More chill for Chiang Mai into march

[lonelywombat]

Cut and paste from todays Bangkok Post It will be of concern for those planning a visit to CM in the next 6-8 weeks

More chill in the air


By Theerawat Khamthita and Jakkrit Waewkraihong

Residents in the far North province of Chiang Rai have been warned to brace for another cold spell coming down from China.

Sompol Supakarn, the chief of the Chiang Rai meteorological station, said the mercury plunged to a record low of 9.9 degrees Celsius in Muang district yesterday. In the mountains, the coldest temperature was recorded at Ban Santi Kiri in Mae Fah Luang district at 3-4 degrees Celsius.

People in the province have also been told they face a long winter, with the chilly weather expected to continue until early March and not February as in previous years.

The cold spell has had a tremendous effect on hilltribe people in tambon Huay Chompu of Muang district with more than 200 elderly people and children falling ill. Many young children who do not have enough warm clothes are suffering from pneumonia.

Meanwhile, Khao Saming district in the eastern province of Trat has been declared a disaster zone with severe drought.

[Bob]

Sometimes the news reports refer to "muang" district of Chiangmai quite expansively. I was chatting with the bf on MSN this morning and he told me it was about (his guess) 20C today - which, of course, is quite cold for native Thais.
Just checked weather underground and it said the temperature now (at 10:30AM Thai time) was 20C (68F). Predictions for the next week show lows no lower than 15C (59F) and the highs from 29C (84F) to 35C (95F). Based on that, we hardly need to pack our ski sweaters.

Of course, if you went off to see Doi Inthanon (about an hour away by car), you'd freeze your nuggies off early in the morning.

[jolyjacktar]

I love Chaing Mai at any time. Ive never been uncomfortable there durring any time of the year. Ok it was a bit hairy durring the wet period as the river Ping does flood into the market area somtimes but never been a problem for me.
I think its my favourite place to stay in Thailand for a week or so. And now its so cheap for two people to get to on the internal flights from Bangkok.
Stayed in a nice hotel D2 ( Dusit ) by the night market last june and loved the place, ok a little more money than i normaly spend on a Hotel in Chaing Mai but well worth it for 1 week.

Oh the temperatures sound very appealing to me and every time I've been to Chaing Mai I've felt at home (I liked Chiang Rai too).

But I didn't really know if there was a gay scene in Chiang Mai, I went looking for a gogo bar but it was really nothing compared to Pattaya.
Is there a gay scene like Pattaya or Bangkok in Chiang Mai?

I would probably live there if there was.

[dab69]

if there is no gay bar in Chiang Rai maybe a good opportunity to open one

[lonelywombat]

Did the OP actually READ the article before cutting and pasting? His title says Chiang Mai, yet the article only talks about Chiang Rai which is almost 200 Km away and has always been noticeably cooler than Chiang Mai!!! And Mae Fah Luang is mountain territory which is obviously cooler still.

)
I admit that I was in 2 conversations re CM at the time I posted that . Sorry for the lack of relevance

I have had 2 trips to CM cancelled because of extremes of weather The first some 5 years ago
when temperature dropped to almost freezing at Xmas. The second when temps were in the 40's
at Easter. My friend who wanted me to research some places to go in late feb, is how I got into this.

But having opened the subject
Q1 has the night market completely disappeared i.e the gay bars
Q2 is there a nice gay friendly hotel near the night market or the gay bars
Q3 last time I stayed in CM it was at the Montri. loved the cakes and coffee, but a long walk to action
is there any gay activity in that area now.

All replies gratefully read.

[jolyjacktar]

Hi Lonelywombat,
Maybe i can anwser your Q's, The night market as of last October still had several gay beer bars which are of the open air type also around the Climbing wall area there were several bars. So if its not gogo but bars you want then the Night market area is ok.
Ive stayed in several hotels around the market area and never had any problems with taking boys back and never had to pay any joiner fees either. The hotels i tend to use are about 1800bht a night upwards, places, thou i splashed out on the Dusit last year at about 4000bht a night. But i dont think any hotel will give you problems with guests.
I never went to the Montri Hotel but there are small gay bars and shows all over the city if you ask and look. Ok your not going to see a Pattaya or Bangkok there but i think the boys are some of the better people here in the North of Thailand, and i always seem to think they're more genuine guys ( just my opinion ).
I just love the relaxed laid back ambiece of the City.
Go an see for yourself and chill out and enjoy. Good luck mate

[Bob]

LonelyWombat: I usually stay at either the Porn Ping or the Centara Duangtawan when in Chiangmai and both are very close to the night market bars. My Chiangmai bf stays with me and we've never been hassled by staff or other guests (no problem). Or, if you only want to walk 100 feet, stay at the Dusit (actually, D2) but that's a lot more expensive.

I sincerely doubt if the temperature in Chiangmai (any part of the main city) has ever been in the 30's. When they tell me it's cold or they are freezing their butts off, that means it's in about 20C during the day and maybe 15 at night (and that occasionally occurs in December or January). As for Easter (usually at end of March or in April), it's often 40C+ up there then (although usually about 35C or so).

[Just googled weather records in Chiangmai and it said the lowest it's ever been there is 3.7C (which, for the old city itself, I'm doubtful of that). But it also said the highest was 41.5C and I know that's a bit low cause I've been there in April when it's been two or three degrees higher than that.]

[Khor tose]

While the night market has most of the bars, the go-go clubs are around Chan Puak. Free Guy, Doi Boy, and the new My Way are all in the Chan Puak/Santitam area. You also have SOHO on Huey Kaew and the Golden Bull on Santitam. Several great message places around Santitam also. I would highly recommend staying at PJ place and taking a tut tut to where you want to go. PJ's can give you great advice on where to go and what is hot. Don't just get stuck in the night Bazaar area, as many of the bars are straight boys and minors. Highly recommend some of the message parlors for the best, cleanest boys. My favorite is B-Breeze but there are three or four good ones. (Still think B-Breeze is the best).