1optimistic Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Hi, I will come to Chiang Mai in the end of this week and was wondering where one can most likely meet Americans living there. Have tons of questions and need advice on so many things: Visa, Condo/Apartment rentals, Insurance, refills of medicine, Doctors and so many other thing too numerous to mentioned here. There are many things that I have researched and got some answers to on different sites on internet; now its time to sit down and talk to real humans that are living the "real life" that I am looking to live, Is there a coffee shop or a club that newcomers like me can go to, to meet people that actually lives in Chiang Mai and would be willing to give this new comer some advice. I would really appreciate it. Thank you and please send how where to meet here on this thread. No private meetings, only in public places; Cafes, Restaurants etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I would recommend the CM Expatriates Club! http://www.chiangmaiexpatsclub.com I'm sure Nancy will also be along to also welcome you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mascarabertha Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I would recommend the CM Expatriates Club! http://www.chiangmaiexpatsclub.com I'm sure Nancy will also be along to also welcome you... they only want advice from Americans "and was wondering where one can most likely meet Americans living here" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangmai Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 If you could tell us a few more details about you; you will get much better responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeichen Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 As stated. The expats club would be best and the poster NancyL here is the current president, if that is the title. She is very helpful and has great advice to newcomers. None of the questions you mentioned seem to be applicable to only Americans, so I assume that anyone at the expat club can help you. From there you can learn about other groups and things of interest to you where you could find specifically Americans to talk to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernjohn Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 As stated. The expats club would be best and the poster NancyL here is the current president, if that is the title. She is very helpful and has great advice to newcomers. None of the questions you mentioned seem to be applicable to only Americans, so I assume that anyone at the expat club can help you. From there you can learn about other groups and things of interest to you where you could find specifically Americans to talk to. If you are here Friday morning they have a breakfast buffet at the River Market right next to the steel bridge starts at 9:30 to 11:30 Mostly American food. The cost is 220 baht for members and 270 baht for non members. It is just informal. No program sit with others and chat with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgordo38 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) You can PM me and keep me on a retainer a cup of coffee or a Chang. Lots of coffee shops around here and I like to shoot the breeze with foreigners. I am close to KSK and have lived here for 5 yrs. I have made all the mistakes one can make. I am now on a mission to save others from the pitfalls here and trust me there are many. Edited May 12, 2015 by elgordo38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Welcome to Chiang Mai! Yes, the Chiang Mai Expats Club would be a good place to start. We get together for breakfast on the 1st and 3rd Friday mornings of each month at River Market restaurant from 9:30 - 11:30 am for an excellent buffet and informal time to chat. All nationalities are welcome and a fair number of Americans are always present. Then once a month we have a General Meeting with a organized program and speaker at Le Meridien Hotel, on the 4th Saturday morning of the month, 10:30 am - 12:00 noon. Arrive at 10 am for coffee and light refreshments. We also have Outside Group Activities, smaller special interest groups that meet more often. Check out the website and Facebook page: http://www.chiangmaiexpatsclub.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chiang-Mai-Expats-Club/286223608211692 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetlejuice Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 What the OP and many in similar circumstances who live or are considering staying long term in Chiang Mai are seeking is sadly lacking in the city. As regards the Expats club, there are good reports and bad reports about that outfit, having been a scandal associated with it in the past. I suggest the OP try the Expats club to see if he likes it or not, but besides that there is virtually nothing, unlike in Bangkok and Pattaya. There are what they call the Chiang Mai Meetups and some stuff on facebook, but these are mostly specialist outfits, great for those who enjoy yoga, dance, eating weird food and those sort of things, but just for general socialising and meeting welcoming friendly old hands to give general advice and share in a few laughs and beers, is not happening in Chiang Mai or not that I know of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) Yes, Beetlejuice, why don't you start something to welcome newcomers? Edit: The "scandal" the our dear BJ is referring to with regards to the Expats Club concerns the leadership of over 14 months ago. If anyone is approached at a CM Expats Club event by someone wanting to talk to them about an opportunity to invest money, the current leadership of the club would like to know about that conversation. Those discussions no longer have a place at a CEC event -- unless those people are with CEC sponsor Bangkok Bank and you've approached them at their sponsor table in the foyer outside a meeting. Edited May 12, 2015 by NancyL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr chow Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Yeah introduce the guy to the $9.00 Chiang Mai breakfast. Good start! