Movie Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)

• crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
• hot season begins March and lasts until June
• wet season begins July and lasts until September
• best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
• you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
• the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
• to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
• get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
• shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
• for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km² with lots to discover
• FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.

1. North Gate Pub - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays by the 11pm band
2. Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
3. Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic

• B60 Chiang beer
• B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
• B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage (highly recommended)
• B50 noodle soup with meat
• B50 coffee
• B40 pad thai
• B30/kilo wash-only laundry
• B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
• B100-150 dorm bed/night
• B250 fan room/night
• B30 internet cafe/hour
• B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
• B130-150 Movies weekdays
• B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
• B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
• B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
• B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
• B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva (highly recommended)
  
  
Transportation
• B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
• B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
• B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
• B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
• B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
• B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
• B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
• B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
• B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
• B638 #7 a/c train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
• B50 red taxi fare from point to point
• B100 red taxi fare from train terminal to city
  
  
Tours
• B2000 full day elephant sanctuary
• B750 Chiang Rai one-day tour
• B1500 mountain biking scenic ride

For more train info: Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains - departing from Hua Lamphong - MRT (Bangkok)

(I'm using Bang Sue as a starting point because I was closer to it, but you may be closer to the Hua Lamphong station)

1. take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
2. Proceed to Counter 2. You will see an information booth, a train schedule chart and the ticket counter. Choose the train and pay at the ticket counter.
3. daily train schedule:
   • 8:48am - #7 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:30pm, not sleeper, B638
   • 2:06pm - #109 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 4:05am, sleeper
   • 6:31pm - #9 Premium Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:15am, sleeper, B938 upper deck, B1038 lower deck
   • 7:56pm - #13 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 8:40am, sleeper, B768 upper deck, B838 lower deck
   • 10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck

1. From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
2. As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
3. The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
4. Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
5. Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).

