Back in Chiangmai — And It's Flooded

I land at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, October 4th. Tell the airport taxi guys I want to go to Changklan road. They say “That’s ground zero; there’s no way we can go.”

I place my hand on a driver’s shoulder and say, “Get me as close as you can.”

I’m dropped about 2 km from my condo, right off the highway — ankle-deep water. I have a backpack and my 20kg suitcase. I pick it up and start sloshing through the water. Ahead of me, I see a small boat and immediately start moving toward it while yelling and holding up 500 baht (USD 13). Without speaking the same language, we negotiate a deal — he’ll take me as far as the end of the street. In goes the suitcase and backpack, and we’re on our way. The water at some points was waste deep.

We reach the end of the road, and he says, “This is as far as I go” — or what I assumed he said, he was speaking Thai.

I thank him, pay him the money, pick up my suitcase and backpack, and start walking to my condo, about 800 meters or so. It’s heavy, I’m sweating, and the water is smelly and up past my knees, but the condo is in sight.

I finally make it. Friends in CM had told me there were floods, but I didn’t realize it was so bad. Food can’t be delivered, and my buddy told me the 7-11 close to the condo looks like something after Katrina hit in Louisiana — empty shelves and barren supplies for those brave enough to venture on over.

The water looks like it is receding today, which is good, but it was a helluva trip back from the airport yesterday.

2nd Article for The Bullet

Temasek’s $100 Million Bet — Brilliant or Brash?

New Column for KrASIA

I was recently given a new column at KrASIA — The Bullet. Here is first article

Big Upcoming Trip

Over the past week, I’ve been working on finalizing an upcoming trip, and it’s been a bit hectic.

Here’s where I’ll be:

• CM — BKK (August 26–27) | Quick 1 day visit, layovers from CM — Bali were a mess, so staying overnight was cheap and a lot less of a hassle.

• BKK — Bali (August 27–September 17)

• Bali — Singapore (September 17)

• Singapore — CM (???)

In Singapore, I’ll be attending Token2049 as a reporter for KrASIA, and then checking out Formula 1 just by myself. Things were getting a bit too comfortable (and boring) in Chiangmai, so I thought I needed to take advantage of my remote work situation and do some traveling. My buddy and his GF are in Bali doing visa stuff, so spending a few weeks there with them will be a nice change of pace.

I’m not sure when I’ll leave Singapore, but hopefully sooner rather than later. It’s expensive, and it’s so “curated” that things get boring real quick, especially since I’ll still be working and not as keen to go out, especially at the cost of $10 beers. From now until my first flight next Friday, I’ll continue going to the gym, working, and getting everything ready for my trip.

Driving Range

Hit some balls the other day. Only left-handed club was a 7 iron, and my obliques are paying for it today, but nice Sunday afternoon.

Nimman, Chiangmai

So the statue of the guy is the owner (developer?) of this giant shopping area in Nimman (Northwest Chiangmai). There are about 10 statues of him, all in various pop-art styles scattered around this shopping complex. Cool? Egotistical? Still unsure what to think of it.

Mae Sa Elephant Camp

Lamphun Temple Tour

Lamphun is located about 20km south of Chiangmai.

Wat San Pa Yang Luang is one of the 5 most beautiful temples in Thailand. The temple, also the first Buddhist temple of Lanna Kingdom, was established in the year 531.

The giant gold rock is Phra That In Kwaen, a historic site in Lamphun. It shares the same name as the one in Myanmar and resembles the appearance also. If you’re trying to go there, do NOT follow Google Maps — follow the local signage instead.

Quiet Life in Chiangmai

Sunday Market

So, marijuana is now “legal” in Thailand, but the government didn’t really establish any regulations on it. So throughout the country, including in Chiangmai, dispensaries are popping up, and paraphernalia (lower right pic) are being sold in public — which wasn’t the case in the past. It’s a whole new world in the land of smiles.

Muay Thai is Back!

Ramen

Happy 4th of July

Macaroni and cheese burger with bacon.

TOO FAR!

I’ve seen some weird shit during my travels, but this is too far. Mayonnaise flavored? No. Hard pass.

Views For Days

Recent NFT Article

I wrote this article for CBR Media about their upcoming The Dark Horse NFT collection — a way to sponsor and support motorsport drivers. Click on the picture below to read it!

Not A Lot Going On These Days

I had a pretty major personal thing happen recently, so things right now are not super exciting. Gym, work, reading, movies, taking some time to myself to relax and figure out what’s best. Will work on getting more photos posted soon!

Evening Sunset

Level 9 Rooftop Bar

Buddy Came to Visit

Had a classmate from Tsinghua come visit me from Japan and took him to dinner along the river.