A couple of months in Chiang Mai - Help please

[peterpaz]

Hello
I'm 51 yrs old and own a small graphic design business in the UK. I'd like to continue designing for my UK clients whilst in CM for a couple of months.
Would really appreciate any help to the following q's please.
 

1. What would be a really nice area to rent a condo (around 15,000 bht per month) in the city within walking distance to restaurants/bars etc?
2. Do some condo's have internet included/installed or would I need to take out a contract and get it installed via AIS or TRUE for example?

3. If I need to take a contract, whats the typical cost?... and the best company to go with in CM?
4. or... would a 4G USB dongle a suitable/better option and how much does this cost? (files I transfer can be quite large).
5. Do I need an international driving licence to hire a motorbike?
6. How much should i budget for essentials (water, electric/gas etc)

Many thanks for any advice and/or help
Peter

[AlexRich]

I can suggest place - Nimman area is good for shops, restaurants, coffee places, supermarket, cinema and pretty cool shopping mall.

 

Not sure about rental prices or internet questions. I'll leave that to others.

[JaseTheBass]

I would rent a house rather than a condo as you have more control over you internet provider and line quality.

[ehs818]

I would suggest NOT living in the Nimmanhaemen area. Too much noise from airplanes. But do rent a house or townhouse for more space at a lower price. I used to live in CM, near CMU, so I know. As for internet, I used TOT Tiber. Excellent service at about 800 baht a month for FAST service. You don't need an international drivers license to rent a bike. But you should get a Thai drivers license for that if you plan to stay on. Cheaper than renting is to buy a used bike on Facebook or Craigslist. You can sell that off when you depart and you'll pay way less this way. Good luck to you!

[NancyL]

Since you're just going to be here for a few months, be sure to get travel insurance to cover any medical emergencies.  You'll find that travel insurance won't pay for any injuries while on a motorbike if you're not properly licensed.  For that, get an international drivers license with for a motorcycle, not just a car.  Sure, the local motorbike rental companies will rent to anyone who walks in, licensed or not, and tell you that you have "insurance" but what they mean is that the bike is insured for damages, not your body.

 

I disagree about the Nimman area.  Sure, there is some aircraft noise, but by renting a condo everything is "laid out" for.  No need to set up a house for just a few months of living.  And as mentioned, everything you need -- restaurants, shops, fitness centers, movie theaters, nightlife, all an easy walk.  It's easy enough to get a 4G dongle from one of the shops in Maya Mall if you find the internet service in the condo building to be unacceptable.  

[Peterw42]

If your stay is only a couple of months, it would probably end up cheaper and easier to stay long term in a hotel or guest house.

A hotel includes cleaning, fresh towels and linen, unlimited internet, electricity, water, cable TV etc. Nothing to worry about, including TM30 etc

A condo stay often has a minimum 3 month minimum stay with deposits etc, you supply linen, towels, cleaning. You pay for internet, often with a 3 month minimum contract (buy modem/set up cost), electricity, water etc.

Also, you will spend 2 weeks of your stay, running around setting it all up, and the last week of your stay running around cancelling services and getting deposits back.

[Trujillo]

Maybe NancyL will let you live in her spare room? 

[humqdpf]

Can you ride a motorbike, I mean a small one, what they call a "twist and go." That way you can live almost anywhere in Chiang Mai.

 

A few years ago I used to live in a soi opposite the university at the edge of the jungle where I could hear the monkeys in the trees, clean air etc and yet be downtown in minutes.