1. Shifting Peoplescape of Chiang Mai July 2020
2. Anahata (Heart Chakra) July 5, 2020
3. Coming Back to Chiang Mai Jun 29, 2020
4. Goodbye Chiang Mai Jan 23, 2020
5. Movie Review: Underwater (2020) Jan 19, 2020
6. Prasnopanishad: Understanding Prana Jan 17, 2020
7. Hiking the Monk's Trail Jan 15, 2020
8. Chaturanga Jan 10, 2020
9. Movie Review: Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019) Jan 7, 2020
10. You Spooned Me Jan 3, 2020
11. 2019: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2019
12. Friends, Coffeemates and Breadmates (Dec 2019) Dec 31, 2019
13. Visiting Mae Sot Dec 27-30, 2019
14. Let's Make it About You - an Epiphany Dec 17, 2019
15. Movie Review: Knives Out (2019) Dec 12, 2019
16. Shut-Up! Dec 7, 2019
17. Movie Review: Ford vs Ferrari Dec 5, 2019
18. Roasted Red Bell Pepper Puree Dec 3, 2019
19. Coffeemates and Breadmates (Nov 2019) Nov 30, 2019
20. Bhujangini Mudra Nov 25, 2019
21. Mathangini Mudra Nov 24, 2019
22. Kaka Mudra Nov 23, 2019
23. Movie Review: The Cave (2019) Nov 23, 2019
24. Movie Review: Panic: The Untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis (2018) Nov 22, 2019
25. Pasini Mudra Nov 20, 2019
26. Aswini Mudra Nov 18, 2019
27. Sambhavi Mudra Nov 16, 2019
28. Manduka Mudra Nov 15, 2019
29. Movie Review: Midway (2019) Nov 15, 2019
30. Tataka Mudra Nov 14, 2019
31. Movie Review: Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) Nov 11, 2019
32. Sakti Calana Mudra Nov 10, 2019
33. Vajroli Mudra Nov 9, 2019
34. Coffeemates and Breadmates (Oct 2019) Oct to Nov 5, 2019
35. Yoni Mudra Nov 1, 2019
36. Movie Review: Judy (2019) Oct 31, 2019
37. Viparita Karani Mudra Oct 31, 2019
38. Khecari Mudra Oct 30, 2019
39. Mahadeva Mudra Oct 28, 2019
40. Movie Review: Roger Waters - Us + Them (2019) Oct 27, 2019
41. Sacred Cacao - Chakra Dance Journey Oct 26, 2019
42. Movie Review: Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) Oct 24, 2019
43. Partner Healing with Natascha Oct 24, 2019
44. Maha Bandha Mudra Oct 24, 2019
45. Movie Review: Liam: As It Was (2019) Oct 23, 2019
46. Point-Of-Failure Birthday Workout Oct 22, 2019
47. Mula Bandha Mudra Oct 21, 2019
48. Hugfest at Thapae Gate, Chiang Mai Oct 19, 2019
49. Anushasan Mudra Oct 18, 2019
50. Ling Mudra Oct 17, 2019
51. Movie Review: Official Secrets (2019) Oct 15, 2019
52. Jalandhara Bandha Mudra Oct 15, 2019
53. Learning Thai with Cee Oct 13, 2019
54. Uddiyana Bandha Mudra Oct 10, 2019
55. Nabho Mudra Oct 9, 2019
56. Movie Review: Joker (2019) Oct 8, 2019
57. Maha Mudra Oct 7, 2019
58. 20 Essential Mudras by T. Krishnamacharya Oct. 6, 2019
59. Mindfulness Gong Bath by Vee (Veerayuth Pongsiri) Oct 3, 2019
60. Cuddle Party by Abundant Love CM Oct 1, 2019
61. Vayu Mudra Oct 1, 2019
62. Movie Review: Hail Satan? (2019) Sep 29, 2019
63. Visa-Run to Tachileik, Myanmar Sep 28, 2019
64. Sankalpa Mudra Sep 27, 2019
65. Surya Pradarshini Mudra Sep 26, 2019
66. Movie Review: Ad Astra (2019) Sep 25, 2019
67. Movie Review: Rambo 5 Sep 22, 2019
68. Eye-Gazing at Heart Space Sep 20, 2019
69. Prana Vayu (Pranic Wind) Sep 20, 2019
70. 2-Week Yoga Challenge by Agnese Erba Sep 17, 2019
71. Movie Review: Farewell Song (2019) Sep 16, 2019
72. The Mudra Project Sep 13, 2019
73. Movie Review: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) Sep 12, 2019
74. Sunday Vinyasa Flow with Marina Forster Sep 8, 2019
75. Shamanic Breathwork by Rachel Constantino Sep 4, 2019
76. Movie Review: Yesterday (2019) Sep 3, 2019
77. The Conscious Peoplescape of Chiang Mai Aug 31, 2019
78. Movie Review: Midsommar (2019) Aug 28, 2019
79. Of Winos and Yogis Aug 26, 2019
80. Movie Review: Ready or Not (2019) Aug 22, 2019
81. The 9 Jhanas of Buddha Aug 22, 2019
82. Full Moon Ceremony at Heart Space Aug 15, 2019
83. Yin Yoga - Water Element by Martina Barabas Aug 15, 2019
84. Movie Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019) Aug 14, 2019
85. Hatha Mix Yoga with Christin Aug 13, 2019
86. Boy Blues Bar Rocks Chiang Mai Aug 5, 2019
87. Back to my Beloved Chiang Mai Aug 1, 2019
88. Kaleidoscope of Chiang Mai's Peoplescape July 27, 2019
89. Secret Sunrise: Nelson Mandela International Day July 17, 2019
90. Movie Review: Anna (2019) July 15, 2019
91. Farewell Picnic with Alan and Nicola July 15, 2019
92. Movie Review: Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019) July 4, 2019
93. Secret Sunrise: Water July 3, 2019
94. Hotel Review: Arun Suite June 27, 2019
95. Movie Review: Rocketman (2019) June 25, 2019
96. Bruce Lipton: Epigentics to Transcend Genes June 24, 2019
97. Optimizing Life thru Heart Math May 8, 15 and 22, 2019
98. Movie Review: Aladdin (2019) June 13, 2019
99. Connective Cacao and Sound Journey June 12, 2019
