Ebenezer

I have had dealings with a few agents in Chiang Rai. The one I found most helpful was a lady called May who works for I Home. Her phone number is < Phone number removed, please use PM function to contact >.

The shop in Central Plaza occasionally has a special display in the main concourse and they will negotiate at that time. I bought an OMA treadmill from them that was negotiated down from around 33,000 baht to 25,000. (I actually don't use it anymore so let me know if you are interested in a used machine)

I agree with AleG, nuclear energy would be the most efficient and cost effective way to address the challenge of supplying more electricity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There are 1.5 billion people in the world without access to electricity, mostly in Asia and Africa. China has a program to build 363 coal plants to meet additional electricity needs, and India has plans to build 455 coal plants. The WHO says that there are 7 million deaths a year due to pollution so without the extra CO2 we still have the biggest global threat to human health. Drastic action is needed if we are to avoid major climate problems in the future.

Well, they are not going to have an easy time achieving that since the plan is to build more coal plants in the country.

And the burning is already starting in the north to compensate for the reduction in greenhouse gases emissions.

"Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Gen. Daophong Rattanasuwan who represents Thailand and his entourage attend the UNFCCC session and the 10th Kyoto protocol conference from 1-12 December 2014 in Peru."

And a 12 day junket in South America for how many?

Actually, burning fields is carbon neutral, since it releases the CO2 accumulated by the plants that will then be reabsorbed in the next crop. Not that it doesn't produce pollution and should be stopped, but it's not a factor on the matter.

As long as they don't plan to do it by building nuclear power plants.

Nuclear power is the most straightforward solution to reducing greenhouse emissions today, unfortunately fear mongering campaigns based on bad science, misinformation and outdated prejudices has stopped that solution from being implemented. That more nuclear power is not used today, and more research into it's development doesn't happen is one of the great tragedies of these days, like a sick person dying because their faith prevents them from using that "medicine", "scientists" peddle.

No-one can say for sure (or they would be a multi millionaire) but my view is that there will not be any significant change in the short term but that approaching and following the UK election in May 2015 sterling is likely to weaken because of political uncertainty in the UK - yes, worse than is likely in Thailand as long as the King is alive. This is on the basis that there is likely to be no party with a majority so there could be a minority government or a coaltion that may need 3 parties next time.

Also the UK deficit and current account deficit are both ticking time-bombs that are waiting to detonate. As long as the economic growth (currently a respectable 3.1%) does not result in increased government receipts the deficit is going to be an uphill struggle for the next UK government.

There are several repair stalls around. I have found the guy opposite Bandu market (over the footbridge) at the bottom of the steps to be excellent and inexpensive. He seems to be there every day.

I am also in need of some Mazda touch up paint. Could someone please advise which city KSK is in (I am in Chiang Mai)

Reading an information document from the DWP about pensions (dated April 2014) I noted something that may be of interest to others who are entitled to a UK pension. If you do not take the pension when you are entitled to it (currently 65 for men) the pension with be increased by 10.4% a year. It explicitly states in the document that the uplift will also apply to people in countries who do not normally get the index linking. In 2016 the system will change again and it will not be so generous but unless you have a shorter than average life expectancy this is a good deal, especially for retirees in Thailand.

Interesting to read your post and the many responses. Clearly most respondents start from the premise that spirit possession does not exist. I am surprised that I seem to be the first poster who starts from the position that the spirit world is as real as the physical world; it just exists in different dimensions from those accessible by physical interrogation. As a physicist I am aware that science does not have all the answers, even though it has pushed back the boundaries of knowledge in many areas. Recent theories of cosmogenesis include the possibility of a mult-dimensional universe (i.e. not just the 3 dimensions and time with which we are familiar) and there is no understanding yet about the interaction of different dimensions.

An example of the increased knowledge, quoted in several posts, is the understanding of the how the brain works and its role in mental illness. It is clearly important not to ascribe all strange behaviour to spirit possession when there physical explanations but I would suggest that to say that mental illness explains everything is to ignore some of the evidence.

Also, most posters with some experience of spirit possession fortunately appear to have escaped without major consequences. I would caution that this is not always the case and I would personally advise caution when dealing with these things (Acts 19:15).

In conclusion my main comment on your very honest post is that maybe you should re-examine your assumptions in the light of your recent observations and experience.

2012 Mazda BT-50 Pro 4x4 (3.2 litre, 6 speed auto) - I get 50 mpg (miles per gallon) which is about 4.7 l/km (US) - around town.

