Ajarn

> Yes, where to find firewood is more important now, in my way of

> looking at things..

You suppose we could combine the two and get firewood to have a good old burning at the stake?

You meant steak? Yes, sir!

I believe Gordo's is closed. I thought it was terrible the last time I ate there, probably around 1996. I was the only one eating there, and when I passied by, around standard dinner time (7-9pm) a couple days later, it was still completely empty.

You ought to give Señor Pico's another chance. I ate there a few months ago and found it pretty acceptable Mexican, for Thailand. Not every dish was great, but most were edible. Yes it's a bit pricey for Bangkok, but still less expensive than a Mexican resto back home!

Last night I stopped by the Upper Crust Cafe on Chang Khlan Rd, and it's still there, still offering a Tex-Mex menu. Worth trying as well. Just remember, you're in Thailand ...

Admittedly, when I found Gordos the first time, I was in desperation mode, so even crap Mex would have hit the spot. On visa runs, I always stopped in at Sizzler for at least a green salad (unseen around CM then) and a decent steak....Gordos was an exciting addition

I will try Senor Pico again, next time I'm in BKK. The prices don't hurt as much now, thank goodness.

By the way, for anyone who loves avocados, you probably can't find any around here now....But, I've found a seller with avocados for 20 baht per kilo....

As you travel north to Chiang Dao, 10 k's south of Chiang Dao is that permanent police check point, located in front of an elementary school. Just past the cops is a long row of Som O sellers. The first one, closest to the cops, always has a few kilos of avocados for sale. Her family has a small orchard in the hills...

Anyone remember the Taco Bell on Moon Muang, circa 1988-90?

I've frequented Thapae Gate and many other red-light areas in Thailand for many years.

Can't follow the reasoning here. Chiang Mai Expats know about Thapae Gate at night and generally try to give it a wide berth late on. If someone was looking for the sex trade there's plenty of other areas where you'd be relatively safe and meet some not too bad looking women. I can't understand why anybody needs to frequent an area out in the streets, where the lighting is poor and there's some very ugly and dangerous people lurking in woman's clothes.

The cleanup does do some good depite it's hypocritical motivation of making everything look wonderful in Chiang Mai.

Lamphun, you know as well as anyone that 'clean-ups' are only effective if they are enforced...So far as I can see, there has never been a cleanup because it's never lasted more than one night. I'll bet anything the katoeys are back already. This is not the first time in the last couple of months that the katoeys have been cleared out for the night...

The addition of lights was a good idea, I think. But some of the lights covering some areas have burned out and not been replaced. I think the dark shadows in these areas are the main problem, being also the area for drug dealing and whatever...

When I have dinner at Darets or the Art Cafe, I always park my car inside the gate area at night. Never had or seen any problems, but the crowd lurking in the shadows sure seems more potentially problematic than the crowd hanging out on the benches in the better-lit areas. In my opinion, good lighting throughout the gate area will take care of most of the problems people seem to be complaining about.

On a side note: Please drop the David A stuff. Let's not do that again, it's all been said before, and we know that it's a topic that many feel very strongly about.

Why?

Its the biggest thing to hit Thaivisa, or is where to buy firewood a more important subject?

Check out what is being said on chiang mai news forum about him.

Why? Because it's beating a dead horse. David is gone, and good riddance. No point talking about him except as a warning to others about whatever, and I think those messages of warning have been broadcast, ad nauseum, already.

Yes, where to find firewood is more important now, in my way of looking at things..

If you still have some unresolved issues about David, as it seems, I'd suggest that this forum is not going to take care of your issues, so you'll need to find some other way, probably within yourself, to seek closure with your David Demons.

Good Luck. Really.

It will be 58 years from now till she has a claim on it. HA HA    p.s I did get a divorce

Got the certificate to prove it

Glad a foreigner was a Winner in the Outcome. Good On You!! Thaimee.

Maybe a winner, but more likely, only temporarily, I'd guess. You can bet the ex, and family members will continue to look for a chance to get back....Grudges never seem to die with Thais...

Watch your back.

