Beetlejuice

I think the OP`s young age is what goes against him in Thailand.

One has to be in their 60s and over, have a huge beer gut, gross, sweaty, smelly and fat, have grey hair tied in a pig tail, wear dentures, be a chain smoker, a borderline alcoholic, wearing certain fashion clothes that try to convince them they look the same as they did when in their 20s to really fit in here.

Although still too young to qualify, the example pictured below is considered a stereotypical ex-pat in Thailand and although most would not want that as a neighbor, they are generally accepted everywhere.

Most people in Chiang Mai know where under-age or late-night drinking goes on, as well as any other illegal activities such as gambling, and see these little shows of force for what they are, a sham. Since anyone operating illegally is paying the boys in brown it wouldn't be difficult to solve any of these so-called problems if they really wanted, assuming they could tolerate the financial loss. Every now and then they introduce some sort of blanket ban and present photos like this to show that they're doing something about it. It may be a bit different during martial law but generally this is what happens.

Having said that, bit by bit the rules are beginning to stick, such as no smoking and no advertising alcohol.

Not most people, but certainly many people.

Down my way many of the locals know where the junkies hang out, where the drunks hang out and so on. This is the same the world over.

One main reason why I love this present government, is as I have said many times; these are leaders of action and not just hollow threats, they really do have teeth and they`ll bite if necessary.

As has been the case in the USA, Europe and the UK for decades, the burdens of running clean legal establishments is being placed on the owners, meaning the owners will have to take off their blindfolds, show more initiative in the running of their businesses, be on the scene more often and start overseeing their staff and customers. Or in other words, work harder for their money, because the business owners have had it too easy for too long, the days of flaunting the laws and making pay-offs so they can continue flaunting the laws are nearing an end, and for those who can`t hack running businesses strictly as imposed under the laws, will go down the tube.

But on the other hand, who would be insane enough to consider going into the Chiang Mai hospitality business in these uncertain times? When owners can be whacked out of business at the stroke of a pen? Not me, that`s for sure, because thank Buddha, I`m not that desperate.

Surveying the night entertainment zones of Chiang Mai, can be done with a 1 minute drive passed.

Also exempts hotels, “entertainment zones,” and wholesale factories and distributors from the restriction.

I thought where the bars are located would be entertainment zones?

Rhek Tum, is this a joke?

Here is another of the OP`s topics regarding the mythical town of Rhek Tum.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747983-living-in-rhek-thum/

It appears that the fun has gone out of the pretending to be a; I am a big policeman game.

As I have said many times in the past on Thai visa, as a foreigner living in Thailand, keep a low profile, keep your head down and never get involved if you want to enjoy a safe and peaceful existence here.

Perhaps the OP has attitude and personality complex issues?

I get on with all my Thai neighbors, the wife`s family and with Thais in general. But on the other hand when I`m in their company I don`t perceive myself as the odd one out farang and just act totally normal as I would in the company of anyone. I have always kept my head down, avoided getting into any disputes, mostly polite and just act myself. When my wife visits her family I usually make my excuses and avoid going with her. Not because I dislike her family or they dislike me, but because the whole affair bores me to tears.

Being 100% of independent means myself, I couldn`t give a rat`s behind whether people like me or not for what I am or who I am. Those who prefer not to have anything to do with me is their problem not mine, because at the end of the day no one puts bread and butter on my table.

I suggest that the OP adopts the same attitude, chills out and stops taking matters too seriously, or in other words, get a life.

people keep mentioning 7/11 or tescos wont have it but they dont sell alcohol from their gas station branches, on election/buddhist days or outside legal hours so what makes anyone think they will sell within 300m of a school if ordered not to?

CP, who owns both 7/11 and Tesco has enough direct and indirect economic input to Thailand to be in a position to influence decisions which will affect their business. You're correct in that they will stick to the letter of the law on the ban, but I believe that the number of garage retail shops that don't sell alcohol are a very small percentage of the total outlets in the country.

