ByblosYuNaiSoi

Hi,

I just tried to make an appointment with Immigration in CNX via the online queue system* / http://chiangmaiimm.com/th/queue-online.html /

I choose a date (Sept 23). The form below registers the date. However, the "time" pull-down menu does not work; no times are given. I tried dates all the way to 100-day limit outward; no times listed. Screen shot of results attached.

Is the system faulty or down today (11 am Sept 2), are there REALLY no times available, or am I doing it wrong?

Thanks in advance, Paul

*Non Imm O A extension, first time, deadline Oct 11.

queue site screen shot.docx

As I am sure you know that Thailand rail travel as is the whole of south east asia and the world could not be better covered as it is by The man in seat 61 ( wwwseat61.com } anyways good luck on your venture I have travelled to Thailand from the uk by land, sea, and air. by land ( rail ) was for me my best ever travel experience.

Yes, I agree - the site above has great, detailed info, and not just about Thailand.

RE Thailand, if you like a relaxing, more solitary experience, the first class sleeper (1900 THB Bangkok - Chiang Mai) is great. The whole train is available, but you can retreat to your private cabin anytime. Two experience have had perfectly adjustable AC also (sorry, no wind in your hair). Toilet was wet, as always, but clean, and stinky only when not moving. Also not much waiting for it in first class.

RE food and drink: they will deliver to your room, but were quite demanding about tips. I like to tip, but don't like compulsion, so I got my own food / drink in the station. But the resto car sounds like fun.

RE time: in my experience, (BKK Chaing Mai and Hua Hin), the trains have ALWAYS been late. Chiang Mai was 3 hours late once. So factor that in. It's the journey far more than the destination.

If you like train travel, you'll probably like it!

Thanks all. I need to know specifically:

- which Big C (comprehensive and big) is most practical with songtheaw from the east side, between Thapae Gate and river.

- what "superhighway" means. I think Google maps shows it as 11 and Chiang Mai Lampang road. Is that it?

Thanks again.

ps: thanks for recs for other stores; however my time in BKK taught me that only Big C carries what I need regularly.

Thanks Ramrod for the helpful info. Is superhighway the one numbered 11, Chiang Mai - Lampang road?

Hi,

I am new to Chiang Mai, and want to go to Big C. After some time in Bangkok, I know they (and prob. only they) have what I need occasionally, under one roof.

- Which location is biggest, best, most comprehensive?

- How to get there by songtheaw (or other shared transport)? I live between Thapae Gate and Warorot Market.

Thanks very much.

There aren't 3 models, Wikipaedia has it in a nutshell in it's first paragraph see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(Buddhism)

Maybe there are infinite and/or zero models.

Maybe it's exactly what it is, when it is or isn't

Self study and practice. I just learned 10 new Thai words every day, kept rehearsing them, and avoided speaking English. Still regret I only learned the script several years later. You might look into downloading Fundamentals of the Thai language. It takes perseverance, but the effort certainly pays off. Those who do not actively study, remain stuck in a phase of speaking about 50 words that they picked up.

I think Keestha has a very good point here. IF you learn to read just a little, then there are learning opportunities wherever you go, reading signs and other text. Especially if English translation is there in signs, you can pick up new vocabulary. And speak to people as much as you can, using what you know. You get stuck, and then try again. Have fun, study, be patient, and practice!

You can walk to the MRT from here but amazingly there is no sidewalk from the exit area to the MRT so you have to walk on the road with all the traffic.

Or you could use the nice overhead walkway they built to make the link more convenient.

My experiences with the Airport Rail Link have been pretty flawless. There has always been a decent crowd;

went to BKK at rush hour, and it was very crowded. The walkway from Petchaburi MRT to Makkasan Rail Link is easy, with escalator and smooth walkways to roll my bag. Admittedly the rail station does seem bigger than necessary.

Hi,

I'm moving on up to Chiang Mai in a month, and will need some lamps and fans for the new place. Any suggestions on where to go for good deals? I understand Warorot is great for general household stuff - how about electrical?

I'm interested in where budget-minded Thais shop. Malls and department stores tend toward the expensive side, at least in Bangkok.

Thanks

check out the facebook groups for secondhand stuff, probably the best value youll find, not junk.

if i had a house it would have been furnished from those groups by now, most stuff is sold by expat women.

sometimes craigslist has stuff, but not usually in cnx.

HI,

I'm also looking for quality furniture. Which Facebook groups do you mean?

