Ajarn

Here's the good thing...special permission is being given by the Chiang Mai Municipality to enable volunteer teachers to work without the usual requirements of a work permit.

They can over-ride Immigration Department regulations ? ?

In the case of volunteers working with children, requiring a work permit is probably not such a bad thing, in my view.

Not Immigration, but the Labour Department. They are the ones concerned about work permits. In reality, the same thing happens more often without any one's special permission, and nothing ever happens to the 'workers'...

In Chiang Mai - Jim Browne

Mobile: 084-611-7638

Home: 053-863-045

I can vouch for Jim and the top notch service he provides.

He truly is a computer wizard.

Had Jim do some work on my compter. He charges like 400 baht per hour, for me, it was 800 baht- Nothing accomplished. I found Jim Brown to be a total waste of time and money

Hopefully this post doesn't violate any forum rules. There's a great new vegetarian restaurant that just opened up 6 weeks ago called A Taste From Heaven. Excellent food. Beautiful interior as well as garden seating in the back. Also has free, secure WIFI or you can use their computer free for 30 minutes with a purchase. The lady who runs the place is super friendly. Prices are good too. Address is 237-239 Tha Pae Rd, on the right hand side as you're heading towards the Ping River.

If you are driving, Thapae is one way, the other way. If you're headed toward Thapae Gate, it is on your left

If you are going to steam the sticky rice then don't forget to soak it overnite first.

My wife says to do this:

Rinse the rice'

Soak it overnite

Throw out the water you soaked it in.

Rinse the rice again...if you don't rinse here it can be sour

Steam

I've never done this myself.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That could explain why my sticky rice doesn't quite measure up -- I didn't rinse the rice after soaking. Also, I've been told to cook it about 30 min, which is 10 min more than my way. I'll try these on my next attempt.

Yes, there are the two ways to soak the rice. Doing it overnight means 50% less time the next day when steaming. The other way, where you soak it for 4-8 hours (depends on recipe) during the daytime, then you cook it 15-30 min (the first time, expect it to be wrong, but figure out which time is correct for your stove or steamer) on one side, then flip it over for cooking of an equal time. Then enjoy!

The service, if there is a problem, is not good... I wrote them about a problem with the check-out part, got a response, but he was clueless to the problem and suggested I try it again. I didn't, remembering the time I spent on the order before having a problem, and the likelyhood if the same problem at checkout... Too much hassle

Hi Guys,

We're moving near to Chiang Mai and I'm looking for a second-hand automatic scooter, nothing fancy, but in good working order and that can get us from A to B.

I presume that there are second-hand shops that sell scooters in CM, but we don't know the town very well. Can anybody suggest the address of a shop that sells decent 2nd-hand automatic scooters (NOT motorbikes with gears! ).

Naturally, if you have one for sale yourself, or know someone in the same position, then please let me know

Thanks for any help

Cheers

ScooterBoy

At Meeckoke Plaza on Saturdays, they have a few hundred bikes for sale, with the owners present. On the middle ring road at the Thanon Mae Jo Intersection

Hi everyone,

I just arrived in town a few days ago so I'm still trying to figure things out. I arrived without any vaccinations so I want to get to Lanna Hospital to get those ASAP. Anyway, here's what just happened:

I hailed a red songthaew near Tha Pae Gate, someone with no other passnegers. Told him where I was going. He asked how much. I said 20 bahts. He said no and drove off, without making a counteroffer. Walked up to the corner of Moon Muang and Sriphum. Hailed a second one, again with no other passengers. He didn't know where the hospital was so I showed him on my map. He said no without ever discussing price. So...lots of questions:

1) I've read on here that the minimum price is 15 baht. But how far does that extend? Does it extend up to Lanna Hospital? If not, what's a reasonable price to pay to get up there?

2) Any idea why the first driver left without making a counteroffer?

3) Any idea why the second driver wouldn't even discuss price? He had no other passengers so it seems a bit odd to me.

4) Would a tuk-tuk be a better way to get up there? If so, about how much should that cost?

5) Given my initial difficulties getting up there, will there be anyone to bring me back to town once I get my vaccinations?

Thanks for the help! I realize that's a lot of questions but I really don't understand this system. I generally like it here (aside from the heat!) and plan to be here for a few months so I definitely need to figure this out.

