3 weeks in Chiang Mai – Friends, Map/GPS, Land

[Diddl]

Hello Everyone, I’m glad to be here. Thank you for your informative forum – I have just spend 2 days going through the information on this site. I am new to Chiang Mai and have only been here 3 weeks. I have decided to retire here and make this my final move and home. I have been doing voluntary work in India for the last 5 years and have had such bad experiences that it is now time for me to find a new home and retire, so Chiang Mai is it. I love the people here, they are so considerate and tolerant in my experience. I have already found myself a small condo, something temporary that will save me hotel costs (signing the papers on Monday), and now I am looking for somewhere in the wilds of northern Thailand where I can settle, away from the towers and WiFi that give me headaches most of the time. I prefer to buy land (in the name of a Thai citizen I know in Bangkok) and to build a Lanna house – I just love these Thai houses.

Anyway, I am an old lady alone and I wish to make friends as I do not know anyone. I speak English and French, can drive a car well (have driven in many countries all over Europe and India for 40 years without ever having had an accident) and hope to buy or rent a car soon so that I can find my way around Chiang Mai and outer regions.

So, the questions I have are:

1. How do I make friends in CM when I don’t speak Thai and I am an old lady who does not want to frequent bars, etc.? Is there a newcomers club or get-together for newcomers somewhere in CM?

2. Where can I get a decent printed map or updated GPS in English in order to find my way around? The tourist maps are so small and hardly detailed.

3...How can I find land for sale with a Chanote title deed when most of the land that interests me is Sor Tor Gor? Estate Agents are advertising Sor Tor Gor land for sale!

If there is someone else out there who wants a new friend or is feeling lonely, and who wants to befriend an old lady like me, please let me know. When I finally get properly settled, I want to learn the Thai language also.

Thank you for answering my questions.

[malt25]

Hi "Old Lady"

Only 2 weeks ago I was in the same situation. You should find what you need at Eagle GPS in Pantip Plaza, 2nd. floor. The plaza is in the middle of CBD. Nice people who assisted well.

Hope this helps.

Cheers..... Mal.

[BarnicaleBob]

Hi "Old Lady"

Only 2 weeks ago I was in the same situation. You should find what you need at Eagle GPS in Pantip Plaza, 2nd. floor. The plaza is in the middle of CBD. Nice people who assisted well.

Hope this helps.

Cheers..... Mal.

I agree that Eagle GPS in Pantip Plaza offers a good selection of Garmin GPS models that have both Thai and English screens and voice. Pantip Plaza is in the Night Bazaar area.

[beau thai]

Hi "Old Lady"

Only 2 weeks ago I was in the same situation. You should find what you need at Eagle GPS in Pantip Plaza, 2nd. floor. The plaza is in the middle of CBD. Nice people who assisted well.

Hope this helps.

Cheers..... Mal.

I agree that Eagle GPS in Pantip Plaza offers a good selection of Garmin GPS models that have both Thai and English screens and voice. Pantip Plaza is in the Night Bazaar area.

Well good luck with that one - my experience of service there was that it was non-existent. Despite 4 'staff' sitting there doing nothing and me having a thai speker with me. To call it indifferent would be a compliment. They are clearly not on commission.....

My advice; Get a good map at a bookshop, and get your car before your gps.

Not sure what to suggest for new friends but some one here will help. There is an expat club but I have no experience of it.

[Diddl]

Thank you for the info. I will look into maps and GPS to see what is the best option for the time being. As for service, it is always touch and go wherever you go in the world so I just have to catch a shop-seller on a good day. No worries.

[FolkGuitar]

Hi "Old Lady"

Only 2 weeks ago I was in the same situation. You should find what you need at Eagle GPS in Pantip Plaza, 2nd. floor. The plaza is in the middle of CBD. Nice people who assisted well.

Hope this helps.

Cheers..... Mal.

I agree that Eagle GPS in Pantip Plaza offers a good selection of Garmin GPS models that have both Thai and English screens and voice. Pantip Plaza is in the Night Bazaar area.

Well good luck with that one - my experience of service there was that it was non-existent. Despite 4 'staff' sitting there doing nothing and me having a thai speker with me. To call it indifferent would be a compliment. They are clearly not on commission.....