Hello,

I'm moving up to Chiang Mai from BKK next month, and want to stay in a cheap place in the old city while I search for a permanent place. I would be willing to stay for a month to get the best rate.

I need private bath, AC, WiFi, fridge, and kitchenette or use of a common kitchen.

Any ideas for me? Thanks in advance
BYNS

Thanks to both of you.

Jeremy, thanks for the detailed directions.

Sr. El Jefe, I've been to Maesa Camp, and know what's of offer. Not forced logging, but still..

it seems from what you say that it's either a full, dedicated day or exploitation central. Too bad.

Also, which direction is Samong Road? Can't find it on Google Maps. Towards Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, North, South,East, West?

thanks,

Thanks Jeremy - but do you or anybody have an idea of those camps you mention which treat the animals well? Like, don't saddle-ride, overwork, drug?

My concern is supporting a place that is doing right by the animals.

Thanks.

HI,

Family members are coming end of the month. We'll go to Chiang Mai for three days, and want a decent elephant experience: not an exploitative, picture-painting, football-playing show. The real sanctuaries I've contacted (Baan Chang, Elephant Nature Park, Jumbo Camp) are inflexible in that they require you to spend a full day with them.

Is there any middle ground: a place to see elephants (no riding necessary), interact somehow if possible, for less than a full day, near Chiang Mai?

Thanks!

Hi all, and happy coup!

I need to buy some substantial, waterproof sandals. I would like to get sturdy, Thai-made, cheap ones, but I have big (US 12, Euro 45/46) feet.

Then, I need to find a shoe repair place in Satorn / Silom area to get those altered for my specific foot issue.* HOWEVER, if you know a good one somewhere else (but near MRT), please suggest those also.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

*flat, need a strip attached to inside sole; I've had it done in Beirut, Austin, and Arkansas - not a problem when the shoe man is found.

Hi and thanks to everybody for their suggestions. Now I am wondering about the heat and crowds. My family are from American Air Conditioning Land, and I have concerns that Beijing in July/August will be unbearable, even with a decent hotel with A/C. And that it's "wall to wall" bodies at the Forbidden City and the Wall.

Any reactions to that?

Thanks very much!

I should start with the hotel: looking for mid-range, similar to Ibis chain here in BKK, and good location. What's a "good location," if the one thing you know you want from Beijing is the Forbidden City? Travelers are two 70-year-olds one 53 yr old, all in decent shape. We just won't be doing 50 km hikes, that's all.

Hey, thanks much to you both. Would you be willing to share details? I really don't quite know where to start on this.

Hello, I have family visiting from the US in July/August, and they want to go to China for a few days; it would necessarily be brief, just a taste, probably just Beijing and environs (Forbidden City, the Wall, etc). For me, the ideal would be to join up with an English-language tour over there.

Has anyone done this, and do you have any advice?

Thanks much

Hi Wym,

Thanks, I suspected those. Have you ever actually seen those things there?

HI,

I'm looking for a good place to buy bath gear, in particular a sisal mitts or loofas. I don't go out shopping much, so thanks in advance for suggestions on where to go. I live in Sathorn, so near there is preferred, tho Sukhumvit and Chit Lom are easy access.

Happy hot days to everybody.

Lumpini Park is not very nice for jogging right now - comments below sum it up. Maybe try Benjakiti, near Rama IV and Ratchadapisek, Queen Sirikit Metro. Very nice lake and paths. BUT, watch out for speeding bicycles.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/bangkok/sights/parks-gardens/benjakiti-park

Jing's Guesthouse is nice, I was there for 4 nights about a month ago. The have suites for 1050 THB a night that are really nice, it is quiet and right in the middle of all the dinning and action area, a five minute walk to the beach.

www.jings.in.th

Hi,

I have to report the opposite experience for Jing's unfortunately. The room, price, staff were great, BUT the noise from all the bars in the area - live bands and karaoke, etc.- was deafening with all doors and windows shut, until 3 am. Lucky I had earplugs, so I could sleep.

I think this would be true for all the guesthouses in the central bar/restaurant area. However, there are two guesthouses out over the water, where you would hear the surf instead of the woof: Sirima 032 511 060 and Mod 032 512 296

Hi,

I am seeing t shirts in Silom with lucky ๙ (9) and some text. I like the shirts, but want to know what the Thai text says, in case....you know... I haven't had a translator handy when I've seen them, so if anybody, info would be appreciated.

Thanks,