Chiang Mai Thailand: The Good and the Bad 

Chiang Mai is home for me, I wake up everyday and thank the universe for allowing me to exist here. For me there are more Pros and very few cons, but it is the friendliness of the people that makes it better than anywhere else that I have lived.

Many of your points seem more appropriate for a visiting tourist than an actual resident. I’ve lived in Chiang Mai for six years now and I have taken one hike, because it’s just too uncomfortable walking the steep hills in the heat and humidity. I leave the city and sometimes even the country during Songkran because it’s quite annoying after your first year of it, and many Expats feel the same. Who wants to be wet wherever they go, whether grocery shopping, a movie, a meeting, or a date? I certainly don’t. And I avoid the night markets because they are way too crowded, and all they sell is cheap trinkets suitable for giftgiving back in your country, but nothing you’d actually use living inThailand. The temples are something you visit in a your first few months here, and maybe take a visiting friend to, but are hardly a part of your daily existence as someone who actually lives here. tuk tuks are simply bad transportation for anyone but tourists who find them fun and exciting. It’s much cheaper to use a ride hailing service or a red truck. Your negative points are generally on the mark but you neglect to mention the many ways that the government makes you feel unwelcome living in Thailand, and in Chiangmai. Here I am referring to the problems of police checkpoints that abound in areas where foreigners are likely to be and during festivals that attract foreigners.Then there is the constant reporting required by immigration, and the incessant copying of your passport whenever you try to do anything from transferring money from one of your accounts in a Thai bank to another, or buying a Sim card for a phone, and the dual pricing for activities that marks up the cost per foreigners by many times over that pay by local citizens. There’s just an abundance of petty indignities that add up to a general annoyance factor.. when all said and done, I found a benefits of living here are somewhat greater than the disadvantages, Chiangmai is far from Paradise.

I just cannot think of a better realistic review of Thailand. This is a Bobby Dazzler, man!!! This video is huge motivation and adequate orientation for the people who want to visit Chiang Mai and for the newcomers!

I agree about the food, it ties for #1 for me-fantastic food at very low prices. The songthaews made me carsick since you sit sideways in them, so I walked everywhere. Yes, the heat and smoke are hard, but the biggest problem for me was that I couldn’t find a way to connect with other expats to make friends. I wouldn’t move there without having a group of friends/contacts before I arrived, because being lonely is what made me leave last time. I had to go to the hospital for a non-urgent procedure and I was extremely happy with both the level of care and the cost.

The best part of Thailand is the people. :)

my FilAm (US/Filopino) son goes to Payap University in Chaing Mai. he enjoys it so far. I visited for a few days.. I will keep my place here in Jomtien, Ocean views, Island views, and a condo with amazing facilities.. Riviera Jomtien

Lived in Cmai for many years before moving south. Your points are well taken. I wish the backgrounds had been chosen of more attractive areas. I didn't see any background reflecting CM's beauty......

for me chiang mai feels like proper thailand still. i know there’s a lot of backpacker tourists about. when i eventually decide to make the move permenant i actualy like the burning season, reason being it makes you go away for a break somwhere around that time then you appreciate the place even more . bit of a strange way to look at it mind

Would love to hear your 5 pro's and cons for Chiang rai one day

great vid Wayne, you ever try living in other big cities? like Bangkok , Phuket etc? I am an introvert and Chang Mai sounds is right up my Ally but somehow I feel like i might be missing out if I go there and settle in.

Spent 2 weeks In Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and absolutely loved it. I want to live there and get out of South Africa

Strong pros, weak cons (other than the smog) & that's why Chiang Mai is such a great option, especially for newcomers.

Was there late February 2023. Should stay 14 days, but go back after 8 days horrible pollution didn't get a mountain view....sore throat...

I gave Chiang Mai several chances in the past as a place to potentially live long-term whilst in Southeast Asia, but I really didn't like the place. I found it to be really boring. Once you've seen the tourist sites, there's no reason to stay there. I just think it's being hyped up basically because of digital nomads and it's cheap for long-term stay, but it's not an attractive City in any sense which I was really disappointed with thinking it was apart from the Tourist sites. It's just a regular Thai City. I found Bangkok to be way better. Way better. No comparison whatsoever.

In Chiang Mai, I would pass the smokey season indoors with an air cleaner, and catch up on my reading. The people of Siam are a particularly unique people, with as much humanity as all of human kind, and I would only hope to be worthy of them. I would also have to be a little school boy learning their language, so living closest to a Junior College where I can learn my lessons, and near enough to an Immigration Center where I could check in, and salute, would be a good location for me.