Ajarn,

    I was about to give up on getting an answer to this question. Thanks for the info and I'll get in touch with them here and see where they're located down in Koh Samui. Rather be in touch with them first because I have to go down and pack the bike and parts up before shipping. Been a pain trying to find the parts I need to repair it but a friend says he'll bring the head on his next trip from England.

    Can't make the meeting this week, have to install my kitchen cabinets and got to find some granite for the tops. Say hello to everyone and will keep my eyes open to see where the next one is and see the group when I can make it up that way again.  

Oh, sorry! I wasn't paying attention to the writer ..

The last time I used them in Chiang Mai, about 6 years ago, they were located on the Super, just a bit South of the San Kampheng road intersection (train station road), on the right (West) side. Big wharehouse w/long dock on the north side of the building.

If you send a bike, they'll suggest you crate it...Good suggestion, I think. I watched them load and unload quite a few crated bikes while I was there, and I was impressed with the care they showed in moving the crated bikes around. Then, my 750cc bike cost 900 baht to build the crate. I used the crate again later for another bike

The government has been threatening to scrap the ETO for years because they lose money every year....It's possible they've carried out their threat, and under the topic of 'shipping via ETO', I'm now a dinosaur....again.

If so, my apologies

Good Luck

=p1p,Tue 2004-05-25, 12:24:37 I am reminded of my two young children, ages 4 and 5, and a friend of theirs on a journey to school:

T "Are you my friend"

S "I'm not your friend any more. I'm his."

R "I don't want to be your friend. My friend XXX is at school."

T "Why won't you be my friend?"...............

And shortly later the car had to be stopped because all three were in tears.

p1p, when trapped in a car with three kids, how long does it take before we see some tears from you?

If you value your life, forget the government hospitals.

The private ones are good value.

Room charge with meals, less than a reasonable hotel!!

I'd say take all precautions you can, and don't trust any doctor, at first. I've had bad experiences on Samui, including an operation at the govt hospital by a drunk doctor...I had no choice at the time

Good health care in Thailand is hit or miss. Nice clean hospitals are great, but in no way are any guarantee of competent staff, including doctors...Plenty of horror stories still happening in Thailand. Better than before, but still not good enough, in my experience.

Does anyone know of a shipping or trucking outfit in Samui that could take a motorcycle plus a few boxes to Bang Bua Thong (just outside Bangkok) for less than 2 arms and a leg? I could go down myself to set it up but need to know where they are located or at least a telephone number. I've tried doing searches but can't seem to find anything. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Ask a local where the nearest ETO (Express Transportation Organization, a govt enterprise) office is...They've shipped my stuff many times over the years..Last time, they shipped my bike from Chiang Mai to Songkhla for 2 baht per kilo.

Most likely need the right visa and or work permit. But good intentions and a good introduction can circum navigate the need in a lot of cases.

CT

I think that anyone with a non-immigrant can open an account, but they need your work permit to give you a normal interest- bearing account...I think. Last year, my local TFB called me to say that they needed my WorkPermit info before they could credit my interest. They said it was a new rule from the Bank of Thailand...I never did anythng, but the interest was paid, and I haven't heard nary another word about it...Oh, they did deduct 15% tax on the interest.

Ajarn, I haven’t traveled around the CM area much yet; Elaine and I have only been here for about 6 months..  We are back in the US now for a short visit but we will take the 'Samoeng Loop' as soon as we return and report our findings.

Thank you very much for the recommendation.  I really appreciate how many of the ‘old hands’ are willing to share their experiences with the newbies.

Bill

And I thought I'd see you this Wed.....

I've always wondered what makes an old hand. I do know that on some topics I'm more of an old dinosaur

Based on Ajarn’s recommendation above, we took the drive to this area via the canal road.  We had a very good time.  Everything is very green and it certainly has that “out in the country” feel.  We visited a few of the wood carving shops and found the prices lower that we have seen elsewhere.

Highly recommended for a pleasant 2-4 hours.

Bill

I like the green time of the year, too. That road has some interesting offshoots to explore, if you have such a notion.

