tango

As the more astute folks have mentioned, only buy if family will inherit; as an investment forget it. One or two years to sell a house in the Chiangmai market will in all likelihood never happen; one or two decades is more the norm.

We check realty almost daily and have done so for twenty years: there are houses that are offered as a first sale that were first offered 10 to 15 years ago. On your way golfing, before the quaint golf course out near Sankampang in the hills, check the bird of paridiso 'resort' style build nestled just back of a natural lake (village pond and nitely make-out spot), made of sun-dried brick over 15 years ago. Advertised even today and for years: we watched the construction on occasion.

As for the suggestion that one can ship teak lumber out of Thailand - not in this lifetime.

Mind you getting it to your build site was a minor miracle of sorts, even within province. Twelve or so years ago the Forestry folks would just occasionally open a narrow window of opportunity of a week or two a year to move teak timber: no such opportunities within the last decade plus. Even old rice barn teak had to have each plank registered and stamped with costly permits before trucking - even then, problematic was the byword.

^ Make Pidet your main travel man! Travel Shoppe has been the only place for best deals in 20 years, even after checking first but not mentioning PnP.

Tuff Cote Dinol is a great product. Used it on my BMW in Canada where salt is poured onto snowy and black iced roads. Car ends up white from the salt spray which is also forced by speed into every crevice. Tuff Cote Dinol did the job of saving my car. Can be purchased in CMai on the way out to the bus terminal past the turnoff and about 200-300 meters further on on the right at a car wash before the superhwy. No idea of cost.

Deposit returns can be problematic, to wit: ^ having to "call the police".

In many cases whomever you gave the deposit to, spent it.

Many consider your deposit as their due. Depite your having left the rental in tip-top condition, they will argue it was not.

I stayed at a nice spot on Huey Kaew just up from the Phucomb intersection years ago; as I was attempting to get my deposit returned, the desk manager said they deducted several thousand baht for a missing shower curtain. I immediately invited the manger up to the flat to see the shower curtain still there. I got my deposit returned, reluctantly.

The management of the newer DOMEicile on Thapae three years ago attempted to retain my deposit by saying I did not give them a month's notice, despite the fact that I had done so: I had it noted on the previous month's bill by the duty clerk at the time. Management conceded.

Try to negotiate any rental deposit to the minimum of 1 month: any longer and attempts to get the deposit returned are indeed problematic, in many cases.

So OP, have you now recovered, or what? If so, what was it? We're waiting in anticipation...

^ 'If you are over 60 you can obtain a 'free' travel pass which allows you bus,tube and rail free within the M.25.

You can also travel free on any local bus route anywhere in England.'

WOW! now that's the ticket. Might make a trip back there, luved my tour - had never seen so many shades of green as I had in Dorset way back when, studying tank design. Service the target array!

RE #10 Exactly.

I have a special bookmark to locate your mastrpiece easily. I refer to it constantly. Thnx Moon...

There are 2 used bicycle shops run by Thais that I recommend for good quality and seemingly fair prices. One is on the super hwy directly opposite the HangDong Licensing office, and the second is at the intersection inside the moat opposite Amorn Electronics/S&P. Better choice on the moat, but then it depends on the market.

#52 Re: "and I possess FBI Sec. Bkgrnd Clearance"

WOW...another VIP!

Now that you've revealed that bit of self-aggrandizement, aren't you obligated to kill yourself? Or is that some other agency?

^^ Yes. A recommended antidote to poisoning of your pets. That and 3% foodgrade hydrogen peroxide, I keep handy just for such an emergency. Never happened yet, but....

Must say I find that the tiny imodium tablet is all I and family have ever needed for what ailed JackR's pre-flight disposition.

Imodium gets to work almost immediately. And no I've no shares in the company.

Actually it is not a thing of the past.

You can bring yours to the rad shop amongst a cluster of shop houses on Chotana Road, on the south side(your right as you exit the city) about midway between the Super Highway and the next set of lights. If that's not clear enough; go up to the turn into Saha-Panich Toyota, do a permitted U-turn and back track towards the Super. As you past through the three-way set of lights, past the CALTEX station, the rad shop is on your left. Gotta go slow, possibly best to park to avoid the traffic, and take a stroll. Not expensive - I waited an hour or so while my Thai friend had his fixed.

