Chiang Mai from a foreigner's point of view the pros and cons of living in Chiang Mai. The list of good and bad isn't by any means a definitive list. It lists the pros and cons from a matter of practicality from the eyes of someone actually living in Chiang Mai who has also lived in the western world. The unique thing, however, is that it's written by a Thai who hasn't lost her Thai pride and beliefs but has recognized a number of western ways of doing things that can bring advantages to the table.