You sure there isn't a typo there? 50mpg is about 80km per gallon. (multiply miles by approx 1.6 to get kilometers)

1 US gallon is 3.78 litres so 21.16km per litre

1 UK Gallon is 4.54 litres so 17.62km per litre

Neither seems likely.

I agree that that sounds remarkable if correct. I have a 2012 BT%) 2.2 manual. For the first 6 months I averaged 37 mpg (imperial) but a bit less now - 7.5-8.5 l/100km which averages out around 35 mpg.

The Ford/Mazda is the best truck available today.

Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk

I agree that these are the best trucks at the moment. The motor is a Ford with advanced design giving excellent fuel economy, a tank of diesel takes me 900-1,000km.

Opinions about Ford or Mazda are held strongly on both sides and it seems you either love or hate the Mazda design. I chose the Mazda because I liked the cabin design and the wife liked the look of the Mazda. In 2 years I have not found any down-side but you should be aware that they are large and I would recommend adding a reversing sensor of some kind.

There is a clinic on the right side of the superhighway heading north. It is about 100m north of the King Menrai junction. The doctor specializes in ears (so presumably N& T too) and I have been there a couple of times over the years. He has seemed competent and helpful from my experience and is not expensive.

An interesting question, which is confirmed by the large number of replies. Quite noticeable that there are nearly as many different answers as there are posters!

I believe the answer to your question is "yes", but with qualifications.

I have looked into this before and give my views below. (Clearly many will disagree with me but the logic is correct).

1. Those who say that "Buddhism in its pure form is not a religion but a life philosophy, Buddha never intended to be seen as a god" are correct. In consequence from the Buddhist perspective one can be a Buddhist and a Christian.

2. There are many teachings in Buddhism and Christianity which are similar. This however does not include the way to "salvation" which is arguably the most important teaching.

3. From the Christianity perspective whether Christianity excludes belief in other religions depends on your assumptions: (a) if, as the majority believe, the Bible is just a book rather than the Word of God, you can logically make up your own mind - relativism rules rather than the existence of absolute truth so your "truth" (opinion?) is as valid as that of anyone else. It should be noted that modern philosophy discarded absolute truth a long time ago. or ( If however, as a minority (even within "Christianity" these days) believe, the Bible is the Word of God then "no man cometh to the Father except by the Son", and the unfashionable concepts of sin, repentance, atonement and faith in Jesus Christ as savior are the way to salvation. (Truth or the strength of an argument is however not dependent on the number of people who believe it).

N.B. As in the case of financial investments, risk and reward should not be ignored in making your decision: if (a) is correct and you believe ( in error, then the consequences are minor; but if ( is correct and you live your life based on (a), then the consequences are dire. (Paraphrased from the philopher Blaise Pascal).

I was going to take a break from BKK and go to Mae Rim/Chiang Mai next week ... is that still advisable?

It does not seem so bad this year - at least so far. There is a web site that gives the data http://aqicn.org/map/thailand/ and City Hall in Chiang Mai is at 65 today, i.e.quite low.

I imagine we are not talking about a 30 year registerable lease here. Just a short term tenancy agreement. Yes you have the right to profit from the property as the holder of the usufruct. So just find a tenant, put a lease in place with them and start collecting rent.

Why does everyone have to make things so bloody complicated here on TV?

My bad. I won't make the mistake of answering these kinds of questions again.

Your reaction is very understandable but there are many people here who really appreciate a well-informed and informative answer, so please do not be put off by those who do not appreciate detail. Thank you for your insight.

Was reading this topic and I do understand that a permit is required to drill a well.

After the well is drilled is there any charge to use the water under the ground?

Because it is a state resource

Send me any info would be greatfully thanks

No city billing for water use from my well in Chiang Mai...

Can I ask how is your quality of water, how deep u had to drill and what is your well capicity ?

Because I am looking at drilling also in Chiang rai but was told had to go deep to get to good water because the amount of chemicals used in farming

Thanks in advance

Thanks in advance

I am also in Chiang Rai but 7km from the city and no municipal water supply in our village. I have a well, initially 8m but water unreliable so had another well dug at 18m which has been fine. I have a second concrete tank with a sand filter which needs to be backwashed every 2 months. The depth of well needed depends on the area so you would be better off finding out what the locals do. From my experience I would recommend going deeper than you think necessary and fit an automatic cut-out to your pump(s) as this is much cheaper than replacing them if they run dry and burn out.

Hi Scorpio, I went to MaeSalong today. The cherry trees have started to blossom. I asked someone there who has some in his garden and he said his will be at their best towards the end of the week.

