Ajarn

I got this as an email a few days ago.

(And, don't worry if you are living off the money. The thing theu are interested in has to do with what you've signed..What it means to me is that they have A LOT of room here for them to work with. Sure, there will be some 'reasoning' of theirs, which may or may not work in your favor. )

What began as a restriction on the number of 30 day visas on arrival has turned out to be a

major reshuffling of immigration regulations, most of which were framed as far back as 1979.

The new rules apply to short term and long term tourists and farang residents and cover yearly

extensions of various types, investment visas and even work permits.

The fact that it was announced on September 24 that the national immigration bureau chief

lieutenant general Suwit Thamrongsrisakul has been transferred to an inactive post is not

thought to have any bearing on visa matters. None the less, Pattaya Today stresses that the

changes described below were accurate as of September 26, when we went to press, with an

anticipated implementation date of October 1.

“Living” in Thailand on 30 day visas.

As previously announced, it will no longer be possible to “live” in Thailand simply by

traveling to the border of a neighboring country and receiving indefinitely the 30 day visa on

arrival.

In future, foreigners will only be able to “live” in Thailand on visas on arrival only for up

to 90 days (three months) in any 180 (six months) day period. Effectively, this means three

consecutive runs to the border post (30+30+30) are the limit. The most commonly used border

posts for Pattaya based visa runners are Aranyaprathet, Pong Nam Ron and Pailin in Cambodia.

Foreigners wishing to go on “living” in Thailand for the next three months would need to obtain

a prior tourist visa at a Thai consulate or embassy in another country – not at a border post.

The most likely destination for the budget traveler is Penang where the Thai consul general is

currently awarding single entry tourist visas. These used to be valid for a stay of up to 60

days but from October 1 they are valid for a stay of 90 days. They cannot be extended.

The presumption is that, after that 90 days has elapsed using the Penang visa, foreigners would

then be free to take visa runs to the Cambodian border for a further three months (30+30+30)

before needing to return again to Penang or wherever

Foreigners traveling to Penang are advised to go and return by air. Some travelers have

experienced difficulties on the Thai side of the Malaysian border when trying to return by

train, even with a new visa.

The immigration bureau has confirmed that there is no limit to the number of 30 day visas on

arrival for an individual, provided that he or she is “living” not in Thailand for longer than

90 days in any block of 180 days.

The logic behind the new rules about visas on arrival is to discourage their use as a kind of

cheap residence permit.

Extensions to 30 day visas.

In an important new ruling, the former 15 day extension of a 30 day visa on arrival at Thai

immigration offices has been changed to 7 days only. You may also have a 7 days stamp placed in

your passport if the immigration authority refuses your application for a retirement or married

man’s visa or if you are deemed to have made too many visa runs to the Cambodian border. If you

get such a stamp, you must quit Thailand within one week or risk arrest for overstay.

Abolition of investment visa.

This visa allowed foreigners to reside in Thai for a year provided they placed 3 million baht

in a Thai bank or in bonds. It was often used by foreigners under 50 who did not yet qualify in

age for a retirement visa but wished to be based in Thailand. The understanding is that

existing applications and renewals will be accepted, but that no new applications can be made

from the beginning of October 2006.

Retirement visa.

This allows foreigners aged 50 and over to extend a non-immigrant visa for up to 12 months from

the date of the last entry into Thailand. It requires either 800,000 baht in a Thai bank or a

combination of cash in the bank and proof of pension paid in the home country. A letter from

the respective embassy is required for proof of pension. From now on, the immigration officer

will need to see proof that the 800,000 baht has been there for three months prior to the visa

being issued. This is to stop the practice of moving money into a bank account, and promptly

out again, once the visa is granted.

The old regulation, however, that you must produce an annual medical certificate for this visa

has been withdrawn.

Marriage visa.

This allows the foreign, legal spouse of a Thai national to extend a non-immigrant visa for up

to 12 months from the date of the last entry into Thailand. The minimum cash in a Thai bank is

400,000 baht. As with the retirement variant, checks will be made in future to ensure that the

cash is not simply put in a bank and then removed. This visa is issued in Bangkok only and,

during the waiting period, checks can be made by immigration police at your bank to see if

there has been a big cash withdrawal! If the funds have disappeared, you may be ordered to

leave Thailand in 7 days. Local immigration officers will also visit your home to verify that

you really do live together as man and wife.

