My House in Chiang Mai
My House in Chiang Mai My three-bedroom Chiang Mai requires maintenance, just like houses everywhere. This is my home maintenance diary, with costs and mistakes that come with caring for houses regardless of where you live. Electrical Work Last week my bathroom light went out and, since replacing it required going to the electrical supply […]
Budget for Living in Thailand
What’s a Budget for Expat Living in Thailand? Here’s an example of a most recent handyman bill and the story behind it: The mounting of my sliding carport gate came adrift and needed three welds and my guest bedroom sink was leaking water because its drain and stopper had never been correctly installed and needed […]
Soi Dogs in Thailand
I know about twenty Soi dogs in Thailand (so named because they hang out in alleys, or sois). They’re not well cared for and, if this story moves you, sign the petition to improve their lives. If you’re in Chiang Mai you can volunteer or adopt a dog from Care for Dogs. They do heroic work […]
Chiang Mai Cost of Living
Chiang Mai Cost of Living An Aussie, Michelle Hammond, writes that living in Chiang Mai saves her $23,994 a year: “Before moving here, I knew Chiang Mai offered low-cost living and that the savings I’d make would mean I’d be in for a nice lifestyle upgrade. But I didn’t realise just how good the value was. Now I’m […]
Chiang Mai Rentals, Sublets
Here are the Chiang Mai rentals, sublets for July, 2018. Even if you’re not yet planning a move, it provides you with real estate values in Chiang Mai. These are real houses in Chiang Mai with real prices and you can check them out with Google Street View. Or just email for the address… Chiang Mai Rentals, Sublets Sublet 3 Bdrm […]
Chiang Mai UNESCO Site?
Chiang Mai a UNESCO Site? Chiang Mai’s 800-year-old, moated Old City has begun to consider applying for UNESCO World Heritage listing as a registered UNESCO Site. Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Fine Arts will host a seminar “Chiang Mai and the Road to UNESCO World Heritage Listing ” in Bangkok on 13 September to share opinions […]
Thai Monks Chant The Buddha’s Wholesome Victories
Thai monks chant The Buddha’s Wholesome Victories Creating a form, thousand-armed, each with a weapon, Mara on the elephant Grimekhala roared frightfully with his soldiers. The Lord of Munis conquered him by means of Dhamma-giving and so-on: By the power of this may you be of wholesome victories. More than Mara making war all night […]
Thai Buddhist Amulets
Thai Buddhist amulets are something of an obsession in this Buddhist land. Buddhist amulets are part of Thai culture and you see them everywhere. Amulets, on the other hand, ward off evil and repel bad luck. The word itself comes from the Latin amuletum, ‘to protect a person from trouble”. They can be gems, paintings, […]
Scooters in Thailand
Scooters in Thailand are dangerous, even for Thais. I know because I’m a trained rider and I had two spills. But if you’re going to ride a scooter, get the safest. Here’s a road test video of the Honda Click: And here’s a reminder about riding scooters in Thailand: Riding a motorcycle or scooter in […]
Embassies in Chiang Mai Thailand
Register Online with Your Embassy in Chiang Mai One of the smartest things you can do is to register online with your embassy in case of emergency or overseas crisis. Click Here for Instructions that are specific to your passport country language. Australian Advice Thailand – High Degree of Caution (12th August) British Foreign Travel Advice: Thailand (12th August) Embassy of Ireland 12th Floor, 208 Wireless Road Lumpini, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 […]
Live A Middle-Class Life in Thailand?
Could you Live a Middle-Class Life in Thailand? Do you want to live as you did in your $7,000/mo, $750,000 California-style house? Or would you be content to live a middle-class life in Thailand like a middle-class Thai person would? What would it feel like to live a middle-class Thai life in Thailand? Well, take a close look at […]
Thai Immigration Visits Me
What Happens When Thai Immigration Visits Me? The USA and the UK are relaxed about foreigners but, when Thai Immigration visits me I find that’s not true in Thailand. Your registered Thai address turns out to be more important than some people think. Chonburi immigration is the first province to start insisting that resident farangs stay where they’ve registered […]
Markets in Chiang Mai
Every day, dawn until dusk, Chiang Mai is bustling with a variety of markets squeezed onto sidewalks, set up under rows of tents, or spread out under huge pavilions. Here’s a look at some of the most popular wholesale, fresh food, secondhand, walking street markets in Chiang Mai: Sompet Market This market is best known for […]
3 Easy Day Trips from Chiang Mai
Here are 3 Easy Day Trips from Chiang Mai. It’s hard to go wrong if you live here: Chiang Mai is known for its myriad outdoor activities in the surrounding hillsides. An easy way to take in the sights and explore what the province has to offer is to take a day trip. Whether you’re into […]