New construction along the moat

[luther]

Obviously, there are a lot of changes going on as you circle the moat and turn right just past Ching Mai Ram Hospital. That stretch until you reach the Chang Puak gate and turn left on to the Chiang Mai-Mae Rim Road is under intense construction. I live out of town and stop along that strip occasionally to buy things at Amorn and get my printer serviced. I’m wondering if anyone out there understands the scope of what’s going on and can fill everyone in.

[bangmai]

I went into the new Power Buy, at the NW corner a few weeks ago. They were actually ready to deal on prices, which seemed somewhat higher than Siam to begin with. The rest of the construction seems to involve rebuilding ICON Computer Plaza. My last peripherals were purchased a block of the main road, and I don't think that will be their permanent place. That new condo seems to be about 98% complete. There is a large parcel of land for sale straight across there, inside the moat, and I saw an old townhouse on 35 TW sell for 7.5 million in just a couple of weeks. I think that area of the moat is a better location than most of Nimman, because there are more alternate routes to get elsewhere. A trip in and out of Nimman is a beast a good portion of the day.

[elgordo38]

I went into the new Power Buy, at the NW corner a few weeks ago. They were actually ready to deal on prices, which seemed somewhat higher than Siam to begin with. The rest of the construction seems to involve rebuilding ICON Computer Plaza. My last peripherals were purchased a block of the main road, and I don't think that will be their permanent place. That new condo seems to be about 98% complete. There is a large parcel of land for sale straight across there, inside the moat, and I saw an old townhouse on 35 TW sell for 7.5 million in just a couple of weeks. I think that area of the moat is a better location than most of Nimman, because there are more alternate routes to get elsewhere. A trip in and out of Nimman is a beast a good por

I went to the new Power Buy today and frankly was not impressed. There seemed to be 50 salespersons for about 20 customers who were mainly tire kickers. Their prices seemed higher than the old location by about 15%. Their washer, refrigerator section seemed oversupplied along with fans. The rest was evenly sprinkled here and there. Liked the old compact PB better location wise and it seemed to make more sense that people who were shopping at Central could very easily go a few steps and look at the electronics and household items. They had the whole of the KSK foot traffic to draw from. Have seen so many of these situations where they think better is worse in my humble opinion. I would be amazed if they did not sink 100 million bahts into this well WE. There said my piece have at it.

[bangmai]

I was browsing a/c units, and I told the sales guy that they were expensive, and I got the "justamoment," and a 5000 THB price drop, but I think Siam or HomePro would have still been 10% less. I bought a floor model computer monitor at KSK PB last month for 1700, it had been 2200, and they lowered by 500 a few weeks later. It is unreal how many people are working at those department stores. Most of them are pretty sharp, and some of the ladies are real good lookers....seems like they could be making a lot better money doing something else. The sales volume just isn't there. Something I have never figured out in Thailand. If nothing else, the new PB store might be a good place to get out of the heat for a few minutes or a decent restroom, when exploring the Old City. That temple just East of there is one of my favorites.

[cmsally]

Got a flyer for a place called "Super Cheap" yesterday/ Their prices seemed pretty good.

Check them out if you need a new washing machine or TV especially, as the prices seemed cheap.

Apparently at San Dek intersection.

Regarding new construction I haven't been along there for a while, all I remember is that condo building going up.

I think basically at the moment the economy not that great. Those that have money are looking for ways to invest and there is not that much going on.

[luther]

So is Amorn and the little computer plaza ajoining it still there? I live out of town and was planning on having a printer serviced at the shop I bought from inside that little 2-story computer mall. (not Computer Plaza)

[bamboozled]

I still shudder and cringe thinking about the brute ugliness of that Power Buy building and the poured concrete "lawn" around it from my first glimpse about a month ago. Come on Chiang Mai! Wake up! Will the city just let anyone build anything with no thought at all to beauty and historic preservation? I know, money talks, obviously. But isn't Unesco heritage city tossed around now and again? The moat is the foremost visual and cultural icon of Chiang Mai, I think, and to turn the area around it into a prefabricated tin can shopping mall is a shame. This of course has been going on for years but it has accelerated to a frentic pace in the last 3 or 4 with building going on nonstop everywhere. We cannot halt the future and I don't want to be a curmudgeon. Part of what makes Thailand fascinating is the dearth of regulations and how buildings and businesses just sprout up in a crazy cacophony of juxtapositions (whoa!). That confusion can be ugly but it is also fascinating and stimulating, I find. However, what makes Chiang Mai special is quickly being eradicated. Certainly "quaint" is becoming an out-of-place adjective to use in describing the "new" Chiang Mai. So be it; I suppose it's futile to try and prevent the inevitable. Perhaps in 20, 30, or 50 years even that Power Buy building will be a fascinating relic of the past. Let's hope. In comparison to the Power Buy building, the condos or apartments about to open up just a bit further down are pretty darn good looking, IMHO. Sure, they are huge and daunting but they do have some artistic merit and visual intrigue. I do believe some thought should go into what is built in and around the old city, and around the moat, and some sort of loose roadmap for the future drawn up. If not for quaintness or culture, then for beauty...and at the very least (or the very most!) for mobility. Auto and bus traffic needs to be drawn away from downtown, not into it. Hey, I'm a believer in the oft tossed around "creative destruction". The destruction part is indeed happening. But where's the creative?

