chiang mai forum is not fun any longer

[NancyL]

I beg to differ with the assessment that there are no newbies coming.  Last year CM Expats Club had 150 new members, this year we're on track for 180.  Remember, we have Lifetime Memberships, not annual membership.  During the period of 2010-2013 we were running at about 50 new members per year.

 

We're basically a newcomers club for retirees and the average age of members in the club is 65, according to our recent member survey.  Sure, many old-time CM residents come to our events, but it's the newcomers that cycle thru spending their first year or so attending the meetings consistently so they can learn about living in CM.  Maybe that's where people are getting their info about living here now -- at our breakfasts where they're treated with respect and receive meaningful answers, rather than coming to ThaiVisa where they're met with scorn and bitterness.

 

As for the comment about someone wanting us to start a "full contact bingo" OGA -- the leaders of CEC don't "start" the OGAs, that's up the the members with a specific interest.  So, if this is your interest, send me an email with a description of your group and I'll make a few announcements in our newsletter and Facebook with the description you've sent me and your contact info.  You can have an initial meeting of your group, keep your own email list, maybe start a Facebook group for your "full contact bingo" friends and before you know it you'll be having so much fun playing "full contact bingo"  that you won't have time for ThaiVisa.

 

Edit:  "Full contact bingo" may be a little problematic as an OGA.  Perhaps it might violate Thai regs. on gambling or perhaps the terms is a euphemism for an activity you do in the privacy of your own bedroom with a partner (or two).  

[evenstevens]

38 minutes ago, NancyL said:

I

 

We're basically a newcomers club for retirees  Maybe  where people are getting their info about living here now -- at our breakfasts where they're treated with respect and receive meaningful answers, rather than coming to ThaiVisa where they're met with scorn and bitterness.

 

 

if  if this C/mai forum treats newcomers,with scorn and bitterness, as you have posted above ( and   that does,nt add up for E/S)

 , why do you use this forum as a veichle to promote your club,s activities,and associated  sponsors to boot???

its late morning to all

[alfieconn]

5 hours ago, happy Joe said:

What could be more boring than a group of teens rap fan?
or glorious thirties, commenting on their performance?
or forties too well installed?
etc ...

 

The nice feeling is in blends, always.

 

For expatriates, Chiang Mai has become a retirement town. Never met a young Western in this city.

 

What could be more boring than a group of pensioners?

 

You need to get out more 

[cyberfarang]

Here are my thoughts on the subject.

 

The Chiang Mai forum is no longer fun because there is not a lot going on in the city that leaves much for discussion.

 

I have noticed even on the what’s on and what to do websites Chiang Mai has a low ranking. Many of the Chiang Mai forums on other websites have been stagnant for years. I would guess most of the Chiang Mai expats are above retirement ages, the nightlife practically non existent and what there is mostly dead and closes early, lack of alternatives for social clubs other than the CEC where experts can actually meet and as Nancy said; most of her members are average mid 60s, like socialising in an old folks home, very limited choice of good authentic western style restaurants, mostly the Dukes that I think is on it’s way out or the Red Lion that are very touristy. If I fancy a night out in Chiang Mai I don’t even know where to go anymore and the city has the worse immigration system within the whole country. So I can only think negative about Chiang Mai because I don’t think the city has many positive sides going for it and why the CM forum is not informative because there is nothing new and interesting happening and therefore no new ground to cover. This could also be why the regulars have abandoned ship because there is no longer much to mention on this subject. I really think if the Chiang Mai forum disappeared altogether no one would be missing anything.

[lordblackader]

3 hours ago, alfieconn said:

 

You need to get out more 

 

Wanted to say the same thing. Plenty of younger farangs ie not retirement age, what you may find though is that those people float around different places than older farangs do.

[Rimmer]

A post has been removed:

 

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[cyberfarang]

1 hour ago, lordblackader said:

 

Wanted to say the same thing. Plenty of younger farangs ie not retirement age, what you may find though is that those people float around different places than older farangs do.

Many of the younger Farlangs for various reasons do not stay in Chiang Mai for long. They either come here to work at temporary jobs, stay for a while and then leave, including for those who are under retirement age it is difficult for them to live in Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai where there is very limited opportunities for them here. 

 

Quite a few of my Farlang friends who live in Chiang Mai and are all over retirement ages, both married and single, now go and stay in other parts of Thailand for several weeks during a year because they say Chiang Mai has become boring and need to get away at times to seek what is fun and enjoyment.

[Sparkles]

1 hour ago, cyberfarang said:

Many of the younger Farlangs for various reasons do not stay in Chiang Mai for long. They either come here to work at temporary jobs, stay for a while and then leave, including for those who are under retirement age it is difficult for them to live in Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai where there is very limited opportunities for them here. 

