Potter

Hi, I need some travel advice:

I fly into Chiang Rai from BKK at 11:50 a.m. in January and my ultimate destination is Luang Namtha in Laos. I want to travel from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong. I might just go directly from the CR airport.

Question/s 1: how long might it take to go from CR to Chiang Khong? I assume bus will be my mode of transport. Is there any transport directly from the airport to Chiang Khong or will I have to go into town to the bus station?

Question 2: I understand Chiang Saen is worth a visit; is it feasible to go through there, and stop for lunch, on the way to Chiang Khong and still do CR to Chiang Khong by night fall, having arrived in CR at time mentioned above?

I plan to spend a week or so in northern Laos, then on the return journey spend a couple of days in Chiang Rai before heading back to BKK. Any recommendations on good guest houses in the 800 to 1000 baht a night range? I don't mind cheaper either, say, 500 bht.

Any advice will appreciated. Cheers.

There are lots of raods to Chiang Khong. One of the roads to Chiang Khong is via Chiang Saan. The road is in good condition and some believe from the center of town it is the fastest road. The airport is north of town, already out of the traffic jam and on the way to chiang saan!

If you take the bus. You will need to go through all the traffic jam to get to the bus station. If you higher a taxi from the airport, you will save a couple of important hours.

My advice to you. Organize in advance to get a vehicle and driver to pick you up in the airport. Tell them your plans. That is to bring you to Chiang Saan for a couple of hours and then to Chiang Khong. If you try to organize from the airport, it will cost you a high overprice. So try to organize it in advance and you can get a much better price and better vehicle!

Spot on.....and a wee bottle of the "water of life dont do any harm".....sanuk

Please translate....

He is a respectable thai?

Depends.

In some villages the Pu Yai Ban is indeed an honest and respected person, in others he is the meanest, most corrupt and brutal mafia lord of the area feared by all.

Often it takes some time to find out which he might be.

Interesting...

I have learned a lot already from the answers in this thread

He takes care of any local problems that might come up in "his patch" which could vary from a very small area of responsibility from a single Moo (street) to a whole village.

Thanks!

I have had a hard time finding thai people who answer straight up to my cultural qustions.

Is he somebody who can teach thai culture?

Is he somebody who will answer straight on my quistions?

Is he somebody who does not gossip?

Can he be trusted emotional secrets?

No, to each of your questions.

Take your time, listen and learn. After some considerable time all questions will find an answer, eventually.

He is a respectable thai?

He takes care of any local problems that might come up in "his patch" which could vary from a very small area of responsibility from a single Moo (street) to a whole village.

Thanks!

I have had a hard time finding thai people who answer straight up to my cultural qustions.

Is he somebody who can teach thai culture?

Is he somebody who will answer straight on my quistions?

Is he somebody who does not gossip?

Can he be trusted emotional secrets?

I thought in thai......The village headman = pu yai baan

Perhaps a different in local dialect. But leave that talk for an other forum. What is his functions?

Pai usually appeals more to forreigners than MHS. From CM, Pai is half way to MHS.

I stayed overnight in Pai back in July this year... the farang in the place reminded me of the 60's or early 70's... sort of hippy-ish.

What's the big attraction for them there?

Guessing...

Ability to bring their own culture into a forreign country.

Local police enforcement and drugwarnings.

Mild climate.

Just a couple of hours drive away from civilisation.

Higher social status amongst the many rural minorities in the area.

White Water Rafting on the river pai, while visit the village pai.

"Bebob"

Trekking

Ralaxed atmosphere

Does it make any sense?

What is the function of the head of the village, pohr luang?

Thanks

Potter

Can anyone share any info on this city?

Many farangs there? Nightlife? Can you get a pizza?

Not much nightlife, but there is a bar/restaurent for farrangs to hang out.

Lots more farrangs and night life in CR.

MHS got very good italian pizza indeed - though more obtions in CR.

Pai usually appeals more to forreigners than MHS. From CM, Pai is half way to MHS.

Another reason would be that we Asian don't treat living together very highly unless the couple is planning to marry.

Please tell me more about this....

Thanks

Potter

just enjoy it for as long as it lasts , it may last forever or it may last ten minutes. you'll be kicking yourself forever if you dont.

You should not care about what people think. Just do it. Had a similar experience when I was 19. Enjoy it

Now that you have added a Loy Krathong subforum, how about another for Songkran, another major Thai festival ?

How about changing the Loy Kratong subforum into "festivals & holydays"?

You could always bring up questions in the Thai language section.

