What Do You Like About Chiang Rai? Dislikes?

[chang35baht]

Mymechew wrote:

Thailand is not like your country!  Each day you live here you are reminded of that through many minor and sometimes major inconvenient, strange or frustrating experiences.  Maintaining perspective is important – and remembering that you left behind many things you didn’t like about your own country/culture. 

My two Baht:

Yes, maintaining perspective ..... You hit the nail on the head!

Living in Chiang Rai (or Thailand) is a little bit like being a deaf and dumb illiterate in the west.

The language makes it difficult to understand what is going on around you and the fact that you cannot express yourself is very frustrating.

My respect for Gerry1011, who cut the knot and learned himself Thai. This is the best way to fight alienation I think.

Aside from the linguistic problem there is the cultural difference. It is very difficult to learn to understand the Thai culture from within, if not impossible.

If you don't know the language you can only learn by observing Thai behaviour.

And the minimal form of integration should be showing respect by adapting the Thai way to behave in certain situations. Maybe via this roundabout way there is a chance to get some understanding of the cultural coherence.

What is happening now in Chiang Rai, is that the foreigners are creating islands.

Like mini-societies, enclaves, very inward oriented.

A little bit like North-African immigrants do in the big towns of Europe.

Limbo.

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Hi Limbo, yes It`s me again. Your favourite combatant on the Forum.

I could not agree with you more regarding your comments about the Expats in Chiang Rai that

are contented with their Thai wife and 2.4 children. That`s it. It`s cheap. I`m married. I can eat and drink,drink,drink to my hearts content.

I myself have, believe it or not, 2 different cliques of friends who will not drink in the places that the others will drink. Because that`s what they are cliques. To far, to expensive, don`t like the Landlord, don`t like him/her etc. are some of the excuses that they will use. But to be honest with you I like it that way. It keeps the numbers down if I have a party( I`m a tight bugger) :whistling. And I also agree with you about the expats who will not concede that some things have to be done/handled in a certain way because this is the way it`s done in Thailand.

I know people who have lived in this country for a lot more years than I have who cannot count to 20 and still moan about the things that they shouldn have gotten over a long time ago.

I myself, besides from frequenting the popular expat places, also integrate with the Thais almost on a daily basis because of my work routine on my land, the village I stay in( there are Thai people around the house almost every but not for long ). We can learn a lot from the Thai people about how people can interact with each other. How many times back home have we asked our neighbours to come and join us eat if they are walking past the gate.( I never had a gate,3rd storey).

What do I like about Thailand: My wife, Chiang Rai. Because it can be as quiet or as busy as I like because you can be outside the town in 4-5 minutes. And the most important thing of all, it`s just so different from my home country in so many more positive ways that are too numerous to mention ways that sometimes I have to pinch myself that it`s not all a dream.

But don`t forget limbo that we also have friends back home who gather in cliques, shun others and still haven`t mastered the art of just getting along with other people

And a big belated congratulations to all who participated it the recent Hamburger B.C. Doi Tung event

[Limbo]

We can learn a lot from the Thai people .......

Chiang35Baht wrote.

And I fully, fully agree (shit happens).

Learning about another culture enriches yourself.

By noticing that things also can be done i a different way you enable yourself to relativate your own culture and to open your mind for another way of thinking and behaving.

Travelling to Thailand means not only abridging a geographical distance, it is also a travel in time (the way people live in the villages will not differ that much from the way the people lived three generations before in villages at home) and a travel inbetween your own ears: In your mind!

If we would use the 'laughing index' to compare and evaluate our cultures I am afraid the Thai would be scoring higher.

When I arrive at Amsterdam Airport I notice that the people have a complete different facial expression than I am used to see in Chiang Rai.

And they all seem to be in a hurry and very tensed.

Efficiency, optimal use of resources, help!

The things which make you crazy sometimes here in Chiangrai, are the backside of the same medal which makes you feel happy in Chiang Rai.

Chai jenn, chai jenn, not easy always. But it pays off.

Limbo.

