What are your Chiang Mai favorites recently?

[Phred]

Hi all,

IтАЩm returning to my favorite city in Thailand later this month. ItтАЩs been six years since my last visit. Just want to ask if anyone has any favorites places to see or do that may have developed since my last visit. I love Chiang Mai for its laid back quality. I can spend days just wandering around the streets seeing the wats, checking out the used book shops and hanging out in the cafes and restaurants. I know all the basics as IтАЩve been there many times in the past (night bizarre, CMU, HOM, Sunday Market, etc.) but if you have anything special and would like to chime in please do.

Based on a posting by PeterUK I plan to stay at the Lux Hotel, new since my last vistit, which seems centrally located and at a good price. I was considering Santitham Guest House until I read PeterUKтАЩs post. Santitham seems good but many of the rooms have shared bathrooms which is a put off for me. Anyone have any experience with either of these places?

One thing I would like to find is a good massage place, though just basic massage, but one that still has nice looking male masseuses, which if someone is going to touch my body I want it to be one of them. But I donтАЩt want to pay the high rates of the gay places just for a happy ending. I really just want a good basic deep tissue massage by a nice looking guy like on the beach at Jomtien.

For eateries, I do plan to try the restaurant at Santitham Guest House as there have been rave reviews for it. That and a dinner at my favorite place The Wok at the old cooking school. IтАЩm not much one for long treks out of the city though I do plan to finally do Doi Suthep which IтАЩve never gotten to in all my visits.

And any updates on bars and nightlife for whatтАЩs happening currently would also be appreciated. In the past I visited the gaggle of bars in the Chang Puek and Santitham area. I read there are some new additions too so it would be good to hear what the bars are like recently. IтАЩm not one for those super late night clubs though.

So thanks in advance to all fellow Chiang Mai lovers for any recommendations (and I know, bring an umbrella this time of year).

Thanks,
Phred

[lukylok]

I have just spent a month in CM.
I stay at Opium, service flat, which suits me.
Sabaidee Santitham Gest House has a super room in old Lanna style.
I would stay there but there is no tv and the bf objects ! Private bath.
The restaurant is outstanding, with Noland performing Sat evenings.
The friendliest bar is Orion, in Kalare Night Bazar. Mai, the owner and his staff make everything to make you fel welcome.
The transfert of CU and Secrets is a success, with Secrets taking the lead now.
The boys karaoke can be great fun, but you need to go with a group. Not difficult if you open a bottle or buy a tower.
Adam's Apple is my favorite show, because the boys come to talk between their acts.
Enjoy "the Rose of the North" !
Only drawback, I have never seen so much rain in July ! But not really a problem.

[Rainwalker]

Everything you need to know, and I mean everything, about Gay Chiang Mai is at Radchada Cafe's truly comprehensive website.

http://www.radchada.com/

[lukylok]

Rachada is of course very good.
But it is a bit like saying everything you need to know about Pattaya is in Nicky's.
Any site, magazine, is a commercial enterprise, and however good, is bound to put some emphasis on their advertisers.
What is the purpose of this board, and others, if not to have first hand impressions.

If the question had been made about Pattaya, there would have been dozens of answers.
Nobody interested in CM ?

[Phred]

Thanks for your feedback lukylok. I didnтАЩt realize Santitham doesnтАЩt have TVs in the room, quite surprising. IтАЩm not much of a TV person but do like to check the news in the morning. IтАЩll certainly try their restaurant though.

Orion sounds good and IтАЩll check that out as well as he show at AdamтАЩs Apple, sounds like fun. What is a tower that you buy at karaoke? Never been to karaoke in Thailand.

Hope the rain lets up in August.

Thanks also Rainwalker for the link. IтАЩve been through a lot of that site but agree with lukylok, just want to get some personal opinions from readers of this board.

Cheers!

