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-->We get lots of inquiries about the cost of living in Thailand. The only way we can answer that is in generalities. Living to western standards in Bangkok is as expensive as many other large cities in the world. Living most anywhere else in Thailand is significantly cheaper.Here is a pretty good Thailand budget calculator Certain tourist areas in Thailand will be more expensive than standard "up country living". The tourist areas include Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi and to some extent, Chiang Mai. This writer is not sufficiently familiar with costs in Hadyai to make an accurate comment.Housing Location is the key. The cost of purchasing or leasing houses, condos and serviced apartments built to western standards vary considerably depending on location. Sea side houses and condos in Hua Hin, Pattaya and Phuket can be very dear when priced per square meter.It is common to see 1 room condos of 36 sq m (about 360 sq ft). These can be priced from Bt 500,000 in Chiang Mai to Bt 5,000,000 in Phuket.A 120 sq m (1,200 sq ft) free standing house on 1/2 rai (800 sq m or .2 acres) can be built "up country" for less than Bt 1,000,000.Caution: Generally, a foreigner cannot own real property in Thailand. There are some workarounds that involve company ownership yet some are illegal. An attorney should be engaged if you are contemplating the aquisition of land. Utilities
Power - Figure a minimum Bt 800 (with no air conditioning) to Bt 3,000+ with moderate air con useage . This depends much on the region and elevation.
Telephone - Local telephone installation is upwards of Bt 6,000 to 8,000. Monthly rate is Bt 100. Each local hookup is Bt 3.
Mobile phones - are affordable, starting at Bt 3,000 and up. Calling plans vary from buying newable sim cards to Bt 500/mo basic charges
Water - I honestly can't remember, but budget Bt 300/mo Note: Condos and serviced apartments often act as middlemen for utilities. The surcharge will usually be 50% and up.Food There is is big difference in the cost of Thai food and western food in Thailand. Thai food is cheap in local restaurants. Western food will be similar in price to the food in the west.One can have a very nice Thai meal for Bt 50. Bt 200 is more than enough to budget as a daily allowance unless you are a really big eater ... or unless you like fancy places.Wine is expensive. Bt 300 will be a cheap bottle.Beer varies with whatever is happening at the venue where it is sold. A small bottle of Heineken at a market should cost Bt 35. Figure Bt 45 - 55 at a local bar. At some fancy expat-only girlie bar, expect to pay double that.A bottle of 12 year old scotch should be Bt 800 or thereabouts. Many upcountry places will allow you to carry in your own bottle and buy ice & mixer from them. A bottle of cheap scotch, Bt 400 ... Thai whiskey, Bt 200.Laundry here means washed and ironed, sometimes delivered. It may be handled either on a monthly basis or a per piece basis. Monthly might be something like 100 items for Bt 500 - 600.Entertainment
Movie - Bt 100 - 150
DVD daily rental - Bt 20 - 30
UBC cable service: CNN, BBC, Cinemax, ESPN, HBO, National Geographic - Bt 6,000 for lease and installation of box plus Bt 1,600/month. Extra Ciricular For those who wish to pursue the fairer sex, be prepared to spend anywhere fom nominal sums to ridiculous amounts doing so. No further comment.Golf The good news, Thailand has lots of courses. The better news, most are quite reasonable. Compared to the west, they are downright cheap. Most courses have a "sportsmen's day" ... usually Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Typical greens fee is Bt 500 at the better courses. Even better news, caddies are usually available and their fee for 18 holes will average about Bt 150.Scuba Diving Thailand has some fine diving. The seasons vary with shifting weather patterns. The 2 dominany areas are the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. A dive with boat trip should cost no more than US$25.For more information try scuba diving Thailand.Tennis is growing in popularity in Thailand. Courts are available. Lighted courts are usually available only at resorts.Nature Thailand has dozens of national parks. Khao Yai with its wild elephants in the central area, Khao Sok and the exotic bird species in rhe South and Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai province, the highest point in Thailand, are but 3 examples. These and many other parks have treks, rafting, mountain biking and camping. Transportation
Cars are expensive in Thailand. A standard small Japanese model sedan or a nice picup truck will set you back about Bt 800,000.
Motorcycles are common and quite inexpensive.
Public ground transport is cheap. So is rail transport where it is available.
Domestic air travel is nominal. The result is that touring Thailand is quite reasonable Service Services are quite inexpensive. That means it is possible to have a driver or a personal health care provider without bankrupting your savings. Bt 5,000 to 8,000 is a very liveable wage for "up country" Thais.
7.5.08
Living in Chiangmai, Thailand.
Chiang Mai has a significant expat community. Some figures put the number of "farangs", or westerners at 5,000.
Chiang Mai is much of what Bangkok is not. Instead of the flatness of the Maenam Valley one is treated to ranges of forested mountains that sweep northward to Burma.