The new Thai driving licenses have your passport number imprinted near the bottom front, if that's any help to you.

wetv.co.th 053418720 053418730

Check site

"Dear our Valved Customer Since September 1st 2010 Our Company have Change the official time into Mon-. Sat. 08.00 am - 5.30 pm And will be Closed on every Sunday and Holidays. • V-TV program you have to avoid being suspended. We must pay you within 25 days of every month, the V-TV subscribers, thank you."

ChangPuek Gate, south 1 block, turn left(east) at the new FC CMai football field. Go east 2-300 meters; Wetv is on the left, can't miss it.

Been a happy customer for over a year now. Apparently they have new programs (HD,) requiring a box?, at same price as normal subscription. Have not had time to go there yet to confirm. Cheers

^^ 'post office'. Indeed. Best bet yet. Inexpensive, reliable, and frequent.

Wooden slat venetian blinds are available at Index near Big C Xtra. At the rear on the right. Can be made to order - so the sign says.

Thanks for the info, are they the thin blinds that use the same mechanism as my plastic/metal blinds now or do they have the central adjuster and thick slats?

There are the ready-made, designated-size, thinnish varieties to fit various frames. So go with the inside dimensions of your window frames As they screw to the top underside of the window frame, I could not buy as my window frames are completely filled with alum windows and screens.

They have the "Plantation" wooden blinds which are wide slats, and nice.

All in various shades of brown.

Likely aval throughout Thailand at Index stores.

Cheers

HONDA GOES ON AD BLITZ TO RETAIN CIVIC’S TOP SPOT

‘… “It’s a significant amount, probably more than we’ve ever spent before,” said Honda executive vice-president Jerry Chenkin.… he said it will include finance and lease rates of 1.9 per cent for 60 months and 48 months respectively and a $1,000 incentive “as a way of apologizing for the fact that customers may have to wait.”

At stake are more than bragging rights. A good buying and driving experience with that first vehicle encourages loyalty among owners and can allow an auto maker to retain a customer through several buying cycles….’

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/honda-goes-on-ad-blitz-to-retain-civics-top-spot/article2163212/?cmpid=nl-bizt1

Nice! Let’s see if Honda’s apology extends to Thailand’s potential Civic customers. And just why is it Thailand is deemed not ready for the hatchback.

I am hoping the new 2012 Civic exceeds my expectations despite "Consumer Reports" 'dis-ing' it.

Wooden slat venetian blinds are available at Index near Big C Xtra. At the rear on the right. Can be made to order - so the sign says.

Glacier Water, a large drinking water company in CMai, has switched to TATA trucks to deliver large amounts of 20L jugs throughout the city. The trucks are equipped with 2 large gas tanks below the bed, and the sides fold down for ease of access. My local delivery chap is very pleased with its mileage and toughness. As their older trucks need replacement, he said the company will go with TATA. FWIW.

Raming Tea sells great tea with a huge selection. Why not go directly to the source? The head of Raming Tea is also the Canadian Consul here in Chiangmai. The Raming Tea/ Canadian Consulate is on the Super Highway (Hwy 11) as one exits the city heading South to Lamphun/Lampang/Bkk, just past the 1141(Mahidol Rd) junction on the left(east). They have a nice air-conditioned cafe at the edge of the Super Highway with many varieties of tea for sale. They provide internet connection to while away your time there.

Hi. Why not take a look at the hardware store on Chotana directly opposite Tops entrance. There were similar laundry tubs outside on the sidewalk. HomePro prices not only seem high, they are high. As an example I was interested in buying acoustic foam-like tile at HomePro-Carrefour now BigC Xtra, so I'd noted their price: Three months later they were on 'sale' at 20% more than the normal price. All HomePro prices differ. If you must shop HomePro try the one on the south side of the super heading east just past the lights at Thipanya Hospital(formerly Ram2); there's another HomePro directly opposite on the north side which is usually more expensive than the store on the southside.