The current troubles in Thailand are only 1 factor leading to the demise of the baht. Another major factor, if not the most important) is the tapering of quantitative easing in the US. This leads to increased yields from US government bonds so investment is moving out of asia (where it went after 2008) back into the US. Another factor is the improved economies of the west - Europe as well as USA, leading to the same thing. Another factor is the huge Thai government debt (rice pledging scheme, first car (since that was abolished the car manufacturers in Thailand are really struggling and many Thais who bought first time didn't realise how much cars cost to run, rather than buy, either reneged on their debt or can't sell their second hand cars as there is a glut), major infrastructures) and personal debt of Thais (cars, homes/condos all on bank credit). The economy is way out of kilter regarding earnings (GDP) and personal and government debt. Western investors see this as a danger signal and don't want to be around when the bubble bursts. The troubles don't help (or do depending on your point of view) but solving the political situatuion won't stop the baht from dropping. It's what's called a perfect storm when all these factors come along at the same time! personally I am waiting longer - I am buying a condo and a car soon and hope to get the car free from the increased value of the pound against the baht! For me, any value of the pound above 50 baht is a profit.

I entirely agree with your view Card. FX trading is very complex and depends on many factors. It is impossible to predict with any certainty but my opinion, for what it is worth, is that in the short term the USD, GBP and EUR will all increase against the baht. There are factors affecting the USD in particular that I think will cause it to rise in the medium term in its own right so I think buying USD/THB is probably the best trade. Rates are very volatile though so this will not be a smooth change.

There are some interesting articles about the Thai economy in Forbes.com if you want to study about it.

I broke my collar bone several years ago as a result of a motor cycle accident in the UK. It was very painful and the 2 ends of bone were overlapping. The specialist advised me that the bones would heal by themselves but if I wanted to not have a bulge showing through the skin I would need an operation. He also advised that the bones would not join as well after an operation for reasons that he said no-one understood.

Anyway I decided to let it mend itself. The only advice I would give is that even though it hurts a lot, do not keep your shoulder immobilised for a long time. I did this because I thought not moving would help it heal quicker. The bones mended quickly but it was several years before my shoulder recovered!

I would be a 1 on the scale which probably means that many 7s will discount my view.

My circle of friends here in Thailand is an eclectic mix of believers and unbelievers and I would not want it any other way.

Unlike the OP who thought questioning evolution was irrational and unscientific, I would question it on the basis of science (and I do have degrees in science).

It is also interesting to me that anyone can find a debate between Hitchins and a Christian to be "hugely entertaining". Look at the example below and decide for yourself.

One further thought: if the Bible is correct and and faith in Jesus Christ leads to a positive existence in the afterlife then I would posit that faith is a good thing. If this faith is misplaced then little if anything is lost. However if the Bible is correct then lack of faith would lead to an extremely negative result. Taking into account the logic of probability and consequence I would therefore urge those without faith in Jesus Christ to be 100% honest with themselves and be sure of their position. I acknowledge that I cannot prove by scientific method that God exists but neither can it be proved that he does not exist.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8MzPmkNsgU

Many hospital doctors have their own clinics which are usually open in the evenings and/or weekends. I think you would be better off visiting a specialist urologist and the only one I know in Ching Rai is on Walking Street. I dont remember the name but coming from the town it is on the right hand side and has blue writing.

The gym near King Menrai is less expensive for single visits but has fewer facilities and no pool. Piman Inn is more upmarket and has a nice pool. When I joined they had an offer - pay 12,000 baht for 1 year and get 2 years membership. I think the offer is still open but you would need to check.

I heard it is going to be a 14 story condo and hotel.

Isn't Furama Hotel backing onto that plot and its more than 8 floors.

as well as HS4 is 15 stories.. That was the old building limit.

More recently 8 stories is supposed to be the limit.

The tricky part is what gets approved these days. For example the new Maya Mall looks to be about 14 stories.

But most new buildings in the area are just being built to 8.

Could be some sort of special exemption is for sale.

I recently bought a unit on the west side. I had heard about the rumours so went to the land office in the Tessaban (near the US Consulate) and was shown a zoning map of Chiang Mai with the Hillside 4 area in the red zone. I was told that this means that there is a height limit of 8 stories. As I thought this was from an authoritative source I accepted it (perhaps naiively as it is turning out) and proceeded with the purchase.

Rico ran a good business and was kind to his customers. We will miss him.

I agree. I particularly liked the freshly cooked pizzas and always found the food to be of good quality and very reasonably priced. If someone takes it over they will have quite a challenge to maintain the standards.

I am very grateful to everyone for all the information.

Thanks, Eb