Hilltribes in colorful costumes are common sights hawking their handicrafts around the night market.
And as Bangkok has no definite city center, Chiang Mai's is clearly defined by a moat.
But similarities between Bangkok and Chiang Mai can be drawn. While Chiang Mai does not have the mind numbing traffic of Bangkok, it does have heavy traffic during the rush periods.
And while Chiang Mai's air quality is not as bad as Bangkok's, it is unpleasant at times. Chiang Mai stands in a basin and is surrounded by mountains. As a result, the smog, partly from diesel exhausts, cannot be easily swept away.
But Chiang Mai is certainly easier to negotiate than Bangkok. Walking, bicycling and motorcycling are realistic alternatives to driving. Or if you prefer, tuk-tuks are prolific.
A relatively well organized system of songtaews, pickup trucks with benches and canopies, run a sort of shared service around greater Chiang Mai. Some can be hired much as a taxi service. You negotiating skills will need to be honed.
Chiang Mai stands on the banks of the Maenam Ping (river) and quite a number of good restaurants are perched along the banks
Safety
Traffic incidents, or possibly tumbling into the moat rank as the prime safety hazards in Chiang Mai. Although crime does exist, you are more likely to be set upon by a drunken tourist than a Thai.
Health Chiang Mai has several quality hospitals.
Chiang Mai Ram
Chiang Mai University
McCormack Hospital Consulates - Japan, the US and UK all have consulates in Chiang Mai.Financial
ATMs are everywhere. Currency exchanges are common
Interest earned on fixed deposit accounts is taxable at 15% and collected by the bank.
Some Meeting Places - Getting acquainted in Chiang Mai is relatively straightforward. Cliques do form just as anywhere else, and expats seem to be more individualized.
There also seems to be a tendency that ... the more remote a location ... the lower the living costs, the quality of the westerner diminishes. Chiang Mai has its share of con men and schemers as well as its "characters". Organizations
Gymkhana Club - social, golf, tennis
Rowing Club - sculling the Ping River
AUA Language School
Hash House Harriers
Chiang Mai Flying Club Bars and Restaurants
River Deli - restaurant, certain afternoons
The Escape - restaurant, most evenings
Fillmore East - restaurant, mixed opportunities
Mango Tree
The Pub
Prince Hotel (bar and swimming pool)
Dining Chiang Mai has hundreds of eateries, from noodle stands to Kantoke dinners and all in between. Western food venues are improving. Fillmore East has excellent steaks. The Escape has one of the best breakfasts in town. El Toro has acceptable TexMex. Mango Tree has excellent Brit fare. The Pub is another expat favorite.
For a different ambiance, a handful of restaurants along the river have excellent food and popular music. Though they tend to be touristy they are attractive dining spots.
Getting Started
Hotels can be an expensive option while you are scouting for a house, condo or apartment. It takes time to decide where you want to live, and then to find a spot. Monthly rentals can be a better option. Many are furnished serviced apartments. Some notables are (availability varies).
Rimping Condo - along the river, great view, 2 br units, a bit pricey (starting around Bt 20,000) and may require a longer lease
Royal Lanna - near the night bazaar, rooms and 1 br units, a good quality building. last check was Bt 10,000 for a 1 br.
Lanna 3 - Huay Kaew Road past Klong Cholprathan (University area), rooms and 1 br
Hillside Condotel - Huay Kaew Road, single rooms and 2 br. Overpriced, in our opinion
Chomdoi Condotel - Klong Cholprathan Road, a 12 year old condo, more Thais than farangs, quality varies with individual owner. Single room and 1 br, Bt 5,000 to Bt 7,000
Real estate agents can be helpful, but caution should be exercised. Ask around.
Shopping - Chiang Mai has numerous markets. There are several large westernized stores. Lotus, Big C, Carrefour and Macro.
Kasem Store may easily become your favorite place. Never before has such a diversity of foodstuffs been offered in so confined a space. It's near Taepae Road and worth finding ... despite the miserable parking situation.
Thailand is a land of transition. Restaurants come and go. We try to keep our information current, but cannot guarantee the accuracy
Chiang Mai is much of what Bangkok is not. Instead of the flatness of the Maenam Valley one is treated to ranges of forested mountains that sweep northward to Burma.
Hilltribes in colorful costumes are common sights hawking their handicrafts around the night market.
And as Bangkok has no definite city center, Chiang Mai's is clearly defined by a moat.
But similarities between Bangkok and Chiang Mai can be drawn. While Chiang Mai does not have the mind numbing traffic of Bangkok, it does have heavy traffic during the rush periods.
And while Chiang Mai's air quality is not as bad as Bangkok's, it is unpleasant at times. Chiang Mai stands in a basin and is surrounded by mountains. As a result, the smog, partly from diesel exhausts, cannot be easily swept away.
