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There is certainly a lot going on in Chiang Mai at the moment.

No worries, good luck.

Hi Ed, glad you enjoyed the video. Your question is a bit hard to answer without knowing you and how mobile you are. Thailand can be challenging if you have mobility issues foot paths can be uneven with many steps up and down , and sometimes non existent forcing you to walk on roads. But if your mobility is reasonable that shouldn't be a problem as long as you are paying attention. Ray gets about ok on a wheeled walking frame but he does have to lift it over obstacles a fair bit. Tuk tuks can also help to get about but always agree on the price before you get in. If you feel like you need assistance there are guides you can hire. There is a guide that has a UA-cam channel @its Thaithings. She was very helpful getting me through the COVID formalities back when that was a thing. She is not very active on UA-cam now because she is pretty busy as a tour guide, but she has an email contact in her descriptions and might be worth contacting to see what assistance she Can offer and what it might cost. Hope that helps.

Thanks

Thanks my friend, yes I am alright. Fortunately I have the resources to be able to remove myself from the affected area. There has been a fair bit of damage near the river and other low lying areas. My apartment building was preparing for possible flooding on the ground floor last night ( they were expecting a peak of just over 5 metres mid to late evening yesterday). But as I said I am one of the the fortunate ones and wasn't there. When the water recedes there will be a lot recovery work to do.

This was actually filmed a couple of weeks ago, before the flooding. My area is actually one of the lower areas along the river and started to flood last night. I decided I didn't want to be trapped in the building and am staying a little out of the north gate. The river area is expecting a very high peak tonight.

Both countries are still suffering the legacy of unexploded ordinance. Near Siem Reap there is a place that shows how they are using rats to detect land mines, you should check that out while you are there.

Not that I noticed.

I occasionally watch now in Laos (@NowinLao) too. He has an extensive collection of exploring Laos. Next time I am there I plan to see a bit more of the country.

$636 Australian, which included pick up at Lao immigration, transfer to the boat, accommodation, in Pakbeng, dinner and breakfast at the hotel (there were cheaper hotel options that were in the city though), two lunches on the boat, free tea and coffe (other options at the bar for sale) entry fee for Pak Ou caves, and drop off at our hotel in Luang Prabang. It also included a single person supplement for the hotel in Pakbeng.

It is a lovely trip and I am also planning on doing it again already. How were the river levels and weather in June?

The weather was fine, warm but enjoyable with a sailing boat. There was no rain in those 2 days. the water level was lower than on your video. It flowed quickly.

I'm going to watch all your vlogs today on my day off. Daydreaming about my next trip. How I miss South-East Asia already 🙂

Thanks. It seems like it would be a nice trip at that time too. Interesting to see it with lower water levels.

I'm certainly enjoying my time here. I feel very lucky.

Thanks for reaching out and for your kind words. I hope you enjoy the videos from the rest of Ray's visit.

Thanks. It is nice having that little spot by my apartment. If you like peaceful moments by the river, wat out for my video to be published this Thursday.

I did have a look on that side of the bridge but I wasn't convinced it was a pathway. I might go for a wander up there. If a snake gets me at least I'm close to a hospital!😁. Thanks for the advice.

@@52weeks52 🐍

Yes and sometimes just a few minutes from each other.

Indeed he is.

When I first came to Thailand they had just bought the land and there was nothing on it. It has certainly come a long way!

Agreed Jim, it is always important to dress politely on Temple visits, but it was my fault entirely. I didn't tell him we might be visiting temples, and as I don't drive much these days I was a bit preoccupied with the car and it escaped me entirely.

It is quite peaceful in Thailand once you get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, and the birds are a welcome part of that environment.

Thanks for reaching out (and subscribing, I think I saw that come through yesterday). The Music is from the UA-cam library and I thought it would fit for Ray's visit.

Thanks mate I appreciate your kind words. See you around.

Thanks very much. I am indeed blessed to be living the dream.

Thanks very much for your kind words and interest in my channel. Ray and I have know each other for quite a while so we find it very easy to chat. I hope you enjoy the next video too.

