Ajarn

Did tuk-tuk rates almost double between December and March? All the tuk-tuk drivers at the Rydges had a sheet with posted rates, which were all about twice what the tuk-tuks at the Empress charged. As an example, I paid 30 baht to go from the Empress to Kad Suan Keaw, while it was 50 baht  from Rydges. And it's a shorter, faster easier route from Rydges. I can understand paying more to go from Rydges to the Airport Plaza, but 60 baht instead of 30?

Tuk tuk rates are not set, or organized. If Rydges is giving drivers higher than normal rate sheets to show to customers, my guess is that it's to attract tuk tuk's to hang out at Rydges by suggesting to them that they can get higher rates from Rydges guests...

This is the low season for tuk tuks, too. Don't let them overcharge you.

As a general rule, I would likely pass on any tuktuk with a rate sheet. They're bound to push hard for those rates....

If they keep opening 7-Elevens at this rate, I predict that by 2009 every single road-side store will be a 7-eleven.

Cheers,

Chanchao

And with better curb-side service, one hopes!

Anyways, I've been thinking a little about the 'Chiang Mai in the 80's' sentiment..  If you prefer that kind of place then perhaps don't try finding it back in Chiang Mai, because it has moved on, but perhaps better in a place like Phrae or Nan?  Both are old, small Northern towns that perhaps have the look and feel of Chiang Mai before. (Especially Phrae) ?

The smaller provincial towns had little to offer in the 1980s and still have little to offer today apart from a brief overnight stop. I've had fun one nighters in places like Phrae, Khun Yuam, and even Fang. But frankly they are still just small towns with little to offer to a hapless Farang who lives in rural Thailand and who gets that village fever, akin to island fever, every few weeks where I get this need to get out and meet some fellow native English speakers and share some drinks and conversation.

Chiang Mai has changed, both for better and for worse, as I too have changed. But Chiang Mai has always been a fairly large city with much to offer, even in the more laid back days before tuk-tuks.

I agree. Still pretty much the same experience, except for the additions of 7-11's in every nook and cranny now. A change I was quite happy to accept when biking around Thailand...Those slurpies do hit the spot, a spot of food quality control was welcome, when encountered

However taking a child of that age to LOS, needs thinking about his/hers future!

You want to stay there?

What is your child gonna do in his/hers professional life?

Excellent point, especially when considering education options, and how that will/won't support possible future opportunities. I think any future planing for kids should be maybe focus a lot on creating as many potential paths as possible. Many 16 year olds will change their minds often...

In my opinion, only Prem seems to offer that level of education to prepare a kid for many future roads. Other schools might be great, but maybe more hit or miss than Prem seems to be?

I think the life experience one gains from living overseas can be an enormous help in the future. For example, overseas experience would be highly valued in any Foreign Service, be it your own, or.....

And, of course, every one of us living in a foreign country can tell you how overseas experience opens one's eyes to many things

[quote name=chanchao' date='Wed 2004-05-19, 02:17:39

Anyways, I've been thinking a little about the 'Chiang Mai in the 80's' sentiment.. If you prefer that kind of place then perhaps don't try finding it back in Chiang Mai, because it has moved on, but perhaps better in a place like Phrae or Nan? Both are old, small Northern towns that perhaps have the look and feel of Chiang Mai before. (Especially Phrae) ?

Cheers,

Chanchao[/quote]

Life in the past....

Many old places in CM have moved on. This is life- in CM or anywhere else in the world. Lamenting old places is pointless.

Frankly, I don't feel CM has changed much for me, except for the traffic and air pollution.

Moon Muang road is basically the same as it has been the last 20 years. Very few even cosmetic changes to the street that I can see. Only the names and faces have changed, and few of those, I think. I still go to many shops and businesses along Moon Muang, and other streets, just as I have since the eighties...Admittedly, the bar/street scene is not for me, so I'm not referring the changing beer bars and such. This is not Chiang Mai, to me.

To me, what signifies significant change in any area are the people. Have the people of Chiang Mai changed?

