[Phoenix]

(04-02-2015 12:16 AM)mrbiggs Wrote:  

She then said verbatim "Thai girls don't like really big muscled guys." She then went on to say that Chris Hemsworth was her hottest guy. CH is a pretty big guy so there is obvious contradiction in her statement.

Mrbiggs, please refrain from implying on this forum that a woman's words mean anything.

(10-20-2015 09:33 AM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

Since I have never operated a motorcycle, and even if I have, I'm not sure I would want to in a foreign country where traffic rules are pretty lax.

You must man, it's amazing. Fuck I need to get another bike. Just assume that everyone on the road is a drunk, suicidal lunatic who deliberately breaks every traffic rule ever devised, and ride accordingly .

[MikeS]

In the 11 months since my last Thailand trip, three of the five girls I was still chatting with sent me photos of the motorcycle injuries they'd sustained since I left (fortunately minor, some nasty scrapes on legs and arms and one broken foot). One of them doesn't even drive herself, that was from one of the motorcycle "taxis" in Bangkok, which she very rarely uses. The other two girls were injured in Chiang Mai.

Not sure if I'm gonna risk a bike/scooter rental on my upcoming trip either (ten days in Chiang Mai). Way too many accidents in Thailand, and even the most minor ones are likely to be painful when you're riding around in shorts and t-shirt.

[WanderingSoul]

(10-20-2015 10:25 AM)Phoenix Wrote:  

(04-02-2015 12:16 AM)mrbiggs Wrote:  

She then said verbatim "Thai girls don't like really big muscled guys." She then went on to say that Chris Hemsworth was her hottest guy. CH is a pretty big guy so there is obvious contradiction in her statement.

Mrbiggs, please refrain from implying on this forum that a woman's words mean anything.

(10-20-2015 09:33 AM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

Since I have never operated a motorcycle, and even if I have, I'm not sure I would want to in a foreign country where traffic rules are pretty lax.

You must man, it's amazing. Fuck I need to get another bike. Just assume that everyone on the road is a drunk, suicidal lunatic who deliberately breaks every traffic rule ever devised, and ride accordingly .

Everyone I know who rode a motorbike in BKK for an extended period of time had atleast one accident. One guy I know got his ankle broken really badly.

But CM seems to be decent for a motorbike. I had a friend who lived there for years and had no problems riding one in CM, but he gave it up in BKK because he felt unsafe.

Some forum members like DirectDanger rode bikes in BKK without problem, but he's also an experienced rider.

I think having a motorbike in CM would be awesome, but I'm not an experienced rider, so not sure if I would take the risk or not. In BKK I definitely wouldn't, but in CM I think I'd go for it. It definitely would open the city up for you.

[anotherblond]

Chiang Mai isn't that bad. At least right now and during the low season.
Honestly, most accidents are from people drink driving hurting themselves. Down south in Thailand it's hectic, but Chiang Mai people aren't nearly as crazy.
The locals are masters at avoiding you. They know it's the foreigners looking at stuff and pissing about (yea I'm guilty of this too. This place is beautiful! ) That cause the accidents.
Grab some insurance from your airline and you'll be fine.

They do have drink driving checks in town late at night so even that is less common. Vacation day drinkers though....

[CleanSlate]

I just talked with DirectDanger about motorbikes in CM and learning how to ride one. I'll learn how to ride a motorbike here in the US before I leave, so I would have at least some skill and a little experience riding a motorbike, which is way safer than going in there and picking it up cold. I can see how some foreigners with zero experience renting motorbikes for $5/day would cause accidents.

That said, using a motorbike in big cities like BKK or Manila? Forget it.

[anotherblond]

solid idea.

Some of the bike places even will give you a lesson (i think mango bikes does)
The scooter you get is so point and shoot it's not even funny.

Like people have said here. You need a bike. There are no bike taxis here, and fuck traffic on the weekends. It's easy to skip the traffic lines and pop in between with a scooter.

Chiang Mai is amazing if you work online. Lots of people to share ideas with here. Easy to stay. Amazing internet. Easy enough with zero Thai. I only plan on being here for about a year so no motivation to learn the language.

[Gemini]

Thanks OGNorCal707, Balkan, CleanSlate, and others for your helpful replies.

I will aim to spend at least 3-4 days in Chiang Mai per your recommendations. Sounds like a dope place and much to do and see. I'm flying into CM instead of Bangkok from overseas as it turns out to be much cheaper.

