Ajarn

I am looking to buy a reliable car or pick-up in the Chiang Mai area for under 100 000 Baht. It does not have to look good its only got to be reliable. I am not fussy about make or model or, within reason, age or mileage. Can anyone recommend where I should start looking?

A RELIABLE truck under 100,000 baht?

In all my years here, I have never seen one.

anyone know?

does the place on the corner of the superhighway and the road to chang puak gate do them?

prices?

cheers

<deleted> is a Strimmer ?

A friend is looking for vegetable seedlings. I have scoured the Kamthieng plant market, to no avail, any clues anyone??

Thanks Tim

At the old fish/dogs/garden market located at the end of Arak road (west side of moat), there are some garden supply shops (past the fish stores) that have stocks of vegetables and flower seeds..

Bake and Bite does decent cheaply priced bake goods, but when it comes to chocolate cookies, I prefer the expensive ones with lots of butter and chocolate!

I agree with you, and that is the reason I don't like the chocolate cookies from The Dukes. They have only a few chips, and they raised their price from 30 baht to 60 baht

I don't drink, and I don't like most farangs

Hi Harry,

In my experience, 100 baht per hour for a songthaew is pretty common. Includes gas and driver. If you look here, you will probably find a personal taxi for rent about 800-1000 baht per day, for car, driver, gas.

If you want to rent a car, figure the cost of the car, gas, and about 400 baht for a driver (daytime)

How much does a good tatoo cost?

[quote name='Loaded' post='2313834' date='2008-11-05

Before you start crying about this, think about the culture here. They only ask for a very small amount of action. And a 'ban' on entertainment isn't too much to ask, in my opinion. And in the opinion of million's of Thai's and farangs.

Not too sure 'millions of farangs' agree with you.

I don't get upset by the deaths of people who didn't know I even exist. Were you a Diana fan Ajarn?

Sorry, I thought my meaning was clear.."Millions of Thais and Farangs"

I think most Thai view her passing with great respect. Expecially in the North.

No, not a Diana fan. But I am a Thai Fan

Word of warning though, the preferred 'look' of contestants in Thai beauty pageants is really weird. Most foreigners (or people with taste otherwise) don't dig it. Big hair and death-masks. You know, like this :

They still look good to me!

Before you start crying about this, think about the culture here. They only ask for a very small amount of action. And a 'ban' on entertainment isn't too much to ask, in my opinion. And in the opinion of million's of Thai's and farangs.

Anything they open there has got to have Thai food at Thai prices...

In my opinion, your best bet on prices is at one of the family factories between Chiang Dao and Fang, locared along the roadway..

Go to the market behind Rim Ping market up North on Sunday's. They have a hundred. I bought 6 there for friends.

That is located at the intersection of Mae Jo Rd and the Middle Ring road, and it starts on Saturday, not sure about Sunday

Hi all,

No - it is not for me. A lady friend from the UK who is arriving shortly for a week's stay has asked me if I can recommend a place here where she can get botox treatment - she wants assured quality not a cheap rate. Nothing when I searched the CM forum - does anyone have any suggestions? Happy to get the response by PM if you prefer .

Thanks in advance.

There are two kinds of basic 'Botox sessions'

One is for cosmetic reasons

Two is as an aid in paralyzed arms and legs.

Average usage is one bottle for paralysis= 20,000 baht per bottle 2 years ago

I had one session for paralysis in Bkk, not good experience, as the doctor had never done the Botox for paralysis, hence a wasted trip to Bkk...

If anyone knows of a Botox giver experienced in paralysis, Please let me know

On your menus, there is a place to 'fill us in on what it is'... I would like you to use this feature not just for western food, but on the Thai and Indian menus too. Too many blanks here I feel. Very confusing to me.

Hi Ajarn,

Yes you're right there is a description box but the problem we have is we can only put on the info which the restaurant gives us and unfortunately the Thai and Indian restaurants do not offer any descriptions. I will however try and speak to them and see if they can provide more details. I do try and tell all the restaurants that the more details they provide the better as I get customers asking me what the food item is and sometimes I do not have a clue.

As an alternative for the Thai restaurants, maybe suggest that they use Thai names for dishes. Out of the many 'Northern Style' type dishes, what are they called in Thai?

On your menus, there is a place to 'fill us in on what it is'... I would like you to use this feature not just for western food, but on the Thai and Indian menus too. Too many blanks here I feel. Very confusing to me.