Work permit regulations.

We are advised that work permits with the term “Consultant” in the title will not be accepted

in future. It is felt the term is too vague and potentially condones work related activity

contrary to the alien labour act. Obviously, work permit holders need to consult their lawyers

about the detail.

Those applying for work permits for the first time will first require a non-immigrant business

(type “B”) visa from a Thai consulate or embassy abroad. This will only be granted if the

applicant has a Wp3 work permit receipt form from the Labour Office, photocopy of all limited

company registration papers, all official paperwork showing company stamp, invitation letter

from the limited company advising on your potential role and stating salary, photocopy of your

passport, two passport size photos.

Multiple entry visas.

Many Thai consulates in the Pacific rim, specifically Penang, have now issued statements that

they will issue only single entry visas in future. This ruling is irrespective of type.

However, if foreigners choose to return to the country of their passport (say Europe, USA,

Australia) they may find that multiple entry visas, both tourist and non-immigrant, are still

being awarded. The reasoning seems to be that if you need a double, triple or multiple entry

visa, then go back to your own country.

Please Note:

The above information came from the Pattaya Mail and is checked by Alan Hall’s lawyers, who in

turn checked it with Immigration. We do advice you to contact Immigration yourself concerning

your own situation and/or check with a lawyer. While every effort has been made to ensure that

the information contained herein is correct, CEC cannot be held responsible for any errors that

may occur. The views of the contributors may not necessarily reflect the view of CEC. Views and

opinions expressed herein may change with changes in regulations and should not be used in

isolation.

--

Pattaya's name was bad way before they got there. I guess when they get 10 years for this, someone will come out of the wood works saying " its too much". Never ceases to amaze me, what a bunh of idiots. this is not Holland ( p.s. I lived there too, so I know how holland looks at this )

10 years?? More like 10 days...

Hi, I am looking at differing 'body plastic surgery' options. I have lost 90 kilos towards my goal of 120 kilo loss, and I am seeing how my body parts are going to need to be cut off, please excuse my frankness here..

Does anyone here have any experience or knowledge regarding this special plastic surgery, even to suggesting a hospital... I would love to do it here in Chiang Mai, but maybe Bangkok, or as far as Singapore, would be suitable to me. Oh, my left side is paralyzed, so I can't really walk. (That's another thing I'm woking on ) And this makes travel difficult for me...

I'm open to any idea, and budget within maybe 500,000 baht... Thanks

>But they view themselves as the most peaceful, polite and respectul people on Earth. Can >someone explain that "dichotomy" to me ?

If you're trolling...OK, I'll bite.

1. I don't think Thai people in general view themselves as "the most peaceful, polite and respectul people on Earth" -- where did you get that? Some of the so-called "ajarns" at schools may assert such things, but it's just for public consumption; most people realize that is simply not the case because they actually live here and have enough brains to know bullsh*t when they see it.

2. It depends on who or where you are. I've heard it described as concentric circles. At the core is the family and close friends. Those rules of polite behavior do apply. Then there is the "circle of concern," those pople with whom you are associated, such as co-workers or people from the same village, and most of those rules apply. Then there is the "circle of selfishness," everyone else in the society, to which none of those rules apply. Simply put, there is no actual effort to do "the right thing for the common good." If they don't have any association with you then they have no obligation to "greng jai" you, and that means they don't give a flying...

3. There is widespread violence in the villages (and cities of course). In old times, peasants in Europe were viewed as brutes who did feral things. Well, villages haven't changed that much through time and locale. Do the math: un-educated, scraping for a living, poor diet, corrupt local government and even teachers, police and media -- even family members who are out to cheat you -- widespread alcoholism and drug abuse (when available), corrupt clergy who themselves may not know what ideals the religion should attain. Is that enough? The list is longer, but I'll stop. With no effective police to prevent anything, only catch people afterward, it indeed is a witches brew for violence.

Well said, sir

well, they're all coming with their students for an exchange program where i am at right now. so i guess that's when i will know the details and what exactly is expected of me.

as for the pay... well... 20K is good enough for me. it's more than the average thai teacher.

besides, somtum and kao niaow and 7litres of water will only cost 37B.