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetlejuice Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) Yes, Beetlejuice, why don't you start something to welcome newcomers? Edit: The "scandal" the our dear BJ is referring to with regards to the Expats Club concerns the leadership of over 14 months ago. If anyone is approached at a CM Expats Club event by someone wanting to talk to them about an opportunity to invest money, the current leadership of the club would like to know about that conversation. Those discussions no longer have a place at a CEC event -- unless those people are with CEC sponsor Bangkok Bank and you've approached them at their sponsor table in the foyer outside a meeting. To answer your question in a civilised manner as I am above having to use sarcasm in order to get my point across, I strongly believe that there is a need for some sort of completely FREE service run on a completely VOLUNTARY basis that OPERATES WITHIN THE LAWS offered to people in similar situations to the OP, where they can meet experienced old hands like myself and many others the same here on Thai visa, including professionals who can give advice regarding visas, the laws, general survival advice and a bit of social thrown in as well, business and pleasure all under the same roof, so to speak. It could also serve as a sort of oasis in the desert for those ex-pats who would enjoy some other ex-pat company once in a while, if they do not have any or only a few social connections here already. As regards any commercial aspects of a so-called social club, I am simply not interested in anything run on those lines and would never want to become involved. If such a certified credible non- commercial outfit was to take off in Chiang Mai, I would certainly consider becoming a part of the team and I am sure my family who are in the police, a lawyer and work in the Thai banking industry would be more than willing to offer their support. Edited May 12, 2015 by Beetlejuice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Yeah introduce the guy to the $9.00 Chiang Mai breakfast. Good start! If you're referring to the price of the CM Expats Club Breakfast Buffet, then let's clarify the price for the Friday Breakfast Club. It's 220 baht for CEC members and 270 for visitors, which according to Google is now $8.00 at current exchange rates. Which isn't bad for a huge all-you-can-eat buffet that serves as both breakfast and lunch -- plus great company and conversation. If the OP plans to stay in Chiang Mai he may wish to consider joining CEC and thus receive discounts in the future on all buffets and meetings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suradit69 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I would recommend the CM Expatriates Club! http://www.chiangmaiexpatsclub.com I'm sure Nancy will also be along to also welcome you... they only want advice from Americans "and was wondering where one can most likely meet Americans living here" "most likely meet Americans living there. " Each to his own preferences of course, but don't become someone who only associates with or takes advice from people from his own country. One of the perks of living in a country other than your own is the opportunity to meet with and get to know nationals of other countries. I've even heard a rumor that some foreigners who come to Thailand get to know some Thais !! And surprisingly, some Thais can prove more knowledgeable and helpful than other foreigners who never venture out of their expat bubble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinnieTheKhwai Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 You never really know with these kinds of posts if American nationality is a requirement, or that those folks just see it as a synonym to 'white skinned dudes'. Could really be either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryBird Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Op, get out there and get your hands dirty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizard2010 Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 I would recommend the CM Expatriates Club! http://www.chiangmaiexpatsclub.com I'm sure Nancy will also be along to also welcome you... they only want advice from Americans "and was wondering where one can most likely meet Americans living here" Just curious have you ever been to this group Not sure you can make a comment like this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loptr Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 (edited) I would recommend the CM Expatriates Club! http://www.chiangmaiexpatsclub.com I'm sure Nancy will also be along to also welcome you... they only want advice from Americans "and was wondering where one can most likely meet Americans living here" The majority of members of the CMEC are Americans... Edited May 13, 2015 by Loptr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 1optimistic -- Welcome to Thai Visa! I hope you're able to come by the Breakfast Club gathering of CM Expats Club on Friday. I think you'll see it's more welcoming than Thai Visa. Of course, it's perfectly understandable you want to talk with others from the U.S. if you haven't fully made the move yet -- you'll need to know how to handle banking, mail forwarding, retirement visa application in the U.S., health insurance and medicine refills, etc. All topics which people of other nationalities would have limited ability to help. Once you get settled in, then you'll have a chance to meet the many people of other nationalties and really get a chance to explore and appreciate Thai culture. But first things first. There's no point in throwing yourself into getting to know some Thais right off the bat if you don't have banking and visas figured out first, is there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Yes, Beetlejuice, why don't you start something to welcome newcomers? Edit: The "scandal" the our dear BJ is referring to with regards to the Expats Club concerns the leadership of over 14 months ago. If anyone is approached at a CM Expats Club event by someone wanting to talk to them about an opportunity to invest money, the current leadership of the club would like to know about that conversation. Those discussions no longer have a place at a CEC event -- unless those people are with CEC sponsor Bangkok Bank and you've approached them at their sponsor table in the foyer outside