Impkenai

Really, if you have to ask what to try, you probably should get a Thai friend to accompany you and introduce you to the real thing. Most farangs only know chicken rice, pad Thai, fried rice, etc. It's no reflection on them, but the Thai people know best. Have your friend write down (in Thai) the things you like, and/or try to remember how they are pronounced.

If you don't speak any Thai at all, you can always point, but half the brilliance of Thai food is in how it's eaten - what spices to add, sauces to dip, etc. Watch those around you.

Have fun.

You are most informative and your reponse is 'spot on'. Good job. Keep your replies coming.

Hey Imp, what species are you going after ? Some like the giant snakehead and jungle perch can be pretty active when there's rain on and off. It puts alot of bait in the water and on top, so they're excited. Pretty sure it works the same with some of the various catfish species around too.

It might make you wet, but gray n some drizzle could really improve the overall fishing.

I have no particular favorite specie, just like any fish at the end of my line. LOL. This time I'm planning for Pla Buek and Pla Sawai. Need some exercise after a year's layoff. VBG. The sun and the rain don't bother me ... I take it as it comes. It's the lightning that can pose a threat to carbon fishing rods, and also being the highest point in the middle of a body of water. I'm not suicidal ... yet! VBG

I find most fishes feed after the rains had stopped, especially when it rains on a hot day.

Right now it's raining.

We've had light drizzle all day but hard to call it real rain. The OP better bring a parka.... It's down to 21 C here already tonight.

Would an umbrella do?

I need a lesson on using an umbrella to keep out the 21C.

Seems like the perfect weather to wet a line. So no need to bring a boat yet! I'll pack a poncho just in case.

Thks for the update.

What is the weather like now? The weather forecasts show thundery showers almost everyday for the next few weeks.

Rains don't fit into my fishing schedule. Any 'live' updates would be appreciated.

I had used co2 inflators for bicycle tyres before. Don't remember what capacity canister. You could check out a bicycle shop, sports shop or a dive shop. Sorry, can't be more specific, but hope this helps.

Generally thefts from baggage after check-ins are usually done by the airport handling staff. Airlines HAVE to contract their baggage handling services to the respective airports' ground handling companies.

I had my fishing rods 'lost' at one Malaysian airport, and am convinced that airport's baggage handling staff stole it. It was a bummer for me to scramble to get replacement rods so I could fish. LOL

We can 'improve' security of our soft zippered luggage by using a combo lock strap around it, and getting it shrinked wrapped before checkin. Helps, but cannot stop thefts entirely.

Impulse, unfortunately 'meat fishermen' do not use lures or rod and lines. They usually use long nets, or long lines. Those who fish for a meal cannot be faulted, it's survival. Even then, they should have the common sense to release small fries and let them grow bigger to be caught again. But they don't think this way.

I've seen fishermen who really 'hates' fishes. They do not eat them, just catch them and leave them to die on the ground. They do this at paid ponds in the wild too. They are sick in the head.

We practice C&R to help out the fish population in our small way.

Tight lines.

If the google map is not what the OP is looking for, I remember there was another hand drawn map posted some time ago.

But I can't remember under what topic or by which TV member. 1Gringo, do you remember if that is correct?

There is a fishing park near the end of unnut soi 17 called buengajao, Only striped catfish and the bait is bread, I,m not sure if rods are available for rent but light gear with a 20lb line will do, cost for the day last time i checked was 35bht,

The beer is cold and the food is good,

I,m out of town at the moment but if you need more info i can send a kmz file when i get back.

Yes, you refreshed my memory. It is called Bangachow (sp?) and is at the end of the dirt track. The other two smaller ponds are along the dirt track to Bungachow.

If you're looking for fishing holes around On Nut, there are at least 3 pay ponds just off On Nut Soi 77 that only locals go. Ponds are smallish and usually smaller catfish up to 5 kgs. Cost to fish is B100 per day with your own rod. Great sport on light tackle with 15 lb lines. Also not so easy to catch, so some patience is needed.

You enter Soi 77 from On Nut BTS side, and about 1.5km to 2km turn left into Soi On Nut 17. You will cross the river, and come to a T-junction at a little village. Take the right fork and proceed straight and you'll see a couple of smallish pond on the right. Continue going and you'll come to a piece of really desolate empty land, and you'll see another pond on the left. This L-shaped pond is larger and better run. Too far to walk, best with your own bike. Most cab drivers do not know these places, but if you take a motosai taxi from On Nut BTS they can take you there.

Sadly I did not take a business card nor have the exact directions/locations.

Try checking out the TV's Fishing Forum more more fishing info.

Happy fishing.

When I transited Bangkok to Chiangmai on TG last December, I went to the transfer desk. The immigration clearance is behind the transfer desk. Immediately after immigration clearance, I entered the door behind into the domestic terminal and boarded the internal flight.

If in doubt, check with the TG transfer desk in BKK airport.

Thanks for posting the fare breakdown, IMA_FARANG. Most informative, although we generally know the add-on charges are there.

In addition to the basic airfare, the biggest chunk of add-on is the fuel surcharge in any air ticket. However, I do not know what was the base oil price that was build into the basic airfare. As oil prices gets higher, this fuel surcharge gets higher.

Most airports charge a passenger service fee to recover their investments, but it seems the US charges for other services too, like immigration, APHIS, etc.

Of course, budget airlines has more add-ons than these, and most are 'hidden' until you hit the pay button.

yes before you get to the hot springs there are some caves on the left hand side can't remember the name .

