Should you become an expat?

I’m regularly asked about moving to Thailand (and now I’m being asked about Cambodia). There was a point when I was emailed so often I considered creating a standard reply, but in the end laziness reigned supreme. Interestingly, I’ve made friends though these initial inquiries. I’ve met up with a few and one time I…

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🇹🇭 Tips for getting a good Thai massage

I wouldn’t call myself an expert, but I’ve been getting Thai massages for years and I’m always on the lookout for THE ONE. In case you’ve missed it, I’ve already talked about all the wrong ones you are likely to meet so I figured it was high time that I write about the practical and…

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Cimelo: Antique shop and coffee

One could argue that Thailand’s coffee culture started in Chiang Rai with the original Doi Chaang Coffee shop and restaurant opening here. It certainly helps that coffee is grown locally. Lee’s Akha Ama Coffee is grown nearby, as is his apprentice’s – Tu’s from Nangnon Coffee. So it’s little wonder that interesting coffee shops have…

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Nong Khai’s Sala Keoku

Normally, I prefer to be sober. But for my latest trip outside the country, I wished I had better and heavier drugs than cough drops and cold medicine. Perhaps it would have made my visa run more enjoyable, then again, probably not. I stayed over in Nong Khai on my way back from Vientiane, and…

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I hate the Vientiane visa run.

UPDATE AS OF 2019, YOU NEED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE THAI EMBASSY TO GET YOUR VISA BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. I hate the Vientiane visa run. Even though I’ve done it a few times, and even experienced an unforeseen problem, I still endured a special kind of hell that is reserved…

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Downtown Chiang Rai (in pics)

I remember the first time I was turned on by poetry. I was in high school Freshman or Sophomore English, and the poem was Carl Sandburg’s Chicago. Generally speaking, I was greatly turned on by the poetry we were reading, but Sandburg’s Chicago was different, gritty, and decidedly real. It wasn’t about love, or love…

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The Black House Quandary in Chiang Rai

Wow. There is a lot of conflicting information about the Black House/Museum in Chiang Rai. I almost hesitate to blog about it lest I add to the misinformation in English. First up, is Thawan Duchanee who built the Black House, the teacher or the student of White Temple artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat?

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Salad Terrace (from farm to fork)

I have my friend JP to thank for organizing both events (farm & fork) because I don’t think there are many folks who have had the opportunity to see where a restaurant’s food originates from. (Except maybe the people at the Food Network) Admittedly, I don’t know much about hydroponic farming, but I knew Salad…

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Jing Jai Market

Jing Jai Market is located across from JJ flower Market (near Tesco). What do you mean you don’t know where the flower market is? Ag. Okay, not everyone is crazy about plants like I am. Here’s a map to Jing Jai. Jing Jai is not new, but has been recently developed. I’m head over heels…

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Sweet November

It’s been a great month, so far, filled with trying new restaurants, and going back to the tried and true. It’s also the month for the Yee Ping or Loy Krathong festival here in Thailand bringing Chiang Mai alive with happy colors, and even happier socializing. *Remember to click on the photos to see them…

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A Bug’s Life in Chiang Mai

I’m celebrating 4 years of blogging about Thailand, and life overseas in general by compiling the best of the bug shots I’ve taken. Most were taken when I lived in the bamboo sticks, and I have to admit, I’m missing the cats and the craziness a little. But just a little. My city view apartment…

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Weekend Getaway to Phayao

About a 2-1/2 hr bus ride from Chiang Mai, is the little known town of Phayao. During my 2 day stay, I saw some travelling Thais, and even fewer farangs pass through this lake side city. And it’s a shame because Phayao is quite possibly the most well-planned and happy town I have seen here.

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Fishes and flowers

Dengue fever is making a stellar comeback this year in Thailand. In the meantime, I’ve been keeping little guppies and bettas in and around my house to reduce/eradicate the mosquito population.

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10 Useful Sites for Chiang Mai

Welcome to Chiang Mai. Congratulations. You are either here and doing the research or getting ready to be here and doing the research. Either way. Good on you. Here’s some help. 1. Chiang Mai Mail, CM’s first English language newspaper. I learned about the city’s experiment to make Niminhaemin a one-way through CM Mail. Overall…

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Where to Songkran in Chiang Mai

I was getting ready to post an article I had written for this weekend, when I got caught up in the latest news about 2556 Songkran. For example, Bangkok Post on Chiang Mai being a top place for Songkran revelers, and how the Chinese are making up about 55% of the tourists. OMG! The post…

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11 Ways to Meet the Police During Songkran

Public Service Announcement: New rules from the National Police for the ever growing, ever popular Songkran Festival. 1.    Don’t throw water from pickup trucks. Dangerous for pedestrians, motorists as well as the people throwing the water. 2.    You cannot sit or stand in the back of a pickup truck. Yeah, it’s not a light tank…

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