[Limbo]

There's a really big recycling company in Chiang Rai and I really like it....it is located at the south edge of town on a wide street which looks like it was at one time considered to by the main entry into the city from the south,

.... Yes Chownah, this street is one of the most remarcable of Chiang Rai. It was the first one (and still the only) with bicycle lanes (!!!) and pavements for pedestrians, on both sides.

Four lanes for cars and a flowerful central reservation.

OK, you have seen it, so I can save you the further details ...

Be careful when you use this street towards the south: You might bumb into oncoming traffic on the 'superhighway'.

Be careful when you use this street towards the north: After about hundred meters

the street is suddenly 40 cms lower. Bang!

and all of this is diffusely lit like a Rembrandt masterpiece!!!! People scurrying back and forth among vaguely sorted piles of old stuff on the verge of becoming new again......

.... Chownah, in your beautiful impressionist description I find some elements of Hieronymus Bosch as well (with a grey-filter).

Google Earth shows Chiang Rai very clear. Every house you see, every car parked in front of it. Have a look at this street.

Have also a look at the other masterpiece of Chiang Rai concerning planology:

The eight lanes weaving piece of road between the Doi Tong and the Mae Fah Luang Bridge.

Limbo.

[chang35baht]

Oh! I forgot to mention something else I like about Chiang Rai. My good friend Limbo of course.

[chiangrai57020]

There is only one thing I would add:

I love Chiangrai because I feel like I am really living in Thailand, while Chiangmai seems to me more like a "mass tourism city", with all the inconvenience that goes together with it.

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With "inconveniences" like really good DVD stores, great movie theaters, excellent English book stores, pretty good foreign restaurants of all different types, health food stores, English libraries, lots of farang friends, lots of night life and so on, I can put up with not being in the "real" Thailand much better than being bored silly in Chiang Rai with almost no entertainment!

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It seems that everyone has their own idea of entertainment. I live near the entertaining city of Austin Texas but after living in the city until age 32, I moved 20 miles away and live in a quaint little town called Bastop. I love the quiet streets, starlit nights, wild animals, fishing, bicycling, ect. True I don't see a starbucks on every corner, nor a metropolitan opera. But small town living works for me (the rednecks get tiresome). Chiang Rai might be more cosmopolitan than what I prefer.

The guy who wrote "Chiang Mai if your under 40. Chiang Rai if your over 40" makes sense to me.

Cheers,

Trebek

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Another 'Texas Longhorn'! Been here 7 years. If you want to talk to another Austinite, look me up. I'll PM you the details.

[Tyree D.]

if you guys think CR sucks, you will never last in Phayao. Matter of fact, never come here. It is mine! all mine! who needs steak and a DVD shop anyway?

Tyree D., the only handsome faranger in Phayao

[Limbo]

Dear Tyree,

Payao looks so nice, so spacy, so neat.

A lot of public space.

Once I spend a night there with a friend. We were doing something at the National Archive of Payao along the 'superhighway'.

At six o'clock evening 'the light went out'. It changed into a ghost town.

We looked and looked and didn't find.

Next day we wanted to bike around the lake, but found out that there is no public space at the lake except for concrete to park cars. No way to bike around it. The town is separated from the lake by concrete.

My greatest respect is going to the Abbot of the old big 'wat' at the lake, who restored the beautiful temple without painting it red and gold.

No, he restored what could be restored and didn't add anything which could disturb the idea that thousands and thousands of Buddhists have been paying respect and meditating there through the centuries.

A unique person for the North of Thailand, where beautiful old Northern style temples are demolished and replaced by modern Central Thai style ones.

Are you teaching at this big school ('university'?) next to this temple?

Could you tell a little bit more?

How do you survive? Do you need any psychological help?

Limbo.

[Tyree D.]

are your questions for me? I take a bus 45 kilos to Mae Jai to teach. Here I only know about 4 farangers and I have never talked to any of them and they don't go to any of my places. I like how I get all the attention and love.

Everything that is in Thailand is here. You just gotta know where to go. There are no signs in English or aggressive hawkers to lead you. When I go back to Chiang Rai I get a culture shock seeing all the farangers and aggressive people that you all think is softcore compared to CM or Bangkok. So if you think CR is boring, y'all wouldn't last a minute in Phayao, but I like it.

