Chiangmai

[osaka69]

Hi... anyone have any view on the listed 3 hotels below, esp. near to cheong places and safety... many thanks.

Lanna Palace 2004
Lotus Pang Suankaew
Central Duangtawan

[Bushnell 1918cb]

Originally Posted by osaka69

Hi... anyone have any view on the listed 3 hotels below, esp. near to cheong places and safety... many thanks.

Lanna Palace 2004
Lotus Pang Suankaew
Central Duangtawan

Hi

Lotus pang hotel is located quite far away from the night bazzar, around 15 mins journey by TUTU.This hotel has 2 wings, the main wing has a better ambience, & connected to central plaza shopping center. Not really gal friendly hotel,you might ask to pay a sub charge if you bring in gal however, if you are lucky,you can avoid by skidding the attention from the security officer. Yes,this is a safe place to stay but heading to cheong place you still need a TUTU.

Central D is located in the heart of the night bazzar, a beatiful & comfortable place to stay however, the pricing is a little bit expensive. The last stay 3mths ago cost me S$55 nett a room booked through a promotion with HSBC. A safe place to stay, convenient to shop round in the night bazzar, & walking distance to pub area. A gal friendly hotel during my stay. I dont know the situation now.

Lanna Palace is located near the night bazzar too. Not a very new hotel but there is a disco by the name of BUBBLES, very popular in CM apart from MANDALA disco. Many FL, AH QUAY & GAY. A lot of ANG MO tourist as well.
There is also few pubs around there, meal is not a problem. I have not stayed this hotel before so would not able to provide more feedback.

Hopes the above details can be a great help for you. Now till end of Feb is a great time to go CM as the temperature at night is around 20plus, very cooling. Cheers.

[E8 Food house]

Originally Posted by osaka69

Hi... anyone have any view on the listed 3 hotels below, esp. near to cheong places and safety... many thanks.

Lanna Palace 2004
Lotus Pang Suankaew
Central Duangtawan

was in chiang mai in sep 05 and stayed at lotus pang suan kaew...the new wing is defintely more posh and nice and has great view of doi suthep but is more expensive too...the old wing which i stayed in is quite in bad shape...def need a refurbishment! location wise,u will need a tuk tuk to go to all the cheong places,walking is nt really an option unless u dun mind taking a 25 min walk to the nite bazzar...safety generally is ok in chiang mai and there r guards at the carpark in this hotel...

imho,this is nt a hotel i will choose if i visit chiang mai again becoz of the location...kinda out of the way...

hope the above helps

cheers

[osaka69]

Thanks for the info, bushnell & E8

Hey bros, i am planning a trip to Chiang Mai 2nd week of January 2006. Anybody interested to go with? Or maybe will be there during that period? PM me.

[Bushnell 1918cb]

Originally Posted by fcuktilludrop

Hey bros, i am planning a trip to Chiang Mai 2nd week of January 2006. Anybody interested to go with? Or maybe will be there during that period? PM me.

Hi bro

My R&R team will be heading to CM on 10 Feb to 13 Feb 06. We managed to book the cheap tickets from Tiger Air 1 month ago. We will definitely be there unless something hold us up. If any bro heading to CM on this particular date, let's meet up for a drink. Cheers.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 20 December 2005 :-

Chiang Mai's new transport system popular, but costs may force changes

Chiang Mai municipal officials have voiced satisfaction with the number of people using the city's new transit system.

Some 26 air-conditioned buses began service on two routes from the beginning of last month, while 100 red songtaew started running along another two routes.

But some changes are likely next year as the operations are losing money, partly because the songtaew service is subsidised.

Officials said that, since November, about 2,700 passengers used the air-con buses and around 200 passengers used the red songtaew each day. The number of passengers on air-con buses and songtaew differs a lot because the capacity of the songtaew is much lower.

The buses and songtaew run past 22 schools and four universities and both are crowded with passengers during the twice-daily rush hours, which start at 6.30am and 3.30pm respectively.

The municipality's 26 service buses on two routes arrive at 15-minute intervals, and make a total of 75 rounds a day. Officials said that on average 29 passengers used the buses on each round.

But Chiang Mai deputy mayor Pornchai Jinavasatira revealed that the two-month operation of municipal buses would not cover costs, as the buses earn around Bt20,000 a day while daily costs are around Bt60,000.

Worse than that, the municipality has to pay another Bt10,000 each day as subsidy to 100 songtaew enlisted as mini buses to serve on two inner routes. The municipality agreed prior to the start that it would pay Bt100 a day for each songtaew, which are supervised by the stubborn Lanna Transport Cooperative.

