Been to Chiang Rai only once, stayed at Wancome Hotel for 7 days, a lot of walking in that lovely neighborhood, stop for a beer, some street food, yes I love that city, will for sure be back.
Before I even watch your videos I give you a like first thing! It also helps me keep track of what I have watched ;-) It was nice to revisit Chiang Rai a little bit. Been there once a few years ago, then rented a car and explored North of Thailand. It was a memorable trip. Thanks for bringing us various content, Jon.
35 years ago before the expansion Chiangmai used to be small and quiet like this town, I wish it still was. Chiangrai was smaller then too and quaint. Both cities have major rivers, the Kok and Ping. One can take a longtail boat to Ta Ton on the Burmese border from here.
Chiang Rai is awesome. The Lanna era temples are stunning, Isan night food markets are incredible and much quieter than Chiang Mai. In Sri Lanka at the moment, back in Thailand in around a week and your video is tempting to zap up into the North for awhile when I'm back in Bangkok!
my memory fades me but i suspect it was Mae Sai we went to 30 years ago..i do remember eating at a local restaurant and facing Burma? across the river..there were Thais and Burmese doing their washing on both sides of the river and it looks as if you can just wade across... And then we crossed the border and rode the bike into Burma ( went inside a temple) for a short distance before turning back.. Perhaps you can do a video on that😄
I loved Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai both, but being that I only visited both in one single tourist trip, I feel like I could live in either for different reasons. As a tourist, you need to see what both have to offer because it is mind blowing, but if we're talking about living.... Chiang Mai is a soft landing for an expat, as Chiang Rai is not going to hold your hand. There are way less signs in English in Chiang Rai, and even in 7/11 most of the youth working in there didn't speak English at all. In Chiang Mai the local youth has good "business related" lingo. I think Chiang Mai would be my first place to move, but I can see myself in Chiang Rai as well. I'd like to do the Mae Hong Son loop someday.
I think you've described it in a a perfect way, Chiang Mai is definitely the easier to move to, while Chiang Rai would give you a bit more local vibe with some of the fun and conveniences of Chiang Mai :)
I love it. I already told you that. But it is really what small cities in China are the main difference: They have gold shops everywhere ;) Thai is a great place to live to be honest and if you can afford to buy 2-3 apartments and live in one of them and lent others you are almost golden.
Beautiful part of Thailand, but I’m a little bias 😜The Italian is nice there; the Irish Pub near by is cool, friendly people. For something a little livelier, Poc Bar Rock house near Central is amazing. Mainly Thai but they do play western music 🙂A bit further round you have The Library and a number of other places, really cool area. Chiang Rai still reminds me of Chiang Mai from the early 2000’s, love the place.
I stayed there once for a week to check it out and there's lots of really interesting and cozy streets on the western side. Really good vibes there compared to Chiang Mai.
Some expats don't want to live with a lot of expats, and actually love the challenge of learning a new culture and language. I would say that that is not the normal way people retire though. Chiang Rai could easily be like Chiang Mai in about 25 years. Chiang Mai could be more like a mini BKK in 25 years.
Western food in TH imho is part of the rip-off of stupid farangs. Good that you made it to the ingredients level 😁. To be fair the amount of meat in western dishes could be higher in average then the noodle soup which leaves me hungry after...
I love small towns and villages! Things are more authentic the smaller and more remote the place. Great stuff, Jon!
Thanks mate :)
Thumbs up 👍 Jon
Thanks mate!
"massage parlors. If that's your thing." 🤣 On the ball (no pun intended) there Jon 😀
😁
Been to Chiang Rai only once, stayed at Wancome Hotel for 7 days, a lot of walking in that lovely neighborhood, stop for a beer, some street food, yes I love that city, will for sure be back.
Yep, really great little city :)
Before I even watch your videos I give you a like first thing! It also helps me keep track of what I have watched ;-) It was nice to revisit Chiang Rai a little bit. Been there once a few years ago, then rented a car and explored North of Thailand. It was a memorable trip. Thanks for bringing us various content, Jon.
Thanks mate appreciate that :)
35 years ago before the expansion Chiangmai used to be small and quiet like this town, I wish it still was. Chiangrai was smaller then too and quaint. Both cities have major rivers, the Kok and Ping. One can take a longtail boat to Ta Ton on the Burmese border from here.
Yeah, would have been good to see what these places were like a few decades ago :)
Looks like Chiang Mai's cool little brother.
