Experiencing Chiang Mai

[Jason762]

So I’m interested in living in Chiang Mai to (mainly) train in Muay Thai, but also to experience Thailand a little (actually, a lot if I can :-D).

So far I plan to go to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, the Three Kings Monument (Anusawari Sam Kasat), and chat with monks at Wat Suan Dok (and while I’m there I’ll visit the rest of the temple), Ang Kaew resivour, Wat Doi Sutep, and maybe the University of Chiang Mai (though I’m not quite sure what I’d do there)

Since I plan to be there for a year, I’d also like to go to the festivals and events. The flower festival, the water festival, Intakin festival, the mango fair, and the Loi Krathong. So basically every event listed in the LoneyPlanet guide to Thailand. :-P

I’d also like to go to a good masseuse as I get this pain in my back (just behind the left side of my rib cage) when I stand for long periods of time. Perhaps it has to do with my broken ankle from playing American football – doc said I might end up with one leg shorter than the other.

Wouldn’t mind checking out the nightlife either. If anyone has cool bars/nightclubs to recommend, please do! And restaurants. YUM YUM! I looooove to eat :-p

If there’s anything else worth mentioning, don’t hold back!

Thanks!

[sriram]

If there’s anything else worth mentioning, don’t hold back!

the wat u-mong hosts a fairly famous icon of siddhartha gautama in a state of extreme ascesis; it bears a striking resemblance to another figure of the historical Buddha at the same stage in his life in the lahore museum in pakistan.

kind of grotesque, but that's the point...

[Sawatdee]

Just for your information, this is a "family friendly" forum so please don't ask questions about nightlife. If that is all you are interested in, then there are other forums that cater for that scene. However, if you want to know more about Thai life and culture, then I am sure there will be people here to help you out soon.

[sriram]

Just for your information, this is a "family friendly" forum so please don't ask questions about nightlife. If that is all you are interested in, then there are other forums that cater for that scene. However, if you want to know more about Thai life and culture, then I am sure there will be people here to help you out soon.

to be fair, the bulk of his post concerned non-nightlife activities

[Richard Barrow]

You might want to consider going on some homestays. This is a good way to get to know and understand the local culture. There are quite a few in the Chiang Mai area. You can have a go at planting rice! A few of the cooking courses also allow you stay on their premises.

[Jason762]

Just for your information, this is a "family friendly" forum so please don't ask questions about nightlife. If that is all you are interested in, then there are other forums that cater for that scene. However, if you want to know more about Thai life and culture, then I am sure there will be people here to help you out soon.

the only night life I'm asking about is the drinking/dancing/clubing scene.

I can't train Muay Thai all the time otherwise I'll get burned out. Plus I need somewhere to go if I ever get a victory (if I enter the ring while in Thailand).

[Betti]

I did see that link but I have no mod rights in the Chiang Mai forum. I reported it, but apparently it didn't go through.

if Jason still happens to be here, my advice is if you stay long term and you are an outgoing type of person, you'll just find out about things from friends and acquaintances as time passes. it's great that you are preparing for your stay, but don't be worried about it. just come to Chiang Mai and enjoy the atmosphere (which is not a synonym for some of the morning rush hour air :-( ), walk around, explore small alleys, rent or buy a motorcycle, hit the road, explore, walk around, let people take you to places. Chiang Mai doesn't really have nice monuments apart from the temples, the streets and houses can even be considered ugly, the beauty is hidden here and there, in the diversity, festivals and people, you cannot pinpoint it.
as for nightlife, you can try Loh Kroh road - I'm sure it's not difficult to find. the night market area nearby is also an entertainment area. Thais also enjoy the big shopping malls for movies, karaoke and eating out.

[Khun Don]

Chiang Mai doesn't really have nice monuments apart from the temples, the streets and houses can even be considered ugly, the beauty is hidden here and there, in the diversity, festivals and people, you cannot pinpoint it.

Although I have criticised what Chiang Mai has become, Betti, I have to disagree about it not having any "nice monuments" -I think the 3 Kings monument and the immediate area is great, -but apart from that, so far as I know, you are right.
Definitely advise Jason to get out of the city- Doi Suthep and the Mae Sa valley are both good -if the motorcycle can cope with hills !

[Sawatdee]

lets be mature enough to know what you want to see in a site....

Is this your apology? Or are you planning on sending me a PM too? At the moment I am not convinced you regret what you did and it is quite possible you will post that kind of link again as you think it is "harmless".

[Betti]

a 100 cc can move one person up to Doi Suthep or all along the Mae Sa valley (down to Hangdong eventually), 150cc should be enough for two people.

the word "monument" was not right, I meant something like you have the temples but apart from that, it's not like a typical tourist hotspot town or city in Europe full of historical buildings and with an old, beautiful, well-preserved centre. I had some visitors a few weeks ago who were shocked at the "streetscapes", they were not prepared for Asia in this regard.