Bill, have you traveled around the area much? One of my favorite 3-4 hour drives is the 'Samoeng Loop' (about 80 km's, total)...Out Chotana, left through Mae Sae Valley, Pongyang village, Samoeng, then back along road 1269, which goes around the backside of Doi Suthep, and ends at the Cm/Hang Dong hiway, just a lttle south of the airport. Maybe 90% of all the local attractions and tourist traps are along this route, but it's still a civilized and beautiful drive, good paved road, with lots of choices for stopping...Tourist stuff (elephants and ATV's, etc.), restaurants, swimming, many beautiful gardens to explore, discovering places for your Dream House...

And it's beautifully green this time of the year...

Vicious bastards. Don't mess. Repeat after me "Here's my money, you look very beautiful and feminine."

Somehow, 'Bitches' stills seems more appropriate than 'Bastards', in this case...

Chanchao  I think Ajarn was feeding the others in the story not the guys in brown?

CT

Yep, I'm sure the cops can take care of themselves without any support from me

And p1p's advice is sound, I think. Many of the katoeys have other screws loose, and can be dangerous, especially in groups.

Any bank will do but not the Thai Farmers Bank. Two times I sent money from the UK to my wife's family who had an account with this bank. Both times I paid all the fees at this end so the recipient would get the full amount of what I sent. Each time the bank deducted charges. My bank HSBC contacted them each time and told them they were not allowed to do this as they had already been paid. But their answer was "We do what we want". My bank had to refund the money to me and now will not accept transfers to this bank any more, where the fees are prepaid.

Regards CHris

Why didn't you simply add an extra 500 baht to your deposit for them? When I asked TFB about their charges for receiving overseas transfers, they told me their maximum charge is 550 baht, which is automatically deducted.I've never had any problems, and for the last few years, cash wire transfers are almost immediate. None of the multiple days/weeks anymore, except for checks, in my experience. I deposited a personal check here written to me on an American bank.. 40 days to clear for each check.

I like TFB, and have had better experiences with them than some other Thai banks, but everyone has their own experiences...

[Also the doctor did not prescribe any medication, which in Thailand deserves an honourable mention as many Thai people EXPECT medication, no matter what, even if it's a totally normal condition that nature will take care of all by itself.  Quite a few doctors in this country know this and just prescribe something colorful to make the patient happy, thus purporting the tradition of patients feeling that a doctor visit is not complete without some colorful pills to swallow. Think about it, how often you went to see a doctor and ended up with 3 different kinds of pills, one of which being regular paracetamols that you already have a whole jar full of at home]

Hey, congrats on the kid, Chanchao!

Excellent point about the medicine....I've seen many of these types of clinics...One clinic in Songkhla my wife used to go to (like many Thais, she went to the clinic at the drop of a hat.) had three big glass jars on the front counter, half full of pills. One pink, one blue, one red.....No drug names on the bottle, or written on the little bag the pills are handed out in...

If it was just paracetimol in those jars, I wouldn't have worried, but anti-biotics are still standard fare at most clinics, and this clinic simply ignored my requests to write the name of the drug they were dispensing on the little bag- no doubt to try to guarantee that the patients only buy their meds at the clinic, and many clinics actually manufacture (illegaly) their own pills to stuff in those jars...

And, of course, you're right about the Zoo at Suan Dawk

But.....If you come in through emergency (with a real emergency!), you'll find a different scenario, in my experience. Like I said, it's my choice in the event of a serious emergency. But. I wouldn't go there for a cold...

The other big government hospital is Nakornping Hospital out on Chotana road, just past city hall. Still a similar scene as Suan Dawk, but it's not easy for any hospital to successfully deal with literaly thousands of patients per day....Reports I've heard from aquaintences say that the quality is generaly good. The also have some very innovative pediatric programs, from what I've heard.

A year or so ago I sampled the Mexican food at the Upper Crust, on Chang Khlan Rd, a couple of times, and it wasn't bad. The UC is/was basically a bakery/coffeeshop but they do/did have a half dozen or so Mexican dishes. Better than the Art Cafe IMO, though if you've come straight from Mexico City, San Antonio or Los Angeles you wouldn't be impressed. Don't know if the place is still going or not.

For comparison's sake, I did find that the UC's Mexican dishes went down better than anything from the now defunct American Cafe (or whatever it was called) on Tha Phae Rd years ago and from El Toro when it was still around.