[BonTong]

You will find Chiang Mai has changed a lot in six years. It has become the capital of construction sites, Chinese tourists, coffee shops and traffic jams! The old charm is rapidly disappearing and the place is turning into more of a modern urban metropolis, which has its good and bad points. That said, the touristy bit of town around Thapae gate has changed less than areas like Santitham and Nimmanhaeminda, which in places are unrecognisable from a few years ago.

Lux Hotel is a great location to visit the new Secrets Bar and CU Bar, which are just across the moat (opposite the footbridge) (http://www.secretsbarcnx.com/chiangmai-gay-bar-location/). I agree with LukyLok, Secrets is the more popular bar now (Pon of CU bar is now running two karaokes too and CU is missing him). Orion Bar is fun, also Ram Bar and Soho are both popular for the older drinking/socialising crowd.

Garden Bar, which was always popular, is now dead. Perhaps not surprising given the miserable bar tender and ++ pricing which has deterred many regulars. However, Metro Bar across the street (downstairs from AdamтАЩs) has just re-opened and is now being run by a very sweet Thai guy who speaks great English, and has some cute friendly staff. From next week it will be open all day with some food too. HeтАЩs aiming more at a Thai market with Thai prices (Large Leo 69 Baht!) but farangs are clearly welcome. It also has A/C.

I agree with LukyLok that AdamтАЩs has the best show, I also hear good things about The Opium. I like the decadence of Free Guy which has some rougher boys, as long as they donтАЩt all manage to kill each other. :-o

Currently, the two most popular gay places in town are G-Star Vintage and See Man Pub, both packed at weekends with young gay boys. Both have coyote boy shows, darkrooms and are open late (exact time varies in this post-coup era). But, you need to go with a group to really enjoy, and if you donтАЩt like late and loud forget it. Same applies to karaoke; Barocco (run by Pon, CU Bar) is probably the best right now for foreigners.

ItтАЩs worth having a night out in Nimmanhaeminda area, walk around the sois there which are jam packed with restaurants, bars and coffee shops тАУ you will be spoilt for choice. Also, check out the new Maya Mall on the Huay Kaew Nimmanhaeminda intersection and Think Park opposite the mall both have some good eateries.

A nice gay owned Thai food restaurant near CMU is Bird of Paradise (http://www.gayinchiangmai.com/News/chiang-mai-gay/bars-pubs-restaurant-cafe/#bird-of-paradise), run by Bird who is a veteran of Silom Soi 4 who many on here might know. Sabaidee Santitham gets my vote too.

Last but not least, donтАЩt forget to try the Pizza, or drop in for a coffee at Radchada Garden Caf├й (http://www.radchada-cafe.com/) (Downstairs from Bon TongтАЩs boudoir ;) ).

[lukylok]

The tower is of course a beer tower. I think 3,5 liters and not expensive, and guarantee a lot of ambiance !

[christianpfc]

I haven't been to Chiang Mai for 2 years, but plan to go again in the near future. Thanks for bringing up this subject, it will be useful for my trip.


Currently, the two most popular gay places in town are G-Star Vintage and See Man Pub, both packed at weekends with young gay boys. Both have coyote boy shows, darkrooms and are open late (exact time varies in this post-coup era).

Darkrooms in a gay disco? That is new to me, any personal experience what's going on there?

My major concern (that's why I haven't been for 2 years) about Chiang Mai is transport options. Daytime, I have not figured out the songtheo lines (but will make and attempt next time I go and share). At night, you have to negotiate fare with tuktuk/songtheo/taxi/mocy? Are there metered taxis?