[Sig]

1. Really nice area? Too subjective for me to answer. Some people find it really nice to be right next to the Night Bazaar and Loi Koh Rd. Some like it in the city center. Some like it around Nimman, or by Central Festival, Hang Dong, etc, etc.... It really depends on what kind of restaurants and bars you like. Restaurants and bars are EVERYWHERE. I kind of like to be a bit farther away from the busy areas. Can always hop on the motorcycle and be where I want in 5 minutes.
2. Yes, some condo's have internet included/installed. It really depends on the individual owner. There are many venues for searching for condos or serviced apartments. Facebook has some groups for that as well as various websites.
3. Cost for internet contract? I'm not sure what it would be if you're only going to use it for 2 months. I've only ever signed up for a year. I believe the lowest cost would be about 650/month. It sounds like you might want a bit faster service if you are going to use it for your business with large files. This blog post is accurate according to my experience. https://chrisgrabinski.com/fast-internet-chiang-mai/#comment-215  I use Sinet and have good experience and good service. I didn't know that they offer monthly rates without a longer contract, as the guy says in his post. But that should work nicely for you. I avoided 3BB, although it is popular, because I found their policy toward foreigners too distasteful for me. They required a 3 month prepayment from foreigners. I have never heard any other company with such a policy against foreigners. If they had good management, they wouldn't need to do this and would just shut down unpaid accounts.
4. I have no experience or ideas about dongles.
5. You don't need an international license to hire a motorcycle, but I would definitely get one - particularly for motorcycle, not only for car. Not having a motorcycle license can be a hassle when getting caught up in police road blocks or other insurance problems if such arose. I have known/used the services of "MAE PING Car Rent & Travel" for about 10 years. (You can google them - they are right by the night bazaar) They are honest and friendly. No worries of any kind of rip off at all. Monthly motorcycle renting is definitely the way to go if you are going to be in Chiangmai for less than 6 months.
6. Budget? Depends on the time of year , how much you use your air conditioning, the design of the building can also affect energy usage quite a lot. Also, different landlords can charge quite different prices for electric and water. I'm not sure, but I think serviced apartments include that cost in the rent. In my experience, condos have usually had me pay the electric directly with the bill from the electric authority, some with a tiny service charge. It also depends on how large of a place you have that needs to be air conditioned. Your costs for electric and air can run anywhere from 500 to 3,000 a month. I'm sure it can go higher, but I've never paid over 1,500. But I also don't use my air so much and never turn on the TV. Water for me is usually about 100/month. Drinking water for me is about 50/month, if refilling containers with the water filter machine that every condo I've ever stayed at has downstairs.
Good luck

[rogeroc]

Montha Hotel, i month all inclusive 15000 baht, Hotel Maninarakorn Apts 12000 baht per month all inclusive, both very central, near night market, Loi kroh Road, Thapee Gate.

Edited February 14, 2017 by rogeroc

[markcm19]

Ask about installing your own internet,  utility bill padding (11000 a month bill  for a/c for me a few times in padded bills in a 1br condo),  vs 1500 government rate, and, 450-650/mo water bill vs 80-150. Read contract carefully and shop around. Visit area at night and early in morning.  Older buildings will have merciless construction and sometimes zero water pressure.

[rogeroc]

Hence my suggestion of hotels with all inclusive rates. I believe most apartments want 3 month contracts and a 1 month deposit. With the places i mentioned above you simply pay for the month on arrival. no extra deposit, nothing else to pay. 

Edited February 14, 2017 by rogeroc

[peterpaz]

Wow!... thanks for the excellent comments and advice. It seems like it'll be easier to do this stay with your advice and recommendations.
I was in Chiang Mai last month for a few days and was really 'taken' by the place.
My business is my stumbling block and TBH thats whats holding me back from just jumping on a plane and getting out there again.

 

My little graphic design studio here in the UK is quite busy and demanding.
I've yet to work out how I'm going to set-up a Mac computer/laptop to do the work. Laptop would be the easiest choice, but then I'd be working on a small monitor and that will be frustrating (I do print work not web design and I've worked day to day for yonks on a big monitor here... I know - spoilt!).

I've only every stayed in hotel rooms and to be honest, in my experience, the 'in room' wifi has been pretty poor, so that would really mess things up if I rented and found this was the case.

Someone kindly gave advice on m'bike insurance.... Can anyone tell me how you get insurance please?  Like can you get insured for such a thing before you fly out or do you have to get it once you've hired the bike?

Thanks again for the great advice... so glad I found this forum!

