uinsionn

Following on my advice on where to buy a proper respirator . . here's my political advice/rant:

1. If many tourists start wearing masks (in fact as many as possible... as a protest) . . maybe the authorities will get a little worried about the prospects of losing revenue.

2. If everyone posts warnings on all possible tourist sites . . Thorn Tree, Agoda, etc. etc.. this will put on further political/media pressure on the Thai government to take action. (they may have to upset their farming constituency - it will come down to the health and tourist lobbies versus the farming lobby - a straight fight.

3. One powerful influence, as we have seen lately on terrorism, is the Official Travel Advisory Warnings given out by embassies here in Thailand and foreign ministries abroad. The Thai media and Government are VERY VERY sensitive to negative warnings from embassies. So, can we (concerned farangs) put pressure on our respective Ambassadors, and foreign ministries to issue TRAVEL WARNING ADVISORIES for Northern Thailand - as they SHOULD. So, any suggestions anyone - the main pressure to act on the Ambassadors will be foreing media pressure - letters to our 'home' media that the ambassadors are not looking after the health and safety of potential tourists!! Who can initiate this? Hey, lets all just simply RING our embassies and compain/harass/annoy them into taking action. Lets ask questions of the ambassadors.

Vin

Where to buy Proper RESPIRATORS in Chiang Mai - I have found a source.

Hi all, after much research and plodding around I have found where you can buy a real, proper, respirator (those cloth face masks are virtually useless)

Let me warn you - a proper respirator is quite expensive (poss 1200 to 1500 Baht) - you must decide whether it's worth it for you!

Firstly - the place where I bought mine:

Chiang Mai Delta Electrical at 105/4-5 Wualai Rd

(road South opposite gate in middle of South canal, go down about half-way, 100m past big tyre fitting depot, it's on the left. It's got a big blue Philips sign overhead)

Phone: 053 200 750

They are the distributors for 3M products in Chiang Mai. 3M are a large US company, one of the biggest respirator manufacturers worldwide - very good products.

The women in the shop speak pretty good English and are very helpful, but their technical knowledge is not great. (You should expect to spend maybe 30 minutes examining and trying-on various models - give yourself the time!)

My recommendation: Research the 3M product catalogue on their website (Google... 3M ... half-face respirators) the shop have 6000 series and 7000 series half-face respirators plus filters.

The main ones they seem to have at Chiang Mai Delta are the 7000 series and 6000 series - all very good. I ended up buying a 7503 mask plus two cartridges plus two filters. You have to buy three items - mask, cartridges (pair), and inserted filters (pair). This lot cost me about 1500BT. They have a mask with one filter - also pretty good, but just didn't fit me well - for about 900Bt.

My advice - don't count the cost versus your health!! ( it was about 37 Euros for me... and I'll use it at home for sanding etc !!)

Please pass on this advice to friends in Chiang Mai, post it online, spread the word.

I know the shop will be overwhelmed initially, but they seem to have good supplies and can order lots more from HQ in Bangkok.

Maybe someone wants to set up a potentially very profitable business - catering to ex-pats, tourists, health-concious Thai people etc.

Here are the main wholesale suppliers I found online (both in BKK)

3M respirators

3M Ltd.

12th Floor, Tower.

Council, 159 Asoke Rd.

10110.

Tel: 0 2260 8577 to 1302.

Fax 0 2261 7535.

MSA THAILAND

MSA Thailand

19/59 (Unit D4), Moo 10

Phahon Yothin Road

43km Tambon Khlong Nueng

Amphur Khlong Luang

Pathum Thanee 12120

Customer Service

+66 [2] 500 6111

Best Wishes

Vin