Uttaradit Or Chiang Mai

[lincdales]

Hi,

I have only just discovered this forum and I am hoping to pick the brains of some of you ex pats.

At the end of December I am aiming to move to Thailand, from England, and marry a girl from Sukhothai. We are booked into the Friday hotel in Uttaradit.

Arrangements for the future are somewhat open ended at the moment since I have no experience of any provinces north of Bangkok. The love of my life is suggesting we stay at her home with her family but I am reluctant to do so before getting to know them.

I am toying with the idea of finding a rented house in Uttaradit for 6 months whilst I get to know the area, improve my Thai language skills, and meet the family.

After this I will decide if we settle in the area or move on to Chaing Mai. My girl, for the moment, is prepared to go along with whatever I decide. I would appreciate any information you can give me regarding Uttaradit. I should point out that I will not be working and I play a lot of golf. I am particularly interested to find out if there is a reasonable number of farang in the area with whome I can socialise. I will need to do a visa run from Uttaradit unless we marry within the three month period, and would be interested to learn from any expat in the area about this aspect.

Thanking you in anticipation.

[Loaded]

If you have never lived in Thailand before and you move straight Uttradit on your own with your gf, then within just 2 months you'll either be an alcoholic, suicidal or be manically depressed.

Come to Chiang Mai because the large expat population will smooth your transition. Live in Chiang Mai without marrying the 'love of your life' and see if you can live together and whether her expectations of the relationship match yours.

If you tell us where/how you met your girl, I'm sure you'll be able to receive better advice.

[Blinky Bill]

Agree with Lowdead.

Uttaradit has very little to offer. Probably only 1 golf course belonging to the Military there. You can expect the weather there to be much hotter than Chiang Mai during the hot season.

Worst of all, there is no Duke's, Miguel's, Stephano's, Maddog, Un Irish Pub, Red Lion, O'Malley's, No. 1 Bar, etc., etc., etc.. in Uttaradit.

How could you ever think of living in Thailand when you can't eat hamburgers, pizzas, pasta, etc., etc., etc.?

[Ulysses G.]

Blinky Bill does not even visit Uttaradit every few months like he does Chiang Mai for TV pissups, so there is nothing to look forward to there except visiting Chiang Mai when Blinky does.

[keo]

I worked in Uttaradit for a few months last year (tuesday - friday), and lets just say I was always happy to return to Chiang Mai on the friday!

Not much happening there from what I could see. Not many foreigners, and it was hot as hel_l.

I don't doubt there are foreigners living happily there, but for me Chiang Mai beats it hands down.

[Mapguy]

Acapulco is actually pretty nice if a bit overdone.

Basically, you sound like a guy who is crusin' for a brusin'!

[lannarebirth]

I would rank Chiang Mai far above Uttaradit as place to live. Uttaradit compares extremely favorably to Chernobyl though.

[MikeandDow]

I would rank Chiang Mai far above Uttaradit as place to live. Uttaradit compares extremely favorably to Chernobyl though.

this lot dont know anything about Uttaradit I have lived there for over a year and still do yes there are several bars in Uttaradit 2 golf courses, plenty to see and do. the locals are very friendly treat you with respect will not rip you off unlike chiang mia, the expat's they are a few which is the way I like it dont like the overrun tourist places like those up north.

[Loaded]

I would rank Chiang Mai far above Uttaradit as place to live. Uttaradit compares extremely favorably to Chernobyl though.

this lot dont know anything about Uttaradit I have lived there for over a year and still do yes there are several bars in Uttaradit 2 golf courses, plenty to see and do. the locals are very friendly treat you with respect will not rip you off unlike chiang mia, the expat's they are a few which is the way I like it dont like the overrun tourist places like those up north.

Not my experience in Chiang Mai. I think if you hang around slapper bars, the experience may match yours.

[Boksida]

I would rank Chiang Mai far above Uttaradit as place to live. Uttaradit compares extremely favorably to Chernobyl though.

this lot dont know anything about Uttaradit I have lived there for over a year and still do yes there are several bars in Uttaradit 2 golf courses, plenty to see and do. the locals are very friendly treat you with respect will not rip you off unlike chiang mia, the expat's they are a few which is the way I like it dont like the overrun tourist places like those up north.