Dustoff,

I've got a big bike and am always looking for someone good for maintance / repairs.

Where/who is Goodwill? What makes them better than your average mechanic?

Are they pretty reasonable?

Cheers

Beanster

I'm not a bike rider anymore, but for the past 20+ years, Joe has seved my big-bike needs very well. Also, since he is not Thai, I think he's better with people, farangs in particular. Also Joe has an excellent work standard and an excellent knowledge of fixing or making new bikes.

Joe is a good man who treats you right

Goodwill is located on Soi 2, Chang Moi road, the soi is located next to the Thai Military Bank.

Dunno how you did it... but I'd say you're very lucky to have found someone who meets your needs, at a reasonable price, and who has had the stability to stay with you for 6 years... Congratulations about that!!!!

I too think Ajarn is fortunate to find someone that compatible. The salary (10k plus room and board) is quite good, really, but the no time off bit would be hard for most people, I would think.

Sure the salary is good, but with any live-in help, they become part of my family. Once in awhile she will ask for a couple of days to go see her family. No sweat at all. For anyone having live-in staff, I think this is normal, and is expected by most live-in workers. The farangs that I know sometimes offer them a day off during the hiring, but it is rarely taken by the staff

Thanks Ajarn... So...the bulk of your 30K per month is for a live-in housekeeper? I hope he or she gets a holiday off sometime???

That is 20,000 baht, NOT 30,000 baht. And no, she gets no holiday, only the 10,000 per month

And she is quite happy. Been with me for 6 years.

Regularly take tuk tuks in CM, maybe three or four times every day. Not naming names, but I have become a bit worried about my regular driver recently. Getting more and more aggressive from lunchtime onwards, a drink thing. I'm pretty unflappable, but there's a limit. Especially as the gf is 8 months pregnant.

In Europe I would say why I was concerned straight up, and that if things didn't change, I would! But this is Thailand, there's the 'face' thing, etc. Shame because he's a great guy.

So in the meantime - at least until I've worked out how to tell him - I want to add a couple of names and numbers to my list of contacts. Any recommendations of drivers that don't think they're racing against Lewis Hamilton (F1 driver to any Americans that haven't heard of him ) each time I fancy a comfortable and (relatively) safe drive through town? I live on the SE corner of the moat. Basic English would help, my Thai is rubbish.

Thanks!

If your Tuk Tuk driver is not driving safely, please TELL him. It is commonly done by most everyone. 'Face' has nothing to do with it, so don't be afraid to tell him

Personally, I have been in need of such care for the last few years. There are plenty of trained and non-trained staff to help out. Cost to me is an extra 20,000 per month for great care and help

Ajarn, what level of care have you been able to arrange for that price??

24/7??? or... so many days and so many hours per day???

And, just "civilian" help or medical/nurse qualified folks???

I'm assuming you mean... at-home care....

I have a physical therapist that comes 4 times a week @ 4oo baht per hour. Otherwise, I have a civilian housekeeper who helps me around the house with cooking, paying all my bills, and helping me to walk to where I need to go. 24 hours perday. Trusting someone to go to the ATM for me is the hardest part, but so far, no problems

Personally, I have been in need of such care for the last few years. There are plenty of trained and non-trained staff to help out. Cost to me is an extra 20,000 per month for great care and help

There are two roads to Chiang Rai, you know.

3 main roads.

Via Mae Rim and Fang.

Via Doi Saket and Wiang Papao.

Via Lampang and Payao.

And there is also Prao (1001) and Wiang Papao (my favorite)

Last week, I came through during a demonstration, the police simply guided everyone around the mess. And extra 15 minutes of driving. No bid deal. They are not trying to close the road, just create a headache

As the nature in the mountains changes almost daily, I would suggest anything for your comfort is the best idea

Drove up the mountain to Doi Suthep for hiking today and couldn't help but notice how bad the air quality seemed looking down. Not quite as bad as March or especially a year and a half ago but pretty ugly to see. Anyone know the current air quality index and why it's so bad for this time of year? I usually thought this was the nice air quality season each year.

You think it might be visible humidity? I do.

http://www.pcd.go.th/AirQuality/Regional/G...?task=graphsite

I do too. In fact I see it on Doi Suthep all the time. No fears

Mapguy, please chill out a bit okay ? There are many different discussions by many varied people. I prefer a less restricted flow of materiel here.