[ceejay]

My major concern (that's why I haven't been for 2 years) about Chiang Mai is transport options. Daytime, I have not figured out the songtheo lines (but will make and attempt next time I go and share). At night, you have to negotiate fare with tuktuk/songtheo/taxi/mocy? Are there metered taxis?
The red songthaews have no fixed routes. You flag one down, tell him where you want to go, and he will say if he is willing to take the fare or not, based on the route he is taking to deliver the passengers he already has aboard. Generally, it is not a good idea to ask the price. If no price is agreed, then just give them 20 baht and walk away. That's the going rate. If they want more, they should say so when they pick you up. This will be for long journeys, trips to some specific places like the bus or train stations, Central Festival, etc, and on special occasions like Loi Krathong.
The "coloured" songthaews operate more like buses. They have more or less fixed routes (although they take side trips off them to deliver people to their doors) roughly as follows:
Yellow (from Warorot Market) - Doi Saket
Yellow (from Chiang Mai Gate) South to Hangdong and San Patong
Green (from Warorot Market) Maejo
Blue (from Warorot Market or the Iron Bridge) Lamphun
White (from Warorot Market or Chang Phuak bus station) towards San Kamphaeng
Orange (from Warorot Market) to Fang (but who would want to go all the way to Fang in a Songthaew?)
All of these coloured songthaews have a fixed fare card displayed inside.
Tuk-tuks are a matter of negotiation and luck. Different drivers ask for different amounts. It's better to flag one down on the street. Avoid the ones waiting at prominent places (shopping malls, near Tha Pae gate, etc). They have to pay to wait there, and charge more.
There are meter taxis (blue and yellow) but you rarely see them. The only taxi rank I know of is in the entrance to the Kad Suan Kaew mall car park (tunnel on the right if you are facing KSK from the street). Only ever used one once and he refused to use the meter. That, I gather from others, is standard.

[BonTong]

Darkrooms in a gay disco? That is new to me, any personal experience what's going on there?
I've never ventured inside them, but I have a good imagination and see people coming out smiling 8-|

CeeJay's advice for transport is good. These days I find the room for negotiation with Tuk-tuks is not that great, anything over 120Bt for going across town is excessive and most tuk-tuks won't move their wheels for less than 60Bt. So you are usually talking 80-100Bt to go between most places in town. To make using Tuk-Tuks easier, don't forget to download the Radchada Quick Reference Guide to gay Chiang Mai (http://www.radchada.com/down-loads/)which has addresses for most places in Thai on a single page that you can print and carry.

[a447]

Great information.

I'll be heading off to CM probably next month after a week or two in Pattaya, so please keep the info coming.

[lego]

Darkrooms in a gay disco? That is new to me, any personal experience what's going on there?
That you've never seen anything like that surprises me!

Didn't you visit the original Ratchada Soi 8 and ICK in Bangkok? The former had quite a big darkroom maze adjacent to the restrooms (what was going on there - the same like in any sauna darkroom, you just had to be more careful not to end up with soiled clothes). In the latter, the dimly lit sanitary facilities served much the same purpose for many visitors, so I'd count that as a darkroom as well.

[Phred]

BonTong:

The old charm is rapidly disappearing and the place is turning into more of a modern urban metropolis, which has its good and bad points.

ThatтАЩs not good news. I fell in love with Chiang Mai on my first trip there some 15 odd years ago. While it was never an oasis of peace it just always had a certain laid back vibe and charm.


That said, the touristy bit of town around Thapae gate has changed less than areas like Santitham and Nimmanhaeminda, which in places are unrecognisable from a few years ago.


IтАЩm hoping this mostly means these news malls and things like it up there. IтАЩm always happiest when just wandering the sois inside the moat and checking out the multitude of wats and discovering old and new cafes and restaurants and just watching daily life in Chiang Mai.


Garden Bar, which was always popular, is now dead. Perhaps not surprising given the miserable bar tender and ++ pricing which has deterred many regulars. However, Metro Bar across the street (downstairs from AdamтАЩs) has just re-opened and is now being run by a very sweet Thai guy who speaks great English, and has some cute friendly staff. From next week it will be open all day with some food too. HeтАЩs aiming more at a Thai market with Thai prices (Large Leo 69 Baht!) but farangs are clearly welcome. It also has A/C.