Great way to live. Must be cheap water.

Beware, the current crop of ex-pats in town may not take kindly to a Farang teacher willing to live like a Thai on a Thai salary. But really, you can expect to spend twice that on food these days.

Maybe it's because you haven't lived here in more than 15 years, but it really is no problem living on 20k per month here in Chiang Mai, and there isn't any problem with the expats in this regard, I feel sure.

Ignoring your rather mysterious personal issues with me (If there is a movement by others asking me to cease posting then I shall gladly depart these boards. If there is a decision by the moderators requesting that former ex-pats make no postings I would of course also willingly comply. In the meantime, I am not going away so why don't you just get over whatever it is about my postings that irritates you.) I perhaps misunderstood the OP and thought he implied that he could feed himself on 37B per day, and I reckon it was close to double that. I think it is vey easy to live on 20K a month, and to live rather comfortable at that. Most of my Thai friends live on less per month.

And perhaps I need to use those smiley things more often to note when I have my tongue placed a bit in my cheek.

i have no personal issues with you. Just responding to innacurate information.

Stop whinning.

What began as a restriction on the number of 30 day visas on arrival has turned out to be a

major reshuffling of immigration regulations, most of which were framed as far back as 1979.

The new rules apply to short term and long term tourists and farang residents and cover yearly

extensions of various types, investment visas and even work permits.

The fact that it was announced on September 24 that the national immigration bureau chief

lieutenant general Suwit Thamrongsrisakul has been transferred to an inactive post is not

thought to have any bearing on visa matters. None the less, Pattaya Today stresses that the

changes described below were accurate as of September 26, when we went to press, with an

anticipated implementation date of October 1.

“Living” in Thailand on 30 day visas.

As previously announced, it will no longer be possible to “live” in Thailand simply by

traveling to the border of a neighboring country and receiving indefinitely the 30 day visa on

arrival.

In future, foreigners will only be able to “live” in Thailand on visas on arrival only for up

to 90 days (three months) in any 180 (six months) day period. Effectively, this means three

consecutive runs to the border post (30+30+30) are the limit. The most commonly used border

posts for Pattaya based visa runners are Aranyaprathet, Pong Nam Ron and Pailin in Cambodia.

Foreigners wishing to go on “living” in Thailand for the next three months would need to obtain

a prior tourist visa at a Thai consulate or embassy in another country – not at a border post.

The most likely destination for the budget traveler is Penang where the Thai consul general is

currently awarding single entry tourist visas. These used to be valid for a stay of up to 60

days but from October 1 they are valid for a stay of 90 days. They cannot be extended.

The presumption is that, after that 90 days has elapsed using the Penang visa, foreigners would

then be free to take visa runs to the Cambodian border for a further three months (30+30+30)

before needing to return again to Penang or wherever

Foreigners traveling to Penang are advised to go and return by air. Some travelers have

experienced difficulties on the Thai side of the Malaysian border when trying to return by

train, even with a new visa.

The immigration bureau has confirmed that there is no limit to the number of 30 day visas on

arrival for an individual, provided that he or she is “living” not in Thailand for longer than

90 days in any block of 180 days.

The logic behind the new rules about visas on arrival is to discourage their use as a kind of

cheap residence permit.

Extensions to 30 day visas.

In an important new ruling, the former 15 day extension of a 30 day visa on arrival at Thai

immigration offices has been changed to 7 days only. You may also have a 7 days stamp placed in

your passport if the immigration authority refuses your application for a retirement or married

man’s visa or if you are deemed to have made too many visa runs to the Cambodian border. If you

get such a stamp, you must quit Thailand within one week or risk arrest for overstay.

Abolition of investment visa.

This visa allowed foreigners to reside in Thai for a year provided they placed 3 million baht

in a Thai bank or in bonds. It was often used by foreigners under 50 who did not yet qualify in

age for a retirement visa but wished to be based in Thailand. The understanding is that

existing applications and renewals will be accepted, but that no new applications can be made

from the beginning of October 2006.

Retirement visa.

