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Is Chiang Mai culture all about expats?

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Jer

I have a lot of respect for Thai culture. I hope to retire in Thailand in about 4 years. Does Chiang Mai culture lean more towards Western or Thai?

21thailand

I'm not really sure what you mean by "Chiang Mai Culture."

It would be more than a little self-important to assume that the whole culture of the place is based around ex-pats, wouldn't you say? If you decide to hang around ex-pat haunts with other ex-pats, of course the culture in those bars or condo buildings are going to be ex-pat orientated, but Chiang Mai is still in Thailand and the "culture" is of course Thai.

I lived in Chiang Mai for 3 months, by the way.

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Mudmonky

Simple answer is it leans towards Thai culture, anywhere in the north of Thailand does. Well the whole of Thailand does, but the north is less influenced by western ideology. But you will never get too far in a Thai city from the western influence; you’re not going to avoid it.
If you want Thai, as much as you can handle, move 20 or 30 Km out of Chiangmai and live in a village. Your right to respect Thai culture and I can appreciate anyone wishing to immerse themselves in this very strong family based lifestyle. But be warned it’s not for the faint hearted, I feel Chiangmai city is a good half way house for some one looking to put roots down, to start with anyway. Good luck!

Living in Chiang Mai

There is the unique group that doing the crossed cultural education between Foreigners and Thais calls Chiang Mai Friends Group. chiangmaifriends.org

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