Ajarn

The farmers that supply the food (the ones I know) generally grow two crops. One for sale in Chiengmai and one for local consumption. The chemical rich crops go to Chiengmai. Very few rural Thais will buy strawberries, cucumbers, garlic, watermelon......etc. in CM. They know what was sprayed upon it. Although it does look 'picture perfect'.

So what do you suggest to do about vegetables for people who live in Chiang Mai and want to get stuff that isnt as heavily sprayed with pesticides?

Nevermind, It's bullshit. farmers do not grow two crops, they only manage one.. The idea is to take the best looking quality to town to sell, and eat the rest or sell local for very cheap.. Living anywhere still has the same problems...

Alright everyone,

I visited Doi Inthanon National Park yesterday, and me and the missus were told that from 15 Sept, the price for a foreigner was increasing from 200 Baht to 400 Baht. The price for Thais (and other Asian Nationalites ) was also increasing from 20 Baht to 40 Baht.

My question therefore is, does anyone know if this will apply to all National Parks in Thailand? (just curious though i expect it will apply to all National Parks).

Scandalous!

It'll probably be all; or at least the ones that are well known like DI and Samet etc. Time to get yourself a Thai license if you haven't already, although some parks still won't let you in for local price with one... guess you'd need a work permit and be a tax payer to stand a better chance.

Actually, you don't need a work permit to pay taxes OR get a Tax ID, which is very useful sometimes when they have a rule that says 'you must work', as in the case at my banks which are always asking for a work permit from me. I figured out that when they give me the interest, they have to take 15% in taxes themselves (Government requrement).. Anyway, beause of the fact that anyone with a work permit is going to pay taxes, they figure it is easier to ask for your Work Permit to show one as a taxpayer, which would mean that they didn't have to deduct money or do anything special with my account... Showing my tax ID does the same thing.

If one wants to get a tax ID, just go to your local tax office and ask for the card. Can come in handy here sometimes.

I passed through Chiang Mai yesterday and noticed the continuing military presence, the complete erasing of Thaksin / TRT signage (I recall public transport trucks had them plastered all over). Are people in Chiang Mai as happy as they currently seem in Bangkok?

I noticed today that they mainly seem to be covering the routes into town... Didn't see anything anywhere else.. Just a 'skeleton' crew. Sure, we're happy, I think. If anyone is worried about it getting out of hand, I really doubt it would...

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.

Where is Phrao? I've heard of Phrae and Phayao.

Follow the Mae Jo road north 100 kilometers

The other day my long time friend came to me with a puzzling situation where his Thai wife has retained the services of an attorney to file in the court system that half of his belongings are hers, using the “Common-Law Wife” rights, here in the Kingdom.

So, his question to me was “How long must you live together, before you are considered husband and wife”?

Any for sure answers?

Thanks,

My clear understanding of the law say's, "When you have your marriage filed" Common Law is not recognized here.

Hi guys,

Being in the restaurant business always makes me curious how people think, what kind of food they like, how they feel about prices, etc.

My wife Mon owns Mon and Kurt's Thai-German Restaurant in Chiang Dao. (about 2.5km past the 7-11 in Chiang Dao, if you are coming from Chiang Mai, travelling on the Chiang Mai - Fang Highway)

My wife cooks the best Thai food (that's why I married her among other things) and she also does great Schnitzels, German sausages and other European Foods. Our coffee is the best in town (at least that's what I think) and refills are free. Beer is cheap, too.

At the moment, we are only open seasonal from the beginning of September until the end of March, because we still enjoy spending our summers in Canada.

We look at cooking and the restaurant business more as a fun hobby than a business. I'm retired and love good food and my wife Mon loves to cook and eat good food.

So check us out sometime. Mention this post and we'll give you 10% off all food items as well. (Sorry, can't give you a discount on the alcohol, but at 40Baht for a big bottle of Chang or Archa, we have the best prices in Chiang Mai Province anyways.)

If you happen to come out and find yourself having a few too many to drink, we also have a guest room for $250 Baht per night or a hammock for $75 Baht per night.

There are a few other good foreign restaurants out here, too, so if you decide to spend a few days out here, exploring the caves, climbing the mountain, trekking, rafting or just drinking and eating a lot, there is a lot of variety here, when it comes to food and drink.

It's the perfect escape from polluted and loud Chiang Mai. Out here, you can just relax, without Bar Girls asking you to buy them drinks and without getting hit on by potential wives

My wife Mon got most of her training in cooking western food from my Mom, back in Canada, who had her own German restaurant back in Germany for many years. My dad, who is a retired Baker and Pastery Maker showed her a few things as well.

So don't pout, when we close for the summer around the end of March. Mon wants her time with Mom, to learn some more German recipes and I want my time fishing in one of Canada's crystal clear lakes.

Hope to see you sometime

Kurt

Best to you and your wife, Kurt.

