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.

We have not posted very much lately because we have been busy building a new community, Whats On Thailand.  We started this new community because like the information on ThaiVisa; however, the ThaiVisa site is one of the biggest eyesores on the Internet today!   It is hard to enjoy the community at ThaiVisa because of all the annoying flashing, blinkiing advertisements and bad color schemes.  So, this new communitiy or may not grow partly because it is hard to build a new community, especially when there is already one out there which has great information.  However, if you are like us and want to have a more “eco-friendly” Thai expat community that is “easy on the eyes”, please join and become an active Whats on Thailand forum member!

Both Fi Thong and Jin Heng Haud sell beautiful cotton fabrics from the Chom Thong (Jomthong. Jomtong) area.  Several cotton weaving villages are situated a short distance south of Chom Thong (15 kms. south from Chom Thong on Highway 108). Mon Duang Duan (KM. 65 east side) has a workshop with looms as well as a riverside restaurant. The Nang Ap Chang women’s weaving group (KM. 68 east side just after the cement elephant) is a little further. Ban Rai Pai Ngam (Thai sign) Pa Saeng Da textile museum (English sign) offers an excellent textile weaving display. (KM. 68 east turn 400 m) Hrs. 08.30 17.00.

I plan to visit the various weaving villages in the Jom Tong (Chom Thong) area in the near future.  When I do, I will provide exact GPS map coordinates for the various weaving villages.

This is a must time of year to visit the Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai to see the amazingly beautiful display of lights and candles of Loy Krathong.  The actions peaks this year on November 12, 2008 when the moon is full. Do not miss this amazing festival in Thailand!