I will visit the temples, the Elephant sanctuary and the night markets. Will probably stay in a hostel to meet some people to hang out with at night as you guys said nightlife got killed there. Will go to Bangkok after, so plenty of nightlife there. Cheers

[iknowexactly]

(10-20-2015 02:46 PM)MikeS Wrote:  

In the 11 months since my last Thailand trip, three of the five girls I was still chatting with sent me photos of the motorcycle injuries they'd sustained since I left (fortunately minor, some nasty scrapes on legs and arms and one broken foot).Way too many accidents in Thailand, and even the most minor ones are likely to be painful when you're riding around in shorts and t-shirt.

I haven't been to Thailand, but I've ridden about 2500 miles in Cebu over the six months since I bought my motorcyle.

Speeds are pretty low and road rage is almost completely absent here.

Even with very extensive experience riding motorcycles from 175cc to Harley Sportsters, bicycle racing experience with road bikes and pretty hairy mountain bike experience in steep, rocky trails in the Sierras; it feel it is extremely dangerous just because the roads are so crowded.

You will become impatient with being trapped in traffic and start trying to edge through small gaps.

Once I was edging around the front of a truck and he started moving forward because he didn't see me. I started howling and he stopped, but if you drink at all, and are not highly experiences in being able to "feel" when to drop a bike and hop off and what to do when you lose traction hitting a slippery patch, I would advise against druving a motorbike in big cities.

I haven't seem Chaing Mai, and maybe if you really balance your experience with your risks it isn't crazy, but when looking through US State department records of people killed overseas ( was assessing risks in Philippines of jealous boyfriends) a LOT of the deaths are motorcycle related.

[Kdog]

CM is awesome when you have a bike. The first time I didn't have one I was dependant on tuk tuks and songthaew trucks and it sucked. For B200 a day I had a brand new Honda Zoomer and I roamed the shit out of the city. Road around the gates every morning, Nimman, CM university, the Zoo, Doi Suthep (although if you are a complete newb I would maybe avoid that as its a steep mountain). I even road all the way out to where all the elephant tourist shit is and roamed back roads and found an awesome old house turned into a fancy cafe with crazy views of the mountains and locally sourced fresh coffee.

I had a dirt bike and quad while growing up so I have a bit of experience but I am by no means an expert rider. I only saw one idiot fall right after an earth quake when I took a ride around town.

The freedom and convenience cannot be beat and you'll be a pro after 20 minutes. Start by riding around the Thapae gates to get comfy its one big square with 3 lanes and low speed so getting the hang of things is more relaxed than the highways you'll eventually roam. I would 100% recommend.

[davyjose]

(10-20-2015 03:55 PM)anotherblond Wrote:  

solid idea.

Some of the bike places even will give you a lesson (i think mango bikes does)
The scooter you get is so point and shoot it's not even funny.

Yeah Mango is the way to go, free lessons as you said. Ran by a cool Irish lad as well, he won't take the piss the way some other bike companies will with scratches etc.

[WanderLuster]

(10-20-2015 02:46 PM)MikeS Wrote:  

In the 11 months since my last Thailand trip, three of the five girls I was still chatting with sent me photos of the motorcycle injuries they'd sustained since I left (fortunately minor, some nasty scrapes on legs and arms and one broken foot). One of them doesn't even drive herself, that was from one of the motorcycle "taxis" in Bangkok, which she very rarely uses. The other two girls were injured in Chiang Mai.

Not sure if I'm gonna risk a bike/scooter rental on my upcoming trip either (ten days in Chiang Mai). Way too many accidents in Thailand, and even the most minor ones are likely to be painful when you're riding around in shorts and t-shirt.

I have serious paralysis from a motor bike injury sustained after a mad-man hit me in 2007 Chaing Mai. Do NOT expect drivers to follow logic even close to your road-ideas.

[WanderLuster]

Also, I know a guy in one of the top banking jobs in HK who was killed because of someone pulling into his lane insanely in HK. Do NOT take driving motor-bikes or cycles in SEA lightly. I'd rather drink 18 beers and lie on the road in UK or Denmark city than ride for 5 hours in any SEA city on a motor-bike.

[El Chinito loco]

Motorbikes are definitely the #1 killer of expats/tourists in places like Phuket and probably SEA in general but usually it's because of tourists doing stupid stuff like driving while drunk off their ass, wrecklessness, or not wearing a helmet. People wildly underestimate the unpredictability of traffic flow and overestimate their own skills.

