News from Chiang Mai

[sglad]

At the Wichian place (Wichian refers to a district in Isaan and the "wichian" style of barbecued chicken is named after that area)

 

 

Amphur Wichian Buri is in Phetchabun.  Is that in Isaan or Northern Thailand?  I thought I learned that Phetchabun was considered part of Northern Thailand.  But you're right in that it is famous for its grilled chicken.

[sglad]

Thanks Sglad for your detailed reply.

My partner is Thai, the problem is (well problem is not the right word) he is an excellent cook and I enjoy his food more than the food we eat in Thai restaurants in our Isaan Town.

 

No worries. 

 

Your partner being a great cook is a blessing.  It's a skill that I don't and am unlikely to have.

 

Is he a fussy eater when it comes to "outside" food though or food that is not of his own making?  Some good cooks are like that.  There's aaalways something missing or not quite right.

 

Might he be keen on spicy Southern Thai food?  A good Thai friend took me to this very simple and inexpensive place in the Old City which shouldn't be too far from where you'll be staying.  The food was delish.  It was on a small side street, close to the police station.  And around the corner there's a stall selling some of the best banana fritters I've had in Thailand.  It was called Meuang Kon if I recall.  Meuang Kon Southern Thai Rice with Side Dishes (Thai signage).  The spicy dishes are labelled with blue cards and not spicy ones with yellow cards.

[Bob]

Amphur Wichian Buri is in Phetchabun.  Is that in Isaan or Northern Thailand?  I thought I learned that Phetchabun was considered part of Northern Thailand.  But you're right in that it is famous for its grilled chicken.

 

Heck if I know where it is but the owner of the Wichian Gai place I mentioned said it was in Isaan.  Maybe he has a broad definition of that region.  Regardless, if you haven't tried it before, you ought to try that place.  There used to be another barbecued chicken joint a few hundred yards east of the famous Jok restaurant on the north side of the old city but they moved to the street immediately south of Wat Phra Singh.  Think it's called S & P Chicken (yellow sign, if my memory is correct) and, while good, I still think the Wichian Gai place has the best barbecued chicken in town.  Their somtam is very good too. 

 

You mentioned kao soi but I didn't recommend any particular place because I don't really like kao soi (or jok either);  however, my bf enjoys kao soi and one place he has liked is the kao soi joint (Just Kao Soi?) that's on the west side of Charoen Pratet about 3 blocks south of the Porn Ping Hotel. But he'll eat it pretty much anywhere.   

 

I mainly eat the same 8-10 Thai dishes wherever I go to lunch or dinner and, frankly, it's a rare occurrence where I find bad food in any active Thai restaurant.  I almost never eat any formal meal at any of the malls (well, other than the Sunday brunch with a group of friends at the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew....which is usually very good) as I don't particularly like the ambiance or what seems to me is somewhat commercialized food.  I've only been to the new Central Festival Mall twice since it opened, once just to check it out and the second time to go to a movie (I'm not much of a shopper). 

[ChristianPFC]

Amphur Wichian Buri is in Phetchabun.  Is that in Isaan or Northern Thailand?  I thought I learned that Phetchabun was considered part of Northern Thailand.  But you're right in that it is famous for its grilled chicken.

 

I thought the same but would have let this pass as it really is not relevant to the subject, but you are right, Wichian Buri is in Petchabun and hence part of Northern Thailand. Congratulations to your knowledge of Thai geography or your command of google.

[traveller123]

 

 

 

Is he a fussy eater when it comes to "outside" food though or food that is not of his own making?  Some good cooks are like that.  There's aaalways something missing or not quite right.

 

Might he be keen on spicy Southern Thai food?  A good Thai friend took me to this very simple and inexpensive place in the Old City which shouldn't be too far from where you'll be staying.  The food was delish.  It was on a small side street, close to the police station.  And around the corner there's a stall selling some of the best banana fritters I've had in Thailand.  It was called Meuang Kon if I recall.  Meuang Kon Southern Thai Rice with Side Dishes (Thai signage).  The spicy dishes are labelled with blue cards and not spicy ones with yellow cards.

No he is not a fussy eater, he is always telling me he can eat anything, which he can.

His taste ranges from fried bugs, grubs and village Isaan food to nice European restaurants - Cafe Des Amis in Pattaya is probably his favourite in Thailand as he loves scrubbing up for a special occassion.

I'm usually the one that compares outside food to his cooking as I know how lucky I am (eight years now)

[sglad]

Heck if I know where it is but the owner of the Wichian Gai place I mentioned said it was in Isaan.  Maybe he has a broad definition of that region.  Regardless, if you haven't tried it before, you ought to try that place.  There used to be another barbecued chicken joint a few hundred yards east of the famous Jok restaurant on the north side of the old city but they moved to the street immediately south of Wat Phra Singh.  Think it's called S & P Chicken (yellow sign, if my memory is correct) and, while good, I still think the Wichian Gai place has the best barbecued chicken in town.  Their somtam is very good too. 