This allows foreigners aged 50 and over to extend a non-immigrant visa for up to 12 months from

the date of the last entry into Thailand. It requires either 800,000 baht in a Thai bank or a

combination of cash in the bank and proof of pension paid in the home country. A letter from

the respective embassy is required for proof of pension. From now on, the immigration officer

will need to see proof that the 800,000 baht has been there for three months prior to the visa

being issued. This is to stop the practice of moving money into a bank account, and promptly

out again, once the visa is granted.

The old regulation, however, that you must produce an annual medical certificate for this visa

has been withdrawn.

Marriage visa.

This allows the foreign, legal spouse of a Thai national to extend a non-immigrant visa for up

to 12 months from the date of the last entry into Thailand. The minimum cash in a Thai bank is

400,000 baht. As with the retirement variant, checks will be made in future to ensure that the

cash is not simply put in a bank and then removed. This visa is issued in Bangkok only and,

during the waiting period, checks can be made by immigration police at your bank to see if

there has been a big cash withdrawal! If the funds have disappeared, you may be ordered to

leave Thailand in 7 days. Local immigration officers will also visit your home to verify that

you really do live together as man and wife.

Work permit regulations.

We are advised that work permits with the term “Consultant” in the title will not be accepted

in future. It is felt the term is too vague and potentially condones work related activity

contrary to the alien labour act. Obviously, work permit holders need to consult their lawyers

about the detail.

Those applying for work permits for the first time will first require a non-immigrant business

(type “B”) visa from a Thai consulate or embassy abroad. This will only be granted if the

applicant has a Wp3 work permit receipt form from the Labour Office, photocopy of all limited

company registration papers, all official paperwork showing company stamp, invitation letter

from the limited company advising on your potential role and stating salary, photocopy of your

passport, two passport size photos.

Multiple entry visas.

Many Thai consulates in the Pacific rim, specifically Penang, have now issued statements that

they will issue only single entry visas in future. This ruling is irrespective of type.

However, if foreigners choose to return to the country of their passport (say Europe, USA,

Australia) they may find that multiple entry visas, both tourist and non-immigrant, are still

being awarded. The reasoning seems to be that if you need a double, triple or multiple entry

visa, then go back to your own country.

Please Note:

The above information came from the Pattaya Mail and is checked by Alan Hall’s lawyers, who in

turn checked it with Immigration. We do advice you to contact Immigration yourself concerning

your own situation and/or check with a lawyer. While every effort has been made to ensure that

the information contained herein is correct, CEC cannot be held responsible for any errors that

may occur. The views of the contributors may not necessarily reflect the view of CEC. Views and

opinions expressed herein may change with changes in regulations and should not be used in

isolation.

--

That is correct. All visa applications must be handled in person, and involve travelling abroad. The work permit can be handled by the school though.

We are couple 50 years old.we will glad to get review recommendation or advice about a package guided professional tour in English (including accommodation) 4-6 days in north Thailand during 11.2006/ made by known and reliable travel agency.

We will stay in Chiangmai.we are interested to see Doi inthnon national park/visit some of the hill tribes/Doi sutep /elephant camp and 1 h ride/bamboo rafting/ orchif and butterfly farm etc.we are not sure about Golden triangle.we prefer not strenuous tour. We prefer small group(2-8).in comfortable vehicle a/c 4*4 van/jeep etc. accommodation can be in village(clean) .price-reasonable-not very expensive.

Thanks in advance.

http://www.asia-discovery.com/ChiangmaiTour.htm http://chiangmaitours.chiangdao.com/ http://www.1stopchiangmai.com/ hope these can help... If you just come here and get a feel for the place, then you should meet enough people that have been there done that to steer you in the right direction.. Chock dee (good luck) on your quest..

A couple of reccomended agents..

Charal Travel

053-252-050-9

123 Chang Moi Rd.,

A. Muang,

Chiang Mai 50300 Fax: 232447

[email protected]

CHIANG MAI EMPRESS TRAVEL SERVICE LTD., PART.

142 Moo 2 Chotana-Mae Rim Rd., A.Mae Rim, Chiang Mai 50180 Tel. 862219 Fax. 862219

well, they're all coming with their students for an exchange program where i am at right now. so i guess that's when i will know the details and what exactly is expected of me.

as for the pay... well... 20K is good enough for me. it's more than the average thai teacher.

besides, somtum and kao niaow and 7litres of water will only cost 37B.

