Whats On Chiang Mai

After reading a few reviews on Chiang Mai Epicurean I thought I would stop by Miguel’s in Nong Hoi and enjoy some Mexican food.  I ordered a standard Mexican combo and a local beer.  Almost all the customer were foreigners and their was a pool table with a few poorly behaving children going wild.  I felt a bit of sympathy with the Canadian owner, who had to politely explain to 4 rowdy children not to use the brand new pool table as a play pen.  I also thought it was strange that the parents seemed oblivious to their children destroying property.

Anyway, the owner was very kind and the atmosphere was modern and clean.   The food was good, albeit I thought it was overpriced for Chiang Mai.  I paid just about the same price for the combo as I would back home, so I thought the prices were too high for Chiang Mai, where labor and rent is very cheap.

But, like I mentioned, the food was good and the overall atmosphere friendly.  My GPS device was connecting and warming up out in my car when I decided to go outside and get it so I could share the location with you.  It was then I was reminded how difficult it can be to train Thai staff to work with foreigners, because I mentioned to the waitress, in nearly fluent Thai, that I would be right back.

Then, on the way out to get my GPS device, the waitress chased me like a common criminal who did not want to pay the bill.  I was a bit shocked by this, as I have been in Thailand, on-and-off, for more than 20 years, and this was the first time anyone had ever chased me!

This lack of manners by the staff soured by opinion of Miguel’s at the time, as I thought I had discovered a charming bit of Mexico in Nong Hoi.  On the other hand, I am sure this was an isolated incident and in no way should others be influenced by my somewhat unusual experience.  After all, “This IS Thailand!”

In a nut shell, the food is good at Miguel’s, albeit overpriced for Chiang Mai.

Ever wonder where the many police in Chiang Mai live?   You will never see this place on the tourist maps, however there is a large economy housing complex in the Nong Noy (Nonghoi) area where the police in the Chiang Mai district stay!

Located in the Nong Hoy area of Chiang Mai, Dumrong Yuttitum and Friends Law Office offers both civil and criminal legal services to foreigners.  You can find their office hidden away at 543/95 Karnkeha Nong Hoi Village, Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, T. Nonghoi, A. Muang, Chiang Mai.   Phone (053) 802128.   Email:  dumrongyuttitumlawoffice@yahoo.co.th.

The Nakorn Ping Palace Hotel is an older, yet to be renovated, budget property just south of the Holiday Inn Chiang Mai, right behind the Nong Hoy Market. According to the front desk staff, Nakorn Ping Palace Hotel does not see many western tourists; most of their customers are from Thailand, China and Taiwan.  We toured the rooms and they were old, but clean.  Some of the rooms has nice views of the Mae Ping River and other rooms had nice views of the surrounding mountains.    Personally, I don’t think I would recommend staying at the Nakorn Ping Palace Hotel.  The rooms are old and the furnishings need to be updated.  However, it is a good landmark when you are looking for the Nong Hoy Market.   Travelers on a budget might find the property interesting, since the rates are quite low.

If you love authentic Northern Thai food, I strongly recommend you visit the Nong Hoy Market (Nong Hoi or Nonghoi Market), just south of the Holiday Inn Chiang Mai.  For the past two days, I enjoyed some of the best tasting smoked Northern Thai sausages (Sai Oua) I have ever eaten.   When in Chiang Mai you must get off the “beaten path” of over priced tourist places and find the real Chiang Mai.   The Sai Oua at the Nong Hoy Market is freshly smoked and sells for 20 baht for a 6-7 inch piece.   Delicious!   Don’t forgot to order 5 to 10 baht worth of sticky rice.   If you smile, they might even toss in a big handful of delicious Thai herbs (Samun Prai).