Bangkok vs Chiang Mai

[Hazo]

I'm having the same debate with myself as I did before I moved to Thailand earlier this year.

I think as a place, I'll enjoy Chiang Mai. The reasoning behind that is that it's a smaller city, cleaner, mountains nearby etc.

On the other hand BKK has everything anyone would ever need. I know people there and have lived there before (only for a month).

I guess what my question would be is, can you list the pros and cons of living in each place so I can get it clearer in my head where I want to go.

Currently I'm thinking BKK, even though I think I'll ebjoy Chiang Mai more. So that doesn't really make any sense.

[Teddy]

Interesting you brought this up. I have been in Bangkok for a couple of months now and am currently in Chiang Mai for a few days doing a little sight-seeing and beer tasting.

The things I like about Chiang Mai over Bangers is thats its quieter, cleaner, the scenery is more beautiful. The place just seems more natural. We went to the highest point in Thailand the other day, was pretty amazing.

Things I prefer about Bangkok is that that city just has a vibe/buzz about it. The BTS/MRT are always useful.

They have "proper" pool tables. The ones here have really narrow pockets and as Ciaran will tell you, "he's f**cking ****!!!!".

Guess it comes down to what you want to do, settle down with a family etc....go to Chiang Mai, wanna party with friends and live a bit more wildly go to Bangkok.

[admin]

I would say that it's a bit of an apples and oranges comparison. Your best bet might be to move to Bangkok on a short-term lease situation and take a few 1 week holidays up in Chiang Mai so you get a really good feel for things before making a decision.

[English_Bob]

I've lived in both cities.

The above posts are exactly right.

Chiang Mai is my favourite place in Thailand - for a holiday.

Bangkok is my favourite place to live.

Chiang Mai - countryside, nice old buildings, fewer people, no traffic, some good restaurants, laid back lifestyle, VERY friendly people, fewer rip-offs, cheaper, wonderful for Loi Krathong and Songkrann.

Bangkok - vibrant, exciting, everything freely available, cheap taxis, amazing restaurants, bars, clubs, random weirdness.

Chiang Mai is like a spa after the craziness of Bangkok.

[Guest Lollipop]

I'm having the same debate with myself as I did before I moved to Thailand earlier this year.

I think as a place, I'll enjoy Chiang Mai. The reasoning behind that is that it's a smaller city, cleaner, mountains nearby etc.

On the other hand BKK has everything anyone would ever need. I know people there and have lived there before (only for a month).

I guess what my question would be is, can you list the pros and cons of living in each place so I can get it clearer in my head where I want to go.

Currently I'm thinking BKK, even though I think I'll ebjoy Chiang Mai more. So that doesn't really make any sense.

I'm sad you didn't mention about place in south of Thailand.

[drlovelife8]

I'm having the same debate with myself as I did before I moved to Thailand earlier this year.

I think as a place, I'll enjoy Chiang Mai. The reasoning behind that is that it's a smaller city, cleaner, mountains nearby etc.

On the other hand BKK has everything anyone would ever need. I know people there and have lived there before (only for a month).

I guess what my question would be is, can you list the pros and cons of living in each place so I can get it clearer in my head where I want to go.

Currently I'm thinking BKK, even though I think I'll ebjoy Chiang Mai more. So that doesn't really make any sense.

I'm sad you didn't mention about place in south of Thailand.

Well, Yala is errrm.... Well it can be quite explosive and often goes off with a bang, but when you're there, don't go losing your head, but it's worth a shot.

[Guest Lollipop]

I'm having the same debate with myself as I did before I moved to Thailand earlier this year.

I think as a place, I'll enjoy Chiang Mai. The reasoning behind that is that it's a smaller city, cleaner, mountains nearby etc.

On the other hand BKK has everything anyone would ever need. I know people there and have lived there before (only for a month).

I guess what my question would be is, can you list the pros and cons of living in each place so I can get it clearer in my head where I want to go.

Currently I'm thinking BKK, even though I think I'll ebjoy Chiang Mai more. So that doesn't really make any sense.

I'm sad you didn't mention about place in south of Thailand.

Well, Yala is errrm.... Well it can be quite explosive and often goes off with a bang, but when you're there, don't go losing your head, but it's worth a shot.

ok i'm from Narathiwas,my family lives there, grows up over there and my perents are teachers.fyi it was not that bad as the news says. at least people there don't steal from you like other people in famous tourist places. if you think what you heard is bad why don't you come and prove? it's a real nice place to visit and people over there are truly friendly.

you are a man, don't be chicken to find out. :wink:

[Crustyjuggler]

I heard Chiang Mai is the expats elephant graveyard

[drlovelife8]

I'm having the same debate with myself as I did before I moved to Thailand earlier this year.

