After a delightful two weeks at Ao Nang beach in Krabi, I'm back home in Canada. It's the typical cool wet, BUT SMOG FREE weather we get on Vancouver Island. I'm going to miss the 6 months of continual sunny Thailand weather, and the motorbike riding, but it's nice to smell the clean forest air, and feel the ocean breeze when I hike. No more sweating after 10 minutes hiiking on Doi Sutthep. I have a mountain of similar height right across from my Canadian home and there are great views from the top.

It feels a little strange driving a car again, and on the other side of the road. Of course, no more fun either, like riding on sidewalks, BETWEEN vehicles and into oncoming traffic. Now I have to follow RULES and LAWS that the police here enforce. No more paying a $12 traffic fine or a $6 bribe. If I park in the wrong place here I get my car towed and I pay $50. If I speed I pay a minimum of $250 and that escalates up to a point where I would get my car impounded if I drive 40 km over the limit.

And, I pay more for veggies here than I would pay for nice meal in a Thai cafe. Coffee is cheaper here, though. I don't know why that is in Thailand. You pay as much in Chiang Mai for a coffee as you can pay for a full meal. And, no more free fill ups.

No more need for air conditioning, but I need to get my wood stove burning every day. We won't get warm weather here for att least a month.

But, I'm still planning on coming back to Chiang Mai in October or November. My Thai friend is looking after my motorbike and I hope he keeps the shiny side up.

Good luck to all the gang here.

Thank you;

We're going to seriously get rid of the smog and bring on the rain. Starting tomorrow for a warm-up, then Friday->Monday in earnest.

Thank you;

We're going to seriously get rid of the smog and bring on the rain. Starting tomorrow for a warm-up, then Friday->Monday in earnest.

WHAT SMOG? It's purely smoke only - no FOG involved.

100% smoke haze/pollution.

It has been truly filthy air. This was bought home to me when I was dusting distant corners of the house and my pristine yellow duster turned black! Now imagine what happens inside your lungs for those of us who have to breathe this sh.. all day long. And still they burn: The other day I drove from Korat back home to Chiang Mai and counted 96 fires - and that was without craning my neck to look around the countryside! Local Tambons are clearing leaves by burning at the side of the road - off course this includes discarded plastics and other toxin producing waste. Fed up. Just fed up with it all.

The smog is fine no problem.

the air we breath is OK the main problem is we can;t seem to separate the two of them.

Where do you live that you use wood heat?

Do you cook on it also?

I thought Vancouver Island was a little past that time.

I know I had to do it in Rose Lake up in the Caribou. But that was in the 80s

not good : (

last nights sunset over doi suthep and 8 31 this morning

dave2

Glad to here you you made it back to the Island safely Rene. Always enjoyed your posts, looking forward to their return in the fall.

Here in the sticks of Lampang province the smog/ smoke is not so bad but the heat oh lordy!

Keep an eye out for bears, take care.

I'm assuming this lingering smog is not normal as someone mentioned earlier that by songkran we should be in the clear.

For those that have been here for years, has the smog lingered past songkran?

I'm assuming this lingering smog is not normal as someone mentioned earlier that by songkran we should be in the clear.

For those that have been here for years, has the smog lingered past songkran?

No, not that I remember. Of course this year started very late.

Either way though there's traditionally a bit of rain at the end of a Songkran day.. see if that helps. I also saw the rain making planes taking off today.

It's terrible, hope the rain forcast is true.

main reason i aint going to live in Thailand long term

Still as terrible as ever but at least it keep the in laws from visiting us

Just back from Mae Sai and I'd have to say the entire province of Chiang Rai looks to be one dirty smoldering hole with many visible hill-side fires blazing from the roadside. In short, its in Thick from the border to CM.

This year started late but lingering longer.

We are leaving for Vancouver Island (Duncan) April.22 and look forward to breathing clean,crisp,cool air- again.

The good news is that CM is awesome from late Oct to mid- feb.

Our 'riding-season' begins in Nov.- big bike sport/off-road tours of the North is one of our beloved pastimes here.