My advice; Get a good map at a bookshop, and get your car before your gps.

Not sure what to suggest for new friends but some one here will help. There is an expat club but I have no experience of it.

I'm with you on this one! I've been using a Garmin Zumo motorcycle GPS for the past few years, integrating it with the Garmin software called MapSource. Moving back to Chiang Mai, I discovered that this place in the Phantip Plaza sold the newest Garmin map for Thailand, went in asked if they had it, asked them if it was a legit copy or a busted one, and was told it was completely authorized. I bought it, put it into my GPS and it worked fine. But when I tried to put it into MapSource, it wouldn't unlock with the key provided. I went back to the shop to ask how I could get it to work, and was THEN told that it would ONLY work in the GPS. It wasn't unlocked for the software.... which means it is NOT a legit copy. I don't mind the legality of it as much as it upsets me that I can't use the map software. That's every bit as important as the GPS itself. For 2,000 baht that it cost, I would have liked to be told the truth... Do NOT trust this shop.

[Diddl]

I know nothing about GPSs so excuse me if my questions seem stupid - but I'm learning Isn't the software on a GPS standard, that is to say aren't they all the same? When you buy a GPS, do you have to buy software for it to work or is it sold in a workable condition from the start? I suppose a hand-held GPS exists rather than one you have to incorporate into a vehicle? I know, don't say it, be patient with me

[Johpa]

Why would you want to purchase Sor Tor Gor land if you have just arrived and speak no Thai? That land tends to be out of town and in areas where only Thai is spoken. Best to spend some time closer to town, learn some Thai, and then in a few years move further our if you think you can handle the (blissful) isolation from other ex-pats. Besides, as a newbie, much, much safer to rent than to buy. Also, there are a few "bars" that you might find some decent fellowship, such as the "Writer's Club" on Ratchadamnoen.

As for maps beyond the inner city, look at the GT-Rider's maps. Although geared towards motorcyclists, they are equally good for cars. I believe David is coming out very soon with an updated Mae Sa Valley map showing many daytrip options.

[shepsel]

Yes, having a GPS is a great idea especially if you are driving and need navigating assistance. You should get a map at one of the bookstores that shows the city and province as well.

As far as meeting people, you can start out at the Expats Club--they meet once a month (currently at the Meridian Hotel) on the fourth Saturday of the month, and have a coffee meeting on a Friday. THere are several umbrella groups that come under the club with special interests.

As far as accommodations, I would recommend renting for a while until you get familiar with the city, rather than going out and buying a piece of land and build. Explore different areas and take your time!!! It is quite easy to meet people--most are friendly and will give you advice.

And lastly, which should be my first thought---Welcome to Chiang Mai. I hope to chat with you some day and see how you are adjusting.

[FolkGuitar]

I know nothing about GPSs so excuse me if my questions seem stupid - but I'm learning Isn't the software on a GPS standard, that is to say aren't they all the same? When you buy a GPS, do you have to buy software for it to work or is it sold in a workable condition from the start? I suppose a hand-held GPS exists rather than one you have to incorporate into a vehicle? I know, don't say it, be patient with me

No... you do NOT 'need' any software to use a GPS, providing it has a good base map in it already. For example, if you bought a hand-held or vehicle GPS in the US, you can be sure that it would show all the small streets in larger cities such as New York City, L.A., Chicago, etc., but perhaps not so much detail about the small streets in Podunk, Minnesota. However, they would show the main highways and larger streets through a town. Google-Map, on the other hand, is quite detailed with its mapping of Chiang Mai, but the base map for Thailand that is available for Garmin GPS doesn't show the small sois that Google shows.

I use mapping software to plan out routes that I want to follow for long trips. I find the areas using Google Earth and Google Map, then log the routes into the mapping software. Once the day's routes are planned, the software tells me the distances, expected route times, places where I can find gas, food, and lodging, etc., etc. Then I can upload these routes into my GPS, and that will tell me where to turn, how far until the next turn, how far until the next gas station or how long until we reach the evening's destination. Never get lost. Never go hungry. Well... usually never...

