Everyone coming to Thailand wants to learn Thai and when they find out I've was a Payap student they ask about Payap's Thai classes. I haven't taken Payap's Intensive Thai language classes so I've asked Lani Cox for some details.
Since the teachers and the curriculum are the same for the intensive program and the regular, semester, program I can vouch for her statement that the only people who learned Thai were the ones who also studied elsewhere.
Showing posts with label chiang mai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chiang mai. Show all posts
Payap University Library
It's English language section is lacking and it's hours are short. Sad it may be, but it's all we've got...
The length of book check-out depends on your status. Undergrad students can keep books for one week and graduate students for two weeks. Late fees are five baht per day, per book.
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| Payap University Library |
The length of book check-out depends on your status. Undergrad students can keep books for one week and graduate students for two weeks. Late fees are five baht per day, per book.
Book Stores in Chiang Mai: A Cautionary Tale
I was at Gecko book store and Backstreet book store last week. I've been many times and have never notice either store to stock copied books. But this trip they both had copied books on the shelf. I'm not against copied books but I am against paying full price for them.
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| Backstreet Books in Chiang Mai |
Women Only Dorms: Blessing Place
I went to america for a visit after my first year at Payap. I checked out of my apartment when I left intending to find a better place when I returned. I had seen an apartment building close to school with flowering vines climbing the height of the building and thought it was nicer looking and should be cooler—and it is.
But I can't live there. It's a female only dorm. Guys aren't allowed into the rooms but they made an exception so I could take some photos. Here are the details.
Base Rent: 2,500/month
Deposit: 1,000 plus one month's rent—total move-in cost 6,000 baht
Lease Terms: 6 months or 1 year
Utilities:
Electricity: 6/unit
Water: 100 per person, per month
Internet: 200/month
But I can't live there. It's a female only dorm. Guys aren't allowed into the rooms but they made an exception so I could take some photos. Here are the details.
Base Rent: 2,500/month
Deposit: 1,000 plus one month's rent—total move-in cost 6,000 baht
Lease Terms: 6 months or 1 year
Utilities:
Electricity: 6/unit
Water: 100 per person, per month
Internet: 200/month
Avoiding Motorbike Accidents in Chiang Mai
According to Superfreakonomics by Steven Levitt you're more likely to be killed walking drunk than driving drunk. And while motorbike accidents do happen, they don't kill as many people as the news would like you to believe.
According to an article in the Bangkok Post there are 7200 motorbike deaths per year and most of those are in the Bangkok area. With 80 million people in Thailand that's 0.009%—pretty good odds. Still people are concerned. Payap University is so concerned that they won't let semester abroad students drive a motorbike.
As unlikely as it is that you'll be in an accident, here are some tips for staying safe. Of all the motorbike accident stories I've heard they had at least one of these in common:
According to an article in the Bangkok Post there are 7200 motorbike deaths per year and most of those are in the Bangkok area. With 80 million people in Thailand that's 0.009%—pretty good odds. Still people are concerned. Payap University is so concerned that they won't let semester abroad students drive a motorbike.
As unlikely as it is that you'll be in an accident, here are some tips for staying safe. Of all the motorbike accident stories I've heard they had at least one of these in common:
Dorm Alternatives: Condos & Houses
Perhaps the Payap University dorm alternatives are a too noisy, to dirty or too small ... or maybe you want a kitchen?
Condos in Chiang Mai usually start around 7,000-8,000 baht per month, but most are around 10,000-15,000. The only advantage a condo has over an apartment is a kitchen. Most apartments don't have kitchens and most condos do. Although they are not elaborate—maybe you'd call them kitchenettes—they do have counter space and a sink that you won't get in an apartment.
Chiang Mai Condos
Condos in Chiang Mai usually start around 7,000-8,000 baht per month, but most are around 10,000-15,000. The only advantage a condo has over an apartment is a kitchen. Most apartments don't have kitchens and most condos do. Although they are not elaborate—maybe you'd call them kitchenettes—they do have counter space and a sink that you won't get in an apartment.
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| Hillside Payap Condo |
Payap University: Dorm Alternatives
Payap University Dorms have some draw backs. We know you'll have a roommate and the dorms are expensive. But let's look at the costs of the dorms before we discuss the alternatives.
At 18,200 baht per semester you're paying 4,550 per month not including utilities. And yes, breakfast and dinner are included but consider this: Most off campus "dorms" cost about 2,000-4,000 baht per month.
Payap University Dorm Costs
At 18,200 baht per semester you're paying 4,550 per month not including utilities. And yes, breakfast and dinner are included but consider this: Most off campus "dorms" cost about 2,000-4,000 baht per month.
| University Dorm | Dorm Alternative | |
| Base Rent | 4,550 | 2,500 |
| Food | 1340 | 3300 |
| Total | 5890 | 5800 |
Chiang Mai Taxi's and The Medicine Line
Red truck taxi rides cost 20 baht most places in the city. There's no need to ask when you get in a truck, just hand the driver 20 when you get out. The 20 baht boundary is roughly between the river and the mountain, east to west, and north to south, within the super highway.
Going east past the river you will probably be charged more. Somewhere from 30 to 60 baht. But Buddha help you if you want to go past the super highway in a red truck. The price will be an automatic 100 baht and likely more. I call this the medicine line.
It is really easy to flag a red truck most places in the city. They line the streets in most areas. If you are in a less popular area, have patience, one will be along shortly. If you live past the medicine line, Payap University for instance, there are very few taxis. You'll need to call someone.
I was on my way to the train station one day talking to a taxi driver about Chiang Mai transportation. He said that Chiang Mai is very different from Bangkok. In Bangkok there are taxis everywhere and a call center waiting to dispatch an army of drivers. Chiang Mai has no such setup. My taxi driver advised everyone in Chiang Mai to know at least two drivers. I'll take it a step further and say every international Payap University student should know two English speaking drivers. The guy I call most is Juu (or "Jew" might help you better pronounce it.), 08.9701.7850, if he's not available I'll ask him to call a friend.
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