groo

I got caught twice. Once with a Nissan truck that was 4 months old. THe emission was more than allowed!. (*still shocked*).

Not playing with chemicals(acetone) though but thanks for the advice.

What's the penalty? Pull off the road and walk home, or fine & drive?

They take your driving license, give you a book in thai language about emissions and pollution, they issue you a summont and you drive wherever you were heading to. Pay the fine at the police station and get your license back. i think the fine was 500Baht.

They always have these checks out at the Superhighway coming in from Bangkok> just below the flyover going to Airport across the CM - Lamphun HIGHWAY. Not CM-Lamphun road. Near the entrance of Wat Don Chan, Caltex. Isuzu showroom.

Alas, once you have made a visa run down to Penang, the Indian establishments in Chiang Mai never seem quite the same. And those in the US become unworthy altogether.

Indian food in penang, is different. Its mostly South Indian. The ones in Chiang Mai is mostly Northern Indian. Big Big difference.

And to tell you the truth. Nothing like rice on banana leaf, with fish curry soaking in it, a fried mackerel fillet, mutton masala, some pappadum and little vege to go with it. Gulp that down with some coke and it makes your day seems worth living just for food ! ..

Dosai anyone?? ###### it, we need a south indian restaurant here in chiang mai. seriously.

About time too IMO - The crapthat comes out of most Songtaews is outrageous, trouble is they'll get a minimal fine and be allowed to carry on.

Groo how the hel_l did a nearly new car fail????

Thats something I should have asked the cops that day. Except I didn;t know how to say in Thai "what the ^%% are you talking about you &%^&head?, thats not my test ^%&ing filter". They must have mixed that test filter up with many other trucks. But I am not sure

But the songteaw people with crappy emissions ought to be jailed. These things are just taken lightly. Open burning etc.

I got my results at:

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ to SF

Last Result:

Download Speed: 507 kbps (63.4 KB/sec transfer rate)

Upload Speed: 106 kbps (13.3 KB/sec transfer rate)

Please please everyone. its www.speakeasy.net and not with a .com or .org.

Am at Superhighway, TT&T Line, TT&T internet. Its actually with Hinets. Am paying Baht999 per month with 2MB/s. Never reached close to that speed but downloaded Real Player this morning at close to 1MB/s. First time I achieved this speed. But 150kb/s easily attainable for downloads of torrents or using download managers.

Been happy with the internet (TT&T Hinets) since April 2004. Would recommend it to anyone. Unless you can get True Internet where you live at.

I got caught twice. Once with a Nissan truck that was 4 months old. THe emission was more than allowed!. (*still shocked*).

Not playing with chemicals(acetone) though but thanks for the advice.

Another thread goes into the hel_l hole. Sad!

Any knowledgable person know what is the work being carried out airside at the Suthep Road end of the airport?

I have two guesses -

First that it was a new road to the VIP landing area to avoid most of the Wing 41 area, but now I see the that they are digging rather deep and using a good compator so,

I now wonder is it the start of the extension of the runway? Initially extending the taxiway?

I also seem to recall a bit of work on Hang Dong road at the end of the runway in December, but as I never go that far I don't know if that is continuing or is finished.

Aren't they going ahead with the new airport in San Kampheng??? Whats with all these new developments at the current airport?? I DONT GET IT!..

Frankly, if I was new here, considering settling in, I'd likely be looking more to Chiang Rai...

I agree with these sentiments. If I had no children to educate I still might look there, or possibly more likely Luang Prabang. Can't help feel that CM is becoming somewhat crowded these days.

Chiang Rai has always been the solution for all those who complain about CM's traffic, being too crowded, having too many McDonalds and Starbucks, too many Farangs, too many lady bars, too much pollution and so on, but everyone keeps coming here instead of moving three hours away to this quiet Shangri-la.

I have never understood why.

Chiang Rai <--- too many police posts ..

