Category Archives: Travel

  • February 10, 2018
  • King
  • 0

Discount on Long Term Scooter Rentals – As low as 2500thb/month!

Category : LiveInCM Offers Travel

CMStay is offering discounts on long term scooter rentals.   4+ Months starting at 2500thb/month

For those of you that are planning a long term stay and are wondering about personal transportation, this is a must read offer.
You “Why?”
Me “For the money!   Oh, you mean why should you take a long term scooter rental?”
No doubt you have heard from past tourists and read some forum posts from disgruntled residents saying to you  “You should just buy a second hand bike and re-sell it before you go.”    It makes so much sense until you try it.  Then, you are stuck with an old scooter that you overpaid for, don’t legally own, and no one is willing to pay a fair price to buy from you.
Don’t believe me?
Look at ANY of the local classifieds, buy/sell, second hand sites in Chiang Mai.   Sellers are selling their used bikes for double the actual price and the buyers are more like sharks out for the kill.   They make “offers” of 25% – 50% of any asking price.   In the end, you’ll over pay for the bike and have to settle on virtually nothing when leaving.

This does not even take into account the current state of the scooter.   Its
 registration, ownership, insurance and other legal issues!    Is it worth it?    For a very select few people, it is.

 

For the rest of you, this is better:
  • No need to haggle with a seller trying to pawn off their crap
  • No need to deal with the sharks when is time to leave.
  • No worries about having to deal with the “Yes officer, I bought the scooter, but didn’t transfer into my name because my visa doesn’t allow it… Can I please, please, please have “my” scooter back?”
  • No headaches about buying a lemon, you don’t even need to worry about maintenance.   <–Its included.
Long term scooter rentals starting at 2500thb/month.   A minimum rental of 4 months can get you a Honda Click 125i, in great condition.(My business partner is a bike mechanic)   Everything runs smoothly and without any issues.   We fix or replace the scooter immediately if there are any malfunctions.
All of our other standards still apply:
  1. Perfect running order
  2. 2 Helmets
  3. Maintenance is included (oil change, check brakes, etc)
  4. Insurance is included – 3rd party Liability and medical coverage up to 80,000thb
  5. Deposit by passport OR passport copy and cash deposit.
  6. Local scooter delivery / pick up.
We have new scooters as well (< 1yr) .  Just ask if you are interested.
  • September 9, 2017
  • King
  • 2

Yee Peng Lanna International 2017 Tickets on Sale NOW!

Category : Holidays Offers Travel

Lantern release at YPLI / Mae Jo

    YEE PENG LANNA INTERNATIONAL (YPLI / Mae Jo)

November 3, 2017

 

Yee Peng Lanna International (YPLI / Mae Jo)  has been approved and tickets are on sale now.   This is held at the Thudong Center near Mae Jo University.   This year they will have 4,000 people attending.

Buy them from the original, trusted source, CMStay!!!

 

  • Standard tickets are : – SOLD OUT
  • Premium Tickets are :  – SOLD OUT

Tickets Include:

  • Ticket delivery to your hotel/hostel – Only offered by CMStay!!!
  • Transportation from Chiang Mai to the event (and back)
  • Food – 5 coupons for buffet service with authentic Lanna Thai Foods
  • 1 Sky Lantern – No outside lanterns are allowed
  • 1 Souvenir set
  • 1 Assigned seat

We will make updates on the CMStay Facebook page as they become available.    Please make sure to “like” the page to know if/when tickets come available again

Tickets for the YPLI / Mae Jo event are now available.    This year there WILL NOT be a “local ” celebration and the “Private” event is SOLD OUT.   This is the last chance to be a part of the mass lantern release celebration for 2017.

 

Please use the “add to cart” function below to reserve your tickets.

Standard tickets are :   – SOLD OUT

Premium Tickets are :   – SOLD OUT

Why buy from CMStay?

  • Trust – CMStay is the first and foremost in everything “Yee Peng / Lantern Release”.
  • Communication – CMStay has a 100% response rate, usually within a couple of hours.
  • Ease – CMStay does everything in English.   You can ask and receive answers without any mis-communications.
  • Service – CMStay will provide the “full package”   We can arrange almost anything and answer most questions you have about Chiang Mai.
    • We deliver your tickets to your hotel/hostel and have reception sign for receipt of the tickets.    This is an exclusive offer ONLY through CMStay! – You DO NOT have to stand in long queues to get your tickets.
    • Our Pick Up point is in the Old City.   This is also exclusive to CMStay!   No need to travel outside to get to the transportation.