The results are much as municipal officials expected, that the service would be for the benefit of residents and that it would not earn it any profit.

Passengers have complained, however, that the bus routes are too long, especially the number 6 bus, which runs for two hours and a total of 40 kilometres.

Residents have also said the system is confusing - with new buses running along routes which are not publicised and songtaew running along other routes. Some suggest it might be better if one comprehensive public transport system was put in place instead of small concessions here and there.

After a four-month trial of both the air-con buses and red songtaew, an evaluation will be carried out to consider the length and route of each service so they can be fine-tuned.

The municipality plans to propose a budget to the central government - or borrow money from the Regional Urban Development Fund - next year in order to purchase more air-con buses. They will be replace the songtaew on the two inner-city routes, city bus project chief Panyapol Mongkolcharoen, said.

"The municipality and the cooperative need to work together for the most effective transit system in the city. And if more buses are launched more people will use them and reduce the losses of the municipality," he said.

By Atsadaporn Kamthai
Citylife, The Nation
Chiang Mai

[pirate]

Originally Posted by KatoeyLover69

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 20 December 2005 :-

Chiang Mai's new transport system popular, but costs may force changes

Chiang Mai municipal officials have voiced satisfaction with the number of people using the city's new transit system.

Some 26 air-conditioned buses began service on two routes from the beginning of last month, while 100 red songtaew started running along another two routes.

But some changes are likely next year as the operations are losing money, partly because the songtaew service is subsidised.

Officials said that, since November, about 2,700 passengers used the air-con buses and around 200 passengers used the red songtaew each day. The number of passengers on air-con buses and songtaew differs a lot because the capacity of the songtaew is much lower.

The buses and songtaew run past 22 schools and four universities and both are crowded with passengers during the twice-daily rush hours, which start at 6.30am and 3.30pm respectively.

The municipality's 26 service buses on two routes arrive at 15-minute intervals, and make a total of 75 rounds a day. Officials said that on average 29 passengers used the buses on each round.

But Chiang Mai deputy mayor Pornchai Jinavasatira revealed that the two-month operation of municipal buses would not cover costs, as the buses earn around Bt20,000 a day while daily costs are around Bt60,000.

Worse than that, the municipality has to pay another Bt10,000 each day as subsidy to 100 songtaew enlisted as mini buses to serve on two inner routes. The municipality agreed prior to the start that it would pay Bt100 a day for each songtaew, which are supervised by the stubborn Lanna Transport Cooperative.

The results are much as municipal officials expected, that the service would be for the benefit of residents and that it would not earn it any profit.

Passengers have complained, however, that the bus routes are too long, especially the number 6 bus, which runs for two hours and a total of 40 kilometres.

Residents have also said the system is confusing - with new buses running along routes which are not publicised and songtaew running along other routes. Some suggest it might be better if one comprehensive public transport system was put in place instead of small concessions here and there.

After a four-month trial of both the air-con buses and red songtaew, an evaluation will be carried out to consider the length and route of each service so they can be fine-tuned.

The municipality plans to propose a budget to the central government - or borrow money from the Regional Urban Development Fund - next year in order to purchase more air-con buses. They will be replace the songtaew on the two inner-city routes, city bus project chief Panyapol Mongkolcharoen, said.

"The municipality and the cooperative need to work together for the most effective transit system in the city. And if more buses are launched more people will use them and reduce the losses of the municipality," he said.

By Atsadaporn Kamthai
Citylife, The Nation
Chiang Mai

Interesting news, I was in CM in Nov for 3 days and I didnt even know they had this bus service. Never even saw an AC bus during the whole time.
Any info. or web links as to the routes of these services, and cost per ride and what times the buses end at nite? May need the info in case I go back to CM in the future.

[chanthira]

Originally Posted by Bushnell 1918cb

Hi


Lanna Palace is located near the night bazzar too. Not a very new hotel but there is a disco by the name of BUBBLES, very popular in CM apart from MANDALA disco. Many FL, AH QUAY & GAY. A lot of ANG MO tourist as well.
There is also few pubs around there, meal is not a problem. I have not stayed this hotel before so would not able to provide more feedback.

Hopes the above details can be a great help for you. Now till end of Feb is a great time to go CM as the temperature at night is around 20plus, very cooling. Cheers.

Hi Bro
I think your refer to Royal Lanna .This hotel was converted from apartment

Lanna Palace is further up along the Changklan

another is Lanna View
I was confused last time as well

Enjoy your trip

[chanthira]

Originally Posted by KatoeyLover69

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 20 December 2005 :-

Chiang Mai's new transport system popular, but costs may force changes

Some 26 air-conditioned buses began service on two routes from the beginning of last month, while 100 red songtaew started running along another two routes.