I've worked in at least 50 provinces in Thailand. The places where I had the most problems with sustained and aggressive robbery attempts were Uttaradit, Sukhothai and Phitsanulok (in that order). None of the work sites were in an Amphur Muang however.

[lincdales]

If you have never lived in Thailand before and you move straight Uttradit on your own with your gf, then within just 2 months you'll either be an alcoholic, suicidal or be manically depressed.

Come to Chiang Mai because the large expat population will smooth your transition. Live in Chiang Mai without marrying the 'love of your life' and see if you can live together and whether her expectations of the relationship match yours.

If you tell us where/how you met your girl, I'm sure you'll be able to receive better advice.

Thanks for your comments, although I'm not sure where/how I met my girl is relevant. If I read between the lines correctly, no it wasn't in a bar. Actually she is a very inteligent woman with a highly responsible job in government. Her parents are fairly well off by Thai standards and father is a very well respected member of the local community. I guess she would hold her own fairly well in any type of company.

I am aware of the large expat population in Chiang Mai and, if Utteradit does become too boring, that is where I shall be heading for. In the main I am not one for too much night life, what attracts me to Thai time and time again is the weather, culture and the people, not to mention golf. I guess I am going to have to experience Uttaradit before coming to a final decision and that is why we are going for a 6 month period there.

My experience of the forums I have been a member of in the past is that the ones who have settled down and happy with their lot are reluctant to speak about it. Which is a shame really since most of the feedback tends to be negative.

That is not to say that your comments are unwelcome. I take on board EVERYTHING and judge from what I read.

[Loaded]

If you have never lived in Thailand before and you move straight Uttradit on your own with your gf, then within just 2 months you'll either be an alcoholic, suicidal or be manically depressed.

Come to Chiang Mai because the large expat population will smooth your transition. Live in Chiang Mai without marrying the 'love of your life' and see if you can live together and whether her expectations of the relationship match yours.

If you tell us where/how you met your girl, I'm sure you'll be able to receive better advice.

Thanks for your comments, although I'm not sure where/how I met my girl is relevant. If I read between the lines correctly, no it wasn't in a bar. Actually she is a very inteligent woman with a highly responsible job in government. Her parents are fairly well off by Thai standards and father is a very well respected member of the local community. I guess she would hold her own fairly well in any type of company.

I am aware of the large expat population in Chiang Mai and, if Utteradit does become too boring, that is where I shall be heading for. In the main I am not one for too much night life, what attracts me to Thai time and time again is the weather, culture and the people, not to mention golf. I guess I am going to have to experience Uttaradit before coming to a final decision and that is why we are going for a 6 month period there.

My experience of the forums I have been a member of in the past is that the ones who have settled down and happy with their lot are reluctant to speak about it. Which is a shame really since most of the feedback tends to be negative.

That is not to say that your comments are unwelcome. I take on board EVERYTHING and judge from what I read.

It's very relevant mate. I asked because you came on to a forum asking for advice. I'm sure your gf and her family are lovely and you will be very happy in Uttaradit. Just one question though: what will you be doing when she's at work?

[lincdales]

If you have never lived in Thailand before and you move straight Uttradit on your own with your gf, then within just 2 months you'll either be an alcoholic, suicidal or be manically depressed.

Come to Chiang Mai because the large expat population will smooth your transition. Live in Chiang Mai without marrying the 'love of your life' and see if you can live together and whether her expectations of the relationship match yours.

If you tell us where/how you met your girl, I'm sure you'll be able to receive better advice.

Thanks for your comments, although I'm not sure where/how I met my girl is relevant. If I read between the lines correctly, no it wasn't in a bar. Actually she is a very inteligent woman with a highly responsible job in government. Her parents are fairly well off by Thai standards and father is a very well respected member of the local community. I guess she would hold her own fairly well in any type of company.

I am aware of the large expat population in Chiang Mai and, if Utteradit does become too boring, that is where I shall be heading for. In the main I am not one for too much night life, what attracts me to Thai time and time again is the weather, culture and the people, not to mention golf. I guess I am going to have to experience Uttaradit before coming to a final decision and that is why we are going for a 6 month period there.

My experience of the forums I have been a member of in the past is that the ones who have settled down and happy with their lot are reluctant to speak about it. Which is a shame really since most of the feedback tends to be negative.