I don't know how many Tesco Express' there are in the country, but there's a 7/11 on every corner, sometimes one either side of the corner. Nor do I know what percentage of their turnover is alcohol, but I would assume it to be significant (and it will have a knock on effect because people will inevitably pick up something else whilst in the shop). We have a massive turnover which generates tax on the goods sold, thousands - if not tens of thousands - of people in employment who go on to further stimulate the economy with their spending power and then there's the income tax which may or may not be due (or paid) by the corporation. It's undeniable the government - any government - is going to listen very closely to CP when they want to speak or suggest changes in policy.

If this ban starts to affect their profits, I think we'll be seeing some very persuasive 'lobbying'.

The new alcohol restriction regulations will not pertain to retail outlets such as Tesco Express and 7/11 stores, except for the normal off time sales, which have been in force for a few years now.

The general consensus among those who are wise that make the decisions, that it is the bar type environments of drinking dens and depravity that are luring innocent, naive young people (bless em) into the throngs of debauchery, leading to fornication and hooked on the demon drink, therefore enticing them to moral corruption resulting in citizens of little virtue that is bad for Thailand`s image.

The convenience stores are considered retail outlets for takeaway goods and therefore the customers will take the demon drink elsewhere and have no bad influences on locations where young people congregate with the possibility of succumbing to drink and profligate lifestyles.

And for those who think I am saying this in jest, this is what I have actually been told.

Bars and businesses will adapt. New areas and bars will spring up elsewhere, which may not be a bad thing.

Loi Kroh deserves to be shut down. The bars are beyond woeful, sad establishments...with the crappiest pool tables ever.

This could be a blessing in disguise.

Wanna bet?

The unwritten policy is that the police will not issue licences for new bars in other areas of town. This is why over the years virtually nothing else pertaining to the adults entertainments establishments have opened anywhere else and the Loi Kroh Road has been left to go into decline. If Loi Kroh Road could be described as Chiang Mai`s red light district, that has now become the city`s luke warm district, there will be nothing of the equivalent opening elsewhere.

As regards some posters guesses that all will be put to rights once the bar owners agree to pay more tea money, than they couldn`t be more off the mark. This present government means what they say and say`s what they mean, it will not be business as usual or normal service will resume as soon as possible.

Besides these new selling of alcohol restrictions, the closing down of the western style downtrodden bars has been on the cards for a long time. It`s never been if, but rather when. The clamp downs and closing times restrictions began over 10 years years, so this comes as no surprise,

Where Chiang Mai is concerned is has become clearly apparent that the TAT is concentrating it`s efforts into the Chinese tourist markets and couldn`t give a rat`s behind about the western clientèle.

Sad but true.

I too have been having problems with my live in helper. About a year ago some Thai friends in Bangkok asked if I could help their 19 year old daughter, see is studying law at CMU and wanted to save on accommodation fees. She has been with me a year now cleaning, cooking and generally looking after the house but the situation is getting silly and she has to go. She has long dark hair down to her waist and is incredibly beautiful, She cleans the house in micro skirts and 6 inch high heels

and thinks it funny to bend over in front of me to pick things up off the floor. Over the last 6 months or so she has taken to leaving the bathroom door unlocked and telling me not to worry if I walk in on her when she is in the shower, she has even taken to hanging her impossibly small underwear to dry over the bath. The last straw has been that she is experimenting with her sexuality and now has a girlfriend from the university who often stays over, several times I have walked in on them on the sofa in the sitting room but they carry on as if I am not there. Obviously she has to go but how can I do it without upsetting her parents?

My advice is, cut down on those hallucinatory green tablets.

Some years ago my wife and I decided to hire a live in lady housekeeper, mainly for reasons so my wife could be away from our home for periods to care for her ailing father. Offering good wages, 10000 baht per month plus food, use of computer, days off etc. The job involved some light house cleaning, some cooking and looking after the home and our pets if we were going to be away for short periods.

We advertised in the job centre at Mai Rim Chiang Mai and in a Chiang Mai local Thai newspaper. My wife was receiving scores of phone calls per day as a result of the ads.