It's not unusual to see some expat/tourist douche trying to look hard throttling down and speeding wildly through traffic. If you notice locals don't really do this unless they are little punk kids. It's not unusual for guys to end up in some gore photo on the accident section of the Thai newspaper.

[Thaitanium]

Just a little bit to counter the negativity around motorbiking in CM. There are some truly amazing loops to be done starting from Chiang Mai. Firstly, the Mae Hong Son loop (supposedly one of the best) and yes, it's an awesome ride. And another one, the Golden Triangle loop, also great. Riding along mountains with Myanmar on the side, or driving past the Mekong with Laos across the river, really great. And in these areas there is hardly any traffic. I did them both on a simple scooter, can really recommend them.

Yes, Thai traffic is crazy, but it sure is great to go motorbiking in northern Thailand.

[Gemini]

Wanderluster, you made me crack up with your laying on the road comments.. Funny!

But seriously, it's not funny getting hurt when you are abroad. I was talking to a friend about my trip to Thailand and mentioned motobikes. He said that normal travel insurance probably won't cover that, so if you get hurt - though out of luck. Also, if you get into an accident with a local, even minor, it will be automatically "your fault" as the foreigner if the cops come. He's speaking from experience as been to Thailand like 20 times. What is your take on this guys?

By the way, flying into CM on a Thursday, planning to stay till Saturday afternoon, then BKK for Sat night. Is that enough time in CM, or would you suggest hang out more days in CM, including Sat night?

[worldtraveler3]

Is there anyone based in Chiangmai right now?
I am arriving on Monday 2nd Nov.

[anotherblond]

Gemini
"By the way, flying into CM on a Thursday, planning to stay till Saturday afternoon, then BKK for Sat night. Is that enough time in CM, or would you suggest hang out more days in CM, including Sat night?"


Nightlife in Chiang Mai is not amazing right now since most places shut down at midnight. New law.
Don't stay for the nightlife, but it is a fun city outside of that. Food is better than far south and done stunning international offerings.
If you need more time depends on what you're looking for. It's not enough time to see the city, but more than enough to see the nightlife. Comparing it to many places.
I'm living here though so obviously I like chiang Mai

[anotherblond]

Worldtraveler3. Pm"d you

[WanderLuster]

(10-29-2015 09:53 PM)Gemini Wrote:  

Wanderluster, you made me crack up with your laying on the road comments.. Funny!

But seriously, it's not funny getting hurt when you are abroad. I was talking to a friend about my trip to Thailand and mentioned motobikes. He said that normal travel insurance probably won't cover that, so if you get hurt - though out of luck. Also, if you get into an accident with a local, even minor, it will be automatically "your fault" as the foreigner if the cops come. He's speaking from experience as been to Thailand like 20 times. What is your take on this guys?

By the way, flying into CM on a Thursday, planning to stay till Saturday afternoon, then BKK for Sat night. Is that enough time in CM, or would you suggest hang out more days in CM, including Sat night?

It's not all about travelers being "dumb" like the other poster suggested. Shows his ignorance. It's just easy not to realize that chances of an accident are literally 1000X better even if you drive well. Ideally if you are new riding motorbikes, as I was, you should ride very slow and cautious and you'll look like a pussy or you're taking a big risk. But who wants to ride like a pussy? I didn't, and I'll pay for the rest of my life.

[Kamaki4]

If anyone is thinking of coming to Chiang Mai over the next few weeks, keep an eye on the pollution levels. Normally the worst of the burning season ends just before Songkran, but the last 4 days the haze has been awful. http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/ch...s-aqi-200/

[bleaknight]

(04-20-2016 02:59 PM)Kamaki4 Wrote:  

If anyone is thinking of coming to Chiang Mai over the next few weeks, keep an eye on the pollution levels. Normally the worst of the burning season ends just before Songkran, but the last 4 days the haze has been awful. http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/ch...s-aqi-200/

Shit, I'm coming in 2 weeks, how bad do you think it will be?

[Kamaki4]

(04-21-2016 05:10 PM)bleaknight Wrote:  

(04-20-2016 02:59 PM)Kamaki4 Wrote:  

If anyone is thinking of coming to Chiang Mai over the next few weeks, keep an eye on the pollution levels. Normally the worst of the burning season ends just before Songkran, but the last 4 days the haze has been awful. http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/ch...s-aqi-200/

Shit, I'm coming in 2 weeks, how bad do you think it will be?