Just the kind of advice on current happenings I was hoping to get. IтАЩd never tried Garden Bar and thought I would this time. Now I can give it a miss. Never heard of Metro Bar even on all the website and boards IтАЩve combed. That should be good to check out. Thanks BonTong for your excellent information and links.


I like the decadence of Free Guy which has some rougher boys, as long as they donтАЩt all manage to kill each other.

This place seems to be love-it-or-hate-it among posters here. IтАЩve never been there but always enjoyed Circle pub. Do all the bars still have high prices up in Chiang Mai? I seem to remember someone reporting paying upwards of 250 baht for a Singha in Adam's Apple.

christianpfc:

I haven't been to Chiang Mai for 2 years, but plan to go again in the near future. Thanks for bringing up this subject, it will be useful for my trip.

Thanks for chiming in christianpfc. I only post here when itтАЩs near time for a trip but IтАЩve read many of your posts and often find them informative.

ceejay

The red songthaews have no fixed routes. You flag one down, tell him where you want to go, and he will say if he is willing to take the fare or not, based on the route he is taking to deliver the passengers he already has aboard.

I gave up on songthaews on my first trip. They were few and far between and every time I tried to use one they wanted to negotiate a private trip fare. Maybe theyтАЩre better now?

Luckily IтАЩm a walker, which is good to be when visiting Chiang Mai.


These days I find the room for negotiation with Tuk-tuks is not that great, anything over 120Bt for going across town is excessive and most tuk-tuks won't move their wheels for less than 60Bt. So you are usually talking 80-100Bt to go between most places in town.

Again, useful, current information. Thanks to all for your helpful posts. Please keep them coming. Anyone know any good mainstream massage places with good looking masseuses?

Btw, on my last trip there six years ago I visited a place called the Brick Road Caf├й (I think) run by a falang and his Thai lover. It was newly opened at the time, half caf├й and half guesthouse. I met the owner and enjoyed chatting with him. They had the best cup of coffee in town and I seem to remember he said they sourced the beans locally. He offered to tell me where to buy them but I didnтАЩt have time. The place seems to have disappeared, at least off the web sites I check. Anyone know what happened to it? And is there a special Chiang Mai coffee or place to buy beans?


Thanks again!

[BonTong]

To answer a few of PhredтАЩs points:

Inside the old city things havenтАЩt changed so much, and what has is perhaps more tastefully done than elsewhere. E.g. Nice modern coffee shops and restaurants, which retain a rustic theme.

Most of the big mall developments are out of town, e.g Festival and Promenada, you probably wonтАЩt miss much by not going there. Main one in town is Maya, (See above), its more of a hangout place than just shopping with lots of coffee shops and small restaurants. ThereтАЩs also the Harbour, further up Huay Kaew, this is an outdoor mall concept that is re-inventing itself with more restaurants after many of the launch business failed.

Coffee in Chiang Mai has exploded, with coffee shops on every street corners. Many places are now selling locally grown coffee from the hills around Chiang Mai which has been heavily promoted as an opium replacement crop around the old golden triangle (See this article in Thai Puan (http://www.thaipuan.com/chiang-mai-coffee-the-new-black/)).

Much vaunted is Akha Ama (http://www.akhaama.com/), run by a friendly young Akha guy called Lee. They have their own coffee plantations in his home village, and have been very successful. The main shop is hidden away in Santitham (Same soi as New My Way go-go but at the other end on the opposite side) and is quite popular with gay ex-pats. They also sell beans and have a second branch тАЬla FattoriaтАЭ in the old city. Other noteworthy places in Nimmanhaeminda include Ristr8to and Impresso. Last year we did an article Coffee shops in Santitham (http://www.gayinchiangmai.com/News/2013/coffee-in-santitham/) which might help. In the downtown area there are many, many more places that IтАЩm not so familiar with. Chiang Mai City News also have a blog on coffeeshops. (http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/blog.php?cate=26)

Re Go-GoтАЩs and pricing: the usual price range for a drink is 240-250 Bt or more for some cocktails. :-o

Re songthaews: There was a recently announced plan for a number of fixed routes across town. Part of the new governmentтАЩs campaign to fix transport issues. IтАЩve not seen any practical signs of it yet тАУ time will tell.

