Half A Year In Chiangmai

[Aussiegirl94]

I'm a 19 year old Australian/Thai girl on my gap year this year and I have decided to venture to Thailand for 6 months. I have a house in the middle of Chiangmai city, about a 10 minute drive from tarpare gate. My aim is to learn Thai in order to Pursue my goal of one day being a tour guide in this beautiful country.

As I am going to be in the country for a long period of time I'm wishing to meet new people and I am writing this forum to find out what kind of places (besides bars) would be best to meet them.

I'm very interested in overnight trekking, food, art and other cultural stuff. As I am only young it's hard for me to be aware of where to go to meet people roughly around age doing the same thing I am in Chiangmai.. Thought I would give this a try and see what suggestions people have!

[Chittychangchang]

For a 19 year old you sound very mature, good luck and enjoy.

Also make sure you have the relevent qualifications and permits.

[submaniac]

where to go to meet people roughly around age doing the same thing I am in Chiangmai

ooohh...that's a problem....we're all grumpy old geriatric men around here. Just a joke...but Chiangmai is more known of a retirement spot for expats. However, my suggestions are to hang around the university. There is a TEFL program at Chiangmai university, and most likely they have people around your age hanging abouts. Good luck.

[robblok]

Good thing you are Thai else you can't be a tour guide.

[craigt3365]

I think this is best over in the Chiang Mai forum, OK?

Welcome to Thailand!!

Topic Moved.

[Aussiegirl94]

I'm looking for something more along the lines of overnight treks, or other recreational activities that involve tourists who are also wanting to meet new people

[alfieconn]

I'm looking for something more along the lines of overnight treks, or other recreational activities that involve tourists who are also wanting to meet new people

Try this http://chiangmaihiking.wordpress.com/

[Aussiegirl94]

I'm looking for something more along the lines of overnight treks, or other recreational activities that involve tourists who are also wanting to meet new people

Try this http://chiangmaihiking.wordpress.com/

This looks really great. Have you done this before?

[KRS1]

If you'd like to ride around on the back of a motorcycle and see the mountainside im just a private message away

check out meetup dot com and look for a group with similar interest in chiang mai...

[TerryLH]

I would think you'd be better off meeting some of the locals your age.

Terry

[elektrified]

I would think you'd be better off meeting some of the locals your age.

Terry

+1

Enjoy

[Aussiegirl94]

I would think you'd be better off meeting some of the locals your age.

Terry

That's what I am trying to do I'm just not sure which place is the best to do that

[TommoPhysicist]

I believe you need a BA in tourism from a Thai university in order to get a permit to be a tour guide.

They are very strict with their permits, and working without one is really unwise.

90% of the course is in Thai, if you can't speak, read, write Thai, you can't get a permit.

As for CMHiking, very few under 50s but divided into three main groups.

Sundays for the unfit, weekdays for very fit, and invite only for the insanely fit.

Unlikely you would fit into any of the groups.

You get the occasional tourist along, but not encouraged, it's for expats.

[LawrenceChee]

My best suggestion is to do it with close friends and family before you decide to do it full time as a your guide

Most in the business do not meet nice and appreciative folks daily and after a while it saps the human spirit

However if U are born with a great sense of optimism and positive spirit, that's a great career choice in hospitality .

PM if u need more advice as I am in the business. Thanks

[TommoPhysicist]

PM if u need more advice as I am in the business. Thanks

So how about some more advice on how to get a tour guide permit?

We would all like to hear.

[mania]

Hi,

You know since you want to learn the language & meet folks your age

I would check out Payap university for the Thai. I think their reading & writing that starts at

Thai 3 is excellent.

You may not meet folks your age right off in the class itself ( depends on who signs up as all ages are mixed ) but being at the school you will

be around many your age. Some may even be in your class. Some where in mine that were your age.

They also have a large exchange student program there with many students speaking English

also one dorm section that I believe is all the International students.

Good Luck

[LawrenceChee]

About the hospitality trade bit not the license ...u have pitbull mentality hahahah

[CMMCB]

Payap University also has a Tourism & Hospitality Management degree programme taught in English on which there are many recent school leavers, some from local international schools. PM me if you'd like an intro to one of the programme organisers (not me) or a half-Thai undergraduate studying on the course (also not me ;-)

[naboo]

Lots of tourists your age hanging around Zoe in Yellow, most will be going trekking.

To meet Thais your age, you'd be best following the advice above re. studying something at Payap, or hanging out in the Nimanhaemin Road area - very cosmopolitan, lots of Chiang Mai University students, arts, culture etc.

ThaiVisa is probably not going to be a place you're going to find anyone your own age.

[alfieconn]

I believe you need a BA in tourism from a Thai university in order to get a permit to be a tour guide.

They are very strict with their permits, and working without one is really unwise.

90% of the course is in Thai, if you can't speak, read, write Thai, you can't get a permit.

As for CMHiking, very few under 50s but divided into three main groups.

Sundays for the unfit, weekdays for very fit, and invite only for the insanely fit.

Unlikely you would fit into any of the groups.

You get the occasional tourist along, but not encouraged, it's for expats.

When i use to go (approx 2 years ago) there was a quite few Tourists / younger people, but i wouldn't worry too much about that as you will meet some very nice people with plenty of stories to tell,by the way i wouldn't listen too to many of the old farts on here !

[Aussiegirl94]

I think everyone is misunderstanding haha, I am going to university to learn Thai and I will return back to Australia to study tourism

[Aussiegirl94]

Lots of tourists your age hanging around Zoe in Yellow, most will be going trekking.

I have heard about Zoe in Yellow, where is that located? Thank you this is the type of info I was after!

I am going to attend AUA Chiangmai learning school, so once I get to know more Thai I will take your advice and get to know the locals

[naboo]

Zoe in Yellow is in the mid/East of the old city on Ratvithi Road, on the right just before the traffic lights at the intersection with Ratpakinai Road, not far from the UN Irish Pub, next street north of AUA.

Beers are much cheaper in surrounding bars....

[alfieconn]

I think everyone is misunderstanding haha, I am going to university to learn Thai and I will return back to Australia to study tourism

Yes Aussie, that tends to happen a lot on here

[Exoticpits]

I got you cover , don't worry!

[ForumUsername]

Sent you a PM

[chiangmaiexpat]

The Chiang Mai hiking group mentioned earlier usually doesn't do overnighters, except for a few special hikes per year. However, if you want to get to know the trails around Chiang Mai, which are somewhat difficult to find on your own, the Chiang Mai hiking group is really great. Good company, too, with 90% expats. Otherwise you could start out with establishing a base at Doi Pui camp ground and explore the trails from there. Another great hiking area is Chiang Dao, especially Doi Luang, and the Khun Tan range on the eastern side of the Chiang Mai valley. Unfortunately, the burning season is just starting so there won't be any great views and some national parks are closing soon.

Cheers, CM-Expat