Ed

It seems that the empty Sonthaew wanted a 'taxi' fare for one person. In this case, offer more than 20 baht is a good idea. If he has passengers, then it will most likely be 15-20 baht. He obviously didn't want a single passenger unless they paid more than 20 baht. I would have offered him 60 baht because it is not easy to drive from Pratu Thapae to Lanna Hospital, and I'm pretty sure he would have accepted

Yes, in my opinion, a tuk-tuk would have been a better idea. Same price offered (60 baht), much less hassle and time wasted. It shouldn't be too hard to get away from Lanna, but what about going to CM Ram 1 hospital. Better location, a lot more taxis around, for sure.

When I lived in Farangland I made fruit wine, plum was very good, apple and pear terrible and the mint ended up in the still.

We have a glut of mangoes and the sweetness is excellent, I am sure they would make a very tasty wine but where can I get some starter yeast?

I am in Pai but make it to Chiang Mai fairly often, can anyone point me to a supplier?

Colin

I believe Kasem Store has some starter yeast

anyone know where to buy one of the little fridges that are in hotel rooms, like the minibar size?

i have looked at all the major retail stores but never been able to get one.

They are being advertised at Siam TV for 3000 baht...

You must check out 'Huay Toong Tow' ('The Lake'), a little bit out of Chiangmai but big and beautiful. It only costs 20 baht to get in (same for Thais) and they serve food and drink in little huts. Closes around 6pm.

dude, there are snakes in that water.

There are NOT any snakes in the water that are dangerous, or even plentiful.

Hi all,

was just wondering what the best river cruise is to do on the Ping River, and if it's worth doing.

I've seen one offering dinner, which I don't really want to do, as I'd like to go during the day / early evening so that I can see the life going on along the river bank.

Has anyone done just a boat ride without dinner? Was it good - with lots of interesting things to see? How far along the river do they go? And what's the cost?

Cheers.

Hi, I took the cruise from the wat Chai Mongrol a few weeks ago. There were few customer but the small long boats only hold 3-4. It was 500 baht which I thought was expensive for what you got. I noticed they had larger boats for larger groups but these were not in use. We went up the river for about and hour, not two interesting and then stopped at a designated rest area where we were given fruit and a drink. Then we went down the river for another hour to the starting point. Restful but not much to see.

Why don't they go downstream, which is much nicer visually? Going upriver, it's a bit interesting in San Pii Sua, but north and south of San Pii Sua, it's construction, and gravel/sand companies mostly. At least you were relaxed, which is the main point, I think.

Your Latin is better than your English

His English is a colloquial form not many foreigners are very familiar with... And it is correct

Thanks for the information, I will check out Siam as well as the shops along the moat. I am not looking for the cheapest fridge in Chiang Mai, just not sure how long I will be here and don't want to spend more then is necessary for something I might not be keeping long term.

cheers

In my world, I can't live without a fridge- whatever the cost!

Somewhere in Chiang Mai there must a row of stores selling stove controls, tubing, and regulators for Gas Stoves. If you have run across one, please provide directions. Thanks!

Another place is on Chotana, on the east side, just south of the Super Hiway. They have everything you need

Hi everyone,I am looking to buy a 2nd hand used fridge. Could anyone recommend some good places to start looking?

thanks

I bought a used fridge at a second hand shop along the moat near Chang Puak Gate more than 3 years ago for 2,500 bt. Standard size still running ok. Lots of secondhand shops down that way.

Also another thought... Along the outside of the moat between Chotana and the next light. I've seen many tv's for sale in some of the shops. Though I have never stopped, I expect that some tv's are not new

Hi everyone,I am looking to buy a 2nd hand used fridge. Could anyone recommend some good places to start looking?

thanks

A used fridge? I doubt that it would run... A new one of standard size can be had for 3-4 thousand baht...

A rebuilt fridge might be a good compromise, but I can't think of anyplace here that has them for sale.

You might check inside the moat at the northern Moon Muang corner. A shop sells commercial rebuilts and they might know where a smaller one could be purchased

Also check http://chiangmainews.com/classifieds_job/ great for ads of any type, and I've seen fridges advertised

Thanks, I have been checking chiangmainews daily. i have also checked Big C,Tesco Lotus and Makro. The cheapest I,ve seen is 5200 baht. I would love to know where they have a new one of standard size for 3-4 thousand.

cheers

Try some smaller stores, like Siam TV. I just bought one for 4,300 baht from them, and I just noticed that they have another one for sale at 3,490 bht

Right; no value can be ascribed to a good education of the conventional kind, and better if possible.

