The Other Side

Pai - Update

2005-08-15T21:34:00.000+07:00

Sad to report. I was skimming the Bangkok Post this morning and was reading about the floods in Northern Thailand - - Particularly in Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai.

Well, I read that Pai, the district in Mae Hong Son that I wrote about was pretty much flooded out this past week and has been turned more/less into a mud pit. Just from reading it sounds like all of the town is under a meter or so of water. Since its in the valley it would take the brunt of the rains. I read that several foreigners were missing as well. Also, that several of the roads have been flooded, getting there virtually impossible other than helicopter. It is estimated that the damage will exceed 1 billion baht. That seems quite a bit for a place like Pai, but even so, the damage is quite bad from what it sounds like.

Ironically, one of my friends was warning me not to go last month for just the very above reasons. Flash floods, mudslides, getting stranded, etc....I went anyway. Partly because July isn't quite yet the "rainy season", so there shouldn't be too much to worry about. Plus, I am a bit reckless and it was the only time I could really go because of my work.

I attached a picture of the valley when I was there last month...can only imagine what it looks like now.

Colorado Joe

2005-07-30T22:46:00.000+07:00

I picked up my new Chevrolet Colorado a while back and I have to say it is one truck that looks awesome and kicks some serious b*tt if you know what I mean. I just absolutely love it. I am not just saying that because I work for an automotive company, but because when you get behind the Turbo Diesel power you....move with a certain confidence and road presence that is just cool. Hard to explain. Some people would say its a bit "hickish" but you know what I don't care, its a great truck, thats strong has a rock, dependable, and safe. And when you are driving in Thailand those are the most important things.

Pai, Thailand

2005-07-28T21:28:00.000+07:00

I went to Pai, Thailand, a mountain village between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, last week. I have lived in Thailand for almost 7 years and wanted to see what the whole "thing" was about. Articles in local and international newspapers talk about it like its some "magical" place.

Anyway.....

I flew to Chiang Mai and rented a car and drove there - - about 3 hours. The drive itself is a little harrowing as there are hundreds of turns and twists up and down treacherous mountains....and thru cows grazing on the mountains side too.

As a rule, NEVER , EVER travel (either driving yourself or via bus) on these roads or in fact any road in Northern Thailand at night. The roads and the drivers are very, very dangerous.

Pai reminded me of a little Khao San Rd in certain ways, a backpacker haven, which is OK as it just nestled in the mountains, streat vendors with clothes, illegal DVDs, hill tribe stuff, etc. Several cafes and restaurants, lots of bungalo type housing with a laid back atmosphere where one can just kick back and watch said DVD's on throw rugs in a guesthouses/coffee shops. There are a couple of days trips that are offered or you can rent a motor bike and wander around. Definitly a lot of "hippie" and long termers floating around, though not in large numbers that I expected. Also, you can go into the mountains and do some hiking/trekking/rafting, or whatever you like with tour guides and stuff which is pretty interesting. The weather when I was there was pretty cooperative, but now the heavy part of the rainy season will be kicking in. I stayed at a fairly expensive place called Bella Villa Resort which is a little out of town, about 1KM, which had its own large bungalo with pool next to a lilly type pond and rice fields....very nice...but a little pricey at about 2,000 baht a night. There were other guest houses that started from a couple of hundred baht, but a little too primitive for me.

That said, I don't think I would go back to visit, but having never been there it was worth it to see. In sum, I didn't think there was a whole lot of charm or "uniqueness" about it, in this regard, I was a little underwhelmed. If you really want magical charm/uniqueness, I can only recommend Luang Prabang in Laos. It is a fantastic place to hang out and visit.

2004-11-08T21:29:00.000+07:00

Joe On the Border

The Start

2004-11-08T21:15:00.000+07:00

Today is the first day that I decided to start a blog, it will relate to my life in Thailand and hopefully you all will find it interesting. As time goes on, I hope to expand the scope to other areas of my life.