Chiang Rai <---- Not enough McDonalds.

Chiang Mai <---- Still don't get it why they don't have McDonalds in Airport Plaza or Kad Suan Keaw. McDonalds is the first restaurant to open in any mall that I have been to in other countries.

Farangs in Chiang Mai <-------- Too much committed here. Too late to move to anywhere else. Pollution has become the daily early morning drug. Hooked on it.

Does anyone know of a pharmacy in Chiang Mai that sells Paroxetine (Seroxat)? Fluoxentine (Prozac) seems all too freely available but it is not the same as Paroxetine.

Thanks in advance,

JxP

I don't want to mind 'your' business, of course, but please be VERY careful taking drugs like these.....

read this:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100002373.html

..as well as other sites on Seroxat/Paroxetine on 'Google'

The side-effects can be numerous and dangerous; IF you (or someone else) have no immediate need to take Seroxat or any similar medicin....don't!

LaoPo

I can't think of any drug that doesn't come with "any possible side effects" that are not mentioned on the label of that drug. Heck, even Paracatamol comes with its list of possible effects!.

Try reading some website or google "effect of depression" instead. Look at the trade offs of taking Seroxat or Cipram as an SSRI and not taking any drugs at all. You would find the latter helping millions of people in the world. Paroxetine and Citalopram have a brought a new identy to anti depressents with so much more decrease in side effects compared to older drugs such as imipramine and other tri cyclic drugs in treating depression.

BUT ! you are right in giving out your warnings on taking such drugs. there is however differences in SSRI's and anxiolitic drugs such as Diazepam, Alphrazolam, Lorazepam etc etc. Those classify under dangerous drugs that can be habit forming. SSRI's do not have any effects on "feeling high" for the sake of taking it. You do depend on it though for keeping depression at bay.

I have been on Citalopram for years now and I can't thank the doctor enough who introduced it to me. Until and unless I find an alternative to it, I'll just have to stick to it. It made a difference to my life in such a positive way that is unexplainable. I'd say that if anyone is depressed or have systoms of depression, go meet this doctor or any other doctor to seek medical help. Never go out and buy these drugs on your own though without professional advice.

all the best. i am open to any opinions otherwise.

SUNTITAM. Student ghetto, 24/7, online gaming, cheap cheap cheap, best local yocal bars in town.

Not for the ex-pats but for the next-pats. Think of the Chiang Mai version of NYC Williamsburg with a 3 beer Chang for 95Baht vibe.

The best. Close thread now.

Its on Chang Puek road right?? Near Novotel? Where exactly??? I wanna be a student again!

And just so that we won't be foreigners, you'll be Lung Ped and I'll be Lung Buay and I'll bring the 15 year old Isuzu and some faded Thai farmer's shirts. Then we vehemently deny being Farang. We'll grin wryly, chuckle and say "Ha, Nong, that's what everyone thinks!!!", "Lung Ped here is from Chayaphoom, that's why he sounds funny. Grown mushrooms all his life he has, the pasty skinned bugger!" Then chuckle more, make an awkward joke about not all parts of his anatomy being 'Farang' size, double wink, and move in for a fatherly arm on her shoulder.

Please don't accidently select any songs on the karaoke jukebox except for Karabao Dang. Bird Thongchai is ok if they are in not "so high" mood though.

I wonder if they might open a liquor stall below all the new tunnels around the Ring Roads. (when it rains) and after they ban Beer Gardens.

Cheers!

Any places worth visiting on the ring roads??? Where I wouldnt be a "foreigner"???

Unless you're Thai, you'll always be a "foreigner" here...

Right as usual Ajarn!

Well yeah .. thats right. Can't deny that. Unless you go there with your "muay thai" shorts??.

I hear that a lot more farangs who live here are moving out of the city area for a cold beer to some of the local bars along the ring roads. Between Maejo and Mae Rim, Between Maejo and Sansai. Any of these places recommended??? Seems like most of the bars are now full of tourists rather than regulars. Prices rising perhaps??