That is not to say that your comments are unwelcome. I take on board EVERYTHING and judge from what I read.

It's very relevant mate. I asked because you came on to a forum asking for advice. I'm sure your gf and her family are lovely and you will be very happy in Uttaradit. Just one question though: what will you be doing when she's at work?

I guess not much different to what I am doing in the UK except that it would be in a better climate where income stretches further. Golfing and fishing are my interests and I understand that such is available within reasonable distance of Uttaradit. Bars and night life are not my bag.

Actually there would be no economical reason why she SHOULD work. This will be up to her.

The original reason for my post ( although I realise it was in the wrong sector) was to draw information about Uttaradit. This has come my way in abundance by way of PM's and I am most grateful for the useful information

[SiamPower]

sorry for my english, but i hope you understand it, what i mean.

I think Uttaradit is a nice little Town. I Like it, because we have many Friends there.

My Tip: beginn Thailand with Chiang Mai, when you want relaxe and dont want see to much Farang come to uttaradit.

When you want to go out in Uttaradit, then you can go eating in the Tree House restauarant. In the Disco you can go in the Crystal Palm, and Karaoke in Friday Karaoke Club. But i think, when you stay in Uttaradit you need a Car.

I'm going to Si Nakhon (near) Uttaradit there in End of March/April. I think is stay 4 weeks there

bye

SiamPower

[uptoyoumyfriend]

definitely uttaradith. that place is hummin.

[Ulysses G.]

I've lived in Chiang Mai for 20 years, but I can't even imagine how boring living in Uttaradit would be.

This fellow seems to think it would be little different from England, but with a "better climate". Somebody has a surprise coming!

[CHARLES1949]

Hi,

I have only just discovered this forum and I am hoping to pick the brains of some of you ex pats.

At the end of December I am aiming to move to Thailand, from England, and marry a girl from Sukhothai. We are booked into the Friday hotel in Uttaradit.

Arrangements for the future are somewhat open ended at the moment since I have no experience of any provinces north of Bangkok. The love of my life is suggesting we stay at her home with her family but I am reluctant to do so before getting to know them.

I am toying with the idea of finding a rented house in Uttaradit for 6 months whilst I get to know the area, improve my Thai language skills, and meet the family.

After this I will decide if we settle in the area or move on to Chaing Mai. My girl, for the moment, is prepared to go along with whatever I decide. I would appreciate any information you can give me regarding Uttaradit. I should point out that I will not be working and I play a lot of golf. I am particularly interested to find out if there is a reasonable number of farang in the area with whome I can socialise. I will need to do a visa run from Uttaradit unless we marry within the three month period, and would be interested to learn from any expat in the area about this aspect.

Thanking you in anticipation.

do not move to her village when you first arrive.....rent a place in chiang mai and visit her family often before you decide you want to live there or not....there are a lot of farangs in chiang mai....you will not have a problem finding a place to play golf in or near chiang mai... good luck

[satiariyan]

I think Uttaradit is a nice little Town. I Like it, because we have many Friends there.

My Tip: beginn Thailand with Chiang Mai, when you want relaxe and dont want see to much Farang come to uttaradit.

When you want to go out in Uttaradit, then you can go eating in the Tree House restauarant. In the Disco you can go in the Crystal Palm, and Karaoke in Friday Karaoke Club....

The most sensible reply in this thread sofar ...

To the OP: Certainly and by all means, do take it stepwise. If you've never lived in Thailand, do start op by going for a place with a lot of other foreigners and a lot of businesses catering to foreigners like Chiang Mai. However, take it as an acclimatisation requisite. In case you're in a sort of retiring-from-the-world mood, take care that Chiang Mai's farang-ghetto moobaans, burger bars, soap massage parleurs, and beer bars don't become the only thing you can manage to have an opinion about and your last stop before the grave as it clearly has become for so many regular posters on this board.

Can't help about Uttaradit in particular - however, after 4 years in Chiang Mai, I have very little doubt that relocating to some other little town with a smaller or maybe even absent farang community can't be but an improvement.

[satiariyan]

I think Uttaradit is a nice little Town. I Like it, because we have many Friends there.

My Tip: beginn Thailand with Chiang Mai, when you want relaxe and dont want see to much Farang come to uttaradit.