Or sister.
Definitely does have that vibe :)
Thanks Jon, really enjoyed this vid.. I have a feeling the climate might be more my style up there
Thanks mate!
Chiang Rai is awesome. The Lanna era temples are stunning, Isan night food markets are incredible and much quieter than Chiang Mai. In Sri Lanka at the moment, back in Thailand in around a week and your video is tempting to zap up into the North for awhile when I'm back in Bangkok!
Nice, coming up to a good time of year to be in Northern Thailand :)
That shop with tyres n belts..... brilliant idea because....both wear out on the vehicles often n hence more business 👍🙏
😁
my memory fades me but i suspect it was Mae Sai we went to 30 years ago..i do remember eating at a local restaurant and facing Burma? across the river..there were Thais and Burmese doing their washing on both sides of the river and it looks as if you can just wade across...
And then we crossed the border and rode the bike into Burma ( went inside a temple) for a short distance before turning back..
Perhaps you can do a video on that😄
Yep that sounds like Mae Sai :) I was only in Chiang Mai for one day but I hope to go back again for a bit longer to check it out more
I loved Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai both, but being that I only visited both in one single tourist trip, I feel like I could live in either for different reasons. As a tourist, you need to see what both have to offer because it is mind blowing, but if we're talking about living.... Chiang Mai is a soft landing for an expat, as Chiang Rai is not going to hold your hand. There are way less signs in English in Chiang Rai, and even in 7/11 most of the youth working in there didn't speak English at all. In Chiang Mai the local youth has good "business related" lingo. I think Chiang Mai would be my first place to move, but I can see myself in Chiang Rai as well. I'd like to do the Mae Hong Son loop someday.
I think you've described it in a a perfect way, Chiang Mai is definitely the easier to move to, while Chiang Rai would give you a bit more local vibe with some of the fun and conveniences of Chiang Mai :)
Yeah if you like bikes you must do the Mae Hong Son loop, one of the best rides ever! :)
I love it.
I already told you that. But it is really what small cities in China are the main difference: They have gold shops everywhere ;)
Thai is a great place to live to be honest and if you can afford to buy 2-3 apartments and live in one of them and lent others you are almost golden.
Yeah that would be the dream :) I can definitely see why people like this city!
Beautiful part of Thailand, but I’m a little bias 😜The Italian is nice there; the Irish Pub near by is cool, friendly people. For something a little livelier, Poc Bar Rock house near Central is amazing. Mainly Thai but they do play western music 🙂A bit further round you have The Library and a number of other places, really cool area.
Chiang Rai still reminds me of Chiang Mai from the early 2000’s, love the place.
😁 yeah it feels just like that, like a more old school version of Chiang Mai, really great city!
I stayed there once for a week to check it out and there's lots of really interesting and cozy streets on the western side. Really good vibes there compared to Chiang Mai.
Yep would agree with that, had a great feel walking around :)
Hi John
Must see in Chiang Rai
White temple Blue temple and the big lady Buddha 😊
Yep, I was only there for the night but hope to get back and look at some of the sights at some point :)
Why you put "very popular with expats" in the title? I cannot imagine it for such a remote place...
Some expats don't want to live with a lot of expats, and actually love the challenge of learning a new culture and language. I would say that that is not the normal way people retire though. Chiang Rai could easily be like Chiang Mai in about 25 years. Chiang Mai could be more like a mini BKK in 25 years.
There are lots of expats that live in Chiang Rai, I think it's a popular destination for people to move to :)
Are the condos cheaper there? 🤔🤔🤔
Hmm, I'm not sure, I didn't have time to check out any properties when I was there unfortunately.
Went there on honeymoon in 2005, rather boring. Where is the old clock tower, dont' forget their famous song they play every night
Definitely has a laid back vibe, I could see myself living there :)
i thought you are moving to Malaysia
Hiw much Chiang Rai Short Time?
Western food in TH imho is part of the rip-off of stupid farangs. Good that you made it to the ingredients level 😁. To be fair the amount of meat in western dishes could be higher in average then the noodle soup which leaves me hungry after...
Haha yeah, when you actually work it out the prices don't really make sense :)
This town is SO POPULAR with immigrants...
There I fixed your title for you
Interesting points there, yeah I find the language to be very hard, try and try but I just get get past the level I'm at at the moment :)
Don't care ! Order run ! They don'tike you ,! You alwAys don't speak about that !!?! Nn
You have major issues!