watgate

The large blue bus ( R2-P) does in fact go to Promenada but, as I said previously, I am trying to find out when they  start going to Promenada in the morning. Yes, you might have to wait initially for the bus to depart the airport but my experience in riding some of these large blue buses is that they are very accommodative. I was at Central Festival and had ridden my bicycle there to see a movie. When the movie was over I went outside to my bike and it was raining. It was around 3:30- 4 pm and I went over to speak to the driver and assistant of the large blue bus who was parked there and they basically said no problem you can bring your bus onboard and I was very happy and somewhat surprised. During the course of the run the assistant came over and asked if he could take a pic of me and my bicycle to send to the home office and I said sure. I was eventually let out in the night bazaar area. The blue buses are great and hopefully more folks will familiarize themselves with the runs and take advantage of the great fare (20 baht). If you become familiar with the runs you will see there are many places along the runs where the buses stop and it is very convenient to  get on and off.

Dose anyone know what time the first bus goes to Promenada in the morning. I picked it up at 2:50 pm on Thursday from Suriwong Bookstore  but my g/f was not with me and I could not ask the driver when the 1st bus leaves in the morning. I understand there is an app you can download on your phone which probably has the times there but since I am one of those rare dinosaurs who does not have a smart phone I can not access the times. Thus the posting of this inquiry.

I am planning on visiting Vietnam in October and would like to know what is the best currency to bring for spending there. I know I can use my atm card to withdraw funds but would prefer to bring some money with me.

I really loved watching Anthony Bourdain's shows on TV. He was a very rare individual who touched millions of folks in a way that is very rare. He always came across as someone who truly liked people and was very comfortable sitting at a dinner table,or whatever, conversing with folks from all over the world. To me he was very genuine and honest to a fault. He appealed to a broad spectrum of folks with vast political ideologies but was always true to his beliefs and truly had a fondness for those less fortunate for he knew in his heart these individuals were truly happy and at peace with themselves. It saddened me to hear about his death but a man of his intellect and innate sensitivity is always susceptible to life's vicious and callous manifestations which can take a terrible toll on these very rare individuals such as Anthony Bourdain. I, for one, feel very privileged to have known him through the lens of the camera and he truly  opened my eyes to all that is out there in the world for you to experience if you so desire. I know he is in a better place now, he will be sorely missed by millions, but the world is a better place for having witnessed the undeniable genius and creativity and love he shared with so many on his journey.

I am planning on going to Vietnam this October with my g/f and her daughter and was wondering what would be the best city or place to see for the first time in Vietnam. I will most likely only be able to fly to one city and am undecided between HCM City and Hanoi. I understand HCM City is hotter and drier whereas Hanoi is more in the mountains and thus subject to more rain. In your opinion what would be the best city to explore for the first time to get a feel for Vietnam? Also, if you have any recommendations for places to visit near each city to heighten your interest would be appreciated.  Thanks

I am happy to report I found one at Yok. Thanks to all who posted informative info. Much appreciated.

I looking to buy a  small hot air popcorn maker machine but am having no luck finding one in Chiang Mai. Does anyone know where I can find one to buy in Chiang Mai? Also, where can one find the small kernels that you put into the popcorn maker machine?  If I can't find one in Chiang Mai I might have to order online but would at least like to be able to buy the kernels in Chiang Mai. Any info would be appreciated.

I am looking to buy some quality vitamin and mineral supplements and was wondering if anyone knows the best place to buy them in the Chiang Mai area.

I like to eat bread and most bread has a lot of salt. Any places that sell bread with little salt in it?

Since I need to be on a low salt diet I was wondering if anyone knows of any vegan or vegetarian restaurants or food outlets that use very little salt and no MSG. I  realize most establlshments like to use a lot of salt and MSG to make their food taste better and more inviting but if anyone knows for certain of any establishments that don't use a lot of salt and no MSG in their cooking I would be most appreciative. 

I have used Chiang Mai Driver Guide and the owner is named Sutthi Hampitak. His driving skills are impeccable. He speaks very good english and is very personable and very knowledgeable about many places in Thailand. I feel his prices for what you are offered are very good and I have used him several times on trips throughout Thailand. I always felt very safe and secure with him behind the wheel.

I am looking for a Wholistic or Naturopathic Dr in the Chiang Mai area. Does anyone know if their are any certified Wholistic or Naturopathic Dr's practising in the Chiang Mai area? If not, are their any places, such as health food stores, where someone can go to get help with creating special diets? 

Dr Wirachat Lertnithiku. I forgot to include his last name.

There is a Dr Wirachat who is in the pinned list of Dr's in the recommended list  of Dr's and specialists in Chiang Mai. He is a kidney (nephrologist) specialist  and is at Rajavej Hospital. Has anyone gone to see him and, if so, how was he. Is he still at Rajavej Hospital? Also, has anyone seen another kidney (nephrologist) Dr in Chiang Mai that they thought was good and could recommend?  Thanks for any info concerning this matter. 