What to expect:

You will receive payment confirmation from PayPal within minutes.   Another confirmation of reservation from CMStay within 24hrs.     You will need to reply to the CMStay email with the requested email.   Detailed information about transportation (times, location, etc) will be emailed/announced in October 2017.

What is included with the Transportation

  • We pick up you from our Old City Meeting Point and drive you back after the event **
  • Maximum of 10 people per van
  • A Comfortable Tour Van with an experienced driver is provided

YPLI Schedule  (estimated)

  • 3.00 pm – 3.30 pm : Meet at Old City Meeting Point
  • 4:00 pm : Arrive at Lanna Dhutanga :
    • Receive souvenir / Enjoy authentic Lanna Thai snacks, desserts and beverages.
    • Enjoy Lanna & hill tribe cultural exhibition by local students sponsored by the foundation, take photos, use the restroom at your convenience.
  • 5:00 pm : Opening Ceremony Speech by the President of Doungtawan Santipap (The Sun of Peace) Foundation and the organizing committee to welcome all guests to the event.
  • 5:30 pm : Break for the bathroom
  • 6:00 pm : All honored guests and ticket holders enter the ceremony area. Ceremony regulatory announcement by MC
  • 6:30 pm : Chanting and Meditation
  • 7:00 pm : Circumambulation Ceremony
  • 7:30 pm : Lighting Ceremony
  • 8:00 pm : Sky lanterns releasing ceremony to pay homage to the Lord Buddha.
  • 8.30 pm : End of the ceremony

 

Security

  1. Age of participants must be at least 12 years old in order to follow the security policy and to avoid causing noise disturbance to other participants.
  2. Drones, Firecrackers, outside Sky lanterns, Weapons, Gambling Equipment, Alcohol/Drugs and any Illegal items are prohibited.

Rules/Requests

  1. Participants are kindly requested to dress in polite clothing. (cover the shoulders and knees)
  2. Participate in religious activities with respect and peace to keep the sanctity of the ceremony.
  3. No alcohol & No Smoking on the temple grounds.

Photography

  1. Guests are NOT allowed to enter the ceremony stage area to take pictures.
  2. Guests may take photos only from the seating area, but NOT ALLOWED to use selfie stick / dolly equipment.

Other

  1. YPLI group has stipulated that tickets are non-refundable.
  2. Benefits are subject to change without notice.

eventmap1

 

TICKETS AVAILABLE!!! – Hard Work Pays Off.

Category : Holidays Offers Travel

Loi Krathong
Hundreds of Lanterns at a mass lantern release. Thanks to Race Photography for the amazing picture.

 

Big News!

 

A few days ago we were able to negotiate a small allotment of tickets to the Private Yee Peng Lantern Release.  It will be held in the mountain village areas of Chiang Mai.    With a maximum of 500 people this event is destined to be special.   With more than enough people to get the iconic picture (like you see above), but not too many people where its loses the special feeling of the moment.

Originally, we were only allotted 50 tickets, but there were so many people interested that we oversold almost immediately.    Luckily, all the work paid off.   We have been given rights to help sell the rest of the tickets to the event!!!

That means ticket sales are open now for the Private Yee Peng Lantern Release.

 

***SOLD OUT***

 

You will receive a confirmation by email once payment is received.    Names and passport number will be checked as you board the bus.

Some Specifics:

Final logistics are being ironed out, but here are the preliminaries:

  • Transportation is included in the price.
  • Buses are expected to leave from the Night Bazaar area about 3pm and should return to the city about 10 – 10:30pm
  • There is a temple next door with YP ceremony, but it is not mandatory to attend.
  • 1 Lantern included with each ticket.
  • Local village people will be selling local foods on site.  Please help support the local villagers.
  • Please dress and act respectfully.  There will be people of all ages, nationalities and religions present.
  • This is NOT Yee Peng Lanna International.   This is a private event.

 

2016 Lantern Release – Package #2 with Zip Line – 20 Tickets!

Category : Holidays Offers Travel

***SOLD OUT***

Round #2 – The Zip Line Package

We have  20 standard tickets packages available!

