![Quote](images/metro/blue/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
Henry Cate
Let's say you're leaving the Old City of Chiang Mai and are headed for Chiang Mai University along Huay Kaew. (If your map does not have Huay Kaew, I suggest a new map!) As you pass the giant edifice of Kaat Suan Kaew (Centran), you will come to a gas station and hit a stop light. That is Sirimangkalajarn. Continue merrily forward, and the next stop-light will be Nimmanhemin (one of old Nimmanhemin's offspring used to be in charge of the economy, pre-Toxin.)
Between Nimmanhemin and Sirimangkalajarn is a veritable warren of sois containing all sorts of businesses and wannabe businesses. You can find a Korean and a Chinese restaurant in there, just for starters. One of the currently interesting things in Chiang Mai is Nimmanhemin (and Huay Kaew) trying to become a sort of Rodeo Drive. It appears to casual observers that the people who own buildings and land along Nimmanhemin have bought into this concept furiously, and so have their new tenants (no Body Shop YET) -- but it is not terribly obvious that Chiang Mai has the plutocratic customer base to support this Starbucks-and-family invasion. Natch, the upscale college students think it is Way Cool to be seen (or at least heard) quaffing their 100-baht lattes at Starbucks.
But will it LAST? The heart rends at the question!!! :-)