Parking In Chiang Rai Town

[DonaldBattles]

As there is never any place to park in the business district in town it discourages people from going there. Last Saturday morning 09:00 I had to go to the pump store near the old bus station. There were 7 trucks double parked outside trying to buy things. I feel that the merchants and their employees park their vehicles in front of their stores thereby no one else can par.

Truly this is the business of the government to allow this to happen. Do they want to run all of the stores out of town where people can park and shop. Moving the Province Main office out of town was a good move except I can't buy hardware there.

Do you have this experience?

Don

[skybluestu]

Very true Don, parking in town is very hard. You can always park in the hotel car park behind Edison, Wangcomm I think, but have to pay 20baht for the privilege. There is only one place I can always find a free space to park anywhere around that area and that is on the road leading up to the Jed Yod Temple, if on the main high street turn right at the TMB bank and there is usually a few spaces there and only a short walk to the main shopping area.

Another option would be to have a coffee first and park at Doi Chaang.

[villagefarang]

So that is why it is so hard to get a parking space at Doi Chaang.

Sure parking is far from abundant but I'm not convinced that blaming the government will do much but raise one's blood pressure. Other than tearing down the old bus station and turning it into a parking lot, I'm not sure what can be done. Even then, they would not be able to let people park there for free. That real estate is just too central, thus valuable.

The merchants don't seem too worried about it and they are apparently still making a living, so I wouldn't expect much from them either.

We either park at the Wangcome or I stay in the truck while my wife runs errands. I go around the block or end up in the bus lot with the air on.

Edited July 8, 2010 by villagefarang

[gotlost]

Hel-l this is normal parking practice all over Thailand. Get with it. It is not going to change.

[skybluestu]

So that is why it is so hard to get a parking space at Doi Chaang.

Sure parking is far from abundant but I'm not convinced that blaming the government will do much but raise one's blood pressure. Other than tearing down the old bus station and turning it into a parking lot, I'm not sure what can be done. Even then, they would not be able to let people park there for free. That real estate is just too central, thus valuable.

The merchants don't seem too worried about it and they are apparently still making a living, so I wouldn't expect much from them either.

We either park at the Wangcome or I stay in the truck while my wife runs errands. I go around the block or end up in the bus lot with the air on.

There's no parking at Doi Chaang because people know it's a regular haunt of VF and they are there hoping to get a glimpse of The Rai's very own superstar on his new steed or, better still, be lucky enough to be approached with one of his one-liners

[villagefarang]

So that is why it is so hard to get a parking space at Doi Chaang.

Sure parking is far from abundant but I'm not convinced that blaming the government will do much but raise one's blood pressure. Other than tearing down the old bus station and turning it into a parking lot, I'm not sure what can be done. Even then, they would not be able to let people park there for free. That real estate is just too central, thus valuable.

The merchants don't seem too worried about it and they are apparently still making a living, so I wouldn't expect much from them either.

We either park at the Wangcome or I stay in the truck while my wife runs errands. I go around the block or end up in the bus lot with the air on.

There's no parking at Doi Chaang because people know it's a regular haunt of VF and they are there hoping to get a glimpse of The Rai's very own superstar on his new steed or, better still, be lucky enough to be approached with one of his one-liners

Things have been pretty sleepy here on the forum the last couple of day, so thanks for turning into a poster instead of just a reader today. I guess I owe you a coffee for calling me a superstar.

If no one posts there will be nothing to read so please pitch in guys. It can be hard for the handful of regulars to continually come up with stuff for everyone else to read.

Comment, or better yet, come up with a topic once or twice a month. Every little bit helps. I don't suspect Don will mind us highjacking his topic, as her never returns or follows up on what he posts.

[skybluestu]

So that is why it is so hard to get a parking space at Doi Chaang.

Sure parking is far from abundant but I'm not convinced that blaming the government will do much but raise one's blood pressure. Other than tearing down the old bus station and turning it into a parking lot, I'm not sure what can be done. Even then, they would not be able to let people park there for free. That real estate is just too central, thus valuable.

