Chiang Mai - catchin' a flick

DATE: 01-15-08

As far as I know, there are four ways to watch a movie in Chiang Mai: 1) download from the net 2) cable TV 3) theatres, and 4) DVD's.

CABLE TV

You can get HBO-ASIA or Starz Movies.

They both, obviously, need to tailor to the local audience, so there seems to be an abundance of low-budget, "Action-Jackson: blow 'em up, shoot 'em up, kick 'em in the cajones", genre.

If that's not to your liking, you can watch 'straight to cable/DVD' teen horror or teen comedy.

But every once in awhile, they'll show something good; however, they'll show it five times a day, for the next two-weeks.

In summary, cable movie channels in Thailand are EXACTLY the same as in the States.

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MOVIE THEATRES:

There are two major multiplexes in Chiang Mai, one with eight screens, the other with six.

They usually show two different American movies at a time, most often in English with Thai sub-titles.

- Thai movies:

The Thai people seem to like: 'Kung-Fuey-Louie' movies; unbelievably sappy 'boo-hoo-hoo' love stories; and dumb-ass comedies, often featuring one, or more, lady-boys.

The Thai movies often have English sub-titles, and on a rainy afternoon, it's a fun way to spend a couple of hours.

- American Movies:

The leading U.S. box-office grossing movies are shown here at the same time as in the States. Movies like "I Am Legend" and "National Treasure-2" are VERY POPULAR, and are routinely shown on multiple screens at a varied starting times.

Coming attractions, probably in the next two weeks: "American Gangster" and "Charlie Wilson's War".

Note: movies open here on Thursday, which is Wednesday in the States.

Prices: higher for the first three-days and the weekends: 60-130 baht ($1.82 - $3.64).

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DVD's:

I suppose if you LOOK really, really, REALLY HARD; you might, and I say might, be able to find DVD's that aren't counterfeit. But I honestly, have never see any that are legit.

The quality of the DVD's varies between what you would find at Blockbuster (good), or like your Aunt's "Trip to Cozumel" video (TERRIBLE!!!).

The selection is very extensive, and run all the way from the BIG box office hits, to Sundance Film Festival movies.

The last few DVD's I've picked up are: "Sweeney Todd", "There Will Be Blood", "Bucket List".

Note: I saw "Bucket List" when they were advertising it as: 'Limited Engagement in New York and Los Angeles: Opening Soon Nationwide'.

PRICE: 100 baht ($3.03).

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the photo: I'm just slightly out of the frame to the left. I'm wearing glasses.

3 - 'twelve-weeks post-op'

At 'twelve-weeks post-op', I was walking 2-3 miles a day, WITHOUT crutches.

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One of my concerns was how I would deal with the notoriously poor quality, and dangerous, Chiang Mai sidewalks**. I mean without a crutch, and I tripped up, it could be bad, right?

Well, that's what I thinking, so I practiced parachute landings; i.e. 'land and roll'.

And it worked great, as long as I remembered, "the RIGHT HIP, Dummy!!"

'9 out 10', isn't necessarily a good thing.

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** definition: 'Chiang Mai handicap sidewalks' - If you walk the Chiang Mai sidewalks long enough, you WILL BE 'handicapped'

Chiang Mai - a VERY BRIEF history

1. In 1296, King Mengrai founded Chiang Mai (new city), as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom.

(2008-1296) eight take away six is two, zero take away nine is …)

Holy Cow, the city is 712 years old!!

I'm very surprised, because I don't think it looks a day over 680, 695 tops.

2. King Mengrai had his people construct a wide moat and high wall, approximately a mile square, to protect his city.

Well, guess what? It didn’t work, because the city was frequently overrun and occupied by either the Burmese, or the Thais from their capital, Ayutthaya.

3. In 1774, Chiang Mai formally become part of Siam, and rose in economic and cultural terms to become the most important city in the North, and second only to the new capital city, Bangkok.

4. In 1949, Siam became known as it is today, the Kingdom of Thailand.

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Is there any sign of the Lanna Kingdom remaining in Chiang Mai?

1. The people of Chiang Mai are very much Thai, and speak Thai; but they also speak Kham Muang, also known as Northern Thai or Lanna.

2. Northern Thailand has a unique style of food, quite different than other regions in Thailand.

3. There's also a beautiful style of architecture and furnishings, known as 'Lanna'.

4. Chiang Mai is a relatively small city, but it has over 300 wats (Buddhist temples), many dating back to the reign of King Mengrai.

5. The moat and the gates to the city are the most significant landmark in Chiang Mai; and at night when the gates and the fountains are beautifully lit up, I'm sure King Mengrai would have been very proud of his city.

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A very tall falang (foreigner) moved to the city in August, 2005 – me.

I try to 'live green', so my impact on Chiang Mai, has been: zero, zilch, nil, nada.

However, Chiang Mai, the 'Rose of the North', the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom, has changed my life in innumerable ways; unquestionably, all of them for the good.

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photo: the 'Three Kings Monument' is in the heart of Chiang Mai: (King Mengrai of Lanna, King Ramkamhaeng of Sukhothai, and King Ngammuang of Phayao).