Hello!! My family and I are moving to Thailand. We are deciding between Koh Samui and Chiang Maing. We would probably prefer Koh Samui because of the beach, but it is more expensive and further from Laos and Cambodia, places where we would like to visit and have friends. I would like to know for a family of 3, with an 18-month-old and a big dog. What is best? Chiang Mai or Koh Samui? We want to make friends, and find like minded people!

Planning to move to Thailand for retirement. Wonder Chiang Mai's smog is really serious ? As some people say the smog there is harmful to health, while i prefer some places which is less urbanized as Bangkok and less traveler like places like Puket.