[ELVIS123456]

Re insurance - get travel insurance including any hospital medical expenses - dont get cheap crap pay for it. You dont need medical insurance as such - but if you have a serious accident or illness, your travel insurance will/should pay the huge medical bills you will get.  But nothing covers you on a bike - they all exclude that as far as I know. And if you are not a very good experienced rider, then dont get a bike here - use tuk tuk and songthows - every year Expats get into grief riding bikes in CM (just ask Nancy - she has helped a lot).  

 

PS - if your business is serious/real, the get a landline internet (or use hotel's) AND a mobile broadband dongle. The landlines can and often will go off for a day or two at a time - every 2-3 months for me - especially when it rains hard. 

[Jeffkp]

14 hours ago, peterpaz said:

Someone kindly gave advice on m'bike insurance.... Can anyone tell me how you get insurance please?  Like can you get insured for such a thing before you fly out or do you have to get it once you've hired the bike?

Check travel insurance websites. Look ones that include traffic injuries. Get the insurance before you leave on your trip. Note though, that most will not pay medical bills upfront, but you will need to file and be reimbursed. Carry a copy of your insurance with you at all times. If you need to go to the emergency room, that's the first thing they will ask. 

Also, I would use one of the private hospitals that have experience with international insurance. Find one in your area.

If you need dental work, you might consider getting it while your here. Very cheap!

You'll love Chiang Mai. I've lived here for two years now and don't regret a day. I hope your stuck in your room working all the time!

 

[stament]

some great advice here by everyone, this is exactly what makes this forum great - the people! I am not going to even bother to add to what people have said, as I would only be repeating.

 

My only small bit of advice is to check into a small hotel or guesthouse for a few days which has decent wifi if you need to work. You can then look around for your desired place, take your time a little.

 

Great advice all and welcome to the forum Peterpaz. Suggest you pop along to the CMEC breakfast perhaps and get some more thoughts/advice maybe before you commit to a longer 2 to 3 month contract. It takes place in the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. When are you planning on coming over?

 

I see nobody has mentioned work visas yet ?

[peterpaz]

Cheers again you guys.
Great advice and top forum community on here!
I can ride a m'bike and have hired one in CM for a couple of days last month when I visited. So I'll defo look into the medical / accident insurance and make a note of any hospitals in CM that are used to dealing with western blunders and ailments.

I'm afraid I'm a 'collect-a-maniac' when it comes to research for doing anything particular like this... so all advice is noted and we be referred back to.
Thankfully CM seems to be one of the most popular places to find such forums as this, plus facebook groups etc. so it definitely makes the research easy.

Hopefully, in the not so distant future, i can repay and add my two-penneth worth of advice for similar people wishing to turn a dream into reality and head out to the lovely city of CM.
Great to meet you all on here and all the best!
Peter

[Mark123456]

You could bring a laptop and buy a monitor when you get here; that's what I'd do if I were in your situation. 

[peterpaz]

Thanks Mark
Yes, I agree, I think that would be the best route.
I'm trying to determine how to find a good 'long stay room' or a condo with a good reliable and fast wifi.

Its proving a bit of a minefield though... there's a lot of accommodation offering wifi as a paid extra, but they don't tell you how fast it is.

You or anyone got any advice on this?.... or experience of accommodation to rent with good, fast wifi?

Thanks
Peter

[Mark123456]

I'm afraid I have no experience of Wi-Fi in rented accommodation in Chiang Mai, only in Bangkok a few years ago. I had a number of problems with it and wouldn't want to rely on it for business purposes. Will you be sending/receiving large graphic files?

[peterpaz]

3 hours ago, Mark123456 said:

I'm afraid I have no experience of Wi-Fi in rented accommodation in Chiang Mai, only in Bangkok a few years ago. I had a number of problems with it and wouldn't want to rely on it for business purposes. Will you be sending/receiving large graphic files?

