would love to go back to CM

3 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

400 baht rooms?.

I guess no air conditioning 

 

I would love to go back to CM

Air con at 400 baht. Pm if you want more details.

Forget all that.

If it's smoky season in Chiang Mai, go to Pattaya.

If not, go to Chiang Mai.

Transport is definitely better in Pattaya though. 

the fundamental change is that in pattaya, its 28-34 degree celsius all year around day and night,

while anywhere inland you will inevitably experience really cold weather, climate change or not

Chalk vs Cheese

CM is quiet, hippy like, cheaper than Patts but still not as cheap pre-Covid, smokey season imminent for 3 months (Feb-Apr), gyms are OK, can bicycle around easily enough, great Thai food, friendlier than Patts for sure.

On 12/16/2025 at 11:22 AM, Bill97 said:

Please go to Pattaya

 

Please

A floor mopper from OZ can't afford to go anywhere

9 minutes ago, still kicking said:

A floor mopper from OZ can't afford to go anywhere

Where do lottery winners like yourself go?

 

 

8 minutes ago, Airalee said:

Where do lottery winners like yourself go?

 

 

Not to LOS

5 hours ago, Airalee said:

Where do lottery winners like yourself go?

 

 

Dementia is a terrible disease 

What I found interesting in CM is that there are several Rehab Residential Centres in great Resort Settings. They all have Gyms and focus on fitness. I know some Fitness trainers who also work in other Gyms.

one or two rehabs used Kick Boxing as a therapy to help your people to take more responsibility and control of their lives, so upon leaving they can find a more healthier lifestyle and use of their dopamine!

 Also know of Thai Boxing Centres and a School run by an English well qualified owner.

They are Shops in the Pantip Plaza Mall which offers visas for training.

Lots of Bookshops but most western books tend to be secondhand!

Plenty of Yoga Schools, again I know someone who runs one.

Many healthy eating restaurants. CM is known as number 2 to Bangkok for Vegan and vegetarian food.

Many open air swimming pools, you can chill out for the day!

Tourists mainly Chinese compared to Pattaya, Russians.

Downside is the “ smoky season “ can be harmful to children and elderly. Hepa Filters are widely used and some cars have them too.

From my experience it’s way cheaper and friendly than Pattaya, where you’re hassled regularly on the beach for “viagra”, “ massage”, alcohol, and other harmful substances! You also have to pay a heavy price for renting a deck chair and often the toilets are a long way from the beach!

The only plus for me in Pats is the sea air and able to travel to other Islands.

But Krabi is similar in that way and have several boxing camps. Cheaper too, you should investigate that option?

Medical Services in CM is pricey, unless you’re Insured and under 70. But many Government hospitals, if you don’t mind long queues!

On 12/16/2025 at 10:22 AM, Bill97 said:

Please go to Pattaya

 

Please

Please go to CM

Please

Books: Wherever you are just get a kindle. You don't have to be tied in to buy overpriced ebooks from Amazon either. Plenty of sources for ebooks at much lower prices. Why be lugging around several hefty books when you can have 250+ on one lightweight small device. Yes you can get second hand books buyt they're usually pretty well worn and grubby. genuinely unhygienic.

2 hours ago, Chutney said:

Books: Wherever you are just get a kindle. You don't have to be tied in to buy overpriced ebooks from Amazon either. Plenty of sources for ebooks at much lower prices. Why be lugging around several hefty books when you can have 250+ on one lightweight small device. Yes you can get second hand books buyt they're usually pretty well worn and grubby. genuinely unhygienic.

Right, get an ebook. It’s much cheaper and easier than traveling the provinces.

<>

On 12/16/2025 at 9:17 AM, georgegeorgia said:

What about cafes ,bookshops?

 

I'm not really into bars , nightlife etc 

 

Compare Pattaya vs Chiang mai for a month stay 

 

Collecting physical books is a bad idea if you're moving around. No need for bookshops.

 

Cafes are everywhere. 

 

Chiang Mai may be over-rated unless you plan to cycle or hike in the surrounding hills. As far as I've gathered, it's proximity to those hills is the only thing that makes it attractive. Do you really want to spend all your time in cafes with a bunch of digital nomads?

 

Why not go to Phuket or Krabi where you are immersed in nature if you don't like bars? 

 

And forget the bookshops. Order books on Amazon when you get back home. 

 

 

 

 

The best thing about CM is that it does not have lots of the type of Expat as Pattaya seems to get a lot - you know what I mean - especially the younger testosterone full ones (and some older mungers/manthers).

 

Everything on your list is in CM - and getting around is easy if you have your own vehicle - taxis etc are a ripoff and baht buses only run a few routes.  Weather is far better - cool at night and not as humid and sticky as Pattaya. Much quieter and easier - better restaurants which are  a bit more 'up market' than most of the high sugar high fat western diet in Pattaya (although there are some great restaurants there too). 

 

But - the smoke in CM can be awful from Jan/Feb through to April/May on certain days - some days it is OK.  Take an air purifier with you or get one while there - helps sleeping a lot on those bad nights - depending on your accommodation (no issue in 4/5 star hotels).  The Thai Govt says they are going to 'fix' the smoke season, almost as much as they say they are going to stop the flooding in Pattaya, but they never do - despite TAT complaining that the smoke has reduced Chinese tourism a lot.  Have not been there for some years - could be better - unlikely.