Great way to live. Must be cheap water.

Beware, the current crop of ex-pats in town may not take kindly to a Farang teacher willing to live like a Thai on a Thai salary. But really, you can expect to spend twice that on food these days.

Maybe it's because you haven't lived here in more than 15 years, but it really is no problem living on 20k per month here in Chiang Mai, and there isn't any problem with the expats in this regard, I feel sure.

Love it. Point out basic flaws in standard food handling procedures and a couple of geniuses get up and proclaim it hasn't happened in their eyes therefore it doesn't exist/isn't a problem.

Another word of caution. As what is going on in the US at this moment, E-Coli will not be killed or removed by washing. Some degree of infections from various sub strains is very prevalent. Avoid a false sense of security. In order for E-Coli in all forms to be killed it must be subjected to 15 minutes of saturated steam at 235 degrees farenheit or 50 minutes submersion in a 10% bleach solution. E-Coli comes from human and animal feces. Wash foods that are suspected of pesticides by all means, but avoiding potential poo contaminated foods is always a good watch for as you cannot make them safe by ordinary means.

"

Afraid I am another one. I have never gotten food poisoning here, so I don't worry about it. Maybe you just need to be here longer.

SWIFT (bank account transfer) is an another option. Your bank can give you details.

In the US, they don't use SWIFT . They use NBA (National Banking Association).. The money is normally transfered by New York Bank to your local bank.. I think it is the easiest way to send money

I wonder about setting up paypal accounts in both directions to transfer funds back and forth?

I have some empathy for OP, in that it sucks to get the chain-boot period... regardless of country or era. I got the boot not more than two weeks ago. It was one of those wacky "even-odd days" roads (which I would love to know the rationale behind, just for curiousity's sake), which I would argue can be confusing for more than just tourists, not being too handy with dates and all.

Went to the station and paid the 200B fine... wondering if I was just lucky?

Yes, I have read that each station can charge basically whatever they want, up to, as I recall, 10,000 baht.

A few days ago I parked my motorbike unfotunately at a street with parking restictions.

Found my bike half an hour later with lock, chain an police ticket.

Well, bad luck, that what I thought.

But what a surprise at the Mai Ping Police station, they charged me a 400,= thb. fine.

Thais friends told me that the regular police ticket for such a ,,criminal parking misbehaviour,, is

100 ,= thb. for the Thai.

I went back to the Mai Ping station to complain. As I already expected a useless action and waste of time. The aswer was that I should not worry as long as the fine is not yet 400,= USD.

Comming and living in Chiang Mai for over 20 years I see my sympaty for Thailand slowly melting away. Now it even looks like Chiang Mai police turns to Pattaya style. Thsi does not make it any better.

Amazing Thailand.

Hey, in 1995, I was fined 400 baht for exactly the same thing on Thapae rd.. No big deal then, nor now...

Lucky he didn't check on your license or it would have been 600 ole mate. Missus has been had twice in the past for no license (200 a time) and she can speak Thai believe it or not. Another reason to get one me thinks.

I still have my old, expired, DL for those times

heard its a non-issue for chiang mai but don't know how true the source is.

Well I must say TB that your post should go down in the annals of TV history! An unsubstantiated rumour, from an unreliable source! What next?

I did hear that the Pope is taking the Jewish faith, but I don't know how true the source is

Sorry guys,

Maybe I missed something in previous posts but I am still a little confused about taking your own car. Is this possible? or is the only way to hire a driver and car? If so where do you hire them from, Tichalek or Mae Sai?

cheers

In The Rai!

No rental cars (without owner) allowed...

Jackr

Time to get yourself a Thai license if you haven't already

Do you mean Driving License by this ?

Correct, Enigma. Can save a lot of hassle.

Yep, just the same as last time with certifying your address down immigration, getting a medical (50-baht RAM etc) and having some more photos done - minus tests. About 500 for car, 50/100 for bike or thereabouts.

For renewal you shouldn't need medical test or letter from immigration.

Shouldn't, yes, but try doing it without them as I found out when sent back by the official at the license centre last year, unless everything has changed under Sonthi.

