cm das

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere. My wife is due to give birth in 2 months, and as part of the preparations we've been discussing traditional Thai customs for what the mother should/shouldn't do after giving birth. Mostly what I'm talking about here is yu fai - the practice of the new mother staying close to a fire, not going outside, not washing her hair, using special herbal compresses, etc. I am very open to respecting the local customs on this... so long as there is no threat to the well-being of the mother. My wife has lived abroad and does not blindly accept the dictates of Thai custom. On postpartum practices though, she is adamant that they are necessary for the future health of the mother. I've searched here & on google for any kind of medical study of the effectiveness/risks associated with Thai postpartum practices, but haven't been able to find much. There are lots of studies about attitudes towards these customs, or about perceived effectiveness, but I haven't found any clearcut scientific studies recommending for or against.

Both my wife and I are pretty reasonable people - if there's no harm then I will respect what seems to me like an unnecessary & kind of unpleasant ritual, or if there's a proven risk then my wife will rethink her plans. So I'm just looking for data. References to scientific studies would be appreciated, but anecdotal comments are welcome as well. Thanks in advance.

There is however supposed to be some musical events planned for the next few days. I suspect Thai pop and rock bands. They are issuing warnings that the musical events could become rowdy and people could be injured...

The usual winter fest is on as of today. From now til Jan 10 there will be many bands performing & all kinds of cheap stuff for sale out by the 700 year stadium. I can hear the drums & bass from my window as I type. I saw a good show by Taxi a few years ago, but the the concerts do get rowdy & trouble does break out. When I was there standing in the middle of the crowd, a sudden commotion behind me caught my attention. I turned to see a wide space opening quickly around a group of 10 or so teenage thugs. Some held sticks & bottles, a few blows were thrown. Then just as quickly the police moved in, in bigger numbers and with bigger sticks. What followed wasn't pretty but I have to say the authorities stopped the trouble quickly & thoroughly. Until the next night, that is... Haven't been back since.

I've never had, or been on either a blue or yellow book and don't really know why I would need them. I've had about 18 one-year visas and a similar number of one-year work permits and I don't think anyone ever asked for one? Why specifically do you need them? That was what the question was about, by the way - Do I need one? 

You don't need one. But my understanding is that the yellow book will obviate the need for a certificate of residence from Immigration. So if you're buying/registering a vehicle, or getting/renewing a driver's license, or something like that, you won't need to trek down to Immigration & spend 500 Baht each time. It seems like it's about once a year that I need one of these documents & so the yellow book will save me that trip (and the effort of getting the necessary documents together). No, it won't make a huge difference in my life but I appreciate the convenience. For those who have work permits, I think they too will work to verify residence.

I just got my tabien baan/yellow book today, from the amphur office in the old city. The process was very simple (especially since my lovely wife filled out the forms for me). All I needed was copies of my passport, visa, entry stamp and marriage certificate, along with the certificate of residence from Immigration and my wife's ID & blue book (for the house we share). It cost 100 Baht for the yellow book and took about 10 days. The woman at the amphur office was very friendly and helpful. I'm certainly glad that from now on I won't have to drop 500 Baht at Immigration each time I need to document my residence. One interesting thing we noticed - the yellow book lists a national ID number in my name. I don't know if that has any practical meaning for me but I'd like to find out.

Glad you had a good day out, but I must be feeling jaded. After reading the title & seeing the first picture my first thought was "Yeah, I can see those kids getting drunk & then whizzing down the mountain way too fast on their scooters, helmetless to boot." That may not be debauchery, more like recklessness. In any case, not just innocent fun. But may they'll flag down a songthaew instead. And maybe I need a vacation...

My wife is at 28 weeks and we've been going to see Dr. Udom at Lanna. Initially we went with Dr. Supriya at Kulapat clinic but neither of us were very comfortable with her. It was nothing to do with her experience or qualifications, we just simply felt that her approach was to treat the pregnancy as a crisis that needed to be constantly managed. Dr. Udom, who also came highly recommended by both Thai & farang mothers, makes us feel much more comfortable. This is a highly subjective thing, of course. As for the wait, first of all we had very long waits at Kulapat, as long or longer than Lanna. And recently my wife has taken to showing up early to get in the queue, then coming back home for an hour or so before we return for our visit with the doctor. This way we usually have to wait only about half an hour. It's easy for us since we live close to the hospital, but you could just as easily spend that time at a coffee shop, or Tesco, or wherever.