Girls and women from ages 14 to 70 were phoning for the job, plus ladyboys, gays, and guys offering girls they have on their lists from 12 to 30. Also women asking if they could bring their children, mother’s and siblings. When my wife told them they would be working for me then the situation changed. Many were asking from 20000 baht up to 40000 baht per month for live in. The younger the women, the higher the wages. None of them had any doable checkable backgrounds or references.

Some of them were actually bar girls looking for alternative work because business was down in the bars. Others were from poor backgrounds encouraged by their parents, husbands or boyfriends to apply for the job, plus educated girls from middleclass families seeking any farang to support them in a lifestyle they are used to. Most only interested in short time work, although I made it understood I required someone here long term. It was a ploy to get a lot of money quickly from some gullible farang.

After interviewing many, we took on 5 women consecutively. All tried it on for money, the, my mother has had a motorbike accident, sick buffalo etc and when It became clear that I was not falling for this, they soon became bored. Some left on their own accord, others I had to throw out. One was very scary, she actually held a knife up to me and kept nagging for money, although she had already been paid her wages up to the time I wanted her to go. In the end I had to give her an extra 3000 baht so as to make her leave peacefully.
Also worth keeping in mind: I was advised by my son, who is a lawyer, that there is a scam in which some girls who have police contacts, could say that the farang touched them inappropriately and threaten to report this to the police unless a lot of money changes hands, plus some have diseases such as AIDs and TB.

Consider well before deciding to take on one of these women, and try to ensure they are well recommended and have some sort of references, which I found virtually impossible.
Of course we are going to hear of some success stories, but at these times of economic hardships, taking a complete stranger into the home is a dangerous practise, especially if it involves caring for young children or pets or leaving them in charge of the household if you are away.

I don`t know how far back you go in Chiang Mai, Tywais? But although I do quite often mock the Loi Kroh Road and the adults entertainment scene of Chiang Mai for what is has become, I am actually saddened by it`s decline.

Have many fond memories of the Chiang Mai ex-pat scene, back in the days when we knew everyone by name and there was never a dull moment. Think I was lucky to have experienced those times.

First started coming to Chiang Mai in the mid '80s when Black Cat and Dominoes were still running. Moved here in '93 and took up John's place as my 2nd home. Cozy Corner then when he took over the Black Cat building migrated over to there as a regular (had VIP card #2 given to me by Somchai). Then when Up2You opened up then True Blue took over the Dominoes location, shifted back and forth between them and John's place and was a member of the darts league. That was for about 3-4 years. Didn't really do Loi Kroh except when friends wanted to venture out. Then Spotlight as a regular for about a year.

I agree, definitely fond memories and lot of friendships kindled. Getting a bit nostalgic talking about it now.

//edit - speaking of nostalgia - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/634106-the-black-cat-bar-what-happened-to-it/

When I wasn`t working away abroad and returned back to Chiang Mai, I was a frequent visitor to Black Cat, John`s Place and especially the Spotlight. You probably remember the owners, Bob Crabtree and Hoss. I believe Hoss is still running the Spotlight. Bob was football crazy and always good for a laugh. Do you remember the Paradise Bar? That too was owned by Bob and Hoss and the Wild Orchid. I dare say you was a naughty boy like me and on occasions sneaked off to the bored housewives club during the day.

I remember the last time, some years ago, I decided to visit John`s Place and to my horror it had changed beyond all reconnection. They had knocked the front down and most of the girls were replaced by ladyboys. Never ventured in there again after that.

You and I must have shared some drinks in the same places, probably at the same times. Shame we never actually met, we may have been long term mates by now.

It is nice to bring back old memories and some of the wonderful characters I was lucky enough to had met and known during those times. I could fill up 4 threads with all my stories.

At first they took away the good stuff and left the farang adults entertainment scene with the crap, and now they`re even taking the crap away.

One man's crap is another man's happiness.

I haven't been on Moon Muang or Loi Kroh in years. Took a Google street view walk about around John's place and see it is a shadow of its former self.

