If you had the choice of living anywhere in Thailand, where would it be!

Not interested in the women, or whatever benefits of Pattaya has to offer.

I looking for somewhere, quiet peaceful, good food, relaxation etc

Chiang Mai, without a question.

Actually, if I had my choice I'd probably go with Krabi, because I'd love to have a house on the beach. However, due to the flooding last year, and the constant barrage of massive natural disasters hitting our planet these days, I think I'll stay off the coast.

Pai, and if I could speak the lingo, Mae Hong Son.

Chiang Mai is definitely worth consideration. I've lived in the NW section (the opposite side from the touristy/backpacker area) of Chiang Mai city for about 5 months now and like it. Unlike Pattaya, it is not overrun with drunken falang. The Thai people here just go about their lives and I go about mine. Cost of living is less also.

Pai, and if I could speak the lingo, Mae Hong Son.

You are not the first to mention Pai.

I know that you regard warmly Chiang Mai ... so what takes Pai to a higher level?

Also Pai is a favourite with Thai people as well.

I live in Pattaya for many years. Unfortunately it's a bit dreary here with no decent green spaces(i.e. beach).

I always liked it up in Nong Khai and Isaan. It's so peaceful there.

I've never been to Phuket or down south. I wonder if it is nicer and more livable.

I live in Pattaya for many years. Unfortunately it's a bit dreary here with no decent green spaces(i.e. beach).

I always liked it up in Nong Khai and Isaan. It's so peaceful there.

I've never been to Phuket or down south. I wonder if it is nicer and more livable.

Some would declare Nong Khai as being dreary/boring. I have always enjoyed living there and find the locals shy but exceptionally friendly.

Being so close to Lao is also an added bonus for me, I love that country. Living on the Mekong with views of Lao across the water has always been a bit special.

Pai, and if I could speak the lingo, Mae Hong Son.

You are not the first to mention Pai.

I know that you regard warmly Chiang Mai ... so what takes Pai to a higher level?

Also Pai is a favourite with Thai people as well.

I love Chiang Mai, I like Chiang Rai, but I just adore Pai and Mae Hong Son.

Chiang Mai is superb in many ways, but at heart it is still a busy, noisy city..............Chiang Rai is far smaller but it falls between two stools, the best ay to describe would be that it seems to ribbon out for miles to the north........I'm not keen on that, I like my towns to have boundaries and beyond that greenery.

Pai is an oasis, a very small place with all the amenities that we Westerners would look for, none ( what I can see anyway ) of the seedy side of Thailand, and you are surrounded with some absolutely spectacular scenery. I know you have seen villagefarangs outsanding photos of the Chiang Rai sky on his thread in the Chiang Rai forum.......could you imagine that with mountains surrounding you?? Stunning. Really, stunning.

Mae Hong Son is tiny again, and very remote. It's the kind of place you would go to live the Thai rural life while again knowing that the facilities you would look for are on hand, even if not in big numbers, and although you are remote by road, you are only a 30 minute flight from Chiang Mai, and a further one hour flight from BKK.

Ask anyone who has traveled the Mae Hong Son loop, they will tell you that area is just outstanding, absolutely, outstanding.

One sure way to ruing your secret little sweet spot - break the secret.

Before you know it, Pete, Dave, or Geoff will have moved next door and opened their 'Farang Bar + moto-cy hire business' and the rest will follow

Khao Yai. Stunning scenery, close to Bangkok for shopping, enough amenities to keep me interested, not too far from my home base in Khon Kaen.

Songkhla...

Great oceanside town without the hassles. Did not enjoy living in either Bangkok or Chiang Mai, same loud motorbikes, bars, idiotic tourists/backpackers etc.

Edited July 13, 201213 yr by jacktrip

Phayao, most definitely. Lived there back in the late 1980s for a few years, have been back many times. Nice and quiet, Kwan Phayao a nice attraction. Easy access to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Lampang.

ThaiSquire

Pai, Mae Hong Son, been there once, will never forget it. By the way, how many provinces are there in Thailand? 76, 77? Let me visit all of them first to make a careful decision.

Can live wherever I want including outside of Thailand and don't need to worry about work. With that in mind, I choose to live on Samui.

Don't know Chiang Mai is nice but I would prefer a beach town. Not on a island. Cha-am maybe would have to travel around first. Thought of Krabi but seems like there is always some thing wrong there with the weather.

Songkhla...

Great oceanside town without the hassles. Did not enjoy living in either Bangkok or Chiang Mai, same loud motorbikes, bars, idiotic tourists/backpackers etc.

I'll go along with that.

Tourist towns are for tourists. They become boring very quickly.

And Samila Beach is a gem!

Songkhla...

Great oceanside town without the hassles. Did not enjoy living in either Bangkok or Chiang Mai, same loud motorbikes, bars, idiotic tourists/backpackers etc.

I'll go along with that.

Tourist towns are for tourists. They become boring very quickly.

And Samila Beach is a gem!

Haven't they got a lot of problems with Muslims in that area, bombings, shootings etc?

Doi Maesalong. Can get a bit cold sometimes though.

Pattaya off course, its nice and peaceful in my Moo Baan, yet only 10min drive down to a huge selection of good/cheap restaurants.

I can really relax here when I am home from overseas working off shore worldwide.

1-2 hour to the airport is very good for me as well.

Pattaya off course, its nice and peaceful in my Moo Baan, yet only 10min drive down to a huge selection of good/cheap restaurants.

I can really relax here when I am home from overseas working off shore worldwide.

1-2 hour to the airport is very good for me as well.

I agree. Also has good shopping centres, movie theatres etc.

Songkhla...

Great oceanside town without the hassles. Did not enjoy living in either Bangkok or Chiang Mai, same loud motorbikes, bars, idiotic tourists/backpackers etc.

I'll go along with that.

Tourist towns are for tourists. They become boring very quickly.

And Samila Beach is a gem!

Haven't they got a lot of problems with Muslims in that area, bombings, shootings etc?

No, it's the three provinces that have the Muslims, shooting and bombs. Songkhla (the town) is quite safe.

Khao Yai for sure.

Pattaya off course, its nice and peaceful in my Moo Baan, yet only 10min drive down to a huge selection of good/cheap restaurants.

I can really relax here when I am home from overseas working off shore worldwide.

1-2 hour to the airport is very good for me as well.

Same, it`s nice and peaceful where I live in naklua whilst being easy to get around .