Pun by Pun: Chiang Mai's Best Business Name Puns

Chiang Mai is home to some pretty great business name puns. While there are Punspace coworking space and Pun Pun vegetarian restaurant at Wat Suan Dok, those aren't the puns that I am after. I want the humorous manipulation of vocabulary, not just the word in the name.

Maybe my affintiy for puns comes from having to deal with this surname my whole life. It only makes sense that the name "Crum" would produce an appreciation for the juxtaposition of words for humor. It's not everyday that you get to turn my last name into something laughable (as easy of a target as it may seem), so when the opportunity arises, it must be seized. For example, the name of this blog, The Crummy Life. I couldn't pass it up.

Ramblings aside, I like puns. Many of my friends like puns. Thais love a good pun. So, I started thinking, it's time to pay homage to the bold businesses that stuck to their puns, and chose the marketing wit that puts the tickle in our rib when we see their signage.

OH! MY DOG

The sign says pet grooming delivery service, so curious Crummy went in and asked what that means. Nothing, it means nothing. They do not do any kind of delivery service. They also reassured me that here size does matter. If you bring a large dog, they aren't going to groom it.

What they lack in compassion for the plus size pooches they make up for in accessories and dog treats. OMD carries a fully stocked supply of pet necessities, from leashes to shampoo, beds to treats, and everything in between. OMD is located near Big C extra on Chiang Mai-Lampang road. To see some ridiculously cute photos and find more information about these fascinating pooch primpers, visit their Facebook page here.



Love at First Bite

Walking into Love At First Bite

This really is a place that you can fall in love with upon your first bite. With an assortment of cakes, pies, quiches, breads, and more, you'll either leave full or with a bag of goodies. They also have their own ice cream. The garden seating adds to the calming ambience and helps you forget time exists.
Just a little south of Charoen Muang road on Chiang Mai-Lamphun road, soi 1 (before the Iron Bridge). Find more information on their Facebook page here.

Thais That Bind

This fantastic Thai restaurant in the old city has one of the best Penang curries I have eaten in Chiang Mai, as well as a great variety of top quality dishes that come in larger than the common portions. While I can't say that the menu hosts a great deal of unconventional or atypical food, I will say that their quality and portion size make you forget that you've eaten it all before.

To visit Thais That Bind, head down Prappakloa road, it's across the street from Wat Chedi Luang.

Zzziesta 

This Beetle tells you you made it

Whether you want to catch some Zs, or snatch a siesta, this new, unique and modern guest house has comfy accommodation for you. When you roll out of bed, they have a small restaurant and cafe, appropriately called Z cafe, adjacent to the check-in counter. 
You can find Zzziesta near the YMCA and Artisan Cafe on Mengrairasmee road. You'll notice the pristinely restored sea foam green VW Bug parked in the front. For more info, check out their Facebook page here. 

Kaofae

This one isn't an easily recognizable name pun, but at second glance you'll notice the name comes from a combination of the Thai word for rice, kao, and the all too familiar word, cafe. Kaofae offers at least ten different kinds of khao soi, which is definitely not common. Try it with ribs, fried pork, katsu chicken, and many more. Located on Sirimankalajarn road, between Nimman soi 5 and 7. Find out more on their Facebook page here.

Manifreshto

Another obvious name combo, Manifreshto lets you know that it's their manifesto to bring you fresh food as soon as you read the name.
They clearly want you to know that things are fresh, so they have an oven schedule for their daily baked goods hanging at the entrance. You can find this restaurant, fresh juice bar, and cafe between Nimman sois 3 and 5, very near the iconic Godzilla statue. Find more information on their Facebook page here.

Impresso

Another fairly obvious name, which clearly implies that they have impressive espresso. These baristas definitely care about the quality of your coffee and will cut no corners whether you want a drip cup or an espresso drink. Expect to be impressed from the syphon to the shot.
Don't forget to pop into the back and check out their impressively massive collection of PEZ dispensers.
Located between Nimman sois 11 and 13, next to Beer Republic.
Find more information on their Facebook page here.

Fair Cut 

Looking for a good haircut for a fair price? Look no further, the ladies at Fair Cut can help you even if your Thai language proficiency is low. This studio is on Nimmanhaemin road, between soi 13 and 15. I am familiar with this location, but I know they have about three or four.

Ice Love You

Superhero themed just to make sure you feel like a kid

In my cookbook, dessert is the most important recipe. Combine custom confectioneries with clever design and a witty name, and I might as well just give you my wallet. This hidden gem offers delicious vegan ice cream and other dessert creations.
Ice Love You is found just off Suthep road on Srivichai soi 1. Not far from where Nimman runs into Suthep, toward the moat. Find more information on their Facebook page here.

Catmosphere

kitties' headshots

As soon as you read the name you know you'll have an out of this world experience sipping a caffeinated beverage and playing with felines. Another obvious name combination, but this one follows up with stylistic design, including decorations that pair retro with intergalactic space theme. Go visit the cute kitties on Huay Kaew, passed Canal road. Find out more on their Facebook page here.

KFG

G sounds like C, looks similar, and in Thai, gai means chicken. No wonder this stall owner seized the opportunity to alter the world famous business name and appeal to anyone wanting some chicken strips and fries. Similar name, similar product, and immediate step toward creating familiarity for the customer. Smart move, KFG.
You can find the delicious chicken and fries stand parked on the south side of the old city at the Chiang Mai gate outdoor market.

bar fry

Not necessarily for your average barfly, this eatery makes concept style combinations of french fries. They mix it up with seasoning and spices, plus a variety of dipping sauces that are paired according to flavor.
Add in the bonus that they are sharing space with Jagajee, another concept style eatery, and you don't have a reason to skip this. Jagajee's tapas style assortment of international dishes come at a cheap price with a lot to offer. Enjoy a couple of tapas and a flavor packed basket of fries for less than a pair of western barfly cocktails.
You can find Bar Fry near the corner of Nimman road at Nimman soi 15.


Librarista

This maneki neko sumo cat statue beckons passers by 

Books and caffeine are a timeless combination, which they obviously know at Librarista, where they actually have a small library attached to the cafe. Now you have a good reason to find a new favorite among the cafe dense Nimman area.
Nimman soi 5, near Manifreshto.

Some are great, some are okay, but all of them deserve a tip of the cap for their clever combinations of marketing and wit. Now I want to hear what you think of this list. What was your most and least favorite? I want to hear some that we missed from Chiang Mai, and I want to hear some you've seen from anywhere while traveling, or just driving around your local area. I'll be looking for more punny business in your comments below.

You didn't get enough? Well then, here are some others that I randomly found while driving around to get photos for this post:

Beauty and [the] Barber - This one highlights another Thai sign faux pas, bad grammar. Indeed the signage says Beauty and Barber, it's clear to see what they were aiming at. On Moon Muang, just before Tha Pae gate.
Power Bar - Many a fitness fanatic or weekend warrior will recognize that this business pun takes its name from a favorite go to energy snack. Just don't expect this Power Bar to get through the extra mile, unless the finish line is the wee hours of morning and you welcome a morning headache. Find this establishment on Kotchasan road near Tha Pae gate.
Walk Inn - To indicate to backpackers that you need not have a reservation to stay here, Walk Inn cleverly chose this double entendre. Found on Ratchapakinai road near the north side of the old city.