New To Chiang Mai

[tefljames]

Hi Guys,

I have just moved to Chiang Mai province, beautiful area, and have tried to find any farang meeting place, coffee shop or somewhere in the Saraphee area to meet with other expats.

I basicaly live alone and don't like to travel far from home so if anybody knows of such places or any advice I would be very grateful.

[Beetlejuice]

Chiang Mai ex-pats are not renowned for their friendliness and hospitality.

There are no specific gathering places as far as I know, and most of the places that are frequented by farangs intend to be extremely cliquey and usually keep in among they’re own circles and will blank newcomers.

There is the ex-pats club, but again cliquey, difficult to interact with the mostly elderly members in there and it`s more commercialised rather than social.

If passing farangs on the street, especially outside of town and you say; a jolly HI, they will either ignore you completely or give an acknowledging grunt.

Perhaps some nice Thai visa members will invite you along to socialise with them one evening, otherwise meeting and getting involved with other ex-pats in Chiang Mai is going to be difficult, especially if you are alone.

I also think you would have a better chance if this thread was moved to the Chiang Mai forum.

Edited September 10, 2012 by Beetlejuice

[LawrenceChee]

Not all at bad ... PM me if u need to meet someone for tea mate.

BTW I am not old or grouchy ...i just enjoy staying in CM !

[DaBloodyMess]

You will almost certainly need to venture a bit further from home if you want to start interacting with a wider social group in Chiang Mai as people here tend ot be pretty spread out.

I do think the friendliness of expats can differ depending on which circles you are looking to move in. I know personally that the young crowd (20's-30's) is quite friendly and welcoming. I have only been in town for about 6-7 months and have been able to form a solid group of friends and acquaintances to socialise with regularly.

I cant comment on the older retiress/expats, but I guess that is where beetljuices opinion is more valid.

[trainman34014]

Sadly, a lot of what Beetlejuice says is true and we do seem to have more than our fair share of miserable old gits. I've been retired here for almost five years now and have a lot more Thai friends than Farang, but I have to say that the Farang friend's I do have are good friends and we tend to meet more in our homes than in Bars etc.

You don't say exactly what area of the Province you are in? Who knows; we could be almost neighbours !

Ah sorry; just noticed the Saraphee bit, wrong side of the City for me. I hope you meet some nice folks soon,

Edited September 10, 2012 by trainman34014

[CharlieH]

Chiang Mai forum http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/28-chiang-mai-forum/

might be a good place to start ?

Edited September 10, 2012 by CharlieH

[jacktrip]

let's see...

the bar.

[TommoPhysicist]

I cant comment on the older retiress/expats, but I guess that is where beetljuices opinion is more valid.

Nah

It's just how we all treat BJ, everyone else we are friendly towards.

Edited September 10, 2012 by TommoPhysicist

[Plucky]

In the same position as yourself and more than happy to meet for a friendly chat/beer/bite to eat etc.

[Tywais]

Moved to the Chiang Mai forum.

[Beetlejuice]

I cant comment on the older retiress/expats, but I guess that is where beetljuices opinion is more valid.

Nah

It's just how we all treat BJ, everyone else we are friendly towards.

[hellodolly]

Well it is hard to say when you limit yourself to a small area. Also your age would be a big help.

As has been said earlier The young people tend to be a bit friendlier

.

And we old Gits a little less so. That is no reflection on Chiang Mai but older people the world over are a bit more set in their way's than younger people.

Sad to say a lot of us are not open to new ideas or adventure's.

Good Luck in your search but seriously consider a little info about you like your age.

[jackr]

The Thaivisa party would be a good option (though not till November), or organise a meet closer to town, perhaps the Gymkhana club.

Lot of Pattaya-esque types in town now; not to denigrate all those that have lived there of course, just the type of headbanger that makes the place to a bit less discerning.

[naboo]

Chiang Mai ex-pats are not renowned for their friendliness and hospitality.

There are no specific gathering places as far as I know, and most of the places that are frequented by farangs intend to be extremely cliquey and usually keep in among they’re own circles and will blank newcomers.

There is the ex-pats club, but again cliquey, difficult to interact with the mostly elderly members in there and it`s more commercialised rather than social.

If passing farangs on the street, especially outside of town and you say; a jolly HI, they will either ignore you completely or give an acknowledging grunt.

Perhaps some nice Thai visa members will invite you along to socialise with them one evening, otherwise meeting and getting involved with other ex-pats in Chiang Mai is going to be difficult, especially if you are alone.

I also think you would have a better chance if this thread was moved to the Chiang Mai forum.

Is it possible you could stop being so miserable?

[moe666]

Ill be back in Nov. and more than happy to have a beer with you and my friends in the Chiang Mai gate area will as well. We are a diverse group some grumpy, some friendly, some morose, others just weird. If you have no preconcieved notions about the people you want to meet come on by. The group tends to hang in several cafes along Seriwongse on the way to Chiang Mai Gate Hotel. Pm me

[mesquite]

Chiang Mai ex-pats are not renowned for their friendliness and hospitality.

There are no specific gathering places as far as I know, and most of the places that are frequented by farangs intend to be extremely cliquey and usually keep in among they're own circles and will blank newcomers.

There is the ex-pats club, but again cliquey, difficult to interact with the mostly elderly members in there and it`s more commercialised rather than social.

If passing farangs on the street, especially outside of town and you say; a jolly HI, they will either ignore you completely or give an acknowledging grunt.

Perhaps some nice Thai visa members will invite you along to socialise with them one evening, otherwise meeting and getting involved with other ex-pats in Chiang Mai is going to be difficult, especially if you are alone.

I also think you would have a better chance if this thread was moved to the Chiang Mai forum.

Is it possible you could stop being so miserable?

I don't get how BJ is being "miserable." He's just telling it like it is. Better the newcomer to CM get the truth.

[moe666]

Chiang Mai ex-pats are not renowned for their friendliness and hospitality.

There are no specific gathering places as far as I know, and most of the places that are frequented by farangs intend to be extremely cliquey and usually keep in among they're own circles and will blank newcomers.

There is the ex-pats club, but again cliquey, difficult to interact with the mostly elderly members in there and it`s more commercialised rather than social.

If passing farangs on the street, especially outside of town and you say; a jolly HI, they will either ignore you completely or give an acknowledging grunt.

Perhaps some nice Thai visa members will invite you along to socialise with them one evening, otherwise meeting and getting involved with other ex-pats in Chiang Mai is going to be difficult, especially if you are alone.

I also think you would have a better chance if this thread was moved to the Chiang Mai forum.

Is it possible you could stop being so miserable?

I don't get how BJ is being "miserable." He's just telling it like it is. Better the newcomer to CM get the truth.

Yes he is telling it like it is for himself, BJ sees life thru his own blinders as we all do but remember everyone is different and see it totally different.