I don't think anyone except the idiots that are burning really know. The government forced CP, earlier this year, to sign a memorandum not to buy corn from growers that burn. They also set up a controlled burning schedule from Feb to April 15th so that everyone wouldn't burn at the same time. I just assumed that the memorandum and schedule would be ignored, but apparently many decided to follow the schedule and burn after Songkran instead.

It has also been very hot with a daily high that hasn't dipped below 39 C since the start of April which has no doubt caused a few fires to get of control.

To get an idea how bad it was; 3 days ago I found ash on my balcony and cars parked on the street where I live. I also saw ash on a few cars in another area the same day.

The haze was better yesterday and looks ok this morning, but if you are used to clean air you will notice the difference. You can track the levels hour by hour on this website. http://aqmthai.com/public_report.php The location is only listed in Thai; #35t is CM City Hall and #36t is a location in the Old City (Sri Phum). Pick #36t which gives a reading for the PM 2.5 level which others have told me is the one to watch.

Another site(english) that you may find useful can be found here; http://aqicn.org/city/thailand/chiangmai/city-hall/

Hope that answers your question. I actually had to make a phone call to find the Thai website because even though I find burning season annoying, I don't really worry about it as much as other expats do.

[bleaknight]

(04-21-2016 10:23 PM)Kamaki4 Wrote:  

(04-21-2016 05:10 PM)bleaknight Wrote:  

(04-20-2016 02:59 PM)Kamaki4 Wrote:  

If anyone is thinking of coming to Chiang Mai over the next few weeks, keep an eye on the pollution levels. Normally the worst of the burning season ends just before Songkran, but the last 4 days the haze has been awful. http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/ch...s-aqi-200/

Shit, I'm coming in 2 weeks, how bad do you think it will be?

I don't think anyone except the idiots that are burning really know. The government forced CP, earlier this year, to sign a memorandum not to buy corn from growers that burn. They also set up a controlled burning schedule from Feb to April 15th so that everyone wouldn't burn at the same time. I just assumed that the memorandum and schedule would be ignored, but apparently many decided to follow the schedule and burn after Songkran instead.

It has also been very hot with a daily high that hasn't dipped below 39 C since the start of April which has no doubt caused a few fires to get of control.

To get an idea how bad it was; 3 days ago I found ash on my balcony and cars parked on the street where I live. I also saw ash on a few cars in another area the same day.

The haze was better yesterday and looks ok this morning, but if you are used to clean air you will notice the difference. You can track the levels hour by hour on this website. http://aqmthai.com/public_report.php The location is only listed in Thai; #35t is CM City Hall and #36t is a location in the Old City (Sri Phum). Pick #36t which gives a reading for the PM 2.5 level which others have told me is the one to watch.

Another site(english) that you may find useful can be found here; http://aqicn.org/city/thailand/chiangmai/city-hall/

Hope that answers your question. I actually had to make a phone call to find the Thai website because even though I find burning season annoying, I don't really worry about it as much as other expats do.

Cheers for that, I might have to reconsider the trip taking this into account.

[Saweeep]

(10-20-2015 02:46 PM)MikeS Wrote:  

In the 11 months since my last Thailand trip, three of the five girls I was still chatting with sent me photos of the motorcycle injuries they'd sustained since I left (fortunately minor, some nasty scrapes on legs and arms and one broken foot). One of them doesn't even drive herself, that was from one of the motorcycle "taxis" in Bangkok, which she very rarely uses. The other two girls were injured in Chiang Mai.

Not sure if I'm gonna risk a bike/scooter rental on my upcoming trip either (ten days in Chiang Mai). Way too many accidents in Thailand, and even the most minor ones are likely to be painful when you're riding around in shorts and t-shirt.

I think you have to have a death wish to ride a bike in Thailand.

In November I saw the aftermath of 3 crashes where locals were killed. I wasn't exactly out on the road every hour of every day either. Terrifying.

I always hire a car in Thailand. Even then multiple close shaves are part of the fun.

If you can't afford a car, Grab Taxi app is thai uber. Use that instead.

[Satoshi]

(04-22-2016 05:37 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  

I think you have to have a death wish to ride a bike in Thailand.

In November I saw the aftermath of 3 crashes where locals were killed. I wasn't exactly out on the road every hour of every day either. Terrifying.

I always hire a car in Thailand. Even then multiple close shaves are part of the fun.

If you can't afford a car, Grab Taxi app is thai uber. Use that instead.

Driving a motorbike in Thailand is fun as hell. One of the best things in life. I've done more than 10.000km already.