Any Homestay In East Side Of Chiang Mai?

[Yunnie]

Hi

I'm at Payap taking Thai language classes. After debating if I wanted to stay in the dorm or apartment or something, I decided that doing a Homestay with a Thai family would be best if I wanted to work on my Thai.

I was wondering if anyone knows someone or any places that might be willing.

The place would have to have a wonderful Thai family that knows some English (incase I cant communicate something in Thai). If there is a non Thai family willing to let me stay and they are near a nice place that I can talk to Thai locals, That works as well.

I would need my own bedroom.

I would also need internet access. If the family doesnt have it and it doesnt cost much, The family and still get the internet and I will pay for it all.

I would also be willing to pay a stipend to the family for letting me stay.

I'm female. About mid 20's, and Asian. I would need to stay about 5 or 6 months. Till sometime in September.

What I worry about the most is transportation. Payap is pretty far. Its on the fringe of the city, off of the super highway near Carrefour on the east side. it would get very expensive if I were to take a red truck or tuktuk in every day.

[wynzlo]

Can't offer any suggestions for the homestay, but for transportation...

A. If you end up close to Payap, buy a cheap bicycle for maybe 1000-3000B

B. Red taxi should only be around 20B per trip - that really doesn't add up to much. Tuk-tuk would definitely be expensive.

C. Rent a motorbike. Seems you can find 2000B/month some places, but maybe even better if you wanted 5-6 months.

D. Buy a motorbike and sell it when you leave.

Edited February 9, 2010 by wynzlo

[gotlost]

"What I worry about the most is transportation. Payap is pretty far. Its on the fringe of the city, off of the super highway near Carrefour on the east side. it would get very expensive if I were to take a red truck or tuktuk in every day"

30 baht for a red bus is expensive?

[Yunnie]

30 baht adds up pretty quick everyday for 6 months when youre a college student on a limited budget. And since I'm here and have no job, I rather spend all that money on more important expenses.

Plus Payap's main campus is on the fringe of town. The red trucks dont like going all the way out there if youre getting on from close to the city so its more expensive.

[CPT]

Depending on where you are staying, it is rather unlikely to get to Payap for 20-35 baht. The campus is not exactly near the normal routes and you'll pay a premium if you don't work out some sort of daily service (I know people who have done this but not sure of the cost). Remember, the further you are from the city center, the more expensive the red pickups become regardless of the length of the journey. There are a fair number who aren't sure how to get to Payap and charge a premium because of that as well. If you don't have regular service worked out, even finding a red pickup could be something of a challenge.

Renting a motorbike is probably your best option if you are going to be here for a few months. It is not terribly expensive and gives you an opportunity to do some independent exploring. I can't really speak to the home stay.

[Yunnie]

If I rent a motorbike, would I need to get a Thai License or something? I only have an American License and didnt have time to make an International one before I left the US.

Although I'm a bit worried, I've never really drove a motorbike before. Messed around in Laos when I was like 14 but that was years ago and I only went a few yards. lol

Also any nice cheap places people know of for me to rent one?

[jdinasia]

If I rent a motorbike, would I need to get a Thai License or something? I only have an American License and didnt have time to make an International one before I left the US.

Although I'm a bit worried, I've never really drove a motorbike before. Messed around in Laos when I was like 14 but that was years ago and I only went a few yards. lol

Also any nice cheap places people know of for me to rent one?

If you are not a skilled and practiced rider then you should NOT ride here. You will need a motorcycle license.

You can rent a cheap apartment near Payap and if you are lucky you might even find a Thai Payap student to share with you, thus cutting your rent in half and giving you someone to speak Thai with and them someone to refine their English with.

[femi fan]

yeah, that's my thinking too, get an apartment near the 7/11 outside the main gates. It will be full of thais who you can practise speaking thai with for all hours. Mind you, i believe you'll need to enjoy noise too... but you'd make loads of friends living in such a place. Then there's all the little shops and so on where you'll need to speak too. Plus with living in one of those apartments, the students living there will speak a little bit of english if need be.

[MrBrad]

The International Driver's License costs only $15 and takes about 10 minutes at your local AAA (American Automobile Ass'n) store. No test is required; just fill out the form. The license is good for one year.

If you cannot get to AAA, you can print this form and send it with 2 photos, $15, and photocopies of your driver's license.

I would advise getting the Int'l License because without it you are subject to being fined 200 baht if the cops stop you. I know from personal experience.

[philliphn]

"What I worry about the most is transportation. Payap is pretty far. Its on the fringe of the city, off of the super highway near Carrefour on the east side. it would get very expensive if I were to take a red truck or tuktuk in every day"

30 baht for a red bus is expensive?

You are a little to quick to laugh at other people!

Not every one has as much as you do. For some one on a tight budget small expenses can add up to a significant amount.

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Yunnie,

If you are not in Chiang Mai yet, may we recommend you take an inexpensive lodging near Payup for the first several days or so, so you can have time to look around.

There may be resources at Payap which can help you locate temporary housing, or shared rooms with other students ? A bulletin board where students put up notices ?

Femi Fan's and JDInAsia's advice seemed very good, too.

The one caution I'd suggest, is be sure and visit the place you are going to rent/share/be-home-staying in and evaluate the noise level and activity at night.

Bicycling to Payap may be a very different thing depending on whether you are coming from the west of Payap ... meaning you have to get across the first ring road (SuperHighway), or whether you are coming from the east of Payap commuting west.

Good luck !

best, ~o37;