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Changes in Chiang Mai

It's amazing what can happen in only a few months in Asia while back home things change slowly here it's at lightning pace. Change is inevitable and Chiang Mai is certainly changing. I woke early this morning and decided to drive around the City I love to see what has changed. Well not a lot but construction on all the new shopping malls seems to be going full steam ahead. Here are some photos of the changes happening to Chiang Mai.

Walking Street (Sunday Walking Street Chiang Mai)

For years now Ratchadamnoen road (Sunday Walking Street) was a disaster area. Driving along it on a scooter felt like being shoved in a washing machine. Before I left they were still working on the road. It's now complete and I must say they did an excellent job of not only fixing the road but the sidewalk and the drainage system. Well done!

Walking Street Chiang Mai

Finally I can drive down the road without feeling like i'm in a washing machine.

Star Avenue

While the Mc'Donalds has finished and the shops out the front, the back still has a ways to go, honestly looks the same as it did 2 months ago.

star avenue chiang mai

Promenada Chiang Mai

Didn't take a great photo here for close up I thought it would be better to show the size of this place, It really is huge. Actually this part of town is really growing up and for those who want to buy a house I honestly think this is one of the best areas to buy right now. Forget Hang Dong! The website says it opens in 12 days. I honestly can't see it actually complete in 12 days, looks like at least 2 more months till completion. Check out the website http://www.promenadachiangmai.com/

Promenade Chiang Mai

New McDonalds

Not sure what they are calling this place, but it's a good location especially for car traffic. No Sign of Maccas yet but the back shopping part looks like it's coming along well. Looks the same as Star Avenue.

New McDonalds

Maya Shopping Mall

Honestly I think this is a great location but it's also a terrible location. Traffic on this street is already the pits and having a mall is only going to increase congestion. It's coming up fast and i'm not surprised if it opens within the next 6 months. The Maya Shopping Mall will be the place all the Chiang Mai uni kids will hang out.

Maya Shopping Mall

Central Festival Chiang Mai

I really like the position of this Shopping Mall, it's supposed to be bigger and badder than the Central Festival in Pattaya but they won't compete on the view, not like you see the view from inside a mall anyway. Still from the Night Bazaar if there is no Traffic it's closer to get to than the Central Airport. It looks really big too!

Central Festival Chiang Mai 2 Central Festival Chiang Mai 1

Sonic Playground

I really was getting into the idea of this club, next to differ it showed promise, I was hoping to see a lot of progress here but sadly doesn't look like anything is actually happening, perhaps it's all being down on this inside atm I don't know, right now all you can see is the sign. Maybe they are still looking for investors, interested check out their site http://www.sonicplaygroundcm.com/

Sonic Playground Chiang Mai

 Burger King at Thapae Gate

Well this was inevitable, the restaurant down stars of the M hotel (formerly the Montri hotel) sucked ass Big Time and I was amazed it opened so long. Now there's a Coffee Club and a Burger King at the location. Wow that happened super quick!

Burger King Chiang Mai


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About Chris

Chris founded LivingThai.org in 2011 and has received over 3 million visitors. He has lived here for over 10 years and speaks reads and writes very good Thai.

13 Responses to Changes in Chiang Mai

  1. Morgan May 25, 2013 at 1:13 pm #

    Hey mate ! You are doing a great job with this site. I have a few questions, if you have time. I have been one time in Thailand, and seemed to me a very exotic, contradictorial society, but nice overall. Most of thais i have met, speak quite bad english but nice people. Some of them are so poor, that i cant even imagine how they dont go crazy. They just keep smile and go on. How do they do that ? What is their true opinion about life, farangs because sometimes they wont tell you the whole story, from your experience ? Is there a love-hate relation towards farangs ? They dont take seriously life just because dont think about future ? Is it really dangerous to imagine a relationship with a bar girl or just nonsense ? This country seemed to me a strange place, very chaotic more like an asian cartoon with all kinds of characters. I decided to go to Thailand in couple of months and would like to visit more. If you have time, give me some advice, take care, thanks.

    • Chris May 26, 2013 at 7:18 am #

      Lot of loaded questions there buddy, maybe someone else can answer your questions. But yes it is dangerous to to that a Bar girl will truly love you.

      • Brian June 1, 2013 at 10:38 pm #

        94% of Thai people are Buddhist, with varying degrees of piety. Look at all the monks, tough life that. They live for the next life, or better, eternal enlightenment.

        Bar girls tend to be worn out from love, and probably abused at some point. Sorta like damaged goods. If one is ready to quit it might work. (doubtful) A nice one I met wanted a Pimp. No thank you. The young pretty ones make too much cash to quit for just about anyone, and they won’t. If you believe them telling you otherwise, sorry mate.

        There are lots of beautiful girls who will work hard for a low price, enjoy a little. The are very friendly and nice.

        There are lots of nice girls who work in other jobs. Few speak much English, but you can get lucky. Learn Thai from Chris if you want it all.

    • Krypton June 6, 2013 at 1:53 pm #

      I don’t know if this will help or not, but I once asked the Thai about love-hate relations towards Farangs. They say they don’t really have any conflict with Farangs, but they hate the ones who just come to get drunk, bang (or rape) girls, or do “bad things” with the Thai culture.

      I live in Laos and go to Thailand very often, so I see how they think of each other. My Lao friends tell me that a famous stereotype of the Thai is their charm, they are very good at flattery and smiling even if they can’t. I don’t know if there’s something to do with the “Land of smiles” thing though. I hope this helps you.

      Good luck, mate. If you’d like to go further back in time you can visit Laos.

  2. Alex May 26, 2013 at 2:11 am #

    I’ve seen ads on red pickups and billboards saying promenade will open 7th of June. It is amazing seeing chiang Mai change so much every time I visit this place. Need more attractions here! Getting sick of the same old ones.

    • Chris May 26, 2013 at 7:16 am #

      If you’ve never been to chiang mai there’s a few weeks worth of attractions to see, after that yeah not so much. Besides Bangkok can’t think of anywhere that would have the same problem. I’d love to see a theme park or what would be better would be a water park with a man made beach with waves!

      • Brian June 1, 2013 at 10:47 pm #

        I miss going on bike rides around Chiang Mai especially to Doi Suthep and King’s house. There are nice resturaunts out in the country. (I saw a tarantula in one’s bathroom once, be careful) Its too dangerous in Pattaya (the shakedown cops spoil the fun) and pointless in BKK. Probably a dangerous hobby, but fun.

  3. Hangover May 27, 2013 at 8:05 am #

    Your “favourite” club in town “Spicey” has also a new location… Maybe you check it out again. It is much more better now.

    • Chris May 27, 2013 at 8:18 am #

      Last night i drove past and saw this was going to write a seperate story but may just add it here. Favorite, i know your joking lol!

  4. Hangover May 27, 2013 at 8:09 am #

    And before I forget: welcome back in town :D. It is time for a “I am back VIP party”;).

    • Chris May 27, 2013 at 8:18 am #

      won’t be a party until next month 🙁 stay tuned!

  5. kennyn May 28, 2013 at 11:45 am #

    Hey, I’m moving to Chiang Mai soon… Im a 27 year old American, plenty of money… Im looking for a nice apartment, any suggestions on a complex, or an area? I would really like nice views if possible…

    • Chris May 31, 2013 at 3:12 am #

      I recommend the unique on nimman because its quiet and close to good restauants

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