I also tried Mexican recently at the Burito (sic) House, down an alley off Suthep Rd, and found the tucker there to be a fairly close replica of US-style Mexican fast food, a la Taco Bell. I talked to the Thai owner and he said he worked at Taco Bell (I think he said TB, it could've been another of the many TB copies) in the US and that his aim was to produce that style of Mexican. Now of course a lot of folks in the US turn their noses up at Taco Bell, but if you've ever lived in Southern California, as I have, you know that the clientele at an average TB is often predominantly Mexican! I've also lived in Mexico, where I got to be very picky about *real* Mexican as opposed to CalMex or TexMex (of the two, I prefer the latter), but if you are OK with Taco Bell style, then this place does it to a 'T'.

I don't know if this Burito House is related to the one in Airport Plaza, but I tried the latter also and the food there was close to inedible. Either it's a different place, or our Taco Bell grad isn't supervising it very closely. I can't remember if the one on Suthep was spelt burito or burrito, but of course it should be the latter spelling.

I haven't yet tried the Mexican at the Salsa Kitchen/Bagel Cafe, but had a bagel w/shmear there recently and it wasn't bad. Bagels are like many 'niche' dishes, hard to find a place outside their home turf (NYC in this case) that does 'em right ... so one must adjust one's expectations to fit the geographical context.

The best Mexican I've so far eaten in Thailand has been at Señor Pico's of Los Angeles, in the Rembrandt Hotel in Bangkok. Pretty similar to CalMex, though the authenticity varies quite a bit from dish to dish. But it's way better than its predecessors in BKK, e.g., Tia Maria and Gordo's Cantina. I've eaten their perhaps a dozen times over the years and find it's pretty consistently OK. If there is or ever has been a better place for Mexican in Thailand, I've yet to stumble on it.

You do seem to be the expert in this area

I tried the Art cafe once, but their hard taco shells were only made with flour, not corn meal...I explained to the owner that fried flour, because of it's small grain, losses the flexibility that comes from using corn meal...But she pooh-poohed me. Okay, somnamnaa. Crappy Tacos that fall apart upon touch...

Shortly after that, I tried the El Toro just around the corner in the soi...Cold 'hot' food, tacos with so much water as to make everything soggy and crappy, clueless waitress, idiot farang boss....

I did like America Restaurant Mex. Nothing fancy, but good quality, I thought. Made his own tortillas, too. The food went totally to crap after his (working) partner left.

I thought Senor Picos was great for entertaining guests, but the food just so-so, and expensive. I much preferred Gordos when I went there around 1990...Is it still there? I looked for it about 4 years ago, but was hazy about which soi it was up..

And as far as the best, I still say it's at my house...Here is what I'm eating at this moment- A beef-cheese burrito smothered with Salsa Mexicana, courtesy of my Mexican-like housekeeper

But, I do enjoy going out to try some others, at times....

Entertainment venue closing time debacle remains as clear as mud

Government, police and entrepreneurs all have different alarm clocks

Saksit Meesubkwang

The confusion over the government’s social order campaign to force nightspots to close earlier is just as muddled as it was from the outset.

In Chiang Mai, the entertainment entrepreneurs are doubly confused because the police insist on a midnight closing time, although the law still allows entertainment venues to remain open till later.

Chanasuek Noochai, assistant district chief officer of Muang Chiang Mai Office, met with entertainment venue entrepreneurs on May 12 to discuss the impact of changes to opening and closing times of restaurants, bars, karaoke bars, pubs and discotheques which the government is trying to enforce.

Santi “Tong Bossy” Pitikram, president of Chiang Mai’s Entertainment Business Club, and Naiyaneth Wairatchapanich, the club secretary, took part in the discussion, attended by over 200 entrepreneurs of entertainment outlets in the city.

This meeting was a follow-up on a previous one which took place five days earlier at the Muang District Office between the Chiang Mai Public Health Office, provincial authorities and police.

At that meeting, it was agreed that all entertainment outlets must close at 1 a.m., except those which have licenses in line with Article 3(1), that may stay open till 2 a.m. - particularly outlets in designated entertainment “zones”.

