maybefitz

The opposite to the original submission. I've been here for 17 years and approaching 80. I reckon I would already be a snuff job back in the UK. Plenty of sunshine, good quality of life, peace of mind, couldn't be better 

A nice scenic circuit is up to Chiang Dao, then the mountain road to Phrao. Phrao a neat little town with a great little market, worth visiting. Then on another mountain road to Wiang Pa Po, (on the Chiang Rai Road) and back to CM. You go past Doi Saket temple, which is well worth a visit with modern art painting. 

Have a look at the Non Zee site, opposite Rhum Chok market, start of road to Phrao, 1001' just off the ring road. Some developments ongoing, some tasteful properties for sale/rent.

There is one stall in Rhum Choke market that has them consistently, left side from the front, half way back, 70 bt a kilo.

Just done mine. Arrived 6.15 am, done by 11.30. Note, a new TM 7, slight different page 2. Also now want a copy page of your 90 day sheet. Photo size now 6 x 4 cm.

I was 10 in the queue, only about 20 in total, yesterday.

If the dykes discharge, will their chicks anticipate this? Or have I read it wrong?...

Downscale the rank structure. As a guide a top man for each service, General. Lt. Gen for an area. Maj Gen for a changwat. Col for a big city, Lt Col for smaller cities. Major for a Tambon, This is a guide only, but would result in a clearout of dead wood, in the thousands. You can see the stupidity of all the ranking officers trying to position themselves at photo situations, "look how important I am."

Does anyone else do the "Pinch and a Punch, it's the first of the month" routine? I introduced it to my Thai wife some time ago, and she fully participates. As I am in my dotage, she usually beats me to it, full of glee and peals of laughter.

Today, I was awake at 1.15am, so took the initiative, switched on the light,. She groggily said "Eh?", so I did the honours. Was it worth it to beat her for once? Doubtful, the response was heavy, her slap and kick were full of malicious invective.

It's in keeping with the idea that Thais will smile and join in Sanook, but you know darned well, that given the opportunity, they will get revenge. It's part of the 'loss of face' culture. 

As a retired Major, this actually makes sense as a purchase; certainly more than the unuseable submarines. A multi terraine infantry vehicle is certainly a feature of the nation's defence requirements, replacing 40+ year old vehicles. No argument from me.

Have to sell cars or land or property in wife's name. Eventually should put back the 600,000 bt borrowed. Healthy at the moment.

At 79, on retirement extension, impossible to get insurance. I have an emergency fund, but wife borrows into it, so no proof in a bank account. I'd be stuck if they brought this in. I don't have the option of returning to UK, aim to see my life out here.

I live just South of Phrao & was not aware of it. I was up watching football on telly, so was not asleep. Non- event.

Having done this a number of times, mixed results. Some very grateful visitors, but a couple of free loaders have made me wary. Offer the basic and see how it goes.

24 minutes ago, khunano said:

How to avoid the carnage? Just don't drive anywhere during the Songkran or any public holidays! Stay at home, turn on the air conditioner, remove a cold one from the refrigerator once in a while and enjoy life.... Cheers.

That is exactly what I do. Stock the freezer and fridge.

6 hours ago, Saraphee said:

Drought has never set a fire - people set fires, deliberately or accidentally.

Wrong. Spontaneous combustion can occur if the conditions are right. Ok, some fires are the work of some people to encourage mushrooms; but many of the fires in isolated locations start without human input.

Jak fits both languages.

My own. I grow some in the garden, and mix it with some local grown stuff in Tambon Long Khod, Phrao. To de-husk it and roast it, I go to the agricultural department of Chiang Mai University. It's a nice little sideline earner for them, done to perfection. I muster about12 kilo a year.

When cooking  chips I' ll ask " do you want some?" No, she says. When I sit down to eat, she scoffs most of the chips. Hence, No means Yes in Thai and vice versa.

Not just Koh Samet, but Ao Wai beach, and the Sametville resort. Their mainland office is near Tesco Lotus. Just had a few days there, have been going every year for 15 years.

I live in Phrao, ideal. Good local market and shops. The Amphur is farang friendly; as are the indigeous natives. I've lived here 14 years, wouldn't think of anywhere else. 1 hour to CM on the 1001.

My wife's best one, she didn't know the name for a 'feather duster'.

It came out as a chicken hair stick. - logical.

I have just spent some time in hospital with a broken leg. It was a gravel tumble off my Phantom m/c , not serious, but uncomfortable. I was ble to cover costs with motorbike insurance. Part of the bureaucratic workload, including a police report was the requrement for a Tambien Baan. This has a registration number and everything, but everything revolved around that. So, in my view not just useful - essential.

Yes, I was in McCormick hospital and watched the freaky hail out of the window. Later my wife told me some people were down in casualty with minor injuries having been hit with the hail.

There was a high powered meeting in our tambon, followed by village meetings. The 60 day prohibition was firmly expressed, and so far as I can see it's working. The threat is that there is now satellite surveillance. Additionally, trucks of forest police are around - first sign of smoke they can react. Severe measures are threatened to anyone caught. I can see the mountains a few kilometers away, which is my assessment factor for the air quality - so it seems to be working. It's good that they have actually taken the matter seriously this year, we'll see how it goes.