Gong Benefits You sit or lie down and immerse in the therapeutic sound of the gong that vibrates in a specific frequency. FACT goes that healing vibration (sound=vibration) alters the molecular clustering of water to a symmetrical layout...very artistic, restoring water to its original wholeness - you see this under a microscope. THEORY goes that since we are 80% water, the lesson from the water applies to us - the sound of the gong restores and heals our cells back to normalcy. Participants claim to have a quiet and calm mind after - the monkey mind is gone.
Vee Mindfulness Gong Bath in Chiang Mai I met Vee at a temple where he offers his time to the public to expound the teachings of Buddha. We had a lively discussion on Buddhism. Of course, my claim to Buddhism comes only from my Vipassana Meditation background. Aside from being an engineer, he also has a Masters in Buddhist studies. Being a Buddhist layman (not a monk) he can spread the word of Buddha as a private individual and not be bound by the 227 precepts (dos-and-don'ts) of being a monk. With his engineering background, he used science to anchor his Gong Bath offering. Based on the conclusive findings of Dr. Emoto about water behavior given good intentions and healing sounds, he had a gong fabricated where he tries to emulate the healing properties of gong sound to the human mind and body. To date, he conducts Gong sessions in 2 temples and 2 wellness studios in Chiang Mai. Vee fondly labels himself the Peace Engineer.
Wat Suan Dok I attended 2 Gong sessions with Vee at Wat Suan Dok. Being behind the gong as he generates an almost deafening vibration, made me feel like going through a tsunamic sound wave. It was permeating throughout the body. I wouldn't be surprised if that experience restructured my cells back to its original setting - healed and restored.
Gong Bath at Wat Suan Dok
Coffee Talk It was in my coffee conversation at Nawa Saraan with Vee when we hatched this idea of offering a Gong Bath here at the hotel. We had all the logistics - barca-lounger chairs, a gong hanger and a dedicated space within Old City! For ambiance, we even have a Koi pond and Zen garden in an expansive ground. If successful, we can make it a regular offering. Not only that, we can transition the hotel into a holistic venue offering wellness services to anyone in search of spiritual/emotional/mind healing. We can invite yoga teachers, Reiki healers, Thai massage therapists, ecstatic dance revelers, etc. to conduct their retreats/workshops here. What follows can only lead to creating a community where we can hold a safe and healing space.
Green Light I discussed the idea with the hotel owner who found merit in the proposal. He gave the green light. And with that, I shifted into high gear to realize that vision. I had the space cleared and cleaned, firmed-up the Gong date, created a Facebook Event and invited essential participants for the pilot program.
Nawa Saraan Vee arrived early to set up the Gong at Nawa Saraan. We had ample time to hang-out and talk as arriving participants arrived - Alan, Nick, Mike, Aun, Emma and Crystal. Commencing the session, after introducing Vee to everyone, Vee gave us all a heads-up on what's going on. We then took into our lounge seats, let go and listened to the vibrational sound of the gong as Vee masterfully generated wailing tunes that reverberated within the entirety of the space. What transpired during that time was everyone's individual journey within their mindscape. In closing, Vee blended harmonica playing into the gong as a transition call. Later, participants took turns in trying to generate sound from the gong - it's not easy. Vee only makes it look easy.
Gong Bath at Nawa Saraan Hotel
Ending Thoughts There were a few snags being a pilot program, but not catastrophic - carry-over music from the nearby school, shutter sound of my phone as I took pictures, a/c louvre direction, etc. I would say it's successful enough to herald the viability of using that space for other holistic modalities. Next? Dunno yet but yoga can't be too far away.
Thank you Vee for making this all happen 🙏 and thank you Mike for giving the green light 🙂
Nick (Oct 4, 2019) Had a great time yesterday. It was super relaxing for the rest of the afternoon. Thanks for the invite.
Would love to participate in other relaxing activities. Yoga or whatever, thanks m8
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station Train Station Chiang Mai International Airport Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
Arun Dara Villa - 7 exclusive rooms, 1 swimming pool for every room, grand opening
Nawa Sheeva Hotel - big rooms, high ceiling, salt-water pool, restaurant, cafe
Nawa Saraan Hotel - low density (4 spacious rooms), stone garden setting, Koi fish pond, Old City location
Arun Suite - 3 bedrooms in a 3-storie guesthouse within Old City, ideal for families
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
Tawan Bike - motorcycle rental | +66 91 635 2863 | Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
USEFUL INFORMATION
Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
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.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
North Gate Pub - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays by the 11pm band
Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
Chiang Mai Cost Index
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
How to Get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Bus from Loei to Chiang Mai
From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
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.
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)
Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
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).
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
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.
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
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!
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.
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
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
when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
General Travel Tips
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.)
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
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.
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!