Tag Archives: traffic in Chiang Mai

Saturday 2-21-2026

@cristy7475.bsky.social

This image just grabbed me and made me smile.

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Storyblocks

Yesterday afternoon was satisfying for me. We went to the cafe to get out of my housekeeper’s way while she cleaned. I always take my sketchbook, my Kindle, and my sweatshirt. I am always delighted when “my spot” at the front of the cafe is vacant because that means that I can watch the traffic going past.

Yesterday I saw two examples of how crazy the traffic in Chiang Mai is –

Shutterstock – similar to what I saw.

A man walked past with his bicycle. That doesn’t sound like much, except that his bicycle was his ‘store.’ He had a gazillion or so different kinds of brooms tied to his bicycle in all directions and could still ride it. He would stop if someone showed interest, sell them a broom, and go on his way…

    Storypick – again similar

    A motorcycle motored past with a man on the front, a woman on the back, and their three kids and a dog in the middle!

      This all in the middle of two lanes in each direction of cars, buses, trucks, tuk-tuks, motorcycles, motor scooters, and then pedestrians on both sides of the street, and ones trying to cross the street. No street lights close by, no crosswalks – it’s simply fascinating to watch – not to mention all the different nationalities of people and all the different modes of dress…

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      I only did two sketches yesterday, but I think they may be the best I have done since I started trying to teach myself to draw. I’ll show you when I get them painted, but I had a GREAT time with them.

      Then I’m in the middle of the 62nd (I think) J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts “In Death” series book on my Kindle. I try not to allow myself to read very much because I get caught up and the whole afternoon is gone, or I read past my bedtime. I’ve already ordered the next one which is due out in September.

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      The very best part of our afternoon was that my son came into the cafe (I thought he had gone to the bathroom) carrying a sack of flowers! This is the first time he has ever given me flowers and I almost lost it right in the middle of the cafe. These are wreath-type shapes of small white flowers on a ribbon with a ‘fish’ fashioned from palm type leaves handing under it, and then two more flowers hanging below that. A lot of the GRAB drivers have this type of thing hanging from their mirrors and they are just lovely. Brian got me SIX of these, two each of the different kind of flowers at the bottom. I have them hanging all around my place, and even my condo is grinning with happiness!

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      I hope you’ve had a great day or evening.

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      Towel & Bucket Day

      Esbobeldijk – Dreamstime.com

      This is a towel and bucket day here. We skipped the gym this morning because it was raining REALLY hard. I’ve been wringing out towels into my bucket all morning so far. Hopefully, this will become a more gentle rain that won’t pelt into my windows, causing leaks. Update – later – the SUN has come out now, but I’ll still keep my laundry drying rack inside. Dark clouds are looming.

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      Otherwise, things are good here. I’m about to have breakfast with Brian and then plan to enjoy the day, moving from one fun thing to another – assuming the rain calms down enough. 🙂

      Besides having a sparkling clean place, this is what greeted me when I came home. My wonderful housekeeper left these gorgeous flowers for me! When Brian received a text from my thanks to her, he read it to me. It said, “It is good ‘Mom liked the flowers.” What a sweet lady. I LOVE it that she calls me ‘mom’!

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      When I was in the cafe yesterday killing time, I enjoyed watching the traffic outside the window. I’m in awe of the motorcyclists! Brian says they have all been riding on, or driving motorcycles for years and have lots of experience.

      The riding gear varies all over the block. Some wear helmets, others don’t. Almost all wear long-sleeved shirts, jackets, or hoodies. Some wear health masks.

      I saw a father, his child, his wife, and another child on ONE motorcycle yesterday. I saw a mother with her toddler in front of her on one. Lots of people are carrying things, too. I’ve seen people with big boxes between the driver and the passenger. Bags of food and drink hang off to either side. Backpacks are full. Some actually carry pipe for repairing plumbing, pictures in frames, animals, and more.

      The sheer number of motorcycles boggles my mind. For every car – and there are three lanes of traffic going each way – there are a dozen or more motorcycles zipping around and between vehicles. There are few stop lights and no cross walks. I wouldn’t call it ‘aggression,’ but more ‘quiet insistence’ that vehicles will ease into traffic or change lanes. It is utterly amazing.

      I hope that you have a fun-filled day.

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