Chiang Mai has itself by the tail and is quickly devouring itself. Okay, I'm a curmudgeon.

[dave2]

re

I went to the new Power Buy today and frankly was not impressed

nor me

i wanted a new fast 64 gb sd card for my note 4

they had exactly what i wanted at 1800 baht !

i went to have a look in the jjb shop next door in computer city and got the same one for 1090 baht

790 baht saved by walking 100 yards

thats a happy ending massage for free ... i like that

dave2

[masuk]

It seems we're all assuming that there's some sort of town planning involved in the many new buildings. There is not even a 'quiet period' over weekend. Anything goes.

As I've said before, from my 'eagles nest' on the 16th floor of the condo, I can see at least 8 condos under construction within half a km. Even the church outside my window has moved some trees and pouring concrete (on a Sunday too!!)

It's like living next to a shipyard with the hammering, sawing etc going on. 50 metres in front, the little house and the dense foliage around it were all removed in January. Seven months on, and the 2nd floor is about to be poured. Those Burmese workers are at it 7 days a week, and when they stop, the 6 dogs next to it keep us entertained for around 18 hours a day.

Attached is a bit of recent history. First pic taken in 2012.

[Ozziepat]

OK, maybe OT but can anyone recommend a good store for purchase of a Seagate or WD portable external drive, 2 TB? Is IT City still around and a good choice?

[luther]

I'm headin in there tomorrow with a printer. Was just wondering if those shops have been wipe off the face of the earth.computer shop.bmp

[dave2]

re

I'm headin in there tomorrow with a printer. Was just wondering if those shops have been wipe off the face of the earth

they have

your pic shows icon square which closed in january 15

was demolished and is now as flat as a pancake !

dave2

[Oscar2]

I'm headin in there tomorrow with a printer. Was just wondering if those shops have been wipe off the face of the earth.computer shop.bmp

don't bother, as dave2 said, there's been nothing there for months.

[Oscar2]

Got a flyer for a place called "Super Cheap" yesterday/ Their prices seemed pretty good.

Check them out if you need a new washing machine or TV especially, as the prices seemed cheap.

Apparently at San Dek intersection.

Regarding new construction I haven't been along there for a while, all I remember is that condo building going up.

I think basically at the moment the economy not that great. Those that have money are looking for ways to invest and there is not that much going on.

they must have lowered prices because the 2 times i went in there, they were significantly more expensive than anywhere else; Siam, Panich, etc. and would not offer a discount. apparently they used the same name as a store in Phuket and as i understand it, the Phuket store was not happy and put notice in the local papers that they were not in any way affiliated with this store and that the C.M. based store did not offer "super cheap" prices like the Phuket based business of the same name.

[cmsally]

Ha Ha. Sounds amusing. Prices on the flyer looked good. But then in the past have been drawn in by flyers to other places, and guess what, the one on the flyer is mot laew. But we have a similar slightly more expensive one. Grrr..

[Throatwobbler]

So is Amorn and the little computer plaza ajoining it still there? I live out of town and was planning on having a printer serviced at the shop I bought from inside that little 2-story computer mall. (not Computer Plaza)

Amorn has got a new place at the computer square before Icon city.

[CNXBKKMAN]

re

I'm headin in there tomorrow with a printer. Was just wondering if those shops have been wipe off the face of the earth

they have

your pic shows icon square which closed in january 15

was demolished and is now as flat as a pancake !

dave2

A lot of those shops that were in the old building have moved to the back of the surviving computer mall. Just walk out and down the street 20 metres. I have found them to be cheaper too.

[eyecatcher]

Got a flyer for a place called "Super Cheap" yesterday/ Their prices seemed pretty good.

Check them out if you need a new washing machine or TV especially, as the prices seemed cheap.

Apparently at San Dek intersection.

Regarding new construction I haven't been along there for a while, all I remember is that condo building going up.

I think basically at the moment the economy not that great. Those that have money are looking for ways to invest and there is not that much going on.

they must have lowered prices because the 2 times i went in there, they were significantly more expensive than anywhere else; Siam, Panich, etc. and would not offer a discount. apparently they used the same name as a store in Phuket and as i understand it, the Phuket store was not happy and put notice in the local papers that they were not in any way affiliated with this store and that the C.M. based store did not offer "super cheap" prices like the Phuket based business of the same name.

Was it store wars? Because super cheap phuket was torched to the ground last year.......accidentally of course.

[circusman]

I went into the new Power Buy, at the NW corner a few weeks ago. They were actually ready to deal on prices, which seemed somewhat higher than Siam to begin with. The rest of the construction seems to involve rebuilding ICON Computer Plaza. My last peripherals were purchased a block of the main road, and I don't think that will be their permanent place. That new condo seems to be about 98% complete. There is a large parcel of land for sale straight across there, inside the moat, and I saw an old townhouse on 35 TW sell for 7.5 million in just a couple of weeks. I think that area of the moat is a better location than most of Nimman, because there are more alternate routes to get elsewhere. A trip in and out of Nimman is a beast a good portion of the day.

Curious why you have a photo of Reno as an avatar.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts, inflammatory posts and replies have been removed.