Welcome to Chiang Mai for beginners. Explore Chiang Mai, Thailand 2025 with Randy and Joy, two Chiang Mai locals. We will talk about Chiang Mai’s old city in detail: the best street markets and street food, the can’t-miss temples, our favorite restaurants and coffee shops, hikes, local transportation tips, and things to do and not do. Joy is a local Thai and was born and raised here, and Randy is an expat who has made Chiang Mai his home. Let’s have fun together in Chiang Mai!
π΄ SUBSCRIBE AND RING THE NOTIFICATION BELL π: https://www.youtube.com/@RetiredGlobalLife?sub_confirmation=1
π΄ VIDEOS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
-Your First Hour in Chiang Mai: https://youtu.be/hA-LodP74-E
-Chiang Mai’s Best Boutique Hotels: https://youtu.be/uVFdAZDkeNA
-The Cost of Living in Chiang Mai: https://youtu.be/_I56pgxJ-b4
-My First Condo: https://youtu.be/tbV5n8n2QZc
-Why We Leave: https://youtu.be/KPf7FPL5MD4
π΄ CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Chiang Mai
01:39 Street Markets
03:09 Chiang Mai’s Best Temples
05:47 Outside the Old City
09:32 Restaurants
12:18 Coffee Shops
14:48 The Best Massage Places
17:28 Key Landmarks to Visit
18:33 Malls
19:02 Transportation, the Police and more
22:24 Chiang Mai Seasons
23:48 Chiang Mai Newcomer Videos
24:23 Conclusion
#chiangmai #thailand #travelguide
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π΄ VIDEOS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
-Your First Hour in Chiang Mai: https://youtu.be/hA-LodP74-E
-Chiang Mai's Best Boutique Hotels: https://youtu.be/uVFdAZDkeNA
-The Cost of Living in Chiang Mai: https://youtu.be/_I56pgxJ-b4
-My First Condo: https://youtu.be/tbV5n8n2QZc
-Why We Leave: https://youtu.be/KPf7FPL5MD4
π΄ SUBSCRIBE AND RING THE NOTIFICATION BELL π: https://www.youtube.com/@RetiredGlobalLife?sub_confirmation=1
Another wonderful and informative video Randy and Joy ;?)
Hi Randy and Joy,
Hope you are doing well!
My partner and I are currently in Chiang Mai. Itβs my third or fourth time here, but itβs my partnerβs firstβand weβre both loving it. Thanks so much for all your informative and inspiring videos.
Iβm determined to retire from the Government of Canada in three years, at age 53, and spend about six months a year living in Thailand. It would be amazing if there were a visa option that allowed me to teach English part-time while here. Iβll likely visit the Thai embassy back home in Ottawa to explore the possibilities.
Thanks again for sharing your journeyβitβs really motivating!
If I ever see you walking around Chiang Mai, I will be sure to say hello π
All the best,
Brad (and Darryl)
Hi Randy and Joy, I love your videos! What happens if I book a flight to visit Chiang Mai for 30 days from Canada and then want to stay for 30 or 60 more days? How do I change my flight to extend my stay? Thank you so much, Leonel
Another awesome vid from my favorite youtuber
Do they have HOA fees if I buy an apartment?
Nice video ! Going to have to watch more. We are coming to Thailand later this year, an exploratory trip to moving there soon after. Visiting Koh Chang, Chiang Mai and Prachuap Khiri Khan. Really looking forward to Chiang Mai, although it probably will be crowded with tourists in November. Thanks for sharing.
I was in Chiang Mai in January for 10 days, it was my 3rd trip there over 20 years and 12 years since my last visit. This time around it looked quite run down. Lots of big and small and dangerous holes in the sidewalks, dangerous looking electrical wires hanging down here and there. The sewer smells that hit you at random times, also lots of large rats running around the moat at night. It was packed with tourists, so it's still really popular, but not nearly as cheap as I remember it, particularly accommodation. Also I'd say that there are a lot more 20 something travellers now that are travelling on a small budget and making vlogs about cheap toasties from 7/11.
Wondering about the freeze on allowing expats to open Thai bank accounts and thus the Non O retirement visa – if this isn't too sensitive of a topic.
Hi Randy and Joy. Love your videos…I'm finding them to be more informative than others that I've watched. Seriously considering a move to Thailand from Canada. One item I haven't seen mentioned yet concerns pets. I've got a couple of dogs that I dont think I could leave behind. Would I be able to bring them? Do condos/apartments allow them? I haven't seen anyone walking a dog in your videos, so im really curious.
Stay well, safe and happy!
I didnt know that. I'm going 1st week of May and it's already booked
You guys have the absolute best videos about Thailand.
Hi Randy and joy. Love your videos. Im caming to Thailand the end of May and chiang mai looks very nice. I been to Thailand several times . And want to retire there. Im from Christchurch New Zealand.