The software can be used in reverse as well. If we are just wandering and exploring for a few days, the GPS logs the route and saves any important place markers. When we get back home, we can upload all this information into the mapping software and see exactly where we have been, which roads we took, and any notes we made along the way. The next time we want to return to an area, we have all the information needed to get back there.

Not everyone cares to use mapping software. We just find it very convenient (and fun,) and it often allows us to travel only the pretty roads, avoiding the places we'd not liked on previous rides. When combined with Google Earth, it allows us to find the best ways into (and out of) some very remote areas.

[Diddl]

Johpa, I don’t want to purchase Sor Tor Gor land. What I said was that a lot of estate agents are advertising such land which I don’t want to buy but which are more attractive in my eyes. I will not buy such land as it will get me into big trouble! I want Chanote land (that a friend in Bangkok will buy) or leasehold land.

Yes, it is true, the land that I am looking for is out of town and where Thai people probably don’t speak English, but I am not moving to Thailand to be with ex-pats only. I like Thai people and I would like to frequent them if possible, otherwise what would I be doing wanting to live here. Perhaps, also, I will learn the language that much quicker if I am in a Thai area. As for the isolation, it is nice sometimes to have complete privacy and, in any case, I am used to driving, even at night, in many countries and over great distances, so why should I worry, I can meet friends by car. I drive in India on my own and live in India on my own. My hobby is research and I want to write a couple of books, so being in isolation suits me fine, and I can always socialise inbetween when I have made some friends. As for security, again, why should I worry. I have been living in a tiger reserve in India in a remote area and I was very happy – in northern Thailand there are no tigers or elephants roaming the countryside so I will not find them near my house as I have experienced in India. My moto is dare to LIVE life and enjoy it.

I don’t want to waste my money on rent, I have been doing that already by paying for hotels. Too late anyway, I have bought a studio condo which will save me money and will be an investment. If ever I run out of money, at least I will still have a roof over my head.

Thanks for the advice though, I appreciate it, and thanks for telling me about the Writer’s Club and maps.

[Diddl]

Thanks for the info Shepsel. Yes, for buying land, I am not rushing into things because I want something that is to my liking, but I still have my personal belongings in India so I don’t want to drag on for too long as I am paying rent on a house there and I have no-where to store these belongings here.

Thank you for the welcome, that is really nice of you.

[Diddl]

Sounds great FolkGuitar. I hope I will be able to work with the software as you have done too. I’m not an informatics expert but I tend to learn quickly so it should not be impossible for me to grasp at least the fundamentals. I’ll scout around for a GPS and see what is available, or I might just wait until I buy a car – not quite sure what to do now.

[alant]

Hello Didl

I hope you find what you need. I think a GPS is worth a lot if for no other reason that it will get you home. The Eagle place mentioned in previous responses is good. I use a free on my phone on the motorcycle which is fantastic. I have an android phone, and the app is OsmAnd.

The somewhere to live is interesting, whilst getting away from it all may seem like a good idea, when we considered living in a property we own that is way out in the countryside we put it on the back burner as an idea as contact would be 100% in Thai and simple things like 7-eleven stores are not round the corner. Perhaps not quite so far out. There are people here with the kind of experience that could help.

Also whilst I understand the bit about being a non bar person, you may find places like the red lion where a number of the more senior ex pats go and eat worth a trip, maybe not at weekend when the football is on but during the week.

I hope this was of some help.

[GBK]

Why not get an iPad/iPad Mini and use Google Maps and Motion GPS Drive like I do? A gps is a one trick pony, whereas the iPad would do what you want and a great deal more besides.

[wwest5829]

Come to the Chiang Mai Expats "coffee" on Dec 20 at the River Market. 10:00am. There is no general monthly meeting in December due to the holidays. Great breakfast but more importantly for you, meet folks who have lived here many years or are new, like yourself. Great " ice breaker". Ha! Ice breaker is very weird usage in a climate like this!

[Iamemjay]

Hi Diddi. Welcome to Thailand, and Chiangmai province in particular. I can say with absolutely no hesitation that my choice to retire and move to Thailand was the very best "career" decision I have made in my life. (I'm old too according to my Government but I don't believe it!)

