CaitlinHappyMeal

8 hours ago, TheAppletons said:

SuperRich generally has about the best rate in town for exchanging currency.  Today's rate shows 38.75 THB for one GBP.

 

http://superrichchiangmai.com/

 

Edit to add:  There's a SuperRich on Loi Kroh Rd, about halfway between the moat and Changklan Rd and another location almost directly across from the UN Irish Pub on Ratvithi Rd.  

thats the one I usually go to opposite The UN Pub, was just weighing up whether to change here in the uk or there, it looks like doing it there is a better option, thanks for posting. ???? 

What the best rate everyone been getting at money exchanges in and around Chiang Mai with GBP cash? 

what happens if you have nothing in your bank but you travel with cash?

12 hours ago, EricTh said:

There is not just one refund desk but two.

 

Before you  pass the immigration officers, you should go to the check goods counter to get a piece of paper stamped with your VAT return form.

 

With that piece of paper, you  can get a refund after passing the IO. That's another  counter.

 

Yes, they are  open very early.

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, yes I understand there are 2 desk and what to do, I’ve on,y ever done it at suvarnabumi before and I’m specifically wanting to know is it the same at Chiang Mai and what time the desk opens? 

Hi, I know the drill at Suvarnibumi airport but I need some more information for Chiang Mai, firsty what time does the Vat refund desk open and do I do it all at Chiang Mai end or do I have to do anything at Suvarnabumi? This time I have booked direct flight back to the uk but it involves changing planes and getting a transfer at Suvarnabumi, we have to be at Chiang Mai airport at at around 6.30, not even sure the refund desk will be open then? can anyone give me anymore info at the procedure?

TIA

Caitlin  

Hi, I read somewhere a few weeks ago to boost tourism they were issuing free 60 day visas on arrival, when does this offer finish, I have tried searching all Thai consulate web sites but cannot find the date, I’m sure it was some time in January? From the UK. 

‘Thanks 

32 minutes ago, Dante99 said:

So you take your verbal shots at me, state your incorrect negative assumptions, then say "maybe best to go on the adage that if you can’t say anything nice or constructive don’t say anything at all."

 

That is a powerful demonstration of intellect. 

just calling you out on your unprovoked rudeness and bullshit, why didn't you just not say anything instead of being rude. by not saying anything back it gives the impression that its ok for you to be rude. so that was me letting you know that its a consequence of your behaviour. far to much of it on here when i only asked a simple question? 

2 hours ago, Fruit Trader said:

So, you have seen them adding chemicals to tanks.

Next time you see hand dosing ninjas adding chemical X to your supply tank don't hide in the bushes, go and ask what it is.

 

Most economical water treatment is done through automatic dosing but this is LOS so I guess there might be few doing a hand job.

 

Idea! Why not cut your hair down to the wood before the next trip. The Thais wont care if you look like tomboy, its a lot cooler and no worries about condition.

Alternatively I could go down the not washing my hair route for 4 months ?

2 hours ago, Bill97 said:

 

There are numerous folding buckets that pack easily.

Also with a polite request you could probably borrow one from your hotel or accommodation host.

A gallamung is a wide shallow plastic container used for washing dishes or clothes, very common here. 6-8" deep




Sent from my iPod touch using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

Ah you mean กะละมัง English translations are sometimes difficult to understand, yes this is a possibility

17 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

My partner runs a Hairdressing salon in Thailand and is adamant about using legit products.  She gets lots of trade from people who have suffered from applications from salons near hers which she knows use inferior/fake products.

Valid point but not applicable in my case as I  bring my own shampoo and conditioner, I am a hairdresser myself and have had to sort out a few nightmare hair procedures ?

1 hour ago, lordblackader said:

Haha I think it might come to this!

1 hour ago, cheeryble said:

I went to a pool a couple of times which turned my hair green,.....I mean very noticeably green 

 

I hear you this has happened to me before, I suspect with the water systems in the tanks it’s a combination of chlorine and chloramine, possibly other chemicals too ?

6 hours ago, Dante99 said:

So it has to sit after it comes out of the tap or shower head.  Now how could that be done? Bath tub, sink, plastic bucket(cheap or borrowed), gallamong.....Yes you are being thick. 

 

Have to wonder why a lot of other people have not jumped in saying they have the same problem.

I wondered how long it would be before someone was going to be rude. Obviously I know how to run water off into a receptacle, if one is travelling  around then it is not really convenient to travel with a bucket, and it’s laughable to think that there is enough water in a a sink to rinse ones hair. My best guess is you’re an bored bitter old man trawling the forums who has lost the majority of his hair anyway and has no realisation of how devastating it is for a female to see  hand fulls of hair fallout every time they wash it so thank for your understanding. No idea what gallamong means but I imagine it’s derogatory, although after a quick search, although not technically 2 words, it does make a good google whack entry. Shouldn’t imaging it will stop you but maybe best to go on the adage that if you can’t say anything nice or constructive don’t say anything at all. 

19 minutes ago, rooinekrsa said:

Sorry to say. if euro peoeple would bath or shower more, then they would not have the problems. your comments are correct

Sorry can you explain exactly what you mean? 

5 minutes ago, mogandave said:

 

Oh well (no pun intended) you do what you can do, good luck with it.

 

A great pun non the less ?

4 hours ago, mogandave said:

 

I don’t know if it is chlorinated or not, but i assume it is. It comes from a reservoir in an industrial area of Prachinburi.