Akha Ama! So many memories! (but not of that location) I lived in Chiang Mai 2009-2017, and Akha Ama was new and so popular with a certain group of expats (kind of a teacher/NGO mix) It looks like this original location is still there on Hussadhisawee Soi 3, in the Chang Phuak neighborhood. Randy, you'd like that location better, I think. I really admire what the owner, Lee, from the Akha ethnic group has done for his community.
Hey Randy and Joy, Another great video! Well done. I've visited Chiang Mai twice in the last couple of years, and been to a couple of the sites and places you mentioned. But it looks like I've missed a few great places! I wish I had this video to build, back in the day, my list of must-sees! Really great recommendations!
Have a nice day.
Another, terrific video full of so much, thank you both Randy and Joy
Thumbs up π Randy & Joy
As always, another excellent video. So well organized and very informative. Much appreciated. ππ
Wow, more coffee shops to check out! Thanks for another great video!
Thanks Randy & Joy! This video is perfect timing for us as we will be up in Ching Mai if August and plan to stay for a year, so great information. Thank you;)
Can't wait to try some of the restaurants and coffee shops.
Great video guys, thanks so much for the information and best wishes to you both. Just on the subject of hiring a car, we have just been travelling around the north of Thailand in a hire car which is a great way to see the country. Being from Australia driving on the left is no problem to us. But I agree, no need for a car in Chiang Mai city. I prefer to hire a bicycle and get around on that.
Thereβs a new very extensive Friday street market in Nimman. Started February 14th.
There used to be the βBest Pad Thai in Thailandβ shop in Chang Moi. This closed down a couple of years ago. Has it reopened?
Try this couple of restaurants.
Tikki Cafe (in old city) great Thai food especially their chicken, bacon, mango salad.
Mary Restaurant (just outside the south-east corner) local Thai food but also serves exotic meats too such as Buffalo, crocodile and deer.
Sad that you made light of the riding m/c without licenses and didnβt state anything about an IDP or the fact that illegal riding could invalidate travel insurance!
Great video. Must pay a visit to C Mai πππ
I am a New Zealander living in Hoi An, Vietnam. For my last visa run ( 22 November 2024) I flew from Da Nang to Hanoi then on to Chiang Mai. I stayed for 6 days with a day trip to Chiang Rai. I wish this video was available before my travel. It is a brilliant informative production that will make travel for other travellers so much better than accessing multiple other web sites. Another suggestion for those doing a day trip to Chiang Rai is to find a private driver instead of going in a mini bus with larger numbers of travellers. We visited a shop where my Vietnamese partner was buying a scarf and while conversing with the owner( who speaks excellent English) I discovered he has a taxi service ( Mon Taxi Service). I negotiated a day trip to Chiang Rai visiting multiple temples. The price for the car and Monβs taxi service for 13 hours was less than the price for 2 people in a mini bus tour.
You guys do a wonderful job, and all Chiang Mai people should be proud of your fair and accurate portrayal of their beautiful city, one that I know and love, and from where my best Thai friends hail. Thailand is well known for the hospitality and warmth of her people, but Chiang Mai people kick that up another notch, or three. Iβm happy you found each other, you make a great couple, and your happiness is a joy to behold.
Awesomeness β€
Always nice to see you both in your vlogs. Another great one.
Randy and Joy , you guys should be an official tourism ambassadors for Chiang Mai π
We looked up the coffee place behind the Three Kings. I think you are referring to the Gallery Drip Coffee? Btw what is an appropriate tip for a Thai massage at Itβs Time to Massage place?
Randy another excellent video you guys are such a cute pair! Thank you for great content
Saturday night market is worth missing: too many people in too small a space
Your videos are a breath of fresh air these days. Always look forward to them. Thanks!
Great video. Nice to see Joy as always. Can you recommend an area (maybe even a hotel?) to stay for a retiree for a month or two holiday? I suppose near the old city, where foot travel is popular. Thanks.
Great video! I learned a lot and will definitely visit when I come…thanks for sharing your favorites!
Great Video thanks Guys
Nice guys, really enjoyed visiting Doi Sutep. Love your city can't wait to visit again. Thanks for the video π
Great video Joy and Randy.
Worarot Market in Chinatown is worth a mention.
Other attractions are the Festivals , my favourite is Loy Krathong in November.
I think the Tourism Authority should make you an honorary citizen, Randy..
Randy, ha ha, do you and Joy ever disagree? Ha ha ha,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Your a lucky man,,,,,,,,,,,,
I would also recommend the Elephant Nature Park. I did the two day tour and it was fantastic.
Good info I will visit your town in mid of April and also look for a dentist because in USA it will cost me 1500 dollars with insurance just for 1 tooth crown and filling .do you give any advise thanks
another informative, great video! Fab to see you both again.
Joy is yummy π