Any places worth visiting on the ring roads??? Where I wouldnt be a "foreigner"???

Whole Earth <-- a little taste of indian in there. Wouldnt go there for indian food. perhaps for some vegetarian thai food. But think about how much they charge, Id rather get a Baht10 made vege with rice.

Royal India <--- as close as it gets. Not bad for the money.

Bombay something <--- havent been there but heard its good. New restaurant. Somewhere near Chiang Mai Gate.

Stall at night bazaar <--- thought that its gone now. The kalare food center if thats what we are referring to.

Vegetarian Indian Res at MM Soi9 <--- nothing but potatoes being served.

Indian Restaurants in Thailand <--------- I have to disagree with Ulysses. Bangkok has numerous good indian restaurants. One of the best (not cheap) would be Rang Mahal at Rembrand Hotel. Put together the atmosphere of being on the roof top and live indian singers on the Tabla and Harmonium, the money's worth it.

Disclaimer: Only opinions. Please refrain from flaming!

Hi p1p

Is this clinic towards doi suthep or towards kad suan keaw??? where is it exactly?? I would like to go meet him. thanks..

I would vote for San Kampheng. The least traffic, still affordable land, very near to city!. Trust me, some villages/moo baans there are so much nearer to CM compared to Maejo/Doi Saket/ and other areas. A lot of development is planned there. Its a goldmine. New developments there start from Koolphunt 10(almost sold out & over priced w/electrical problems), Regent 3(just started out and overpriced IMO but nice looking houses), then comes Chiangmai Perfect Home (very nice entry, slightly overpriced, not so good finishings/materials, but big houses). Go a little further down the highway pass the traffic lights and there comes Baan Karnkanok (quickly selling off, not so good finishing as well, & potential for floods from last years experience). Just after Karnkanok is Sivalai 3. Now this mooban is developed by some small developer who has been very successful with Sivalai 1 & Sivalai 2 in Mae Rim. What I like about this mooban is that since they don't have much name to compete with the big timers, they try to deliver quality houses at a reasonable price. Check that place out in case you guys are looking out for a house. Compare their finishings to other developers there and compare the prices. After that a further 5 km or so comes Mooban Nai Fun. I heard a lot of farangs live there. But never been there.

Don't know much about doggy stuff and customs on em though.

Hi !

There is a clinic actually that carries all these drugs. Yes its a psychiatry clinic. I'll try to explain where it is cause thats where I get my Citalopram from. Its a better SSRI than anything else IMO. If you are coming from Central Airport towards the city moat, keep going straight, once your reach the moat area, take the first U-turn to your right. You would be on the other side of the moat and would pass some Fish pet shops/gardening shops to your right. Just to add to the directions, if you DID NOT take the u-turn, you would be heading to suakdok hospital area. Further down is Chiangmai Ram hospital. You WOULD HAVE PASSED the u-turn if you reach Suandok area. Remember is the first U-turn as soon as you reach the moat area. There is a clinic somewhere there right after a "Kuew Teow/Noodle" shop. The clinic is open weekdays from 5pm to 8pm, 10am to 2pm on saturdays and closed on sundays.

The doctor is very nice person. He consults you first. and then you follow up with just taking the drugs. And the prices are cheaper than some of the pharmacies I have bought from. I am sorry, I do not know the name of the clinic. Its in Thai and never bothered to know the translation.

all the best

It felt weird. Just like a heavy truck passing by. Am right at the Superhighway. 100s of trucks pass by each day. Never felt anything. Could it be a bomb or something??

I just talked to CTE (Chiang Mai Tech. Eng.) I'll get the dynasat F1 move, which i hear is the same as the silver set. It does have a card slot but i thought the silver set had two card slots.

7.5' dish 18" actuator and some other stuff, but it was the top of the line package for 17,900 Baht (special promotion for me), one year support.