You missed the basis of my question. I realize the British pound has fallen but it is still substantially higher then most countries and Unions and what makes the British pound command a higher exchange rate then most other countries?

I am wondering why the British pound is so strong. Yes it has fallen since the Brexit vote but it is still above 43 and not long ago it was over 50. What makes it so special compared to other countries?

I might be looking to buy a used car in the not-to-distant future. I was wondering if their are any reputable and honest dealers around,I have always been leery about buying a used car because you never know how well maintained the car was. Also I have heard stories about turning the odometer back to make it appear that the vehicle has less miles on it. Any info about buying a used car and the best way to proceed to try and ensure one can purchase a decent used car at a fair price would be appreciated.

They must ban large knives and only allow small dull knives so they can stop the killings.

I had a great experience at Mungkala Clinic several years ago. I came to Chiang Mai and was having problems with my si joint due to many miles I had ridden on my bicycle. I made an appt to see the Dr there and met with a very nice middle-aged lady Dr. Her name escapes me. I told her about my problem and she smiled and said I didn't need acupuncture. She said to take advantage of being in Thailand and get some great therapeutic massages which would go a long way to resolving my si joint problem. With that she gave me back my money and over time my si joint problem was fixed. The Dr was great and I really respected her for being so honest and forthright with me.

I am planning to go to Vietnam this June or July and was wondering if there are any tours to Vietnam from Chiang Mai. I am also considering putting together a trip myself and was wondering if anyone has gone  there recently. I realize Vietnam is a large country and trying to do Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in one trip might be stretching oneself a bit so am exploring different options or itineraries. I understand a major thai airlines is going to be starting direct flights from chiang mai to I think Hanoi this coming March so this is an option. Also there is vietjet which I understand is a very good airline. Any info on visas for Vietnam such as being able to get one upon arrival in vietnam or should one be obtained before departure. I am a US citizen and I know my thai g/f does not need a visa. Any ideas or info on sight seeing in vietnam and any experiences you have had there would be appreciated as I develop an itinerary and decide whether I want to take a pre- arranged tour, providing you can get one from Chiang Mai or go the independent route. Any suggestions for hotels or places to visit would be appreciated also. I am hoping to go for 5 - 6 nights so what would be feasible and realistic to see in vietnam during that time frame? Lastly should one bring US currency to exchange there or use the atm's? Thank you for any info or input you might have about exploring vietnam.

I think anyone with an open mind knows how precarious and completely insane driving in Thailand really is. My best way to sum up the insanity is what happened several years ago when an individual,who had literally driven around the world on his bicycle and was still intact and alive, was finishing up his world bicycling tour in Thailand, and lo and behold, was killed by a driver in Thailand. To me that sums it all up. A bicyclist had remained virtually unscathed during his around the world bicycle tour only to be killed on his bike while riding in Thailand. Driving in Thailand has gotten worse and worse and there is no end to the madness. 

Watching this sickening video brings back memories of several years ago when a bicyclist was finishing up a round the world bicycle tour in Thailand and was killed by a Thai driver. It is truly a gamble and a crapshot every time you take to the roads of Thailand. Thailand deservedly so has the title of the world's most dangerous country to drive in and it is unbelievable that nothing is being done to try and combat this nightmare scenario. Anything goes in this country, there is little or no enforcement of reckless driving or speeding and it is pathetic what goes on in this country on a daily basis. I wonder if anything is ever going to be done or is the insanity going to continue ad infinitum,  I guess time will tell.

Carib-Your posting Albert Einstein's quote was brilliant and I wholeheartedly concur with it. Well done.

I want to be able to wire funds from my Charles Schwab account in the US to a thai bank and need some sage advice from some knowledgeable financial folks. First off I need to open up a thai bank acct and after that is accomplished I then have to link my thai bank acct to Charles Schwab. Now for the questions. It was explained to me from a Charles Schwab representative that the best way would be to do an international wire from my acct at Charles Schwab to my Thai bank acct. The representative at Charles Schwab said that the funds would leave as US dollars and would arrive as US dollars in my thai bank acct. I always thought that when you wired US funds to a thai bank acct the funds would be converted to thai baht. Do some thai banks in fact receive US dollars from an international wire and those funds are deposited in your bank acct as US Dollars or are the US dollars converted by the thai bank to baht and deposited in your thai bank acct? What I am looking to do is to get the best exchange rate for my transferred US dollars to a thai bank acct and do some thai banks give a better exchange rate or are all thai banks governed by the same uniform conversion rate? I hope this makes sense and if anyone can clarify the best way to transfer US Funds to a Thai bank so as to get the best exchange rate it would be most appreciated.