Where can I find real frozen yoghurt in Chiang Mai?
Hilary: Despite its years of ubiquity in the West, frozen yoghurt is a pretty new trend here, and has been tough to find up until quite recently. Now, a few places have been popping up to provide you with a healthier, yet equally cool and creamy, alternative to ice cream. Check out The Volcano (www.facebook.com/theVOLCANOtoast) on Suthep Road, just behind Chiang Mai University, for yoghurt and milk slurpees which you can get mixed with frozen fruit, chocolate and cereal. Another great spot is Ice Dream Boutique (Facebook: Ice Dream Boutique), which has locations at Suriwong Book Centre near the Night Bazaar and at Promenada Resort Mall and serves up yummy fruit and yoghurt sundaes. For classic soft, self-serve yoghurt, don’t miss the new Mr. Froyo (www.facebook.com/mrfroyo), located just outside the East side of the moat, between Spicy and Mike’s Burgers. You can choose the type and amount of froyo as well as a vast array of toppings, from Butterfingers to fruit to gummy bears.
Are there English speaking church services in Chiang Mai?
Nicolas (intern): Yes, there are many. The Chiang Mai Community Church is an English-speaking Protestant church located just outside the moat next to the Ping River (1 Charoenrat Rd). The Sunday service attracts up to 300 people and their children’s programme (JAM) runs simultaneously. Unlike most churches, the service here starts in the late afternoon at 4.30 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m. They also have an English language library next door called the Raintree Resource Centre.
Chiang Mai Christian Fellowship is another international church with English services. It is about a 20 minute drive from the city centre by the Mae Dao River (200/271 Sri Anan Village Gym, Moo 5). Sunday morning worship starts at 10 a.m. and ends around 11.30 p.m. House of Praise International Church (78 Teparak Road) not only offers services in English and Thai but also in Burmese. The Sunday service begins with modern worship music to celebrate their faith. They have a library with a variety books in English as well. The English communal worship service commences every Sunday at 9 a.m. Hope Chiang Mai Church is another Thai-English church with not only Sunday services but also bible studies on Thursdays. The Sunday service is three hours long and starts at 9 a.m. while the bible studies last from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. It is next to Thep Panya Hospital on Soi Si Anan City 1.
If you’re looking for a Jesuit church then Seven Fountains Retreat Centre (Huay Kaew Road) is for you. Here you can attend church services daily in English as well as in Thai. In English it begins daily at 6 p.m. except for Sunday when it starts at 9.30 a.m. It is also possible to stay in the centre for 700 baht a night (including meals, accommodation and laundry). You can also attend Sunday service at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral (225 Charoenprathet Road) which provides a relaxing atmosphere with lots of green. English service starts at 11 a.m.
Where can I buy fresh, safe cold cuts in Chiang Mai (preferably not from 7-Eleven!)?
Nicolas: Your best bet is probably Rimping Supermarket, which has several locations throughout Chiang Mai, including a brand new one at Maya Mall (www.rimping.com for locations and hours). Rimping insures that the meats are free of chemicals and insecticide contamination and accord to the strict SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) conditions from Japan. S-Pure pork is definitely worth a try. You can even order a cold cut party platter (includes beef pastrami, smoked ham, smoked chicken, haus salami, French bouillon ham and mustard dip) for 550 baht.
If you’re craving cold cuts for breakfast, lunch or dinner then Le Bistrot will fulfill your desires. Not only serving up typical cold cuts, they also provide you with unique dishes including rolled pork’s head (180 baht), wild boar sausage (180 baht) and pork knuckles (180 baht). It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. and also provides deliveries and takeaways, located near the Night Market at 42 Khampengdin Road.
Another option is Buonissimo, which is different from other butcheries as they import products and have them delivered to you right on your doorstep. It is a bit pricier than other companies but if it’s quality you’re looking for then this is definitely the place to get it. They have a wide variety of cold cuts ranging from a simple cooked ham (74 baht/kg) to chorizo (890 baht/kg) and prosciutto (845.30 baht/kg). The delivery service is free when ordering above 2,000 baht’s worth of products, and you can conveniently order online at www.buonissimo.co.th.