[jozef]

are your questions for me?  I take a bus 45 kilos to Mae Jai to teach.  Here I only know about 4 farangers and I have never talked to any of them and they don't go to any of my places.  I like how I get all the attention and love.

Everything that is in Thailand is here.  You just gotta know where to go.  There are no signs in English or aggressive hawkers to lead you.  When I go back to Chiang Rai I get a culture shock seeing all the farangers and aggressive people that you all think is softcore compared to CM or Bangkok.  So if you think CR is boring, y'all wouldn't last a minute in Phayao, but I like it.

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i think everywhere in Thailand you can find nice places buth it depends what people wants and everybody is different do do not shoot to others my regards

[jozef]

are your questions for me?  I take a bus 45 kilos to Mae Jai to teach.  Here I only know about 4 farangers and I have never talked to any of them and they don't go to any of my places.  I like how I get all the attention and love.

Everything that is in Thailand is here.  You just gotta know where to go.  There are no signs in English or aggressive hawkers to lead you.  When I go back to Chiang Rai I get a culture shock seeing all the farangers and aggressive people that you all think is softcore compared to CM or Bangkok.  So if you think CR is boring, y'all wouldn't last a minute in Phayao, but I like it.

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i think everywhere in Thailand you can find nice places buth it depends what people wants and everybody is different do do not shoot to others my regards

[homealone]

Oh! I forgot to mention something else I like about Chiang Rai. My good friend Limbo of course.  

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Chang35baht - I agree. Limbo is one of the things I like best about Chiang Rai too!!!

Homealone soon

[Limbo]

Oh! I forgot to mention something else I like about Chiang Rai. My good friend Limbo of course.  

Chang35baht - I agree. Limbo is one of the things I like best about Chiang Rai too!!!

Homealone soon

A pity that there is no slimie among the smilies.

Good to see you back Homealone!

For a moment I was afraid we lost you.

And by the way:

Dear Mr. Erg,

Can you ask Bo to clarify these 2 mysteries here?

Hang a sign behind the bar: a free drink for Chiang35Baht and Homealone (on my bill).

Maybe they have a weak moment and go for it You never know!

Limbo

[homealone]

Oh! I forgot to mention something else I like about Chiang Rai. My good friend Limbo of course.  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Chang35baht - I agree. Limbo is one of the things I like best about Chiang Rai too!!!

Homealone soon

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A pity that there is no slimie among the smilies.

Good to see you back Homealone!

For a moment I was afraid we lost you.

And by the way:

Dear Mr. Erg,

Can you ask Bo to clarify these 2 mysteries here?

Hang a sign behind the bar: a free drink for Chiang35Baht and Homealone (on my bill).

Maybe they have a weak moment and go for it You never know!

Limbo

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No Limbo, not lost. An extended stay in mandatory rehab. I appreciate the drink offer but as part of my recovery program I do not patronize pubs. Nor do I know a Mr. Erg or Bo.

I just remain Homealone

By the way, interesting places in CRai - the outside aerobics class every evening at the old jail site and across the street at the basketball court mid-morning to afternoon you'll often find a shirtless middle-aged man with a T-Shirt turban loudly reciting lines from Shakespeare to an audience of riderless motorcycles.

[chang35baht]

AAH Limbo . Is this not why we love you? So generous with your money as well as your vast knowledge of our new found homeland. Alas I must decline your offer because if I was not there to reciprocate then I would feel an injustice had been done. But mainly, the mystique that is chang35baht would cease to exist.

Here`s to the eventual moment when we chink our glasses together and wish chock dee unto one and all.

[ray23]

Oh! I forgot to mention something else I like about Chiang Rai. My good friend Limbo of course.  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Chang35baht - I agree. Limbo is one of the things I like best about Chiang Rai too!!!

Homealone soon

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A pity that there is no slimie among the smilies.

Good to see you back Homealone!

For a moment I was afraid we lost you.

