A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand

[Khun Ying Pojaman]

YY your pics of the property. Very beautiful. Thanks. Gave ideas for future house design. While in Singapore with family, I have thoughts to have a house in Chiangmai for family to stay for a few months each time to enjoy relaxing Thai life and also cold weather (not summertime la of course). Your opinion in Chiangmai or Chiangrai better?

Chiangrai is way too remote and boring. The last time when I was there, there wasn't even a proper shopping centre. The ultra small night bazaar was the heart of Chiangrai at that point of time.

Chiangmai has more to offer. The best shopping centre is Robinson at the Airport, followed by Kad Suan Kaew. The night bazaar is 10 times bigger than Chiangrai. More importantly, if you're planning for your folks to fly to Thailand for holidays, direct flights are available between Changi and Chiangmai. In that sense, Chiangmai is 進可攻，退可守， 是兵家必爭之地也！

 

[yinyang]

pics of the property. Very beautiful... thoughts to have a house in Chiangmai for family to stay for a few months each time to enjoy relaxing Thai life and also cold weather (not summertime la of course). Your opinion in Chiangmai or Chiangrai better?

Not (yet) been to Chiangrai. Hear it's nice, pretty and more mountainous terrain .. Imho, go for Chiangmai as you don't want to be too far from civilization either (like international airport, connections etc). Also hear prices north up from last year, due to response from floods central and south. Think many foreigners, farangs choose north for retirement or holiday villas. Go talk to experts than this outsider looking in (I wish too).

Cheers mate, enjoy Jakarta. Hear Fortune Hotel (opposite Meridien Hotel) got good KTV and creatures of nights +555

 

[yinyang]

One last look, with lady owner Munee pic. On Chiangmai and north, many khun thais including her (originally from Isaan) think here the people are 'delicate'. Also, Chiangmai chabors known to be fair or kao2..:p

 

[chonburifc]

A quick lunch at BigC food court. Rice with Egg Omlette and minced pork.

<a href="http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums/o497/chonburifc/1205/?action=view&amp;current=a4aebe8d.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o497/chonburifc/1205/a4aebe8d.jpg" border="0" alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>

 

[chonburifc]

Entrance from 3rd road to my apartment. Usually, I will use Sukumvit Road or Patt. South road.
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Honey Place
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Gino House
<a href="http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums/o497/chonburifc/1205/?action=view&amp;current=35596f13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o497/chonburifc/1205/35596f13.jpg" border="0" alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>

Hehehe. This one is...Family Mart, come here to get my whisky and soda.
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Fung Pla Pao Restaurant.
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Heaven Land.
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This is entry level apartment. Neighbors tend to be Dek Wai Run.
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[Jah_rastafar_I]

One last look, with lady owner Munee pic. On Chiangmai and north, many khun thais including her (originally from Isaan) think here the people are 'delicate'. Also, Chiangmai chabors known to be fair or kao2..:p

What you mean is they think the chiangmai ppl are "softer" cos they are fairer?

 

[yinyang]

What you mean is they think the chiangmai ppl are "softer" cos they are fairer?

Jah, think it's beyond skin deep. It's the thai divisiness, Lanna people are proud to assert they are different from north east (Isaan), central (urban bkkians) and south. History of different kingdoms (and perception) has got to do with it. Country here quite pretty and you notice difference in vegetation too (say from central and south).

Quite a mix of chinese ethnicity here (I don't have the stats) and north nearer to Mynmar may have some influence. Maybe our rotikosong who's guru of north can throw some light.

 

[Jah_rastafar_I]

Jah, think it's beyond skin deep. It's the thai divisiness, Lanna people are proud to assert they are different from north east (Isaan), central (urban bkkians) and south. History of different kingdoms (and perception) has got to do with it. Country here quite pretty and you notice difference in vegetation too (say from central and south).

Quite a mix of chinese ethnicity here (I don't have the stats) and north nearer to Mynmar may have some influence. Maybe our rotikosong who's guru of north can throw some light.

Yes i understand that but i'm just curious what you mean by "delicate" It has good and bad connotations. To call a female delicate that's of course good but if it applies to the men it means they are stereotyped as soft/weak.


I remember one thai fren from central saying many thais from other regions of thailand like to visit chiangmai for the reasons you stated.

 

[rotikosong]

Gino House


Hehehe. This one is...Family Mart, come here to get my whisky and soda.


Fung Pla Pao Restaurant.

hehehe I know this Family Mart, just behind VIP. The makan place I was talking about it around the corner, not Fung Pla Pao. It's beside VIP. Supposedly good moo ka ta.
It's not fancy, a couple of stone tables set outside.

About apartments in this area, I am always surprised at the number of residents from taang prathet living there. Many foreigners run road to Pattaya - it's like a mini-UN.

 

[ginfreely]

steamed golden promfret and sweet potato leaves...very fast and easy to cook...

 

[rotikosong]

Jah, think it's beyond skin deep. It's the thai divisiness, Lanna people are proud to assert they are different from north east (Isaan), central (urban bkkians) and south. History of different kingdoms (and perception) has got to do with it. Country here quite pretty and you notice difference in vegetation too (say from central and south).