But Chiang Mai is certainly easier to negotiate than Bangkok. Walking, bicycling and motorcycling are realistic alternatives to driving. Or if you prefer, tuk-tuks are prolific.
A relatively well organized system of songtaews, pickup trucks with benches and canopies, run a sort of shared service around greater Chiang Mai. Some can be hired much as a taxi service. You negotiating skills will need to be honed.
Chiang Mai stands on the banks of the Maenam Ping (river) and quite a number of good restaurants are perched along the banks
Safety
Traffic incidents, or possibly tumbling into the moat rank as the prime safety hazards in Chiang Mai. Although crime does exist, you are more likely to be set upon by a drunken tourist than a Thai.
Health Chiang Mai has several quality hospitals.
Chiang Mai Ram
Chiang Mai University
McCormack Hospital Consulates - Japan, the US and UK all have consulates in Chiang Mai.Financial
ATMs are everywhere. Currency exchanges are common
Interest earned on fixed deposit accounts is taxable at 15% and collected by the bank.
Some Meeting Places - Getting acquainted in Chiang Mai is relatively straightforward. Cliques do form just as anywhere else, and expats seem to be more individualized.
There also seems to be a tendency that ... the more remote a location ... the lower the living costs, the quality of the westerner diminishes. Chiang Mai has its share of con men and schemers as well as its "characters". Organizations
Gymkhana Club - social, golf, tennis
Rowing Club - sculling the Ping River
AUA Language School
Hash House Harriers
Chiang Mai Flying Club Bars and Restaurants
River Deli - restaurant, certain afternoons
The Escape - restaurant, most evenings
Fillmore East - restaurant, mixed opportunities
Mango Tree
The Pub
Prince Hotel (bar and swimming pool)
Dining Chiang Mai has hundreds of eateries, from noodle stands to Kantoke dinners and all in between. Western food venues are improving. Fillmore East has excellent steaks. The Escape has one of the best breakfasts in town. El Toro has acceptable TexMex. Mango Tree has excellent Brit fare. The Pub is another expat favorite.
For a different ambiance, a handful of restaurants along the river have excellent food and popular music. Though they tend to be touristy they are attractive dining spots.
Getting Started
Hotels can be an expensive option while you are scouting for a house, condo or apartment. It takes time to decide where you want to live, and then to find a spot. Monthly rentals can be a better option. Many are furnished serviced apartments. Some notables are (availability varies).
Rimping Condo - along the river, great view, 2 br units, a bit pricey (starting around Bt 20,000) and may require a longer lease
Royal Lanna - near the night bazaar, rooms and 1 br units, a good quality building. last check was Bt 10,000 for a 1 br.
Lanna 3 - Huay Kaew Road past Klong Cholprathan (University area), rooms and 1 br
Hillside Condotel - Huay Kaew Road, single rooms and 2 br. Overpriced, in our opinion
Chomdoi Condotel - Klong Cholprathan Road, a 12 year old condo, more Thais than farangs, quality varies with individual owner. Single room and 1 br, Bt 5,000 to Bt 7,000
Real estate agents can be helpful, but caution should be exercised. Ask around.
Shopping - Chiang Mai has numerous markets. There are several large westernized stores. Lotus, Big C, Carrefour and Macro.
Kasem Store may easily become your favorite place. Never before has such a diversity of foodstuffs been offered in so confined a space. It's near Taepae Road and worth finding ... despite the miserable parking situation.
Thailand is a land of transition. Restaurants come and go. We try to keep our information current, but cannot guarantee the accuracy
4.5.08
Festivals in Chiang Mai
The Chiang Mai flower festival
Flowers in Chiang Mai are at their best before the end of the cool season when this festival is held. This falls on the first weekend of February. The center of the festival is the parade held in the morning of Saturday. Floats decorated with flowers illustrate the theme chosen for the year. The beauty queens surrounded by flowers make a magical sight. The flower beds of the public gardens are bathed in colour and special displays are maintained till the end of Sunday. Besides the flowers beauty contests are held and the Thai beauty participants will sit atop of the floats as they pass by. It is also usual to have a beauty contest for the visiting tourists as well.
Songkran (Water Festival)
Chiang Mai Without a doubt Chiang Mai is the place to be during the Thai Songkran celebrations. Songkran in Chiang Mai is celebrated with so much more gusto here then in other locations around Thailand. The streets especially around the old moat area turn into a gridlocked water throwing frenzy which lasts many days. The festival marks the start of the Thai new (lunar) new year. There is a songkran procession through the streets starting from Narawat Bridge to Pra Singh temple in the old city. Apart from the water throwing this is a time for Thai merit making at the temples and house cleaning in preparation for the new year.