Mae On Cave. Really nice.

It's Muang On Cave, on the way to the hotsprings. It's cheap, and as other posters had stated, a very interesting place to visit. See link here -

http://www.visitchiangmai.com.au/muang_on_cave.html

The cave is only partly lit, and you can 'rent' a torch light at the entrance for B20. If you have a camera, you'll need a flash. Certain parts are very steep, especially from the entrance down to the cave proper. Be prepared for the damp, but not much puddles on the ground.

If you feel up to it, you can climb up a long flight of stairs from the cave entrance, to the top of the hill. I've not done that climb as I did not have time and the energy left to do it. LOL

Further up north is the Chiang Doi Cave, as mentioned in the website. It is smaller and you have to literally squeeze through in some areas. You have to hire a local guide for B100, and another B100 for rental of a pressurized lamp. There is no lighting inside this cave, so an extra torch light and camera flash is necessary.

You'll enjoy these caves, if you are NOT claustophobic.

not really news at all-that van has existed since about the bridge opened. It likely only means that the mad crush rush to grab the seats in that van are now partly relived as maybe bookable via NOK's site.

and DO note; read the fine lines, it is ONLY till bridge-not into Laos!

What kenai writes is really complte ignorant: as long as Udorn-or Ubol or KhonKhaen airport have opened there were flights-if s/he is small pocketed, sicne AirAsia and/or NOK or 1-2-GO opened s/he could have taken the chance. This van-as explained not really new either-has hardly nay meaning for that

I certainly hope for your sake that you find out the names of your parents soon. Have a nice day.

This is great news for me. I had always wanted to visit the NE but the land journey turns me off. Now I can make my travel plans again.

Will have to check Nok Air website for details.

Kudos on your bravery for traveling between Chiang Mai and Pai via minivan.

Wishing you safe journey in June!

You are being very kind to me. I thought the correct word should be 'stupidity' instead of 'bravery'. LOL

Done two tourist trips via minivans to the Golden Triangle and survived. Perhaps I was just lucky. Tough journey and very tiring, and I need motion pills to keep from puking. So I was drowsy most of the time, maybe that helped.

So I'll be taking those little pills again in June. No worries bud.

Thanks for the tips. Much appreciated.

I'll be in Chiang Mai some time in June, and am thinking of spending a few days up in Pai.

I know Kan Air has daily flights to Pai, but I am checking out the minivan option. Anyone has any recommendations as to the 'better' minivan company service to take? And approx how long is the journey and how much?

I know the road goes through some mountains and may be uncomfortable, that's why I checking for a 'more comfortable' minivan company.

Any recommendations are welcomed.

Wow! That was a very powerful documentary. An eye opener for me as to the ultimate motive of SOME missions and missionaries. JMHO

Thanks for sharing.

I used Agoda several times to book hotels in Thailand. So far I have no problems. The terms of bookings differ from hotel to hotel. Some require non-cancellation full payment, but most do not require a deposit.

Point to note is that Agoda's posted prices DO NOT include service charges and relevant taxes. It's only when you try to book a particular date that you'll see the full cost per room night. At that point, you can terminate the link anytime if you do not wish to proceed.

Suggest that once you decide on a hotel, to check the website of that hotel and compare prices. You'll be surprised at the pricing differences. Saved me some dollars.

Cheers!

Bo Bae Tower calls itself wholesale but you can certainly buy 1's & 2's

http://www.bobaetower.com/

Yup, I second Bobae Tower. Not crowded as Pratunam and lots and lots of all kinds of clothing at close to wholesale prices.

There are mahseers in Chiang Rai province, but their locations are carefully guarded. There was a one-off exploratory mahseer fishing expedition by a group of Malaysian fishermen last year, with the help of the Thai park rangers. Mahseers were filmed swimming in pristine rivers next to native settlements deep in the jungles.

Fishing tackle is very personal to me. I tend to use my own tackle even when fishing at BSR or other spots. That's why I carry all my fishing stuff with me.

It's just that I know the performance and quality of my gear, and am confident they will hold up even when big fishes are biting.

Had a rod tip broke while fighting a pla shadow once, and I never buy that 'well known' brand again. Also had another brand broke the first time I made a cast. That brand is also banned from my collection. 5555

Have fun fishing.

Snakeheads do have teeth, don't they? I don't use wire leaders when targeting pla chon, just use 50lb braid as the leader. It is more flexible and will withstand several takes before requiring a change. Of course I have to check the leader after every take to make sure it is still fine for another cast. I usually tie up five or six hooks and leaders, this way I can change them quickly.

I tie the leader to a swivel and then to the line. Gives me a very sensitive feedback when the fish is 'mouthing' the bait. I also use 20lb or 30lb braid as my main line for sensitivity as well. Everyone has their own preferences and I'm sure you'll get to a rig setup that suits your style of casting and fishing.

Soft baits, frogs, hotdogs, chicken guts, pieces of meat, etc all elicit a response from the pla chon. You need to find some grassy wetlands or snaggy areas. Cast and retrieve slowly with a jigging or twitching motion. When you feel a 'peck' stop retrieving for a few seconds, then slowly twitch the bait. Be prepared to give some slack so the fish can take the bait and swim away. When the line is tight, strike with the wrist movement and fish on. This usually works for me.

As I mentioned, others may have their personal fishing methods.

Tight Lines.