Hope this helps.

[christianpfc]

Darkrooms in a gay disco? That is new to me, any personal experience what's going on there?
That you've never seen anything like that surprises me!

Didn't you visit the original Ratchada Soi 8 and ICK in Bangkok? The former had quite a big darkroom maze adjacent to the restrooms (what was going on there - the same like in any sauna darkroom, you just had to be more careful not to end up with soiled clothes). In the latter, the dimly lit sanitary facilities served much the same purpose for many visitors, so I'd count that as a darkroom as well.

I have been to the original Ratchada Soi 8 only once, about 4 years ago, memory is weak.

I have been to ICK (then Singapore, closed last month, there will be "Wave Club" in that area opening this month) many times, and once had a look and a grope with a friend and a waiter in the bahtroom.

So yes, darkroom in a gay disco is new for me, one more reason to go to Chiang Mai soon.

[BonTong]

In case it helps, we've just published a Chiang Mai update on our web site: ItтАЩs August and itтАЩs raining! Gay Chiang Mai Update тАУ August 2014 (http://www.gayinchiangmai.com/News/2014/august-raining/)

We also updated our pocket reference guide to gay Chiang Mai which has addresses for most gay venues, in Thai, on a single page that you can print and show a Tuk-Tuk driver. Download it here: Chiang Mai Gay Guide - Dowloads (http://www.radchada.com/down-loads/)

One point to note is that this low season we have lost several gay massage places in Chiang Mai. Survival of the fittest I guess.

Hope someone finds the above useful :-??

[Nirish guy]

So yes, darkroom in a gay disco is new for me, one more reason to go to Chiang Mai soon.

Or Europe or there USA as they've had them there for years too of course but you've never been to such places Christian ? Wow, sheltered life :-) well, enjoy.

[catawampuscat]

In Chaing Mai now. Raining since yesterday and not letting up today at noon.
Show last night at Adams Apple a little different. Lots of Gogo boys, at least 20 with
no feminine or ladyboys. Mamasan on microphone rather shrill and loud. Show
consisted of several different boys doing solos with boners. Also a couple of
ladyman doing two solos. Best was Spider-Man, with only mask which he removed.
There's a break when all the boys get on stage shirtless in jeans with name tags.
Mamasan kept repeating no photos and big sign stating same.
No tobacco smoking.
My farang friend said the boys were all hill tribe boys but looked same as any Thai boys.
Last time I saw a show at Adams Apple was in 2001. I remembered a Boy Scout act with
4 or 5 boys. Nothing for me to remember about last nights show. :(

[BonTong]

Adam's show has been very subdued last week or so. No nudity and guys wearing jeans instead of briefs :( Rumours of some new BIB in town.... Hopefully normal service will be resumed soon. @-)

To be precise, the boys are not hill tribe but are nearly all Shan (or Tai Yai) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shan_people) from Burma's Shan State. Although they look similar to Thais, once you get to recognise them, they have some distinctive features, perhaps a little more stocky, with more Chinese eyes and cheekbones.

The boy scout show was something of a legend!

[catawampuscat]

In the show, each solo boy skit was one naked lad with a hard-on. Full nudity save for
a condom. At least two wore face masks with one taking it off near the end.
I'm spoiled by the Boyzboyzboyz show in Pattaya, which features more than a dozen guys
on stage at the same time with raging boners.
The Adam's Apple boys were almost all on the thin side and frankly none were stocky
which works for me. Those whose like twinks should enjoy the boys. Some looked like
one should definitely check their IDs. As always, just one farangs opinion..