Hi Mark
Yeah, I will need a stable wifi connection. Speedwise I could manage with around 10+ mbps... as long as its reliable I don't mind waiting an extra minute or two to download/send stuff, just as long as it gets there!  :-)

[jonwilly]

Got talking to a short term visitor the other day. He asked about getting a Thai Driving licence.

Easy says I just take your licence down to Motor Transport Office on Hang Dong Rd opposite end of CM runway and be there before 08.00, go to information desk and they will check your licence and Passport and get you started, a morning or afternoons work.

Oh my Licence is with the people I am hiring my motorcycle off. 

I do not know how long an International licence is good for but it might be the way to go.

Also I would not learn to ride in CM, one thing if your an experience M/cyclist but do not learn here. Songtows are cheap by UK standards and Uber are subsidised at the moment so very cheap, both safer then bikes and as a biker I know.

I have a 4G dongel , from True very good it is too used all round Thailand.

About B2,000 to buy and B650/month.

Water and electricity are cheap, very cheap as is Thai food.

Now my Electricity is about B800/month and biggest ever was around B3,500, all air con during our April/May heatwave.

 

john

[NancyL]

59 minutes ago, jonwilly said:

Got talking to a short term visitor the other day. He asked about getting a Thai Driving licence.

Easy says I just take your licence down to Motor Transport Office on Hang Dong Rd opposite end of CM runway and be there before 08.00, go to information desk and they will check your licence and Passport and get you started, a morning or afternoons work.

Oh my Licence is with the people I am hiring my motorcycle off. 

I do not know how long an International licence is good for but it might be the way to go.

Also I would not learn to ride in CM, one thing if your an experience M/cyclist but do not learn here. Songtows are cheap by UK standards and Uber are subsidised at the moment so very cheap, both safer then bikes and as a biker I know.

I have a 4G dongel , from True very good it is too used all round Thailand.

About B2,000 to buy and B650/month.

Water and electricity are cheap, very cheap as is Thai food.

Now my Electricity is about B800/month and biggest ever was around B3,500, all air con during our April/May heatwave.

 

john

Very good advice.  If you're renting a motorcycle, you'll need a valid motorcycle license for your medical insurance/travel insurance to be valid.  The easiest thing would be to come with an International Drivers License that's valid for motorcycles -- not just cars.

 

Or just stay off motorcycles.  People manage to live here for years without getting on one.

[Sig]

On 2/16/2017 at 5:47 PM, peterpaz said:

Thanks Mark
Yes, I agree, I think that would be the best route.
I'm trying to determine how to find a good 'long stay room' or a condo with a good reliable and fast wifi.

Its proving a bit of a minefield though... there's a lot of accommodation offering wifi as a paid extra, but they don't tell you how fast it is.

You or anyone got any advice on this?.... or experience of accommodation to rent with good, fast wifi?

Thanks
Peter

re accommodations offering wifi
beware of shared wifi. Make certain that it is not wifi as a paid extra that you share with the other tenants! That's how it is at my condo. It is a torturous experience to use shared wifi here. I lasted less than a week before I got my own installed. Sinet came and did it the day after I went to their kiosk and ordered it! Maybe I was lucky, I don't know, but I've found their service to be very good.
As for speed, it should be easy enough to find out by asking... although... management here is notoriously unreliable and they may not know offhand. But they should be able to find out for you. If they don't want to find out for you or seem put off by your asking, then that's a good sign  that you don't want to live there! Those kinds of hints are great to know how nice or miserable it will be living at a well managed  or a not so well managed place. Regardless of if you get your own or use or one that is provided, check to see if it is Fiber or not. Fiber connections are not affected by the outages that hit people on regular copper connections during the rainy season.

[NancyL]

I think the OP should have figured out by now that it's not a good idea to rely on the wifi/internet in a condo or guesthouse to operate a business.  It's easy enough to go to a mall where all the major internet providers have sales kiosks and make provisions for your own private internet service.  Often, you can arrange it at the same time you're arranging your mobile phone service.  Most smart phones have the ability to become "hot spots" and thus you'll have your own wifi via your mobile phone.  

