tung tsz

Unfortunately its got to be a laptop

as the studying will be away from home

Thanks for the advice guys

tung tsz

Can anyone advise on price range for a basic laptop

for word processing and accessing internet in Chiang Rai,

nothing fancy as users computer skills are limited,

something suitable for a student?

I better option is to go to J-Sat (Bangkok) or there are several providers in Chiang Mai such as Tech. Sat. They will provide you with a steerable option that will allow you access to Panmarsat (South Afician). In my view this is better than Agila (Philippines satellite). You will lose Agila in the rain. Panmarsat will work even in the heavest of rain. Also they can proved a second dish to downloadthe key codes. The latest option is E-box where you satellite decoder is connected permanentley to the internet for the downloads of the key codes. Let me know if you want more infomation. I have had my sytem installed now for a few months and it is certainly a better alternative to UBC. You will recoup you intial capital in 9 months

Nigel

Hi Nigel

Very interested in your post as UBC rugby coverage is not very good

Does Panmarsat (South Afician) have the very good SA coverage of world rugby?

It's not clear from your post, do you live in Chiang Rai ? If so I take it you had no problems getting your dish etc connected after buying in Chiang Mai?

Much obliged

tung tsz

France, England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy

I'd like England to do the Slam (of course) but I think France may be just too strong at home. It will not be for the faint hearted!

I don't think Wales can repeat the form of last year. There's just too many injuries to what is still a relatively shallow squad. Their autumn results showed that. They get 3rd spot this year.

Ireland also need to improve on the autumn series and Eddie Sullivan needs to clear out some of the veterans in the squad. Their best chance for a Slam was probably two years ago and they blew it. I'd place them 4th .... but .... did anybody see Leinster play Bath in the Heineken Cup?! BOD and the rest looked in top form so Ireland could spring a few surprises on that basis.

Scotland .... autumn form was better than the results indicated. It will be tight but I think they'll end up 5th this year. Still more time needed for the rebuilding to really show.

Italy .... sorry, but it's the wooden spoon for them in 06.

Can't wait!

Yep,

Saw Leinster last night BOD was magic

Don't forget Munster did the same to Sale at the weekend

So maybe the Irish are peaking at the right time ?

Nobody expects anything from Ireland this year so they

might spring a surprise (of course they usually do spring a surprise by

losing when they are supposed to be in top form )

tung tsz

Excellent. TVM TSZ.

John

aradur,

One point I forgot to make

because of the interest in soccer

you may find a bar with satellite

but when the rugby time comes

if it clashes with the soccer they may

not switch over

Always check with the management well in advance

I've been burned like that before

tung tsz

aradur,

Just in case you drop in again - an update

In Thailand -

The Eng v Wales game will be on delayed live

ESPN at 1 a.m. Saturday night/Sunday morning

(thats about 1-2 hrs behind live)

Ireland v Italy at 9 a.m. Sunday morning

tung tsz

The big hotel on the right before the bridge has a big parking place. You just drive to the bridge and turn to the right into the soi with the little tourist shops, pass the entry of the hotel, cross a little street and you are there. Always two or three boys keeping an eye on things. Give the boys a tip (20 Baht for instance) and you are always welcome back.

If you are guest of the hotel or you are going to enjoy the buffet, use the toilet or whatever, you are entitled to use the parking place.

Problem solved .

Limbo.

Many Thanks Limbo

tung tsz

Excellent. TVM TSZ.

John

aradur,

One point I forgot to make

because of the interest in soccer

you may find a bar with satellite

but when the rugby time comes

if it clashes with the soccer they may

not switch over

Always check with the management well in advance

I've been burned like that before

tung tsz

Will be in Chiange Rai early Feb when England will thrash Wales at the oval ball game

Anyone know if the 6 Nations rugby games will be shown on Thai TV - If so where?

Thanks

John

Arthur you won`t have a problem finding somewhere to watch the rugby. It will be on one of the satellite channels( ESPN or Star Sports). Most of the bars have satellite tv.

Your only difficulty will be the time difference. don`t forget to adjust your watch.

aradur,

I was in Chiang Rai same time two years ago

Had a hel_l of a job finding somewhere to see rugby

(everyone told me no problem just find a bar - not so easy if you are not in the know)

Very frustrating if you are an ardent rugby fan

Advise you try to get more specific advice here on which bar/bars to go to

or if in hotel should be OK - best bet is somewhere with the South African

satellite feed which covers all rugby games live

I know where to find in Chiang Mai but not in Chiang Rai

as I am not allowed out to bars there on my own

Other point is be warned -

in Thailand the Premier League soccer seems to take preference

You may find the game being aired at 4 a.m. or so

or maybe even 9 a.m. next day

That happened last year with a couple of games

If you don't get any better feedback here pm me

([email protected])

and I'll see what I can find out (when do u arrive/leave)

I may even be back about that time myself

Good Luck

tung tsz

Can’t someone with a Thai partner phone Big C to find out if they ever show English version films or Asian films dubbed or subtitled into English?

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I saw an English movie once at big c, spoken thai, english subtitle.