I can only speak from my own limited perspective... Yes, there have been changes in names and places, and these memories are now relegated to 'dinosaur stories' that we dinosaurs share with others, and remember fondly to ourselves...

But, I don't feel that the overall reasons for living here have changed much...The people here are still great to me, as they've always been, and now, some years down the road, these people are mostly still around, and more cherished than ever...

Mae Kasem has been like a mom to me since I first started shopping there. Over the years, I've become closer to her, and her family. I've felt privileged that Mae Kasem opened her heart and her family to me, allowing me to be a part of her life. Her personal support has been very valuable, too.

Judge Wiboon's family owned Nat GH on Prapoglao road. When I first came here, I stayed at their GH. In the evenings, Wiboon and Nat used to hang with the guests and chat... They took a shine to me, and when I was looking for a house, housekeeper, furniture- whatever, they were always there, offering to drive me around to places, and trying to find things for me.... I even went to Nan with Wiboon, who was the Head Judge in Nan Province at that time. I stayed with him in his house in back of the court, and during the day, he took me around the courthouse and taught me much about the Thai judicial system. He also took me to the museum, and because of him being an expert in Thai history also, he gave me a special view of Thailand's past. Since that time, I've watched their kids grow up and start their careers (One doctor, one lawyer, one wannabe playboy), and watched Wiboon move up the ladder, where he is now on the Supreme Court of Thailand (Dika). They made me feel like a valued friend and member of their family, just like Mae Kasem.

And there are MANY other examples...

For me, it's ALL about people, and Chiang Mai hasn't changed much in that way for me...It's only matured, and it continues to be the source of some of the best people I've ever known in my life.

Life here is has been great for me, from the past, to the present, and hopefully, the future. I have never ever thought of moving permanently to any other place since I settled here in 1986.

When you've found your Home, it's wonderful. I just can't see moving away to Phrae or Nan, losing what I've gained from here, and starting all over again.

Yeah, Chiang Mai has changed. So have we. Living in the past, as some try to do, is fruitless, and maybe just a way to keep one's self from dealing with their present..?

A fixed time? Not for me. I just finished getting rid of anything in my life with a fixed time...

Do your own thing.

Always have, always will

Am I the only one reading this topic who got reminded of a particulary nasty incident involving a meat grinder and an adulterous husband?     Just reading that story was enough to definitely put me off having meat grinders around the house.

They're not just for various 'meats' anymore. Great for Peanut Butter, too!

Maybe a monthly meeting held on a fixed day (i.e. 2nd Wednesday of the month) would allow people to plan ahead?

A fixed time? Not for me. I just finished getting rid of anything in my life with a fixed time...

mountain view..?

Or how about a mountain hideway with a private swimming pool (and UBC!) ?

Try, Kan (Kanchanaburi) when you are around BKK for a few days, only 2 and a bit hours West of BKK.

Mountains are plenty, UBS, well we are short on these, Private SwimPool naaaaa.

River Kwae Yai is O.K. not as muddy as Ping River, but the views are most beautiful now that the rains have come. Mountains clear as a bell, no Cough Cough Pollution and loads to see if you have your own 4WD like I have. Jolly Frog Restaurant only charges 55 baht for a Large Singha for us and to the Thais, beat that !!!! Chaing Mai ???

and see for yourselves.

http://www.pbase.com/win13/kanchanaburi

Click and discover the real Paradise in Thailand.

and maybe you to Kan Win in Paradise.........................

I guess I should have cancelled that request...

Dreams fulfilled at home, with a mountain view

But, I do like Kanchanaburi a lot. I used to live in Nonthaburi and Taling Chan, with pretty fast access to that area. It was where I went when I needed to escape Bkk for a break...

Especially beautiful in the rainy season, na'?

If it ain't broke, why mend it. I vote for Wednesday 26th May, same place, same time.

Works for me. Open to other options, too.

Speaking of duty how does that work say if i orderd a us$50 dollar item shipped direct to my house [ie) electronics how does it get paid and how do they determine value?-R

As you've suggested, make sure you always use door-door shippers. Failure to make that clear could mean that you will have to go to the customs house near the Airport (if your stuff came by air). The people are nice there, and the taxes reasonable, but expect to spend half your day there, or longer, depending on your looks and whether you've requested, and paid for, 'express service'. If you speak Thai and smile a bit, things tend to be cheaper and faster, in my experience.

