THE DRINKS PAGE

LET'S START THE WAY WE MEAN TO GO ON

My friend Rick who works at the Pentagon (and how's THAT for an opening line to launch 2002?!!) put it clear, fair and fast, which I guess are 3 good reasons why he works there. "We've decided to buy a new car" he e-mailed in September, within a week of seeing nearby offices vanish in a fireball from the sky.

No rocks or candy, just the lovely Ying and friends at Rock Candy, CEC, Loi Kroh.

And if it hadn't been for the new baby I guess he'd be here in his favourite 'foreign' city on vacation. What he was really saying, of course, was that life must go on as near normal as possible - and money must be spent to keep the economy from going belly up.

Well, at time of writing, life seems to have reverted to just that in Rick's part of the world, in Europe (where London did fear similar tragedies) and here in little ole Chiangmai. And I humbly suggest we follow the Rick philosophy. Buying a car may not be your thing but if the bar scene is - go out - choose - spend - enjoy. This life is not a rehearsal!

If you're a visitor, allow me to advise you of 2 areas of the city - and their inter-connecting roads - which you might enjoy the most. The Night Bazaar means Changklan Road and connecting sois (lanes) and a whole host of hosts ready to give you a good time. The oldest established area catering to western tastes and closer to more large hotels, prices here are understandably higher than elsewhere, but still darn good Thai value.

An up-scale French restaurant was almost ready to open near McDonalds as I write, German, Indian, Italian, Belgian, Israeli, Korean, Japanese and British cuisines are all around (British cuisine, an oxymoron?) and there are a host of small bars between Chiang Inn Plaza and the Night Bazaar building. Closer to Thapae Road (and partly hidden by sidewalk vendors at night) is The Peak rock climbing wall, a unique attraction which needs only the magic marketing touch to really, well, peak!

Second city area to start flourishing was Thapae Gate, around this recent red brick re-construction of the proud structure originally designed by the legendary King Mengrai. The Black Cat, a legend of a different type, was the first western watering hole here, now re-born in it's 5th or 6th incarnation as the Chiangmai Garden restaurant run by Somchai, aka John of nearby John's Place. I will try and report. Next, historically, came Domino, a great place in it's day now flourishing once more as True Blue with substantial Aussie and Britnosh much relished by faithful locals. I'm watching the Bar Beer Centre next door to see whether it really is following the example of the neighbouring Up2U late night bar and re-inventing itself as a hassle-free venue.

In the little soi to the east, Da Stefano is still my favourite Italian in town for quality, value and service - watch out for the related new La Gondola opening on the riverbank soon.

Currently the linking street to beat is without doubt Loi Kroh Road, though why all the businesses don't gang up on City Hall and demand proper sidewalks beats me. Visitors walk a lot and if they must always watch their feet to avoid breaking an ankle they are NOT going to be looking at your wonderous bars, restaurants and shops, guys! At least you won't have to be re-zoned as feared, following the Governor's assurance that you're all officially legal!

Take time, if you will, to explore CM Entertainment Complex off Loi Kroh near the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel. Many ups and downs in it's short history but late night around the muay Thai boxing ring is time well spent. Boxing, katoey shows and even cock-fighting come free, while characters like Canadian Scott and English Mark at Hiss & Slither, and now Joe and Ying at next door's Rock Candy offer between them chess, pool, darts et al, but best of all a warm and sincere welcome. Surely what Chiangmai is all about?

'It's from e-mail: Words that should exist but don't. Telecratination. Letting the phone ring at least twice before answering. Standard Thai technique in fact!

BUT I DON'T GIVE A CLUCK!

It's going to be better! - Governor

Interview with Tan Kosin Kesthong, Governor of Chiangmai.

David Hardy

LET'S SPEAK THAI!

-No 3: At the restaurant

Samantha Burman

The city re-visited

Out and about in the 703 year old "New City".

Riverbank Stone

Chiangmai and the North

My Chiangmai

David Hardy

The Drinks Page

Night Fowl

Reasons to Relax

The best steak in town? You are the judges!

Ric Klein

Letters

Mountain People of Northern Thailand

THE YAO

PANDERING TO POPULAR DEMAND

The award-winning Chiangmai Zoo at the foot of Doi Suthep introduced a baby giraffe recently, and is preparing for the arrival of a pair of rare pandas from China (...).

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