THE BACK UP PLAN Chiang Mai

Most long time Phuket foreign residents have heard the mythical Chiang Mai tale of a burned out island expat who heads north and finds riches, all things cheap and cheerful and of course cool weather.

Coming back from a short trip to CM, first let me say it was indeed hot - very hot. While not as hot as Phuket's lets just say I got up close and personal with my hotels aircon.

Now it's been a while since my last trip and there are some very nice hotels such as Mandarin, Four Seasons, and The Chedi on offer. I stayed at the Manathai which offered a great location, charming product and lovely staff.

Still driving around the city streets you can't help but feel you are in Phuket town (or city as it is properly called). It's a city and there is traffic, a large tourism industry and certainly countless stalls selling exactly the same hill tribe hats or funky rude t-shirts).

There is the good side, drivers are more courteous, and the airport is immaculate compared to our islands chaotic transit link, which is looking like rush hour at Super Cheap these days.

Yes things are less expensive but not by a lot. International schools and villas are not far off our inland properties nor education priced different from British International or Phuket Academy.

While the short average length of stay and seasonal trading have plagued Chiang Mai for years forward sentiment is good as you speak to hoteliers. Culture tourism and European wholesalers are fueling growth.

As I checked in for the direct AirAsia flight back to Phuket I ran into two people I know who reside near to me. Both had been north for five days and said 2-3 days would have been enough.

So yes wanderlust and life on the other side often seems better but before you pack your life's belongings its best to do you own personal fact-finding.

Chiang Mai will no doubt continue to attract a large contingent of foreign residents. Options are good in life and if we all wanted to sleep in the same bed, it might be an over crowded house.

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Wow, Bill, your spell check appears to be broken. If you are staying at the Manathai then the Chiang Mai and Phuket locations will likely have the same price. If you are comparing prices at the top end of the scale for schooling, again you will find comparables. It is only if you are comparing mid-so and lo-so prices that you will find a price difference. As someone who lives in Chiang Mai, all the Thai people I talk with about Phuket say that it isn't really Thailand, and would never live there. I wonder why?

CNX Lover, 03 May 2011 | 10:25 pm

Good article Bill. As for hot, it IS of course called 'the hot season' for a reason. ;) Daytime highs in April may actually be higher than Phuket, though it's likely less humid and it cools down a bit more at night. Weather wise, March-April are not the best months for the North.nThe price difference at the high-end may be less than at the more common end. Also consider that when you're new to a place and there for a couple days, you will tend to spend more compared to living in a place, where you know where the good deals are. nI don't agree with the other responder who bashed Phuket; there is plenty of regular Thai culture in Phuket, and I personally really liked Phuket Town. Some people equate Phuket with Patong. Some people fall pray to the taxi mafia. I think exploring Phuket requires your own wheels, and then it really isn't hyper expensive or hyper 'hard-sell' anymore. nAs for how many days people should spend in Chiang Mai, that's hard to say as I've lived there so long I don't notice the little things anymore that are actually very nice to take in, even though it wouldn't rank on any list of 'must do sights'. For example most visitors would really like just strolling through the old town area early morning and watch the goings on. (Would be enjoyable in Phuket Town too I bet).

WTK, 28 Apr 2011 | 6:10 pm

I'm an American who has lived in Chiang Mai for 17 years. I feel that it's a terrific place to live, but I wouldn't want to visit here.
Fortunately, there is still some semblance of Thai culture here, which Phuket seems to lack entirely. Phuket looks like the Miami of Southeast Asia. I find Chiang Mai much less expensive: for Thai & western food, good accommodations, transportation, etc. Every Thai & farang I know, who visits Phuket, complains of the exorbitant prices for food and transport and the rudeness of Thais there. Phuket had something to offer, for me, until a dozen years ago; but has been a great letdown in recent years.

David In Siam, 27 Apr 2011 | 12:39 pm

Pretty arrogant response from the CNX expat, that was totally unwarranted. Did anyone sleight you? Prices are lower there than they are here, so are daily wages for workers. Having lived there myself for a long period way back, and managed an Int'l hotel I can see why people only ever want at most a 2-day trip there...it's hot, polluted (one of Asia's worst) dry, and for the most part boring......Phuket has green mountains, blue seas, nothing quite compares to it in Thailand.

Ian, 25 Apr 2011 | 3:24 pm

But Bill, what makes you think Chiang Mai is selling itself on price alone? For a start, Chiang Mai doesn't need to sell itself, for those who actually look, it has centuries old history, beautiful temples, gorgeous waterfalls, misty mountains, Lanna culture and kind, warm people who don't often see you as a walking ATM. One of the best things about Chiang Mai is that the light headed falang, like those two you know, come to CM, hang around the touristy centre and probably Loh Kroi Rd, then leave in two days after deciding Phuket is superior. Good riddance. It is only those willing to venture outside the tourist haunts that learn of CM's charms. I have personally traveled a hell of a lot in my life and settled in five cities, the last, longest and most loved being this one. Frankly speaking, I don't care if Chiang Mai sells itself at all. If it becomes anything like Phuket, which has mere traces of anything Thai left about it, then I would be very disappointed. I love this city because I can experience the best of both worlds - western and Thai. Half of my friends here are Thai and when we all get together it is a great cultural exchange. I would argue that the majority of Thais who find themselves on Phuket island are there for one central reason - to make money from all the rich package tourists. Do I want Chiang Mai to sell itself and become more like that? Erm no. And as for the short average length of stay plaguing Chiang Mai for years...well I don't know where you get your statistics. Bill Barnett responds:
Thanksk for imput and certainly good to have different point of views. As for our statistics we collect data from internationally managed hotels in Chiang Mai and the average length of stay issue is indeed a well documented fact by the industry itself. Again it's good Thailand does have diversity of destinations and somethign for everyone.

Ac, 25 Apr 2011 | 1:46 pm

You obviously don't know the real Chiang mai. Only the falang side. But that's ok. Expats drawn to Phuket, can stay there. Bill Barnett responds:
Thanks for writing in and just to be clear no intention to bash Chiang Mai. Different courses for hourses is good and CM should not have to sell itself on price alone. My posting is meant to perhaps bust some of the local island lore that the expat cost of living is the reason to go north. I fairly looked at international school prices and upscale residenital offering etc...and the point was that people should go look at options, explore the different options of Thailand and locations - not just be driven by the promise of cheap living - it does neither destination good to work on price alone as there will always be someplace cheaper.

Ac, 25 Apr 2011 | 10:19 am