What's Chiang Mai like these days?

[Patanawet]

The problem in Chiang Mai these days is air pollution.

We have just returned from the first two Songkran days in Chiang Mai.
Absolutely NO PROBLEM of pollution in the town. Very few people using smog masks.
In the far distance the mountains looked misty.
We went to the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens in the foothills -- again no problem with pollution.
At the gardens, there was no problem with dual pricing for us -- the cashier at the entrance said "you two are so old you can go in for free!"
The only charge was 100 Baht for the car and driver.
Our only problem was the lack of gay bars without spending 300 Baht in a Tuk Tuk.
We spent every night in RAM BAR with it's fabulous shows and then next door to secrets Bar for a later drink.
Temperature at the moment reported to be 41. Yes it was bleedin' hot.
Are you speaking from personal observation kjun12?

[BonTong]

Our only problem was the lack of gay bars without spending 300 Baht in a Tuk Tuk.
We spent every night in RAM BAR with it's fabulous shows and then next door to secrets Bar for a later drink.

Depends where you were staying of course, but 300 Bt fr a Tuk Tuk in and around the city is very excessive, even with today's inflated prices.

Grab is the way to go in Chiang Mai. Much cheaper, efficient and modern air con cars. You can usually get a car within a few minutes, even late at night, including from more out of the way places like Adam's Apple. Just don't book to or from somewhere where a load of tuk tuks hang out

Even if the farang/tourist gay scene is not what it was 15 years ago, Chiang Mai still has a lot going on, especially online via the apps. Just avoid late Feb to Late April when the pollution is terrible and it's ridiculously hot. Things start to improve after the Mango rains in May.

[Patanawet]

Grab is the way to go in Chiang Mai. Much cheaper, efficient and modern air con cars. You can usually get a car within a few minutes, even late at night, including from more out of the way places like Adam's Apple.

Thanks BonTong for the GRAB tip.
We were staying within metres of RAM so that was very handy.
I really miss the bars in 'Sleaze Alley' and by the climbing frame and before that when they were downstairs in the Night Bazaar.
Here in Bangkok we are chasing your temperatures with today's forecast being 38!