It wasn't just COVID that killed Chiang Mai; it started well before that. The horrific pollution that engulfs Thailand for a good four months of the year has been the death knell for Chiang Mai for long before COVID.
The old mall on Huay Kaew was my favorite. I lived down the street and it was my go to, from Markets to the food places. It was not glamorous like Maya mall down the street but it definitely had that good old Thailand feel to it. I always frequented the vendors who would set up out front. As with most places, it will always be, out with the old, in with the new. I belonged to a Gym located in the mall and as part of the membership you were allowed to use the White Lotus swimming pool.
when i went on a thailand holiday in 1988 all those years ago, i opened my suit cases up here in Melbourne and that thailand smell was there, i will never forget that smell
Absolutely BRILLIANT, Jon! What memories!❤Visited the CM Night Bazaar 20 years ago on my first visit to Thailand, accompanied by the dearest friends. The 2 Thais in our small group told me, "if you see something you want (in a carved taek shop), tell us the walk away. We'll get the Thai price for you."🥰 And the hotel you visit later here, YES, there IS an incredible and unique "Thailand scent!" I stopped in my tracks recently in Barcelona's main train station. Somehow it was there in one spot. Yes, if you know, you know!👏👏👏 Brilliant!
Night Bazaar was dying a slow death anyway. Rent was way over priced and the owner wants to turn it into a casino anyway. KSK Mall is/was SUPER old, but survived because it was the only mall in the area, until Maya Mall got built, it then lost all relevancy.
I really do understand this. Destinations whose economies largely depend on a tourism were devastated around the world due to CoVid, even in some of the wealthiest areas of the US (California). The cities where the economy is more balanced and diverse i.e. finance/government/medicine/education/tourism usually can survive, but the tourist-dependent areas were absolutely CRUSHED economically. They still have NOT recovered, and commercial real estate is the industry that has suffered the most of all, even to this day. Tourism is back, and hotels, etc. and beginning to recover, but smaller independent and commercial businesses are not. For rent signs all over New York City and San Francisco commercial buildings. San Francisco (US, California), especially prior to the internet, was largely a tourist-dependent destination with millions of visitors from around the world, and when the state of California went on lockdown, meaning even locals were forced to work remotely, San Francisco became a ghost town. Tourists were banned from visiting the US, and locals were banned from leaving their homes unless they were medical/emergency personnel. San Francisco was economically devastated by CoVid, . Mind you, within 36 hours of California going on lockdown, all the pollution in the sky was GONE, and the air was clear and fresh. The same was true for Los Angeles, all the air pollution and traffic snarls were GONE. I have never...in 45 years seen the skies of the largest California cities look more clear and beautiful than I did within less than 48 hours of stopping most (not all) automobiles during lockdown. Plus all the people out and about walking with their dogs, who were absolutely JOYOUS to have their humans home during the day and spending time with them. Same for little children who were home from daycare and preschools, they were ecstatic. Those were the BEAUTIFUL things that came out of CoVid, lockdown, and working from home. However, the flip side is many, many hundreds of businesses were destroyed or financially crippled to the point of barely surviving, sometimes the business owners would not know from week to week if they would be able to stay in business. Business owners who employed family members even had to lay off their own family. Just like in Chiang Mai, New York City commercial real estate has NOT recovered with thousands of spaces up for rent, and the same is true in San Francisco. You can rent these places for pennies today, compared to the many thousands of dollars they once cost. That will change in a few years, and the prices will skyrocket again, so small businesses and start ups are reluctant to invest in a space only having to move again in a few years when they can no longer afford it.
Yep so true, it's nice to see many places in Chiang Mai opening up again but some of the famous places are gone for good it seems. Good point on the raising rents when things pick up, I don't think that would be as much of an issue in Chiang Mai but still something to consider.
I knew you were going to KSK as soon as you announced the video heh, when I rocked up after Covid I booked the Lotus hotel for a few nights, didn't even realise it had all gone. Crazy for such a gigantic venue. I want to buy a cheap condo (now I have DTV) and do it up like you do, my heart is in CM, brain says Bkk or Krabi.
I recently stayed at that hotel for 2 weeks, it was only £14 a night and I had a big room with a operate seating area. Well worth the money and the Buffet breakfast was only 160 baht with a good selection of food.
Thanks Jon. Always sad to see empty closed shops. Human cost to everything. We are all feeling so much poorer now and so to visit beautiful Thailand is so much more expensive.