Loi Krathong – Chiang Mai
Loi Krathong is the most colourful festival of the year. It takes place over three days of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month which usually falls in November. People generally believe that by releasing floats and balloons they get rid of bad luck and give thanks to the water and heavenly elements. For the three nights of the festival people release small floats known as Krathongs with offerings that include incense, candles, flowers and money into the rivers and lakes.. The River Ping becomes a stream of lights floating gently with the current. Small paper hot air balloons rise like lanterns high into the sky complementing the floats drifting o¬n the waters. Fireworks are let off everywhere particularly on the banks of the Ping River and there is a parade each night in Chiang Mai.
Bo Sang Umbrella Festival
Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival take place 20th-22nd January at Ban Bo Sang, Sankampang. The festival is in the form of a "street fair" in which the central road of the village is used, with stores on both sides. Stores are decorated in Lanna style, most with the well-known umbrellas, as well as with traditional lanterns. In addition there are contests, exhibitions, cultural performances, local entertainment, and assorted shows day and night. There is a grand procession decorated with umbrellas and local products, a variety of handicrafts for sale, northern-style kantoke meals, and the Miss Bo Sang pageant.
Flowers in Chiang Mai are at their best before the end of the cool season when this festival is held. This falls on the first weekend of February. The center of the festival is the parade held in the morning of Saturday. Floats decorated with flowers illustrate the theme chosen for the year. The beauty queens surrounded by flowers make a magical sight. The flower beds of the public gardens are bathed in colour and special displays are maintained till the end of Sunday. Besides the flowers beauty contests are held and the Thai beauty participants will sit atop of the floats as they pass by. It is also usual to have a beauty contest for the visiting tourists as well.
Songkran (Water Festival)
Chiang Mai Without a doubt Chiang Mai is the place to be during the Thai Songkran celebrations. Songkran in Chiang Mai is celebrated with so much more gusto here then in other locations around Thailand. The streets especially around the old moat area turn into a gridlocked water throwing frenzy which lasts many days. The festival marks the start of the Thai new (lunar) new year. There is a songkran procession through the streets starting from Narawat Bridge to Pra Singh temple in the old city. Apart from the water throwing this is a time for Thai merit making at the temples and house cleaning in preparation for the new year.
Loi Krathong – Chiang Mai
Loi Krathong is the most colourful festival of the year. It takes place over three days of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month which usually falls in November. People generally believe that by releasing floats and balloons they get rid of bad luck and give thanks to the water and heavenly elements. For the three nights of the festival people release small floats known as Krathongs with offerings that include incense, candles, flowers and money into the rivers and lakes.. The River Ping becomes a stream of lights floating gently with the current. Small paper hot air balloons rise like lanterns high into the sky complementing the floats drifting o¬n the waters. Fireworks are let off everywhere particularly on the banks of the Ping River and there is a parade each night in Chiang Mai.
Bo Sang Umbrella Festival
Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival take place 20th-22nd January at Ban Bo Sang, Sankampang. The festival is in the form of a "street fair" in which the central road of the village is used, with stores on both sides. Stores are decorated in Lanna style, most with the well-known umbrellas, as well as with traditional lanterns. In addition there are contests, exhibitions, cultural performances, local entertainment, and assorted shows day and night. There is a grand procession decorated with umbrellas and local products, a variety of handicrafts for sale, northern-style kantoke meals, and the Miss Bo Sang pageant.
Thailand visas and immigration
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
Most nationalities can obtain a 30 day visa free entry stamp sometimes called ‘visa on arrival’ without the need to apply at a Thai embassy/consulate abroad. If you want to stay longer in Thailand then you can apply for a tourist visa in advance at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad. A single entry tourist visa is valid for 60 days.
New visa rules
As of the 1st Oct 2006 there are new visa rules regarding the 30 day entry stamp (visa on arrival). In the past there was no limit to the amount of times this could be done all you needed to do was leave Thailand at any border crossing point and then turn around and come back into Thailand the same day with a fresh 30 day entry stamp. Many foreigners have stayed in Thailand for years doing this and it was also useful for the long-staying tourist. However the Thai government has now decided to limit the amount of time you can spend in Thailand on a 30 day entry stamp ‘visa on arrival’ to 90 days in any one period of 180 days. There is still some confusion (even amongst immigration officers themselves) how this system will operate but it looks like that time spent on a proper tourist visa will not be counted towards this 90 day limit also you will be able to enter Thailand as many time as you want with a ‘visa on arrival’ as long as you don''t spend anymore than 90 days in a period of 180 days.
Types of visa
Most tourist will enter Thailand on a 60 day tourist visa (single or multiple entry) or 30 day entry stamp ‘visa on arrival’.
