pizzachang

I speculate that the "Phuket boat builders" may have indicated they were going to sell boats. Most farangs in my area do lots of their own projects. It is thought a bit strange by the Thai neighbors. Never doing any labor = weak bodies in humans - unless they have a fitness regime, it is no wonder the life-span is shorter.

TP Link works perfectly for me. I've noticed that as more and more software is geared toward touchscreens (I may be wrong) it seems to require more power. I've had to replace my power unit twice in the 5 years I've been here. Good luck with your new system.

OP sounds a little neurotic.

The fact is that the climate in LOS is very humid. What kind of idiot is going to walk around in jeans in this humidity?

To answer the question specifically, the only farang that does not wear shorts in LOS would have to be those from India. Even if you travel to India you will rarely see an Indian guy in shorts. I dont know how they can do it...

shorts are fine. Shoes on a foreigner from a clod climate = sweaty feet all day = stink or a heck of a lot of sock washing & new shoes. I see lots of 'workers' wearing long pants, no matter if they are govt. employees or construction workers. Makes sense to protect your legs but the rest is creeping Western influence. When missionaries first went to Hawaii - they dressed from head to toe in black wool; can you imagine the smell?

Humane killing - now that is a quality oxymoron. Nature is the real killer - nothing is sacred but incongruous behavior of the human race. Why not end fish meat eating - most of them are suffocated "inhumanely". It makes as much sense as ending the eating of canine meat.

I saw stacks of the dense blue insulation at Home Mall. This looked like the same panels we used in the USA (we called "blue foam") It can be used above or below ground.

the words of Mahatma Ghandi on the subject:

“A roving dog without an owner is a danger to society and a swarm of them is a menace to its very existence... If we want to keep dogs in towns or villages in a decent manner no dog should be suffered to wander. There should be no stray dogs even as we have no stray cattle... But can we take individual charge of these roving dogs? Can we have a pinjrapole for them? If both these things are impossible then there seems to me no alternative except to kill them... it is an insult to the starving dog to throw a crumb at him. Roving dogs do not indicate compassion and civilization in society; they betray instead the ignorance and lethargy of its members... that means we should keep them and treat them with respect as we do our companions and not allow them to roam about.” -- quoted from www.Karmayog.com

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I agree - strays of both species are a menace to society. I doubt that rabies is the real reason the "Alliance" doesn't want dogs being transported across borders. I don't eat "other" meats but I sure don't have a problem with other people doing so. I've sampled many types of meat and most (to me) are best left as emergency food, i.e. I'd eat it if I was starving. For me and my pizza's, meat is not the MAIN ingredient. Less is more healthy (even though meat is really good!)

IMO anyone who tries to pet a tiger sleeping or not is a good candidate for the Darwin awards.

There does seem to be, in many parts of the world, humans that 'think' they can 'relate' to wild animals....dangerous wild animals. These individuals base their actions on anecdotal evidence, having at least 1 success at getting close to a wild animal and an erroneous belief that if you are 'nice' to wild animals, they won't hurt you. Several have been killed by bears in Alaska and others mauled by various large cats. Even with some working knowledge of the behavior of a dangerous species, your chances of injury or death are much higher - unacceptably higher IMO.

Anyone interested in watching (or with a mind to participate at some point) foil, epee and sabre fencing: The Amateur Fencing Assoc. of Thailand will present the 2013 Thailand Open International Tournament at Fashion Island, 3rd Floor Hall, on September 13th - 17th. Free admission.

I'll be there fencing Men's Individual Epee.

I will be renewing my passport in 2014 (my first renewal) Does the US Consulate keep your expired passport? The one with the current extension stamp in it? If they do keep the old one, is a copy of the page with the stamp valid for the next extension - because they want to see the expiring stamp.

Sounds like your expectations are different than the reality of Thailand. 1st - if you want nice beach time, don't visit in summer. December - March is best for the beach/diving/good weather experience. 2nd - doing "touristy" stuff, such as jet ski, parasailing, ziplines, white water rafting cost more money than walking around markets and looking at temples. In fact, most Thai do not do that kind of stuff as a rule. 3rd - fancy resorts are the same the world over and if you close your eyes, you have a hard time telling what city you're in. 4th - gear your expectations to what you enjoy doing the most. For me, I learned to dive on Koh Tao. Took a cooking course in Chiang Mai. and decided to retire in Chiang Mai because, like many less popular destinations of Thailand, it is more a reflection of the "real" Thailand - a country struggling to be a modern, civilized place that has a nice climate, plenty of good food(not imported) and tourists are only part of the equation. Maybe you tried to do too much in a short visit or you just expected to be entertained at a level to which you've become accustomed and Thailand did not meet those expectations. You may be happier in a sanitary environment, free from disappointment and discomfort. Austria, Switzerland and Las Vegas come to mind. Good luck with your next one! width=32 alt=coffee1.gif>

There are many travel websites that say travel to Thailand during the rainy season is a pretty good deal. Rains don't last that long, and you do have some sunny days. On the other hand, it can rain cats and dogs for days and roads can be washed out. Hard to figure out who's opinion to believe!

