The negative people on this website will obviously not like what I have to say because I have encountered nothing but the positive throughout my stay in Chiang Mai.

I extended my visa to a 3-month retirement visa at Immigration Bangkok without any problem and then I travelled to Chiang Mai to find my new home. I phoned up an estate agent called Perfect Homes, told them what I was looking for, and within 2 days they showed me what I had asked them. They did not mess me about, they only showed me what I had asked them to find, and I found my perfect condo immediately. Perfect Homes also helped me with the purchase, took me to the Land Registration Office, dealt with all the paperwork and made sure everything was in order, and everything was finalised in 2 hours with my new Title Deed. Perfect Homes even arranged for a landline to be connected to my condo as well as internet connection – what salesman/saleswoman would do all this in another country at no extra cost and with the kindness of their heart, which is Thailand’s way!

Then it was all about finding my way around. I got lost in the side streets as newcomers often do, so I asked my way of 2 young Thai guys. They were so obliging as to offer me a ride on their motorbike to my required destination, all this with the kindness of their heart, without requesting money. A taxi driver took me to the wrong place outside town, he was not sure of the address, and he was genuinely sorry and felt very guilty – Perfect Homes helped the taxi driver by phone and even came to collect me from the highway. At the Night Bizarre, after walking so much and my legs feeling the strain, a lovely young Thai couple at a stall gave me a stool to sit on. We chatted as though we had known each other forever. Then shopping at the Central Department Store at Festival Shopping Mall for household equipment that I still needed, the sales people were rushing around for me trying to find what I wanted and they even offered me a chair to sit on in the store. After selecting everything needed, a salesman offered to carry all my purchases to the car park and placed it all in the boot of the car – unbelievable the kindness and without me asking for help!

Who would do all this in so-called civilised countries! Thank you Thailand for offering me a home in your country amongst the kindest and most hospitable people I have ever met. Where else in the world is it so easy to immigrate – appreciate what is given you.

For newcomers, don’t be dissuaded by the negativity on this website. Of course, there can be negative experiences no doubt as happens everywhere in the world but I deduce that these happen mostly in the south of Thailand where sex and drugs seem to pervade. Perhaps it is also a question of treating Thais humanely and not thinking that us foreigners are superior, which we are not! Get rid of your airs and graces, if you have any, and everything will be fine and paradise, as it is for me.

Thank goodness there are still good foreigners here who can give faith to Thais knowing that we appreciate them and their country. Perhaps they left their country, as I did, to find better people to live with.

I've been here 3 years and I have similar experiences.

David

Not met a girl yet then,things could change very quickly?Actually Chiang Mai is one of Asia's best kept secrets.

All I can say is ........speechless!

All I have to say is you haven't been here nearly long enough.

People who can't live with their own race have a problem and it always manifests itself over here eventually..going thousands of miles away doesn't change much in the long term.

People who can't live with their own race have a problem and it always manifests itself over here eventually..going thousands of miles away doesn't change much in the long term.

My race is the human race!

All I have to say is you haven't been here nearly long enough.

Yeh, right! So what are you doing here?

I did enjoy reading about your experiences as you ease into your new life here.

It's usually good to get a fresh perspective, reminds me of why I originally choose this destination.

Just something though, sex and drugs occur everywhere so let's not get caught up in labelling areas were not accustomed to.

All in all a great wee introduction. Thanks.

i find that people out here do go the extra mile,if treated with respect and a bit of humour.

Who are you???!!!! You are not falang....must be thai paid big money by CM Tourist Division!!!!

Chiang mai is like a lot of cities. The mountains are the best, but sometimes I wonder about the beaches. The weather is hot, but other places it gets too cold. Sometimes lots of traffic, sometimes it's perfect. etc...

One thing CM always has for me is an endless amount of positive energy. people moving, walking, looking, interacting. i like that, feed off it.

I have seen just as many friendly people in America, no question. this is not america versus thailand. it's enjoy versus enjoy.

so go out today and hug your fellow TV member, tell them "I love you TV member, we are in this together!!!"