I think as a place, I'll enjoy Chiang Mai. The reasoning behind that is that it's a smaller city, cleaner, mountains nearby etc.

On the other hand BKK has everything anyone would ever need. I know people there and have lived there before (only for a month).

I guess what my question would be is, can you list the pros and cons of living in each place so I can get it clearer in my head where I want to go.

Currently I'm thinking BKK, even though I think I'll ebjoy Chiang Mai more. So that doesn't really make any sense.

I'm sad you didn't mention about place in south of Thailand.

Well, Yala is errrm.... Well it can be quite explosive and often goes off with a bang, but when you're there, don't go losing your head, but it's worth a shot.

ok i'm from Narathiwas,my family lives there, grows up over there and my perents are teachers.fyi it was not that bad as the news says. at least people there don't steal from you like other people in famous tourist places. if you think what you heard is bad why don't you come and prove? it's a real nice place to visit and people over there are truly friendly.

you are a man, don't be chicken to find out. :wink:

I have been to Yala, it was **** and as I am a TF farang, obviously don't even know where well know tourist places are. I often relocate countries for artificially flavored street food and temples :wink:

[Guest Lollipop]

I'm having the same debate with myself as I did before I moved to Thailand earlier this year.

I think as a place, I'll enjoy Chiang Mai. The reasoning behind that is that it's a smaller city, cleaner, mountains nearby etc.

On the other hand BKK has everything anyone would ever need. I know people there and have lived there before (only for a month).

I guess what my question would be is, can you list the pros and cons of living in each place so I can get it clearer in my head where I want to go.

Currently I'm thinking BKK, even though I think I'll ebjoy Chiang Mai more. So that doesn't really make any sense.

I'm sad you didn't mention about place in south of Thailand.

Well, Yala is errrm.... Well it can be quite explosive and often goes off with a bang, but when you're there, don't go losing your head, but it's worth a shot.

ok i'm from Narathiwas,my family lives there, grows up over there and my perents are teachers.fyi it was not that bad as the news says. at least people there don't steal from you like other people in famous tourist places. if you think what you heard is bad why don't you come and prove? it's a real nice place to visit and people over there are truly friendly.

you are a man, don't be chicken to find out. :wink:

I have been to Yala, it was sh*t and as I am a TF farang, obviously don't even know where well know tourist places are. I often relocate countries for artificially flavored street food and temples :wink:

1 question for you

How do you feel when people met you once and they say you are ******* stupid but in fact you're not?

some people love saying sth that they don't even know how it really is and that hurts some other people. sometime some opinions may make you look stupid.

if it's that bad How can people live there?

and who are you? Prince? King?

not only adults who live in that place, there are also kids and women .. what you've said it's showing that you are that chicken :wink:

[drlovelife8]

I'm having the same debate with myself as I did before I moved to Thailand earlier this year.

I think as a place, I'll enjoy Chiang Mai. The reasoning behind that is that it's a smaller city, cleaner, mountains nearby etc.

On the other hand BKK has everything anyone would ever need. I know people there and have lived there before (only for a month).

I guess what my question would be is, can you list the pros and cons of living in each place so I can get it clearer in my head where I want to go.

Currently I'm thinking BKK, even though I think I'll ebjoy Chiang Mai more. So that doesn't really make any sense.

I'm sad you didn't mention about place in south of Thailand.

Well, Yala is errrm.... Well it can be quite explosive and often goes off with a bang, but when you're there, don't go losing your head, but it's worth a shot.

ok i'm from Narathiwas,my family lives there, grows up over there and my perents are teachers.fyi it was not that bad as the news says. at least people there don't steal from you like other people in famous tourist places. if you think what you heard is bad why don't you come and prove? it's a real nice place to visit and people over there are truly friendly.

you are a man, don't be chicken to find out. :wink:

I have been to Yala, it was sh*t and as I am a TF farang, obviously don't even know where well know tourist places are. I often relocate countries for artificially flavored street food and temples :wink:

1 question for you

How do you feel when people met you once and they say you are f*cking stupid but in fact you're not?

some people love saying sth that they don't even know how it really is and that hurts some other people. sometime some opinions may make you look stupid.

if it's that bad How can people live there?

and who are you? Prince? King?

not only adults who live in that place, there are also kids and women .. what you've said it's showing that you are that chicken :wink:

........................................

....................................

Well.... Plenty of people think I am stupid and I think they are right so when they say it, and it is true, how can it bother me? Like when people say "You still look young and healthy" and it is true, I try not to let that bother me either.

I don't have to like my experience of Yala.

