A Gathering Place for Expats

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

That's surprisingly unadventurous of you S2, Thailand's the place to experiment you know... or so I hear...

Oh, tea... (disappointed).

At my age a cup of tea CAN be adventurous!

I prefer the nocturnal activities with members of the opposite gender rather that diurnal activities!

[KhwaamLap]

MODS can we make this sticky please.

Any suggestions to actual places yet guys. I'm back at the start of June (after trip to UK and Spain) and would be nice to meet and greet somewhere.

A regular, say monthly, everning ding-dong might be nice too.

[frogblogger]

Originally Posted by KhwaamLap

MODS can we make this sticky please.

Any suggestions to actual places yet guys. I'm back at the start of June (after trip to UK and Spain) and would be nice to meet and greet somewhere.

A regular, say monthly, everning ding-dong might be nice too.

Chiang Mai suggestion

In the upper (Night Bazaar) half of Loi Kroh, opposite the temple, could be on the corner of soi 2, there's a new (opened end last year) coffee shop, on two floors. Nice friendly place. Can't remember what it's called, sorry.

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

Chiang Mai suggestion

In the upper (Night Bazaar) half of Loi Kroh, opposite the temple, could be on the corner of soi 2, there's a new (opened end last year) coffee shop, on two floors. Nice friendly place. Can't remember what it's called, sorry.

frogblogger,

Sounds like a good place to give a try!

There is another venue but I'm not sure it's open during the day. Looking at my map of Chiang Mai and assuming the Ping River runs north-south, there is a great place to eat that's east of Chang Klan Rd., behind the businesses fronting Chang Klan Rd. and near the band shell where I have enjoyed many a great [and inexpensive] dinner. I've not been there during the day so I'm not sure anything is open but there are LOTS of tables and chairs and it's outside so those wishing to smoke can do so. I suspect most restaurants in Thailand allow smoking - I'm hoping for one that doesn't! [former smoker - 30 years! ]

Serendipity2

[frogblogger]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

frogblogger,

Sounds like a good place to give a try!

There is another venue but I'm not sure it's open during the day. Looking at my map of Chiang Mai and assuming the Ping River runs north-south, there is a great place to eat that's east of Chang Klan Rd., behind the businesses fronting Chang Klan Rd. and near the band shell where I have enjoyed many a great [and inexpensive] dinner. I've not been there during the day so I'm not sure anything is open but there are LOTS of tables and chairs and it's outside so those wishing to smoke can do so. I suspect most restaurants in Thailand allow smoking - I'm hoping for one that doesn't! [former smoker - 30 years! ]

Serendipity2

Smoking has banned since Feb last year in bars etc, more or less effectively.

Not quite sure where or what type of establishment you mean ...

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

Smoking has banned since Feb last year in bars etc, more or less effectively.

Not quite sure where or what type of establishment you mean ...

frogblogger,

Thanks for that! I might be able to frequent some of the seamier places in Chiang Mai if that's true. If I'm in a smokey environment I get a headache which spoils the experience for me. I'm guessing it has to do with a lack of oxygen but not sure. My eyes tear as well. There IS hope for this pagan afterall!

Serendipity2

[KhwaamLap]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

frogblogger,

Sounds like a good place to give a try!

There is another venue but I'm not sure it's open during the day. Looking at my map of Chiang Mai and assuming the Ping River runs north-south, there is a great place to eat that's east of Chang Klan Rd., behind the businesses fronting Chang Klan Rd. and near the band shell where I have enjoyed many a great [and inexpensive] dinner. I've not been there during the day so I'm not sure anything is open but there are LOTS of tables and chairs and it's outside so those wishing to smoke can do so. I suspect most restaurants in Thailand allow smoking - I'm hoping for one that doesn't! [former smoker - 30 years! ]

Serendipity2

S2, did you find out if it is open in the mornings? I am hoping to be back in Thailand and CM by early June, would be nice to have a little meet up and a natter over coffee and kow tom gung (sai kai duay ).

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by KhwaamLap

S2, did you find out if it is open in the mornings? I am hoping to be back in Thailand and CM by early June, would be nice to have a little meet up and a natter over coffee and kow tom gung (sai kai duay ).

KhwaamLap,

I'm sure it would be "open" during the mornings as it's a large open area with tables and chairs - near the bandstand [at least I don't think they would stack tables and chairs each day only to bring them back at night but who knows] it's a question of whether any restaurant/coffee shop is in the vicinity. Like you, I'm not yet in kingdom. This fall is my ETA.

Serendipity2

[Danny-boy]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

Just wanted to offer a suggestion that I think would be beneficial to some/most expats. Simply, have a cafe where expats could meet during the day over a cup of coffee or tea and share experiences, information and just get together.

I would think that many would probably enjoy having a place to meet if even a few met. Some might join the group every so ofter, others would probably like the camaraderie of a place to go, have a yarn and kick back. Most expats face the same trials and tribulations and having others' ideas could help. It need not be a "meeting" with rules, officers or a set protocol - just a bunch of expats - guys and gals to meet, enjoy one another's company and share ideas. Good idea? Not such a good ideda? Any and all thoughts on this are appreciated. I'm sure it wouldn't be for everyone but I think, at least on an infrequent basis, it could have merit. But it needs to be a venue that is located reasonably convenient to most = say the Ta Phae Gate area or Night Bazaar area and it should be during the morning where some could have breakfast and others a coffee, tea or nothing. Suggestions?

Serendipity2

I am a member of such a place, I live in Pattaya and daily enjoy breakfast at Canterbury Tales Cafe in Pattaya, & Bookshop

There are a great bunch of guys there every day although during sonkran the numbers are depleted, there are a lot of Charactors around and a great laugh can be had.

The best part is the jokes and laughs, there are a few including Dave the owner who just about know most things/places/people that are in the know, the breakfasts all day are good too, they have coffee/Tea or course, Tetley and nescafe, also fresh coffee's, ice coffee etc etc.

This place is also a huge bookshop with a great exchange scheme, you buy a book and when you finish with it you return it for 50% of the purchase price off the next book/s, they also buy/exchange any unwanted books.

Pop in and mention you read it here and Dave may even give you a free welcome Tea/coffee.
See you there Danny

[KhwaamLap]

OK, sale of my UK house is heading towards completion, so should be back in LoS by 20th May or so. Any CM guys/dolls fancy a meetup, say in June, for a natter, coffe and kow tom (sai kai duay ).