Just outside Big C there is a little massage place

(only 3 or 4 beds)

It was 100 B for an hour and

they gave a good all over massage

It was just a few yards in from the

restaurant beside the car park exit

Don't know if still there but it

was very good value for money

tung tsz

New Year Festival Provokes Tighter Security in Mae Sai

"MAE SAI: -- Thai authorities plan to step up surveillance in border regions, particularly around the Mae Sai checkpoint, during the coming New Year Festival.

Pittaya Chinawat, director of the Office of Narcotics Control Board Section 5, told The Irrawaddy today that his office will collaborate with the Thai military and immigration authorities in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces to increase surveillance in high-risk areas along the Thai-Burma border.

Mae Sai, a popular border crossing among tourists in Thailand and Burma, is considered a particularly high-risk area, and Thai authorities are concerned that drug traffickers will attempt to use tourists as carriers. Large crowds are expected to pass through the immigration checkpoint into Tachileik, Burma, during the holiday.

Pittaya warned that tourists may experience delays on the northern route to Mae Sai, as authorities have established additional police and military checkpoints.

“In addition, travelers should also be careful when they park their cars,” Pittaya added. “Drugs may be hidden in your vehicle.”

He further warned travelers not to accept any packages from strangers, particularly from the Burma border area. “We think this time the movement from big traffickers may decrease because they know that we will be watching.”

The increase in surveillance is part of a national drug clearance strategy—first initiated in 2003—which has been in effect since December 20 and will continue until late January 2006. Other features of the strategy include the use of drug-detecting dogs and an x-ray machine to screen cars for hidden caches of drugs.

Mae Sai immigration authorities will also be on the lookout for migrant workers trying to enter the country illegally and smugglers attempting to transport illegal goods into Thailand.

According to Pol Col Jetsada Yaisun, head of the Mae Sai Immigration Office, additional security cameras have been installed around the Mae Sai border checkpoint to track illegal activity such as human trafficking and to monitor Thai travelers who cross the border to gamble in Tachileik.

Mae Sai’s border checkpoint will be open from 6:30 pm to midnight on New Year’s Eve. Thai officials anticipate that some 10,000 people will cross the border each day during New Years celebrations.

--irrawaddy.org 2005-12-27 "

Anyone else notice this in the news clipping forum

Must admit -I never even thought about this when parking in Mae Sai !

tung tsz

I'm not sure this is really Thai-specific advice, but I think the best you can do is provide emotional support over the phone to your GF, being sensitive to her level of exhaustion from the vigile.  See if she has anything she wants to "vent" that she doesn't feel is appropriate to discuss with her Thai family, e.g. frustrations about interactions between siblings or whatever, and encourage her to get some sleep!

At least, this is all I could do in similar circumstances when my wife's father passed away.

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Excellent advice.

My Thai wife's father just passed away and I discovered that it was just like when my own father passed away a few years ago. If anything, Thais are more umm, relaxed about the realities of life/death and certainly have no expectations as to how you should act.

Silence, respect, a sounding-board for your mate will all be sincerely appreciated.

An honest hug cures just about everything in the realm of human trauma...

Great handle and sig line, btw...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cheers guys,

That answers all of my worries

Unfortunately going back is not an option

because of my job - I cannot leave here

for next few weeks (as in -I do not have a choice)

I'll just hang by the phone and wait for the bad

news and then do as advised by you

Many thanks again

tung tsz

Best thing is to let your GF guide you as to what you should do. But as BKK90210 said be careful about requests for large sums of money.  Normally a small donation is normal and given to the family in an envelope. Since you are not there your GF will/can handle that.

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Thanks guys,

Its a bit late for flowers - I think he'll be gone before they would get there

Re: money - thanks for the advice -if she can handle it no problem, I look after her well.

I was more worried about the face issue

- should I be seen to be there to support her

at the funeral or as

a farang does that not matter so much?

--------------------------------------

First, you can order flowers in thailand via internet...some will deliver for free (depending on where the hospital is)

Second, I don't know how traditional and conservative her family and relatives are. Some may not view you favorably if they see you with her especially if they knew you have the place together prior to marriage.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks a lot everone

Much obliged

tung tsz

Best thing is to let your GF guide you as to what you should do. But as BKK90210 said be careful about requests for large sums of money.  Normally a small donation is normal and given to the family in an envelope. Since you are not there your GF will/can handle that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks guys,

Its a bit late for flowers - I think he'll be gone before they would get there

Re: money - thanks for the advice -if she can handle it no problem, I look after her well.

I was more worried about the face issue

- should I be seen to be there to support her

at the funeral or as

a farang does that not matter so much?

tung tsz

Hi Guys/Gals,

Excuse me if this is the wrong forum

If so, could someone please redirect me to

somewhere where it has been discussed before

G/F and I have been together a few years

and we have our own place, but I work abroad

G/Fs father is on the verge of death (days, maybe hours)

She is practically living in the hospital , caring for him.

Unfortunately I cannot get back

is there any advice anyone can give me

as to etiqutte/tradition etc in the event of his death

or as a farang am I pretty much out of the loop ?

