Toolin' around Chiang Mai, Thailand

Anyway, like I was sayin', you can walk, bus or take a cab. You can scoot or tuk. That's - that's about it.

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- Walking: Chiang Mai is a compact city, and it's a joy to walk the narrow sois (streets), past the gazillion wats, markets, bookstores, restaurants and coffee shops, etc, etc. The ONLY drawback to walking here is the krappy sidewalks; but hey, it’s a +700 year old city.

- Biking: I just read in the paper today, that because of the spike in gas prices, bicycle sales are way up. Bad drivers are a definite minus, but a definite plus is the city is as flat as a board.

- Motor scooters: They are very popular with the Thai people and falangs (foreigners). They of course burn very little gas and are a cinch to park.

And they are dirt cheap - you can rent a Honda or Yamaha scooter for 200baht ($6) per day, which INCLUDES insurance and a helmet. Of course if you rent for a longer period, the price drops dramatically.

- Cars: A lot of foreigners live in the country, or up in the mountains, and end up driving. Japanese cars/small trucks are the most popular, and are reasonably priced, especially if a year or two old. Gas is more expensive here than the States, but insurance and repairs are much cheaper.

- City Bus: They have nice air-con busses priced at only 15-baht ($.50). The problem is there aren't any maps in English, so unless you speak Thai, which I don't, it can be a challenge.

- Metered Taxis: They are metered, providing you can get the damn drivers to use 'em. They don't cruise the city, so the only time I take 'em is to and from the airport. But they are very clean, and quite inexpensive

Note: Threaten to get out, is ALWAYS successful in getting 'em to meter up.

- Tuk-Tuk (see photo): one person a little pricy; two people perfect; three, not impossible, but tough.

Fares are negotiable up front, but you MUST be able to bargain. Man, they are so much fun!!!

Songtaews - canopied pickup, with two (song) bench (taew) seats: These are essentially communal taxis. You hold up a hand to get them to stop, and then you tell the driver where you are going.

If he is going in that general direction, he'll nod his head and you'll then jump in the back, and off you go..

When you get to your destination, you'll pay the driver 20-baht ($.60). The routes vary depending on the destination of the other passengers, and I find it a terrific way to meet Thais and fellow falangs.

Note: They recently increased the fare by 5 baht ($.15), and this is a REAL HARDSHIP for many of the riders; but on the other hand, the drivers haven't had an increase in ten-years, so …

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How do I get around? I usually walk, take a songtaew, and on occasion, a tuk-tuk. I estimate my in-town travel expenses to be less than $40 a month.

I like the costs, but I like even better, MUCH BETTER, being GREEN.