[catawampuscat]

We went to Free Guy first tonight for the show. Drinks about 250b. And no tobacco smoking in the bar.
Strobe laser lights everywhere.
Good number of boys and generally a bit rougher looking and older than the boys at Adam's Apple.
There were a few ladyman lip sync skits mixed in with solo boys in tight white shorts with boners. No nudity.
All the boys with boners were very thin.
No eye contact, no smiling and I was only farang, the rest of the customers were Asians. No Gogo boys, just shows.

Next stop was Circle Pub. Again, no Gogo boys, only show. Drinks about 250b. and no bin. You get a folder and pay.
Show started with lady boy skit with three male dancers.
The dozen + boys were older and bigger bodied. They were men and some very hot. They appear a few times in
jeans and never in undershorts.
The sexy boy skits were very tame, no nudity, the lighting made in difficult to see. No bulges, nothing exposed. Only mildly erotic number is a
shower scene. It's also the only one with more than one performer. I was only farang again.
In my opinion, Circle Pub and Free Guy are orientated to Asian customers and Thais.
The three Chaing Mai boy bars I visited were far more subtle and laid back than Pattaya boys bars in general.
No gay boys, no flirting, no customer interaction in any bar I visited. Frankly, I was underwhelmed.
Perhaps there's fear of a police raid or politics involved and my observations only cover two days.
At least it stopped raining tonight. And no tobacco smoking in any of the boy bars either.

[Phred]

Thanks to catawampuscat & BonTong for your detailed updates on current happenings in Chiang Mai. Very helpful current information.

[BonTong]

Frankly, I was underwhelmed. Perhaps there's fear of a police raid or politics involved and my observations only cover two days.

What you describe is not the norm in Chiang Mai. As I said above, there is an "issue" at the moment and AFAIK all the bars have removed nudity, hopefully only for a few days until it blows over. The bars you describe usually include copious nudity, though Adam's is the only one with real go-go. I popped into Adam's a couple of nights ago and everything was covered up (-| and the boys were doing go-go in jeans rather than the usual tighty-whities.

Very unusual to have any ladyboys in Free Guy - their usual boast is they don't have any - perhaps they are there to scare the BIB away :))

At dawn today there was apparently a big police and military raid on the area around Circle Pub and Barocco where some of the boys live. They sealed of the whole area and were going room to room piss testing everyone from what I saw. Seems several got 45 day holidays ;)

[catawampuscat]

We are on the way to Chaing Rai now. It stopped raining so we will check out
Mae Sat and overnight in Chaing Rai. Any boy bars in Chaing Rai worth a look.??

Staying with Chaing Mai, we went to Doi Suthep today. Last visit was in 2001. Well worth the
winding climbing ride up and then the stairs. A must see if one goes to Chaing Mai.

[netrix]

interesting. i'm supposed to be moving up to CM in a couple weeks. Hopefully the discos and karaoke clubs and beer bars aren't as boring as the gogo bars mentioned above. :P

[catawampuscat]

interesting. i'm supposed to be moving up to CM in a couple weeks. Hopefully the discos and karaoke clubs and beer bars aren't as boring as the gogo bars mentioned above. :P

Bon Tong knows the boy bar scene in Chaing Mai. You can trust what he says.

[catawampuscat]

I finish my boy bar reports with a final note on Chaing Rai. We stopped at
Regency Boy Bar near the Night Bazaar. Maybe A/C wasn't working but the small
bar was warm and too dark. No Gogo boys , no show, only a couple of people inside
on a Friday night. We didn't stay for a drink. Only one night here before we check
out Mae Sai tomorrow.

[llz]

In Regency Bar A/C was not working too on October 31st 2013 ... but on that night there were some beauties available and some farangs - seemingly expats and not tourists.

[catawampuscat]

I noticed enormous number of farangs in Chaing Rai. The area around the Night Bazaar
teeming with farangs. Lots of families but also men in groups. Our hotel also
full of farangs.