 

Quite a few of my Farlang friends who live in Chiang Mai and are all over retirement ages, both married and single, now go and stay in other parts of Thailand for several weeks during a year because they say Chiang Mai has become boring and need to get away at times to seek what is fun and enjoyment.

So if Chiang Mai is boring for your friends where are these place that offer more fun and enjoyment ?

 

I've travelled to most areas and frankly don't see much difference.In fact the number of restaurants,which have grown like crazy /shopping centres/ attractions are far superior here than anywhere I can recall and I doubt retirement age people want to hang around the red light,touristy areas of Bangkok , Phuket and Pattaya.

 

In the Mae Hia,Hang Dong,Samoeng  area, near where we live, there is a large influx of younger American families. Talking to a few of them Saturday they are here long term and seem very happy with life.

 

Look forward to you releasing the "fun and enjoyment" places .I have always considered you make your own fun and enjoyment with the friends or you have or the alternative just to enjoy doing your own thing. 

 

[balo]

Chiang Mai is not more boring than any other city in Thailand , perhaps with the exception of Bangkok and Pattaya.  If you want to see boring try any Isaan city .

 

 

 

[cyberfarang]

1 hour ago, Sparkles said:

So if Chiang Mai is boring for your friends where are these place that offer more fun and enjoyment ?

 

I've travelled to most areas and frankly don't see much difference.In fact the number of restaurants,which have grown like crazy /shopping centres/ attractions are far superior here than anywhere I can recall and I doubt retirement age people want to hang around the red light,touristy areas of Bangkok , Phuket and Pattaya.

 

In the Mae Hia,Hang Dong,Samoeng  area, near where we live, there is a large influx of younger American families. Talking to a few of them Saturday they are here long term and seem very happy with life.

 

Look forward to you releasing the "fun and enjoyment" places .I have always considered you make your own fun and enjoyment with the friends or you have or the alternative just to enjoy doing your own thing. 

 

So according to you all the other major cities in Thailand have to offer is their red light districts and besides that they have nothing else going for them. And you have spoken to a few young American families that in your view clarifies there is a good integration of Farlangs of all ages staying in Chiang Mai. 

 

Please don`t get me on the subject of shopping malls, how many shopping centres does a city need for god`s sake.

[Shoeless Joe]

"chiang mai forum is not fun any longer"

 

I like the topic and I agree with cmtg1. TV Forum isn't fun and it seems to be more noticeable following the recent "upgrades".

 

Mainly out of habit I still skim through the headlines but in the main it IS dull and boring, just like these awful monochrome pages (and how long will they be in place?).

 

I offer that one reason may be because threads are hijacked by the usual suspects, but being completely unable to make a cogent comment on the original subject, simply post  their inane, off-topic comments instead.  As an example...this topic, which has already migrated to discussions citing "Dukes, CM Expats Club, young farangs, red light districts and shopping malls".

 

Regards,

 

Joe

 

[gobs]

19 minutes ago, Shoeless Joe said:

"chiang mai forum is not fun any longer"

 

I like the topic and I agree with cmtg1. TV Forum isn't fun and it seems to be more noticeable following the recent "upgrades".

 

Mainly out of habit I still skim through the headlines but in the main it IS dull and boring, just like these awful monochrome pages (and how long will they be in place?).

 

I offer that one reason may be because threads are hijacked by the usual suspects, but being completely unable to make a cogent comment on the original subject, simply post  their inane, off-topic comments instead.  As an example...this topic, which has already migrated to discussions citing "Dukes, CM Expats Club, young farangs, red light districts and shopping malls".

 

Regards,

 

Joe

 

 

I agree:  sadly many grumpies and paranoids on TV Forums nowadays, especially on the CM Forum.

Lost of interest/fun, hence the lower traffic...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cyberfarang]

10 hours ago, Shoeless Joe said:

"chiang mai forum is not fun any longer"

 

I like the topic and I agree with cmtg1. TV Forum isn't fun and it seems to be more noticeable following the recent "upgrades".

 

Mainly out of habit I still skim through the headlines but in the main it IS dull and boring, just like these awful monochrome pages (and how long will they be in place?).

 

I offer that one reason may be because threads are hijacked by the usual suspects, but being completely unable to make a cogent comment on the original subject, simply post  their inane, off-topic comments instead.  As an example...this topic, which has already migrated to discussions citing "Dukes, CM Expats Club, young farangs, red light districts and shopping malls".

 

Regards,

 

Joe

 

The OP said; Chiang mai forum is not fun any longer. It is also not terribly informative any longer. It's also not colourful any longer. The classifieds have disappeared. I think that a lot of the regulars have jumped ship or simply got bored.

 

I have simply given reasons why I think this has happened, mainly because there is hardly anything new or of interest happening in Chiang Mai or subjects that have been widely covered before in the CM forums. I have to agree with the OP the CM forums have become boring. This is not because of the posters but because for reasons I have mentioned, there is nothing much that can be discussed that hasn`t been discussed before.