Ahh....the honey moon....... update please in 6months

Oh come on, folks! The OP is right -- this country is great when it comes to being on the receiving end of a retail experience. Whenever I'm feeling a little down, having a bad day all I have to do is go to a department store's main floor and spend a hour pondering a minor purchase like a new lipstick to receive all sorts of flattering attention. Or if I want to relax a bit more, go for a manicure or foot massage in a nice clean place where there's soothing music and soft-spoken young women.

Thailand is very good at treating the customer right and in the early stages of settling in Thailand a newbie is buying lots of stuff and having lots of good experiences.

Oh come on, folks! The OP is right -- this country is great when it comes to being on the receiving end of a retail experience. Whenever I'm feeling a little down, having a bad day all I have to do is go to a department store's main floor and spend a hour pondering a minor purchase like a new lipstick to receive all sorts of flattering attention. Or if I want to relax a bit more, go for a manicure or foot massage in a nice clean place where there's soothing music and soft-spoken young women.

Thailand is very good at treating the customer right and in the early stages of settling in Thailand a newbie is buying lots of stuff and having lots of good experiences.

I was not a "customer" when 2 young guys gave me a ride on their motorbike to destination. There are more experiences like this that I have not related because it would fill a whole page.

Funny isn't it, how people only read the part of a message that they think relates to their way of thinking, completely ignoring other vital information!

A great 'indicator' of the Thai experience is the number of "LIKES" you got from your original post. Most of us share your feelings and experiences. But just like 'good news and the Media,' it doesn't 'sell' in this forum. Positive experiences don't give the nay-sayers an outlet to complain, while the 'aye-sayers' are satisfied just to 'like' your post. It's true that you are still in the 'honeymoon' phase of your Thai experience, but like most things, there is a pendulum swing that will eventually find it's equilibrium. It's not all roses and spun sugar, but it's not Dante's inner circle either. All in all, Chiang Mai is a wonderful place to live. Don't let the 'nay-sayers' tell you otherwise.

Nice to read a positive experience.

We have been here a few years & still like it.

As others always say there are some phases & you may hit a few bumps

along the way. Some things whether immigration or other official tasks etc.

may seem hard & discouraging but, if you keep a good attitude they are usually

easily resolved. The ones that aren't you will need to accept that is just part of living

someplace "different" If not it will just sour your outlook & not help anything.

Good luck

A great 'indicator' of the Thai experience is the number of "LIKES" you got from your original post. Most of us share your feelings and experiences. But just like 'good news and the Media,' it doesn't 'sell' in this forum. Positive experiences don't give the nay-sayers an outlet to complain, while the 'aye-sayers' are satisfied just to 'like' your post. It's true that you are still in the 'honeymoon' phase of your Thai experience, but like most things, there is a pendulum swing that will eventually find it's equilibrium. It's not all roses and spun sugar, but it's not Dante's inner circle either. All in all, Chiang Mai is a wonderful place to live. Don't let the 'nay-sayers' tell you otherwise.

Well stated.

The Night Bizarre sounds like fun. I think I went there once a long time ago.

I've had ups and downs living here but the ups far outnumber the downs. I regard this city as home and don't look forward to travelling to my old home in the UK.

I also think some people attract their bad luck: guys marrying (full-time, part-time and occasional) hookers, guys buying bars, guys thinking they are smarter than the locals, guys completely oblivious to the Thai way of doing things etc.

The CM experience can be great if one avoids various pitfalls.

I met a older european man recently who just came to Thailand to retire.

He met an issan women at a massage shop on Loh Kroh road.

He believes everything she says like he is the first one she has gone with.

In the space of a just a few months he has put her as the sole heir of his will. He has a significant pension and she has talked him into getting the will properly registered at his countries consulate in Pattaya.

I have tried to explain some caution or even light paranoia is a healthy practice in Thailand but he is just so gullible and overwhelmed with happiness now.

I don't think this is going to end well but I really hope I am wrong.