I’m going to CM in October , been to Bangkok plenty of times ,still love it there. I’ve been on utube looking up CM and it doesn’t seem to dead to me , beautiful temples , still lots of night markets and new malls , I can’t wait . Sunday night Market is huge
Went to CM twice, stayed at LPSK hotel as shown and another time the hotel was right on the road where Night Bazaar is located. Been to that closed shopping centre too and I like it. Now only memories left.
KSK was my favourite malls ever, anywhere. I’ve a lot of fond memories from there, years of memories from hanging around in it in my 20s to taking my daughter to it in my 40s. I really hope they revive it but I suspect it will be flattened and turned into Condos.
So so sad. My 2 favourite venues in CM on holidays were The Night Market for handmade items and art. The Kad Shopping Centre for great hair treatments and Fendi shoes and bags. The new Malls have no appeal as they are all about consumerism. Thank you for this vid, it took me back to my travel days. Enjoy all you vids Jon. Keep it going. Thank you
yeah personally to tourists asking me I don't recommend night bazaar anymore, want a night time chiang mai experience? Try Nimman or the city inside the wall. This place is dead
i bet that old mall is going for 100-500 million USD. The other mall that couldn't pay their power bills during COVID and shut down is probably for sale too. I can't fathom how you could salvage that turn a profit at those prices.
Promenada Mall was dead before Covid with very low occupancy already, and how about that monstrosity of an uncompleted fashion mall near Big C on the Super Highway that never opened years before Covid. Chiang Mai has had a slow death that started well before COVID.
What would the average temperature be in November? I’m visiting Bangkok in November and I’ll visit the latern festival as well. Any idea were to celebrate it at the best spot in Chiang Mai?
Tbh it wasn't COVID that killed those places.. final nail in the coffin maybe.. but, they were on their way out before COVID.. night bazaar was the first places I visited in cm for a couple of beers.. was an ok experience.. old school.. the mall was ok too but, very dated.
Night bazaar had it. Too many bazaars walking St Wualai on Sat then Sunday Tapae to Wat Prasingh. Its overload & noone rents in the old night bazaar as everyone now buying off Temu, Lazarda, Shopee etc..... Then the recent floods?? Careful what you rent in ChiangMai today not like it was 25 years ago??? & too many Chinese & Chinese goods rolling in.......
Pretty standard. In every city, when this kind of economic devastation occurs, it's the city officials and tourist board who don't want you to see these areas. This is the same the world over, no matter the country.
I can't stand the wires here and there.What a ugly sight.Dont get me wrong I love thai's cuisine but for town planning they need to get rid of all the wires.
Hardly .You think those closed shops are going to open up come nightfall lol . The area across the road from it (think its also called the night bazaar ) was busy and lively last February when i visited .
Those garbage malls were finished years ago and aren't coming back. Walk around any Terminal 21. Full of people sitting in the aircon and eating and shops empty of customers. Nobody in there right mind buys anything in a mall when you can order online and have it delivered at 50% or more cheaper. Westerners days are over here. The chinese bookings are down by 80% and indians are down 20%. If you think high season of 4 or 5 weeks, is going to make a difference, its best to think again. Let's then look at those crap, out of date condos you continually push. Only the lowest of the low would have any interest of living in one!......And those people have no money to spend in malls. CM is a dieing dump that was on the decline 10 or more years ago.
It wasn't just COVID that killed Chiang Mai; it started well before that. The horrific pollution that engulfs Thailand for a good four months of the year has been the death knell for Chiang Mai for long before COVID.
If that's the case, then why do the fancy pants malls thrive?
You mean when beuracrsts and politicians went on a power trip and destroyed the economy.. ?
Not true. Tourism is higher than ever now and the city continues to expand rapidly so people are moving from other provinces still.
@@HairyPixels You're having a laugh. Obviously a newbie to Chiang Mai.
@@beverlyweber4122 What is fancy pants malls?
The old mall on Huay Kaew was my favorite. I lived down the street and it was my go to, from Markets to the food places. It was not glamorous like Maya mall down the street but it definitely had that good old Thailand feel to it. I always frequented the vendors who would set up out front. As with most places, it will always be, out with the old, in with the new. I belonged to a Gym located in the mall and as part of the membership you were allowed to use the White Lotus swimming pool.
Yep true, the newer malls are so much more popular with the locals so I suppose it's logical for them to close it, but it was an expat favorite :)
Used to take my daughter swimming there and then the cinema.
when i went on a thailand holiday in 1988 all those years ago, i opened my suit cases up here in Melbourne and that thailand smell was there, i will never forget that smell
Absolutely BRILLIANT, Jon! What memories!❤Visited the CM Night Bazaar 20 years ago on my first visit to Thailand, accompanied by the dearest friends. The 2 Thais in our small group told me, "if you see something you want (in a carved taek shop), tell us the walk away. We'll get the Thai price for you."🥰 And the hotel you visit later here, YES, there IS an incredible and unique "Thailand scent!" I stopped in my tracks recently in Barcelona's main train station. Somehow it was there in one spot. Yes, if you know, you know!👏👏👏 Brilliant!
