Afrodite79

I think Kullapat Medical Clinic should be one of the better or best in Chiang Mai. Both Thai and farangs use their service. And you can check online what the offer and prices too. Believe the offer everything you need.

http://www.kullapat.com/index.php?language=2

Maybe this place could be of interest? I don't know the place myself, however.

http://www.pilatesplus-studio.com/

i've heard some nasty things about the glues they use, causing problems with the eyes. Even the really expensive ones have toxic glue that have made me shy away from the idea.

the last time i got eyelash tinting in bangkok was at zenred, lasted about 5 weeks and its nice to wake up and look good even if you feel like poo

The glue used in Thailand when having eyelash extensions can cause blindness if unlucky. I love having my eyelashes extended but now I buy and bring my own expensive surgical glue from Denmark when having my eyelashes done in Thailand. It is much safer and last longer as well - 3-4 weeks otherwise 1-2 weeks. I have mine done in Central Kad Suan Kaew, Chiang Mai. The eyelash woman now moved from the basement to the first floor in KSK and share a shop with a hairdresser.

Still my eyelashes are more beautiful and natural done when having the eyelash extensions in Denmark and those last from 6-7 weeks. Both in Denmark and in Thailand I have never felt any irritation when having eyelash extensions but I guess some eyes are more sensitive than others. I love waking up, looking like a queen :-)

I have had my original Northface bag for 4 years now and have packed it heavily without any damage. My bf bought a fake Northface bag (thought it was original) in KSK in front of Top Supermarked on sale THB 1400 (it said original prize THB 3000-4000). It lasted for less than half a year! It looked like an original but the quality is just not same same.

I personally think Wawee and Doi Change are too bitter and possess little else in general Perhaps they are good for making Thai coffee with plenty of sweetened condensed milk.

I don't know how many of you make your own coffee with the right very expensive tools as well, however, both my father and my brothers are baristas in the spare time and they make espresso and cappuccino without sugar, sweetener or any Thai invented things. They are Danish and make coffee as Italians. All their guests always complement them for their coffee. I don't drink coffee myself, however, people have different taste and maybe Wawee espresso beans are bitter for some. I don't think so as I have tasted my brothers/father's coffee when making it with Wawee espresso beans.

Both my father and my two younger brothers are into their coffee and each own a very expensive coffee maker and as well as grind their own coffee. I usually bring back a couple of bags of Wawee espresso beans to them - one of their favorite beans in the world. However, I was contemplating bringing back some new and different espresso beans this time - also locally grown. Any recommendations for espresso beans?

My personal created and favorite sandwich I have been eating once in a while the last 8 years. A wholewheat burger bun with creme cheese, cheddar cheese, salami, lettuce, carrot, cucumber, tomato and salt and pepper. Really a delicious sandwich so no complains. Here in Thailand I always repeat my orders several times and check the food when take away!

you seem to be on a rather low budget. Remember, Thailand is not cheap. The "top" locations like Krabi, Phuket, Hua Hin and Bangkok will eat up your money fast.

Go try Cha-Am, it is not as expensive as Hua Hin, I had rented a two story townhouse out there for 7000 BAHt per month until i moved on in 2010. There are some schools within reach to the Hua Hin side.

One big concern is, your northern born Thai GF will have difficulties in making ties with the local, if you try to live in the south. Exceptions bargirls with the same background. You mentioned in the Isaan you get bored after two weeks, please expect the same to happen to your Thai GF as soon as you settle at a beachside. An Isaan lady does not want to suntan ! She will never understand how you can enjoy sitting in a dirty chair at the beach, drink beer, behave lazy and most of all tanning your skin darker - as this makes you become low-class !

Don 't forget to be open ear and diplomatic in case this becomes all obvious.

Why not move into the next big town of her area ? Hey, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Korat . . all real good places , low budget, all amenities and more ! and schools !

Two story townhouse for 7k baht sounds amazing.

Ubon Ratchathani is something I am considering. The getting bored part is mostly about being in a village for too long. One concern is if her sisters or friends sees this as an invitation to move in with us. Good thing is we can visit her family once in a while without 10 hours on a bus each way. But I really do like the coast. I haven't been riverside in Ubon Ratchathani but if it resembles riverside in Phnom Penh in any way, it is certainly doable.

