Is Chiang Mai becoming overrun with expats?
Apr 25, 2012
6 Comments
Question by : Is Chiang Mai becoming overrun with expats?
I will be visiting Chiang Mai soon with an eye to retiring there. I’ve heard so much positive from friends. But I don’t want to bother if it’s being spoiled by us foreigners moving in and taking over.
Best answer:
Answer by Kelsey S
huh?
What do you think? Answer below!
A lot more Europeans travel to or visit northern Thailand all the time – more than Americans.
I was just in Chiang Mai – it’s a nice area, lots of forests, mountains, and new housing developments. You must be Thai to purchase property.
On the flip side, villagers burn the fields in March/April and Chiang Mai tends to become very smoky. When I was there this March, planes could not land because of the thickness of the smoke. Furthermore, the government had ordered the stop of controlled burns because forest fires were quickly going out of control.
Many foreigners retire in Thailand – it is a land that has a lot to offer, especially if you golf, like water sport, beaches, even hiking is good. It is a spiritual land, with deep affection for the King and the Royal Family.
I do not think that Chiang Mai is “spoiled” but it does attract a lot of tourists, which sustain the local economy.
Enjoy the trip – explore more than Chiang Mai.
you should wait until you get there and see for yourself instead of asking such a negative question.
I was there mid April; just after the smoke was pretty much gone. It was fantastic mainly because tourists stayed away thinking it would be choked in. But to answer your q, I think there’s plenty of room for another farang or 2. You might find it a little …watery right now though, and the smoke will be right back next burning season, mind. Take some oxygen tanks with you. For me the biggest downer in the city is the traffic chaos. It’s hell and it’s getting worse. Have fun.
Don’t worry. Every city in the world has downsides. It is a tiny con that Chiang Mai has many farang population and they might spoil the city (actually NO). Instead, look for positive aspects that make your life there more exciting. Don’t make your next visit to search cons, make it to find out how wonderful Chiag Mai is for your post retirement life.
Best wishes
The climate in Chiangmai is more bearable for most visitors to Thailand and this is one prime reason many are putting up there. But Chiangmai normally known is the city centre area. There are many districts within the province of Chiangmai that has low foreigners number still. You might want to go there and scout for a place. Or even other provinces nearby, like Tak?
As for the smoke, the annual dry season does bring with it the threat of fire to the dry vegetation. Slash and burn tactic is not that evident in Thailand, unlike Indonesia, so do not think that they burn their fields to clear for planting. It was especially dry in Thailand this year with many reservoirs falling way below normal level that water had to be transferred to some provinces parched by the weather.. And this will be an annual issue there.
Hope you make a good decision for yourself.