 

Thanks, Bob.  I'll check it out.  The owner is probably not wrong with the Isaan classification as Amphur Wichian Buri is bordered by Chaiyaphum Province in Isaan and Phetchabun, by virtue of its location, likely has more Isaan and central Thai cultural influences than northern Thai.

 

 

You mentioned kao soi but I didn't recommend any particular place because I don't really like kao soi (or jok either);  however, my bf enjoys kao soi and one place he has liked is the kao soi joint (Just Kao Soi?) that's on the west side of Charoen Pratet about 3 blocks south of the Porn Ping Hotel. But he'll eat it pretty much anywhere.   

 

I've never heard of Just Khao Soi and I fancy myself as some kind of khao soi expert.   I know where Charoenphratet is - is it near where Ram Bar is?  My favourite khao soi places are Khao Soi Mae Sai which is in a small soi somewhere behind the Church of Christ in Thailand (not far from Nakorn Ping Condo), Khao Soi Lam Duan in the Wat Ged area and Khao Soi Khun Yai in Sriphoom Soi 8 in the Old City.  The last one would be the most accessible to traveller123 if he wants to try it.  All are good IMHO but Khao Soi Mae Sai is probably the most piquant.

 

I mainly eat the same 8-10 Thai dishes wherever I go to lunch or dinner and, frankly, it's a rare occurrence where I find bad food in any active Thai restaurant.  I almost never eat any formal meal at any of the malls (well, other than the Sunday brunch with a group of friends at the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew....which is usually very good) as I don't particularly like the ambiance or what seems to me is somewhat commercialized food.  I've only been to the new Central Festival Mall twice since it opened, once just to check it out and the second time to go to a movie (I'm not much of a shopper). 

 

The Lotus Pang Suan Kaew is a hotel, isn't it, not a mall?  Or are you referring to Kad Suan Kaew which is attached to the hotel?  Is it a buffet and how much per head?  I like going to buffets because I love seeing the spread of food but I never get my money's worth as I'm a small eater.   I'm not much of a mall rat myself but my Thai friends tend to like hanging out in them.  I often go to Swensen's at Maya for ice-cream.  I guess when you live in studios like most of us do, window shopping in an air-conditioned shopping centre beats looking at the same four walls all the time.

[sglad]

No he is not a fussy eater, he is always telling me he can eat anything, which he can.

His taste ranges from fried bugs, grubs and village Isaan food to nice European restaurants - Cafe Des Amis in Pattaya is probably his favourite in Thailand as he loves scrubbing up for a special occassion.

I'm usually the one that compares outside food to his cooking as I know how lucky I am (eight years now)

 

Nice.  I hope the two of you have a great stay in Chiang Mai.

[sglad]

Congratulations to your knowledge of Thai geography or your command of google.

 

They aren't mutually exclusive.  Google can be a great learning tool if used correctly.  You should try it.

[Bob]

The Lotus Pang Suan Kaew is a hotel, isn't it, not a mall?  Or are you referring to Kad Suan Kaew which is attached to the hotel?  Is it a buffet and how much per head?  I like going to buffets because I love seeing the spread of food but I never get my money's worth as I'm a small eater.   I'm not much of a mall rat myself but my Thai friends tend to like hanging out in them.  I often go to Swensen's at Maya for ice-cream.  I guess when you live in studios like most of us do, window shopping in an air-conditioned shopping centre beats looking at the same four walls all the time.

 

Yes, it's a hotel immediately behind but attached to Kad Suan Kaew.  Their brunch room is on the second floor (well, what I call the second floor but I think they call the ground floor or some such thing) and you can get there either by going up the stairs in the lobby of the hotel or by going to the back of the mall (past Siam Commercial Bank, Charoen Optical, etc.) and then turn left (the brunch room essentially overlooks the mall so I've always considered it part of the mall).  Our group of regulars have gone to a Sunday brunch at the Grand View and Empress hotels over the years but have settled on the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew for the last year+ because we feel the food is fresher and better.  Cost is 300 baht per person (although there is a discount to that for more than "x" number of persons).  

 

I asked the boss (bf) about the Just Kao Soi restaurant and he tells me it's now closed.  Yes, it was a couple of blocks due south of RAM bar.  He told me about another place he likes in the old city but hell if I know exactly where it is (Thais certainly know how to get to where they want to go but they sure are lousy about giving directions)....but maybe it's the one place you mentioned on Soi 8, Sriphoom.  Not sure.

 

Traveller will likely have no problem is finding a ton of acceptable restaurants in CM.   