Price includes:

  • 1 Standard Ticket (read about the inclusions here)
  • 1 Seat to and from the event (Transportation – from inside the Old City. )
  • 1 Day Tour Zip lining (Over 50 Platforms and 30+ runs)
    • This is a day tour including lunch and transportation to/from the Old City area.
  • Fee to cover PayPal and services (includes ticket delivery to hotel)

Total price will be 8000THB

***Don’t forget to consider the secondary costs of buying tickets outside of CMStay!   At other places, you will have to take time and money to get you tickets.   Pay a tuk-tuk ~500B or more to take you outside of town, wait in a queue for your ticket, and return you to town,.   You’ll also have to get to the pick up point outside of town.   Another tuk-tuk ~500B or more for both ways. You’re adding at least 1000THB to the prices, not including your limited holiday time! ***

YeePeng VIPVan Zip_Line_Canopy_Tour

Why buy from CMStay?

  • Trust – CMStay is the first and foremost in everything “Lantern Release”.
  • Communication – CMStay has a 100% response rate, usually within a couple of hours.
  • Ease – CMStay does everything in English.   You can ask and receive answers without any mis-communications.
  • Service – CMStay will provide the “full package”   We can arrange almost anything and answer most questions you have about Chiang Mai.

What to expect:

You will receive confirmation of payment within 24hrs.   Confirmation of ticket reservation with reservation number will be emailed by mid-April.   Information about transportation (times, location, etc) will be emailed/announced in early November.

Please note that the first 50 tickets last year sold out within a couple of days and ALL tickets sold out 4 months before the event.  We expect the same this year.    There can not be any holds or delayed reservations.    Only full payment will count as reservation.

1 Day Zip Line tour can not be taken on 14NOV.   You will need to provide a date you would like to attend by email.

 

Package #2 is SOLD OUT.  Click here for Package #1

 

*Based on exchange rate of $1USD to 36THB

Scooter Hire – 9 Tips for Getting around Chiang Mai like a local.

Category : LiveInCM Tips/Tricks Travel

Getting around Chiang Mai is very easy once you know about the Red Trucks in Chiang Mai.  And of course you can get outside of town cheaply if you’ve read our previous post about using fixed route Songthaews.  But what if you want a chance to see Chiang Mai through the eyes of the local?  Taking the road less travelled(by tourists with a copy of Trip Advisor clutched in there hand).   Want to see the other temples, waterfalls, and hill tribe villages on Doi Suthep?   The absolute cheapest and easiest way is by scooter!

RedBlackMio125RedBlackClick125i

 

9 tips for getting around on a scooter

1. Do you know how to ride a two wheeled vehicle?  If not, Thailand is not the place to learn.  Use a Red Truck!

2. Rent from a reputable shop.

Does the place look on the up and up?
Are they renting quality brands? Honda? Yamaha?
Are they willing to walk you through the specifics of your scooter?
Does this look like the type of place you would use if not in Thailand?   You may not want to rent from the massages parlour that has two old scooters to rent out front….

scratchedandold
NOT THIS ONE!!!

3. Look for a scooter in good shape, preferably under 2 yrs old. 

 Also look for a scooter with few or no scratches. Most likely, a previous renter has paid for them and the shop never actually fixed the scooter.  Older, scratched up bikes are a tell tale sign to look out.  Don’t ruin your holiday trying to figure out what to do because the bike decided to stop working on the side of a mountain.   BTW, this scooter above is actually too small to be legal as well, but the general state of the bike should have already sent you running!

4. Make sure the scooter is legal.  

Ask about insurance. Does the bike insurance meet legal requirements?  In Thailand, that means 3rd party liability.   ***Note: you will see many vehicles in Thailand without license plates.***  This is usually due to the delay in registration and waiting for new plates. It is still legal to drive as long as the a copy of the reg documents and insurance are inside.

5. Wear your helmet!!! 

First and foremost it’s stupid not to.  Scooters do no go very fast, so most accident end up with scrapes and bruises unless your not wearing a helmet.  A 30km/hr crash can still cause major damage to your head.  WEAR A HELMET!!! Also keep in mind that the police generally will not stop foreigners as long as you have a helmet on.  The fine for not having your helmet on is 400THB.

6. Start by driving around the block. 

Make sure everything feels right.  Take a few laps around to make sure you are comfortable with your new scooter before heading out into the main traffic.