Contradicting this agreement, however, police have been ordering nightspots to close at midnight, “due to the law”. As a result, entrepreneurs do not know whether they have to follow Article 3 (1) or “the law”.

To add to the confusion, Chumporn Saengmanee, Muang district chief officer, has stated that the province announced a “zoning measure” of entertainment outlets. The measure, applicable since March 26, includes the setting of opening and closing times of entertainment outlets and emphasizes entrepreneurs must strictly follow “the law” since there were some petitions against outlets which did not do so.

The instigators of the suppression, the Ministry of the Interior, puts emphasis on its standing policy and urges officers to carefully monitor entertainment outlets on strict adherence to opening and closing times, prohibition on drugs, prohibition on minors in these venues, not providing obscene shows, the ban on carrying firearms in these venues, and whether owners have the necessary license to carry out their entertainment business.

According to the Royal decree on zoning, opening times for categories of venues governed by Article 3(1) zoning have been set for 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and outside zoning from 9 p.m. to midnight, Article 3(2) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to midnight, Article 3(3) zoning from 4 p.m. to midnight and outside zoning from 6 p.m. to midnight, Article 3(4) zoning area from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. and outside zoning from 6. p.m. to midnight and Article 3(5) zoning from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

At present, entertainment outlets are still allowed to stay opened until 1 a.m., except outlets that fall under Article 3(1) which can operate until 2 a.m. in anticipation of the ministerial regulation’s reapplication.

Meanwhile, Santi, of Chiang Mai’s Entertainment Business Club said that the government’s social order was a good thing because it could make society “ordered and neat”. Nevertheless, the new law that brings forward the closing times affects entrepreneurs’ incomes, especially owners of discotheques. The government and associated organizations should take this into consideration, was the feeling of the entrepreneurs.

If you can fully understand the provisions of Article 3 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) please see the entertainment operators near you - they need you! The commonly supposed idea that Thailand means the “Land of the Free” obviously needs total revision too.

The bit about informing the cops if you see any hookers at Thapae Gate is a hoot. There's a police post at the gate, it's been there for years. Hookers seem to have been there late at night for years as well. Instead of asking the public for information why not ask their own officers.

Every night I've driven by, starting at about eleven, I always see a large contingent of cops massing for shift change(?) military style, right at the vehicle entrance to the gate promenade....All the katoey's, and whatever, are all around them, carrying on as usual. The cops are massed for quite awhile before breaking up and heading in all directions

Many of the others hanging out in the shadows are glue-sniffers and yaa baa dealers, most of whom are surely known to the cops sitting 20 meters away. Quite a few sad cases there. Never saw anyone cause any problems for others.

The katoeys are a quite a scene all around the gate area. They love to stand in the street, showing off, dreaming that passing people are viewing them as woman...Quite the cartoon character, many of them. Reminds me of the Katoey with the parasol and fancy dress (he seemed to favor yellow, as I recall) that used to wander around downtown...

I reiterate my advice to go for the best-recommended doctor and worry less about the hospital.

Unfortunately Ajarn had bad experience with one, incompetent doctor. This should not have any bearing on the suitability of the hospital as an institution.

.

Please! It sounds like you are discounting my experience...

We are not talking about someplace to buy a hamburger ...This is your life!! And there are PLENTY of reasons to be extremely careful.

And it's NOT simply one doctor. As I clearly stated, there are many such experiences with many such doctors. And if incompetent doctors doesn't give one cause to question other aspects of their facility, then I'd say that person is foolish.

But, even fools get lucky sometimes.

As I said, cleaniless and beautiful nurses don't guarantee quality. Thailand is full of such bogus facades. I still go to Ram 1 sometimes, but I don't go in clueless anymore, as before. I've learned the hard way. I do my research, including talking to others, and any meds are carefully researched on the internet before I take them. Any advice is taken with a grain of salt and, if questionable, I take the steps to verify or deny my concerns. Experience has shown that had I simply listened to what my doctor said, and followed all their advice, I'd be dead. Really. On likely more than one occasion, too.....