She has been okay without family and friends for two months before and I don't think that would be a problem. I would like to try for a bit longer and in one place to see if she can cope if I plan to take her to my home country. Where she certainly would be away from friends and family.

In that regard it would make sense to be as far away from Ubon as possible. Personally I am a bit sceptic about Cha Am as I may grow tired of it as well after a few weeks. Hua Hin looks like a better alternative as it is more of a city. I may dig into the coffers (i.e work more and spend less before I go) and add 5k to my rent budget if that is what it takes to find a place in Hua Hin. I am financing these 6 months with just over 2 months work so I know I don't expect to live like a king on that money but with prices being on average 3 times lower than back home I guess I will do okay. I am by the way spending less than 40k baht a month up here in one of the most expensive countries in the world now, living very spartan though.

She will never understand how you can enjoy sitting in a dirty chair at the beach, drink beer, behave lazy and most of all tanning your skin darker - as this makes you become low-class !

In my opinion, the people who do this, are, to begin with. No harm her knowing the reality of the situation.

OP - You're money will go a lot further and you will truly understand your GF if you try it out in the East. Why not find a city their and give it a go? Kalasin? Khon Kean? Roiyet? All have a fair amount of Farangs knocking about.

You're in a fix though; 40k a month is not a great deal. Have you told your GF the limitations of your budget and does she realise that the laptop is a one off gift or could she have the impression that it is only the start? On this basis getting away from the folks will be a good idea perhaps. As she can move so easily sounds like she does not work. Even two weeks with the family will dent your savings as well so perhaps cut that one short. You might also be expected to pay something to the family before the allow their little girl to move off with a Farang for 6 months. Lots to consider.

Chiang Mai or Rai or Koh Chang would be my best guess to eak out your budget.

Cha Am as well but as mentioned, the only friends she will pick up are other Issan girls and in those regions, they might well be working girls.

5k baht taken out of the budget for sending home to her family as her contributions when working was in the 2-5k range. I told her she doesn't need to work as I don't see 10k baht a month worth working longer hours than I have to work to get 15 times that. I'm supplying her with that now.

She's not really a little girl at 31 any more and I have met her parents and they don't have a problem with her being with me.

The laptop is so that we will have a better way to communicate than just through phone when I inevitably have to leave again. Last time I checked in the IT mall in Bangkok they sold laptops as cheap as 12k baht.

Is the east really that much cheaper? How about some average rental price figures for a 1 bedroom condo for the various places mentioned?

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai is even cheaper?

Apart from rental prices and prices in bars and nightclubs (which I won't frequent too often) I guess the prices won't be different on anything that is standard retail goods in supermarkets. Of course, cheaper rent gives me more money to spend on other things.

Too bad you can't really eat seafood in any of these places and I have to eat malaria pills.

I live in Chiang Mai and have never eaten malaria pills neither have any of my friends who live in the city or even further on the country side. If you like to do some trekking in the jungle, your might have to do some research and take some malaria pills otherwise not.

Sure Seafood is not the same up here, however, they do have a couple of popular Seafood restaurants and fresh river fish is available most places.

And it is cheap to live here.

Medicineman, why don't you come back to Thailand then?

Lived here for 10 years, haven't been back in Denmark for 7 years and I am getting along just fine, thank you very much.

I have a relatively well paid job in the oil offshore industrie working worldwide 6 month pr year so I am only here 1/2 time.

Sorry, but you are not the typical case. You would have been out of Denmark 1/2 the time as well had you lived there.

I wonder how any man would not want to be in Denmark, a country with the happiest people on earth (that's what the surveys say) and that IMO has the lowest ugly people per capita than any other nation, but that's my bias, and only because I have a fondness for Denmark and people that are so pleasing to the eye.

Yea, yea, I know, taxes & cost of living are tough in Denmark. However, I think you have the ideal situation. The time you spend in Thailand is "off time" so there are other reasons for enjoying Thailand. If you had to work at an oil refinery in Thailand 6 days a week and under unsafe working conditions you might have a different perspective. Your set up works well for you, and that's good, but please understand you are part of a small minority.