7. When you are entering traffic, stay to the left. 

Pay attention to what you are doing.  The locals will just drive around you as necessary.   There is very little honking of horns.  Look out for yourself and the traffic will move around you on its own.

8. Learn the timing of traffic.

At first blush, the traffic in Thailand looks like chaos.   In fact, there is a specific cadence to the driving that keeps everyone moving.    Learn the cadence.   People will move in and out, while still letting you get by as necessary.    It all works very well once you get the feel for it.   

9. Deposits

Rental shops will ask you to leave a passport as deposit for the scooter hire.   This is the easiest way to put down a deposit.    Most shops will offer a secondary option of a passport copy and cash deposit, usually between 3,000B – 5,000B.    To this day, we have never had nor even heard of an issue of a passport not being returned in Chiang Mai.  If there is no damage, there is nothing to worry about, if there is damage, the right thing to do is to pay to have the scooter repaired.
***As with anything else you do in life, use your common sense.   Don’t act like a fool, drive after drinking, race the scooters, or believe that the Thai’s general philosophy of acceptance  means that you can do anything you like.    Stick to the road rules, drive carefully, and have fun!
 

 
 

 
Please feel free to contact us by email, contact form, or comment below.   We’re happy to answer any questions and look forward to ideas about future blog posts.   What would you like to know about Chiang Mai?

 

When Red Trucks aren’t red?

Category : LiveInCM Tips/Tricks Travel

Chang Puak Station
Chang Puak Station

 

What are they?

So if you read the first post on Red Trucks in Chiang Mai you know the basics of using Red Trucks to travel the old city and the outer areas.  So what happens when Red Trucks aren’t red?  If you’ve been in town more than a day you’ve seen the same trucks but they’re not red.   These trucks (of any color, including red) are actually called seelors(4 Wheels) or songthaews(2 Benches) and they operate more like buses, going further afield on specific routes.   Once you know the routes these are actually very simple to use. 
 

Who can take them?

Anyone is welcome to use the various colored trucks.    Just make sure you know where you are going, and more importantly, know how you are getting back.   Either get yourself to one of the truck depots or hail them on the road as they are coming by and tell driver where you are heading.   Then jump in the back and press the “stop request” button when nearing your stop.   Finally, just like the Red Trucks, go around front and pay for the ride.
 

Where to start?

Start off by learning where to find the correct color/route trucks.    You can get to any of these depots by walking or by taking a Red Truck as described in the previous article.   

 

Yellow Truck at Ping River
Yellow Truck at Ping River

– Wararot Market – Ping River

The majority of Songthaews can be taken from the transport depot near the river.   Its locally referred to as Kad Luang, Wararot Market, or Chinatown.    Along the river you will find queues or Yellow, White, Green and Blue trucks waiting their turn to fill up and take off on their way.   

  •      Yellow – This yellow truck will head North to Mae Rim and East-North-East to Doi Saket
  •      White  – The white truck will head East to Sankamphaeng
  •      Green  – The green truck will head North-North-East to San Sai and/or Mae Jo
  •      Blue    – The Blue truck will head south through Sarapee to Lamphun
Orange Truck at Chang Puak Gate
Orange Truck at Chang Puak Gate
White Truck at Chang Puak Gate
White Truck at Chang Puak Gate
Green Truck at Chang Puak Gate
Green Truck at Chang Puak Gate

– Chang Puak Gate – Northern Bus Station

About 400 meters north of the north gate is the small bus station/Songthaew depot.    This depot is almost as large as the one near the Ping river and has Yellow, White, Green, and Orange trucks going along the following routes
  • Yellow  – This yellow truck will head South to Chom Tong
  • White   – The white truck will head East to Sankamphaeng
  • Green   – The green truck will head North-North-East to San Sai and/or Mae Jo
  • Orange –  The orange truck will head north through Chang Dao to Fang
Yellow Truck at Chiang Mai Gate
Yellow Truck at Chiang Mai Gate

– Chiang Mai Gate

The smallest depot is just outside of the south gate serving only the Yellow(not the same as Wararot Market) truck route heading south towards Hang Dong and San Pa Tong.  
 
 

How Much?

 – Generally you can expect to pay 20B for any of these rides.    The prices can vary depending on your destination and which “zone” it may be in.    The price could be 10, 15 or 20B, but this is one of those cases where I don’t mind leaving the change!
 