Visa extensions
If you entered Thailand on a 30 day visa free entry stamp this can be extended at an immigration office in Thailand for 7 days for a fee of 1,900 baht.
If you entered Thailand on a 60 day tourist visa you can extend this at any immigration office in Thailand for a further 28 days the fee is 1,900 baht.
Overstaying
If you overstay your visa you will be charged 500 baht per day on departure from Thailand. This is the new rule the old charge was 200 baht per day with the first day of overstay free. However now every day (including the fist day) you will be charged 500 baht.
Chiang Mai Immigration
You will find the Chiang Mai immigration office on Sanambin Rd only a few hundred yards before the main entrance to Chiang Mai’s airport
Office hours are 8:30am-4:30pm Monday to Friday
Chiang Mai Immigration address:
Chiang Mai Immigration
71 Moo3 Sanambin Road, T. Suthep, A. MuangChiang Mai Tel: 053 - 2017556
Visa runs to Mae Sai
Despite the new rules doing a ‘visa run’ is still useful if time is running out on your current visa. With the Thai/Burmese boarder town of Mae Sai being only 5 hours away, Chiang Mai is a convenient point to renew a ‘visa on arrival’.
Most nationalities can obtain a 30 day visa free entry stamp sometimes called ‘visa on arrival’ without the need to apply at a Thai embassy/consulate abroad. If you want to stay longer in Thailand then you can apply for a tourist visa in advance at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad. A single entry tourist visa is valid for 60 days.
New visa rules
As of the 1st Oct 2006 there are new visa rules regarding the 30 day entry stamp (visa on arrival). In the past there was no limit to the amount of times this could be done all you needed to do was leave Thailand at any border crossing point and then turn around and come back into Thailand the same day with a fresh 30 day entry stamp. Many foreigners have stayed in Thailand for years doing this and it was also useful for the long-staying tourist. However the Thai government has now decided to limit the amount of time you can spend in Thailand on a 30 day entry stamp ‘visa on arrival’ to 90 days in any one period of 180 days. There is still some confusion (even amongst immigration officers themselves) how this system will operate but it looks like that time spent on a proper tourist visa will not be counted towards this 90 day limit also you will be able to enter Thailand as many time as you want with a ‘visa on arrival’ as long as you don''t spend anymore than 90 days in a period of 180 days.
Types of visa
Most tourist will enter Thailand on a 60 day tourist visa (single or multiple entry) or 30 day entry stamp ‘visa on arrival’.
Visa extensions
If you entered Thailand on a 30 day visa free entry stamp this can be extended at an immigration office in Thailand for 7 days for a fee of 1,900 baht.
If you entered Thailand on a 60 day tourist visa you can extend this at any immigration office in Thailand for a further 28 days the fee is 1,900 baht.
Overstaying
If you overstay your visa you will be charged 500 baht per day on departure from Thailand. This is the new rule the old charge was 200 baht per day with the first day of overstay free. However now every day (including the fist day) you will be charged 500 baht.
Chiang Mai Immigration
You will find the Chiang Mai immigration office on Sanambin Rd only a few hundred yards before the main entrance to Chiang Mai’s airport
Office hours are 8:30am-4:30pm Monday to Friday
Chiang Mai Immigration address:
Chiang Mai Immigration
71 Moo3 Sanambin Road, T. Suthep, A. MuangChiang Mai Tel: 053 - 2017556
Visa runs to Mae Sai
Despite the new rules doing a ‘visa run’ is still useful if time is running out on your current visa. With the Thai/Burmese boarder town of Mae Sai being only 5 hours away, Chiang Mai is a convenient point to renew a ‘visa on arrival’.
Places to eat in Chiang Mai
One of Chiang Mai’s highlights includes its fantastically cheap and varied food offerings. Walk along any of the streets in Chiang Mai and there seems an endless supply of eating opportunities. Of course you will find the usual Thai fare of delicious rice and noodle dishes but you will not have to look far for regional specialties. This doesn’t not include the myriad of international food available, be it Italian, Mexican, Greek, Japanese or good old English fish and chips. Chiang Mai has something to suit everybody’s palette and budget!
Street food
Cheap fast and tasty. Trying some of Chiang Mai''s street vendors is an excellent way to sample some Thai food and ideal for those on a budget.
Sompet Market
By day Sompet market sells mostly fresh foodstuffs but by night this area really comes alive with street vendors selling a large selection of Thai favourites. As this area is close to many of the backpackers guesthouses most vendors will also have a menu in English to help with the ordering.Where: The food vendors set up along Moonmuang Rd around Soi number 6, you can’t miss it!Food centers At Both the 2 large air-con shopping Malls in Chiang Mai (Airport plaza and Kad Suan Kaew) you will find food courts selling a large range of popular Thai dishes. The food courts are divided in to individual sections with each section specializing in a type or group of Thai dishes there will be a central seating area. Again these places are cheap and the food hygiene standards are better here than you will find out on the streets. You will need to buy coupons first to buy the food which will be sold from a small kiosk.Where: The Kad Suan Kaew shopping centre, Huay Kaew Rd, Look out for the Food Factory situated on the basement level, there are also further food courts in the branch of Tops supermarket and on the 4th floor. Central Airport Plaza, top floor and also at branches of Tesco Lotus and Carrefore supermarkets.