The merchants don't seem too worried about it and they are apparently still making a living, so I wouldn't expect much from them either.

We either park at the Wangcome or I stay in the truck while my wife runs errands. I go around the block or end up in the bus lot with the air on.

There's no parking at Doi Chaang because people know it's a regular haunt of VF and they are there hoping to get a glimpse of The Rai's very own superstar on his new steed or, better still, be lucky enough to be approached with one of his one-liners

Things have been pretty sleepy here on the forum the last couple of day, so thanks for turning into a poster instead of just a reader today. I guess I owe you a coffee for calling me a superstar.

If no one posts there will be nothing to read so please pitch in guys. It can be hard for the handful of regulars to continually come up with stuff for everyone else to read.

Comment, or better yet, come up with a topic once or twice a month. Every little bit helps. I don't suspect Don will mind us highjacking his topic, as her never returns or follows up on what he posts.

I like your style VF, hopefully the reverse psychology technique will work and Don will make you eat your words. Only a coffee?! I was hoping you'd let me borrow the ninja for a weekend!

[dindong]

So that is why it is so hard to get a parking space at Doi Chaang.

Sure parking is far from abundant but I'm not convinced that blaming the government will do much but raise one's blood pressure. Other than tearing down the old bus station and turning it into a parking lot, I'm not sure what can be done. Even then, they would not be able to let people park there for free. That real estate is just too central, thus valuable.

The merchants don't seem too worried about it and they are apparently still making a living, so I wouldn't expect much from them either.

We either park at the Wangcome or I stay in the truck while my wife runs errands. I go around the block or end up in the bus lot with the air on.

There's no parking at Doi Chaang because people know it's a regular haunt of VF and they are there hoping to get a glimpse of The Rai's very own superstar on his new steed or, better still, be lucky enough to be approached with one of his one-liners

Things have been pretty sleepy here on the forum the last couple of day, so thanks for turning into a poster instead of just a reader today. I guess I owe you a coffee for calling me a superstar.

If no one posts there will be nothing to read so please pitch in guys. It can be hard for the handful of regulars to continually come up with stuff for everyone else to read.

Comment, or better yet, come up with a topic once or twice a month. Every little bit helps. I don't suspect Don will mind us highjacking his topic, as her never returns or follows up on what he posts.

I like your style VF, hopefully the reverse psychology technique will work and Don will make you eat your words. Only a coffee?! I was hoping you'd let me borrow the ninja for a weekend!

[dindong]

Actually most of the businesses in town do provide parking.

Unfortunitly they provide it for 90% of their customers who are motorcyclists and us car owners are left with driving around town 20 times trying to park.

I do begrudge giving money to the Wangcom hotel, who somehow have a claim on the all the parking in the middle of the town.

They also own the roads on both sides of Edisons and all the surrounding roads.

There is some parking on the highway side of the busstation and I often pay my 20 baht to the temple near to the Tessaban market.

Even the first church have stopped people parking for the walking street event.

I don't mind the walking but the heat is unbearable.

[sceadugenga]

I usually pay my 20B at the WangCome or there is a large parking lot, also 20B, opposite the southern entrance of the market.

I often get a free park near the new clocktower where a small industrious lady demands 4B. I find the parking situation better than the central area of many Australian cities where car parks and meters can be expensive.

[villagefarang]

So that is why it is so hard to get a parking space at Doi Chaang.

Sure parking is far from abundant but I'm not convinced that blaming the government will do much but raise one's blood pressure. Other than tearing down the old bus station and turning it into a parking lot, I'm not sure what can be done. Even then, they would not be able to let people park there for free. That real estate is just too central, thus valuable.

The merchants don't seem too worried about it and they are apparently still making a living, so I wouldn't expect much from them either.

We either park at the Wangcome or I stay in the truck while my wife runs errands. I go around the block or end up in the bus lot with the air on.

There's no parking at Doi Chaang because people know it's a regular haunt of VF and they are there hoping to get a glimpse of The Rai's very own superstar on his new steed or, better still, be lucky enough to be approached with one of his one-liners

Things have been pretty sleepy here on the forum the last couple of day, so thanks for turning into a poster instead of just a reader today. I guess I owe you a coffee for calling me a superstar.

