ding Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 That's the question I'd like opinions on: Is Chiang Mai friendlier than Bangkok? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJW Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Sorry, but it is a stupid question.. Of course Chiang Mai is friendlier than BKK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venturalaw Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 (edited) Probably pretty much the same as comparing any larger metropolis to a smaller city. Less traffic, people, stress translates into a more relaxed, friendlier local citizenry. Edited February 26, 2011 by venturalaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No1 Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 So there are no stupid questions, they say. Chiang Mai isn't. The people who live there are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lannarebirth Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I think Chiang Mai people taken as a whole are certainly more friendly than Bangkokians. They are also more deceptive and more poorly educated, but it's a good trade-off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thighlander Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 It's friendlier unless you are at a sausage party at Mad Dog with the grumpy farang crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ding Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 I think Chiang Mai people taken as a whole are certainly more friendly than Bangkokians. They are also more deceptive and more poorly educated, but it's a good trade-off. There are some rough sorts in Bangers, espcially Yaowarat, etc. But a few infrequent experiences in CM were counter to what I had figured, which is what you mention. There were regular events where I was literally pushed in the area of the night bazaar. The restaurant staff were definitely less customer oriented than Banngkok on a couple of occasions. Of course, I may not pay attention in Bangkok as I usually expect it. Or I may just have very good luck in Bangkok as I rarely have anything but very friendly experiences. I did leave a camera at a restaurant in CM and the manager saved it for me when I went back the next day. I got him designer cologne at Boots worth more than the stupid cam as a thanks! That wouldn't happen often in BKK. Do those who imply my question may not be the most thoughtful have experience living in CM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiPauly Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 IMHO Thais in CM are probably the friendliest in Thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinnieTheKhwai Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Sorry, but it is a stupid question.. Of course Chiang Mai is friendlier than BKK. Oh the irony. "You unconscionable piece of monkey excrement, of course we're friendly!" IMHO Thais in CM are probably the friendliest in Thailand Yes, and the local Muang people are too. Close call with the North East though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystwoodcol Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Be a little more specific please Is the city friendlier to negotiate - yes Are the farangs friendlier - depends who you meet Are the local Thai people friendlier - same as above Is the climate friendlier - most certainly etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdinasia Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I think Chiang Mai people taken as a whole are certainly more friendly than Bangkokians. They are also more deceptive and more poorly educated, but it's a good trade-off. Ummmmm ..... I would say that the people are actually pretty similar. Bangkok people outside of the tourist zones or where people are leading more stressful lives like the CBD are quite friendly. The same is true in Chiang Mai. The difference is that it is easier to get away from those areas in Chiang Mai to meet the more relaxed/friendly people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lannarebirth Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I think Chiang Mai people taken as a whole are certainly more friendly than Bangkokians. They are also more deceptive and more poorly educated, but it's a good trade-off. Ummmmm ..... I would say that the people are actually pretty similar. Bangkok people outside of the tourist zones or where people are leading more stressful lives like the CBD are quite friendly. The same is true in Chiang Mai. The difference is that it is easier to get away from those areas in Chiang Mai to meet the more relaxed/friendly people. I don't find them similar in any way. Northereners are slow at just about everything. Sometimes that's nice for things that don't matter much and sometimes it is a pain in the ass for things that do. They're a fairly disingenuous people compared to Bankokians and particularly Southerners but that's one of the things that makes them so polite. Like I say it is a trade-off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdinasia Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I normally agree with you LannaRebirth, but not this time. I lived in BKK for years and only up here in Chiang Mai for 1.25 years but have found the average folks in both places to be similar. Granted, I didn't live in central BKK, and instead lived out off of Sri Nakarin. All in all I would say the people strike me as quite similar in outlook and behavior when you get away from the CBD and tourist areas (and that the CBD and tourist areas in both places are similar to each other as well). My observations and all are welcome to their own opinions based upon their own experiences Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard10365 Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Chiang Mai is friendlier than Bangkok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailand Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lannarebirth Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I normally agree with you LannaRebirth, but not this time. I lived in BKK for years and only up here in Chiang Mai for 1.25 