a meeting. To answer your question in a civilised manner as I am above having to use sarcasm in order to get my point across, I strongly believe that there is a need for some sort of completely FREE service run on a completely VOLUNTARY basis that OPERATES WITHIN THE LAWS offered to people in similar situations to the OP, where they can meet experienced old hands like myself and many others the same here on Thai visa, including professionals who can give advice regarding visas, the laws, general survival advice and a bit of social thrown in as well, business and pleasure all under the same roof, so to speak. It could also serve as a sort of oasis in the desert for those ex-pats who would enjoy some other ex-pat company once in a while, if they do not have any or only a few social connections here already. As regards any commercial aspects of a so-called social club, I am simply not interested in anything run on those lines and would never want to become involved. If such a certified credible non- commercial outfit was to take off in Chiang Mai, I would certainly consider becoming a part of the team and I am sure my family who are in the police, a lawyer and work in the Thai banking industry would be more than willing to offer their support. He's been invited to attend board meetings, the Annual General Meeting, participate in the Constitutional re-write of CEC, etc, etc. There is no way you an operate a club of over 1200 people for FREE. Not and have a website and meeting place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 1 post by the OP spells TROLL. Not necessarily. CEC receives two or three emails a week like the OP from people who are considering retirement in Chiang Mai and are coming to check out the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khwaibah Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 1 post by the OP spells TROLL. Not necessarily. CEC receives two or three emails a week like the OP from people who are considering retirement in Chiang Mai and are coming to check out the place. So your saying TV and CEC are the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernjohn Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Yeah introduce the guy to the $9.00 Chiang Mai breakfast. Good start! Maybe you could PM him and offer to give him a tour of the 30 and 40 baht food carts. He will meet many cheap Charlie's there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernjohn Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 (edited) <script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script> Yes, Beetlejuice, why don't you start something to welcome newcomers? Edit: The "scandal" the our dear BJ is referring to with regards to the Expats Club concerns the leadership of over 14 months ago. If anyone is approached at a CM Expats Club event by someone wanting to talk to them about an opportunity to invest money, the current leadership of the club would like to know about that conversation. Those discussions no longer have a place at a CEC event -- unless those people are with CEC sponsor Bangkok Bank and you've approached them at their sponsor table in the foyer outside a meeting. To answer your question in a civilised manner as I am above having to use sarcasm in order to get my point across, I strongly believe that there is a need for some sort of completely FREE service run on a completely VOLUNTARY basis that OPERATES WITHIN THE LAWS offered to people in similar situations to the OP, where they can meet experienced old hands like myself and many others the same here on Thai visa, including professionals who can give advice regarding visas, the laws, general survival advice and a bit of social thrown in as well, business and pleasure all under the same roof, so to speak. It could also serve as a sort of oasis in the desert for those ex-pats who would enjoy some other ex-pat company once in a while, if they do not have any or only a few social connections here already. As regards any commercial aspects of a so-called social club, I am simply not interested in anything run on those lines and would never want to become involved.If such a certified credible non- commercial outfit was to take off in Chiang Mai, I would certainly consider becoming a part of the team and I am sure my family who are in the police, a lawyer and work in the Thai banking industry would be more than willing to offer their support. Your long winded reply neatly dodged the question. Why don't you start some thing? You seem to be against every thing except loving out of town. 1optimistic -- Welcome to Thai Visa! I hope you're able to come by the Breakfast Club gathering of CM Expats Club on Friday. I think you'll see it's more welcoming than Thai Visa. Of course, it's perfectly understandable you want to talk with others from the U.S. if you haven't fully made the move yet -- you'll need to know how to handle banking, mail forwarding, retirement visa application in the U.S., health insurance and medicine refills, etc. All topics which people of other nationalities would have limited ability to help. Once you get settled in, then you'll have a chance to meet the many people of other nationalties and really get a chance to explore and appreciate Thai culture. But first things first. There's no point in throwing yourself into getting to know some Thais right off the bat if you don't have banking and visas figured out first, is there? Sorry Nancy but you are making it sound difficult to move here. I moved here with out all that knowledge. I have learned a lot of it on the way yet it is not all necessary to me at this point in my life. I got my retirement Visa in Vancouver Canada. If the OP really needs all that information right now it is on the locked topics at the top of the page. For where to live how would I know. He will have to tour the city first find an area he likes and then look for a house or condo. That is a personal choice. there is also a list of medical facilities and doctors on the pinned topic list. Edit Forgot to mention he can always PM BJ and get the low down on all that is wrong and what Chiang Mai should do about it. Edited May 13, 2015 by northernjohn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 You're right NorthernJohn, it really isn't all that difficult to relocate