earlofwindermere

I believe that there are actually quite a lot of social groups around....most of them informal though. I know that there are several Rotary clubs, Lions club (I believe), Informal Northern Thai discussion club, Toastmasters, business networking groups as well as a lot of informal men's groups around. While not all are male-only, I'm not convinced that there is a big need for another group to be organized as you proposed. Just my opinion.

Thanks for your responses.

From what I've been told, ALL foreign directors on any Foundation Board are required to show proof.

After a lot of phone calls today, it appears that if the local consulate/embassy confirms that you have been living in Thailand since the last record check, the government will actually be fine with the other documents (ie passport, visa, etc). It appears as if the Bangkok trip for the certificate may not be necessary. However; if it is, thanks for the info on how to get there Clasbyclan.

I sit on the Board of Directors of a foundation here in Chiang Mai. When I first joined, I had to submit a criminal record check from my home country. This was not a problem since I was still living there at the time.

As per our bylaws, a new Board was just voted in and I am still on it. Apparently, the government requires another criminal record check from my home country...even though I've been living in Thailand for the past 5 years. Since I have no plans to travel back to my home country in the next few months, I cannot get the check done. The local consulate and the embassy in Bangkok do not provide this service as it must be done by a police agency.

Since there are hundreds of foundations in the city, I am assuming that one or two other farang have come across this same problem. What have you done?

I was just on their site looking for flights next April. Director flights are now available. 1000 baht plus taxes.

I agree.... Huey Tung Tao and Tweenchol (Horizon Resort) are also good options.

1. Chiang Mai Night Safari on Saturday MORNINGS is a favourite with us as well. 50 baht an adult. Kids are free. It opens at 10:00 am and there is nobody ever there.

2. 700 Years Stadium has a large park that attracts a lot of families.

3. I agree with the Long Neck comments. It's not really worth seeing.

Huai Khum Resort and Chiang Dao Nest are our family favourites. There is a group of long-neck Karen living a short drive away from Huai Khum.

Check it out.

Google Translate

My Thai staff said that it was quite obvious that several of the local translation companies have been using this service and then fixing the minor grammatical errors.

TITS radio has not been around for quite a few years.

I'm not going to defend his integrity or honesty as I only met him once.

However; his foot services were realy great and he fixed a lot of problems that other skin clinics could not.

Thanks. I love the Chinese restaurant at the Holiday Inn. I didn't know that there was a buffet. I'll have to try next weekend.

To defend Zappergeck, I have been to his clinic. I was impressed with his service and would recommend them for people who have surface issues on their feet.

From my research, the only medically licensed foot doctors are in Bangkok. For example, Bumrungrad has two orthopedic surgeons who specialize in feet. This probably doesn't fit the OP's requirements but it does seem that there are few Podiatrists around.

The rates sound good compared to what I've seen. I know that Nim See Seng charge anywhere from 2-10% per MONTH for vehicle leases. Nim See Seng are the red coloured offices found on nearly every second street in the city. They are only found in the north and charge people from other regions in Thailand a higher rate. Incidently, the maximum legal interest rate that leasing companies can charge is 15%. However; nearly every company exceed this rate as there is not enforcement of the law. 13% per year is a good rate from what I've seen.

I'm in the same situation as you (but with only two kids). I also use an accounting firm. They simply entered my salary and known deductions into a spreadsheet to determine the estimated tax to pay. They then divided by 12 and that is the amount that is deducted from my salary each month. It seemed quite simple to do.

I work out in Phrao often.

1. There are several resorts in the area that are quite nice. At least one (Doi Farang Bungalows) has a pool. Another nice one is Aomdoi Resort.

2. There are MANY new children's homes as well. From what I've counted, there are at least 5 rather large ones that started this past year.

3. There are quite a few foundations working in the area as well as missionaries.

In a recent trip, I stopped in at a noodle shop not too far from the main market They have several menus in English...which means that there must be a lot of tourists now stopping by. It's no surprise as the area is quite beautiful.

98.5 is Happy Radio. Sometimes, the music is ok.... but not always.

93.75 or 93.5 also has some English.

I use KSC at work. It costs more than most but the service is great and the speed is always constant. If the line goes down, I call the Chiang Mai office and it is usually working again within 10 minutes. If not, KSC often sends an English-speaking technician to fix it.

So, I'd recommend KSC if you want a good connection and are willing to pay for it.

I use the online backing at SCB. I find it really easy to use and convenient. My experience with SCB seems to be similar to Aurelius' experience with Banking Bank's internet banking.

I also believe that both systems are iphone friendly. Since both are free to sign up, try both and let us all know which is better from your experience.

There are several foreign doctors working in Chiang Mai as well. However; like others have said, I believe that they all took the Thai medical exam.

Good luck.

It might also be worth mentioning that there is a Montessori training program in Bangkok. A Chiang Rai Foundation, the Khom Loy Development Foundation, also trains Thai teachers in Montessori and then sets up Montessori programs in rural villages. Because of this Montessori is becoming a more accepted and well-known educational system in Thailand.

Dan

Welcome to Chiang Mai! We are likely a family that you would target for your school (expats in Chiang Mai with kids under 5). Here's my opinion....

1. There are many great options in Chiang Mai already and having a "pure" montesorri program would likely not be a huge drawing card even though it is one of the more popular philosophies with the foreign community.

2. Your suggested costs are on the high side...but not the highest in the city.

3. Your competition would be the following:

- Prem (they are expensive but have great facilities, teachers and resources).

- CMIS (they have just started a play-based school for toddlers. The preschool section is not accredited yet but plans to be).

- Mars Hills Pre-school (Montessori and Waldorf philosophy)

- Hanna Christian Kindergarten (a play-based school).

- Tongkla (a mix of Montessori and Waldorf).

- Kiddy Bear

- Little Stars

-Nandachart School

-American Pacific Kindergarten

-Baby Bee School

and many others

As an example, look at Tongkla school (I added the link). Their facilities are incredible, they have cctv via the internet, the teachers are all trained and billingual and the classrooms have more resources than any school I've seen. Their cost is 23,000 baht per term (two terms per year). With options like this (and others always starting up as well), I'd doubt that you could charge the amount you're thinking unless your school was really impressive. Like others have said, the typical expat here doesn't have a lot of money. The ones that do are usually well connected to Prem or CMIS already.

You'd also probably get more responses if you posted this (or had it transferred to) the Chiang Mai forum. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Several moobaans in the neighbourhood have had halloween parties during the previous years. Some are very well-organized and have games and haunted houses set up. Of course, these communities are ones with significant farang populations. I hesitate to say them on here because they are usually for people who live in the community & friends. My neighbourhood, Moobaan Tanawan, usually has had a small group of homes who have candy ready for the kids each year. However; I haven't heard of anyone doing it this year.

As far as ones open to the public, I have not heard of any this year. Usually, there are a few events around town.

I did this trip last year. The only flights to the area are on PB Air from Bangkok to Buriram.

However, there is a VIP bus that goes there from Chiang Mai. I think that it's Nakonchai Air. It's about a 12 hour bus journey.

I guess that it is also to point out that labour laws do not apply to domestic staff in Thailand. This includes even the most basic things like work hours, social welfare payments, etc. There really is a built-in double class system in Thailand.

One thing to add to envirogirl. The 5 day work week is not standard here. Nearly every company and organization work 6 days per week. (Govt do work 5). I think that a 6 day work week is pretty standard in most non-western countries. It may be good advice to you as well to not impose your western values and work ethic on the Thai culture as well. I say this half-sarcastically as our office only works 5 days a week.