And by the way:

Dear Mr. Erg,

Can you ask Bo to clarify these 2 mysteries here?

Hang a sign behind the bar: a free drink for Chiang35Baht and Homealone (on my bill).

Maybe they have a weak moment and go for it You never know!

Limbo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No Limbo, not lost. An extended stay in mandatory rehab. I appreciate the drink offer but as part of my recovery program I do not patronize pubs. Nor do I know a Mr. Erg or Bo.

I just remain Homealone

By the way, interesting places in CRai - the outside aerobics class every evening at the old jail site and across the street at the basketball court mid-morning to afternoon you'll often find a shirtless middle-aged man with a T-Shirt turban loudly reciting lines from Shakespeare to an audience of riderless motorcycles.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Now your talking live entertainment San Francisco style, Boy we don't have nothing like that in Udon I feel cheated

[Sir Burr]

Have only been there once and that was about five years ago. Didn't like it.

All the hills denuded and the most miserable Thais in general that I have ever met anywhere in the Kingdom.

[tayto]

Have only been there once and that was about five years ago. Didn't like it.

All the hills denuded and the most miserable Thais in general that I have ever met anywhere in the Kingdom.

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You must'nt have met any Dutch people.

[chownah]

Have only been there once and that was about five years ago. Didn't like it.

All the hills denuded and the most miserable Thais in general that I have ever met anywhere in the Kingdom.

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Yeah, you should have been here before the hills were denuded...back when there were nudists everywhere.....WOW!!!

[homealone]

Have only been there once and that was about five years ago. Didn't like it.

All the hills denuded and the most miserable Thais in general that I have ever met anywhere in the Kingdom.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you think the Thais were miserable wait until you meet the rest of us. Perhaps they didn't appreciate the condescending attitude and the criticism of their environment.

Homealone

[Sir Burr]

If you think the Thais were miserable wait until you meet the rest of us.

Errrrm, think I'll pass on that one if you are more miserable than the locals.

Perhaps they didn't appreciate the condescending attitude and the criticism of their environment.

Homealone

Maybe they were miserable because of their degraded environment?

[Mymechew]

If you think the Thais were miserable wait until you meet the rest of us.

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Errrrm, think I'll pass on that one if you are more miserable than the locals.

Perhaps they didn't appreciate the condescending attitude and the criticism of their environment.

Homealone

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maybe they were miserable because of their degraded environment?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sir Burr – in what part of Chiang Rai were you visiting and at what time of the year? During the Hot Season many of the hillsides are set afire to clear the land for crops or development leaving large amounts of acreage charred and barren. The hill tribes generally get blamed for this - which might have been true ten years ago but less so now.

In recent years thousands of rural acres have been acquired by wealthy, politically connected individuals from Bangkok and beyond who are aware of the government’s infrastructure development plans (as noted in another topic in this forum). They buy from the locals at a low price knowing the value of the land will sky rocket in the future. Then they hire the now landless locals to clear the land and plant something such as tangerine orchards thus qualifying as productive farmland and available for subsidies or tax considerations.

However, there are still many parts of the province with lush green mountain views – particularly at this time of the year. And, most of those who reside in the hills or countryside are very friendly to visitors.

Let some of us know the next time you come and we could recommend an itinerary that might give you a more positive Chiang Rai experience.

Mymechew

[Sir Burr]

Well, thankyou Mymechew. Nice to get a civil reply (and invitation too).

I think I was there in October or November. I first stayed in a hotel that was way out of town, on the banks of a small river. Stayed there one night because it was so far from anywhere and there was nothing to do. Then moved to the largest hotel in town. Very nice place (can't remember the name)

From the town, many of the hills in view were either bare earth, or, scrub that you could see was less than five years old. Not a mature tree anywhere. Very disappointed, mainly because I sort of had a mental picture of what I thought Chiang Rai would be like which didn't fit reality.

I had just come from Mai Hong Son which was the complete opposite, miles and miles of jungle covered hills. The contrast between the two couldn't have been more different.

With regard to the local Thai residents, I didn't find them surly or anything, they just seemed more dour than the average Thai. Not so many smiles, hardly any laughter.