I have lived here for 21 years and have never gotten a Thai driving license... since 1990, no license at all. Best I have been able to figure, it could only help me with my car insurance. For the Parks, speaking Thai, or a business card with a local address has always been fine.

A Thai driver's license can prove quite handy at times: not difficult or expensive especially if you have a license from your own country. I had to simply hand over a copy of my country license and pick out the numbers in a maze of colored dots; pay a little over a 100 baht for a car license and almost 100B for my M/C license. I now have a 5-year license they offered automatically after a few years. Next year my 5-year Thai license is up for renewal after a total of 14 years. Quite speedy service these days in Hang Dong across from Lanna Intl School... just don't forget to pick up a queue ticket.

Certainly a Thai driver's license could help with your insurance as this is the first thing most insurance companies have on their checklist to see if they have an easy opt out should you have an accident.

Would not want to chance a 1st Class insurance being compromised for not having a current Thai license. I believe your own country license or Intl Driver's License is good only for a few months, although many do continue to use them, or not, for years afterwards. No insurance or compromised insurance could see your estate go down the drain, especially as it seems it's always the farang's fault; or, if not, the police seem to think you would be doing the Thai driver, if his/her fault; a big favour as he probably has no insurance whatsoever -really nice of you farang, should there be several Thai autos/deaths/mutilations involved. Remember there exists a mindset still lingering out there: "This accident would not have happened had you not come to Thailand".

So, if I have an accident (Been driving here for 20 years without having even one), and if it is my fault, I may have to pay myself. As I have already suggested, I can easily live with that... What other benefit is there? None that I can see..

Can anyone give a testimonial for a good Italian restauarant in town? I've been to Georgio's and found it wretched. I've been to the Pasta House and it seems a little better than a couple of years ago, but not very good. I've been to Babylon and some of the food is tasty if inauthentic, but the ambiance is not great.

Also, does anyone know of a restauarnt or bakery where i can get real schiacciata or focaccia bread?

Try Buonissimo, located on the left hand side of the way out to Mae Jo (that is the Chiang Mai - Phrao road). Not exactly "in town", but you can't complain about the food.

how far out?? after land & house?

No, it is in the first section, about 1 km from Super, on the left side, just before the texaco station

A few days ago I parked my motorbike unfotunately at a street with parking restictions.

Found my bike half an hour later with lock, chain an police ticket.

Well, bad luck, that what I thought.

But what a surprise at the Mai Ping Police station, they charged me a 400,= thb. fine.

Thais friends told me that the regular police ticket for such a ,,criminal parking misbehaviour,, is

100 ,= thb. for the Thai.

I went back to the Mai Ping station to complain. As I already expected a useless action and waste of time. The aswer was that I should not worry as long as the fine is not yet 400,= USD.

Comming and living in Chiang Mai for over 20 years I see my sympaty for Thailand slowly melting away. Now it even looks like Chiang Mai police turns to Pattaya style. Thsi does not make it any better.

Amazing Thailand.

Hey, in 1995, I was fined 400 baht for exactly the same thing on Thapae rd.. No big deal then, nor now...

I couldn't agree more Arjan. Sounds like farang's making mountains from molehills again. We have it so good here it's ridiculous..

Yes, and one should expect anyone here for 'over 20 years' to have a better attitude...

A few days ago I parked my motorbike unfotunately at a street with parking restictions.

Found my bike half an hour later with lock, chain an police ticket.

Well, bad luck, that what I thought.

But what a surprise at the Mai Ping Police station, they charged me a 400,= thb. fine.

Thais friends told me that the regular police ticket for such a ,,criminal parking misbehaviour,, is

100 ,= thb. for the Thai.

I went back to the Mai Ping station to complain. As I already expected a useless action and waste of time. The aswer was that I should not worry as long as the fine is not yet 400,= USD.

Comming and living in Chiang Mai for over 20 years I see my sympaty for Thailand slowly melting away. Now it even looks like Chiang Mai police turns to Pattaya style. Thsi does not make it any better.

Amazing Thailand.

Hey, in 1995, I was fined 400 baht for exactly the same thing on Thapae rd.. No big deal then, nor now...