here, but someone should go a little research and get things set up during the first few months. I'm surprised when I meet people who have lived here for years and they're still trying to cobble together back-to-back tourist visas, use an ATM card from a home country bank account, paying a 180 baht fee each time they get 10,000 baht (or whatever the limit is -- I'm not certain, but it isn't high) and use their drivers license from their home country, grousing every time they get hassled by the local cops during a traffic stop. Sure, they may be having fun "getting to know the locals" and not mixing with other expats, but they haven't taken the time to talk with others and figure out how to get a retirement visa, open a local bank account and have their pension check direct deposited and get a Thai drivers license. Doing these things does take just a little bit of effort, but once they're done, they're done. Then after a few months of getting yourself set up, then you can settle down to really get to know the local people and area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB24 Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Nancy is right - the CEC is a valid (commercial) organisation that helps Expat people in CM - especially new ones. And I say that as a non-member - I have taken someone there, and have referred some there too. If you like it and want to join it is up to you - no pressure and no more of 'the bad old days' when it was (apparently) not well run and members were taken advantage of. Nancy and her team have clearly changed the Club's direction and she/they do not deserve the criticism above - and note how patient she is And the breakfast is good and worth it - heaps of good Expat food and more than I could eat - coffee is the American type (but OK) but you can always just get juice/tea. Mainly Americans, but also Aus/NZ and Europeans too. I was a little annoyed about the many negative comments above, and then I realised I hadn't logged in. Once I did that all the (xxxxxxxxx) comments disappeared - they were all from people on my ignore list. And I yet again note from this and other posts that some are actually not Expats - they are clearly Thai and/or just Trolls. So, to the OP and others - take a look at CEC by going to their breakfast session and you will meet some Expat people you may like who have interests you may like. If not, then dont go back again - up to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante99 Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Want to meet up with farangs? Go hang out at CM Immigration, the place is full of them, more than a hundred each day and they are all sitting around waiting so have time to talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernjohn Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Want to meet up with farangs? Go hang out at CM Immigration, the place is full of them, more than a hundred each day and they are all sitting around waiting so have time to talk. They have a new system now for the 90 day. Last time I went in at 10:30 they had already served 86 I was given number 130I was out at 11:31. not A Great deal of time to talk. At it's worst the longest I ever waited was an hour and a half I did find some one to talk to then. Go in and there will be a few waiting for various other extensions. The longest being the yearly renewal. Some get numbers so high they are told to come back in the afternoon or tomorrow. I have always met interesting people in those times. But not exactly a place you would want to hang out on a daily basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 (edited) Thank you for the nice "vote of confidence" BB24. I hope you'll consider joining CEC someday. I don't want to seem ungrateful or pendantic, but just a little clarification to a point you brought up. Once of the things we had to clean up in the last year was the question of exactly "what is CEC?" from a legal standpoint. The group had just kind of come together and grown unexpectedly fast since it started 10 years ago -- about the time retirees discovered Chiang Mai. It's definitely a social club with charitable uses of funds not used for operational purposes -- something pretty common in Thai society, but how do we get this set up given that everyone on our board is a foreigner? Well, ta-da! A change in Thai law in effect April 1 decreed that all clubs like ours must register and get a Tax I.D. number and file Tax Returns. There's a whole bunch of Thai clubs -- the mutual aid societies at the local wats, the Chinese-Thai groups that march in the Chinese New Year parade, etc, -- that operate much ike CEC with meetings and sponsors and social gatherings in fancy hotels and gifts to charities and operating budgets way, way higher than CEC. Even paid staff and offices and big expense accounts for their officers. Hmm.. but I digress. Anyway, all the sudden it didn't matter that we're a bunch of foreigners running CEC. All we had to do was have someone fill out a one-page form in nice neat Thai writing and now we're officially known as คณะบุคคล CHIANG MAI EXPATS CLUB which means "group of people Chiang Mai Expats Club" That's right -- all the members are the "group". We do have to file tax and pay income taxes twice a year, but it's pretty minor and well worth it to be "legal" So, to clarify, CEC is not a "commercial" group, but a social club. That is our official legal standing. Edited May 13, 2015 by NancyL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinnieTheKhwai Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 I would recommend the CM Expatriates Club! http://www.chiangmaiexpatsclub.com I'm sure Nancy will also be along to also welcome you... they only want advice from Americans "and was wondering where one can most likely meet Americans living here" The majority of members of the CMEC are Americans... Which is actually interesting in itself.. Why do Americans in particular feel the need to have some sort of neo-sahib gathering with other American gentlement when out in the scary tropics? The British mostly grew out of that. (finally) The French have the excuse that they only speak French. But Americans..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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