Filtered Peoplescape I seldom invite people over to my place anymore. Usually, it's a coffee gathering at My Moka Coffee instead. Neither do I feel the need to invite friends when I'm not with one. I'm more selective and the first sign of someone being psychologically unbalanced or emotionally disturbed, I simply walk away from. My existential cave simulaton continues. Still, I often find myself with tested friends, and continue to meet new ones. It all works out and I'm better off for it.
Mike
Mike I may have seen Mike only about 3 times in the last 2 months. We message every now and then. Sometimes, he surprises me with an invite for a few drinks. I even invited him once telling him, "I have some money. Let me get the drinks this time." Nah, that didn't work. However which way Chiang Mai goes, I know he's there. He also knows I'm there. And that's all we need to know.
Tom
&
Chunyah
Tom & Chunyah have always been there from the start. Our friendship grew from the ground up - there was no common friend to create a carry-over goodwill. The bonding we share now has been earned. From Tom's early days as a yoga teacher at the park, to his Muay Thai fights, I was there. Both of them have been regulars at my Pizza Nites, icebaths, coffee gatherings and yoga. Now that Chunyah is expecting a bundle of joy, the horizon is richer and more animated to this wonderful couple. All my best to you both!!!
Jason Ryer Zen Strength Jason is back from his sojourn to the US and Mexico with interesting tales. It seems like he plans on growing deeper roots here now as he takes the reins on the Biohacker group. I didn't think I'd still be in Chiang Mai when he comes back, but things are just pleasantly unpredictable here (like getting another unexpected visa extension). With Jason around, this can only mean more coffee gatherings with like-minded friends and friends-of-friends.
Jason joining my Wednesday icebath crew at My Moka Coffee
Nicha
Nicha caught my attention at One Nimman yoga when she flawlessly executed the Fallen Angel pose - not all yoga teachers can do that. Nicha is strong, highly skilled and determined. I refer to her as Wonder Woman. Her yoga is equalled only by her free-spirit - she's well-traveled and willing to take risks. I also met her friend Tarin - both of them yoga teachers as well. It was instant connection. From then on, the 3 of us would be hanging out quite often - yoga, icebaths, coffee, dinners and music chillouts. Nicha even signed-up for a private pranayama class with me. It wasn't what she expected but she came away smiling. That was pretty much our peoplescape until when she left for Ubud, her homebase. Not sure if I'll see her again, but that's life.
Tarin I met Tarin together with Nicha at One Nimman yoga. For the next few months, the both of them were somehow 2 sides of one coin. They were always together when we hang out - yoga, music at Paapu House, coffee at My Moka Coffee, icebath, etc. But now that Nicha is away, I get to know more of Tarin as an individual. We had a catch-up at yoga followed by vegan lunch at Maya. I would invite her to my icebath and she would invite me to her events but somehow the schedules don't match up. At any rate, we both know we're both just around the bend.
Elizabeth Senaida invited Elizabeth to join us for Joyce's gig at Winstons Pool and Sports Club - that's how I met Elizabeth. We had a good start, good chat, good energy exchange and no red flag - this is what I'm particular about when meeting new friends. There would be a succession of music, yoga, Pizza Nite and food gigs I would meet up with Elizabeth with - My Moka Coffee, One Nimman yoga, My Secret Cafe, My Bar, Pad Thai eats or even just chilling on a park bench. We'd have long talks and long walks - and still no red flag...LOL. She's pretty, smart, tech savvy, and light to be with. When I asked what she does, she said, "I develop online courses for gurus and sell them online" - that would get the attention of nearly all my friends. Now, I'm quite comfortable with her. She's the one I probably spend the most time with, amongst my friends.
Elizabeth and I on a roadside sofa couch at My Bar
Max I've already heard about Max from Jason (from the Biohacker group). It would seem like the 3 of us together would be a quorum on its own given our common interests - travel, wellness, transcendence, crypto, and being 'semi half-grid'. I finally met with Max at my fav coffee joint, My Moka Coffee. Not surprisingly, Max is well-traveled, a nutrition guru, yogi, life hacker (he makes his own toothpaste), seeker and I'm sure, many more. This meeting was followed when he invited me, together with Jason(who just arrived back in Chiang Mai) to his birthday dinner at a Japanese yakiniku resto. That dinner is a story all its own too. This was followed-up by Pizza Nite. With Max now in Chiang Mai, the horizon seems broader and more promising.
Ending Thoughts Writing about my peoplescape experience has been a staple for me through the years. Of course, I only write about the 'good people' and their fine qualities. At least, through my lenses, how I write about them is how I see and experience them. This leaves me pondering though. From their lenses, what do they see?
(Jul 31, 2022) Slice of life in Chiang Mai. Life reveals itself in our day-to-day surroundings - the poetry, the abundance, the grace, etc. But only if you're mindful enough to capture the moment in pixels....more »»
(Aug 8, 2022) The most health-conscious guy I met is a good friend. But he drags half his body as he walks. Yes, he suffered a stroke paralyzing half his body due to bad diet and bad lifestyle. I cannot help but think, "Before the stroke, you must have felt that something was already wrong. You must have decided to take action but never took the first step. You stayed on the fence too long. Now it's too late."....more »»
Next Chiang Mai Peoplescape:
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Chiang Mai INFORMATION
Chiang Mai Map
Chiang Mai, Thailand
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station Train Station Chiang Mai International Airport Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
Arun Dara Villa - 7 exclusive rooms, 1 swimming pool for every room, grand opening
Nawa Sheeva Hotel - big rooms, high ceiling, salt-water pool, restaurant, cafe
Nawa Saraan Hotel - low density (4 spacious rooms), stone garden setting, Koi fish pond, Old City location
Arun Suite - 3 bedrooms in a 3-storie guesthouse within Old City, ideal for families
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
Tawan Bike - motorcycle rental | +66 91 635 2863 | Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
hot season begins March and lasts until June
wet season begins July and lasts until September
best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
North Gate Jazz Coop - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays at 11pm by the Chiang Mai Blues band
Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
My Secret Cafe - near Wat Phra Singh. Tuesdays at 7:30pm for the changing front-act and 9:00pm for the Panic Band
Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Chiang Mai Cost Index
B60 Chiang beer
B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage(highly recommended)
B50 noodle soup with meat
B50 coffee
B40 pad thai
B30/kilo wash-only laundry
B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
B100-150 dorm bed/night
B250 fan room/night
B30 internet cafe/hour
B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
B130-150 Movies weekdays
B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva(highly recommended)
Transportation
B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Book Online - direct booking with State Railway of Thailand. Best to register first. If going to BKK from CNX, click "Northern Line".
note -- big difference between booking direct with the State Railway and booking with an online 3rd party agent. 12GO was charging B1330 for the same trip that only cost me B941 with the State Railway.
note -- Oct 2022, I took the #10 Train from CNX to BKK, upper berth, 2nd class, a/c, sleeper, B941. The train was clean, fast, comfortable and modern. If you have heavy luggage that will cost more money in flight checkin, I would suggest this train. Otherwise, the flight now is so much cheaper it doesn't even make sense to take the bus or train.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Loei to Chiang Mai by Bus
From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity
After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!