Worse-case scenario is that if your stuff arrives in BKK by ship, and you're not using the postal service, you'll likely end up having to go get your stuff at Klong Toey, after you've spent at least a few hours, and usually a bunch of money. Best to use an Agent if this happens to you.

Klong Toey scenario only happened to me once, many years ago.

If you're using FedEX, UPS, etc., they will do the customs paperwork and payoff for you, but FedEx charged me an extra 800-1,000 baht fee each time (over the customs/taxes)

If by PO, they will send you a notice at your home addtress, advising you of a package, and often the customs charges, if any, will be included in that paper, which you will take to the PO listed to pay for and get your stuff.

With DVD's, when I've been charged, they just take the invoice price, plus shipping. and I pay 33%(maybe 30%?)...

In other times, in other places inThailand where I've received videos from home or something else of a personal nature, sometimes I was charged, sometimes I wasn't, but, when charged, it was always more than the value that was listed in the customs paperwork from the States...In most of these cases, my taxes were more than the value of the goods shipped...

If the declared value is $25(?) or less, it's supposed to be tax-free, but the PO hasn't always followed that...

Most electronic items are taxed at 5% now, including computers. My GPSR was also charged at 5%

I think Thai customs has a website with duty categories and costs listed...

These are just my experiences. Yours might be different

And how about some Peking Duck?

You ask, we deliver.. ;-) There are some Chinese hi-so restaurants/pattakans in the Chiang Mai Land area. Tried one just around the corner of Chiang Mai Land on the inner ring road. Was very impressed with the place, though it was my first Peking Duck anywhere (ahem..) so I can't compare.

The dim sum also looked VERY promising, since going to Hong Kong once, most Thai dim sum doesn't excite me anymore, but this place is definitely promising! (Didn't order too much of it because of the Peking Duck set is such a load of food)

Oh yes: the way they server their 8-herb Chinese tea is completely out of this world.

See: http://chanchao.fotopages.com/?entry=109742

Cheers,

Chanchao

Thanks, Chanchao. Looks exactly like what I've been looking for

Maengpong is good, but for the best in more well-known films & concerts you can not beat Neo, upstairs. Their ordering service is also exemplary. Prices similar to Amazon but without delivery & extra duty charges.

Possibly the best selection of rental DVDs in CM too.

Regarding duty on DVD's, I've ordered at least a dozrn times from Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble over the last couple of years.

When I've opted for the fastest overseas delivery (about a week, UPS or FedEx), I've always paid duty charged at 33% of the value +shipping fees (I think it's a total ripoff for Thailand to charge me duty on the shipping charges)

But when I ordered using the second-fastest option, where the last leg to my home is by local PO (1-2 weeks), I've only had to pay duty once.....Either they deliver it to my house, or I get a paper to go pick it up at the PO. Either way, it's almost always free.

It just isn't worth it for me to pay an exra 33% just to get a package a few days earlier, so I always take the second option...

I must add, too, the Amazon.com has provided perfect service to me, even when an order got 'waylaid' , seemingly by a Thai PO worker. When I contacted Amazon.com when the order was late, they sent a completely new order out to me the next day, no hassle, no extra cost...They just asked me to contact them if the missing order ever showed.

Would very much appreciate someone directing me to a store that they know, for sure, has meat grinders for sale. 

Would prefer an electric one, if available.

Please also give directions as I am not all that familiar with Chiang Mai.

Many thanks for your help.

The shop that sells all types of machines and stuff at the southeast corner of the chotana/super hiway intersection has them. I saw one out front of the shop a couple of days ago. I belive they have both crank and motorized...

Near the top of ChiangMai-Lamphoon rd, sort of across from the Brasserie (and up from The Riverside Restaurant), there is a shop that sells and services machines like that, too. A couple more such shops along that stretch of road.