I thought that Ajarn wrote that for Thai Visa and I was thinking that if he feels this way, I will have to check it out. However, as The Dan sai Kid says, I don't take Chiang Mai Mail reviews very seriously!

Me neither... Just posted it for the info.

Not that I don't respect my elders - and a very popular poster - but, why bother posting it then

So people would be informed...

By the way, Ajarn is a rich bloke and has his own solar-heated pool and he fills it with bath temperature water before he ventures in, so don't pay too much attention to him.

Am looking for a 2 room bungalove or a hotel with a swimmingpool in Chiang Mai. Travelling with 2 children - thats why a pool is a must.

Planning to arrive in Chiang Mai after Xmass and stay till the beginning of Jan.

Can anyone recommend a nice place for apx 2000 bht per night?

Thank you

Voytek

good luck finding a bungalow/hotel with swimming pool - 2 rooms for 2000 baht a night. do let us know if you are successful.

The Top North Hotel will be a little less than 2,000 baht per night for 2 rooms with a swimming poool, but unless you are a member of the Polar Bear Club, forget about swimming in Chiang Mai in January. The days are warm, but nights and mornings are chilly and almost NOBODY swims at that time of year - including tourists.

I swim EVERY DAY the rest of the year, but it is too uncomfortable to continue in the end of November, December, January and the end of Febuary.

Amnuay for sure has the highest prices in town. For a cheaper rate, with excellent quality, try 'Best' store, which is on the same street as Amnuay, just up a bit towards the traffic light.

I found there was a definite quality difference between the cheap film, and the one we ended up getting.

We paid 8,500 to have our sedan car fitted with the more expensive option, and are very pleased. The film really does help keep the inside of the car cool, which is especially noticeable when you have had it parked for a while. It also means we dont have to crank up the aircon as much.

On the previous car, we had a cheaper film bought at 2,500, which did not cool down the car, and didn't look as good.

I realise you're not implying I got the 'cheap' stuff..... Mine is an 80% +silver coating. Definately not the cheap stuff. That price was quoted by two of the top shops, on two different occasions. I believe it is a 'Standard price'.

Your experience may vary.

2,500 Baht for the film seems very cheap to me. Was quoted 7,500 baht for the Fortuner. Paid last year 9,000 Baht for the Suzuki Vitara. Any body has any experience re this?

My experience has been they quote me 500 bhat per window. That makes mine 2,500 baht. I think you got a 'farang' price...

They told me that the original windscreen tint was 60%. I don't know about the laws as written or applied, but I will say that I never want to drive after sunset behind 60% again - a 3-hour nightmare-ish drive from Tak to CM in utter darkness was enough. If it hadn't been for tagging onto to the back of a fast-moving local bus with tail-lights from Las Vegas, I would have had to pull over and wait for dawn

What are you doing with 60 % on the front driving window? That's crazy. I have nothing on that window.

Any more rain tonight and there will be some wet feet in the morning!

Well, my feet are dry...

I thought that Ajarn wrote that for Thai Visa and I was thinking that if he feels this way, I will have to check it out. However, as The Dan sai Kid says, I don't take Chiang Mai Mail reviews very seriously!

Me neither... Just posted it for the info.

I feel pretty sad about the current situation. Not sure if I feel disappointed at the suspension of democracy, or at the realization that Thailand never had it in the first place. I guess the main problem with the constitution was that it actually allowed poor up-country folk to decide who runs the place, or allegedly runs the place. One may not like their choice, but that's not the point is it..

Personally, I feel no loss of 'democracy'... I think there is simply a new boss here. Over my time here, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the sytem here. In fact, I've been amazed at what happens here. What an interesting place!

What A^^hole edited my post??

Ajarn, Funny isn't it, with so many of the A^^holes around, and not one honest enough to admit it.

I hear ya'

What A^^hole edited my post??

One place that I would never patronise again even if my life depended on it would have to be Lena's

You always had to check your bill to verify that it was not wrong (in Lena's favour I might add)

A right rip off merchant is Lena's

I agree. We stopped going to Lenas due to the fact that our bill as quite abit higher than most other restuarants of similiar nature. It may have been in regard to the crab/seafood dishes. Much higher price than we thought. Probably market prices, but remember my g/f getting slightly annoyed about it. Although the food was good but it did leave abit of a sour taste afterwards

and because she is the only person who can take your money you can wait for ages to settle the bill.

The Chiang Mai Mail has an excellent review of Lena's Restaurant this week...

Got a few photos from the northside of CM...

This was a place where I felt nervous this morning about 8am, close to my house. I found out about the Coup via the internet, when I first woke up, there was this 'Love the King' music playing on all the local Thai stations. I joked with my HK, "This is the same thing that hapened in 1991", meaning the last coup. Then, a guy came on tv and told the story, and it was 1991 all over again... I don't feel unsafe at all, so I shouldn't worry anymore than I did 15 years ago...