Nice looking house, Austhaied.

Looking in advance at agents listings on the web I have gathered that brand new houses are most in demand. This may have something to do with bad quality building, ie non-new houses will quickly show wear and tear and have problems with whatever. On the other hand the last thing I want is a brand new house with bare of surrounding trees and greenery. Is it possible, in a moo baan, to find houses that are well built and in good order, with trees and greenery, good sized gardens, and not impossibly close to neighbouring houses?

Apart from the design etc, my other reason for preferring the thai house was this greater likelihood of surrounding greenery and greater privacy.

I doubt that you'll find a 'thai style' home in a muubaan here..But, you may get lucky. There are some nice houses for sale at http://www.chiangmainews.com/classifieds_job/list.php

Jackr

Time to get yourself a Thai license if you haven't already

Do you mean Driving License by this ?

Correct, Enigma. Can save a lot of hassle.

Yep, just the same as last time with certifying your address down immigration, getting a medical (50-baht RAM etc) and having some more photos done - minus tests. About 500 for car, 50/100 for bike or thereabouts.

For renewal you shouldn't need medical test or letter from immigration.

Shouldn't, yes, but try doing it without them as I found out when sent back by the official at the license centre last year, unless everything has changed under Sonthi.

I have lived here for 21 years and have never gotten a Thai driving license... since 1990, no license at all. Best I have been able to figure, it could only help me with my car insurance. For the Parks, speaking Thai, or a business card with a local address has always been fine.

I agree that there has been a decrease in quality (including content, spelling and grammar) but it is still the best in Chiang Mai.

The only other option is the Citylife magazine which comes out monthly and has become quite trashy. (good or bad... depending on your point of view).

but it is still the best in Chiang Mai. This could be the case but, it makes the others complete shyt doesn't it.

As far as The Rt Honourable David Hardcastle (AKA Hardy) is concerned I don't have anything remotely useful to add.

David H has confirmed in writing that Good Morning Chiang Mai willnolongerbe published

I'm so surprised

It is not so much that I want to move into a thai village neighbourhood as to live in a house built to a traditional thai design, ie stilts, lots of terrace area, built of wood, etc. This may be in a thai village I suppose - in which case I take note of your advice; but it might not be in a village, and not in a farang moo baan either & therefore without the security of an average such moo baan.

Just want to collect comments to mull over as I look aaround the houses to rent. Much though I am drawn to the style of a thai house and its typical layout, I am keeping an open mind and may well may a sober/conventional choice of a western style house in a western moo baan.

Giving myself a month to look around - on my own driving around, as well as with agents.

Many kinds of muubaans around... I think living in muubaan is a good idea, but it depends. The one I live in is mostly Thai, and provides gated access. This may seem like a negative, but it is the Thai way of doing things, and for 300 baht per month, I feel very secure living here... There was a theft problem here before the gated access, but it has disappeared... Also, all of the salesmen are gone

End of Sept and April is deadline for income tax - so it's packed.

15th of every month is deadline for VAT so also packed.

Should be less people if you try 1-7 Oct for example.

End of March, actually

I refer to Chiangmai Mail. This started out as a reasonable addition to the news stands in Chiangmai.

It provided us with a welcome opportunity of an additional source of news on the city.

Is it going down the gurgler ?? I think that it is on the right track if that is the intention of the management.

Why ?

Well for one it has gone from 24 pages a little over a month ago to 20 pages (initially) and now for the past 2-3 weeks it has been just 16 pages. And yes, you're right the price remains the same albeit the fact that we now get just 66% (in terms of pages) than we previously did.

The content has also fallen off in terms of quality (IMHO that is)

It is a very rare edition that doesn't have at least one photograph of the honourable GM featuring.

We saw what happened to "Good Morning Chiangmai" didn't we. It had a lot of good content. It was printed on good quality paper AND it was FREE. But unfortunately it went the way that Chiangmai Mail seems to be heading.

I will purchase one more copy (perhaps the next edition will only be 10 pages)

And then I will vote with my feet.

It will be a pity if it does fold because the expat community in Chiangmai does need a quality rag.

I have tried twice to get the paper through their 'online setup'. Still waiting for a phone call, letter, many weeks later..