Sparkles

NZ is indeed where Mainland cheese originates.NZ has 5m dairy cows, more cows than people, and is a major exporter of dairy products. In fact powdered milk is exported to Thailand where its re constituted into liquid milk. Thailand has no where near enough dairy cows or decent pasture to satisfy demands. Lotus's, Hang dong Road, recently started stocking Mainland cheese and its flying off the shelves. Makro the same. Australia does have some decent cheese under the label BEGA which is a rural town south of Sydney .Been produced for decades. Its also available locally but a limited range for some reason. Dao Cheeso is locally produced with the sales outlet at the Hideaway Cafe, off Hang Dong Rd, cheddar ,feta etc. The cheese making is done opposite the cafe, been there for a long time In our village Mooban Wangtan, off Paeded Rd, San Phak Wan, we have a increasingly, well respected, cheese maker Jartisan Cheesery, address 4B Soi 1. The range of available cheese is very interesting and received great reviews. As well as cheese there is a range of bread baked every Saturday morning, well worth a visit. Jartisan's cheese is also sold at the new supermarket behind Airport Plaza.

Been with Dr Morgan since the clinic was opened some 10+ years ago. Very popular with expats as Dr speaks excellent English and there are 2 registered nurses on staff, opposite Geriatric Hospital on Hang Dong Road. You will need appointment. Health Care Medical Clinic. Phone 08 2766 8672.

Stayed twice in the last 2 months at a hotel in Hua Hin. Using only Thai wife's ID when signing in was not acceptable. I had to present my passport. They now report every single person staying following a visit from the local Immigration a few months ago. Previously was never a problem at the same hotel using wife's ID but is now which means you are wise to submit TM 30 on return.

I thought it was common knowledge that New Zealand exports a huge amount of dairy products to Thailand as this country has a limited number of dairies, poor pastures due to extended dry periods and lack of investment. Hardly enough to satisfy a population of 69 m +people plus tourists. NZ has 5 million dairy cows which is more cows than people ! In 2021, for example, they exported to Thailand $421m worth of concentrated milk powder which is made here into liquid milk. $72.5m worth of butter and $52.1 m worth of cheese. Maybe there has been a delay in shipments but Makro, Mae Hia had plenty yesterday

I used Khun Suchart's team only last week ,he actually came with them on his way home. Competed electrical and plumbing work professionally and very reasonable charge. Have one of his team coming out Saturday for more electrical work and painting. This is in addition to his own IT work. I shall continue to use him, as not being fluent, in Thai his English is excellent.

I has my cataracts done here in CM by Dr Winai who has a clinic on the north side of the moat. The ops were done 4 weeks apart at Sripat Hospital .Cost was approx 50 k per eye. Dr Winai lectures during the week and his clinic is open from 5pm,see web site . Ops are done on Sundays. He has excellent English and felt comfortable with his long standing experience and communication ability. 100% successful could not believe what I had been enduring and delaying. I only need el cheapo glasses for reading but long distance vision is wonderful. No need to go to Bangkok there are other very competent specialists here in CM.

I would strongly recommend Doctor Nisachon Morgan at Health Care Medical Clinic. My doctor for more than 11 years. Thai lady with excellent English and 2 registered nurses on staff. Her clinic is opposite the Geriatic Hospital on Hang Dong Road. Many expats have made this their first choice as the care is is very professional. See web site or fb page. Appointment is required.

Thank you ,noted for next trip

Immigration is really a dog's breakfast, always has been and no sign of any adult coming in and sorting it out and having all offices on the same page. My wife and I have been at the same address in CM for more than 15 years but still doing the 90 day ritual, my Dutch neighbour 27 years, same address, never left the country. Logic simply does not apply for reporting only when you change your permanent address. If you are married best to book in to a hotel/resort with your wife's ID, we notice more and more hotels/resorts are fine with this.

Thanks for the info, next time will try the northern end. The surge hitting the concrete steps was so strong you could hear the sound 200 m away. Tried to swim but sank up to my knees in unstable sand, first wave knocked me over and been surfing most of my life back in Oz. Might explain why no one else was attempting to swim.????