If not is there anything I really should do?

Any advice greatly appreciated

tung tsz

I have posted this request for help in other postings but it may get lost or not seen.

Presently living approx. 40 KM north of Chiangrai and going 'Nuts'!

Would like to move into Chiangrai or at least within 3-6 KM of CR.

If anyone has knowledge of a relatively New 1 or 2 story, 2 - 3 bedroom house, Not townhouse or condo, for rent - Please PM me.

Do not care about cost as long as it is reasonable - OK!  3,000 - 5,000 Baht.

Any help in this regard will be much appreciated.

Al

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Hi chiangrai57020,

Our place is in Sinthanee 5 at Ban Dhu

Its a nice place to live

Walking round it there seem to be a lot of vacant houses/bungalows

It's about 8 km north of CR and a few farang residents

Suggest you front up at the sales office at the gate and they

may have some info on rentals in the estate

tung tsz

this year Loy Krathong is on 16th Nov

Loi Krathong and Candle Festival

11-16 November 2005

Sukhothai

Yipeng Festival

15-17 November 2005

Chiang Mai

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Much obliged BambinA

tung tsz

Can anyone tell me on

exactly which day will the

Loi Krathong celebrations be

held in Chiang Rai this year ?

Many Thanks

tung tsz

This has nothing to dowith car park, but if i were to take a bus to Rayong, would i be able to get transport to Ban Phe, like a bahy bus maybe, and about how far.

                    thanks,

Barry

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Barry

Its been about 18 mths since I was there

but there was a very regular songthaew

service between Rayong and Ban Phe

Its about 25 km and takes about 30 mins

Pleasant enough journey

tung tsg

Donegal/Derry

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Hi Tayto

Antrim man here

tung tsz

Also it is nice to tell someone to fcu* off when you are having a bad day..............

[now how the he** do I spell] anonymusly.

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Hi Tayto,

I just wondered where you hail from originally?

can make a good guess from your avatar and nickname

tung tsz

No, the center Wang Come is stil dry, the road to Wiangchai is still dry, even the new planted rice is still thirty cm above water level in that area.

For a couple of days it looked as if the schools in Ban San Sai Noi, eight kilometers to the south along the super highway would have to close (that's where the water from the mountains around the Khun Korn waterfall ends up), but to great disappointment of teachers and kids it didn't work out that way. Both the new and the old airport are still dry as well.

Only the road behind the Regional Hospital, probably the lowest point in town was flooded a couple a days ago but for not more than one hour.

There hasn't been that much rain and the new canalisation system of Chiang Rai seems to work well.

Limbo.

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Many Thanks Limbo

Hi Folks

Just wanted to enquire if there is any flooding in Chiang Rai?

Around the town and airport area ?

tung tsz

To quote a letter I received from the Inland Revenue, "For Retirement Pension purposes your working life is 49 years and is counted from the start of the tax year in which you reach the age of 16 to the end of the tax year before you reach State Pension age. To get the full amount of Basic Pension you need to have paid or have been credited with enough full rate National Insurance (NI) contributions for 44 of those years." unquote.

I am 57, I live in Thailand with my Thai wife and I pay Voluntary Class 3 Contributions to preserve my basic UK pension rights. The State Pension is payable in Thailand although you will not benefit from annual rises linked to the cost of living while living in Thailand.  Strictly speaking you are not eligible for free treatment on the National Health which is why I maintain a World-Wide Health Insurance Policy.

Cost versus benefit:  Voluntary Class 3 contributions some 300 pounds per year, potential pay back in 7/8 years time some 5,000 pounds per year (at todays rate).  Moreover, if you were to marry a Thai lady she would benefit from a 60% widow's pension when you die.

Is it worth having? I think it is, but each to their own particular circumstances.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was told roughly the same as Nomad97

I left UK for 5 years before I even thought about N.I

When I contacted them they checked my history

and including college time they basically said it wasn't

worth my while contributing even if I tried to buy back

Its not on a like for like basis and you need the long service to get

the full whack

With my history they said I'd be lucky to get a 25% pension

if I contributed until the end of my working life

Advised me to get into a private pension plan

So I've been away for 30 yrs now

and no intention of going back now

tung tsz

Once you've had a break-in, there's a very high probability of having another one since the burgler is now familiar with the place.  I once had my apartment broken into 3 times in 3 weeks, after having lived there for 8 years with no problems.  The landlord put bars on the windows, which could be removed from the inside, but they can become rusted over time.  Outdoor light with a motion sensor may help.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you are getting bars on the windows

make sure they know what they are doing

I arrived back to find they had started and

already fitted two lovely sets of bars on the

outside of two ground floor windows

with nuts sitting exposed where anyone with time

could remove the bars easlily

They were most upset when I insisted they

put them on the inside where they might be useful

but then I am an unreasonable farang

tung tsz

Can any of you old Chiang Rai hands

recommend a tailor in CR ?

Just looking to get a few basics like

casual long trousers and short sleeve shirts

tung tsz