But some changes are likely next year as the operations are losing money, partly because the songtaew service is subsidised.

Officials said that, since November, about 2,700 passengers used the air-con buses and around 200 passengers used the red songtaew each day. The number of passengers on air-con buses and songtaew differs a lot because the capacity of the songtaew is much lower.

But Chiang Mai deputy mayor Pornchai Jinavasatira revealed that the two-month operation of municipal buses would not cover costs, as the buses earn around Bt20,000 a day while daily costs are around Bt60,000.

Worse than that, the municipality has to pay another Bt10,000 each day as subsidy to 100 songtaew enlisted as mini buses to serve on two inner routes. The municipality agreed prior to the start that it would pay Bt100 a day for each songtaew, which are supervised by the stubborn Lanna Transport Cooperative.

The results are much as municipal officials expected, that the service would be for the benefit of residents and that it would not earn it any profit.

Passengers have complained, however, that the bus routes are too long, especially the number 6 bus, which runs for two hours and a total of 40 kilometres.

Residents have also said the system is confusing - with new buses running along routes which are not publicised and songtaew running along other routes. Some suggest it might be better if one comprehensive public transport system was put in place instead of small concessions here and there.

After a four-month trial of both the air-con buses and red songtaew, an evaluation will be carried out to consider the length and route of each service so they can be fine-tuned.

By Atsadaporn Kamthai
Citylife, The Nation
Chiang Mai

Hi bro
Did not see anyone .
Stii take the songtiew and tuktuk as last time
But has taxi with meter and hardy to find in the town

[chanthira]

Went to Phisannuloke and north East
Quite easy to get the hotel that are lower than B500 with breadfast
There are a few SYT .Especially those girl with combolia blood-small build
At Nongkai there are far gilr from Loa as well
Most cheongster are local .So no need to worry about the hotel and can not get the girl even at holiday

[chanthira]

Originally Posted by osaka69

Hi... anyone have any view on the listed 3 hotels below, esp. near to cheong places and safety... many thanks.

Lanna Palace 2004
Lotus Pang Suankaew
Central Duangtawan

Lanna Palace 2004 Just walk further a bit is Chiangmailand

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 21 December 2005 :-

Night Safari free on New Year’s Eve

The Chiang Mai Night Safari will be open all night for free on New Year’s Eve.

Plodprasop Suraswadi, director of the Chiang Mai Night Safari, said 300,000 people were expected to visit the zoo on the last night of the year and public transport will be on hand to handle the extra passengers. The largest ever alms-giving ceremony will take place on New Year’s morning at Dtak Baat Tevo, he said.

The Chiang Mai municipality and the Tourist Authority of Thailand will invest Bt2 million to arrange three New Year events – an award ceremony for famous Chiang Mai natives; music concerts with fireworks; and countdown parties at Tha Phae Gate and the Chiang Mai Night Safari.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 22 December 2005 :-

50 animals from China also held up

China has postponed the delivery of 50 animals, including a pair of white tigers, to the Chiang Mai Night Safari due to problems involving international wildlife regulations, a senior night safari official said yesterday.

The move follows Kenya’s postponement of a shipment of 175 animals for similar reasons.

Supoj Methapiwat, director of the Animal Management Office, said the Chinese were supposed to deliver the animals to the zoo on December 28 on time for the New Year celebrations.

However, Chinese officials said they could not deliver the animals as planned because more paperwork was required as many of the animals are covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites). The delivery will be postponed for about two weeks, he said.

This will not affect tourism because the zoo already has 900 animals from 90 species, he said.

Meanwhile, the Kenyan Supreme Court in Nairobi on Tuesday postponed the delivery of 175 rare animals to the zoo, which were meant to be a gift to the government.

On November 9, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Natural Resources and Environment Vice Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kenya to present Bt40 million to the African nation for national park science.

In return, Kenya was to send 175 wild animals to Chiang Mai Night Safari as a goodwill gesture and a symbol of closer ties between the two countries. The animals were to include wild cats, giraffes, hippopotami, hyenas, lions and zebras.

Kenya subsequently put the MoU on hold following a lawsuit by Nairobi and Kenyan wildlife conservation groups. They asked the courts to review the legitimacy of the MoU.

Supoj said all of those species were already represented at the zoo, and the government just wanted to get more of the animals. He said the highlight of the zoo will be the kangaroos and koalas from Australia, which should arrive in January.

[chanthira]

Most of the hotels at Chiangmai are fully booked
such as the hotel out of town -Phucome and Changpuek hotel

Any bro come Chiangmai from now to 1/1/2006 ,you better reserve your room first