Bit of advice please. We live in Chiang Mai and took advantage of the new Air Asia direct flights to Hua Hin then taxi to Cha Am. Hadn't been to Cha Am since I was working in Bangkok 15 years ago and distinctly remember a stretch of sandy beach at Cha Am but alas this trip the ocean water was pounding into the concrete steps every day making swimming there not only difficult but dangerous and my intention was to soak up some salt water rather than our small resort pool. We enjoyed our 4 days but couldn't get an answer if these ocean conditions are the new norm ,if so we will have to find another beach location. 2 days of misty rain was also unusual.

Mine is a fixed deposit for marriage visa, far less complicated and method used by most. Of course I also provide the actual passbook updated on the day and photo copies.

Simply not true. For more years that I can remember I have obtained the necessary letters/documents from Bangkok Bank, KSK, signed off by staff. Never waited more than 15 minutes for an employee to go to a computer located in the rear of the office and print them out. I then proceed to Immigration. Every BB account is on their computer system. Of course KSK branch is now closed and most of the staff relocated to a bank owned branch at Chang Phuak, a few 100 metres north of the moat on the road to City Hall, LHS ,plenty of parking. I visited the bank some weeks ago and was met at the entrance by Khun Sombat, Assistant Manager and long time contact and friend, who assured me it was business as usual and I could expect the documents to be provided on the spot when required.

No, but they sent have letters and the regular newsletters to the my address which has been the same for 15 years. Just presumed they would send documentation to sign etc. Been told with some people that don't bother but obviously don't want any disruption to the monthly pension being in my account. Perhaps I should sign up ,never used it. Thanks for advice

My 80th birthday is on the horizon, ie July and I believe that we receive documentation prior from Centrelink which has to be completed and returned to prove we are still alive .Has anyone had this chore to do and how long before your 80th birthday did it arrive ? I know phoning Centrelink is an option but my last 2 calls resulted in misinformation and one letter they sent, on another subject, took 59 days to get here as it was posted ordinary mail during this Covid period when mail was seriously affected and probably still is. Any personal experiences would be appreciated.

The biggest and best second hand book stores in Chiang Mai are : (A) On the Road Book shop on Ratchawithi Rd, 50 m down from the UN Pub, in new premises (2 shop houses) almost opposite the site they were at for many years. (B) The Lost Book Shop almost opposite Mungala Health Clinic on Ratchamanka Rd. Owner "Irish George" re located all stock from his other store Back Street Books way back. There's books from floor to ceiling, again in 2 shop houses. Both stores didn't stopped trading right through the 2 years of Covid. I was in Lost Books very recently and George has also brought in new book releases and authors. Surprised their were some youngish tourists perusing and buying Both still offer 50% refund when books are returned. There are some other shops selling but these 2 are the biggest. But to the original OP's enquiry not sure any shop is buying at present until tourism gets back on its feet. Fact they remained open is due to a loyal, local customer base Free Bird Cafe at Nimman welcome DONATIONS of books which they sell very cheaply with money for the work and funding they are doing to help the poor souls in the north of the country

Well if you believe in "official" new stories that's a laugh. I could list a dozen of them, that never saw the light of day over the last 2 decades. Protests had nothing to do with it. There were far bigger public protests in CM about the buildings, for the judiciary, on Doi Suthep, what did that achieve ? nothing . My contact in local Gov, still a neighbour, now retired, has never once been wrong about all the floated speculation in the 17 years we have been in CM, you are speaking to the wrong ones. I remember well arriving to work in Bangkok 20 years ago and Thaksin was live, in a television address, telling the population that he would solve Bangkok's traffic gridlock in 6 months. Was he, as PM, not a top official ? When the bulk of population live in Moobans, way out of the city, a BTS system was never going to be built, financial suicide as city bus systems have proven. Our Mooban has 800+ homes, multiple that by that by say 3 people per home that's 2,400 indiviuals not anywhere near public transport the reason cars and motor bikes are the main form of transport and will remain that way. There are 100's of similar Moobans The Songteaw mafia may well be "noisy" but don't elevate them to city decision makers, simply not true. Electric people movers are hopefully the future.

