Yelly

We took a trip to Rimping this morning and took a red truck there for 20 BAHT each, following everyone's advice to a "T." No problems.

We noticed that the blue trucks run the length of our road to our regular destinations and home, so we were quite happy about that. We took a blue truck back home for 10 BAHT each. No problems....and quite enjoyable....very happy to get the "hang" of things. It would have probably taken us weeks to figure out without the help of everyone here. Really, MANY thanks!

We have a map in our condo that shows a "tentative" schedule of the colored trucks. It is published in the complimentary magazine/directory called "Chang Puak." This seems to be the January 2011 edition left by a previous renter. It lists the buses as:

BLUE (2) : Nong Hoi-700 Years Stadium

PURPLE (6) : Around Chiang Mai City (looking at the map, shows it starts on the left of the moat on Suthep Rd and runs out of the city, up and over and then down Thung Hotel Rd)

GREEN (11) : Arcade-Night Safari

ORANGE (13) : Railway Station - Night Safari

Now, I know this isn't 100% accurate, because this map shows the blue ending around Rat Uthit Rd on ChiangMai-Lamphun, but we live a few blocks past that and the blue truck dropped us and continued south. We just asked if they were passing our condo building, they nodded yes, and we hopped on, paying 20 BAHT for both at the end.

We are mainly getting around by landmarks (Wats, Bridges, major intersections, etc.) and this seems to be working well. We try to speak as much Thai as we can, but we're both still very beginner at it.

Ok, that's my report! 555

Just throwing my two cents in...I bought a Sony eReader on eBay for around $95. It was new in the package, albeit the particular model was a few years old. I've had no problems with it and I love using it. Perhaps poke around eBay and see what you can find?

Sawasdee kaa

My husband and I are finally in Chiang Mai and we've been wandering around the past few days, simply figuring basics out (visits to Rimping & the Airport Plaza were the most of our excitement). We're starting to wonder how the transport works. I've always just hailed the red trucks, told them where I'm going and then they offer a price, which is usually absolutely ridiculous (one man tried to charge me 120 BAHT to ride the truck for five minutes, today...I passed him and settled with a tuktuk for 80 BAHT). Last year when we were here, we fell to the 100 BAHT to anywhere trap....no more!

What's the standard farang fare for the trucks and tuktuk? And how do you go about getting it? They usually highball at first, I understand, but only once every three times or so will they budge with it. The man offering 120 BAHT today would not budge. I don't understand.

Also, what would be the best method for us to get up Chiangmai-Lamphun Rd/Charoen Rajd to Kaewnawarat Road? We are living off Chiangmai-Lamphun rather far south (near the Holiday Inn and Rajavej Clinic) and our classes will be just off the same road (at the intersection of Charoen & Kaewnawarat)....but it's a long distance between the two points. We assume the easiest way is a red truck? Google Maps suggests it is a ten minute drive. What the heck is the standard fare for a trip like this?

I apologize for all the darned questioning. We've managed to figure most things out just fine, but remain perplexed by the varying pricing all across the board for the same trips!

Otherwise, everything is most excellent

And so what about one of these types? Does this appear safe?

One other question. Thank you already so much for all of your help, of course....

Do you happen to know the closest entry point to Chiang Mai (that's where I'll be)?

Ok, that makes sense, then. Do each of these stamps have a fee that I need to be aware of?

They sure don't make it easy, do they!? haha

So, even though I paid the $175 to get this one-year visa, I still have to make the visa runs once a month? Or can I go to the embassy if I don't leave the country in 90 days?

I figured since this is a visa for a JOB there, I wouldn't have to make the darned runs.

Ok! We arrive late on April 21, so I know we'll be trying to figure things out on the 22nd. We intend to get phones and go to the grocery on the 22nd and then rest the weekend before TEFL classes start.

His website (RIchard) is awful but he has excellent reviews on Trip Advisor.

Also, we are renting a furnished apartment from him for 13k a month for 2 months. All of the serviced apartments I could find online were double that. I figure it was a good move, as it's within walking distance of our TEFL classes and finding anything else online was a headache.

That's what I figured. I have a very basic cellphone here in the USA and so does he. We don't need the internet at our fingertips at all times or anything like that. We just want to be able to make and receive calls and send the occasional text to one another.

Thanks for the quick answer!

My visa says it expires in March of 2012. You're telling me I still have to leave the country after 90 days and re-enter?

Northern California - the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. And we've been dealing with record snow numbers, so mail hasn't been as fast as usual. I tracked my package and the consulate had my visa at the post the afternoon that they received it.

We're going to be arriving on April 21 to Chiang Mai to take our TEFL course. We've heard mixed reviews about acquiring a cell phone there - either it's really expensive or it's not.

My husband is convinced he should buy a cell phone that takes a SIM card over here (USA) and then bring that to Thailand. I don't really know. Are cell phones affordable there? What are we looking at spending?

It's just hard to figure out. I imagine those of you already living in Chiang Mai might be able to help!

Thank you for all of the information! I am sure I will be meeting you in the near future!

I have just received my B visa in the mail, but I know that I'm not completely in the clear until I am past immigration in Thailand. My flight to Thailand is only a one-way, but my visa proves that I am staying for one full year, at least. I don't want to leave any rocks un-turned, and I know visa and immigration can be confusing in Thailand.

Do I need proof of a flight out if I already have my visa? I will be arriving by air via CNX.

Just a quick report. I had an effortless go with the Portland Thai Consulate. I mailed off my fee, application, letter of recommendation, photos, and passport on Monday of last week (March 21). I received my visa exactly one week later (March 28), no problems.

It is a multiple-entry, non-immigrant, B visa.

Hope this may help anyone

Google Richard Katze of Chiang Mai Apartment Rental. He has excellent Trip Advisor reviews and he has several different condos all around that area.

I have not personally been to the rental I have reserved, yet, but I trust that it'll be exactly what he's selling.

Do these ladies luncheons happen often? I will be arriving just after this one, but it's definitely something I would attend in the future. I know I'll need some expat lady friends when I get there

Do you know if this is a problem with INCOMING flights? We plan to arrive from the USA to CNX via Korean next month...

My husband and I are both 25. We're moving to Chiang Mai from Tahoe City (CA) in a month! How interesting to see someone from Chico checking it out...

Hope to run into you, there! We spent a bit of time a year ago in Chiang Mai and it suited us just fine. Seems cleaner than BKK and relaxed. Also, since you're from Chico and you're into sporty things, Chiang Mai might appeal to you do to the surrounding mountains. We're both outdoorsy people and we intend to take up some mountain biking and hiking in the surroundings.

Or, send her to a cooking course.

Better yet: take a cooking course with her.

My husband and I took a course together in Chiang Mai. It was an excellent idea and now we have a few tricks up our sleeves.

Everyone here has been SUPER helpful. I really appreciate all of the knowledge you are sharing with me. I hope to be able to help out another newbie, someday

THANK YOU!

Slightly worried as I don't have a Bachelor's degree and I'm nowhere near completing one

My husband - he's fine. He's going to be doing the exact same thing as I, but he has his degree.

Oi vey. I'm sure this will all make better sense once I'm actually IN Thailand and I have the school to answer all of my silly questions.

I'm not loosing sleep over it I just want to make sure I do everything absolutely right to make this transition as smooth as possible!