Thanks Dean! Yep that Thailand smell is unbeatable :)
Night Bazaar was dying a slow death anyway. Rent was way over priced and the owner wants to turn it into a casino anyway. KSK Mall is/was SUPER old, but survived because it was the only mall in the area, until Maya Mall got built, it then lost all relevancy.
Nostalgic tour...thank you ...I have much memories there too
Jon, it was our favorite go to mall as well. Good video.
Mine too!
Love Chiang Mai!! Thanks for the walk around. Keep it up!
I really do understand this. Destinations whose economies largely depend on a tourism were devastated around the world due to CoVid, even in some of the wealthiest areas of the US (California). The cities where the economy is more balanced and diverse i.e. finance/government/medicine/education/tourism usually can survive, but the tourist-dependent areas were absolutely CRUSHED economically. They still have NOT recovered, and commercial real estate is the industry that has suffered the most of all, even to this day. Tourism is back, and hotels, etc. and beginning to recover, but smaller independent and commercial businesses are not. For rent signs all over New York City and San Francisco commercial buildings.
San Francisco (US, California), especially prior to the internet, was largely a tourist-dependent destination with millions of visitors from around the world, and when the state of California went on lockdown, meaning even locals were forced to work remotely, San Francisco became a ghost town. Tourists were banned from visiting the US, and locals were banned from leaving their homes unless they were medical/emergency personnel. San Francisco was economically devastated by CoVid, .
Mind you, within 36 hours of California going on lockdown, all the pollution in the sky was GONE, and the air was clear and fresh. The same was true for Los Angeles, all the air pollution and traffic snarls were GONE. I have never...in 45 years seen the skies of the largest California cities look more clear and beautiful than I did within less than 48 hours of stopping most (not all) automobiles during lockdown. Plus all the people out and about walking with their dogs, who were absolutely JOYOUS to have their humans home during the day and spending time with them. Same for little children who were home from daycare and preschools, they were ecstatic. Those were the BEAUTIFUL things that came out of CoVid, lockdown, and working from home.
However, the flip side is many, many hundreds of businesses were destroyed or financially crippled to the point of barely surviving, sometimes the business owners would not know from week to week if they would be able to stay in business. Business owners who employed family members even had to lay off their own family.
Just like in Chiang Mai, New York City commercial real estate has NOT recovered with thousands of spaces up for rent, and the same is true in San Francisco. You can rent these places for pennies today, compared to the many thousands of dollars they once cost. That will change in a few years, and the prices will skyrocket again, so small businesses and start ups are reluctant to invest in a space only having to move again in a few years when they can no longer afford it.
Yep so true, it's nice to see many places in Chiang Mai opening up again but some of the famous places are gone for good it seems. Good point on the raising rents when things pick up, I don't think that would be as much of an issue in Chiang Mai but still something to consider.
I knew you were going to KSK as soon as you announced the video heh, when I rocked up after Covid I booked the Lotus hotel for a few nights, didn't even realise it had all gone. Crazy for such a gigantic venue. I want to buy a cheap condo (now I have DTV) and do it up like you do, my heart is in CM, brain says Bkk or Krabi.
I recently stayed at that hotel for 2 weeks, it was only £14 a night and I had a big room with a operate seating area. Well worth the money and the Buffet breakfast was only 160 baht with a good selection of food.
Now it’s 80 euro a night 😂
The underground art centre in 2006 was water logged twice in the monsoon season.
Thanks Jon. Always sad to see empty closed shops. Human cost to everything. We are all feeling so much poorer now and so to visit beautiful Thailand is so much more expensive.
I’m going to CM in October , been to Bangkok plenty of times ,still love it there. I’ve been on utube looking up CM and it doesn’t seem to dead to me , beautiful temples , still lots of night markets and new malls , I can’t wait . Sunday night Market is huge
I just noticed the blue sign on the mall this week too. Looks such a great building, and central too. Shocking that its closed now.
Yep, such a shame, sued to be a great mall!
Local don't usually go to Night bazaar .Most going to Mall like Maya and Central Festival.
Thais trends mostly preferred hills around this province
Went to CM twice, stayed at LPSK hotel as shown and another time the hotel was right on the road where Night Bazaar is located. Been to that closed shopping centre too and I like it. Now only memories left.
Stayed at that hotell once, they had piano and it was loud in the lounge..big swimmingpool... nice memories!