Happy Trails -

I didn't really want to start another topic on the smoke and burning in northern Thailand. There is already a topic running on that. I just wanted to say hello to the gang here and comment on the vast differences in culture and weather between Canada and Thailand. My friend, who has been coming to Thailand for years, warned me about the smoky season and I didn't know what he meant until I experienced it. I sure hope you folks get a little rain soon to settle it down.

I enjoy being able to just turn on the tap here (Van Isle) for a glass of cold, tastey water. Bottle water is okay, but something I don't need at home. However, having to put on warm clothing instead of shorts and sandals each day is a big change. I miss wandering through the Worowat market and polking into all the tiny shops with stuff that has been sitting on shelves for years. Some stuff is so cheap I'm almost embarrassed to haggle over the price. I do it just a bit to give the salesperson the satisfaction of thinking they've hoodwinked me.

And, I do miss jumping on my motorbike and breezing through Thai traffic every day. Riding in a cold rain isn't much fun, but that happens so seldom in Thailand that I don't have to worry about it. If I buy a motorbike here in Canada I'll never be able to do what i do in Thailand. The police in Canada would lock me up and throw away the key for the stuff I do in Chiang Mai. I don't take silly risks on a motorbike, but I do know how the traffic flows and how to blend in. It's like paddling a canoe down a fast moving riveer. Everything is changing constantly and you have to be aware at all times.

I miss all the little things that I often take for granted in Thailand. I was treated like a princess for the 6 months I was in LOS. Little kids would want to touch my bushy mop of red hair.Cafe owners wel

If I walk into a pub or nightclub alone in Canada I'll remain alone all night long unless it's some creep hitting on me. I can go into any cafe or bar in Thailand and just walk up to people and be accepted as one of the gang. If you are at all perceptive you can quickly determine if your presence is wanted or not. Thais usually enjoy the company of happy people with a smile on their face.

rene123, you sure are a delightful person. The best to you!

I thought the general smog situation in Chiang Mai this year is considerably better than some of those previous.

Maybe because I am living closer to the national park side of Hangdong rather than out on the samgkeampeng plains?

I thought the general smog situation in Chiang Mai this year is considerably better than some of those previous.

Maybe because I am living closer to the national park side of Hangdong rather than out on the samgkeampeng plains?

You make it sound like the Serengeti

There may be herds of wildebeest out there, but I can't see them due to the "dust"

The smoke problem (not SMOG!) in the north won't get any better unless someone can stop all the local fires.

I've just driven 50km north of CM, and there are 3 large fires burning in the forests. The plumes are rising hundreds of metres into the air, and will no doubt drift down over the city soon enough.

A good deal of the roadside has already been torched.

I thought the general smog situation in Chiang Mai this year is considerably better than some of those previous.

Maybe because I am living closer to the national park side of Hangdong rather than out on the samgkeampeng plains?

You make it sound like the Serengeti

There may be herds of wildebeest out there, but I can't see them due to the "dust"

Haha

But I do think its a bit more dusty over there; and more agriculture burn off than the mostly residences. They say the trees clean the air also. Not so many trees out on the plains.

If you're interested in finding "expensive" Thai coffee in Vancouver, you'll be pleased to know that Doi Chaang has beans for sale all over Vancouver. Here's their store locator page:

http://doichaangcoffee.com/store-locator

Also available in the UK and set up via Fair Trade!

Clearing up today!!! Should make for an excellent Songkran day. I also notice the higher humidity, which is good.

Clearing up today!!! Should make for an excellent Songkran day. I also notice the higher humidity, which is good.

Amazing what a bit of water splashing achieves

Heading south of Lamphun, a clear day. Felt fantastic to see the trees on the mountains in the distance. Apparently a lot of rain last night. Cool this morning but heating up now.

Maybe the power of thought actually works. I was mentally trying to trade some of our cool, damp BC weather for some Thai sunshine. I know you folks could use some of our rain. It seems to be working. We have a little sunshine peeking through the clouds this morning and I have a birthday party to go to tonight. Have fun with Songkran gang.