[sglad]

Yes, it's a hotel immediately behind but attached to Kad Suan Kaew.  Their brunch room is on the second floor (well, what I call the second floor but I think they call the ground floor or some such thing) and you can get there either by going up the stairs in the lobby of the hotel or by going to the back of the mall (past Siam Commercial Bank, Charoen Optical, etc.) and then turn left (the brunch room essentially overlooks the mall so I've always considered it part of the mall).  Our group of regulars have gone to a Sunday brunch at the Grand View and Empress hotels over the years but have settled on the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew for the last year+ because we feel the food is fresher and better.  Cost is 300 baht per person (although there is a discount to that for more than "x" number of persons).  

 

I asked the boss (bf) about the Just Kao Soi restaurant and he tells me it's now closed.  Yes, it was a couple of blocks due south of RAM bar.  He told me about another place he likes in the old city but hell if I know exactly where it is (Thais certainly know how to get to where they want to go but they sure are lousy about giving directions)....but maybe it's the one place you mentioned on Soi 8, Sriphoom.  Not sure.

 

Traveller will likely have no problem is finding a ton of acceptable restaurants in CM.   

 

Thanks, Bob!  Very helpful.  Yeah, Traveller123 and Londoner will be spoilt for choice.

[nynakedtop]

May I jump into this thread and ask about a good place to stay in CM for a brief (3-4 night) visit? I have not been up there in years and feel a bit lost on the topic!

[traveller123]

Thanks Bob and Sglad for taking the time to give detailed information

[ChristianPFC]

May I jump into this thread and ask about a good place to stay in CM for a brief (3-4 night) visit? I have not been up there in years and feel a bit lost on the topic!

 

With public transport poor compared to Bangkok, I choose a hotel so I can do most of my sightseeing by walking.

 

When I went for nightlife years ago, I stayed in Chang Phuak hotel (rather expensive for my standards at 700 per night), so I could walk to Adam's apple and Chang Phuak bus station.

 

For sightseeing around Wat Suan Dok, I stayed in Green Hotel (great value for money at 550 per night).

 

For both hotels, I like the architectural style as well (for me a contributing factor where to stay, I wouldn't want to stay in a place that I find ugly even if it's cheap).

[Londoner]

The problem with the Adam's Apple area is transport, particularly late at night. The Mercure used to have plenty of tuk-tuks around its car park but when I last stayed there about three years ago, there were none.We now prefer to be near Thapae Gate. Someone has already mentioned the M (once called the Montri I beelieve). But we like the Amora, as long as we pay a little extra for the deluxe rooms. 

A long way to most of the gay venues though.

[a447a]

Yes, a very long way and difficult to get to and from them if you stay downtown. Getting a tuk-tuk from Adams Apple may be difficult, although the bar could probably call a tuk-tuk for you.

 

Expensive transport, too, especially late at night.

[Guest samebb]

Uber ot grab.

 

Dont get scammed by tuk tuks.

 

Grab is now being advertised on the BTS in Bangkok and the bus stations are handing out promo code cards with ticket purchases.

[Guest McGarty]

 

 

Across the three boards, you have more personas than you can keep track of and in most you present yourself as a sexy young guy when you're anything but.  

 Oh stop it reader...

Everyone knows there is no room for truth on the internet!

[reader]

 Oh stop it reader...

Everyone knows there is no room for truth on the internet!

 

Thanks for instructing us how to categorize our glad lad's personas.  Spot on, McGarty!

[vinapu]

 

Everyone knows there is no room for truth on the internet!

it is , dates and times are usually correct

[Guest whall]

As far as hotels..how about Lotus Hotel? Near Adams Apple and look centrally located. Like Christian. I like to walk so that's my preference.

[a447a]

I've stayed at the Lotus a number of times, simply because it is right opposite Adams Apple.

 

But as I mentioned earlier, it can be difficult and expensive finding transport into town and back. It's quite far from downtown.

[Londoner]

Make sure that the gay Lotus, opposite Adam's Apple, is not confused by taxi/ tuk-tuk drivers with the huge Lotus which is part of a huge shopping complex.

Regarding transport from Lotus, I never mastered the bus-route system; it is much more complicated than that at Pattaya.

[ChristianPFC]

Chiang Mai bus or songtheo is a bit more complicated than Pattaya, see here:

http://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2016/07/buses-in-chiang-mai.html

http://slice-of-thai.com/cmbus/

 

Some places like Korat and Khon Kaen even have printed maps (free at Tourist Information) with their bus and songtheo lines!

[sglad]

Thanks Bob and Sglad for taking the time to give detailed information

 

You're welcome, traveller123, although most of the credit should go to musgrave for starting the thread and to Bob for his recommendations.  I chipped in wherever I could.

[Guest KitPattaya]

Went to Circle pub yesterday. Nice place.

With good show.