If no one posts there will be nothing to read so please pitch in guys. It can be hard for the handful of regulars to continually come up with stuff for everyone else to read.

Comment, or better yet, come up with a topic once or twice a month. Every little bit helps. I don't suspect Don will mind us highjacking his topic, as her never returns or follows up on what he posts.

I like your style VF, hopefully the reverse psychology technique will work and Don will make you eat your words. Only a coffee?! I was hoping you'd let me borrow the ninja for a weekend!

So far, my words are no where near my plate.

I have always suspected there were dreamers in our midst. Some dream bigger than others and dreaming of a weekend with another man's 'mia noi' rates as being well up there.

[bifftastic]

Ok, I'll chip in. 20 baht? that's about 45 pence, last time I used a car park in Central London it cost me £9,00..... an hour!

Park in the wrong place or mis-read the signs...£60, appeal the ticket and 6 months later they clamp your car and demand £600 to release it after it's gone to court (without you knowing about it) and ended up with the bailiffs.

I got so pissed off with it all I got rid of the car altogether. Speed cameras, average speed cameras, CCTV cameras that generate parking tickets that pop through your door, Parking Wardens on quotas that write your ticket and throw it down the drain so you get the £120 version 3 weeks later in the post...etc. etc.

I know it's a pain to park in CR city sometimes, I did a couple of laps trying to find somewhere when I was there in May but, 20 baht is, in the grand scheme of things, pretty good, doncha fink?

[jubby]

Ok, I'll chip in. 20 baht? that's about 45 pence, last time I used a car park in Central London it cost me £9,00..... an hour!

Park in the wrong place or mis-read the signs...£60, appeal the ticket and 6 months later they clamp your car and demand £600 to release it after it's gone to court (without you knowing about it) and ended up with the bailiffs.

I got so pissed off with it all I got rid of the car altogether. Speed cameras, average speed cameras, CCTV cameras that generate parking tickets that pop through your door, Parking Wardens on quotas that write your ticket and throw it down the drain so you get the £120 version 3 weeks later in the post...etc. etc.

I know it's a pain to park in CR city sometimes, I did a couple of laps trying to find somewhere when I was there in May but, 20 baht is, in the grand scheme of things, pretty good, doncha fink?

It does sort of put it all in perspective Biff. You need to get the (expletive) out of there mate, and Quick. Check at the Bloody Tower first though, I bet those Ravens have f%c& Off Too

[skybluestu]

I have always suspected there were dreamers in our midst. Some dream bigger than others and dreaming of a weekend with another man's 'mia noi' rates as being well up there.

Village Farang ..............

So that's a maybe then? If the weekends not good for you I have Fri arvo's free? I'll even fill her up with B5 when I'm done.

[sceadugenga]

Ok, I'll chip in. 20 baht? that's about 45 pence, last time I used a car park in Central London it cost me £9,00..... an hour!

Park in the wrong place or mis-read the signs...£60, appeal the ticket and 6 months later they clamp your car and demand £600 to release it after it's gone to court (without you knowing about it) and ended up with the bailiffs.

I got so pissed off with it all I got rid of the car altogether. Speed cameras, average speed cameras, CCTV cameras that generate parking tickets that pop through your door, Parking Wardens on quotas that write your ticket and throw it down the drain so you get the £120 version 3 weeks later in the post...etc. etc.

I know it's a pain to park in CR city sometimes, I did a couple of laps trying to find somewhere when I was there in May but, 20 baht is, in the grand scheme of things, pretty good, doncha fink?

Excellent assessment Biff.

Those guysat the hotel watch your car as well, I've left stuff in the back on many occasions, and it's just as safe as if it's locked in the cab.

[bifftastic]

Ok, I'll chip in. 20 baht? that's about 45 pence, last time I used a car park in Central London it cost me £9,00..... an hour!

Park in the wrong place or mis-read the signs...£60, appeal the ticket and 6 months later they clamp your car and demand £600 to release it after it's gone to court (without you knowing about it) and ended up with the bailiffs.