Thanks Jockstar.

Not a bad idea. When I asked where I could take thai culture lessons, I was told perhaps at the thai language school. But with all respect. Learning thai and the thai culture are 2 different subjects, that only to a limited extend can combined. I could also bring the subjects up under the general topics. I brought one topic up under the "ladies" subforum.

Probably a historic forum would also be a good idea. Also for the reason there is a big different to the cultural different in cultural social behavior compared with how Thailand developed.

Is there any farrang out there who has not had a couple of cultural misunderstandings in Thailand?

Thais could care less about birthdays.

Weird, innit.

lol

Here is an other cultural quistion...

What do thais think about other cultures?!

The thai culture has lots of differences from other cultures. Why dont we get a Thai Cultural Forum, where we can discuss the thai culture.

I have lots of examples, where the culture is simply is not the same.

Went to a birthday party recently. Except family was a policeman and me. Where are year long friends at thai birthday parties?

Why does immigrants (hilltribes), who have been in Thailand for generations not have the right to have a work as a policeman, military etc?

I could go on. I would very much like to see a Thai Cultural Forum.

Thanks

Potter

Why is is thai ladies want to get married quickly.

Is there any particular reason to why the family is "loses" face if we dont marry anytime soon?

PS: I know there are different status thais have in their society. How much does Status play importantance?

Thanks

Potter

FLY!!!..BKK to Trat...40 mins...approx 3,000 each way...If you've only got week why waste time on a bus???

Have a good trip

We will be 2 or 3 persons - gf and me and perhaps "father in law".

Used to live in Pattaya and do not miss the place. Will probably arrive BKK just before 1800, as being on a connecting flight from elsewhere in Thailand. Could easy wait in BKK hours before connecting flight.

Kind of like the idea of a taxi to Trat and sleeping overnight in Trat. I will be paying most expenses and flight for all people will be expensive for a person living most of the year in Thailand.

Thanks for all the advices

(getting back to BKK is always more easy).

On the 21st of November I will need to travel from Bangkok airport to Koh Chang (near Cambodia). I had an offer for a taxi costing 3,000 baht. Only got 1 week of vacation, so interested in a solution that does not waste time. Thought of a taxi to Trat, find a hotel in Trat and then next morning find a way to get to Koh Chang.

1) What are the obtions, flights - taxis - bus?

2) How much am I suposed to pay?

Thanks

Potter

What rights do you have on a 1 year marriage non immigrant visa?

Do you still have to leave the country every 90 days?

Can you renew inside Thailand?

After having a marriage visa for years, can you then apply for a permanent ressidence permit?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks

Potter

it seems nigel's question about fastest most powerful internet question is being now lumped in to an internet thread more concerned with skype. let alone, being lumped in with an old thread it is more likely to be ignored.

i'm curious too.

if i have a budget of 1000- 3000 baht per month what is the fastest and most powerful then?

thanks readers.

I recommend TOT bussiness solution costing 2700 baht a month. You need a work permit or a thais name to sign up.

Calculated metric values for Sven Ivan's figures:

Chiang Rai 389.83 meters above sea level

Chiang Mai 315.468 meters above sea level

Mae Hong Son 283.15 meters above sea level

Pai 472.44 meters over sea level

Interesting comment from the swedish connection. I am very sure of my info as well, though I trust yours more.

I had my info from the travel companies. So the lesson to be learned here, dont trust the travel companies!

Excellent info everyone!

Potter: For the house, would not want to be in town, prefer to be within 30 - 45 minutes of town. Air con, garden, security or a safe area, quiet, and all at a western standard. 2 floors would be good as well.

Thanks again to all, your input is extremely helpful.

I have had friends who had both bars on the windows and those with security guards. Bars on the window is a lot more effective. 10,000 baht should get a large house with every thing modernised. It will be what is inside that takes the price up. For 100,000-200,000 baht you can furnish the house pretty much you like yourself!

My TOT ADSL connection has been unreliable the last couple of days. Any others have had the same problems?

(Location Chiang Rai)

Thanks

Potter

Hi Folks,

I am sure it has been asked before.

1) What is the best translation book thai-english.

2) Is there such a thing as thai-thai book?

(I am able to read thai fluently)

Thanks

Potter

Crime:

How do the crime rates compare to the west? As a farang, do you become a target like in central american countries, or are things fairly safe in Chiang Rai?

Mahalo Plenny,

John

I have had sabotage made to my motorbike 3 times. Dont worry about serious crime, and dont encourage it either. People are nice and honest in generel.