 

If someone decides to post about bars then they get accused of being sexpats, then we get all the tosh promoting social clubs for the elderly or inquires the likes of; where can I buy a white bed sheet in Chiang Mai? Then there are the restaurant and cafe threads, whereas some posters seem to have orgasms at the news of a new cafe opening.

 

I did say that some of my friends are visiting other places in Thailand for their enjoyments and not just for the bars,  because it`s just not happening in Chiang Mai and why the CM forum is no longer informative because there is not much to report.

 

 

And that`s about as exciting as it gets.

[rogeroc]

16 hours ago, NancyL said:

I beg to differ with the assessment that there are no newbies coming.  Last year CM Expats Club had 150 new members, this year we're on track for 180.  Remember, we have Lifetime Memberships, not annual membership.  During the period of 2010-2013 we were running at about 50 new members per year.

 

We're basically a newcomers club for retirees and the average age of members in the club is 65, according to our recent member survey.  Sure, many old-time CM residents come to our events, but it's the newcomers that cycle thru spending their first year or so attending the meetings consistently so they can learn about living in CM.  Maybe that's where people are getting their info about living here now -- at our breakfasts where they're treated with respect and receive meaningful answers, rather than coming to ThaiVisa where they're met with scorn and bitterness.

 

 

 

The figures must speak for themselves but i would be interested to know if these people are new to Chiang Mai or new to the Expats Club. Where are they staying, where are they socialising, what Nationalities.

 

Why is the average age of CEC members 65 plus, nearly all i know in CM are retired and well below that age. I agree with almost everything Cyberfarang has said in this thread, there is no evidence of new life or new spirit in the ex pat circles of CM i know and the old timers (most of them still under 65) are dying or disappearing.

Edited October 23, 2016 by rogeroc

[rogeroc]

3 hours ago, cyberfarang said:

If someone decides to post about bars then they get accused of being sexpats, then we get all the tosh promoting social clubs for the elderly or inquires the likes of; where can I buy a white bed sheet in Chiang Mai? Then there are the restaurant and cafe threads, whereas some posters seem to have orgasms at the news of a new cafe opening.

 

 

I am coming to the conclusion that the Sexpats are disappearing as well. 5 years back almost any bar i went to (with the exception of a few Sports bars), and i am not just talking Loi Kroh, would be full of girls and guys chatting and wanting to get to know each other. Now most are just 'blokey' bars, i might just as well be in London !

[worgeordie]

Boring,been bored,mentioned a lot,never been bored with anything

my whole life,too much to do,life is much too short to be bored,

Chiang Mai could be boring if you are sitting in a beer bar all day.

regards worgeordie

[Shoeless Joe]

2 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Boring,been bored,mentioned a lot,never been bored with anything

my whole life,too much to do,life is much too short to be bored,

"Chiang Mai could be boring if you are sitting in a beer bar all day"????????

regards worgeordie

 

Worgeordie, I generally enjoy reading your comments but (maybe unwittingly?) you've proved my point...the post is about TV Forum being boring, it mentions nothing about sitting in a bar all day. So why go there?

 

Regards,

 

Joe

[worgeordie]

25 minutes ago, Shoeless Joe said:

 

Worgeordie, I generally enjoy reading your comments but (maybe unwittingly?) you've proved my point...the post is about TV Forum being boring, it mentions nothing about sitting in a bar all day. So why go there?

 

Regards,

 

Joe

 Joe,There were a few references to Chiang Mai also been boring,but sorry for being boring.

regards worgeordie

[e2x10]

fascinating

 

[metisdead]

A post advocating/promoting another forum has been removed. 

[elektrified]

11 hours ago, cyberfarang said:

The OP said; Chiang mai forum is not fun any longer. It is also not terribly informative any longer. It's also not colourful any longer. The classifieds have disappeared. I think that a lot of the regulars have jumped ship or simply got bored.

 

I have simply given reasons why I think this has happened, mainly because there is hardly anything new or of interest happening in Chiang Mai or subjects that have been widely covered before in the CM forums. I have to agree with the OP the CM forums have become boring. This is not because of the posters but because for reasons I have mentioned, there is nothing much that can be discussed that hasn`t been discussed before.

 

If someone decides to post about bars then they get accused of being sexpats, then we get all the tosh promoting social clubs for the elderly or inquires the likes of; where can I buy a white bed sheet in Chiang Mai? Then there are the restaurant and cafe threads, whereas some posters seem to have orgasms at the news of a new cafe opening.

 

I did say that some of my friends are visiting other places in Thailand for their enjoyments and not just for the bars,  because it`s just not happening in Chiang Mai and why the CM forum is no longer informative because there is not much to report.

 

 

And that`s about as exciting as it gets.