When can you go?   Hours of operations?

These guys start early.   You can catch most of them anywhere from 6 am to 6pm (18:00)
Keep this in mind for your return trip.   If you’re not on the last run back you may find it tough to get a ride, or at least very expensive!     

 

Please feel free to contact us by email, contact form, or comment below.   We’re happy to answer any questions and look forward to ideas about future blog posts.   What would you like to know about Chiang Mai? 

 

Red Trucks in Chiang Mai

Red Trucks in Chiang Mai – The nod means 20 Baht!

Category : LiveInCM Tips/Tricks Travel

Red Trucks in Chiang Mai

Travelling in Thailand can be a daunting experience.   Different language, different modes of transport, and for most of us, they drive on the wrong side of the road.  To add another twist, Chiang Mai does not use metered taxis.

For local travel, your choices are either the Tuk-Tuk or Red Trucks.  The locals will generally advise you to use the Red Trucks [AKA Rot Daeng(Red Truck), Songthaew(2 Aisles/Benches),  or See-lor/(4 Wheels)] for price and safety.   Operating much like a taxi/bus hybrid, Red Trucks in Chiang Mai will take you pretty much anywhere you like, but may also pick up and drop off other people on the way to your stop.


Red Trucks inside the Old City.

     As most people realize during their planning stages, Chiang Mai’s Old City is a small 1 mile square(~1.5km), edged by a protective moat.  The moat also defines the going price for those in the know.  Anything starting and ending within the outer edges of the moat is an assumed price of….20 Baht 30THB(2018)!  But there is a trick to it.
You have to be a local or act the part.   
 

Using a Red Trucks like a local in 4 simple steps.

  1. Wave for the red truck to stop. (Underhand, almost like you’re pointing where you want them to stop.)
  2. When stopped, look into the front window and tell them where you are going (Within the Old City)
  3. Wait for the nod.  If they nod yes, just jump in the back and wait for your stop.
  4. When stopped, walk around to the front and hand the driver a 20 Baht bill. (have 20B ready)
 redtruck1

Sounds simple enough, but pay attention to these specifics…    

  1. Inside the moat, don’t ask “how much?”    The answer will almost always be more than 20 Baht30THB(2018)!
  2. If the driver quotes a price instead of nodding, let him pass and get the next red truck.
  3. Do not use large bills to pay.   Always have a 20 Baht bill ready.   They may decide they don’t have change.
   

Red Trucks outside the Old City.

 
     While some of the steps for traveling within the Old City can still apply, they are not as hard and fast.    The hailing procedure does not change, nor does letting them know where you are going.   Generally, the prices for non-Thais will be greater than 20 Baht 30THB(2018) if traveling further outside of the moat.   In this case, you should ask the price and agree before getting in the back. Also. you need to be willing to negotiate.   

So, the 4 easy steps to traveling past the Old City:

  1. Wave for the Red Trucks to stop.
  2. When stopped, look into the front window and tell them where you are going.
  3. Ask them how much. (Use common sense on pricing and expect to pay more for night travel or if you want to go without stopping)
  4. When stopped, walk around to the front and hand the driver the exact change.
 

A couple of considerations for traveling outside.

  1. Plan your return trip.  The further out you go, the less likely to find a red truck to get back.
  2. Go with a group and split the costs.
  3. Consider paying for the Red Truck driver to wait for you and drive you back as well. This is for Red Trucks without any other riders)
  4. Negotiate. This applies any time you get on a Red Truck, but especially here.
 
– Some places and estimated prices for hiring a driver for a return trip:
                Doi Suthep – 400B,  Tiger Kingdom – 500B,  Hot Springs – 500B,  Baan Tawai – 400B,

                Zoo/Aquarium – 300B, Sticky Waterfalls – 600B

 – Special note about leaving town: Airport, Bus Station, Train Station.

One thing about these three places, they may be just around the corner but drivers know you are worried about being late and obviously you’re not going to walk with all your luggage.  Drivers are going to charge like these places are way out of the way. Expect the quoted prices to be more in the 100B to 250B range.  Actual prices will range from 50B to 150B depending not on your negotiating skills. 

 –

 

 

 

 
redtruckbutton

 

 
 

*** Check out the next installment,  When Red Trucks aren’t red?*** 

 

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