Also among the shops in and around Worarot market there are a few more such shops, the shop a couple of doors up from Kasem Store also had a grinder the last time I was there...

thanks for all the advice.I will take a drive out hang dong way to find some chips.

...After you pass through the main Hang Dong intersection (where you first slow down from the hiway), maybe 1 kilometer south there will be a right turn to Sanpatong. If you were to have come from, lets say, Suthep road, and traveled south along the klong road as far as you could possibly go, you'd arrive at this intersection, and frankly, I think it's a more interesting drive, with much less traffic...

Anyway, about 3 kilometers West of the hiway, or about 1 kilometer along the klong road after the klong road going south turns to the East (Are you still with me?

This is where there are maybe half a dozen small wood factories along with a few wannabe showrooms, all alongside the road. They see few foreign tourists, so maybe that's why they seem so friendly and relaxed

I hope you have lived in CM a long time Ajarn, if you know of 2 murdered then I hope that is in 20 years or so!

Yes, that is two friends over an eighteen year period, that have been murdered by their wife or relative. How many friends have you had robbed/murdered by their wife or relative in the last 18 years? Hey, if you are okay with those stats, fine by me.

Did they just mix it up with the wrong people and commit a Pattya stlyle suicide which seem to becoming all the rage?

Killed by their wife or family. But hey, just bad karma, right?

Or was it wong place wrong time, please do tell ( without being to specific). I am moving to CM in August for good, although I spnd qute a bit of time there now, bu obvouly being in the possesion of the sort of information you have would be useful for all of us who wish to "live long and prosper" in CM, approx how many of us Farang live in CM?

Good Luck

Look out for the sacks of charcoal along the highway.

Stop and check the prices.

For many BBQ's, charcoal is where the heat comes from, and various wood chips are often added on top of the coals (the chips are presoaked in various liquids so they burn slowly on the coals, and produce more smoke than heat... Mekhong Wiskey has a great smell) This is mostly for the slow cookers/smokers, rather than simply grilling a steak on a BBQ...

Hey, it feels like it must be dinner time....

Must say the live music at Mango Tree was quite nice, and surely aided my digestion.

Good Mexican food is the one thing I always miss in Asian cities.  My Brother-in-Law is of Spanish-Mexican heritage, cooks KILLER Mexican food and is married to a Thai.  Maybe I could convince him to move to CM with me and open a Mexican restaurant.

What do you think, would it be more trouble than it's worth?  I've heard the restaurant business is tough; add to that the complications of "owning" and running one in a foreign country.

One more question: Tex-Mex, California Mex, or "authentic" Mex (i.e. Jalisco, Monterrey or Yucatan style)?  Maybe a combination?

Aloha,

Spleen

Mexican food is easy to make, and all ingredients are available locally...Also, there's a real nice profit margin on many Mexican dishes....Vegies, rice, beans, corn, cheap meat cuts, mostly. Easy to prep and store, too. ...Also easy to train Thais to make well

I've always been interested in owning a restaurant, but not in running one...Too many headaches for me- I'm trying to relax more, not make more work for myself.

But, I might be interested in backing someone in a Mexican food venture, be it in a fixed restaurant, or as a mobile kitchen....

But not a newbie to CM. Too much to know first, otherwise, I might as well have my housekeeper cooking- she makes great Mexican food for me

Haven't figured out the "Quote" function yet, but Ajarn said:

"But, I've personally known quite a few (10+...2 murdered) who've lost their home and their money due to unscrupulous Thais...Since farangs must put a chanod (Land Title) in a Thai's name,"...

My wife of 20 years, though not a Thai citizen has Thai heritage and we have lots of trustworthy relatives in Thailand, so using someone else's name won't be a problem, but it sounds like finding a buyer might be if we decide to sell.  Plus, if a nice house rents for around 5,000 baht a month, maybe renting isn't such a bad idea.

Khun Larry said come time to sell I may need to "walk away".  If I drop a few million baht on a home, that would be tough for me to walk away from.

Ajarn, did you say, "murdered"?

