Ajarn

The songthaew based lines (4, 8) seem to have vanished

Or maybe, with thousands of them running around anyway, how is anyone to know who's the Route Vehicle? A case of not seeing the forest for the trees, perhaps?

No, no it's not THAT big a deal. Mostly it's dry grassy bits and some shrubs that slowly burn. Trees don't burn. (Some theories are that it's actually good for trees).

Yes, they do burn. Not always, maybe not even mostly, but they do burn. Especially the pine trees planted all over Suthep and other areas. And if you have group of pine trees that go up together, chances are that everything else around will go up, too.

This is from a research paper on forest fires in Thailand

Fire has long been playing the significant role in most of our forest ecosystems, and the impacts caused by fire are very significant. However, the degree of damage caused by fire depends on the type of fire as well as the type of forest burnt. The deciduous forests are prone to fire and have long been subjected to annual burn by surface fire. Therefore these forests are well-adapted to fire and are fire-resistant. Surface fire is usually not lethal to mature tree. However, too frequent burn impedes and retards the natural regeneration, and alters the forest structure. Repeatedly burned forests will gradually deteriorate, change into more arid community and eventually into grassland dominated by Imperata cylindrica.

In evergreen forests fires cause abrupt and very severe damages. Fires kill more that 50% of mature trees, and completely destroy all sapling and undergrowth. In addition, fires drastically increase soil erosion as well as surface runoff. Fires also destroy food and habitat of wildlife, hence jeopardize the functioning of the whole forest ecosystem.

I think things may have improved there Ajarn, as the 3 times I've gotten something I did not wait at all. They had the prescription waiting for me by the time I walked the 2 minutes from the payment counter all 3 times. Or maybe I was just lucky.

Admittedly, it's been a few years since my last visit. Glad to hear of improvement. That huge hall had a terrible echo-effect, making understanding your name when called difficult among the masses...

It makes zero sense to double their rates so soon after starting.

I would say that rumour is busted

I see the #2 route busses all the time... I think though, to the casual observer, they're not likely to notice a bus that comes by only every 15 minutes or so...

From my experience, the pharmacy in Maharaj (formerly Suandok) hospital is at least 25% cheaper than commercial pharmacies. Not sure if you need a prescription from a doctor there or can just walk in with a prescription from elsewhere. But since it costs almost nothing for the services there it may be worth it to sign up as a patient there as well.

It's my understanding that that pharmacy, being a government facility, offers drugs at cost, Plus 10%. Tough to beat that price, but it sure isn't convenient getting any meds there most of the time. Too many people.

The common belief, in rural northern villages is that it is the yellow striped, big bodied,long legged mosquitos that carry malaria/dengue/JE. However, I don't know if that is true

The rest of Thailand believes the same

....but only the females

TiT

The common belief, in rural northern villages is that it is the yellow striped, big bodied,long legged mosquitos that carry malaria/dengue/JE. However, I don't know if that is true

The rest of Thailand believes the same

Dengue fever is still endemic around this area, as I recall.

Take basic precautions.

You also probably notied that you are a guest in this country. Thank you.

Leave the politics to the politicians, if you want something else, go home!!!

What, are you mad because you got fooled?

Get over it...

Should have specified, 'Full Time', maybe?

I've known the Chinese couple who owns Pharma Choice since I moved here. They consistantly provide me with anything I need, from blood monitors to canes to drugs. I have never found a shop that is cheaper. but I'm sure someone will give me an example if there is one! Plus, they are everywhere. The main shop is still Chotana, but you should have good luck at all their stores.

053-215-379 is that number, plus, from the internet...

Pharma Choice 3 808325, 2778863

25 Suthep Rd.,

T. Suthep,

A. Muang,

Chiang Mai 50200 Fax: 808325

but after the nearby refugee camps closed, and the population of foreign volunteers shrank, I heard that they went out of business.

There is still a very large refugee camp in Tha Song Yang district, an hour north....

Thaksin Shinawatra today resigned as Prime Minister. Accompanied by Khunying Sudarat and Newin Chichob, Thaksin signed the papers removing himself from office. The elections, scheduled for April 2 have been cancelled, and will be rescheduled to a later date, with full participation of all parties.

Thaksin, in a somber mood, said that it was time for him to go and that he had no regrets. He also complimented Chamlong Srimuang and the PAD on having fought against him without using any violence, and said that all demonstrations have been cancelled.

Chamlong, enjoying his win against Thaksin said that he would definitely run in the next elections as head of the Palang Darhma party, and hopes to be elected as the new Prime Minister.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 March 2006

You're right. April Fools!!

It's a long drive to Mae Sai from Mae Sot... Figure 6 hours each way.

Why would he need to drive to Mae Sai? Has the border closed at Mae Sot for visa runs? Very easy for visa run if you're staying on the border.

