Ajarn

The old medicine hospital towards airport plaza is good but they have a 2 tier pricing policy. They've written the rates in Thai behind the counter and these are the rates farang pay. Thais, unless a bargirl escorting her punter, always pay less.

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I think that old hospital is a great place for a legit massage. I went there twice when I first came here to fix my old body. I had had some back problems for a few years and couldn't find anyone to deal with it. After twice at the hospital, I was fine.. Even though, as I recall, I paid 300 baht per hour...

Only had problems with Siam TV - bought a cheap toaster, kept breaking, I'd return it, they'd take a week to fix, use for a few days then back to the shop for repair. Eventually as the bloody thing was only a few months old I asked for my money back. I was polite and patient but their response was why had I bought a cheap one - good point but not something I expected the retailer to tell me. I then blew up, showed no respect or patience and had my refund within a few minutes.

For another view, I have been shopping at Siam Tv for more than twenty years. I buy from them for their outstanding customer service. Yeah, they do carry the cheapo Chinese stuff for the kitchen, but I assume that if I buy one, it is not going to last long... But, even with the cheapo stuff, if there is a problem, they will replace it, or fix it, for free...

On the higher end stuff, specifically A/C, TV's and refridgerators, they deliver and setup at my house, as well as servicing them when needed. For the A/C's, they will come out every ninety days for free and clean and provide any chemicals needed- no charge- for two years.

In my estimation, they are the best place in town for almost anything, and anytime I have bought somewhere else, I have usually regretted it.

I have always thought that they don't give your money back, but it seems that they do if you 'blow up'

>> Anusarn died a very long time ago. It has long been

>> in need of a cleanup and redevelopment.

> One tourist's opinion..

I agree though. I wouldn't send people to Anusarn for seafood, or any other kind of food. (Then again, I wouldn't send people anywhere near the Night Bazar either with the possible exception of Pantip Plaza. )

There's better options around for seafood. (All of them a bit out of the way in various directions, admittedly)

Of course, that doesn't mean that residents can't have a good relationship with a particular restaurant where they receive great food and great service. However to send someone just to the general area for food or to buy things, they'd be in for an ueber-touristy experience, similar to touristy areas in Bangkok, even, with the associated service, prices, and food.

Cheers,

Chanchao

It's good food that keeps me going to Anusarn. I go there to eat about once per week. If you don't like the scene at your own place, then you should not not go... But to describe everyone and everything as terrible tells me that you don't have much experience there. Touristy area? Of course it is, because that's why tourists and plenty of locals go there for sai uang, fresh shrimp, massage, or whatever...

I called UBC when my remote control quit working. The lady who answered the phone said she would reset the signal, and I should wait 30 minutes and try again. If it still failed, she gave me the technician phone number to call.

Just curious but why would she reset the signal and ask you to wait 30minutes??? what on earth does the remote control have to do with the transmission????

I am sure it is because she needs to order the reset from a technician. The 30 minutes gives her time to call him and him time to do the reset...

dunno about you guys, but i stopped going to anusarn long time back ever since parking there was a whole difficult effort. not that the sea food there is of excellent quality preparation wise, if not expensive.

I agree. Anusarn died a very long time ago. It has long been in need of a cleanup and redevelopment.The food, once quite good and affordable, is simply rotten and over priced. The people working there, once quite affable, became surly. And even if the aforementioned changes had not taken place, the cloud of car exhaust hanging over the place certainly fouled the air for me.

One tourist's opinion..

Face it guys, things are going to change at Anusarn, as it has been the last 10 years, or more. Nobody knows exactly how until there is a meeting or some other notification of everyone.

I use TOT and am quite happy with it.. I got the cheapest option (under 500 baht); downloads usually happen around 25 kb/second. Response time is very good, too.

I'm getting a similar speed, for only 1000 baht per month

With a total monopoly on cable service in Thailand, they can act pretty much however they want.

True. And I'm sure that many of us are not so nice, in the Thai way, and after a few hundred of us, they will normally reach some limits...

Oh , and I did call them up and ask them about their different packages, and nothing happened outside of getting my questions answered. I suggest you look at your own behaviour, too.

I think that if you're going to consider a group of students- not as a employee of someone else- then you should consider what the Thai students pay at ECC and such. When I last checked (a number of years ago) students were paying about 75 baht per hour at most of these private schools. So, I knew what the 'top' rates were when I was in a similar position.

Around 10 years ago, it was easy for me to get private groups where I was making 500 baht in Chiang Mai, but still, it was illegal, and I was a legal teacher at CMU, where at that time, they paid between 400 and 900 baht per hour for extra teaching, with no worries... So I rarely took those ouside private classes unless they were special (nurses, etc.)...

For a qualified (good degree and teaching experience) teacher, there are plenty of good opportunities around. But for doers, not talkers.

we got it installed recently, their people handling UBC at Siam TV seem to be extremely rude to the point that it makes me sick! i've lived here for over 5 years but never had experiences of such an attitude. anyone else had problems with them???

its no point in talking to them. i give up! how do they get away with this??