According to my wife, who was trying to get to Airport Plaza around midday yesterday, there was a massive police presence outside Wing 41 & the road to the airport was closed to all traffic just past the Airport Plaza entrance. Maybe that's why no one turned up to protest - couldn't get there.

All or part of the Samoeng loop makes for a beautiful ride. Can't help you with gearing. Chiang Mai traffic takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of it it's not so bad. I ride in town often. On a busy street hand signals will help. Otherwise just keep your eyes open & expect the unexpected. I have had one mountain bike stolen here (on CMU campus, just after sunset). It was locked, but with only a cheap cable & the thief cut right through it. I'd say a hefty cable or U lock is a good idea. Happy riding.

I just brought much of my lp collection over. It's true there's lots of music out there online but I did many searches & couldn't find much of what I was looking for. One example - Sweet Apple by the band Sweet Apple. Classic late 60s funk ala Sly & the Family Stone.

Everything can be found online. I did one search for "Sly & the Family Stone" and found hundreds of links. Here's one: - http://rapidshare.com/files/113807262/Grea...Hits__1970_.rar

I think you misunderstood my post. Of course you can find Sly's music online. The obscure album I mentioned (Sweet Apple) is one that sounds kind of like Sly but it's a completely different band. I searched for it many times over the course of several years but never could find it online (though there are other bands called Sweet Apples online).

I plan on buying a turntable - I'm not really daunted by the time it'll take to convert my collection. I mean, I'm not in any hurry & I actually want to listen to all that music - that's the whole point, right?

I don't know of anywhere, but I'm intrigued to know what you have that you can't find on the internet to download? I only ask because I was always thinking of bringing my LP collection over one of these days, then I realised that most of them are probably available on file-sharing sites.

I just brought much of my lp collection over. It's true there's lots of music out there online but I did many searches & couldn't find much of what I was looking for. One example - Sweet Apple by the band Sweet Apple. Classic late 60s funk ala Sly & the Family Stone. I've never been able to find another copy other than the one I own (which is now here in Chiang Mai).

There used to be a small kitchen supply shop near the Royal Peninsula Hotel (that's not far from Sri Phum corner on the way to Tesco Kamthieng). They had cookie cutters and all sorts of baking stuff like that. I haven't been by there in about 3 years but I should check again & get the name if they're still in nusiness since about once a month I find a reason to mention the place to someone.

Not so fast on the code: my 5 year automobile license, the new plastic kind issued 18 months ago in Chiang Mai, has no address on the back or front. (In my earlier post I incorrectly said it was my motorcycle license with no address). Maybe mine's a fluke but it just ain't so that all driver's licenses have an address. I've got the proof in my wallet. Anyway, that's enough for me on this issue.

On the address thing, I have 2 Thai driver's licenses - car and motorcycle. Both are 5 year licenses & both were issued in Chiang Mai. The car license has my address printed on the back but the motorcycle address has no address anywhere (and yes, I can read Thai). I don't know what the rule is on this, but it seems that not all Thai DLs have an address.

As for the OP's strange predicament, how about getting a car/van & driver to take you to the border & back? It shouldn't cost too much more than renting a car, and I'm guessing that those extra baht wouldn't really be an issue.

The reports keep coming in - I guess many of us are desperate for another pizza option. I went last night & had a 16 inch pizza that was pretty close to the pizza I grew up eating in northeastern New Jersey, maybe 20 miles from Manhattan. The crust was just about right in texture - thin & slightly crispy towards the middle, thicker & chewy around the edges. Steven's imported flour makes a difference. And with 2 toppings the pizza was pricey but huge by local standards. It's the first time that my wife & I couldn't finish one together. The sauce and cheese were satisfying, I can't say they really stood out, but overall it was a good approximation of standard, not great, NY area pizza. And in Chiang Mai that's saying something. Check it out for yourself.

