Welcome: A Gathering Place for Expats

[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

[KhwaamLap]

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 think its a good idea S2. A local haunt where we may bump into each other in the evernings occasionally too. TV goes to Tuskers, of course - though some guys here have expressed, erm, missgivings with respoect to members of TV (I am one, but shhhhhhh don't tell - I use a different ID there though ).
CEC (Chiang Mai Expats Club) use Shangri-La Hotel (I'm a memeber of this too ), but for meetings etc.


I don't know how many of this rabble come from CM though - might be a bit of a treck for those in Yala

Guys, suggestions please - and some idea as to where you are based. I guess holidayers are also welcome.

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by KhwaamLap

I think its a good idea S2. A local haunt where we may bump into each other in the evernings occasionally too. TV goes to Tuskers, of course - though some guys here have expressed, erm, missgivings with respoect to members of TV (I am one, but shhhhhhh don't tell - I use a different ID there though ).
CEC (Chiang Mai Expats Club) use Shangri-La Hotel (I'm a memeber of this too ), but for meetings etc.


I don't know how many of this rabble come from CM though - might be a bit of a treck for those in Yala

Guys, suggestions please - and some idea as to where you are based. I guess holidayers are also welcome.

Hi KhwaamLap,

Thanks for your response.

I've read about an expat dinner - not sure if it's weekly or monthly but also a great idea. A monthly dinner should include expats and their significant others ie wives, husbands, girl friends etc. where a 'haunt' to meet daily would be fun.

Those with time on their hands could drop by, share a bit of camaraderie with their friends and acquaintances and get the latest 'dope' about what's going on. It shouldn't be structured - just friends getting together. We might try a few places to see which is best from a location standpoint and whether the proprietor is keen for the extra business! Anyone with an idea of a fun place to meet mid-morning, let us know! The more ideas the better. Perhaps give them all a try - heck there could end up being half a dozen mini-gatherings around Chiang Mai.

Serendipity2

Originally Posted by KhwaamLap

I think its a good idea S2. A local haunt where we may bump into each other in the evernings occasionally too. TV goes to Tuskers, of course - though some guys here have expressed, erm, missgivings with respoect to members of TV (I am one, but shhhhhhh don't tell - I use a different ID there though ).
CEC (Chiang Mai Expats Club) use Shangri-La Hotel (I'm a memeber of this too ), but for meetings etc.

I don't know how many of this rabble come from CM though - might be a bit of a treck for those in Yala

Guys, suggestions please - and some idea as to where you are based. I guess holidayers are also welcome.

I'm a Chiang Mai'er June through December each year. Can't say the Expats Club is my thing though, too formal, and smacks of taking oneself a little seriously (sorry KL!) Most I've got involved with is the CMPG (photography club... where Thai members are welcome, if few and far between ).

I'm still a TVer... different pseudo too... but keep my head down, there's a bunch of dictators in charge, and a rabble permanently at war over yellow v. red issues there.

Tuskers is ok as bars go, though I've only been there a couple of times. Once I'd got the first six months of having fun out of my system, I settled down to a virtually entirely Thai way of life, avoiding most expat haunts. There are plenty of less formal meeting places away from the expats club and official TV residence - small groups of old-timer expats can be happened upon in the most incongruous of locations.

I go to a gym, the Powerhouse. Probably about 60/40 expat/Thai members there. Don't really socialise though, but I suppose it's a good place to meet people if that's your thing.

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

I'm a Chiang Mai'er June through December each year. Can't say the Expats Club is my thing though, too formal, and smacks of taking oneself a little seriously (sorry KL!) Most I've got involved with is the CMPG (photography club... where Thai members are welcome, if few and far between ).

I'm still a TVer... different pseudo too... but keep my head down, there's a bunch of dictators in charge, and a rabble permanently at war over yellow v. red issues there.

Tuskers is ok as bars go, though I've only been there a couple of times. Once I'd got the first six months of having fun out of my system, I settled down to a virtually entirely Thai way of life, avoiding most expat haunts. There are plenty of less formal meeting places away from the expats club and official TV residence - small groups of old-timer expats can be happened upon in the most incongruous of locations.

I go to a gym, the Powerhouse. Probably about 60/40 expat/Thai members there. Don't really socialise though, but I suppose it's a good place to meet people if that's your thing.

frogblogger,

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. I wasn't suggesting a 'clud' but rather a place where expats could shoot the breeze and enjoy themselves. I am not a club guy - [usually NON-tourists types] and keep in touch, swap gossip and such.

Serendipity2

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

frogblogger,

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. I wasn't suggesting a 'clud' but rather a place where expats could shoot the breeze and enjoy themselves. I am not a club guy - [usually NON-tourists types] and keep in touch, swap gossip and such.

Serendipity2

Sounds good to me, bars and coffee shops abound in town, is that what you had in mind, and what sort of "enjoyment" do you favour!

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

Sounds good to me, bars and coffee shops abound in town, is that what you had in mind, and what sort of "enjoyment" do you favour!

hi frogblogger,

Probably need a coffee shop where we could [usually] gather outside - unless a non-smoking establishment. where eating would be optional - perhaps just coffee or tea and maybe a breakfast roll. The primary goal is for friends to gather on a purely social basis.

As for my "other" pleasures - they're more of a nocturnal nature but they don't lend themselves to smokey, loud bars. Some expats of a similar philosophy should consider a non-smoking establishment with GOOD music where you can actually carry on a conversation with yelling or losing our hearing!

One of the nicest places I ever visited was a restaurant along the old highway to Don Meung Airport in Bangkok. They had a live band and singers playing Chinese music, the food was excellent and the Chinese lanterns in the trees added a special ambiance. There was a similar restaurant in Chiang Mai but not sure it's still in business. Dinner only, classical Chinese music and singers. Nice!

Serendipity2

[King Silk]

I prefer to sit infront of my PC with a cup of Coffee whilst posting on this forum....

I do meet up occasionally though, with Farangs at the weekends in a caff, where we play pool.

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by King Silk

I prefer to sit infront of my PC with a cup of Coffee whilst posting on this forum....

I do meet up occasionally though, with Farangs at the weekends in a caff, where we play pool.

King Silk,

Like you, I spend a lot of time in front of my computer/monitor but do go out for a cup of tea daily - including weekends. Perhaps we can meet up one day. Pool is great too but I'm not very good. Women and children can normally beat me! As for indulging my tea in front of my computer, I usually keep liquids away it - just in case. :|

Serendipity2

[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