You must be elderly because C.M. has never been so vibrant and there has never been so many things to do and see. Young people are the new majority of ex-pats here. The only problem.....is the traffic getting out to do and see things.

[Lizard2010]

6 minutes ago, elektrified said:

You must be elderly because C.M. has never been so vibrant and there has never been so many things to do and see. Young people are the new majority of ex-pats here. The only problem.....is the traffic getting out to do and see things.

 

6 minutes ago, elektrified said:

You must be elderly because C.M. has never been so vibrant and there has never been so many things to do and see. Young people are the new majority of ex-pats here. The only problem.....is the traffic getting out to do and see things.

I am not sure where you are getting your facts from

But the new norm Is Digital Nomads

Not young Expats

 

The young ones do Internet Stuff

They are not on Retirement visas like  most of us

I am not allowed to put the correct information here

Because most people know what is happening

There may be small pockets of younger people here

But really how can they survive here on Thai Wages

Unless on a Company Posting

Or a Religious Posting

It is hard to get a Work Visa

Just me talking to many people around the city and outer area

Correct me if i am wrong

 

[amykat]

What we need are some interesting crimes to solve!!  Together ...as the TVF team!!

 

And some color back on the screen!!

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎22‎.‎10‎.‎2016 at 7:38 PM, Chicog said:

Perhaps they are out having so much fun they don't have time for Internet forums.

Nah. I have been to C M a few times in the past few years, and it's a pretty fun devoid zone. The most exciting thing to do is drive around town, or even more death defying is to walk across the road around the moat.

For night time fun, forgedaboutit. The town is dead by 2200.

 

On the positive side, I will admit that the totty in Central airport is the best in LOS.

I do like some of the restaurants outside the city, and there are some very pretty temples.

[puck2]

On ‎23‎.‎10‎.‎2016 at 5:30 AM, happy Joe said:

What could be more boring than a group of teens rap fan?
or glorious thirties, commenting on their performance?
or forties too well installed?
etc ...

 

The nice feeling is in blends, always.

 

For expatriates, Chiang Mai has become a retirement town. Never met a young Western in this city.

 

What could be more boring than a group of pensioners?

 

Dear hJ,

unfortunately you never have met me .... 77 ys. young.

But it's understandable, we go to CM only for some special reasons.

[logon1]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Nah. I have been to C M a few times in the past few years, and it's a pretty fun devoid zone. The most exciting thing to do is drive around town, or even more death defying is to walk across the road around the moat.

For night time fun, forgedaboutit. The town is dead by 2200.

 

On the positive side, I will admit that the totty in Central airport is the best in LOS.

I do like some of the restaurants outside the city, and there are some very pretty temples.

what's a totty

[LannaGuy]

part of what's killing it is the 12 shutdowns

[lordblackader]

23 hours ago, cyberfarang said:

Many of the younger Farlangs for various reasons do not stay in Chiang Mai for long. They either come here to work at temporary jobs, stay for a while and then leave, including for those who are under retirement age it is difficult for them to live in Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai where there is very limited opportunities for them here. 

 

Quite a few of my Farlang friends who live in Chiang Mai and are all over retirement ages, both married and single, now go and stay in other parts of Thailand for several weeks during a year because they say Chiang Mai has become boring and need to get away at times to seek what is fun and enjoyment.

 

I think you need to get out more and visit different places.

 

I get that visas are a pain, but that doesn't mean there is a shortage of farang here under 50. I don't know if I count as young at 41 (now) but all of my farang friends are around the same age or younger, none of them have been here for less than 1 year, I've been here 4 years, and I know one bloke who is 42 who has been here 17 years.

[lordblackader]

1 hour ago, LannaGuy said:

part of what's killing it is the 12 shutdowns

 

plenty of places open past 12 now, whether legally or by other means I won't comment :)

[Sparkles]

19 hours ago, cyberfarang said:

So according to you all the other major cities in Thailand have to offer is their red light districts and besides that they have nothing else going for them. And you have spoken to a few young American families that in your view clarifies there is a good integration of Farlangs of all ages staying in Chiang Mai. 

 

Please don`t get me on the subject of shopping malls, how many shopping centres does a city need for god`s sake.

I didn't say that at all I asked you ,very politely ,where are the fun and excitement places your friends stay for weeks in Thailand compared to Chiang Mai and you can't answer the question

I will re word it so its easier for you to provide an answer. What do Phuket, Pattaya , Hua Hin etc have ,apart from low grade beaches.

Bangkok is great you can sit in the traffic all day and visit temples

Or maybe they go to the hubs of excitement like Pichit ,Lampang , Ultraditt, Udon Thani, Tak etc.

 

You have every opportunity to start 'interesting" threads on this forum ,why dont you do it and shopping malls are part of life if you require some basic items like food,clothing ,banks etc