KSK was my favourite malls ever, anywhere. I’ve a lot of fond memories from there, years of memories from hanging around in it in my 20s to taking my daughter to it in my 40s. I really hope they revive it but I suspect it will be flattened and turned into Condos.
Kad Suan Kaew has been up for sale for months, I believe 3 billion was the price they advertised it for
So so sad. My 2 favourite venues in CM on holidays were The Night Market for handmade items and art. The Kad Shopping Centre for great hair treatments and Fendi shoes and bags. The new Malls have no appeal as they are all about consumerism. Thank you for this vid, it took me back to my travel days. Enjoy all you vids Jon. Keep it going. Thank you
yeah personally to tourists asking me I don't recommend night bazaar anymore, want a night time chiang mai experience? Try Nimman or the city inside the wall. This place is dead
Visited in the 80's loved it. Charms gone, looks like Milton Keynes.
I do remember the smell of Thailand, very nostalgic 💗
Thailand smells like Hawaiian tropics sunscreen to me because that’s what I use when I’m there
😁
i bet that old mall is going for 100-500 million USD. The other mall that couldn't pay their power bills during COVID and shut down is probably for sale too. I can't fathom how you could salvage that turn a profit at those prices.
Promenada Mall was dead before Covid with very low occupancy already, and how about that monstrosity of an uncompleted fashion mall near Big C on the Super Highway that never opened years before Covid. Chiang Mai has had a slow death that started well before COVID.
@@hotel3sixty64 Is that fashion mall still not open ?
Went in 97 and 2010, nothing I have seen makes me want to go back
It's more congested expensive and more tourism. More modern too which could be the only benefit.
Have to agree, been a few times but have no desire to go back.
Thumbs up 👍 Jon
Thanks mate
What would the average temperature be in November? I’m visiting Bangkok in November and I’ll visit the latern festival as well. Any idea were to celebrate it at the best spot in Chiang Mai?
I am in Chiang Mai now and was thinking of going to the night market tonight 😂😂😂
That lady asked if you were streaming live.
Ah ok, didn't quite catch what she said
Tbh it wasn't COVID that killed those places.. final nail in the coffin maybe.. but, they were on their way out before COVID.. night bazaar was the first places I visited in cm for a couple of beers.. was an ok experience.. old school.. the mall was ok too but, very dated.
Anusarn market is further down past McDonald's
HA!...the Lotus hotel , we were going to book a room there this coming trip in October...hey could you tell me where that fish n' chip shop is?
Its still open so go ahead .
Anyone know where the food vendors of KSK in basement moved to?
All things must pass so enjoy what you have now.
Yes so true .Change is the only sure thing .
i will come to Chiang Mai...... man i am done with the rest of the world ....seriously
Night bazaar had it. Too many bazaars walking St Wualai on Sat then Sunday Tapae to Wat Prasingh. Its overload & noone rents in the old night bazaar as everyone now buying off Temu, Lazarda, Shopee etc..... Then the recent floods?? Careful what you rent in ChiangMai today not like it was 25 years ago??? & too many Chinese & Chinese goods rolling in.......
But who are "they", and why dont they want me to see these places? 🤔
Pretty standard. In every city, when this kind of economic devastation occurs, it's the city officials and tourist board who don't want you to see these areas. This is the same the world over, no matter the country.
@@le_th_ Ok. I don't think this kind of sensationalist clickbaity title is needed though.
I can't stand the wires here and there.What a ugly sight.Dont get me wrong I love thai's cuisine but for town planning they need to get rid of all the wires.
Wouldn't night time be a better assessment of the Night Market's occupancy?
It would.. still very quiet though.
Hardly .You think those closed shops are going to open up come nightfall lol . The area across the road from it (think its also called the night bazaar ) was busy and lively last February when i visited .
Those garbage malls were finished years ago and aren't coming back.
Walk around any Terminal 21. Full of people sitting in the aircon and eating and shops empty of customers.
Nobody in there right mind buys anything in a mall when you can order online and have it delivered at 50% or more cheaper.
Westerners days are over here.
The chinese bookings are down by 80% and indians are down 20%.
If you think high season of 4 or 5 weeks, is going to make a difference, its best to think again.
Let's then look at those crap, out of date condos you continually push.
Only the lowest of the low would have any interest of living in one!......And those people have no money to spend in malls.
CM is a dieing dump that was on the decline 10 or more years ago.
I’m sure I bought my MacBook Air in there and for full ms office free..
good morning
The Thailand smell did you mean sewage quite often get a waft of it 😂😂😊
Stale spunk and used Condoms ?
That’s the old central airport plaza?
Mai!