I don`t know how far back you go in Chiang Mai, Tywais? But although I do quite often mock the Loi Kroh Road and the adults entertainment scene of Chiang Mai for what is has become, I am actually saddened by it`s decline.

Have many fond memories of the Chiang Mai ex-pat scene, back in the days when we knew everyone by name and there was never a dull moment. Think I was lucky to have experienced those times.

Is this inside information or an educated guess?

This information I have on good authority.

At first they took away the good stuff and left the farang adults entertainment scene with the crap, and now they`re even taking the crap away.

Chiang Mai Technological College. 18.783303227, 98.9932208746

Actually the one you are listing is the Chiang Mai Commercial Technological College. The Chiang Mai Technical College is North just inside the NW corner of the moat.

A couple of maps I did showing the area effected at both. First one the Commercial Technological College, the 2nd the Technological College.

CM Commercial Technical College.jpg

CM Technical College.jpg

There goes all the bars in soi 1 and soi 2 Moon Muang. Tiger Kingdom and Mad Dog will be dry. Only John's Place looks like it has escaped by a nano metre.

This could be considered as 'cruel and unusual punishment'. Think of all the poor old curmudgeons that will be displaced when their favourite watering holes are closed to protect the feckless youth of Chiang Mai. They will be like ghost ships sailing up and down the sois in seach of their lost ports.

Better, I say, they change the edict to read that all colleges and schools within 300 metres of a bar or liquor outlet must be closed during drinking hours. After all, most of the little darlings, unlike the curmudgeonly drinkers, are only wasting their time there.

Of course there is one other recourse and that is to get rid of that other 'Mad Dog' who is promulgating these edicts.

I have mentioned on Thai visa many times in the past, that those who make the decisions here in Chiang Mai are going to one way or another close down what`s left of the bar scene in the Loi Kroh Road and surrounding areas. It`s all on borrowed time, and once gone, the police will not be issuing any new licences for an equivalent elsewhere in the city.

For those considering opening or taking over beer bars within the area, should reconsider because you`re be backing a loser.

This is devastating news.

If they ban heavy drinking on the Loi Kroh Road, then how else are we going to make the girls seem attractive?

What a really great and very useful post. I moved in from Bang Saray to Jomtien because I was bored and felt isolated (about 4 Kilometers from the village itself) in a Thai Moban. I don't drink and am not interested in socialising in bars. Since moving here, myself and "she who must be obeyed" no longer needs to be obeyed as we have split up, so now feel just as isolated in Jomtien. The topic the OP has started would be more than useful if one covered many more areas, particularly where a bunch of foreigners might be lightly to live permanently, or long stayers.

I remember a good while back. before I met my one time beloved, and looking for "my true love" saying to a friend...wouldn't it be nice if there was a good old fashioned "singles club" or "dance" where a person looking to meet a companion might go to meet members of the opposite sex (or same, whatever tickles your fancy) not the short time relationships that can easily be found in Pattaya. I, like the OP, would be interested in any ideas out there. When I was with the "other half" (8 years together) this problem didn't arise, we would travel around Thailand every 5 or six weeks and life was pretty full. We also had a house and that can keep you pretty busy too.

Feel free to PM me if you wish. Not to worry though, I consider these "luxury problems" compared to the problems many others have in today's sad world for those less fortunate than ourselves.

If you were bored in Bang Saray, than I don`t recommend moving to Chiang Mai.

I am fortunate because I’m well established in Chiang Mai, have a home and a family here and not living in isolation. If not for that, I would never contemplate remaining in Chiang Mai.

Solo farangs who decide to plonk themselves in Chiang Mai, having no friends, family or close contacts here have my sympathy, because in Chiang Mai it is extremely difficult gaining social circles as there is no ex-pat scene as such and the one’s you may meet when out and about are hardly approachable and can even be openly obnoxious. As far as I know there are no free non commercial social groups or clubs that have regular meetings purely for the sake of socialising other than what I have already mentioned in my previous post that cater for more specialist themes, which may not be to everyone’s tastes.