Re language skills - Don't fret too much about that. I speak only basic Thai phrases but fins very few problems in getting by. There is always someone nearby who is happy to help you if you find yourself in a language "hole" - even here in the remote highlands farming village where I live - 150K North of CM city.

Re GPS. I have had two. They both broke down, so now I have none. I'n not bothering to buy another one. The software is so inaccurate in relation to Thailand, and add to this the multitude of naming conventions (which includes the inescapable fact that most roads off the highways are "unnamed roads" you can depend on it that when you most need it (other than to find your way home!) it will be of no assistance. Get yourself a good, old fashioned map and use that! Even with a GPS you will need the map anyway!

I notice that no-one else has responded to your issue of friendship. I'm happy to meet with you and explore that with you, although I dare say that when you make your decision to settle somewhere there will always be farangs close by - and if my experience is anything to go by, quite a few of them will be very welcoming and the sort of people you may wish to spend times with when you so choose.

If you are interested my (Thai) wife and I will be in CM city for a couple of days early next week. We can meet for coffee or lunch or dinner - whatever you wish. If you want to do this please message me on this forum.(Doubleclick on my name above).

[Meadowlark]

Hi newbie,

Just to let you know there are nice places outside cm. I am living in a housing development in San sai 15 km from cm, english style house surrounded by rice fields with plenty of backroads for biking and walking. Look up Baan Nonnipa on Internet. of course you will need to have a Thai friend to purchase for you as I have done with my bf. housing priced from 1.2 million to 3 depending on type and land lot. Se attached

[northernjohn]

You might want to try the Chiang Mai expats club.

chiangmaiexpatsclub.com

They meet once a month where they have a speaker and other information. It is a chance to meet people. They also have what they call a coffee morning where they get together at the River Market for breakfast and strictly a social hour.

I have been going for a couple of years and have to admit I have heard some bad sopeakers and some good ones. Some spoke on a topic I had no interest in but they put it across in a way that was highly enjoyable and a learning experiance.

If none of this is your cup of tea they have many associated clubs all the way from Dining out to computer and hiking even a hypnosis club. About 15 of them.

[Wordworx]

I'm no help, I'm afraid, but have forwarded your post to some nice people who run a wine distribution business, among their other enterprises. You may hear from them. They occasionally do tasting and dining events with other well traveled, seasoned expat types. And you might consider similar culinary routes. Maybe the better and better-attended Thai cooking classes, other tasting events catering to expats, that sort of thing. >>> btw - Nice to see the OP's post was returned with all gracious and helpful replies.

[LukKrueng]

how far from the big city do you want or are you willing to live? Do you want to live in a town or a village or neither? What size land are you looking for? What's your budget for the land?

I can tell you I've been searching for my perfect piece of land in the CM area for the last 12 months.... I've selected a specific district where I am now renting a house (for the last 9 months) while looking for the land, and I keep looking...

[vhartling]

Dear Newbie,

Here are some suggestions for meeting people. There is the Ladies Lunch which happens every second Thursday. Contact Nancy Lindley at [email protected] to be put on the email list. The main purpose of the Ladies Lunch is to give English speaking women an opportunity to meet each other and to exchange information. A great variety of women attend, old, young, permanent residents, travelers and snowbirds. They originate from many different countries and as you can imagine they have had varied experiences.

Another possibility is the Chiang Mai International Women's Book Club which meets once a month to discuss a predetermined book. Again this group is an excellent representation of the variety of women living in Chiang Mai. Contact info [email protected].

Chiang Mai news available on line has listings of community events, both onetime and continuing. It is my experience that people are very friendly at these events.

Best of luck in your new home.

[scubascuba3]

I've found my s3 android phone to be very good for GPS/maps. In Thailand you can get Samsung s4's for 3000 baht, they look real and seem to work fine. I use Googlemaps, you need data for this either sim or WiFi. Alternatively there is a good android app "mapswithme" which works offline, both have their uses

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[belg]

another one wanting to lose

EVERYTHING

by investing money and putting land in a name of a thai you know...

ai ai ai

next year you come cry here you lost everything

[Diddl]

Thank you everyone for all your info and advise.