When you want to go out in Uttaradit, then you can go eating in the Tree House restauarant. In the Disco you can go in the Crystal Palm, and Karaoke in Friday Karaoke Club....

The most sensible reply in this thread sofar ...

To the OP: Certainly and by all means, do take it stepwise. If you've never lived in Thailand, do start op by going for a place with a lot of other foreigners and a lot of businesses catering to foreigners like Chiang Mai. However, take it as an acclimatisation requisite. In case you're in a sort of retiring-from-the-world-but-still-fit-for-challenge mood, take care that Chiang Mai's farang-ghetto moobaans, burger bars, soap massage parleurs, and beer bars don't become the only thing you can manage to have an opinion about and your last stop before the grave as it clearly has become for so many regular posters on this board.

Can't help about Uttaradit in particular - however, after 4 years in Chiang Mai, I have very little doubt that relocating to some other little town with a smaller or maybe even absent farang community can't be but an improvement.

[Ulysses G.]

Can't help about Uttaradit in particular - however, after 4 years in Chiang Mai, I have very little doubt that relocating to some other little town with a smaller or maybe even absent farang community can't be but an improvement.

Give Uttaradit a try. You might be reminded that Chiang Mai has its charms!

[noise]

At the end of December I am aiming to move to Thailand.... and marry a girl from Sukhothai. ....The love of my life is suggesting we stay at her home with her family but I am reluctant to do so before getting to know them ...."

No matter what your ages, I agree with your hesitation to live with her parents. No newly weds should ever live with family if they can help it; it makes the adjustment just that much harder.

Your subsequent postings implied you are retired but your fiance may or may not continue working after your marriage. You might want to settle that before you decide where to try living as my experience says Thais, specially the women, after a certain age, can not easily move to another city and get the same level of job. Even when they work for a company that has an office in the new city, if the company does not initiate the move they do not seem to be interested in trying to find a position for employee. Food for thought?

[Blinky Bill]

At the end of December I am aiming to move to Thailand.... and marry a girl from Sukhothai. ....The love of my life is suggesting we stay at her home with her family but I am reluctant to do so before getting to know them ...."

No matter what your ages, I agree with your hesitation to live with her parents. No newly weds should ever live with family if they can help it; it makes the adjustment just that much harder.

Your subsequent postings implied you are retired but your fiance may or may not continue working after your marriage. You might want to settle that before you decide where to try living as my experience says Thais, specially the women, after a certain age, can not easily move to another city and get the same level of job. Even when they work for a company that has an office in the new city, if the company does not initiate the move they do not seem to be interested in trying to find a position for employee. Food for thought?

I haven't been in there for a long time but for many years all the staff at Linda Bar on Loi Kroh came from Sukhothai, they seemed to have no problem relocating and probably earning more than they ever did back in their home town.

[noise]

I haven't been in there for a long time but for many years all the staff at Linda Bar on Loi Kroh came from Sukhothai, they seemed to have no problem relocating and probably earning more than they ever did back in their home town.

lincdales said, "Actually she is a very inteligent woman with a highly responsible job in government. " So I assumed she would want a similar job and not just to work in the service industry. Regardless of the type of job, my experience says if you want to work at your current level or higher, getting hired almost always determines where you live. So if she wants to work after marriage, I would recommend keeping her current job or finding a new one before deciding where to live.

I think a retiree could make friends and play golf anywhere.

[lincdales]

Hi,

I’ve been itching to respond to the various replies to my original post for some time, but held off until I have had some time under my belt. I can almost hear some say ‘’ he’s only been here 5 minutes and thinks he knows it all’’ Not true, I accept I have much to learn but am trying very hard.

In the very early stages I read a great deal on three forums and the underlying trend was of cynicism and negativity with a great emphasis on the money grabbing ways of the average Tai girl. This didn’t help our relationship very much at the beginning because I found myself analysing everything my girlfriend/fiancé/wife was saying and doing. Any discussion regarding money was treated with great suspicion, and I was questioning many of her motives. One of my wife’s overriding ambitions is to be very rich, she makes no bones about it, and I had to wonder if it was to be achieved at my expense. Fortunately she is an excellent diplomat and was able to rise above it; otherwise our relationship could have been doomed before it got started.

