Best time to visit Chiang Mai

allen11 wrote:

I am looking at Chiang Mai as a possible place to relocate to. I am planning a trip later this year. What is the best time of year to visit to get a true picture of what Chiang Mai has to offer? Looking for a nice hotel near the night market $50 to $85 a night range preferred but more if it's worht the extra. Thanks

Allen11

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That is way too much, and why on earth you want to live NEAR the night market?

Chiang Mai is pretty much shriveling up and dieing.

I recommend you stay at THE Park Hotel, buy a gold card (B200 a year) and you can get a nice room for 21,000 and 24,000 a month, including bkfst for two (buffet), and daily maid service, etc.  They go nightly to the Night Market, for free, and come bring u back, but if u stay out late, u will use a songtel or tuk tuk.

empresshotels.com/park_hotel

Thailand, negotiate monthly rates, not nightly rates.

again, your budget is way way too high. if u tell people u can afford 85 x 30 x 30 = 76,500 baht a month, u r gonna get totally ripped off, as people will help you part with your money. never, ever tell people how much u can afford. if u can't learn this, don't go to thailand, land of takers and con artists.

Just so you know, if you have a bachelors degree, and you are off your 1 year probation and are a permanent employee, and you work in a nice hotel, u will earn 7,000 baht a month, 30 days a month, 12-13 hours a day.  So, an entire year's salary will be 84,000 baht, out of which they pay taxes, buy uniforms, food, and transportation.  My doctor at Chiang Mai Ram told me a few months that his monthly budget for himself, wife, and two kids is 18,000 baht a month, and he is a specialist.  Another business guy I know (who ripped off mission boards in Burma and brought his wealth to Thailand) pays his wife 4,000 baht a month to feed his family of four and take care of his needs.

So, your daily budget is an entire year's salary, before taxes and expenses, to the college grads.

Allen11:

After reading your profile, it appears you will not be living as either a new college grad, nor as a Thai doctor who makes $600 per month.

Presumably, your $50-$85 per night is ONLY until you find permanent residence.

yes? no? maybe?


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I see in your profile, you are planning to come in November.

I believe the 'cool season', 'mid-Nov to 'mid-Feb', which includes Loy Krathong, is one of the best times to visit Chiang Mai.

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I've been living here, in this terrific city, for six-years; so if you have any specific questions, please send me a message, and I will try to help.
 
krup khrun krup,
jon

Visit to Chiang Mai.

Thank you for your replies. The hotel is for the two week visit. This trip is part vacation and part exploration. It has been a tough couple of years here in the states and I am splurging on a very long over due vacation. At the same time I am checking out the area in Chiang Mia as well as Chiang Rai for future retirement living. That retirement will require a much tighter budget long term and much planning.

Allen

Here are the Agoda hotels, for the 'Night Bazaar'.

The prices are fairly competitive, and the reviews are helpful.

However, the feature I like best, is you can select 'map', and find hotels, near and far.


agoda.com/pages/agoda/default/DestinationSearchResult.aspx