Chiang Mai Transportation System Redux

[Mapguy]

Recently, the move of the Immigration office to the Promenada mall has sparked a lot of complaints about the Chiang Mai transportation system. This is probably an endless conversation in most cities worldwide. Is it deserved in Chiang Mai?

What is satisfactory or accommodating to one person is something to complain about by someone else. Sometimes physical disability or limited budget are problems. Both problems can be overcome with some forethought, and options are available at little or no cost.

In Chiang Mai there are areal weaknesses, to be sure, in what some Westerners consider public transportation, but there are numerous options in Chiang Mai --- and nevermind jazzy plans for subways, elevated trains, and sophisticated street cars (which arguably will do more to block roads and slow down travel and than improve the situation in town). Many of the problems have to do with urban sprawl. Another sort of complaint is made by automobile drivers who expect to be able to park within five meters of their destination --- anywhere and everywhere!

One group can't stop complaining about "excessive cost" or getting ripped off by songtao and tuk tuk drivers which really provide a remarkably inexpensive and flexible mode of travel. Beginning some 12 years ago Chiang Mai has also had very comfortable automobile and van taxis. For the truly adventurous there are motorcycle taxis, which seem primarily based at transportation centers. Excessive cost?! How many complaints are posted by people from countries where fuel costs are sky high (and beyond) compared to those in Thailand and paid by Thais with considerably less average income.

Now, apparently, the city is experimenting once again with an even less expensive system with dedicated routes. Actually, routes are being added to an area bus system that very few people seem to be aware of. But how could a limited route system possibly be able to compete with the flexible and practically ubiquitous songtaos or tuk tuks?

And all this is not to mention how easy it is to get around this town by motorcycle, motorbike or bicycle. Not that I'd care to travel to Promenada from the center of town that way, but you can.

If I were to complain, I'd complain about walking! The walkways in the city are generally a disaster, crossing busy intersections is an ever-challenging learned skill and walking along very busy roads is definitely not recommended.

And what about calling a friend to help, if you need it?

So, really, all in, what is there really to complain about in terms of the number of choices, convenience or price? Not much, I'd venture!

But don't get me going about vehicular air pollution!

[northernjohn]

I agree with you about the walk ways. I find the streets to be easier and many times the only way. Crossing the street is some thing a person has to learn how to do. Don't see any news about pedestrians getting hit mostly motor bikes.

As for Immigration at the Promenada. If all you need is a permission to stay that is a once a year job. I know the Taxi for me is 200 baht even if it was three hundred baht that would be 600 baht once a year.

Just set 50 baht a month aside for it.

[SoloFlyer]

Uber. GrabTaxi. Sooner they get their butts operating up here, the better.