Not trying to be rude here, but maybe you need your eyes examined. Naked Dansk vs naked locals? I know who wins in my book.

I'd much rather be anywhere in Denmark in the summer surrounded by people that ooze sexiness and desirability than stuck in hot, sticky Phuket with locals picking their noses and driving like madmen. At least I can drink the tap water in Denmark and when I flush the toilet the water in the toiler bowl is cleaner than what I dumped in it. And btw, no Danish cop or government official ever tried to shake me down or ask for a bribe. When I get in a Danish taxi, no one tries to rip me off. Jeez, I am so worked up I want to hop on a plane, fly to Denmark and get busy with the locals.........

Grass is always greener on the other side and also different strokes for different folks. In reality, Denmark has a lot of problems particularly with insane high taxes which reserves a comfortable Thai style living for only the very rich. Cars are taxed 250%, the average tax rate after all sorts of product taxing is close to 70%. There are huge problems with immigrants. It's a very feminist country and while danish girls look good in the summer, many have been raised with a feminist ideology and are not exactly easy to get along with. Socialized medicine in practise works out to months of waiting time for simple specialist treatment and 2/5 cancer patiens are killed by neglect. Try setting up a business and despair from all the paperwork and taxes. Then I haven't even touched on the 'Jante Law' which is deeply ingrained in the danish and scandinavian mindset and basically shuns any effort to better yourself or become successful. You certainly can't tell anyone that you're doing ok. And danish people are in no way happy. It's the way those surveys are phrased. Danish people are 'content'. When asked if they were happy yesterday (a more down to earth measure), they rank around Sudan. A huge part of the population is on 'happy pills' and suicide rates are high.

I don't know where you have the figures of neglect - that 2 out 5 cancer patients die, however, the Danish hospital system is not great as it was 20 years ago. Yet, in Thailand many people cannot afford any treatment at all and so they are left to die.

So basically, I can understand why looking in from the outside, Denmark and other socialist countries look nice, but it depends. Do you value your freedom? You opportunity to make your own decisions and not be dictated from the government? If so Denmark isn't for you. If you value a feeling of security much higher than freedom, then Denmark is probably a good place to go.

Personally, I couldn't live there anymore. I'd rather move to Estonia or Thailand, Japan or Malta. Heck, even the US and California would be great for me, but very expensive.

Every time I return to Denmark I am amazed of the amount of good looking and beautiful people - both men and women. I am Danish myself and have traveled worldwide, also in other Scandinavian countries, and I have never seen as many beautiful people pr. capita as in Denmark. Sweden coming close. I don't know any obese people in my surroundings and I am in my early thirties. And I don't know any obese in my parents' surroundings either. You must talk about people from lower working class that tend to be obese everywhere in the Western world not only in Denmark.

The problem in Denmark is that we want to be great in everything. Want to be a great wife/husband, friend, mother/father, colleague, host, look great and have the nicest and cleaning house etc. We have too high demands. And when we fail those demands, it makes us unhappy. We have to learn to relax more.

The way the Danish spend time with their friends, families and children are of great value and it is real. And the children are number one. With our friends we talk about everything - what is going on on the inside, work, relationship, children, politics etc. Nothing about keeping up appearance and not loose face. We spend real time and not shallow time together. I am lucky that here in Thailand, I do have Thai friends though who open up to me and talk with me about things they never talked with their families or long time Thai friends with.

As I have my first baby soon, my Thai boyfriend (soon to be husband) and I will move to Denmark in a couple of years. As I appreciate the transparency, the cleanliness, our bicycles and not being afraid of being run over, safety, 4 seasons, the educational system, the health system (even though its mistakes), the productiveness, real and quality time with your family and friends. Luckily my bf feels the same.

I will miss the delicious cheap Thai food available everywhere and being able to visit high end restaurants without being broke afterwards. And the sunny and flourished everyday life. However, not the heat.

Denmark is a country that take care of the weak ones and there will always be people that use and abuse that system, unfortunately. And yeah we are too good to some of our immigrants. However, I also realized if I had not been a Dane I would have had the possibilities in life I have had and that makes me appreciate Denmark more and more. And of course my parents. My parents who belong to the better part of Denmark, however, they also both have long great educations and always been working hard and still do in the age of 62 and 63. And yeah they pay insane lots of taxes - more than 70 % when reaches that certain amount.