I am 60 years old but still active and young at heart; mix well with the younger crowds. So every 6 weeks I nip off and spend a few days in Bangkok for my jollies.

As regards meeting members of the opposite sex in Chiang Mai, for farangs again the venues are extremely limited or non-existent. There are probably hundreds of free on-line dating websites that are very limited where Chiang Mai is concerned. For meeting women in view of forming long term or permanent relationships, you may have better successes where are are.

Wow, NancyL, that's all you've got?

Not Nancy`s fault, because that`s about all there is in Chiang Mai.

If you enjoy dining out, there are numerous nondescript little restaurants scattered across and around the city, or there are various shopping malls for hanging out, where many people go having not much else to do, no real nightlife or adult entertainments worth mentioning, loads of old granny massage parlours and expensive spas if you like that sort of thing, otherwise can`t think of much else.

There is Nancy`s Expats club that is the main and probably the only social club in Chiang Mai, and a few other regular events on the Chiang Mai Meetup and facebook pages that mostly include specialist activities such as Yoga, meditation and strange dance rituals.

Much depends on your age. Many elderly nearing the end of their lives like Chiang Mai for it`s tranquillity and perhaps feel the city is their last grazing ground before fading away peacefully into oblivion.

The point being, it depends on age and what you enjoy doing?

All was not lost.

The following day most of the fish was sent to market and sold as deep fried specials.

Thanks for the replies. I already have a good scanner that will scan @ 600 dpi so I don't need to buy another.

BJ "all it requires is some patience." Maybe you have the patience to scan 400-500 pages of documents, but I don't! If you want to come over and scan, I'll supply the beer!

I'll try to get into the city tomorrow and check some printing shops near CMU, etc.

As I said; all it requires is some patience.

Have I got news for you.

Everything we do on-line is being tagged, logged and saved on a database somewhere.

This is why I am always extremely cautious with my activities on-line, including my contents of emails, what I say on Skype and especially on social media such as facebook. Of course Governments worldwide are spying on us behind the scenes, or if not our on-line activities can be made available to them by certain companies, agencies, Google, facebook and our ISPs.

There is no longer such thing as an anonymous on-line user. Using proxy servers or browsers such as, Tor, were infiltrated by certain companies, agencies and Government authorities long ago.

The advice is simple; user beware.

Actually I need scanning at 600 dpi.

Some of the documents are 8 X 24 inches;some possibly longer.

FYI, I went to 2 print shops in Sansai yesterday that don't offer scanning so "most any print shop can do this job" is not the case.

When I can get into the city I'll try the place at 3 Kings.

Thanks.

Why can`t you scan these documents yourself?

Most printer/scanners will do 600dpi. If the documents are larger than A4 size, than fold them in half and scan in two parts then join them together on your computer with a photo editing software.

Once scanned, edited and on your hard drive, these can be converted to PDF, word, JPG and then you can print them out, save on your hard drive, a flash drive or CD and DVD and have backups.

All it requires is some patience

We never have humidity problems in our house, I solved all that long ago.

In our living room, which is most important because we spend most of our time there, I installed 3 x16inch wall fans and installed 2 extractor fans in the external wall. Very cheap to run with virtually no maintenance.

We always leave our windows open during the hot months as I`m a stickler for free flowing fresh air. Hate being trapped in an artificial environment with air con.. My systems operate by air coming in via the windows, is circulated by the fans and then sucked out by the extractors, which is a continuous flowing process. Total estimated electric bill for running the fans and extractors about 15 hours per day, every day except for the colder months of November and February here in Chiang Mai is 500 baht per month.

. .

How does a farang manage to own a rubber tree plantation in Phuket?

Being no expert of snakes myself, although I never kill snakes that visit our domain, I always give them a wide berth and treat with respect.

'Pol Sub Lt Thotsaphol said police initially believed the man might have killed himself but they need to investigate further.'

What a stupid statement , better to just say the investigation is ongoing ....

Or that the case is concluded, because I guarantee, this is the last we will hear about it.