Hello LukKrueng, I would like to live in the northern part of Thailand. I don’t mind being 1-2 hours drive from CM, in fact, from some of the estate agents’ pictures I have seen, land further away is very nice. The only problem, from my little experience so far, is that these land publications are for Sor Tor Gor land and this does not interest me, I insist on Chanote land. I would like 2-3 rai, even a little more if I can afford it. There is one particular estate agent that I want to see here in CM so let’s see if they are genuine because they have a huge list of land for sale. If nothing works out, I might just start looking in Chiang Rai when I get a car.

[Bunter]

Hi Diddl if you have a smart phone - I use an android and use "Maps With Me" free but you can do much more with the paid version at $5.99 and this works without 3g or wifi. You cvan down;load any country maps you need and it may just get you out of trouble cheaply.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapswithme.maps&hl=en

I have recently used in Australia Thailand Malaysia Singapore and Vietnam and all good. The best feaure is that it provides stand alone GPS features without 3g.

Cheers Bunter

[Smee]

In my opinion you don't need a gps. I suggest you get a large screen android phone or a tablet or ipad and a 3G sim card and install google maps. If you buy a car later on you may consider buying an onboard gps at that time but not all of these are particularly useful and can be a pain to update - and yiu will need to update from time to time. The gps i have in my car is fiddly and frequentky fails to cime up with a sensibke route ir recognise addresses or landmarks. For example, if searching for "airports" in Bangkok, it comes up with Don Muang but has no idea Suwarnabhumi even exists. Googke maps has no such issue and i always prefer to use my tab or phone as a nav aid.

Enjoy your retirement in this beautiful country!

[Dante99]

Chanote land is best but some other types can be upgraded to Chanotes, sometimes with a simple survey by the land department.

[ironhorse10]

Welcome Diddi, like you I am newbie to Chiang Mai, only been here for 1 year and a half, I thought about getting way out of the city myself, but then remembered I am retiring here so I must be getting old, I need to be within a hours drive to medical treatment and I like to eat American food at least once a week, and shop at the big supermarkets for Western food, You don't have to go far from the city to get away, within 30 minutes you will be in the country. I haven't found it to difficult to find people speaking English out side the city. I have expat friends and Thai friends, both inside and out side the city. I ride a motorcycle and have traveled alot. The Expat Club that others have mentioned it a good place to meet. Good luck to you and maybe we will meet someday.

[umbanda]

If you just arrived in Thailand, my advice will be NOT to buy a land or do any long term rental commitment, specially with real estate agencies, until you find your last destination traveling around to close cities, like Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Phrae. I live in Chiang Mai for a while. It is a big city and very touristic. You may like smaller cities, or a house with a small garden, and not downtown life. After living in Chiang Mai in a small apartment paying $200/month...I moved to a lovely small house on a secure private village outside Lampang paying $100/month month to month.

Anyway....after living in Chiang Mai and Lampang for few years, I found Chiang Rai the best city to live in North Thailand. Look on internations for Chiang Mai events and other sites for expats events in Chiang Rai. If you are a native English speaker and you like to teach, you can find a English teaching job part time and becomes a "local" very fast. If that is of your interest, you can start just assisting a Thai teacher in Government schools, for free, or for small salary. Just introduce your self to an English teacher in those schools and you will be directed to the principal to start helping young people....At the same time you will meet a lot of new people, Thai and foreigners teachers. If is not teaching, you can find many volunteers activities where foreigners are involved. Facebook is a good place to find about.

Drive a car?....only if you need it bad. It is not a good idea if you want to be out of trouble. For the cost of running a car, you can use tuk tuk every day or even rent a car with driver, and relax enjoying the landscape. Do you need stress? Just find a tuk tuk with a nice driver, and ask if you can call it every time you need it. Some will be happy in be at your service, and not extra cost because that.

Also...you may not know, but since few weeks any foreigner living in Thailand can get Medical Benefits like Thai people in Government Hospitals. If you do not have Medical Insurance, just go to a local hospital and ask for Foreigner Medical Card, just showing your passport and your rental contract for prove of residence.

Welcome to Thailand!

Edited May 26, 2014 by Maestro
Removed off-topic part of post.