[BonTong]

interesting. i'm supposed to be moving up to CM in a couple weeks. Hopefully the discos and karaoke clubs and beer bars aren't as boring as the gogo bars mentioned above. :P

Bon Tong knows the boy bar scene in Chaing Mai. You can trust what he says.
:ymblushing: Thank you.

There is a big difference between visiting somewhere for a few days and living there. I certainly wouldn't want to go to the gay bars here every night. More usually I go to local beer bars and restaurants with Thai friends, and always have a good time. Visits to gay places are only once every week or two. Most of the gay farang orientated beer bars are OK for a beer and a chat with other farangs every now and again, but that's about it.

The go-go bars are what it says on the label. I only go because I know people there and pay almost no attention to the shows. 8-|

If you want to have fun in Chiang Mai, make some Thai friends and go out with them. There are so many places to go and most you won't find listed in any tourist guides. The two big gay clubs (See Man Pub and G-Star Vintage) are busy and good fun, but you need to go in a group to enjoy it. Same with some of the other clubs like Warm Up, Monkey and Tawan Deang.

I'm sure you will enjoy living here.

[netrix]

interesting. i'm supposed to be moving up to CM in a couple weeks. Hopefully the discos and karaoke clubs and beer bars aren't as boring as the gogo bars mentioned above.

Bon Tong knows the boy bar scene in Chaing Mai. You can trust what he says.
:ymblushing: Thank you.

There is a big difference between visiting somewhere for a few days and living there. I certainly wouldn't want to go to the gay bars here every night. More usually I go to local beer bars and restaurants with Thai friends, and always have a good time. Visits to gay places are only once every week or two. Most of the gay farang orientated beer bars are OK for a beer and a chat with other farangs every now and again, but that's about it.

The go-go bars are what it says on the label. I only go because I know people there and pay almost no attention to the shows. 8-|

If you want to have fun in Chiang Mai, make some Thai friends and go out with them. There are so many places to go and most you won't find listed in any tourist guides. The two big gay clubs (See Man Pub and G-Star Vintage) are busy and good fun, but you need to go in a group to enjoy it. Same with some of the other clubs like Warm Up, Monkey and Tawan Deang.

I'm sure you will enjoy living here.

Thanks. If there was a Like Button I would click it. But the geriatrics of the board don't understand such new-fangled technology. ;) So I'll just copy and paste. Cheers.

[Manforallseasons]

If you think the gay scene in C.M. is dull you ain't scene anything till you see what Chiang Rai has to offer. :))

[BonTong]

If you think the gay scene in C.M. is dull you ain't scene anything till you see what Chiang Rai has to offer. :))
Prefaced with, "I haven't been there for a couple of years", back in the day Chiang Rai was always a good night out.

I remember one night when a group of us (Farang and Thai) went to the old Lobos bar with plenty of Whiskey and some extras we'd already acquired from Regency. Once we got the party started the mamasan thought it might be prudent to lock the door #:-s . The boys were fresh out the jungle and put on a memorable performance :ymapplause:

The night bazaar was always a good place to eat and hang out. Although touristy, quite a lot of locals and students went there to eat and it was quite cruisey. Some of the beer boys were fun too. There were also a couple of late night discos with good gay representation in the clientele. From catawampuscat's comments sounds like it has got too touristy. Another good place was on the river west of the city. Lots of bamboo hut style bar/restaurant places, good place to enjoy a beer in the afternoon and watch the guys frolicking in the water.

For me, Chiang Rai has usually been a one nighter on a road trip. Other good places to overnight include Phayao, Doi Mae Salong and Fang.

[llz]

For me, Chiang Rai has usually been a one nighter on a road trip. Other good places to overnight include Phayao, Doi Mae Salong and Fang.

Phayao is supposed to have the most beautiful girls in Thailand, and so are their brothers from what I know. Do you know a place in Phayao town where you could find some local boys ?

[BonTong]

For me, Chiang Rai has usually been a one nighter on a road trip. Other good places to overnight include Phayao, Doi Mae Salong and Fang.