years but have found the average folks in both places to be similar. Granted, I didn't live in central BKK, and instead lived out off of Sri Nakarin. All in all I would say the people strike me as quite similar in outlook and behavior when you get away from the CBD and tourist areas (and that the CBD and tourist areas in both places are similar to each other as well). My observations and all are welcome to their own opinions based upon their own experiences I don't think Chiang Mai has a Central Business District, which is one of its appealing characteristics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaifan2 Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Can only compare Pattaya and Chiang Mai ,and people are equally friendly in both .IMO ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrilled Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Wherever ya have alot of farangs,the nationals become less friendly.So neither bangkok or chiang mai is very friendly. Don't believe me go to A Issan city where there aren't many farangs ,you'll see how much friendlier it is.Farangs ruin asian cities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdinasia Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I normally agree with you LannaRebirth, but not this time. I lived in BKK for years and only up here in Chiang Mai for 1.25 years but have found the average folks in both places to be similar. Granted, I didn't live in central BKK, and instead lived out off of Sri Nakarin. All in all I would say the people strike me as quite similar in outlook and behavior when you get away from the CBD and tourist areas (and that the CBD and tourist areas in both places are similar to each other as well). My observations and all are welcome to their own opinions based upon their own experiences I don't think Chiang Mai has a Central Business District, which is one of its appealing characteristics. It aint skyscrapers etc ..... but From the river to the moat is CNX's CBD. Thrilled ... what city have you ruined? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetlejuice Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 All depends on how much money you spend. The more cash you splash about, the bigger the smiles and welcome, no matter where you are in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackr Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 IMHO Thais in CM are probably the friendliest in Thailand I always found southern Thais more friendly, but there are many more pluses up here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkawish Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 IMHO Thais in CM are probably the friendliest in Thailand W R O N G WRONG WRONG.... T-R-A-N-G.... IS THE MOST FRIENDLY AND A NOTCH ABOVE ALL THE REST.... if you don't believe me.... just drop by the governor's office in Trang.... and ask him.... Governor MIGHTY (ไมตรี) will assure and show you and everyone else that.... T R A N G is truly the greatest place to live.... but the governor's quota for Farang has a waiting list of about 10 years.... so good luck.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinnieTheKhwai Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 (edited) IMHO Thais in CM are probably the friendliest in Thailand W R O N G WRONG WRONG.... T-R-A-N-G.... IS THE MOST FRIENDLY AND A NOTCH ABOVE ALL THE REST.... Yes, I liked Trang too. One of those places in the South that I would consider living, as opposed to holidaying. Like Chiang Mai, Trang is a small town that however feels like there's bit of history to it, while still being cheaper than Phuket Town. This sense of history you don't get living in Samui or whatever other place that just went 'Boom!' with tourism a decade or two ago. Edited February 27, 2011 by WinnieTheKhwai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiangMaiFun Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 a 'no brainer' it's certainly friendlier! for a start it's less yellow (joke) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadish_sweetball Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 This sense of history you don't get living in Samui or whatever other place that just went 'Boom!' with tourism a decade or two ago. You could say that twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckamuck Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Chiang Mai is delightful, Bangkok is a gridlocked, expensive, smelly place. Of course Chiang Mai is friendlier, and probably so is every other town in Thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ding Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 (edited) See that, I ask a stupid question and STILL get sound advice here. :jap: I'm one who loves Bangkok, Ko Samet, and even Udon Thani. So I'm good to go. Just had a high percentage of asshat encounters on the trips to Chiang Mai, so thought I'd check the collective "wisdom" here. :/brown-nosing: Chiang Mai has the advantage of more square meters (or square feet) per Bhat. I can rent a house there with a small yard and twice the area, for the same price as I can get a studio condo near the Skytrain in Bangers. Traffic is friendlier in CM -that's a given- but I still managed to put a young lady's moto in jeapardy there! Anyway, I tend to get to the tourist areas a lot whenever I'm there, so the CBD and farang areas would be a regular encounter. Udon is too far out and we need good internet, so outlying areas of CM are probably out too. And the flower kids made Chiang Mai seem like <deleted>' Mexico! They were HUGE pests and would NOT leave our table even after telling them "no" a dozen times. Never experienced that in Thailand before there. Edited February 28, 2011 by ding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabaijai Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I think Chiang Mai people taken as a whole are certainly more friendly than Bangkokians. They are also more deceptive and more poorly educated, but it's a good trade-off. A good trade-off for some, one might add Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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