If you are pumping well water, it could just be dirt clogging your filters. Setting up two or three tanks in series, and putting your filters after the tanks should help, as much of the dirt will settle out in the bottom of the tank(s)

Also, generally, the more water-surface area you have in the tanks, the better your water will smell. This helps get the chlorine out as well.
 

 

If only I was in charge of my own water filter this is what I would do but unfortunate I stay I managed places ?

2 hours ago, Wandr said:

If that's what you believe.

Just know that something of this nature is going to use other chemicals to get rid of chlorine, and you will be getting that on your head.

Letting the water sit is going to let the chlorine /chloramine dissipate naturally.

Maybe you should read up on the subject before deciding.

Hi, yes others have suggested this but when staying in hotel/condo/guesthouse how can I let the water sit? It’s coming direct from the tank to the shower head? Is there a way you can think of? Sorry if I am being thick here ?

6 hours ago, cmsally said:

The best solution (seeing as it is very likely chlorine or similar) would be to buy a special chlorine filtering shower head. Bring one with you as I haven't seen them here.

 

Chlorine filter

 

One such as this should be easy to fit on Thai showers as it looks like you just change the shower head.

 

Thanks, this is probably the most helpful response so far, as even if I find out what’s in the water there is not much I can do about it, thank you 

4 hours ago, jagi00 said:

Do you buy your shampoos locally? There are lots of copies of major brands sold here in many shops.

I always bring my own

4 hours ago, Gold Star said:

I'm trying to learn more about it too. I went to the PWA water authority office at Chiaporn Vitee to inquire about the bad smell in my city water and that we were getting sick, even when I bypass my tank and draw directly from the city source. In most parts of Pattaya, they put in a bit of chlorine, and The PWA posts the chlorine readings on a sign outside the office. I live in a house in Jomtien and was told by PWA that my water comes from Sattahip, and they will send out someone to check, who never showed up. I'm not sure if they use chlorine in the Sattahip plant, but if you ever see the inside of any a city supply pipe, it is caked thick with a green slime you can wipe with your finger.  The machines you see everywhere on the streets to fill your drinking water for 1 baht a litre just filter the city supply line water, and bottled water is the same but done in a plant.

As the water supply here is intermittent and at low pressure, every house and hotel needs to have a reservoir tank and a pump.  Flora and fauna live in the reservoirs. Do not expect anyone to ever clean the tank, lines, or the system, as the only time it gets serviced is when it breaks. I put in a cup of bleach into my 2000 litre tank every few days, just enough to start to smell it in the shower. I drain and clean my tank at least twice a year, as there ends up being about 5 mm of sludge at the bottom from the city lines. I also mix a strong solution of bleach and let sit in my house pipes for a few hours. When I turn on the taps, they run a brown red green goo for a minute or two as the slime is cleansed off the wall of the pipe, and the smell is better after that. If I forget to put in the bleach into the tank, sometimes one of us gets sick. Everyone in our household has had and gets amoebic dissentry once or twice a year, and we always have a couple cards of Metronidazole 400mg handy as you are laid up for 3 to 4 days, and recovering for a couple weeks to a month. Not good. 

Edit: We also do use a 3 stage 10" filter system for kitchen water to wash and prepare our food.

 

Thanks for this insight, I have posted a longer explanation of why I was asking. I think I’m gonna have to start washing my hair in bottled water lol 

I am asking because I live in Thailand (Chiang Mai) 4 months every winter, have done for 16 years but 2 years ago my hair started to “fallout” whilst here, after about 3 weeks of returning home it stopped, same thing happened this year. 2 friends of mine have just returned, 1 from Chiang rai where hers started to fall out whilst there and another from koh Yao noi and Chiang Mai. They are reporting that their hair is “breaking off” and not falling out, so it got me examining mine again and actually on very close inspection it has indeed broken off, you can see where’s it’s snapped a cm or 2 from the scalp, all of us are reporting it is on the top and the front like when you tip tour hear back in the shower. During the last 2 years where I stay they have installed huge water tanks on the roof and I have seen the tubs of chemicals laying around and have smelled the chemicals whilst sitting up there    . I am a hairdresser by trade and have always kept my hair in amazing condition, I am not a sunworshiper, in fact I try and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and I wear a hat a fair amount of the time so I know it’s not sun damage before anyone suggests that. My friend who has returned from koh yao noi is having a particularly hard time of it as quite a high percentage of her hair has snapped off. I feel something sinister is going on, so am trying to get to the bottom of it? Any suggestions? 

7 hours ago, Crossy said:

If they put anything in it's unlikely to be more than regular (hopefully unscented) bleach.

 

If worried drink only bottled water.

I mean in the shower

7 hours ago, mogandave said:

Don’t most hotels provide bottled water to drink?

As water is constantly flowing through the tanks, they likely add nothing.

I mean for showering

45 minutes ago, jollyhangmon said:

Would be my guess too, but you should be able to smell it when overdosed, I sometimes do ... makes a good bleach, Chlorine, that's for sure.

Let the water air out couple of hrs before you use it, it evaporates.

How do I do that when it’s in one of those massive water tanks? 

1 hour ago, cmsally said:

Most likely to be chlorine. Added to a lot of the water here both mains and private supply.

Wouldnt be surprised if some people add way too much.

I suspect this too