Phayao is supposed to have the most beautiful girls in Thailand, and so are their brothers from what I know. Do you know a place in Phayao town where you could find some local boys ?
When it comes to cute Phayao gay boys I often seem to have a house full of them! =P~

Dok Kham Thai district of Phayao province seems to have an above average number of gay boys. Must be something in the water.

Phayao city has a bit of night life along the lakeside. Either cruising along the waterfront or in some of the bars, though it shuts quite early. Dunno what it's like these days but everyone used to head to BM Pub (near the lake) for late night revelry. Mixed but quite a few gay boys around. Have had some great nights there. :ymapplause:

[Phred]

Anyone have suggestions on where to get reasonably priced wine in Chiang Mai? Both by the glass and the bottle (retail). IтАЩve read thereтАЩs been a big hike in booze prices in Thailand and even on my last trip prices seemed high. When IтАЩm out I prefer to have red wine over beer or liquor but it can be hit and miss by the glass. By the bottle I canтАЩt remember anywhere but the supermarket up near HOM. IтАЩm not an oenophile by any means, just enjoy drinkable, reasonably priced reds (though preferably not Mont Clair which seemed ubiquitous last time around). Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[BonTong]

Anyone have suggestions on where to get reasonably priced wine in Chiang Mai? Both by the glass and the bottle (retail).
Well that's a million dollar question. It's not easy to find, for the reasons you've already stated.

Sadly, Mont Clair is still what you will find in most bars. The red is just acceptable, and often served chilled (Mont Clair does not keep well after opening the box unless refrigerated). The white is just drinkable, but much better mixed with Campari or used for cooking :ymsigh: [N.B. I hear conflicting stories about the origins of Mont Clair, allegedly it's a semi synthetic wine, they import tanker loads of grape juice and add the alcohol in Thailand to cut the import duty. Dunno if that's really true.]

Wine bars are becoming the number two most copied business in Chiang Mai, after coffee shops, especially in the Nimmanahemindha area. I'm too fed up paying through the nose for something that turns out to be less than mediocre so I've rather given up on wine and rarely go to these places. Wander the sois of Nimman of an evening and see what takes your fancy.

Some suggestions: Rimping supermarkets have a good selection at not unreasonable prices. From downtown, there is one at the Maya shopping center (which also has some cheese and wine bar thing) and one across the river near the iron bridge at the bottom of Loi Kroh. Remember the big supermarkets don't sell alcohol between 2 and 5 p.m.

I have heard some good things about Kafe Vino - a relatively new place on Huay Kaew Road at Think Park - opposite Maya. El Patio - wine and Tapas bar on Nimman Soi 11 is good (but expensive) Soho Bar (gay) has a wine and cheese night every Wednesday. Buy one, get one free wine, and free cheese nibbles. IIRC Soho has some boxed wine which is one step up from Mont Clair. Last time I tried they had "Peter Vella", kinda OK but nothing special.

[lego]

Anyone have suggestions on where to get reasonably priced wine in Chiang Mai?
There's no such thing in Thailand as a whole.

[Phred]

Thanks BonTong.You are a great resource on all things Chiang Mai. :ymapplause:

[BonTong]

Frankly, I was underwhelmed. Perhaps there's fear of a police raid or politics involved and my observations only cover two days.

What you describe is not the norm in Chiang Mai. As I said above, there is an "issue" at the moment and AFAIK all the bars have removed nudity, hopefully only for a few days until it blows over. The bars you describe usually include copious nudity, though Adam's is the only one with real go-go. I popped into Adam's a couple of nights ago and everything was covered up (-| and the boys were doing go-go in jeans rather than the usual tighty-whities.
Update: The jeans are off and normal service has been restored at Adam's Apple Club (http://www.adamsappleclub.com/) :p :x

For anyone in Chiang Mai this weekend they have a "Cocktail Boy" party on Saturday night. Might be entertaining.