CMHomeboy78

The whole place has been on life-support for a long time. Just a ghost of what it once was. My only reason for going there was Good Speed Computer, my go-to shop for repairs and low prices on new equipment. They are now located on the same street [Manee Nopparat] just a little further along at #332 3. Good people to deal with - honest, efficient, and courteous.

If tourist arrivals were to fall drastically then you would see more - and hopefully more effective - action to stop this ongoing insanity. In all probability more money is spent to promote tourism in Northern Thailand than is spent in firefighting in the mountains and in strictly enforcing the seasonal laws against agricultural burning. A moratorium on promoting holiday travel to what is on some days the most polluted city in the world would be a good first step. According to my son-in-law who lives there, Singapore has had success recently in greatly reducing smoke haze caused by agribusinesses in the region. They impose sanctions that have had the desired effect. Gov't inaction here in Chiang Mai isn't surprising, but it is really discouraging to see the widespread apathy - especially among young people - when faced with this public health crisis.

Spot on... Charles Sobhraj didn't operate out of the Boston Inn. He had a flat in Kanit House and his partner-in-crime, Ajay Chowdury was based at the Malaysia Hotel from where they met many of their victims. Jailed in India after his luck ran out in 1976, his story has been written about and filmed many times as an ongoing criminal adventure. He's still alive as far as I know. Recent information about him is hard to find. Maybe some members could give an update. Those who were here in the late 1970's will remember the large numbers of Thais - and many foreigners - who were con-artists of one type or another. Maybe not homicidal nutcases like Sobhraj, but just as clever at parting you from your money, your valuables, or your passport. It was all part of the journey and there was nothing "sentimental" about it. When I first came here in 1978 I knew what to expect because I had done the Hippie Trail two years earlier with a friend, riding two-up on his BMW 650, so I had already graduated cum laude.

What is on the table is usually a lot less than what passes under it... TIT.

Probably the same town planner who named this one.

Yes, I remember that tempest-in-a-teapot. The informal leader was a prominent poster here on ThaiVisa - as it was called then. There was the predictable exchange of bad-tempered posts on a thread that lasted several weeks and died a slow death. If I recall correctly, the principals involved went on to form a fencing club here in CM. Nothing surprises you after a while. TIT.

I suppose he was working without a work visa. Wok Visa's came in much, much later. I hope yours is up to date.

Maybe because egregious misbehaviour by Israeli tourists is so frequent and has been going on for so many years. In the early 1980s i was good friends with a Dutch guy who was an informal tour guide working with the biggest mountain trekking company in CM. Incidents with Israelis became so regular that the Thai owners bannsd them outright by nationality. It would be ludicrous to attribute that action to anything but what it actually was - a considered decision based on their customers behaviour rather than prejudice of any kind.

Ginger's Dilemma. It might have replaced Catch 22 as the world's best known conundrum.

Not really. Every time I try a new pizza place it doesn't seem to be any better. Although some aren't too bad - Rosie's Roadhouse, Peppino's, etc. With so many good restaurants around these days, there may be some better than The Duke's that I've never heard of.

Funny you'd mention fish at The Duke's Iron Bridge. I had the fish and chips a few nights ago with some friends and relatives who ordered a variety of other things. The fries were just OK - I've had better there in the past. The fish [snapper] was exceptionally good and done to a turn. There have been many positive and negative reviews of The Duke's over the years but the place has been going strong since the early '80s and has always attracted a diverse clientele. The consensus seems to be that it is the best - or one of the best - restaurants for American steakhouse food in Chiang Mai. To each his own.

All good places I'm sure, and worth recommending. Even limiting yourself to CM nowadays you are spoiled for choice. Quite a difference from what the oldtimers remember.

In Chiang Mai it's The Duke's [Iron Bridge] for me. Low-balling it, Mickey D's Double Quarter Pounder with cheese is a pretty good burger when the craving strikes unexpectedly.

There is no "...university and technical college rivalry...", at least none that results in armed clashes. It is certainly not a "town vs. gown" or class conflict situation. For many years now there have been periodic fights between students from rival technical colleges in Bangkok involving deadly weapons resulting in deaths and serious injuries. To say "...we just don't see it." is inaccurate as well. The incidents are widely reported on in the local media.

You're the norm, Ed. The majority of us stay out of trouble - for the most part. It's the slimebag minority that gives us all a bad name and spoils the scene.