If I ever get up to Chiang Rai again, I will certainly take you up on your kind offer.

[Ormgard]

Let some of us know the next time you come and we could recommend an itinerary that might give you a more positive Chiang Rai experience.

Mymechew

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I have friends arriving in Chiang Rai who haven't been here before and would greatly appreciate suggestions of such an itinerary.

[Tyree D.]

I LOVE CHIANG RAI! This new teacher at my school in Phayao goes there every weeked and hasn't yet left the first bar on Jetyod he landed in, just like me back in the day. We both prefer living in Phayao then Chiang Rai seems like an extreme place when we go there.

Some of y'all mentioned the Dutch in Chiang Rai. So y'all know the old one with the white hair and droopy eyes. He's called me a nigger and white nigger on at least 3 occassions. I've never responded. He's dying of cancer anyway. Somebody tell him the AA meetings are at the church on Mondays.

[tayto]

Some of y'all mentioned the Dutch in Chiang Rai.  So y'all know the old one with the white hair and droopy eyes.  He's called me a nigger and white nigger on at least 3 occassions.  I've never responded.  He's dying of cancer anyway.  Somebody tell him the AA meetings are at the church on Mondays.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Know lots of Dutch people here but nobody white hair and droopy eyes.

A white nigger?

Cancer? You a specialist?

A.A if you have a problem, you are welcome but dont force people.

Nice sort of bloke aren't you......................not.

[Tyree D.]

Some of y'all mentioned the Dutch in Chiang Rai.  So y'all know the old one with the white hair and droopy eyes.  He's called me a nigger and white nigger on at least 3 occassions.  I've never responded.  He's dying of cancer anyway.   Somebody tell him the AA meetings are at the church on Mondays.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Know lots of Dutch people here but nobody white hair and droopy eyes.

A white nigger?

Cancer? You a specialist?

A.A if you have a problem, you are welcome but dont force people.

Nice sort of bloke aren't you......................not.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He said something again as I walked by on Jetyod. He is really trying to push my buttons. I know shady Thai people (but who doesn't?). Don't make me start a war.

[Tyree D.]

^^^^why am I never given an edit option? He is currently in another bar smooching a BG whom I actually am tight with and went to college with her sister. I've circled it and he hasn't said anything. If he did, I just would have told him about the Church and how the sex I'm getting tonight is free. He's just a lonely dying guy. That is all I have to say and let's shift this thread back to a Chiang Rai discussion. I like the other Dutch guys. My life is too good to be concerned about this type of stuff.

[Limbo]

Thanks Tyree for your contribution, even if it didn't contribute much .

I am up to 26 Dutch Chiang Rai residents in the mean time (I started to count the women as well). The same color of passport, the same national hymn, the same language, the same national football-team, the same overinflated self-conscience.

Long live the Queen!

But as Mymechew pointed out: Permanently at war with each other, which is a national characteristic. That is why we are so peaceful to the outer world.

Some of them seem to be escaped from lunitic asylums, some act normal but are crazy as well. With other words: Normal Dutch people!

Always divided into changing factions, always gossipping about those not present.

But over all they are OK!

There are some exceptions however, which I would prefer to be Americans or something like that, so that they wouldn't be Dutch.

But I can't change anything about that.

Anyhow, the first Dutchman in 'Thailand' was Cornelis Houtman (1595).

Have a nice weekend, all of you (and I even mean this horrible, annoying, loud and fat Dutchman who is always yelling at other people - between the first and the sixth glass he is OK, but after twelve glasses he becomes a pain in the a)!

Limbo.

PS. I personally like Australians

[tayto]

Limbo.

PS. I personally like Australians 

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Whats wrong with Irish people?

Edited November 18, 2005 by tayto

[Limbo]

Limbo.

PS. I personally like Australians 

Whats wrong with Irish people?

Eh...... , the accent ?

No, but generally spoken I wouldn't know actually. I know only one and he is absolutely a nice guy

Limbo.

PS. Scottish people OK too! English not bad either. Swedish are harmless.

French, uh, uh.