What are /r/chiangmai's favorite Products & Services?

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I’ve been using ExpressVPN for the last few years and absolutely love it. They have great documentation if you need help configuring devices/routers and their customer service is really helpful. My AppleTV goes through my router (configured for ExpressVPN) and I rarely have issues viewing Netflix, HBO NOW, Hulu, etc.

Great. Go either early morning or late afternoon for the least traffic and coolest weather. Also, if you can manage it, go all the way to the lookout (18km) for some lovely roads and cleaner air. https://www.strava.com/segments/5944211 . If you're feeling really energetic you can add a side trip to the Hmong Village above the Palace: https://www.strava.com/segments/5653951

I've ridden this route many times. There are no hills worth mentioning, mostly no traffic, and slow moving if there is any. I made a route for you on RideWithGps (if you get the app on your phone, it might direct you as well): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/23078525

I tried a few in my neighborhood and they all tasted like tapwater.

I now get 5 gallon bottles delivered weekly and manually fill up 1.5L plastic bottles. bit of a chore, but it works.

I wish I could find something like this here

But it seems they do not exist

Head down to one of the many venues in the Old City, check meetup.com, you wont be solo for long, lots of travellers here in CM.

As a heads up, if you want to meet up with certain types of people a bit of a description of yourself, interests, age etc... would really help.

Sure.

Chiang Mai is actually pretty cool. It seems more laid back and culturally significant than BKK, and it seems great for you if you want to focus more on training and outdoorsy stuff.

For me however, I only had a month in Thailand and I went to Chiang Mai when I had about a week left in the country. I was also travelling solo, didn't know anyone there, and staying at hotel with mostly families. It was a lot harder for me to meet people there (you won't have this problem at your gym), and there was also no subway there. So getting around town was a lot harder than in Bangkok, where you could just randomly take the subways or buses and end up somewhere cool. The attractions that were there weren't the type that seems really fun to do solo, and since I only had a few days left, I just decided to go back to Bangkok and have more fun there.

Chiang Mai is also a really flat city. There weren't any big buildings or anything like what you'd find in BKK, and it kind of reminded me of the outskirts of cities in the US, except that was basically the entire city.

I think you'll like it more if you're training there, as you can meet more people and explore more than I did. Also google "chiang mai burning season" if you haven't already. Apparently that is very bad, but I've never experienced it myself so I can't say. Lastly, go to this Gu Fusion Roti and Tea and get the fried roti with cream.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293917-d4571910-Reviews-Guu_Fusion_Roti_Tea-Chiang_Mai.html

Have Fun.

I'm looking at this airbnb listing (https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1129078) because the owner clearly likes dogs. Does this seem close enough to the school to be a good choice? I realize that being physically present in the area is the best way to find good housing but since I'm not coming alone I don't really feel comfortable doing that, at least not until I've been there a minute. Would it make sense to reserve this place for a week or so while I look for other things (i.e. could I cheaply/reliably get to IH Chiang Mai every day)?

And when I eventually do look for jobs around there, what are my best bets for getting something that will pay above cost of living (for 2 and a dog)?

There is another trail up Doi Suthep https://www.alltrails.com/trail/thailand/chiang-mai/doi-suthep-loop

It's much more scenic, and way more rugged in the first half. Then after Monta-taan waterfall it is pristine jungle trail (that is technically closed, but 100% perfect)

I am planning to do this sometime next week with a friend. Before tuesday maybe a stretch though. But if you want a good hike, this is the one. Just be prepared for a few ants, and a little bushwhacking in the first half.

Here's a little video I mad of it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9y3pOxtPzM

You mentioned hiking.

It is rainy season, but it hasn't been raining very much at all.

I did the Monk's Trail up to Doi Suthep yesterday, and it was fantastic, since everything is green, and the weather has cooled down. Highly recommend it if you guys enjoy hiking.

I can give you a rough answer but first - are you applying for a DL from scratch or transferring from an existing foreign license? makes a difference in what's involved.

In theory (I did say rough answer), you're supposed to book an appointment through the Department of Land Transport Smart Queue app. If applying from scratch, you need to get driving/riding tested - at one point (perhaps still now) they were allowing that through private schools such as the Honda Riding Center on the 118. Not sure if they've restored doing it on-site or not.

If transfering from a foreign license, appointment still needed but there's no 100% certainly on exactly what's required. Before someone goes "I had to do this," for years now I've read people saying they had different requirements and that's just in Chiang Mai.

Base level - residency certificate, medical certificate, copies of passport page, visa page, stamp page - there is a little photocopying shop at the DLT on Hang Dong Road.

Color blindness test - you even have to take to renew your license then it varies. You may have to sit through a video, you may have to do a reaction test. My original transfer and my renewal - just the colorblindness tes but others say they had a watch a video and do the reaction test.

Get one of these Nancy Chandler maps of Chiang Mai - worth every penny.

https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Chandlers-Map-Chiang-21st/dp/6169046295/ref=sr_1_1/140-8614872-8805468?ie=UTF8&qid=1518542953&sr=8-1&keywords=nancy+chandler+map+of+chiang+mai