You have the possibility to make something out of yourself in Denmark - everyone has a change. In Denmark we have freedom of speech and I can say or write anything without being put to jail. I will call that freedom. And we are free to live life as we want - no dictation from government. However, we have to follow the laws. rules and tax systems. And I think that it fair. I enjoy that I can tell right or wrong and trust the system and teach my children the same. In Thailand I would not know how to teach them about right and wrong when everything is so corrupt.

Life will be more hard in Denmark, however, also more rewarding and real. In the future I will enjoy and look forward to my holiday visits to Thailand always, I am sure.

Check the pinned topic of Recommended Doctors and medical specialists in Chiang Mai Forum. Here they recommend dermatologists as well.

http://www.thaivisa....al-specialists/

Try Huay Kaew road, soi 2. There are several seamstress shops next to each other that are open from morning till late evening 9-10PM. When you leave Huay Kaew, soi 2, you will come out to Huay Kaew and you will have a 7/11 on your right. Almost opposite Rincome marked.

I do agree with with what Ulysses G says about the steaks in Thailand but there are ,in my opinion, two places that have good affordable steaks.One is the Franco-Thai restaurant,near the Computer Plaza and the Gekko resteaurant near Pandip Plaza.I am sure there are more places in CM to find.I can't wait to find more.

I am a steak loving girl and the small French bistro restaurant "La Fourchette" has a perfect tender beef steak - imported meat. All food there is very delicious. The owner is Thai/French and his French dad was one of the men who in the past opened the fine Le Coq d'Or Restaurant and cooked for the royal family as well. So he has been trained well. Service and quality amazing and prices very fair. I like the fact that this little pearl of restaurant is not advertised. Expats living here and Thais know about it from word of mouth and then of course tourists who read of it from Tripadvisor. It is in the old city - opposite Wat Chedi Luang. And closed on Sundays.

La Fourchette

162/2 Prapoklao Road | Tambon Prasing, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

089 8518292 / 053 277482

If being a "look kreung", you have everything to become a superstar in Thailand. Most superstars in Thailand are mixed Thai/farangs and don't have much more to offer. Hopefully you will have more to offer than your look :-)

But better to learn Thai as well and then you have all chances to become famous :-)

If being a "look kreung", you have everything to become a superstar in Thailand. Most superstars in Thailand are mixed Thai/farangs and don't have much more to offer. Hopefully you will have more to offer than your look :-)

For many years I had my ups and downs. As the downs got worse and more intense my family would ask me to start anti-depressive - both my dad and my younger brother are doctors. I was not ready for that and would accept that I needed medications. I went to see a psychiatrist as well, however, as I can be very charming, he did not think I needed any medications. He could not see through me even though I told him all my feelings when down. I was just on the edge.

First after I started anti-depressive I got better. I was on it for 1 year and 3 months and today I feel great. Greater that I felt for 10 years. I talk openly with all my friends about my depression. And my family also checks up on me. I have found out that I had not been really happy since high school. 10 years - that was a long process and if I look back I would have loved to have started medications earlier. Then my life would have been easier and happier in many ways. But no reason to look back now. I am happy again today and believe everything will be alright and even great. I can do it.

Exercise does help as well as releasing endorphines as said earlier - happy chemicals. However, if you feel like I did, you don't have power, energy or any will. First after I started medications I was able to do all the other things that make life great.

are there any tour bus that is hassle free? as in they will pick me up at my place, wait for me near the border and send me back. uncomfortable at catching songthaew, buying tickets at arcade and so on.

i know vans do it, but its uncomfortable. argh

That is exactly what the minibus operators do. The cheapest online is 650THB from Wandering star tours. However, Eyecatcher said don't pay more than 500THB so I will visit the tour agencies around town to get a proper offer. See if I can get it cheaper than 650THB.

I should think every tour agency in the city can help you there.

i guess they all use the same 3 or 4 companies that service everyone here.

Mae Sai is the esaiest run from here, dont ever pay more than 500bt for your trip. i hear some are trying to charge 700bt for the "pleasure".

What tour agency in the city offers a 500THB border run trip to MaeSai? Online the cheapest offer is 650THB.