Thai food
Aroon Rai
There are plenty of shop houses around town knocking out mediocre Thai food to the masses but Aroon Rai is definitely a cut above the rest. There is a large selection of pre-cooked Thai dishes and Thai curries as well as an English language menu with dishes to order. The food is tasty, the portions bigger than the norm and although a tad more expensive this is still a very much a budget place to eat and a great place to sample some Thai food.
Where: Situated on Kotchasan Rd not far from Tha Phae Gate.
The wok
For a tasty selection of Thai food in a pleasant candle lit setting try the Wok. The Wok is run by the owners of the first cookery school in Chiang Mai; Chiang Mai Thai Cookery school. They knock out many of the safe Thai favourites very well but if you want to be more adventurous maybe head elsewhere.
Where: Walk up Ratchamanka Rd. from Monnmuang Rd about 20 meters on your left
Heun Phen
This is the place to come to sample real Northern Thai food and very popular it is too (mostly with Thais which is always a good sign). There are both fan and air-con seating areas and a courtyard seating area is usually opened up in the evenings
Where: Turn of Moonmuang Rd into Ratchamanka Rd Heun Phen is abot 10 minutes walk up on the right.
Riverside, Goodview, Brasserie Riverside restaurants featuring live bands. Good Thai food as well as some other international choices thrown in. These places are always busy.
Where: Head out of town over the Narawat bridge then hang a left on to Charoenrat Road you will find all three places lining the river. ใกล้สะพานนวรัฐ
Italian food
Pom Pui Fantastic Italian food combined with its outdoor courtyard eating area puts Pom Pui at the top the pile for Italian restaurant in Chiang Mai. Thin crusty pizzas, fresh pasta dishes
Where: Take a turn into Soi 2 from the Moonmuang moat road. Head down the soi for 10 meters you will see it on your right, opposite the top north guest house. มูลเมืองซอย 2
Tex Mex/ Mexican
Chiang Mai saloon
If you are missing a fix of some really good Western Food then get over to the Chiang Mai Saloon. There is a large and varied menu of burgers, sandwiches, baked potatoes and Mexican favourites all at reasonable prices. Also not a bad spot for a few beers and to catch the latest big sporting events and premiership football on their large screen.
Where: Ratchawiti Road opposite The Wall Pub ถนนราชวิถี
Michael
If you want to have some Maxican Food originally from Carlifornia. Michael is probably one of the best place in Chiangmai for the Maxican Food.
Where: opposite Somphet market nearby the Moat on Chaiyaphoom Road. ตรงข้ามตลาดสมเพชร
Mediterranean
Jerusalem Falafel Home made food including, cheeses, yogurts,pita breads, humas and falafel. Very tasty and reasonably priced.
Where: On Moon Muang Road close to Tha Pae Gate. ใกล้ประตูท่าแพ
Fast food
Western fast food Need a fast food fix? Try either of the large shopping malls Airport plaza or Kad Suan Kaew) both have branches of KFC and other western fast food joints. There is a McDonald’s restaurant on Chiang Klan road in the heart of the night bazaar. Other good hunting grounds are branches of Tesco Lotus and Carrefore supermarkets.
Where: Various locations around town
Mikes Original
Not the most pleasant location for an eating establishment being smack on the junction of the busy Chiang Moi and Chaiyaphum Rds nevertheless Mikes Original has a loyal following of expats and longstayers who come here for their western fast food fix. Many have said these are the best burgers in Chiang Mai.
Where: Just by the old city moat on the junction with Chaiyaphum and Chiang Moi Roads
English. ตรงข้ามตลาดสมเพชร
English. ตรงข้ามตลาดสมเพชร
Queen Victoria Inn
For those Brits missing a traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings, this is definitely the place to come. Traditional English Food is served from 9 a.m. until late, including English Breakfasts made with real English bacon and sausages, Beef Stew , Imported Cod and Chips, Pork Pies, Sausage Rolls and also stunning Roast Dinners with all the trimmings! All major sporting events are shown on their large screen including of course The English Premiership. There are also eight guest rooms on offer for those who want to stay overnight.