You should see how happy the guy is, who sold you his condo. LOL. It's a great place, and one of the reasons is because it's not a beach resort, where so money crooks move to fleece the tourists. If all the tourists left tomorrow; CNX would carry on as a functional city, and the 65000 uni students would keep right on going to school. I think it may have some growing pains, but if you are realistic, you will be fine. Certain western items are very expensive, and if you can simply do without them; you won't find yourself on here complaining about how expensive german sausage are. Many other things are relatively cheap; try to enjoy those. I'm known for complaining about the dogs in a well known moo baan, and probably a few comments about some of the worst drivers in the world. Other than that, I love the place, and as soon as I get my new passport; I'll be heading back. As mentioned above, the biggest losers in CNX are those who a) open bars B] get fleeced by girls from Isaan and C) die while driving drunk on their motorbike....all seems pretty avoidable. A few weeks ago, I had to hitchhike about 50 km in the States, and I was having a lot of flashbacks to all the nice thais that gave me a ride, without hesitation, and absolutely refused any money. Department store girls are tops, too.

As someone said above good news doesnt sell, so older hands here will be happy to point out the pitfalls. But if you are halfway sensible, life is wonderful here.

Enjoy!

A great 'indicator' of the Thai experience is the number of "LIKES" you got from your original post. Most of us share your feelings and experiences. But just like 'good news and the Media,' it doesn't 'sell' in this forum. Positive experiences don't give the nay-sayers an outlet to complain, while the 'aye-sayers' are satisfied just to 'like' your post. It's true that you are still in the 'honeymoon' phase of your Thai experience, but like most things, there is a pendulum swing that will eventually find it's equilibrium. It's not all roses and spun sugar, but it's not Dante's inner circle either. All in all, Chiang Mai is a wonderful place to live. Don't let the 'nay-sayers' tell you otherwise.

Hey man, I like it here and have for decades!

There sure is a lot of complaining about negativity here.

This forum is a good place to recommend things and share good experiences.

It is also a place to alert others to scams, poor quality, dangers, etc.

Would you want the media to give a report whenever an airplane lands safely? I just assume most things are just fine and un-newsworthy.

He hasn't been stalked, by the wooden-frog ladies, yet !

But being serious, yes Chiang Mai is a super place, I still love it after nine years, and hope to for the rest of my life.

So to another new-arrival !

Six weeks? I've been on holiday for longer periods than that. As a few have mentioned, report back after six years with your true feelings.

The Night Bizarre sounds like fun. I think I went there once a long time ago.

That's where you sometimes find The Magic Theatre (Not for Everybody!).

A great 'indicator' of the Thai experience is the number of "LIKES" you got from your original post. Most of us share your feelings and experiences. But just like 'good news and the Media,' it doesn't 'sell' in this forum. Positive experiences don't give the nay-sayers an outlet to complain, while the 'aye-sayers' are satisfied just to 'like' your post. It's true that you are still in the 'honeymoon' phase of your Thai experience, but like most things, there is a pendulum swing that will eventually find it's equilibrium. It's not all roses and spun sugar, but it's not Dante's inner circle either. All in all, Chiang Mai is a wonderful place to live. Don't let the 'nay-sayers' tell you otherwise.

Hey man, I like it here and have for decades!

I'm glad you put those smileys in there... When I saw the e-mail notification of your post I was wondering...

"what salesman/saleswoman would do all this in another country at no extra cost and with the kindness of their heart, which is Thailands way!"

I'm thinking "the kindness of their heart" involved a "big commission" that they forgot to mention.

After a while you come to recognise the scamming, but I agree the honeymoon period (where you pay double for everything without knowing) is great.

Ahh....the honey moon....... alt=biggrin.png pagespeed_url_hash=14303579 width=20 height=20> update please in 6months alt=wai.gif pagespeed_url_hash=3808308681 width=20 height=20>

Been here 10 years and still loving it and I agree with most of what the OP says. Maybe I'm just not a negative person. i think it's because I'm not a miserable old so and so who look for the negative in any situation and decide to focus on that. That sure seems to be how a lot of people on this forum look at things.