Chiang Mai was never going to build a BTS system, nothing to do with protests. The population doesn't warrant the huge expenditure unlike Bangkok where the population is over 10 million. Unlike CM Bangkok roads are choked with traffic and it was the only option along with underground rail which is equally popular. That is not my opinion it was relayed to me by a local CM Gov official. Some were also floating the idea of a BTS type service from the Night Safari down Canal Rd to the City, that too was just "kite flying". The small bus service that travelled from near Bantawai to the City down Hang Dong Rd has also disappeared When we moved here some 17 odd years ago there was a bus service launched and there was a protest from the Songteaw /Tuk Tuk Mafia as they were known .I think City Life covered that in an article. The fact is Thai for decades have relied on Songteaw's and Tuk Tuks to get around the city and old habits are hard to break. The buses were not well supported and finished up being left in a compound near Global House and then disappeared probably as scrap metal or sold to Cambodia ???? Then along came the blue buses. Yes they were comfortable and useful for some but far too big and buses half the size and cost, meaning a more frequent timetable, would have helped. Meanwhile Songteaw's went past people waiting every minute. While some trips had passengers many had as few as 2 or 3 passengers. A friend who still has a business on the set route remarked to me that as he watched them going past more or less empty how long would they continue ? Loss of tourists who used them to get to the airport killed them off. They too are probably in a compound somewhere. Cars and motor bikes are still king, especially for the 1,000's that live in hundreds of Mooban's south ,north and east of the city. We are regular visitors to Worrowat Market and for 30 baht we can park on site but there's always a line of Songteaw's and Tuk Tuk's servicing those that don't have their own transport. The solution and I can't believe it has not been discussed, by those who make these decisions, or maybe it has, is to have a fleet of electric people movers such as used by CMU, RAM and Sriphat Hospital. CM City being dead flat is perfect for such a vehicle, quiet, no pollution and easy to get on and off. They in time could replace the smoke belching Songteaw's and would be financially viable but don't hold you breath that anything will change any time soon.

At the entry point to the park just tell them you want to use the large pool and you would like ,in our case, 2 towels. Total cost as I said was 200 baht for both of us. We were given, as we always are, tickets which we then presented to the kiosk at the entry to the pool and foot massage area. Leaving after showering put the towels in the basket provided, dead simple and in our opinion good value.

My Thai wife and I were there last Monday and surprised that there were quite a few visitors unlike a few months ago when the place was all but empty. My wife handled the entry fees with my pink card which got a nod of approval. Total cost of entry ,use of pool and 2 freshly laundered towels in sealed plastic bags was 200 baht for both of us. I don't know the breakdown but for 90 minutes of enjoyment I didn't think that was expensive and no sign of any unpleasant staff, the opposite in fact. Our own village pool has a 60 b entry fee and some charge 100 baht. We then had lunch in the restaurant adjacent to the pool and total cost was around 300 baht with food and drinks. All in all for 500 baht a very pleasant morning and the gardens are full of flowering plants/trees for photo ops.

The sleep over test for Sleep Apnia and usual result of use of a CPAP which can help with fatigue varies from person to person and I have never snored. Results showed one hour I stopped breathing normally 56 times My fatigue has not improved greatly but I have other underlying conditions and have suffered from insomnia for years. Important you talk to a Dr prior and post test. The Sleep Specialist will have you booked in for a follow up with results if you go ahead. CPAP machines are quite expensive. Companies like Lazada are better priced but you may choose to buy the one, should you need one, they offer at the hospital. Masks vary I tried 3 before I found the most comfortable for me, bought online with Lazada. Doctor Morgan at HCMC is Thai with excellent English. I've been with her since day 1 which is probably some 12 years now. Re did I sleep ? you will be wired up from head to toe and have to sleep on your back .I did get around 5 hours sleep with the aid of a sleeping tablet which they approved. Best advice I can give ,hope it helps. My best friend in Australia took a test which showed he actually stopped breathing for a full 2 minutes at one stage .They didn't let him go home without a CPAP machine

I went through this issue some 3-4 years ago. I priced all hospitals, including the mentioned ones, but was told by my GP that I could it be done far cheaper, opposite her clinic on Hang Dong Rd, the strangely named Geriatric Hospital which is staffed with Doctors that also practice at other hospitals Sirphat etc. You don't have, as an expat to be a "Geriatric" I can't remember the cost as I no longer have the receipt but it was way below the private hospitals and being 75 at the time with pre existing conditions was not covered by insurance. They have 4 sleep test rooms monitored the whole time in another room. I had to book ahead, but only had to wait a week. In at 5pm out 7am next morning, pleasant nurses and follow up by visiting specialist few days later. The rooms were comfortable and even a sleeping couch for my wife Unless you are fairly fluent in Thai not much English is spoken so best to get some help for price and other details. I now have a CPAP bedside and use it every night. My readings from the test were on the critical side, so not something to put off. PM me if you have any other questions