I am here in Chiang Mai on and off (the last 9 years) and will here 1-2 months more before going back home. I have my own rackets as well. 6 years ago I played badminton with a Thai friend and two of my Swedish friends who later then relocated to Bangkok . We played at Charoen Muang road but 700 year Stadium is cheaper and closer to me. I am up for badminton while and when ever I am in town. I am female and soon 33 of age.

anyone know about the night market outside tesco lotus? been there once, forget the day, can't find it anymore. is that a one time event?

There are more than one Texco Lotus so you should be more precise. Earlier there was a Friday marked between Tesco Lotus (Carrefour) and Payap university every Friday between 4PM-9/10PM. Now Tesco Lotus has become a Big C and I am not sure the Payap Friday market is still there.

Why is the night market outside in front, where we can’t even see a thing?

It's an old Chiang Mai shopping tradition where the shopping done with help of only a few candle light or oil lamp are allowed (no joke).

Original words :กาดมั่ว กาดซุ่มมืด

And it is called "the Dark market" and is there Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from about 4/5PM till 9/10PM.

You should try Saturday market as well at Wua Lai road (opposite Chiang Mai gate market) that has a lot of the same things as Sunday market but is smaller and less crowded.

There is a rather new outside mall called "Season Fashion mall" at the beginning of Chiang Mai Sankampaeng road. Have not been there yet myself but will visit soon. Otherwise you see more and more online and online pre-order shops in Thailand. I am happy that Chiang Mai does not have the same malls and offers as Bkk. I am a shopaholic :-)

Can anyone enlighten me on this, what is the difference between

Orchid Butter, Orchid Classic Butter, and the last lot I seen was

called Orchid Blended Butter, blended? what with?

regards Worgeordie, PS Orchid has been my butter of choice

for years,the others seem to have a slightly off smell ,even when fresh

One Orchid butter is with salt, the other without. And then a blended Orchid as already described. If some of you like real butter, you should go for the Danish Lurpak butter which normally is available in Tops and Rimping. Maybe other plazes too. The only butter with real taste.

Killing machines that's all they are. Thank god they are banned in Australia. It took a few years and numerous attacks and deaths but they were eventually banned. Pitbull X's are just as bad and are on the dangerous animals list in Australia. If people here insist on keeping these monsters they should be muzzled 24/7 and caged.

Same in Denmark. Banned together with 13 other dangerous dogs. All countries should take similar stand and make a new law.

There use to be a stall in kad suan kaew food court, in the tops area. Also another one going into the santhitam area from huay kaew road, make a left before crossing over the canal bridge and its on your left shortly.

Thanks

The santitham area one sounds good but canal road is quite far from Santitham isnt it? Do you mean left at dunkin donuts then left again?

I found the Korean restaurant easily Thursday after reading KRS1's explanation to the whereabouts. It said canal bridge and NOT Canal road.

0899937500 is the number to the owner of the restaurant. She speaks English.

How was the food and menu prices? Do they give you those small dishes that accompany your meal?

The prices are very fair. Large portions and both seaweed soup and kimchi were accompanied free of charge. Even the drinks were huge. The owner guided us very well and asked if it was first time eating Korean food. It was a positive experience - good and cheap Korean everyday food on an ordinary week night.

There use to be a stall in kad suan kaew food court, in the tops area. Also another one going into the santhitam area from huay kaew road, make a left before crossing over the canal bridge and its on your left shortly.

Thanks

The santitham area one sounds good but canal road is quite far from Santitham isnt it? Do you mean left at dunkin donuts then left again?

I found the Korean restaurant easily Thursday after reading KRS1's explanation to the whereabouts. It said canal bridge and NOT Canal road.

0899937500 is the number to the owner of the restaurant. She speaks English.

Well, I have been going to Immigration a lof times during the last 10 years to make tourist visa extentions and I like to come late with all my things in order. The copy of my passport, a picture or two, money and the filled our application. Believe you can download the application but otherwise just fill it out when you are there and waiting anyway. Everyone else comes early. I am usually in and out within 30min. However, I am a woman and use that. Dress nice and smile - always gets many compliments when there - so maybe I am just lucky :-) but try it.