Hi Noel. The Thai style of dining with friends and family certainly has the advantage of being able to sample lots of things. I'm happy to catch up when you are here in October. Safe travels.

He certainly has a style of his own. It was interesting how many people on our journey in Thailand went out of their way to comment how much they liked his "look".

Thanks Martin.

Thanks Art. I must admit it is a pretty good life.

I am currently living in a furnished studio apartment for 8,000 baht per month and I am very happy with it. It depends, a bit, on what you want but I believe you could find something nice for that price.

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Udon Thani is somewhere that I have not been in Thailand but it is on my list (it's quite a big list though). Wow Thailand 52 years ago. It would have been a very different place then!

Thankyou, I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

​@@52weeks52hi have you been to bang saray for a visit from Scott new Zealand

Hi Scott, no I haven't been there, looks nice though.

I am glad that they are helpful.

😁

That one is a tricky question. I think that probably a large part of my choice was familiarity. I had a connection with Chiang Mai from my first visit to Thailand in 1999, and came here almost every time I returned. The right balance is another aspect Chiang Mai shares many of the cultural, geographical, and social features found all over Thailand, but for me how they are mixed (and balance) feels best for me. That is my first thoughts on your question, but I will think about it more...

I was hoping it might be useful!

Thanks mate. Lots of good places in Thailand, but Chiang Mai is my favourite too.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video. Yes I'm happy to catch up for lunch and a chat, I am heading out of town on the evening of the 6th for a little while, so it would need to be before that. I had a look at Hua Hin, Auttaya, Kanchanaburri, and Pitsanulok; and of course Bangkok, before deciding on Chiang Mai.

@@52weeks52 Alright! July 3rd, 4th or 5th will work for me. Should we continue to just communicate here or should we email to arrange meet-up details? I'll be staying around the old city area, but can meet wherever is most convenient for you. Looking forward to the chat!

Email me at 52weeksin@gmail.com and we can sort out the details.

I am glad you enjoyed the video. For me the move has been a very positive thing, but not everybody has that experience. I had been visiting Thailand since 1999 so it was not moving to somewhere completely new for me, although I have a friend here who did that and he is also very happy. In the end you have to live the life that makes you happy if you are lucky enough to be able to do so.

Just did a search and had a look at it . Wow! It looks really beautiful. I will have to add it to my list. Once you start noticing places with this name they keep popping up.

@@52weeks52 at the temple there is a huge cave ,,lots of steps to get up to it though.

I don't mind a bit of a walk, but I also enjoy a good rest 😁.

Thanks Peter, I am leaving a very satisfying life indeed, am mindful that I am very fortunate to be able to do so. Best wishes for your life too.

Hi Alastair, Indeed I am very content, and consider myself very fortunate to be able to live this lifestyle. Your connection with Thailand goes back a little further than mine. You must have seen some big changes from your first visit. I know I have in the 25 (approximately) years since my first visit. Before the study tour I had no thoughts about traveling in Thailand, or for that matter living here! It was quite a happy accident. Good luck with putting your retirement in place.

Hi Martin I do get out at night a bit. For a meal, to meet up with friends or have a wander in one of the many night markets. The cool of the evening can be a great time to explore in Thailand. There are a couple of bars that I enjoy (Cando Bar and Made In Chiang Ma bar) going to for a drink and a chat, or a game of pool (and other bar games). But filming at night and in bars can be a bit tricky with lots of copyright music playing and challenges with light levels, which is why you don't see much of it on the channel.

Hello. Yes eating well in Thailand is a pretty easy thing to do.😁

It was about 160 baht, including the Iced Thai tea.

@@kevinpoynter cheap enough ,,thanks for replying.

I think they are trying to keep the price down to encourage the local community to come in.

Thanks. I really do enjoy visiting Bangkok these days.

Hi. I hope you are enjoying your time in Thailand as much as I am enjoying mine.

Thanks very much for your kind words and support.

Hi @ramatkhmat. I am in my third year of living in Thailand now. I live in Chiang Mai and travel around a little bit. My first visit to Thailand was in 1999!