Aloha,

Spleen

Yes, murdered. I've personally known of two, but have heard and read about more...A million baht in Thailand could be seen as a million dollars to many here. A foreigner here must be serious about their personal security. MANY farangs are murdered for their money, or die mysteriously here every year. Not just Farangs, of course. Many Thais are murdered for their valuables, too. A Buddhist country, sure. But a violent, hardcore society, too.

Sorry if I sound like Chicken Little saying the sky's falling.....I generally choose to trust people, and the vast majority of the time, they deserve that trust I've given them. Because of my physical disabilty, I'm forced to rely on others, too...I'm lucky to have some good people around me to help me.

I known I'm not in Kansas anymore. Things are quite different here than in most places we've come from. Reading Thai people correctly is difficult for me, as it must be for most foreigners here. Body language is different. It's also difficult to read situations here especially if you're weak in the Thai language...Lot's going on here that we're clueless to.

Because of most of us being relatively clueless, it leaves us vulnerable to those who wish to exploit us. Just using good common sense is normally enough, but there are surprises waiting around most every corner.

I don't think anyone should be paranoid about living here, but educating yourself as to the possible dangers lurking behind the facade is simply being smart, in my book. And money is something EVERYONE wants. Most are honest people here, some are not. Buyer Beware.

60 k reasonable for most people. Are you talking about one person or a family ? I wold be interested to know becaue I am still trying to weigh up our options for a family of four ,two adults and two children.  I realise tthe education costs , but would 60 k be enough not counting school fees and rent  ? If we did make the move would  rent first but then buy later on.

Thanks

As Doi said, it depends on your budget and needs. Education is the defining factor in most family budgets here, it seems. Thai public schools are cheap and provide basic education, but teach only in Thai. Schools that teach in English cost considerably more...Like up to 20-50,000 baht per MONTH, averaged out, plus other school 'expenses'....Places like Prem probably will likely do your children well, but some of the other so-called 'International Schools' should be investigated carefully before laying money out.

Somewhere in this forum is a thread on local schools, w/prices....

Also, I read somewhere that it is best for a farang to rent a home rather than buy, but I kinda like the idea of owning my own home.  If I ever decide to move, I could just sell it, right?  Of course I'd rent first to get to know the area

Spleen

Depending on where your house is in T Land, and if you are the actual owner, I would suspect you could stay in it or walk away from it. Sell... I don't know. Others may know more.

IMO Thailand is not a country to own in.

Chookdee

In my 18 years here, I've known many farangs who've bought nice homes here for a good price.

I've never known of even one farang who's sold his home when he wanted to. Most home buyers are Thais, and the main market is new homes, not used homes

But, I've personally known quite a few (10+...2 murdered) who've lost their home and their money due to unscrupulous Thais...Since farangs must put a chanod (Land Title) in a Thai's name, this is where many problems get their start.

If you do want to buy a home, ask yourself one question first: What Thai person do I trust enough to hand over permanant, unrevocable rights to a few million baht of my money?

Hi, does anyone know where to buy firewood - preferably fruit tree or hard wood in large quantitied for use as bbq fuel?

  Any help might save me from baking as I will probably otherwise start driving the highways.

thanks

Look for a place selling wood/bamboo for construction, easily identifiable by the horizontal stacks of 3-4 metre-long wooden poles sorted by diameter. Diameters range up to about 8 inches, and cost about 20-40 baht each. Some places can cut it down into pieces. One such place is just north of Mae Jo Uni. At the lighted intersection to the road going left to Mae Rim, you'll see it on the corner. Many others are along the main road heading north into Mae Taeng.

Also, if you're cruising south of town around Hang Dong or Sanpatong, look for small roadside wood carving factories. Lots of wood chips around there, to be sure. Check in any lychee orchard or such. Lots of trimming being done this time of year, too

Where can I find a decent BBQ/smoker around here?

I love a good steak, where exacty is Filmore East?

On Loi Kroh, just past Mango Tree, left side, next to Helping Hand.

I've always preferred Fillmore West

I agree with Doisaketmoobaan...60k should be plenty for most reasonable people. Probably, most farangs live on considerably less than 60k. Rent will probably be your single biggest expense...Houses start at around 5,000 baht....

Dreams can come true here, I assure you