They deliver within 3 km, which cuts me out. I'll be back for more though, as I happen to pass by there often already. Good job and good luck to Steven and crew. And once you settle in, maybe a little more atmosphere?

A true New Yorker, or any American for that matter, would never, NEVER put ketchup on a pizza. (Unless maybe they've been in Thailand way too long)

As of last week Mark (the sax player) was back with the Gurus.

I considered getting a Boxer before I bought my D-Tracker (which I love). In my opinion the bike itself isn't bad looking but the factory paint jobs are awful. No offense to posters here, but I don't like the factory custom jobs much more. The colors or tones or something look way cheap & rinky-dink to me. In fact, I think the police bikes are the best-looking out there. Crazy.

I'm still following Tiger's progress, especially as the service reports are so glowing. I gotta say I like what Kawasaki is doing these days, but in the future I might consider a Tiger if they stay on this road.

Jaguar had sonics and cbr150s as of about a year ago. They're on a small soi off Moon Muang, I think it's the first soi on the left as you go up Moon Muang from Ratchawiti.

Over time the "red" faction of the millitary will get more numbers. Simply because the military statistically will recruit more people from the red powerbase. The powerbase that Thaksin built his rise on is still growing faster, just look at the demographics of thailand. Of course there is a chance that officers only get recruited from certain circles of society, but that is also a dual edged sword. Talent dont follow social status.

I dont see how the elite junta can keep to their absolute power without moving toward a less democratic and more oppressive society. Its a power change you see in any country with a rapid growing population.

This so called powerbase is rapidly eroding after Mr T's Cambodian debacle. Those who were ready to forgive his indiscretions in the past have taken to calling him a traitor.

I can second this point. My wife's family (from Chiang Mai) all used to support Thaksin & they voted PPP in the first post-coup election. They've been gradually getting less and less enthusiastic over the last 2 years though & now they say they're sick of Thaksin - they wish he'd just give up & shut up.

You could also pick up some of the G-T Rider Maps (e.g. Mae Hong Son Loop, Golden Triangle). While they're geared towards motorcycle riders, they're generally a solid, thorough resource on the backroads of Northern Thailand. I can think of many dirt tracks I've ridden that would have been very nice walks.

If you need to stay within an hour's drive, I'd suggest going for one of the resorts along the Samoeng Loop, where the mountain will block the city glare. But consider heading to the Chiang Dao area (1.5 hours away) or all the way up Doi Angkhang (3+ hours) where the show could be spectacular. And thanks for the reminder. I'd like to get out of town too if I can swing it.

Sorry you were disappointed. I've been twice in recent months & had different fish dishes each time (though I can't remember what they were). Yes it's a Lanna style place but certainly there was a decent selection of fish, much more than just fried rice, and I found that the freshness and preparation of the fish as well as the accompanying sauces were excellent. I don't claim to be a connoisseur but both my wife and I agreed that Baan Gup Doi was superior to Phuket seafood, where we've eaten several times. Maybe your experience was affected by the fact that that corner had a big Loy Krathong celebration and perhaps the staff was recovering and/or the restaurant's stock was depleted? Or maybe we just have different tastes?

I'm sure I saw a closed toe Teva at Super Sports in Airport Plaza a few months ago. Not exactly like the Keen you have pictured but close. And Crocs have recently come out with a similar style. I tried them on at Robinsons within the last month.

The biggest retailer of boxing gear that I know of in town is in the old city, close to Three Kings monument. I can't recall the name, but the sign is only in Thai. Anyway, if you're facing Three Kings, head to your right up the street, that's north towards Chang Puak gate. Just before you reach 7-11 there's a sporting goods shop on the left. In back is a a wide selection of boxing gear and they'd probably work a deal with you for a bulk order.

Gap's House, down the soi behind the AUA language school on Ratchadamnoern, has a very good veggie buffet in the evenings. It's a small, Lanna/garden style place with great atmosphere.