ChiangMai101

Pedestrian question from technopeasant:

We are moving to Chiang Mai in a few months and we are thinking of taking out the hard disk from our home PC and installing it in a new tower case that we can buy in Chiang Mai.

1) Do all new tower cases nowadays have room for a 2nd hard drive?

2) Is there a recommended and reliable person in Chiang Mai who can do this for us and also help with other things like setting up wireless internet etc? (A techie who can communicate in English who does work on the

side would be ideal.)

3) Is there a recommended computer shop which offers good service when purchasing new gear?

4) If we don't go the above route and just back up all our files onto a device it means we have to install all software on the new machine again, correct? (Sounds like hard work...)

Thanks for all/any replies!

Wow that was quick! Thanks. Will I be advised of the date reporting is due or must I make my own calculations?

I will be in Thailand as a dependent. My husband will be the holder of an extension permit based on retirement. He will travel in and out of Thailand frequently and as I understand it, his 90 reporting date requirement will reset itself every time he enters Thailand again.

However, I will not be travelling out of Thailand that often. So I assume I will have my own 90 day reporting requirements to adhere to or will my dates be the same as his?

Sorry if I haven't phrased it correctly or if it sounds like a stupid question. It's a bit confusing...

Thanks!

Thanks - will have to be Bangkok then.

Have any Aus citizens had their "income letters" notarised at the Aus Consulate in Chiang Mai or must it be done at the Australian embassy in Bangkok? This is for the purpose of retirement. I understand that the format of the 'letter' is actually a statutory declaration.

If so, is an appointment needed or can one just front up?

What documentation do they require other than a current bank statement?

Thanks

what about here....

http://www.ufmeducation.com/new/2010/courses_detail.php?catid=40&types=2

Thanks for all the replies. I like the look of the Mazda. Seems the lower end Honda City is good value for its size. Pricing of the Almera is certainly attractive but I am concerned it lacks power. An important factor to me is resale value - that means I must check out Toyota then! (Although here in Aus Toyota has suffered with a number of major recalls in the last few years).

I will explore 2nd hand as well - seems there are good buys to be had - but must remember to check for flood damage! From the replies it seems that Mitsubishi, Mazda and Nissan lose value fairly quickly and Toyota and Honda keep their value...? Is this correct?

BTW, how do Thai dealerships respond to requests for a test drive?

Looking to buy a new reliable car with good resale value. If you had 500,000 to spend what would you buy and why?

Would I get a lot more car for my money if I stretched it to 600,000?

Don't intend to run up hundreds of thousands of kms in it and would have it serviced regularly. I think I would feel a lot safer with 4 wheels than 2. (Also, I don't want to get wet and not a great fan of Hair by Helmut - don't judge - I'm female).

What a shame you lost all your data femme! Would have been so helpful... how is the rewrite coming along... or is that wishful thinking?

Yes I have been reading the thread by eveningson - he sounds like he could be a valuable addition to the expat community.

scorecard: Urbana sounds promising. I also like the handy location and will check it out thoroughly.

Generally speaking, cars in BKK are cheaper - by how much depends on what it is you're looking for though..

In the low end it might on save you 10K Baht, in more extreme cases it might save you 50K. Or if you don't understand the market, it could just mean a smooth BKK operator shafts you for more

If looking to buy in 6 months time, I would definitely recommend looking at the Tabien Rot (blue book) to see if the car has a history in BKK... Those of us in BKK are brutally aware of just what the floods have done to cars that didn't find dry land, so chances are the effected cars will get scrubbed up and shifted up/down country to try and find more gullible buyers..

Probably just easier and safer to get it in Chaing Mai. Do new cars come with a 'blue book'?

I'm sure that given the 100,000's of cars that have been flooded over the past few weeks in BKK, there will be some real cheap cars on the market now. You might be better off paying a little extra in Chiangmai

fair comment I suppose but I won't be buying for at least 6 months...

Have heard that new cars are substantially cheaper in Bangkok than in Chiang Mai. Is this true? Any new car owners in Chiang Mai on TV who travelled to Bangkok specifically to buy a new car and drove it back, or had it transported, to Chiang Mai? Did you save enough in the end to justify buying in Bangkok?

thanks a tonne

20+ moo baans femme? Wow! Thanks for your info on Laguna. I will rent a car and set aside a week or so to look around in early March.

About finding your way around – has anybody downloaded the Thailand maps for tomtom? Did they work OK or are they completely out of date?

Ianian: what should I be looking for to detect evidence of previous flood damage?

Greetings and good tidings Chiang Mai habitants

Been doing some research online for a suitable moo baan to rent a 3 bedroom family home. Would be nice if the moo baan had a clubhouse with pool but it’s not essential I suppose.

Would appreciate some opinions on the following moo baans. Especially in relation to general moo baan upkeep, building quality, flood problems, location – close to major roads, shopping areas, airport, satellite tv reception, internet services and frequency of power failures. Thanks for taking the time. I value your opinion. Other suggestions welcome too!

I have narrowed it down to the following (no particular order):

Laguna - Sansai

Koolpuntville 12 - Saraphi

Urbana - Muang

Siwahlai 3 – San Kampaeng

Home in Park – Hang Dong

Laddahrom - Muang

Pimeuk 4 – Sansai

Emperal 1 – Muang

Background:

Been to Chiang Mai before – check

Want to live in Chiang Mai - check

Qualify for retirement visa - check

Aware of Chiang Mai cost of living – check

Prepared to get stuck in and learn the language (or try at least) – check

Enjoy Thai food – check

Like hot weather – check

Take out comprehensive health insurance – check

Can fit into Thai clothes – check

Adaptable - check

I drink T MAX Black Tea, a lot cheaper than the brands you mention. You may find this address interesting. http://www.ramingtea.com/thai.php

Any concern which can produce such a pleasant website gets my support and they tell you that : "teas found on high mountains in Mae Taeng District of Chiang Mai grow wild on the mountain and belong to the same variety as the Assam teas that are planted in India and Sri Lanka."

Give Thailand a chance ; why hanker after Sri Lankan and Indian tea. The conditions in which they're grown are probably very similar. Thailand produces some good coffee so why not tea?

Cheers

Thanks for the tip will def. try that. I would much rather support the local industry. Is it only available at the Siam Celadon shop?

I do like Yorkshire and PG tips but not the price. Dilmah is passable but I think it has a bitter aftertaste.

Hi - I have a question to all the tea drinkers in Chiang Mai.

I noticed on my last visit to Chiang Mai that good quality black tea was difficult to find. I found lots of Twinings at Rimping etc but it was soooo expensive. Also saw a bit of Lipton around the place but I'm not a big fan of their tea though. I was a bit surprised as some good tea is grown in Sri Lanka and I assumed that since its close proximity to Thailandi it would be readily available - Lucky Leaf Super Fine brand for example. Dunno maybe I just didn't look hard enough..?

Intending to move to Chiang Mai for retirement in early 2012 and don't really want to bring a big supply of tea with me. What do other tea drinkers drink over there? Fresh pure black tea is what I prefer like an English breakfast type.