I am pleased to say that I had no cause to worry. Although not static her average income exceeds mine and our capital assets are very similar. I was wrong in my original post about her work, she is actually a free lancer working for several contractors who contract to local government (does that make sense!?)I have suggested that maybe she stop working and spend more time with me but she is reluctant to do so, although she has reduced her working hours and delegates more than she used to. The cost of building the house, together with furnishing, is being shared equally between us.

I have settled down very well inUttaradit since I feel it would have been criminal to take her away from her friends, family and work mates. I am studying the Tai reading, writing and speaking with a vengeance, and playing regularly at the army golf course when she is working, which answers the question from Loaded.

Ulysses.G. Yes I did anticipate taking up from when I left the UK and, by and large that is the case. Before my wife died of the big C I was well looked after by a very dutiful lady, I played a lot of golf, did a mass of reading and otherwise led a fairly quiet domesticated life. Life is very similar here. I do get well looked after, I do play golf and I do read a lot. The difference is that I have a much younger wife and my friends speak a foreign language. The first difference is a great asset and the second is slowly being overcome. Of course there are disadvantages. I miss the camaraderie of my friends back in my old golf club. After a game of golf I am soaked in sweat. The Tai food is taking some getting used to. There are very few farang here so I HAVE to learn the language and I find it a difficult language to learn. The Tai T.V. programmes are absolutely appalling. The soaps are watched from 8.30 to 10.30 each evening and I am sure that the choreographers would be unemployed in the UK. Fortunately this will be overcome in the new house since we have one room which has been designated for me ( even thebuilder refers to it as ''Chris's room'')where I can have some peace (they DO like crowds around them) and watch programmes in English.

Uttaradit, I agree, is a quiet town, but that suits me, and we travel to Phitsanalok regularly for the big shop, maybe Cinema or bowls. There are very few farang although I do meet one occasionally for a drink. My wife and I often visit the farang restaurants New York or Swiss Gardens, so I can still get a good steak now and again. It would be good to meet up with one or two English speaking farang in the area, who play golf, but by and large I am very happy and life here is much, much better than the one I left behind in the UK

[Blinky Bill]

Glad to hear you've settled in and enjoying life there, lincdales.

Without wanting to sound overly critical the country is Thailand inhabited by Thais who speak Thai, not Tai.

[lincdales]

Glad to hear you've settled in and enjoying life there, lincdales.

Without wanting to sound overly critical the country is Thailand inhabited by Thais who speak Thai, not Tai.

I stand corrected

[IanForbes]

If you haven't already done so, take a trip to the big Sirikut reservoir. It has reasonable fishing if you own a boat. It's less than an hour drive from Uttaradit. There is also a golf course down stream from the dam at the bridge crossing. I've got lots of pictures of the area if you are interested.

[lincdales]

If you haven't already done so, take a trip to the big Sirikut reservoir. It has reasonable fishing if you own a boat. It's less than an hour drive from Uttaradit. There is also a golf course down stream from the dam at the bridge crossing. I've got lots of pictures of the area if you are interested.

Yes, been there several times for meal. Good views and fresh air. Don't have a boat so not tried fishing. Had a look at the golf course but couldn't find any english speakers there, so a bit daunting to try a game alone without guidance.

[uptheos]

Glad to hear you've settled in and enjoying life there, lincdales.

Without wanting to sound overly critical the country is Thailand inhabited by Thais who speak Thai, not Tai.

I do understand the logic BB........from a English-Thai Dictionary......

Thailand (Noun) ประเทศไทย bprà-têt tai

Thailand (Noun) ไทย tai

PS. Glad you've settled - good luck for the future.

Edited to make it readable

Edited September 3, 2009 by uptheos

[lincdales]

Glad to hear you've settled in and enjoying life there, lincdales.

Without wanting to sound overly critical the country is Thailand inhabited by Thais who speak Thai, not Tai.

I do understand the logic BB........from a English-Thai Dictionary......

Thailand (Noun) ประเทศไทย bprà-têt tai

Thailand (Noun) ไทย tai

PS. Glad you've settled - good luck for the future.

Edited to make it readable

True. I've recently started to study the THAI writing and the word literally translates as taiy. However, I admit I was wrong in spelling it out as TAI