I got so pissed off with it all I got rid of the car altogether. Speed cameras, average speed cameras, CCTV cameras that generate parking tickets that pop through your door, Parking Wardens on quotas that write your ticket and throw it down the drain so you get the £120 version 3 weeks later in the post...etc. etc.

I know it's a pain to park in CR city sometimes, I did a couple of laps trying to find somewhere when I was there in May but, 20 baht is, in the grand scheme of things, pretty good, doncha fink?

It does sort of put it all in perspective Biff. You need to get the (expletive) out of there mate, and Quick. Check at the Bloody Tower first though, I bet those Ravens have f%c& Off Too

Brother Jubs, as soon as I've raised the 350,000 baht for the house and worked out some way of earning a (very) modest income in Thailand (yeah, I know, easier said than done! ) I'm off!

With the Ravens, the previous government had a Public Private Partnership scheme where multiple sub-contractors invested millions in order to fail miserably, be bailed out by the tax-payer and ended up painting some pidgeons black. The new coalition government has introduced a scheme that 'encourages local people to get involved and take charge of their own communities' ie. cut all funding and blame them when the Ravens/Pidgeons start taking drugs and robbing people. Last I heard there were 'Ravenesque' imposters claiming asylum who were, in fact, Russian secret agents. Mind you, I did read that in the Daily Mail!

I remember when I was a young punk in the late 1970's, my mate had a t-shirt with a union flag and the words Great Britain printed on it, he put an 'x' through the word 'Great' I want one now!

[harrry]

I wonder about the environmental costs of four slow laps of the town with the aircon on while the other half dives into a shop to get something. Repeated several times for several tasks.

[villagefarang]

I wonder about the environmental costs of four slow laps of the town with the aircon on while the other half dives into a shop to get something. Repeated several times for several tasks.

You do have a point but my rationalization is that I only drive the beast a couple times a week. So when it is hot, I sit in air-conditioned comfort while the woof does her thing. My bad I guess.

[jubby]

I wonder about the environmental costs of four slow laps of the town with the aircon on while the other half dives into a shop to get something. Repeated several times for several tasks.

You do have a point but my rationalization is that I only drive the beast a couple times a week. So when it is hot, I sit in air-conditioned comfort while the woof does her thing. My bad I guess.

Freidian Slip in here maybe, the Woof . Who's actually doing the shopping VF ? Cookie ?

[harrry]

I wonder about the environmental costs of four slow laps of the town with the aircon on while the other half dives into a shop to get something. Repeated several times for several tasks.

You do have a point but my rationalization is that I only drive the beast a couple times a week. So when it is hot, I sit in air-conditioned comfort while the woof does her thing. My bad I guess.

Freidian Slip in here maybe, the Woof . Who's actually doing the shopping VF ? Cookie ?

Thought he was refering to the dog with the brandy barrel round the neck he sends to get refills.

[harrry]

I wonder about the environmental costs of four slow laps of the town with the aircon on while the other half dives into a shop to get something. Repeated several times for several tasks.

You do have a point but my rationalization is that I only drive the beast a couple times a week. So when it is hot, I sit in air-conditioned comfort while the woof does her thing. My bad I guess.

Well I do the same everytime I come to ChiangRai. Maybe an excuse for a carpool while we all sit and drink our coffee.

Or maybe use the luxury pool we heard about the other night:)

Edited July 9, 2010 by harrry

[villagefarang]

I wonder about the environmental costs of four slow laps of the town with the aircon on while the other half dives into a shop to get something. Repeated several times for several tasks.

You do have a point but my rationalization is that I only drive the beast a couple times a week. So when it is hot, I sit in air-conditioned comfort while the woof does her thing. My bad I guess.

Freidian Slip in here maybe, the Woof . Who's actually doing the shopping VF ? Cookie ?

No slip there Jubby, woof is just one of our terms of endearment. It gets boring saying wife all the time.

[mumbojumbo]

If the City would not let the car rental companies and tour agencies take up alot of the good downtown parking it would help too.