Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Do's - Dont's and the Downside for Expats

Now we have taken a good, hard critical look at the pros and cons of re-locating to, or investing in Chiang Mai and our feet are firmly planted on the ground,  lets take a detailed look at the full-picture and the very real and enjoyable upside of living in Chiang Mai

Working and doing business

  • Permitted occupations
Teaching
  • Registering a business : 
Branch of foreign company
Local commercial business
Working with a Thai partner
Lawyer
Accountant
Government Offices : Lodging paperwork
  • Board of Investment

Eating Out

We are going to be listing various place from quick eateries to international class, 5 star restaurants.The budgets vary and begin for less than;


 $US1.00 for a dish of delicious, northern style Khao Soy Gai - Chicken in mild red coconut curry with soft and crispy noodles
and no,  $1 is NOT a misprint!

So rest assured, there are some truly delightful surprises here for you.
You will also begin to understand why undertaking home cooking in Chiang Mai poses a few intriguing questions!

This next photo is a wonderful Thai-Western fusion style restaurant in Palm Springs Village resort in nearby Mae Rim. 5 star nouveau cuisine without the 5 star price tag.

Visas - Immigration and Legal

  • Embassies and Consulates
  • Thai Immigration

Attractions - Sightseeing - Excursions

  • Guided Tours
  • Motorcycle tours

Mae Sa Valley (insert mash-up Google Map)
Chiang Mai
Mae Hong Son loop

Political stability

Details

Shopping


  • Malls
Airport Plaza
Kad Suan Kheaw
  • Super Stores
Index Living Mall
Makro
 Carrefore
Big C
Lotus Tesco
Global House
  • Local Markets
Dalat Wororot
Dalat Chiang Mai Gate
Dalat Tawan
  • Convenience Stores
Seven 11
Lotus Tesco Express
MiniMart
  • Speciality products
Clothing WOMENS
Clothing MENS
Clothing BABIES & INFANTS
Clothing CHILDREN  & TEENS
Clothing UNIFORMS
Pharmacies
Optometrists
Hardware & Building Supplies
Tools
Paint
Timber
Kitchen
Bathroom
Furniture
Electrical Appliances
Computers
Mobile Phones
Car Sound
Motorcycles NEW
Motorcycles USED
Motorcycles REPAIRS
Cars NEW
Cars USED
Cars REPAIRS
  • Food
Western Delicatessens
Western Supermarkets
Bakeries
Liquor
Wine
Juice Bars

Chiang Mai: Yesterday - Today - The Future


Chiang Mai's new Convention Centre shown during May 2010.
On target for completion in 2011. 
Being constructed on 300 Rai (1 rai = 1,600 Sqm) of prime land 15 minutes from airport.
 With Doi Suthep in the background.


Insert mash-up Goggle Maps with separate pins for landmarks and places of interest, e.g. Shopping Malls, attractions and other places of interest.


Chiang Mai -it's fascinating History


Chiang Mai Today
  • Major works
  • Ring roads
  • Chiang Mai International Airport
  • Resorts
  • Hotels

Chiang Mai's future as South East Asia's most affordable and liveable City



  • Convention Centre
  • New Mega Mall
  • IT Infrastructure
IBM Chiang Mai
Creative Kingdom - CNXWood
  • Tourism
  • Manufacturing
  • Culture

    Assimilating (Fitting In)

    About being "invisible"
    Thailand's culture is one of respect for all, especially seniors - irrespective of race or personal wealth.
    Unlike the western world, you will never feel that you don't exist.
    Whenever you go out, you will meet Thais who are naturally respectful, genuinely interested in you and delightfully friendly. It's a wonderful feeling and is freely given to all without fear or favour.
    Many expats when returning to their home country relay their feelings of dismay at becoming immediately "invisible",  and can't wait to return. It is a sad fact but true that the western world is becoming more and more obsessed with youth and apparent spending power, patently ignoring their seniors who learned to live within their means, not so here, - Amazing Thailand!

    Giving back - Earning Merit
    Coming from another place and culture, you no doubt possess skills and experience that could be of use to your new community.
    Nothing builds respect like a little volunteer work.
    There are plenty of worthy causes where your skills and enthusiasm will be greatly appreciated and in return, you will earn respect, or as the Thais say, "merit" try it, you will find it rewarding - for sure.

    Here are a few examples:-

    • Annual Chiang Mai toy ride (bikers unite! )
    • Teaching conversational English
    • Volunteer Tourist Police
    • Helping out at orphanges
    • Elephant care and conservation


    Education

    Pre-school
    Middle School
    Higher Education
    Adult Learning

    • Languages
    • Cooking
    • Meditation
    • Massage
    • Art
    • Sculpture

    Language

    Details

    • English
    • French
    • German
    • Italian
    • Thai

    Testimonials

    Details
    On the subject of "invisibility".
     I just returned from a short excursion to the supermarket. Walking along the checkout counters with my head in the clouds, I was pulled to attention by a gentle,  friendly call, it was the checkout girl who wanted me to know I was walking past her station, the smile I got when thanking her was genuine and infectious - I was grinning like a loon all the way home, it made my day. Riccardo C. 70 something, originally from Trieste Italy via Australia.

    Getting Around

    Details

    • Local Public Transport

    • Drive yourself
    • Air
    • Rail
    • Long Haul Bus
    • Chauffeured 

    Social Networking

    Casual meeting places
    Organisations - Clubs
    Business networking

    Entertainment

    Details

    • Theatre
    • Music
    • Movies
    • Thai and Lanna Cultural
    • Night Life

    Sport - Fitness - Wellbeing

    Details

    • Sports Complexes
    • Golf
    • Tennis
    • Gyms
    • Thai Chi
    • Meditation

    Real Estate

    Rental
    Purchase

    Health Care

    Treatments
    • General Practitioners
    • Dental
    • Hospitals
    • Chinese and Alternative
    • Rehabilitation
    • Detox
    • Elective Surgery
    Lifestyle
      • Aerobics
      • Tai Chi
      • Gymnasiums
      • Diet
      • Mediation
      • Massage
      • Yoga

      Cost of Living

      Details

      • Housing
      • Food
      • Utilities
      • Transport
      • Health Care
      • Other