Don't know where my mind was. Of course Mae Sot is better.

The price is indeed what's on the meter plus 50 baht. This surcharge applies regardless whether you go to or from the airport. I don't know for sure, but my impression is that it is somehow tied to a fee they are charged by the airport.

The 50 baht surcharge to/from the airport sounds like a scam to me. Maybe the (ex) songthaew drivers heard about the surcharge in Bkk, and want the same here. Easier than bargaining the fare.

I always use the taxi outside the airport building. Comon.. 100 - 150 baht is like ... euhm 3 euro/4 dollars !

So cheap and so easy if you have a lot of luggage

Cheers

Bates

Since they have learned to use a meter in Bangkok (in the past it was all but impossible to make them do it but these days quite easy), why not try to encourage the same behaviour in Chiang Mai..?

I see your point, but you seem to be assuming that would satisfy them...

I'm of the opinion that it would make then hungrier...

Also, in Bkk, it's only from the airport, and at least your 50 baht offers you some 'protection'....

First, I would suggest a check on the internet for a local honorary consulate- They seem to generally have fewer rules to follow...

Your consulate is referring to a type 'O', it seems. Odd because it's for retirement...

Try or the multi-entry one year tourist visa might be your easiest bet.

It's a long drive to Mae Sai from Mae Sot... Figure 6 hours each way.

No shopping centers that I've seen, by the way

One internet cafe, that I know...

If you're American, appy at any of the honorary Thai consulates. I personally recommend Denver.

Pay the fee, fill in the application, send it and your passport, and you'll get your 1-year non-immigrant visa (still requires at least a border crossing each 90 days) within a week.

Chiangmai Teakwood Furniture Ltd.,Part(1998)

Showroom: 141 Moo5 Chiangmai-Hangdong Rd., T.Sunpukvan A.Hangdong Chiangmai Thailand 50230 Tel/Fax: 66-53-441553,431148 Fax: VIA 66-53-431149 email : [email protected]

Samsara furniture

Tel/Fax: 053-380366 Mobile: (00-66) 06-9125104 & 06-9235804

Nantiya Décor, teak wood furniture from our factory.

16 Moo 8, Nong Kaeo, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai.

He also said that foreign restaurants here in Thailand used the collapse of the baht in 1997 to gouge customers and artificially raise prices because tourists were all converting to their own currencies and didn't realize how out of line the prices were.

I was around here during 1997 (while Duke was in California?), and I don't remember any price gouging...Only petrol going from 10baht to 15 baht per litre.

That's how he can sell an excellent Greek salad with feta cheese and olive oil that is twice as big as anywhere else for half the price of his competitors.

Now, truthfully, isn't the reason because very few places sell an excellent Greek salad with feta cheese and olive oil, and of the places that sell it, all have marketed themselves as being more upmarket, hence, more expensive?

All gone, all too quickly, but the frogs are barking well

CM residents alert - Big thunderstorm building here in Bangkok as I type - should be with you iin the next 12 - 24 hours

We rarely, if ever, get our weather via Bkk- Normally, it's the other way around...

Can anyone else confirm this (as yet) unsubstantiated report by Briley?

Nothing on Thai TV news last night, nothing in today's paper...

The price is indeed what's on the meter plus 50 baht. This surcharge applies regardless whether you go to or from the airport. I don't know for sure, but my impression is that it is somehow tied to a fee they are charged by the airport.

The 50 baht surcharge to/from the airport sounds like a scam to me. Maybe the (ex) songthaew drivers heard about the surcharge in Bkk, and want the same here. Easier than bargaining the fare.

What operator are you talking about? I've called lots of mobile numbers from my landline, and no operator has ever appeared

The Yellow pages operator of course..............who do you think I'm on about. Jeez, and you're an Ajarn. Maybe it's right what they say.

Rudeness doesn't suit you...

I kinda doubt that plne would land here. I mean, if a 747 can't land here...? More likely to be one of the oversize cargo planes used to 'deliver mail' here once or twice a week. (Remember Thaksin's sister, and her birthday party, which was transported to CM on one of them?)

In any case, if true, it would definately be on the Thai news tonight, and the papers tomorrow...

As far as 747's go there are plenty of movements of 747's both in and out of Chiangmai. I flew on one the other week to Bangkok, and the flight then went onto Phuket. Orient also fly a 747-200 out of Chiangmai.

Just shows you how little I know!

I kinda doubt that plne would land here. I mean, if a 747 can't land here...? More likely to be one of the oversize cargo planes used to 'deliver mail' here once or twice a week. (Remember Thaksin's sister, and her birthday party, which was transported to CM on one of them?)

In any case, if true, it would definately be on the Thai news tonight, and the papers tomorrow...