I am very happy to be in CM for 6 months in 20 days

Lived in CM for a year and enjoyed my time there. Moved to Lamphun 14 years ago and bought a house (20% cheaper). I still love CM and the abundant choice of restaurants but it's too poluted and busy for me now at my age (66).

None of the cons u mentioned ever bothered me, in the 4 yrs I lived there...Except maybe the humidity at times...But for the burning season I always found ppl made way to much of a big deal about...Expats would make it seem the world was ending or something....but Never bothered me..and I have allergies 😅

Thanks for the video. What 3 months are burning smogy season so I know not to visit then?

Think you missed the biggest pro in coming to CM would be the khun suay mak krub women👀🍭

Just avoid some places in near Tha Phae gate. You can see coffee cup for hundred bath and designer biscuits for 80 bath. The rest is great spec morning fruit and vegetables market in Chiang Mai Gate or in Chinatown near Ping river. The hills area of province is a visual delight.

Great vlog mate......Hopefully it will be our homebase for long term exploring of Asia sometime in the next few years!

Others have mentioned C. M. can be a great home base. Cheap flights to inside the country and S.E A. . Many less thsn $100. Also, the C.M. heat is bearable to me compared to B.K.K. I could still walk around, but not down there. I have been there 3 times, but Wayne and others have shown interesting places that I have missed. (Uh, Loi Kroh?).

Where's that mate? 6:30 There's a lot of nice scenery in this video as usual.

Chiang Mai is the greatest! BUT smoke season and no beach!😅

I’ll be there again in early November for a couple of weeks after I’ve had a look around Koh Chang . 👍

I totally agreed. Chiang Mai is the best place to start your living in Thailand. Most people you will be in contact with within and around the old city does understand some English enough to get by in restaurants, food stalls and so on. It can be busy in CM, but it's not even near the craziness in Pattaya, Bangkok or Phuket in most ways. I was in CM at Loy Crathong in 2012 when it was no restriction or expensive tickets to pay to be able to send up the lanterns. The floats was nice, but to watch the lanterns that filled the sky was the best moments in my life beside the birth of my children. It was just so magical!

Touching down from the AMAZING Chiang Mai! Just got here today. Got my 5 year plan to relocate here. Great video as usual!

Could i move to a suburb in order to escape the pollution?

Thanks for your advices , I love Chiang mai too, great city, I m coming in November for the third time there ☺️

Just moved to CM after a year in Pattaya and Bangkok. Totally different energy - happy to be here! Love the videos mate

Great presentation Wayne. Valuable information for anyone considering moving there. Cheers mate 🍻🤩

I'm coming to Chang Mai in January. My first visit to Thailand ever. I think I'm going to stay there for 2 months because I want to see if I would like to live there. And then I'm going to Hua Hin for maybe a month. I'm so excited. If your in town I'll buy you a coffee. I like your videos.

Thanks for sharing your valuable time with us, mate!👍🏻👍🏻❤🙏🏼💪🏻✌🏻

I would agree with one of your vlogs much earlier on when you were considering Lumphun and would agreed that this is a quieter, smaller, more every-day place compared to Chiang Mai city.

I'm going to visit Chiang Mai for a couple of days, so can I get around anywhere in a tuk tuk taxi or taxi motor bike? Any info would help, and what places would you recommend to go visit.

Took you home minus a kidney. :) joking.

Can I do dental assisting as a foreigner there

Enjoyed this video, Wayne! Thanks for posting it. Keep up the good work!!

5:17 what’s this area called?

Agreed Chaing Mai is a amazing place to live, it's my plan to retire there in a couple of years time, smoky season is crappie but no where is perfect

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I suspect and hope that something will finally be done about Chiang Mai's air pollution. That's assuming they can get Burma and other neighbours to co operate. I like Thai food in general and wouldn't necessarily think of northern food as being better. I don't mind it being a bit more spicy up there but am happy with Thai nosh whereever I go. Totally agree with you about the surrounding countyside and cost of living Wayne.

Where's the new button you were talking about in an earlier vlog, Wayne? What kind of contributions were you going for - Buy Me A Coffee or something like that?

Wonderful video 🎉

Thank you Wayne ,very informative and Chiang Mai is a wonderful place

touching down.....on ground hog day......or is it naming hua hin x 50 in 1 min lol

Mate, you missed out on a couple of beers and lunch. Maybe next time. Keep up the good work. And get that ‘Buy me a coffee’ thing rigged up.

I am confused I have only been in Chaing Mai for 12 nights and these are my observations 1.Food is great and cheap 2.Hotels are cheap 3.English is not widely spoken and could be a major barrier 4.Heat and pollution 5 Nothing much to do I have joined local gym and started yoga classes I have research local Facebook groups and there is not much on . Nice place to explore temples and then move on !

