Visiting Chiang Mai-advice

[boogie]

Hi Guys,

My wife and I, together with daughters 2 1/2 yrs and 6 months will be visiting CM for 5 days at the beginning of May. We will be staying at the Mae Ping Hotel and intend to rent a car and driver.

The purpose of the visit is to have a quick look at the area and see if we fancy living there in about 4 years time. We intend to visit a couple of schools , have a general look at housing and if we have time a bit of sight seeing. This will be my first visit to CM and although the wife has been before it was just a quick trip for a convention.

5 days isnt long so dont really want to waste time and was wondering if anyone could give any advice on where best to go to get a rough idea of what CM is about.

We still have a few years to go so dont want to get involved too deeply with real estate but would like to see what is available. We have a rough idea on prices both rent and sales, but would like to see what the different housing areas are like. At the moment our school of preference is Prem so we would probably want to be in that vicinity.

Also on just as an important note, bars ! Could you recommend any good ex-pat hangouts for getting a cold beer and maybe having a chat while I am there. Not too worried if the bar has "scenery" or not, but if it does I wont complain !

Would appreciate any input, thanks

[chanchao]

Car + driver: www.northwheels.com

Getting a feel for the housing market: Try any of the real estate agencies for a tour. Remember to make mental note about the actual prices being about a third to half of what they quote. You're only using them for a free overview yousee.

> any good ex-pat hangouts for getting a cold beer and maybe

> having a chat while I am there. Not too worried if the bar has

> "scenery" or not, but if it does I wont complain !

If you're American (or don't mind Americans) then try O'Malleys at the Anusarn food strip off the night bazar. Other options include The Pub on Huay Kaew, the Red Lion on Loi Kroh PAST the night bazar near Mc Donalds and many others.

Not sure what you mean with scenery.. The Riverside has good scenery.

Cheers,

Chanchao

[chuchok]

Car + driver: www.northwheels.com

Getting a feel for the housing market: Try any of the real estate agencies for a tour.  Remember to make mental note about the actual prices being about a third to half of what they quote. You're only using them for a free overview yousee.

> any good ex-pat hangouts for getting a cold beer and maybe

> having a chat while I am there. Not too worried if the bar has

> "scenery" or not, but if it does I wont complain !

If you're American (or don't mind Americans) then try O'Malleys at the Anusarn food strip off the night bazar.  Other options include The Pub on Huay Kaew, the Red Lion on Loi Kroh PAST the night bazar near Mc Donalds and many others.

Not sure what you mean with scenery..  The Riverside has good scenery.

Cheers,

Chanchao

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think he means shelias Chan.

[boogie]

Thanks Chanchao,

Actually I'm a Brit , but havent lived there for 23 years. Dont mind where anyone comes from would just be interesting to chat to someone who actually lives in CM.

Chuchok was quite correct I was actually refering to the two legged type of "scenery", but if the wife is in tow I might have to make do with the river !

Thanks again

Boogie

[AndyW]

Mad Dog on Moonmuang, nr Tapae Gate is one hangout for expats & is close to some of the more scenic bars, rumour has it....

[chuchok]

Mad Dog on Moonmuang, nr Tapae Gate is one hangout for  expats & is close to some of the more scenic bars, rumour has it....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or the UN Irish pub on Ratchawithi...but no "sights" to speak of.but they do have a great sattalite for all major sporting events.

[boogie]

Actually you've brought up something I hadnt thought of - sporting events, and watching English football, arrive on Sat the 30th April so providing I can stay awake should be someting worth watching. Thanks Chuchok forgot all about that . Just realised now that I will be in Chayiaphum for the Cup Final. No chance !

And thanks for the Mad Dog tip Andy, I take it thats a strong rumour

[chanchao]

> Just realised now that I will be in Chayiaphum

> for the Cup Final. No chance !

I don't think so... It'll be live on Thai TV, too, and Chayiaphum folks will be just as eager to see it (and bet on it) as you and me.

Ok you may be watching it in a late night rice soup restaurant depending on what time kick-off is, but you will be joined by loads of cheering Thais..

Should be cool for them too to have a real-life Brit there to watch it with.

Cheers,

Chanchao

[boogie]

Great,

Actually the rice soup restaurant scenario sounds quite good, if the rice whisky doesnt finish me before the game starts. I'll be there a couple of weeks before so should have time to suss out an appropriate location