Having been in Chiang Mai for over 47 years, and with 6 branches on the city outskirts, Toyota Chiang Mai is pretty much a part of Chiang Mai history – and well, Japanese cars are almost affordable to the average Thai. Their many services include body servicing, and a repairing centre, which has been (no doubt always busy in this part of the world!) certified as the first service provider centre in Chiang Mai and in the northern Region. And to top it off, it seems we have the best Toyota dealers in the country! Toyota Chiang Mai won the President’s Award in 2010 for the best performance from a Toyota showroom in Thailand.
Toyota Chiang Mai
Open daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (showroom)
Open Mondays – Saturdays 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (office)
Tel: 053 202 009
Quality House has put together its newest project that aims to attract the young, and those who can’t afford to fork-out umpteen million baht for a condo. Their ‘modern’ condominium project called ‘Casa Condo Changpuek’ might be of interest to first home-owners as they say the locality of the condo, being close to provincial offices, hospitals, schools, public parks, entertainment, etc, should be convenient for young working lads and lasses. Casa Condo consists of 2 buildings and 280 units. The size of the rooms ranges between 30 – 68 square metres, while in each apartment there will be either 1 or 2 bedrooms, a living room, a “relaxing corner”, and a kitchen, as well as a public area providing a swimming pool, and a fitness centre. Prices start at 1 million baht.
Located on Chotana Road, opposite to Lanna Golf Club
Tel: 053 211 113 – 4
Painted in pretty sweet colours that give off a warm tone, and stacked full of cute dolls, you may think you have walked into a teenie’s wet dream when entering this coffee shop. Nam’s Coffee and Smoothies, like most coffee shops nowadays, is comfortable, and a good place to sit and chat with friends – that doesn’t entail alcohol. They sell quite tasty sandwiches and croissants in the morning, which we found to be a good start to our working day. At lunch time they serve spaghetti, sandwiches, desserts, and of course, tons of coffee and smoothies.
Located on Tha Pae Road, opposite to SCB Bank
Open daily 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Mi Casa, Su Casa, Upstairs and now Next Door, the entrepreneurial Spanish/Singaporean couple just can’t seem to stay still. The latest venture by the duo is, well, next door, to its popular Su Casa and serves up a simple and inexpensive menu of tasty mainly-grilled treats. Grilled prawns on arroz, char grilled tenderloin and sirloin, juicy grilled spring chicken, grilled pork and salmon, all presented with creative garnishes and sides. There are special offers and sets – such as the for-four- one kilo steak! – and the prices are very reasonable. Next Door aims to attract the younger and more casual crowd and serves up decent house wines, yummy martinis (try the vanilla honey chilli martini – yum).
Located behind Su Casa on Nimmanhaemin Soi 11
Open 5.30 pm- 12 p.m. Closed Sundays
Tel : 080 033 2825
This is a new luxury village located 6 kilometres away from Chiang Mai Juvenile Court Intersection. The Grand Village offers high-end colonial style houses which might impress those with a few bucks to spare looking for something in the housing market that stands-out. They assured us all their materials are of the highest international standards, and that a large portion of land will be ‘GREEN’, as in parks, and other things of that colour. Grand Village will be opening this coming October.
www.grandvillagechiangmai.com
Tel: 084 221 4477 and 084 221 4488
Unbeatable prices and serious value for money Indian cuisine. This funky and modest little shop house with its garish red-patterned walls, stylish antique doorway and casual outdoor tables (a tad too close to the pungent Mae Kha Canal, best to sit inside) serves up some of the tastiest Indian food in the city. Moreish papadoms, rich creamy lentils, deliciously light and non-greasy samosas, fresh nan, and curries galore are dished up in stylish Indian brass bowls. Citylife enjoyed a meal for five including a good few bottles of beer and the bill came to under 1,000 baht. Bargain!
Situated at Loi Kroh Road. In front of Duangtawan hotel and about 100 metres from the Night Bazaar
Tel: 082 929 2985