I thought Yala was ****. Nice scenery but that doesn't really float my boat. It was boring. Simple as that.

Lots of people live there because they have no other choice. Lots of people live there because they feel loyal to it. Lot's live there because they like it. Lots of people try unsuccessfully to relocate because it has problems which are not going away. Additionally: Adults are not only male, women are adults too so quit being so bloody sexist and try to be more open minded............ As for saying I am a chicken, I thought Kai was an impolite way of talikng about hookers!!!........................As for whom I am...................................................¼Ãà»ç¹½ÃÑ觢Õ鹡

Hope that clears that up.

[Guest Lollipop]

I'm having the same debate with myself as I did before I moved to Thailand earlier this year.

I think as a place, I'll enjoy Chiang Mai. The reasoning behind that is that it's a smaller city, cleaner, mountains nearby etc.

On the other hand BKK has everything anyone would ever need. I know people there and have lived there before (only for a month).

I guess what my question would be is, can you list the pros and cons of living in each place so I can get it clearer in my head where I want to go.

Currently I'm thinking BKK, even though I think I'll ebjoy Chiang Mai more. So that doesn't really make any sense.

I'm sad you didn't mention about place in south of Thailand.

Well, Yala is errrm.... Well it can be quite explosive and often goes off with a bang, but when you're there, don't go losing your head, but it's worth a shot.

ok i'm from Narathiwas,my family lives there, grows up over there and my perents are teachers.fyi it was not that bad as the news says. at least people there don't steal from you like other people in famous tourist places. if you think what you heard is bad why don't you come and prove? it's a real nice place to visit and people over there are truly friendly.

you are a man, don't be chicken to find out. :wink:

I have been to Yala, it was sh*t and as I am a TF farang, obviously don't even know where well know tourist places are. I often relocate countries for artificially flavored street food and temples :wink:

1 question for you

How do you feel when people met you once and they say you are f*cking stupid but in fact you're not?

some people love saying sth that they don't even know how it really is and that hurts some other people. sometime some opinions may make you look stupid.

if it's that bad How can people live there?

and who are you? Prince? King?

not only adults who live in that place, there are also kids and women .. what you've said it's showing that you are that chicken :wink:

........................................

....................................

Well.... Plenty of people think I am stupid and I think they are right so when they say it, and it is true, how can it bother me? Like when people say "You still look young and healthy" and it is true, I try not to let that bother me either.

I don't have to like my experience of Yala.

I thought Yala was sh*t. Nice scenery but that doesn't really float my boat. It was boring. Simple as that.

Lots of people live there because they have no other choice. Lots of people live there because they feel loyal to it. Lot's live there because they like it. Lots of people try unsuccessfully to relocate because it has problems which are not going away. Additionally: Adults are not only male, women are adults too so quit being so bloody sexist and try to be more open minded............ As for saying I am a chicken, I thought Kai was an impolite way of talikng about hookers!!!........................As for whom I am...................................................¼Ãà»ç¹½ÃÑ觢Õ鹡

Hope that clears that up.

try to make yourself look better?

[drlovelife8]

I'm having the same debate with myself as I did before I moved to Thailand earlier this year.

I think as a place, I'll enjoy Chiang Mai. The reasoning behind that is that it's a smaller city, cleaner, mountains nearby etc.

On the other hand BKK has everything anyone would ever need. I know people there and have lived there before (only for a month).

I guess what my question would be is, can you list the pros and cons of living in each place so I can get it clearer in my head where I want to go.

Currently I'm thinking BKK, even though I think I'll ebjoy Chiang Mai more. So that doesn't really make any sense.

I'm sad you didn't mention about place in south of Thailand.

Well, Yala is errrm.... Well it can be quite explosive and often goes off with a bang, but when you're there, don't go losing your head, but it's worth a shot.

ok i'm from Narathiwas,my family lives there, grows up over there and my perents are teachers.fyi it was not that bad as the news says. at least people there don't steal from you like other people in famous tourist places. if you think what you heard is bad why don't you come and prove? it's a real nice place to visit and people over there are truly friendly.

you are a man, don't be chicken to find out. :wink:

I have been to Yala, it was sh*t and as I am a TF farang, obviously don't even know where well know tourist places are. I often relocate countries for artificially flavored street food and temples :wink:

1 question for you

How do you feel when people met you once and they say you are f*cking stupid but in fact you're not?

some people love saying sth that they don't even know how it really is and that hurts some other people. sometime some opinions may make you look stupid.

if it's that bad How can people live there?

and who are you? Prince? King?

not only adults who live in that place, there are also kids and women .. what you've said it's showing that you are that chicken :wink:

........................................

....................................