But, here they are guarding an intersection... I don't know why.

Then I was passed by these APC's heading towards the Nai Amphur.

Maybe for lunch..

And this is on Mae Jo road, north of outer ring road intersection. These two guys were backed up by a very large Howitzer- pointed straight at our cars...

So, it does look like it should.

By Elle Faraday

On my travels, I’ve often been asked what my favourite type of food is and why. I was never able to give a direct answer until I moved to Chiang Mai. I can now say that Thai food is without doubt my favourite cuisine. The longer I’ve been living here, the more able I am to cope with spicy(ish) food and I now have an understanding of chillies. They’re not there to simply burn a few layers of skin away from the roof of my mouth, but are actually there to enhance the flavour of a dish.

As regular readers of this column will know I go out to eat fairly regularly, certainly a lot more than I ever did in London, and I try to fit in a Thai meal as often as possible. One of my perennial favourites is the popular Lena Restaurant, which can be found at the bottom corner of Loi Kroh Road, Soi 5, at the end of Anusarn market.

Their food is exceptional and service is particularly efficient. In all the times I have eaten there, which I can assure you is a fair few, I have never been disappointed with the dishes I have been served. The large number of local Thais that eat regularly at Lena is ample testament to the quality of the food. They have many repeat customers and I have known people who have visited Chiang Mai for a couple of days and never felt the need to find an alternative dining experience! They tried many of the numerous dishes on the menu at Lena instead of trying different restaurants. Their reasoning was, “We know the food is high quality and authentic Thai cuisine so why go somewhere else that might not be as good?”

Whenever I visit, I always try to sample something different on their menu. I do, however, enjoy ordering a couple of oysters to start. They are simply divine and at just 45 baht each are impossible to resist. If you are not feeling very hungry and just want a snack, their fried rice (in particular crab fried rice) is delicious and is served with limes that are perfect squeezed over the top. The spring rolls and shrimp cakes are also tasty tempting appetisers. If I fancy something light, I normally go for a small mix of appetisers or Lena’s mixed entr้e platter. This consists of a wide range of Thai delights (great to share) at just 190 baht. They also serve an extensive range of traditional Thai style (occasionally spicy) salads and noodle dishes that start at 45 baht, perfect for a light evening meal.

If you feel you need something more substantial than a few appetisers, you will find an abundance of main courses to choose from. My favourites include fried crab in black pepper sauce (price depends on size of crab), squid steamed with lime garlic and chilli (120 baht), sweet and sour pork (65 baht) and fried sea bass with tamarind sauce (120 baht). Of course, whenever I order any main course, I’ll always order a portion of sticky rice as the perfect accompaniment.

This is just a tiny selection of what is on offer at Lena; there are many other dishes suitable for vegetarians and many more adventurous dishes such as curried shrimps steamed in banana leaves and wild boar fried with chilli paste. I have eaten both these dishes and can guarantee that you will not be disappointed if you try them.

If you have room for a dessert after you’ve feasted upon some of Thailand’s favourite dishes, the sticky rice and mango comes highly recommended. This northern Thai style dessert is always served to perfection.

Lena Restaurant is open seven nights a week and although it can get busy, this adds to the atmosphere and booking is never required. It is a great introduction to Thai cuisine and therefore an excellent restaurant to entertain friends and family from overseas. Simple things make it very customer friendly for example if you ask for ‘not spicy’, you will get a tasty dish without the heat preferred by those more used to oriental food.

When you ask for the bill, you will be treated to a little bit of ‘Thai magic’. The owner will manually add up the cost of your meal - regardless of how much you ordered - and do this at such a speed that you will not fail to be impressed. She has never once made a mistake in all four years that I have been going there.

If you want to contact Lena Restaurant, phone: 053 274 588. Head for Anusarn Market, just off the Night Bazaar and you won’t miss it.

It is illegal to have more than 40% tint on any car in Thailand, like most countries... But here it doesn't get any notice by cops at all.

Toyota told me the legal limit was 60% - that's why I have 60 - I like to kick it down gangsta style!

Naw, it's 40% I'm pretty sure.. I have 80%, which really keeps the inside cooler

It has been on again off again regarding 40%. Believe it is off again and 60% is still allowed.

It is all allowed

It is illegal to have more than 40% tint on any car in Thailand, like most countries... But here it doesn't get any notice by cops at all.

Toyota told me the legal limit was 60% - that's why I have 60 - I like to kick it down gangsta style!

Naw, it's 40% I'm pretty sure.. I have 80%, which really keeps the inside cooler

It is illegal to have more than 40% tint on any car in Thailand, like most countries... But here it doesn't get any notice by cops at all.

I doubt that there are many teachers here on a 30 day stamp.

I figure that most of the 30 day holders are here

Most tour shops seem to have a fax, also many photoshops do, too.