Where: 252/13-14 Prapokklao Rd', ถนนพระปกเกล้า
3.5.08
Ban Rai Yam Yen
Surprisingly enough, a good variety in 'traditional Chiang Mai food' is not all that easy to find in most of Chiang Mai's restaurants. Sure it's sold at pretty much all the markets all over town for 10 baht per serving in a plastic bag, but once you get to a proper restaurant you often don't find so many Northern dishes on the menu. Some restaurants offer a few of the ubiquitous ones, like a predictable 'Hors d'Oeuvre Muang' set or Hang Lay curry; this mostly for visitors from Bangkok and other parts of the country who want to taste the local food.
Yet the truly hard core 'Mueang' dishes you mostly don't find. Note that 'Mueang' means 'pertaining to Thailand's Northern Region'. It's more of an ethnic/cultural designation than a purely geographical one; people from the Northern provinces, roughly the area covered by the old Lanna Kingdom, will refer to themselves as 'Khon Mueang', Mueang People. This depending on context of course, it's not that they won't call themselves 'Thai' in a group of mixed nationalities because they will, but if you step up to any villager somewhere in the sticks of Chiang Rai or Mae Hong Son and ask 'Are you Thai'? then chances are he will reply "No, I'm Khon Mueang". (As opposed to any of the hill tribes in the area, Shan people, central Thais and so on). Along the same lines, when you talk about Northern Thai food, then people in the North will call their local fare 'Ahaan Mueang', Mueang Food. Ban Rai Yam Yen restaurant is pretty far out of the city center, in the San Phee Suea area, East of the Ping river just North of the Superhighway ring road.
It has featured on mainstream Thai TV shows on food and the major magazines, making it a rather famous place. It's the perfect place to take visiting Thai friends wanting to taste the local food, and of course won't disappoint any significant other who hails from the North of Thailand.. (That's assuming he/she can get over paying regular big restaurant prices for Northern food, which many people perhaps associate with the market or with Mum's cooking at home.) Ban Rai Yam Yen is not seriously expensive, but definitely moderate and on par with the big riverside restaurants such as The Good View, The Riverside and all those.
Another option for Northern food that comes to mind and which is equally famous is Huean Soontaree, on Wang Singh Kham road on the West bank of the Ping river. Ban Rai Yam Yen is moderately priced, many dishes go for 70-80 baht, more for whole-fish dishes of course. They have Pla Buek on the menu as well, the Giant Mekhong Catfish. Also there's quite a lot on the menu that I will just describe as 'adventurous'.
Great for shocking any visiting Western tourists. The interior of the restaurant is traditional wood, with lots of plants and little fountains around. There's a live music band as well playing both Thai as well as Western country type songs.
To get there you have to take Fa Ham road North past the Superhighway. So if on Fa Ham road then you pass under the Superhighway bridge over the ping river, then continue North for another 100-200 meters or so until you see the sign on the right hand side. The restaurant is 50-100 meters into that soi on the right. Alternatively, when driving on the Superhighway going East towards the Mae Jo intersection, make a U-turn LEFT directly after crossing the Ping river.
Yet the truly hard core 'Mueang' dishes you mostly don't find. Note that 'Mueang' means 'pertaining to Thailand's Northern Region'. It's more of an ethnic/cultural designation than a purely geographical one; people from the Northern provinces, roughly the area covered by the old Lanna Kingdom, will refer to themselves as 'Khon Mueang', Mueang People. This depending on context of course, it's not that they won't call themselves 'Thai' in a group of mixed nationalities because they will, but if you step up to any villager somewhere in the sticks of Chiang Rai or Mae Hong Son and ask 'Are you Thai'? then chances are he will reply "No, I'm Khon Mueang". (As opposed to any of the hill tribes in the area, Shan people, central Thais and so on). Along the same lines, when you talk about Northern Thai food, then people in the North will call their local fare 'Ahaan Mueang', Mueang Food. Ban Rai Yam Yen restaurant is pretty far out of the city center, in the San Phee Suea area, East of the Ping river just North of the Superhighway ring road.
It has featured on mainstream Thai TV shows on food and the major magazines, making it a rather famous place. It's the perfect place to take visiting Thai friends wanting to taste the local food, and of course won't disappoint any significant other who hails from the North of Thailand.. (That's assuming he/she can get over paying regular big restaurant prices for Northern food, which many people perhaps associate with the market or with Mum's cooking at home.) Ban Rai Yam Yen is not seriously expensive, but definitely moderate and on par with the big riverside restaurants such as The Good View, The Riverside and all those.
Another option for Northern food that comes to mind and which is equally famous is Huean Soontaree, on Wang Singh Kham road on the West bank of the Ping river. Ban Rai Yam Yen is moderately priced, many dishes go for 70-80 baht, more for whole-fish dishes of course. They have Pla Buek on the menu as well, the Giant Mekhong Catfish. Also there's quite a lot on the menu that I will just describe as 'adventurous'.