100. Movie Review: X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) June 6, 2019
101. Chiangmai BLUES June 6, 2019
102. Movie Review: John Wick 3 - Parabellum (2019) June 4, 2019
103. Hatha Slow Flow with Neil Jefferson June 3, 2019
104. Meditating with One Million Meditators Movement June 1, 2019
105. Vinyasa Happy Flow Series by Vaida May 31, 2019
106. Muay Thai at the Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium May 30, 2019
107. Yoga Flow Through the 7 Chakras May 30, 2019
108. The Outsiders (people you need to push out of your sacred circle) May 31, 2019
109. Fascinating Peoplescape of Chiang Mai May 22, 2019
110. World Meditation Day at Heart Space May 21, 2019
111. Movie Review: Avengers: Endgame (2019) May 14, 2019
112. Movie Review: Arctic (2018) May 13, 2019
113. Abs Yoga May 12, 2019
114. Kundalini and Vinyasa Yoga with Nicola Symons May 10, 2019
115. Secret Sunrise Interactive Dance May 9, 2019
116. Tok Sen Massage from Ying May 8, 2019
117. Bruschetta: Nawa Saraan Style Apr 22, 2019
118. Thai Cooking at Pra Nang Thai Cookery School Apr 20, 2019
119. Movie Review: Hellboy (2019) Apr 15, 2019
120. Bonding with the Elephants in Chiang Mai Apr 11, 2019
121. Ziplining in Chiang Mai with Eagle Track Zipline Apr 10, 2019
122. Movie Review: Shazam! (2019) Apr 4, 2019
123. Movie Review: Captive State (2019) Mar 27, 2019
124. Getting Thai Massage from Chiang Mai's Best (Lar Thanakrit Khamtanong) Mar 21, 2019
125. Movie Review: Captain Marvel (2019) Mar 19, 2019
126. Being the Soul of Nawa Saraan Hotel Mar 18, 2019
127. Peoplescape of Chiang Mai Jan 24 - Mar 13, 2019
128. Movie Review: Vox Lux (2018) Mar 2, 2019
129. Movie Review: The Favourite (2018) Feb 25, 2019
130. Curing Cancer with Yoga? Feb 21, 2019
131. Movie Review: Alita Battle Angel Feb 19, 2019
132. International Training Massage School (ITM): Level 1 Feb 11-15, 2019
133. Sandesch Album Launch by Christoph Joerg Feb 13, 2019
134. Movie Review: Spider-Man - Into the Spider-Verse (2018) Feb 3, 2018
135. Movie Review: Green Book Jan 30, 2019
136. Meditation in a Sensory Deprivation Tank at Float Chiang Mai Jan 29, 2019
137. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) Jan 27, 2019
138. Movie Review: Aquaman Jan 26, 2019
139. Reiki Share at the Mastermind Brain Spa Jan 26, 2019
140. Resuming Life in Chiang Mai Jan 24, 2019
141. 4 Days in Chiang Mai at Nawa Saraan Hotel Jan 2-6, 2019
142. Mike Chong Aug 8, 2018
143. An Intimate Conversation with my Universe in Chiang Mai Aug 8, 2018
144. Kneaded and Pampered at Zira Spa Aug 4, 2018
145. Savoring a Baht 3,500 Birds Nest Soup at Natural Bird Nest by Burapa Aug 3, 2018
146. Yoga Exploration at The Yoga Tree with Gernot Aug 1, 2018
147. Laughter Yoga with Saffiya Arnous July 31, 2018
148. Yoga with Adam at Hidden House Yoga, Chiang Mai July 29, 2018
149. 2 Weeks in Chiang Mai July 25 - Aug 7, 2018
150. A First Timer in Chiang Mai Apr 9-23, 2016
151. Chiang Mai's Amazing Peoplescape Apr 9-23, 2016
152. Dance Mandala in Chiang Mai at The Yoga Tree Apr 19, 2016
153. Songkran Waterfight Festival in Chiang Mai Apr 13-15, 2016
154. Border Crossing from Siem Reap (Cambodia) to Bangkok (Thailand) to Chiang Mai April 9-10, 2016

60-Day Thai Tourist Visa

NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.

1. Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
   a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
   b) flight booking to Thailand
   c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
   d) filled-in tourist visa form
   e) 2 passport pictures
   f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
   g) passport with at least 6 months validity
2. After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
3. NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.

30-Day Extension

NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.

1. bring the following to the Immigration Office:
   a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
   b) Baht 1900
   c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
   d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
   e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
2. submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
3. when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
4. when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
5. when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes

1. arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
2. put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
3. avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
4. power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!