BUT I can tell you something that may reassure you somewhat -- what children learn at school is overwhelmingly about knowing how to fit in at school, and only very little, relatively, about anything else.

"Social skills" come from home and outside, too. Home tutored kids tend to be brighter and more confident.

I have been saddened by some of the home tutored kids I have met in CM because of their lack of confidence. They just do not seem to function outside their homeschool group and have little knowledge about their surroundings.

Others I have met have been fine (not brighter or more confident) but it seems like about 50-50.

Yes, that has been my experience with most home schooled kids. Public schools are very important for any kids social skills and it is where your connections to other kids can be a big help to your future

Hi everyone,I am looking to buy a 2nd hand used fridge. Could anyone recommend some good places to start looking?

thanks

A used fridge? I doubt that it would run... A new one of standard size can be had for 3-4 thousand baht...

A rebuilt fridge might be a good compromise, but I can't think of anyplace here that has them for sale.

You might check inside the moat at the northern Moon Muang corner. A shop sells commercial rebuilts and they might know where a smaller one could be purchased

Also check http://chiangmainews.com/classifieds_job/ great for ads of any type, and I've seen fridges advertised

Hi everyone,I am looking to buy a 2nd hand used fridge. Could anyone recommend some good places to start looking?

thanks

A used fridge? I doubt that it would run... A new one of standard size can be had for 3-4 thousand baht...

A rebuilt fridge might be a good compromise, but I can't think of anyplace here that has them for sale.

You might check inside the moat at the northern Moon Muang corner. A shop sells commercial rebuilts and they might know where a smaller one could be purchased

What about someone, age 24, with a Thai ID card, raised as Tai Yai, but with a Thai father from Chiang Mai, and a Tai Yai mother from Mae Hong Son?

Are you asking if they would be classified as Tai Yai or Thai? I would assume it all depends on how the father registered the birth.

My question was about a Tai Yai who was not born here but is now a legal resident with an ID card identifying them as a Thai hill tribe member; said card must be renewed yearly (but no 90 day reporting requirement). I would think that would qualify them for a driver's license if we foreigners on year visas can get them.

It sounds like you think it should be fair.. Fairness is not a consideration when it comes to Burmese Thai Yai and the Thai Government in my experience here. Why don't you contact someone from the Driver License place and ask them?

Your lucky to have WE tv - at least with that you can watch different channels in different rooms at your house.

I'm still setting my dish up - (Mrs thinks kitchen was more a priortity ) ... but checked around and CM is a bit behind BKK, Phuket and Patts as far as sat tv goes.

PSI on Rte 1141 from Airport Central does the Dynasat kit (which I've used for 5 years and is pretty reliable). The PSI offerings in English (if you have WE tv) are barely worth bothering with - most of the FTA are unfortunately junk.

I have also worked with PSI, and about 5 years ago I bought a system from them. Every other month, and the receiver would become sia. I called them to fix it, which they did with no problem fo two years. After the two years, they wanted to charge me for their work, so for the last 3 years, it has just been sitting, unusable, on top of my TV.....

I think the same thing is happening to us that happened to our parents and grandparents. They all had similar cost inceases, and had to suffer through it with the rest. I'm not feeling any pressure yet, but that is going to change, I feel sure. In my opinion, being here is the best place for me to suffer...

Nothing like this ever happened to my parents or grandparents: my parents are 40 something and grandparents 60 something!!!!!!!!

Sure it has, but you just weren't aware of it I suspect. Look at car prices, house prices, gas prices, and compare now to say, 1960... The typical salaries were way under 1,000 a month, with many jobs paying 3-4 hundred dollars a month. Look at the history of the last century with a ten year depression, war (which affected most everyone), and similar increases as now...

The delivery time issue is pretty standard in my experiences here. I simply don't plan much, and I don't get pissed off anymore because it never helps, only hurts me.

The OP sounded very pissed. People who write like that usually tend to exagerate their claims, so I feel there is a lot more to the story, based on my many years of experience with Siam TV.

I think the same thing is happening to us that happened to our parents and grandparents. They all had similar cost inceases, and had to suffer through it with the rest. I'm not feeling any pressure yet, but that is going to change, I feel sure. In my opinion, being here is the best place for me to suffer...

I also used Chiang Mai Habitat a few years ago and was impressed with their services. Got a 3 bedroom house, furnished for 7,000 baht a month. It is my impression that most rentals are furnished.