Quite a mix of chinese ethnicity here (I don't have the stats) and north nearer to Mynmar may have some influence. Maybe our rotikosong who's guru of north can throw some light.

YY you're right. As you say, Lanna was a different kingdom and they are proud of it. But in the end also got enslaved. I know my history from watching King Naresuan I, II, III and IV
And rather than just a mix, more and more actual Chinese people live up north now. As in from China.

Ask any Bangkok Taxi driver and he probably would say that puying Khon Nuea (the Lanna) antarai (dangerous) maak.

But everybody is like that. Cantonese say they better than Hokkiens. Hokkeins say they better than Teochews. Everyone say they better than Hakka

 

[ginfreely]

YY your pics of the property. Very beautiful. Thanks. Gave ideas for future house design. While in Singapore with family, I have thoughts to have a house in Chiangmai for family to stay for a few months each time to enjoy relaxing Thai life and also cold weather (not summertime la of course). Your opinion in Chiangmai or Chiangrai better?

Just curious, how much does average house cost in Changmai? foreigner can buy landed? thanks

 

[Jah_rastafar_I]

YY you're right. As you say, Lanna was a different kingdom and they are proud of it. But in the end also got enslaved. I know my history from watching King Naresuan I, II, III and IV
And rather than just a mix, more and more actual Chinese people live up north now. As in from China.

Ask any Bangkok Taxi driver and he probably would say that puying Khon Nuea (the Lanna) antarai (dangerous) maak.

But everybody is like that. Cantonese say they better than Hokkiens. Hokkeins say they better than Teochews. Everyone say they better than Hakka

Free lanna from thailand!!! Free lanna from thailand!!!!!!


Bloody thai ppl enslaved the lanna kingdom. Let's hold protests!

Opps pai seh i forgot about the double standards involved. It's ok for the thais to enslave lanna.

 

[ginfreely]

Entrance from 3rd road to my apartment. Usually, I will use Sukumvit Road or Patt. South road.
<a href="http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums/o497/chonburifc/1205/?action=view&current=cd252fdb.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o497/chonburifc/1205/cd252fdb.jpg" border="0" alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>

Honey Place
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Gino House
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Nice photos, this is Pattaya suburb? Btw why you chose there and not Bangkok?

 

[chonburifc]

Nice photos, this is Pattaya suburb? Btw why you chose there and not Bangkok?

Hehehe. this is actually in one of the small soi (street) in Pattaya aka Sin City. Pattaya suburb is actually quite nice too. Will post pics of Pattaya suburbs when I pass by there again. The farangs call the Pattaya suburb 'The Dark Side' but it's nothing scary.

On the choice of settling down in Sin City over BKK, a long story. Anyway, think Sin City is good for those in semi-retirement or full retirement.

 

[chonburifc]

hehehe I know this Family Mart, just behind VIP. The makan place I was talking about it around the corner, not Fung Pla Pao. It's beside VIP. Supposedly good moo ka ta.
It's not fancy, a couple of stone tables set outside.

About apartments in this area, I am always surprised at the number of residents from taang prathet living there. Many foreigners run road to Pattaya - it's like a mini-UN.

Hehehe. Maen Laew (Right). 2 of my foreign talent staff staying in this neighborhood. (Both recommended by me ) But I never take commission lah.

BTW, just came back from the Family mart after a quick dinner at Third road. Guess how much do all these cost?

<a href="http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums/o497/chonburifc/1205/?action=view&amp;current=9f6c7311.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o497/chonburifc/1205/9f6c7311.jpg" border="0" alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>

 

[chonburifc]

steamed golden promfret and sweet potato leaves...very fast and easy to cook...

Alamak, a little sayang leh for pomfret. How about Teochew Steam. Here's a good recipe.

http://www.noobcook.com/teochew-steamed-fish/

My recipe is a little bit different, I used the dry plums and also added pepper seeds and shitake mushroom. Giam chye need a lot. This one cannot over steam or cooked.

 

[Jah_rastafar_I]

to chon does thailand have a ban on selling beer and alcohol after 12midnight?

 

[chonburifc]

to chon does thailand have a ban on selling beer and alcohol after 12midnight?

Hehehe. Yes. And it depends on the type of license. Supermarket and convenience stores can only sell alcohol beverages during 11am-2pm and 5pm till midnight. Some neighbor convenience stores will sell outside the hours if they think you are not a trouble maker. Exception is election day/eve and some religious holidays.

 

[ginfreely]

Alamak, a little sayang leh for pomfret. How about Teochew Steam. Here's a good recipe.

http://www.noobcook.com/teochew-steamed-fish/

My recipe is a little bit different, I used the dry plums and also added pepper seeds and shitake mushroom. Giam chye need a lot. This one cannot over steam or cooked.

Yeah over steam abit hard to control...ten minutes for the fish plus three minutes for the veg...total 13 minutes..like that over steam? this fish about 450g..

Oh Teochew steam, yeah the restaurant steam fish taste better...ok I try out dry plums next time...