Chiang Mai.

[BaaBaa.]

The name rings a bell now.
That could be the place 2 friends of mine were really ill in December last year. Major flooding caused loads of damage and deaths at some point last year.
Their professional opinion was they had death sickness from the festering water.
I'll have to find out if its the same place.
If so i might not have time to make it to Pai this year.

[lomuamart]

It floods in many areas of Thailand and Pai is no exception.
But it's only near the river when the northern side gets cut off as the bamboo bridges are washed away.
I think the death/s were maybe from rafting. There was a Western lady who drowned there only a short while ago, unfortunately.

[BaaBaa.]

Yes i know flooding isnt too rare in Thailand.
Enjoyed wading knee deep through poolsuk and bintabaht in February and saw 1 or 5 overturned pickups on my journey down to Trat.
More than likely they just ate something dodgy or had a severe case of man flu.
Dont think the " DEATH SICKNESS " was a professional diagnosis.

[Onlyme]

I first visited Chiang Mai in the early 90's. I stayed at "Lai Thai guest house." It was very authentic Thai with a swimming pool. I went there on my honeymoon 3 years ago and visited aforesaid guesthouse. It had been re-furbished and A/C added. Still very good value at around the 600 baht mark.
Onlyme.

[Bamboo Grove]

Also when you go up north, don't forget to try two northern specialities; Khao Soi and Nam Phrik Ong. Truelly tasty. By the way about entertainment, if you go to Nimmanhaemin Road, it's a new area to the locals. Plenty of interesting places, try particularly Fine Thanks. Used to live almost next to it. Thai style live music, good food and nice athmosphire, too.

[NikkiSixx]

Doi Inthanon is also stunning, and I had a couple of great nights at the Rock Hard pub, just east of the moat....and for grub, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and food of The Riverside.