We did Phuket a few years ago in August. Based on advice from several internet travel forums saying it was a good time to visit. Guess what? Rained pretty much every day, couldn't swim in the ocean, and our 1 week luxury resort was the room we hung out in. Not bad, but not a beach vacation. Luckily, they had great room service.

Generally speaking, enjoying the beach in summer is hit or miss. Storm activity is at much higher levels all over SE Asia (typhoons seldom occur in winter months.) I think that is why winter is "high season". You are right - a few years ago, I happened to be In Pattaya to enter a sports event. I had 2 great days on the beach as well.(In Sept, no less!) Comparing that to 30(January) days of fantastic beach weather in the Gulf of Thailand is what I was really speaking about. I think the OP just has expectation issues - like I said "a sanitary vacation" meeting all his many expectations may not be available here.

akampa,

Good luck on the building. From my experience....make sure you check that the plumbing is installed to YOUR satisfaction (code in your home country).

Make sure you have plenty of electrical outlets, lights and amps at the breaker box/extra knockouts too! Insulation in the attic( with an exhaust fan) insulating wall brick (air block) will keep you electric bill reasonable even if you use aircon. Make sure you use the 8" drain pipe for your yard drains - the small concrete ones won't be adequate.

Sounds like your expectations are different than the reality of Thailand. 1st - if you want nice beach time, don't visit in summer. December - March is best for the beach/diving/good weather experience. 2nd - doing "touristy" stuff, such as jet ski, parasailing, ziplines, white water rafting cost more money than walking around markets and looking at temples. In fact, most Thai do not do that kind of stuff as a rule. 3rd - fancy resorts are the same the world over and if you close your eyes, you have a hard time telling what city you're in. 4th - gear your expectations to what you enjoy doing the most. For me, I learned to dive on Koh Tao. Took a cooking course in Chiang Mai. and decided to retire in Chiang Mai because, like many less popular destinations of Thailand, it is more a reflection of the "real" Thailand - a country struggling to be a modern, civilized place that has a nice climate, plenty of good food(not imported) and tourists are only part of the equation. Maybe you tried to do too much in a short visit or you just expected to be entertained at a level to which you've become accustomed and Thailand did not meet those expectations. You may be happier in a sanitary environment, free from disappointment and discomfort. Austria, Switzerland and Las Vegas come to mind. Good luck with your next one!

IMHO, this is the best pizza in Thailand. I realize that not every falang can build an oven but I like to cook and really enjoy a medium thick crust home made pizza. The best "store bought" pizza in Chiang Mai is Duke's but I haven't tried every place that offers Italian style.

I notice if food is not spicy after living here 5 years. Hot chiles are healthy food and if you get "emergency bowel movements", the likely cause is not being used to "different" bacteria. Good luck with this!

You could get a multiple entry non-o based upon marriage. It would be valid for one year but you would have to do border runs every 90 days to get a new entry.

One of the honorary consulates would be the best choice for getting this visa.

You mentioned having a re-entry permit which means you probably have an extension of stay of some kind.

For retirement you could get non-oa visa that gives a 1 year entry.

I've done this in Portland in 2012. Multi -entry, 1 year - showed marriage certificate & proof of income. Extend when you get close to expiration - inside Thailand.

There is no free school in Thailand. There is "term fees" and lots of other charges (school vans cost between 300 and 1000 b per month). Then the schools try to get parents to contribute for repairs, new equipment, etc. Most schools have uniforms, which are not supplied free. So this enterprising young man is helping his parents to cover costs. Admirable, to say the least and he is far and above many kids I've seen in other countries for laying his work ethic foundation.

Anyone have any further information on this? All provinces?

You HAVE to assume that some other driver WILL cut you off, not signal, speed, speed around you in a no passing zone, pull out in front of you in the fast lane from a U-turn lane - if you want to drive safely here in Thailand. Rarely, will someone stop if they hit your car (if there is no traffic and they can escape - if they are trapped by traffic they will stop) Just think of driving in Thailand as a "live" video game.

Censorship and controlling media are the hallmarks of repressive governments.

"What frightens you most"? That would be the 'black' crab somtum. Those bacteria do not like me at all.....

I only like the "French Roast" roast and buy Aroma Brand at Rimping. 190b for a bag. I did try a shop outside Chiang Rai that sold bulk - not bad but still not dark enough for my taste. Have you noticed that it is harder to find very dark roasts and impossible to see through opaque sealed bags - to actually find what "strong roast" means? The Aroma is not bad but there is probably better that I haven't located here in CM.

You would be better off checking out Aliexpress.com and buy direct from a China dealer. I checked on shipping one of my guitars from Portland. OR to BKK and it was $500+ and then you'd have to pay customs/duty. But if you have plenty of money to spend.....

Yes you would be getting a copy but electric guitars are much more "forgiving" about being copied - not so with fine, all wood acoustics.

You would be much better off to check out AliExpress and get a bass direct from a China dealer - unless you have plenty of money. FedEX and UPS will cost $500+ ( I checked shipping from Portland, OR to BKK) then you will pay customs fees. I'll be getting another guitar from Ali - of course it is a "copy" but electric guitars are copied very successfully - not fine, all wood acoustic guitars though. You can also hand carry a guitar as carry-on if you are making a trip anyway.