 

Also, everyone we know who relies on the internet to make money or as an important part of their life has at least two ways of connecting with the internet.  Hubby and I have four different service providers!  Some more expensive than others, because we don't want to be using the mobile phone hot spot thingies every day, but they're OK as a back-up to check email.  Yet, we spend less than $150 a month for all our phone and internet service for two people. Much less than in the U.S. ten years ago.

[balo]

23 hours ago, peterpaz said:

Hi Mark
Yeah, I will need a stable wifi connection. Speedwise I could manage with around 10+ mbps... as long as its reliable I don't mind waiting an extra minute or two to download/send stuff, just as long as it gets there!  :-)

 

Internet in Thailand can be unreliable and slow , especially during peak hours.  Whatever you choose I would recommend you to also get a local sim card with 4G , and connect it to your laptop. It's fast enough for most jobs and you'll need it when your internet line is down, it happens from time to time . 

 

 

 

[B0nkers]

There is a shopping center called Kad Suan Kaew, near Nimman area and a 5 minute walk to Ram Hospital, which is on the North East corner of the old city. So, it's central to everything you could possibly need/want. A 3 baht red bus trip will take you to Thai Pae Gate, which seems to be the most popular tourist area. That's on the south side of the old city. So you have a choice to walk  and explore the north side or a cheap and quick ride to the south side.

 

The shopping center has 2 hotels owned by the same people. One is super nice at 33k baht a month, the other mediocre at 12k per m. The internet in the cheap hotel is not good enough for work if you use a SAAS, but is fine for trandfering files or checking messages etc. Slow though at about 250k per s.

 

The very good part about the Nimman area is that it is a huge hub of people who do exactly what you do for work. They have many businesses that cater to digital nomads and Camp located in Maya shopping center (you can walk there in 10 mins from the hotels), is full of foreigners working from their laptops and local university students doing school related stuff. Some people spend all day using their internet. The environment is productive and quiet like a library.

 

The downside to renting a condo can be the deposit too. Many places ask for 3 months up front. That includes 2 months as a security deposit. PLus you may need to deal with utility instal costs and inflates pricing as already mentioned. Some hotels also charge sperately fpor electricy at inflated costs for monthly rentals. The two Im talking about dont ask for a deposit at all nor charge you extra for anything. All inclusive.

 

Actually... the expensive hotel is called Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel. You can Google and email them to ask about their sister hotel in the same complex.

 

Hope that helps a bit. For what you do for a living, I highly recommend the Nimman area, regardless of what kind of accomodations you choose. The businesses and community cater specifically to digital nomads

Edited February 17, 2017 by B0nkers
Accidently submitted while typing... keyboard broken

[wales01]

I can suggest place - Nimman area is good for shops, restaurants, coffee places, supermarket, cinema and pretty cool shopping mall.
 
Not sure about rental prices or internet questions. I'll leave that to others.

And traffic


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[AlexRich]

57 minutes ago, wales01 said:

And traffic


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

There's traffic everywhere in Chiang Mai - what I like about Nimman is that you can walk to everything ... or take a cheap red bus into the walled city. The OP may not need a scooter living in that area.

 

[peterpaz]

Thank you for all the tips and do's and don't's.
Great to know there will be an easy internet solution if I get stuck with shared wifi too. It was one of my main concerns.

I've been offered a room with its own router and the kind host said if I want to up the speed, that can be arranged through the provider. Not sure how much extra it'll cost, but by the sounds of it, it won't break the bank.

I've riden a motorbike in CM and found it ok as long as you have your wits about you. I have a full UK bike and car licence so I think all I need to do is go to the post office in the UK before I head to CM and get a International Driving Permit for a fiver. It lasts 12 months and you carry it with your licence.

Bit nervous about visiting in the heat of April and in Songkran... whats the score with this festival?  Should I expect to get attacked and soaked as soon as I walk out into the street or what?  :-)

Thanks for all the kind advice on here... makes this forum soooo good!
Peter