Never had a rudness problem with them, just a problem where they couldn't help me...

I thought they were nice

The average in Chiang Mai is about 300 baht per hour.

Because the Ping river was a trading route with China there is lots of Chinese antiques & furniture also to be had there in Hangdong.

The Ping doesn't go to China, or near.

Parts of ancient wall in Chiang Mai collapse

Chiang Mai _ Parts of the 700-year-old wall in downtown Chiang Mai collapsed yesterday after heavy downpours. The ancient Chang Phuak Gate, or Gate of the White Elephant, partially collapsed. It forms part of a long ancient wall in the centre of Chiang Mai, surrounded by a moat.

more at the Bangkok Post

I'm wondering if it wasn't the NEW section (less than 15 years old) that collapsed...

just to add to cmsally's suggestion, i reckon you could make at least THB3,000 to THB5,000 on each three. very much in demand.

If you sell to a tree buyer as suggested, they will offer only about 1 to 2 thousand baht, since their retail price would range from 3-5 thousand baht..

Depending on the sort of tree, you can get someone to (buy it) dig it up and take away roots and all. They sell them to the hotels etc. Try asking the places that sell the large trees . There's one on the road to Mae Jo and another out towards Hang Dong. Amazingly they all seem to grow; for example that big piece of wood they planted in front of the Chedi Hotel! That way someone else can enjoy your 10m trees!!

Excellent idea

There are another couple of places along the middle ring road, between the new Rimping and the river

Assuming it's a non-multiple entry (once), That's true. If it is a multiple-entry, you need to get to a border every 60 days..

Forget about the 'salesman' knowing much outside of prices because nobody asks...

I hope they continue the crackdown

It is only a rumour, nothing sounds true to me.

For the rest of us (including all those retired folk on an "O" visa), it's a lot harder for us now

Why is it harder for those retirement visas?? It's a one year visa, too..

I have sent a lot of registered parcels from Canada. Some have arrived in as little as 5 days. A few of them took 6 weeks.

Ditto for stuff from USA..

Interestingly, I am doing this research for a friend whom I'm helping to move to Thailand in October, who is in a wheelchair. She will be turning 50 w/in 6 months thus will eventually be able to do the retirement visa.

In quizing the Samui and Phuket forums I've learned that Samui is terrible for wheelchairs while Phuket is much better. How is Chiang Mai for wheelchair accessibility?

Thanks again.

Chiang Mai would rate poor in my opinion. Lack of wheelchair ramps except maybe for the major hotels and shopping centers, try going to McDonalds Night Bazaar in a wheelchair!. And most curbs are high and some dangerously steep, holes and cracks in the sidewalk, and thats after avoiding all the traffic!!

All true.. I've been here over 20 years, so some of the things taken for granted in other countries (wheelchair ramps), I don't think of... I said 'no problem' because of the traffic, both people and cars, being very kind here towards people in wheelchairs, but yes, the curbs here can be a problem for a wheelchair, but then again, traveling in a wheelchair is always a pain....

Aloha,

I have done searches for this but couldn't find the answer I was looking for.

For expats living in Chiang Mai / Pai, where do they do their visa runs? Is it correct that Mae Sai can only give the 30 day stamp and is not able to issue a 60 day tourist visa (extendable to 90)? Do they give you the 30 day stamp over and over, or is there a limit?

Where is the nearest consulate?

How do long term expat residents who don't qualify for the retirment visa nor want to work in Thailand handle their visa issues? Do you have to travel to Kuala Lumpur? How much does such a trip cost from Chiang Mai and how long does it take (both air and by land)?

Thanks,

John

You can fly direct to Kuala Lumpur from Chiang Mai using Airasia. Online bookings at airasia.com. Lucky if you can book about 3 months in advance and get a fare of about 3,000 baht return with taxes included. Average prices are about 5,800 baht return (taxes included).

If not mistaken I think Langkawi Island has a Thai Consulate as well. Not sure really but Penang does for sure as Ajarn mentioned. No direct flights to Penang though, have to stop by Bkk.

Make sure you do NOT show signs of being disabled/in a wheelchair, as this worthless airline will not allow these people to fly on their O So Wonderful Airline///// You can count on the same from NOK Air and Tiger Airlines/////

Cannot fly the unfriendly Skies

Maybe they should put up a sign saying

NO DISABLED

Gonzo

I'm in a wheelchair, and I've not had any problems- yet.

Interestingly, I am doing this research for a friend whom I'm helping to move to Thailand in October, who is in a wheelchair. She will be turning 50 w/in 6 months thus will eventually be able to do the retirement visa.

In quizing the Samui and Phuket forums I've learned that Samui is terrible for wheelchairs while Phuket is much better. How is Chiang Mai for wheelchair accessibility?

Thanks again.

Though I rarely use my wheelchair in town, my feeling is 'no problem'

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Does sound good, but they only deliver in their own area, not willing to come see me