Well.... Plenty of people think I am stupid and I think they are right so when they say it, and it is true, how can it bother me? Like when people say "You still look young and healthy" and it is true, I try not to let that bother me either.

I don't have to like my experience of Yala.

I thought Yala was sh*t. Nice scenery but that doesn't really float my boat. It was boring. Simple as that.

Lots of people live there because they have no other choice. Lots of people live there because they feel loyal to it. Lot's live there because they like it. Lots of people try unsuccessfully to relocate because it has problems which are not going away. Additionally: Adults are not only male, women are adults too so quit being so bloody sexist and try to be more open minded............ As for saying I am a chicken, I thought Kai was an impolite way of talikng about hookers!!!........................As for whom I am...................................................¼Ãà»ç¹½ÃÑ觢Õ鹡

Hope that clears that up.

try to make yourself look better?

I don't think I can make myself appear much worse

[Hazo]

Thanks for the advice so far.

I think that even though I'm saying I'd prefer Chiang Mai, that'd be more on a short term basis. I'm likely to get bored after a little while.

I'm only 24 so I'd say I'll move to Bangkok again and do trips to Chiang Mai like Bill said.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

[garlic]

you're welcome...

[Hazo]

Changed my mind again

Going to do some more research.

[Hazel]

I'm getting really jealous... :S

How you people can just pluck upself off your corner of the world just like that and plant yourself in Thailand (my favourite place in this world), survive here happily and not have to worry about how to stay alive day to day? Some people just have all the luck but just not me *sigh* :'C

[English_Bob]

I'm getting really jealous... :S

How you people can just pluck upself off your corner of the world just like that and plant yourself in Thailand (my favourite place in this world), survive here happily and not have to worry about how to stay alive day to day? Some people just have all the luck but just not me *sigh* :'C

Yanyan... I remember when I moved out here - 9 years ago. I was in the bank, closing some accounts.

The woman asked me what I was doing... "Moving to Thailand." was my answer.

She said, "Oooh you lucky thing." But that made me think... Was I lucky? Or did I just take a gamble? I took a gamble and I won... life has been great here - almost nothing to complain about (and I'm English... we LOVE to complain).

So... stop being jealous. Get on the internet, do a bit of research and buy yourself a ticket.

[Hazel]

Hee, I have to admit that will take some extra guts from my side as I cannot out it past me that I may end up starving to death on the streets cos I was thrown out by my landlord for being months behind the rent too!

[drlovelife8]

Hee, I have to admit that will take some extra guts from my side as I cannot out it past me that I may end up starving to death on the streets cos I was thrown out by my landlord for being months behind the rent too!

if you get to the uk they will pay your rent 4 u

[pandorea]

Hee, I have to admit that will take some extra guts from my side as I cannot out it past me that I may end up starving to death on the streets cos I was thrown out by my landlord for being months behind the rent too!

if you get to the uk they will pay your rent 4 u

if you get to the DK, they will pay you one way ticket and the police escort you to flight and they will make sure that you never come back. Suddenly UK seems to be more interesting.

[drlovelife8]

Hee, I have to admit that will take some extra guts from my side as I cannot out it past me that I may end up starving to death on the streets cos I was thrown out by my landlord for being months behind the rent too!

if you get to the uk they will pay your rent 4 u

if you get to the DK, they will pay you one way ticket and the police escort you to flight and they will make sure that you never come back. Suddenly UK seems to be more interesting.

Only if you are NOT British will you get such treatment

[condotown]

To me there are only 3 cities in Thailand.

Three cities I like to spend time in.

Bangkok... For the urban experience

Chiang Mai... For the mountain experience and nice second city

Pattaya/Jomtien ... For the beach experience

Most of the rest is fine for passing through, but boring as hell.

Except Phuket.. I avoid that **** hole like the plague.

[drlovelife8]

To me there are only 3 cities in Thailand.

Three cities I like to spend time in.

Bangkok... For the urban experience

Chiang Mai... For the mountain experience and nice second city

Pattaya/Jomtien ... For the beach experience

Most of the rest is fine for passing through, but boring as hell.

Except Phuket.. I avoid that sh*t hole like the plague.

Well, I have had you wrong all these years. You certainly have a sense of humour calling in Pattaya for the beach (sure you don't mean *****) experience.

[Hazel]

Some people like Isaan so much they want to live there forever, or so I heard. It's definitely the next on my list the next time I go to Thailand. But it sure needs time to properly enjoy the entire Isaan experience. The only time I came close to Isaan was transiting through the Nongkhai train station from BKK to Laos this Feb. Too little time on my hands then to spare some for the town of Nongkhai itself - one of the regrets I have