Great for shocking any visiting Western tourists. The interior of the restaurant is traditional wood, with lots of plants and little fountains around. There's a live music band as well playing both Thai as well as Western country type songs.
To get there you have to take Fa Ham road North past the Superhighway. So if on Fa Ham road then you pass under the Superhighway bridge over the ping river, then continue North for another 100-200 meters or so until you see the sign on the right hand side. The restaurant is 50-100 meters into that soi on the right. Alternatively, when driving on the Superhighway going East towards the Mae Jo intersection, make a U-turn LEFT directly after crossing the Ping river.
1.5.08
living in chiangmai
Are you new in town or thinking about moving to Chiang Mai?
WELCOME. This page is for you.
Visa is what you will need before you can even come to Chiang Mai. Go the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Webpage to get the most up to date infomation..
Rain Tree Resource Center has a green Book called” Helpful Hints for Getting Settled in Chiang Mai”. You can pick up a free copy at Chiang Mai Community Church Raintree.3 Charoen Muang Roadinfo line 053 262660
Houses and how much does it cost to rent or buy a house. These Websites should answer some of your questions.
Better Homes
mobile phone 0818818055
Office phone 053 262 588
Email:thanya@loxinfo.co.th
Chiang Mai House
1 Samlan Rd., T. Prasing A.Muang Chiangmai50200 ( 50 m. from Prasing temple)
Mitchai Property co.ltd.
302/4 Chiang Mai Lamphun Rd . T Watkate Aa Muang Chiang Mai Tel.(053) 8005678 Fax (053) 800314 \
Shopping
There are many great markets in town where you get fresh vegetables, fruits, clothes, pets etc. If you prefer western food you there are a couple of Supermarkets. Lotus- Tesco at the Hang Dong Road and on the north side of town. In the 2. Floor you’ll find a childrens play area, a foodcourt and plenty little stalls selling everything from popcorn to cometic articles.
Big C, Carrefour and Marko are some other shopping centers.For more imported articles such as swiss muesli, good coffee I can recommend the Kasem Store on Nimmenheimen Road.
Bake and Bite on Mohidol Road has a fresh bakes goods.
Tops Super Market in Central Airport Plaza and Khad Suan Kaew has a good choice of baked goods, mexican food, wine, salads and sandwiches to take away.
Le Chocolate a new chocolate shop in Nimmenheimen. Very important lol
Kasem on Nimmenheimen has cheap and good coffee, baked goods and alot of imported goods.. and you might find what you need for that special cake in this shop.
Rimping has two shops. One near Novotel , Chang Puek Road and one not far from the Navarat Bridge, right near the Ping river. Great selection of wine, cheese and other expensive imported food. If you miss shopping like in Europe, this is the shop for you.
WELCOME. This page is for you.
Visa is what you will need before you can even come to Chiang Mai. Go the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Webpage to get the most up to date infomation..
Rain Tree Resource Center has a green Book called” Helpful Hints for Getting Settled in Chiang Mai”. You can pick up a free copy at Chiang Mai Community Church Raintree.3 Charoen Muang Roadinfo line 053 262660
Houses and how much does it cost to rent or buy a house. These Websites should answer some of your questions.
Better Homes
mobile phone 0818818055
Office phone 053 262 588
Email:thanya@loxinfo.co.th
Chiang Mai House
1 Samlan Rd., T. Prasing A.Muang Chiangmai50200 ( 50 m. from Prasing temple)
Mitchai Property co.ltd.
302/4 Chiang Mai Lamphun Rd . T Watkate Aa Muang Chiang Mai Tel.(053) 8005678 Fax (053) 800314 \
Shopping
There are many great markets in town where you get fresh vegetables, fruits, clothes, pets etc. If you prefer western food you there are a couple of Supermarkets. Lotus- Tesco at the Hang Dong Road and on the north side of town. In the 2. Floor you’ll find a childrens play area, a foodcourt and plenty little stalls selling everything from popcorn to cometic articles.
Big C, Carrefour and Marko are some other shopping centers.For more imported articles such as swiss muesli, good coffee I can recommend the Kasem Store on Nimmenheimen Road.
Bake and Bite on Mohidol Road has a fresh bakes goods.
Tops Super Market in Central Airport Plaza and Khad Suan Kaew has a good choice of baked goods, mexican food, wine, salads and sandwiches to take away.
Le Chocolate a new chocolate shop in Nimmenheimen. Very important lol
Kasem on Nimmenheimen has cheap and good coffee, baked goods and alot of imported goods.. and you might find what you need for that special cake in this shop.
Rimping has two shops. One near Novotel , Chang Puek Road and one not far from the Navarat Bridge, right near the Ping river. Great selection of wine, cheese and other expensive imported food. If you miss shopping like in Europe, this is the shop for you.
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