Yes agree, good advice. Thank you!

Tuk tuks are the most expensive form of transportation in Chiangmai. It’s cheaper to use a ride hailing service like Bolt or Grab. Two peaks are simply not evidence of a lower cost-of-living, they are quite the opposite. They exist for tourists, not general transportation

Thanks mate. Good to know all these stuffs.

I found that the app BOLT was way cheaper than the tuk tuk’s.

Thank you brother, miss chiang mai was there in 2022 .thinking of returning in February.

Probably the only thing that got me worried is the pollution. It's 2-3 month but even tho over the whole year it stays quite high. For a longer period, this would affect your health.

The international news is reporting on Israel these days , such as CNN BBC Sky news , Have you been to Israel or other Middle Eastern countries ?

Rent is usually the make or break item for expats, how much do you pay a month?

GOOD INFO AS USUAL WAYNE!

nice one

In the past, the Burmese Kingdom ruled Chiang Mai for a long time. King Burmese sent his son to become the ruler of Chiang Mai. They really like Chiang Mai. Both husband and wife and the rulers wrote poems praising and describing beautiful place the Chiang Mai they loved. and do not want to move out of Chiang Mai.😊

Great video mate

Great video mate 👍🏻

What’s the best Hua Hin or Chiang Mai?

Thumbs up 👍 Wayne

I don't watch videos on Thailand that don't convert to American dollars.

You done good. Bravo Wayne.

Wayne which area of chiangmai have lowest cost of rent for long stay ?

Great information mate! Thanks for sharing! Cheers

Chiang Mai prepares for winter and tourist season.😊🫰❤️ Dental check-ups and dentistry in Thailand are cheap and easily available at many dentist clinics. And don't have to wait long. Or do you have to make an appointment for several months? and international treatment standards😁😊

Shame its so hard for visa to stay long term

Indeed Wayne... When I set back and think about what you say about nothing worse than being someplace where you don't feel welcome brought some refection and some clarity to light. Mostly about why I no longer feel welcome or secure in America, and even less welcome or secure than in other countries where I was resented for where I was from, not who I was. After returning to America after spending time in Asia, I immediately felt uncomfortable as soon as I returned America. And now, in the last few years, the random and overt hostility I experience on almost a daily basis even if expect it and don't resent it has the effect of sapping the joy out of life. Years ago when I returned to America after spending most of two years in Asia, a nagging feeling compelled me to leave. I assumed that I might at home and comfortable in Mexico, Costa Rica or Puerto Rico, as I did in Thailand and Malaysia, if I respected the country and people the more it would begin to feel at home as in S.E. Asia, the Caribbean, Australia the U.K. or Japan, but sadly, the longer I stayed in those places, the less welcome I felt. And often the more friendly and respectful I tried to be, the less I was trusted, respected and taken advantage of. With ex-pat visas and healthcare becoming more of a challenge in Thailand and Malaysia I've been looking at the south of France as a retirement escape, but I've not been there and no matter the nice weather, food and living, it I were to be made to feel unwelcome, could I be content there? Perhaps someone might have some thoughts France I'd appreciate any thoughts on the matter. I would say that the hospitable and kind nature of Thailand is why people who don't feel welcome in their home country end up staying. Of course many people who have not been to Thailand but see it on RU-vid, might assume it to be a paradise and things will be perfect. And perhaps compared to whatever miserable live and have come to resent, it might be. We know however, Thailand is not an absolute paradise, but for many of the realists among us, we don't need some perfect home or paradise, just someplace we can feel welcome, secure and at home. Thanks again for the Walk and Talk About Wayne,

The biggest con in my unwanted opinion 😂 is that Chiang Mai is overrated second con it's always empty and deserted looking at night dark empty streets with a few stragglers here and there very depressing place then you have the suffocating Smoke during the burning season but to each his own I guess. PATTAYA ROCKS !!!!!! 😂😂🤣 Merry Christmas

thank you

Good on ya mate.

Thanks for the video Wayne! In your experience around when does the burning season usually start and end? Also, any advice on how you were able to get used to the heat? 😅

Great Video, you mentioned the smoky season. Which months of the year does that come around?

Hi wayne do you know anywhere in chiang mai where i can get something stronger than weed??, asking for a friend😂

but the burning season seems like the high season ☣🤷‍♂

Meant, too much time on Loi Kroh.

I am pretty sure that Nakhon Ratchasima is a little bigger than Chiang Mai.

You mentioned the heat as a con. Absolutely! I struggled with this even with the air-con on full. Apart from that it's a great place to live