Also, price compare at Global, and be sure to check along the back wall for their disused lines. Another reasonably-priced supplier is TOR located just past the 'kids' car racing circuit' heading south to HangDong: a huge complex, can't miss it.

Not having had a reliable laptop, I tend to now stick with desktops. That being said; my son, his wife and their two daughters each have a Dell laptop, and have had reliably for over 5 years now.

I own a 4-year old Acer desktop, and have had to visit the Acer repair center regularly each month for the first 18 months due to Vista issues. I installed Win XP and now Win7; the Acer runs like a dream ever since. Incidentally while sitting in the Acer repair waiting room I witnessed numerous customers returning their laptops for service. Not having been there for two and a half years, this may not now be the case. Why not stroll by to get a feel for what problems if any the current clients are experiencing. Acer is on HueyKow Rd near the Phucome Intersection a few shops beside the 7-11. Just walk in, glance thru the magazines and ask the customers how they are enjoying their Acer Laptop experience.

"I accepted an offer of a ride to a bike shop, where the shop owner pronounced it DOA. The guy gave me his out of town phone number and said he'd give me some dough when i found out what repair/replacement costs were...."

And why did you not there and then have the guy buy the replacement based on the shop owner's advice.

BTW did you not then use your mobile to call his number while he was standing there.

It takes time and patience to paint a house whether inside or out: tape, tarpaulins, ladders, scaffolding, ropes, sandpaper and sanders, thinners, proper(costly)brushes which don't leave strands throughout the paint surface,and meticulously careful laborers who do not leave the floor or grounds spattered with paint. Slow, steady and conscientious are the bywords; and these take time. One has to scrape, possibly sandblast, and smooth the surface. If it's covered with black grey weathered scum then this takes more time to remove and dry before priming. Many want to save a few thousand baht by not priming, but hey. Two coats of prime, each coat sanded. Then two coats of quality 'washable' paint is best. Non-washable means the jingjok tracings, cats' paw marks, and children's artwork must remain a nuisance. I go with the advice of Bankruatsteve #30, TOA's washable 'Supershield Duraclean' for the interior, and various TOA exterior paints depending on your budget. Can't go wrong especially with 'Supershield Duraclean'. Albeit there are probably equally good brands, too: like ICI but not having used them, I can not recommend.

^ You will do well to avoid 'Nippon' and the famously cheap 'Junior' brands.

The accepted procedure is to rustproof the steel beams on the ground before raising them to frame the roof. It is best to do this at least twice, with particular attention to the inside where water condenses and accumulates. The painting can easily be done by a few ladies from the moobaan: these female laborers are usual competent and inexpensive, just keep an eye on them and provide lunch and munchies( same goes for all your laborers), with a weekly TGIF. The roof welding team are in demand, and consider themselves above this; besides, they usually have a waiting list of construction sites to go to. The roof-welding expert earlier will have advised you, having looked at the plans, what size and quantity to buy and rustproof before he arrives with his team. Preferred are 'C'-shaped lengths as opposed to totally enclosed beams to more easily gain painting access to the interior. Nonetheless, enclosed piping/beams can be rustproofed on the inside by placing on end in a bucket and then filled(these however retain condensation). Once erected, follow the advice given above and then repaint the welds, at least twice. I use grey-colored rustproofing to see where the rust forms; I suspect that the rust-colored paint one sees in frequent use is to do just the opposite. Ensure you buy and place radiant-reflective foil along each run from top to bottom leaving at least 2-inches of space from the roof tile. These foil rolls are 2000-3500B each, which is why many folks do not install, much to their chagrin later as they roast: stay beneath a roof with and one without; you will readily understand the advantage. That seems to be it on priming. Oh, and at least two coats of primer for walls, both new and old, before painting. Anything less will be obvious within a year. Have fun....

There is a shop which makes custom-made mats for yoga and work-outs: as large and as thick as you wish. RE the above map, on the top inside of the canal, on Sri Poom Rd, roughly across from Wat Chiang Yuen. Good quality. Quality vinyl covering: choose your own. Great for a child or invalid, alone or to top an existing expensive mattress. Cost depends. Cheers.