He said dream works now but he can't guarantee it will work for ever. I figure if he warned me then there is a real chance that it will go soon.

I'll probably go for it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think its a good deal. go for it ..

Just a thought... in my neighbourhood, several students from Chiang Mai International School babysit.  I'm not sure if you are looking for a sitter during the day but posting ads at international schools may be a possibility if you want to go out for an evening.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hi .. thanks but i need someone to stay in. For at least a year or so. But thats a great idea though for anyone who needs to be busy for some evenings.

~

Hoo boy - this is showing me how dumb I am..

Went to the lyngsat page and it was in English but greek to me.  The psi page next but it is in Thai and I cannot figure out how to get it in Eng..  Help!

Also, are premium channels like HBO, etc included with the decoder or do you sacrifice those for a free connection?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi !.. well let me make it easier for you. Download the attachment and this is as good as it gets. As far as premium channels are concerned, the HBO etc are on Agila KU band from Phillipines (sorry bout the spelling). Its free for the MOMENT!. untill they re-encode the transmission. Mind you, they know about it being free to most parts of asia but maybe waiting for more $$$?

but looking at the list, its not bad for FTA - free to air. A lot of channels - most of them indians like to keep it free for huge exposure and they get great advertising money. So they dont really give much a ###### about subscribtion money.

all the best.. lyngsat is quite technical actually . it lists all channels whether encoded or clear. But some of us here like to look at the "hidden free" stuff that we can tune into in case we need to!. Those need a little more study into the physics or rather geographics of satellite positions.

**attachment deleted**

I have to agree with Jackr.

Never had a problem with the CM Saloon, very freindly bunch of people, but O'Mallys has to be the WORST place in town to either eat or drink. The staff are very impersonal and very very slow, as well as serving up the WORST food in town.

The Sallon is paradise by comparison

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't like Chiang Mai saloon...the owner is very variable and can be rude. It is usually after one of his frequent rows with his wife! The food is not particularly good either. Service is Ok though

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Service is fine. He got some good workers of whom I happen to hear are moving to the new Queen Victoria Pub. Well some of them. So look forward for the same burgers there ! Actually I'd rather hang out there then. I hate the fact that if I come in there alone and the bar area is full, then there is no place for a "one person" to sit cause all of the tables are labeled " reserved for 2 or reserved for 4" In fact I rather do a take away of which I think he charges an additional 10 or 20 baht for the packaging!. hmmmm ...

Now that the p word (price) has been mentioned, how much are these things? Any monthly fee whatsoever?  How about service?

And is there any program guide or do you just have to surf?

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For a Dynasat 7foot or was it 7.5 ft., and a F1 receiver box which does have an optional card slot in case u want some Astro(Malaysian PRogramming), Zee Networks, Star Networks(India), all of which are subscriable. But as far as FTA (free to air) tv is concerned, it does a great job with at least 280 plus channels. The Agila satellite has great programming as someone else mentioned here. You get better than what UBC offers and its free. At least for the moment.

The P factor. Well I would say 18500 would be a price you would be looking at. Without the card slot!. Option for a card slot would be 1000 plus more. Its a movable satellite so you just scan for all the channels and it automatically saves all channel information. YEs its a one time payment for the equipment and installation.

You would be able to get all Asian satellites. Can't recall the latitudes or is it longitutes?? lol .. whatever. you can go to www.lyngsat.com for detailed satellite information or just go to www.psisat.com for a channel schedule.

We did have a babysitter whom had to go back home. She was from some Nursing Home and they of course have their bite of her salary. Just wondering if there is any place here in Chiang Mai where we can find a new babysitter? Any ways to go about doing this? Ideas anyone.

we just got ours installed. its our electriction. did a great job and does satellite installions just cause he likes to. we got a dynasat and very happy with it. anyone interested pvt msg me and if you can speak a little thai, he'll do it for you.