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Lot's of options around once you've covered the temples.....At night, lit up they take on a different dimension.... There's some good hotels by the river....One, I know for sure) has karaoke rooms. with wait service.... If you're with a group it can be fun....Away from the temples there's not a "strolling" area that I've found....Maybe I just didn't find it..... There's a popular floating market there that seems more legit than the recently constructed tourist traps nearer to Bangkok....They did have some stage shows, but it's been awhile since we were there.... If you have your own transportation it will be a bonus..... Sukothai sp? And it's other nearby world heritage site might be an option for your next trip....A lot more intimate with a lot less concrete but pretty comparable.....

I always use Straight Talk when in the states....It can be used as a hot spot.....We frequent RV parks often enough to use their available wifi as needed..... I bring the same phone each trip then go get a new number....This facilitates return phone calls as needed as most US entities hesitate to call back a 66 number.....Keeps us local, so to speak.....I don't know exactly which way the road takes us so make/confirm reservations as we go.....Last trip the weather knocked us many 100's of miles away from our projected path....CA/NM east instead of our WA/SD/Yellowstone eastbound initial "plan"..... It allows us flexibility.....

I have a black "Planet" card from SCB that worked well in the US.... It's a prepay Visa card....It worked 95-?%.....At some gas stations it didn't go through, but seemed to work almost everywhere else..... We RV, so the gas stops were important for us.... I'd move money from my SCB account to the Planet card as needed using the bank's apps..... US bank to SCB to the Planet card.....The SCB ATM debit card is a Master Card = possible back up, but never tried to use....

Nope, basically a glorified carnival ride..... Achieves nothing.....

Well, this was how I did it....The reason? I had my wife and 2 daughters trailing & I took the brunt while they had fun.... Many times I fended off some grubby/grabbing hands moving/reaching at my teenaged girls..... I had to educate a few.... I never bullied or took cheap shots and it all worked out.... This pic though, was taken at a ball game on a scorching hot day.....Both teams decided to take a break (unusual) & the SongKran guns came out.....

What's to understand? Why underwrite a criminals actions.... Whether foreign or domestic (aiding & abetting) If I were in a country illegally, no matter the reason: I'd expect to be deported.....And rightfully so.....

You could be in Chiang Mai & go in just about any direction and find what you are thinking about within an hour....

I was 4 miles away from the epicenter of the Loma Prieta 7.8 earthquake when it occured..... The mountain didn't slide along highway 9 = it jumped 50-60 feet.....On that road the median barrier is solid concrete about 4ft wide at the base & about 1ft wide at the top reinforced with 1.0" to 1.5" rebar laced through it.....The earthquake shattered through that concrete like it wasn't even there....You could follow the cracks where the ground vibration entered the base of the base & exited out the top twisting the rebar like a pretzel while forcing it upwards and lifting it straight up 3 to 4 ft above the concrete following the vibrations.....You could see the vibration twists and turns..... The LP quake was both a rolling & up and down quake....Some houses cut in half - half upright & semi ok but off foundation and the other half toppled and downed sideways....The destruction was incredible to witness and experience first hand.....The shock waves were 3ft high rumbling through the streets like waves on an ocean.... Fortunately, it ended up I was in what the Army Corp of Engineers classified as the safest building in the area by a fluke in it's construction..... Bangkok got pretty lucky this time around given the nature of a lot of Thai construction methods and the use formed concrete columns in many structures.... If Bangkok had been as close to the epicenter as I was that day there would still be rubble......

AMEN 📢 ))) ) )

I have Maxxis fitted on my SUV....They have worked & worn well.....They give a good ride and grip..... You might want to check that brand out.... I had Yokohama Geolanders & they did ok, but seemed to wear quickly..... I always had success in the states with Michelin, however, the Michelin store I tried (only one around) couldn't be bothered selling 5 tires & 5 Lenso wheels, so, I bought elsewhere....They lost 3 vehicles worth of sales.....

Yeah, I use to put my dog in the car, take him to, & walk him down a nice tree lined, shaded country dirt road that was a refreshing change in routine for him....Next to a canal & a pleasant walk....Some folks would walk it while others took breaks there..... Now - 26 trees in a row (all) have been cut back to their trunks & it's too hot to walk it & an eye sore..... It's the accepted practice here.....

I've owned a Grand Cherokee before - capable vehicle.... But, I wouldn't own one here....Parts would be difficult even in countries they are popular - let alone here....Not to mention there's no manufacturer service at all....Anything needed simply isn't available.... Example, I had an older Pajero here - (a bad choice in my part, trouble prone; even after full inspection/I'd had owned 3 others - good ones)....A tail light lens was broken & needed replacement.....A Thailand source wanted 5000bt for it - scarce....Citing it as the only one available via used parts network/breakers.... Because I had contacts through Montero/Pajero 4x4 clubs I sourced 2 lenses from England for under 1000bt......Just simple red lenses that I changed in about 10 minutes..... I'd say hard pass, even if it appears beautiful.....

Yes, I do use the drive up.... It's very convenient....They also take walk ups at the same (side) window....It had a line with 8 or more people waiting..... My drive in is relatively easy.... If I lived in Pai or MHS it wouldn't be much fun....

I was at a stoplight & the car started bouncing....No strong wind, no car bumped me, engine seemed ok.... Turned out to be the quake - still some shimmies when driving for a couple of kilometers.... Then had to wait with many others for Makro to give the all clear to enter.... My wife was home & it was her first quake....It frightened her....

Yes, I did that & it still wouldn't approve.....I rechecked my info = ok.... Subsequent tries also failed....CM immigration is usually a packed zoo, so I hesitate trying to get any personalized assistance.....I live closer to Lamphun, which is smaller & easier..... Unfortunately, I'm locked into the CM office.....

It worked just fine - until I traveled out of country = hasn't worked since....

I got my extension on Wednesday.....After driving out I noticed that I hadn't noticed my 90 day was due 3 days later....It cost me another 50k round trip from home.... If I had glanced first I could have grabbed a TM & used the drive up in less than an hour.....The walk up was about 12 people deep..... Immigration was swamped..... Just another day.....

I've had good performance from Yokohama & Maxxes.... Bridgestone harden quickly - which isn't good....I got rid of them - 3 cars....

ProAuto on Hang Dong Rd..... Tonn speaks perfect English.... About 700 meters south of Makro on the northbound side of the street....

I have one here & one in the US.....Thinking back, that's just about all I've driven since the 80's/90's.... I've had other complimentary vehicles - trucks, sports cars, sedans - my primary vehicles have been SUV's......

Dated & Lived with Filipinas for years in US & PI.... Didn't like the Philippines... "Discovered" & upgraded to Thai's and Thailand - happy ever since.... I do regret separating from one Filipina - that was my mistake - great lady....

Possibly, if they approached me.... I've met a few "famous" people over the years - never felt compelled to to act star struck...Just treated them as regular folks.... The only near miss opportunity I regret was a chance to visit a half day with Elvis through a mutual friend.... I was married to a runway model that was fairly well known & that notoriety was a pain in the ass....

Nothing related to the UN and it's "representatives" legalities & illegalities are particularly surprising..... It's all about networks of graft, greed, & power accumulation....

Delete - I was replying to a messenger message = not sure how it popped up here...

From the outside the CM store size is underwhelming..... Having only been in the fullsized stores this building is 10% or less than their regular store - probably closer to 5%....