living in chiang mai – Life, the Universe, and Lani

23/0409/05

Chiang Mai versus Siem Reap: an expat weighs in

I’ve compared the two cities via transportation, accommodation, shopping, visas and more.

23/0707/02

How much space do I really need? (moving sucks)

Our biggest worry when we moved into this apartment was space. Will we have enough? Where was everything going to go?

15/0302/02

The Chinese in Chiang Mai

My coworkers were getting fired up about the Mainland Chinese again. “One of them got caught defecating in the moat.” “They also got in trouble for shitting in the hallways at a kanatoke (Thai dancing show).” “I almost ran one over! They just stand there waiting to get hit!” “I was in an airplane with…

12/0102/02

8 Ways Chiang Mai is like the American South

Now, I know, you’z wonderin how a Hawaii girl like me, gonna tell you somethin ‘bout th South. But after livin there, datin’ a Southerner for 6 cotton pickin’ years, and a-vistin multiple times, I can assure you I know what I’m talkin about. So, let’s begin, shall we? 1. Using K instead of C.

05/0102/02

Trendy Chiang Mai: What’s popular?

What is trendy? What is popular? I seem forever behind in these things. My excuse is I was born and raised in Hawaii, and it was the running joke that if something was in fashion in say, late 1989, it would hit the islands a year later or maybe in 6 months. In other words,…

14/1102/02

What’s happening to Chiang Mai? (or why CM is starting to suck)

As a fresh profusion of tourists arrive to Thailand I feel both sorry and sympathetic. When travellers visited Oahu Hawaii, where I grew up, I often heard, “We thought it would be less, you know – developed.” Yeah, everyone expects more island. Here, I would imagine visitors would expect more Thailand.

21/0602/02

In response to “Chiang Mai isn’t edgy enough”

The voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. by Marcel Proust is my favorite quote from my youth. And something I’ve revisited recently since I left the country for two weeks and returned to find Thailand feeling different, new and fresh.

01/0302/02

Is Chiang Mai Safe?

I can’t tell if crime is getting worse or if I’m more clued in. I heard about an increase of purse snatching on Ratchadamneon Soi 5. Apparently you know when there has been a crime committed because suddenly the police show up to patrol the area.

03/0202/02

From Chiang Mai, with love (Why I like living in Chiang Mai)

My brother was surprised to hear that I consider Thailand, home base. Then he thought about it and said, “well you already did that with Ecuador”. And when I thought about it, he was right. I didn’t know how long I’d be in South America, but I knew I’d be back.

12/0102/02

White people in Chiang Mai: It’s an expat jungle out there…

Expats feel the vampire Kiss of Death, if a business gets into Lonely Planet‘s Thailand, any uniqueness, quality or good deal they might have discovered will become tainted or tarnished. A friend of mine wanted to take me to this really great traditional Thai restaurant but her only stipulation? Don’t mention it in your blog, Lani.…

15/1202/02

Quick Chiang Mai starter guide

I’m in Chiang Mai…now what? (Ideas for Lone Rangers and Tonto’s and every Hi-ho Silver in between.)

06/1002/02

A Chiang Mai morning…

I wake up to the sound of Romeo scratching at the blue door or meowing from the cat room. This is around 6am, he’s an excellent alarm clock. Some days I lie there, swear and throw back the covers, other days I just accept that this is the way he is.

11/0902/02

Missionaries in Chiang Mai

I was surprised upon moving to Chiang Mai, how many missionaries live here. They work primarily with the hill tribes of Northern Thailand and I’m not sure if I like it. I’m assuming the missionaries do great charity work, perhaps bringing education, clothing, food, and shelter to the ethnic minorities and outlying communities.

09/0502/02

Interview: Lani on Chiang Mai Country Living

Rustic Homes and Gardens: A publication for those who claim to Love the Land. Chiang Mai Edition A month ago, the relatively unknown “English” teacher Lani Cox moved out of the Old City into a quaint and therefore charming wood and brick home in the reputable area known as Farang Farm located west of Chiang…

04/0502/02

The best croissants in Chiang Mai

Oiy and her French husband(!) Nico live in my neighborhood & deliver to us lucky residents, fresh from the oven baked goods! (Update: 2016, they no longer do this, but instead it is well known in the expat community that they host a Saturday morning bread sale and coffee time at their home in Suan…

15/0402/02

Trading in the Old City for Chiang Mai country living

I’m no longer in my songtaew-sized studio apartment. I’ve traded in the convenience of living within walking distance of the Old City and the sweets sounds of construction for a glorified camping holiday house. Yeah, I don’t know what the hell I was thinking either.

26/0302/02

Teaching in Chiang Mai (early impressions)

Teaching in Thailand is no longer popular as it once was, the efflorescence has withered from too many unsatisfied passerbys. Only like the present, it is hanging on to the past with both arms, but no hands.

10/0901/04

Vientiane visa run from Chiang Mai

UPDATE AS OF 2019, YOU NEED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE THAI EMBASSY TO GET YOUR VISA BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. Less glamorous than heading to Kuala Lumpur, but what do you have more of: time or money? If your answer is time, keep reading…

25/0302/02

How to travel around Chiang Mai like a pro

Getting around a new city can be an interesting challenge. And depending on your personality, can either make you break down curb-side or saunter down the sois like a local. Here you will find a brief guide on directions, catching a songtaew (red truck taxis) and riding a motorcycle around town.

04/0302/02

Air supply: I can’t breathe in Chiang Mai.

Living in Chiang Mai or visiting during the burning season is hell.

11/0202/02

Daytrips + things to do around Chiang Mai

Normally this is not the kind of stuff I write about, but there seems to be a lack of this kind of information. Which surprises me since Thailand is supposed to be a cliche. So where is all the information about traveling in country? Most likely buried deep under the archives of How to Tell…