I'd say I probably have a lot more experience with Thai doctors and hospitals than anyone in this forum. Ignore my ranting at your peril. I've had good experiences, too, just like most of you....But, I also know the other side, the side most of you haven't seen, and hopefully won't. If I didn't give a shit, I'd just keep quiet, but the issue of safe and good medical care is way too serious to discount what ANYBODY says.

Again, my advice is: Please, don't completely trust any hospital or medical provider here. Confirm anything serious with another doctor. Ask questions, don't assume the doctor will be telling you anything. Do your homework. I learned that my best defence against bad medicine is the internet...Research your health issues and medication. On the internet, there are thousands of people with exactly the same problems, discussing these issues in newsgroups. Be proactive. TIT.

I installed a UBC infra red extension for the TV in my bedroom a while ago, and UBC did the installation, supplied the infra red reciever, and all necessary plugs and cables.....Total cost 1500 baht with no monthly charges. You actually buy the unit, and it remains your property....

And their standard 2,500 baht installation/service fee?

No installation fee at all. A good friend of mine also had one installed, same price, and no monthly charges. He would certainly not pay 2000 baht a month, as he maintains that UBC is well overpriced already, and I'm inclined to agree.

So shocked to hear that they had dropped their standard 2500baht-if-we-come-to-your-house, I called UBC to confirm...

And, it's almost true. Currently, just a 500 baht installation fee, 1800 for the unit...

Actually, quite a good deal from UBC, for a change. It's a no brainer to install it yourself, but, just in case, an install from UBC will at least guarantee no hassles...

In fact, I just ordered another one from them a moment ago....

I installed a UBC infra red extension for the TV in my bedroom a while ago, and UBC did the installation, supplied the infra red reciever, and all necessary plugs and cables.....Total cost 1500 baht with no monthly charges. You actually buy the unit, and it remains your property....

And their standard 2,500 baht installation/service fee?

Does Toxin also own UBC?

Yes, or maybe his housekeeper or driver is holding the shares. Some years ago, Thalsin's maid's name was officially listed among the wealthiest people in Thailand...

Excuse my ignorance guys but does the box mentioned in this thread allow you to watch a different channel on one set than another?  I'm assuming it's the same channel, second TV.  Thanks

One channel= 1 UBC box...

The infrared thing basically would allow p1p to stay in bed

You can use your UBC remote control through the infrared sending/receiving units.

I also have 4 rooms connected by an extension off my UBC cable. My distances don't seem to require the need for a signal amplifier.

In general I don't think you can go really wrong with Ram hospital.

I beg to differ. There are plenty of ways to go wrong at Ram. Don't ever assume good care in any Thai hospital, is my advice.....And I have numerous examples of 'why', including half a dozen at Ram1 hospital itself. Just because a place is clean and the nurses beautiful ( ) is no reason to assume the medical care is good....

As far as Suan Dawk goes, if I ever have another medical emergency, I'll choose Suan Dawk. Besides being a teaching hospital with a higher level of accountability than I've seen in private hospitals, and with every one of high-tech devices available in Thailand, doctors are all up on the latest news in everything, unlike at least some of the doctors at Ram, in my experience. Imagine telling a diabetic that a blood glucose level of 'about 200' is normal...90-120 is normal, over 140, and damage is being done. A 200 bg level will shorten your life considerably.

Or how about a Ram doctor suggesting a new drug to his heart patient, then failing to inform his patient when he (the doctor) received notice from the drug company that recent studies are showing the mortality rate among users of this medication is higher than non-users, and advising doctors to immediately notify their patients to cease using the drug. The patient only got the news when he went into the hospital with chest pains..."Sorry, I forgot to call you"

And the list goes on and on.....All personal experiences.

Please, don't completely trust any hospital or medical provider here. Confirm anything serious with another doctor. Ask questions, don't assume the doctor will be telling you anything. Do your homework. I learned that my best defence against bad medicine is the internet...Research your health issues and medication. On the internet, there are thousands of people with exactly the same problems, discussing these issues in newsgroups. Be proactive.

I learned the hard way. I hope you don't, too

By the way, for a good GP, I suggest Dr. Narong Lao at Chiang Mai Ram 2. Best GP I've found so far.