Priceless

Thank you mahseer for the suggestion. I will contact Rimping shortly.

Thank you mallmagician for the sympathy. I however think it was rather a case of a recent or temporary employee not checking before answering than me/her misunderstanding. I think that after some 20 trips since the early '80s, totalling 1½ years in Thailand, that my Thai/English communications don't break down that easily. Since this question was really the main object of my visit, I took care to be very clear. After your reply I went through their website again and found the point in the FAQ about not allowing pets. Extremely careless of me not to notice it before!

pacnw, I agree that Viangbua offer value for money, which is a major reason we would have liked to stay there. I can however assure you that if we had stayed, you would not have been able to smell or otherwise notice any trace of our cats. Cats in general are extremely tidy animals, constantly cleaning themselves. As if this would not suffice, we regularly bathe our animals. They are not your average soi cats, but rather pedigree cats that probably keep themselves cleaner and less odorous than you or I.

Regards, Priceless

Hi All,

My wife and I will be moving to Chiang Mai by the end of October. I visited on a "reconnaisance trip" in February/March, one purpose being to find a place to stay while we search for a (rental) house. Since we will be bringing our four cats I asked around specifically for "pet friendly" places. On my visit to Vianbua Mansion the answer I got was "Yes of course, no problem!" I know this is Thailand but still was rather irritated when my recent booking request was turned down, citing "the existing policy" of not allowing ANY pets on the premises

Anyway, that is now history. Do any of you "Olde Chiange Maie Handse" know of a condo or similar that would let us bring our cats? We are not too concerned about location since we will rent a car anyway and, since we only plan to stay one or two months, budget is no real problem either (Viangbua is NOT cheap!). We however need a fairly large place, preferably two rooms, since the little panthers want room to move around.

Much appreciate any suggestions/experiences

Priceless

Hi All,

I have a friend who is planning to attend a one-week course at this school in early November. She would appreciate any (first or seond hand) information in excess of what is on their web site.

She would also be grateful for info on hotels and/or guest houses in the vicinity of the school, preferred budget not in excess of 1,000 baht/night. The school is located on Mae Jo Rd, across from Ruam-Choke Market.

TIA

Priceless

Thankyou Ormgard,

This further supports my decision to join Payap rather than AUA. Language lab and an early focus on reading/writing skills in addition to speaking is what I am looking for

Priceless

Firstly, I have not attended either programme. I am however planning on joining the Payap programme after my moving to Chiang Mai (Octoberish). The latest entry (by Ormgard) to this thread somewhat confused me since it said that Payap "apparently" doesn't have a language lab. Quote from the Payap homepage: "Homework and language lab assignments are designed to encourage students to overcome their initial inhibitions about speaking Thai." Is this not correct, or are they using some kind of outside language lab? Could someone please clarify

Priceless

How about DK Books on Kotchasarn Rd? I clearly (but maybe wrongly...) remember seeing a load of computer books there, including Java.

The price is indeed what's on the meter plus 50 baht. This surcharge applies regardless whether you go to or from the airport. I don't know for sure, but my impression is that it is somehow tied to a fee they are charged by the airport.

Personally I have never had a problem with drivers refusing to use the meter. Maybe I am unwittingly doing something right?

Re: Ajarn's latest post

It appears things change over time. Chiang Mai Habitat have moved their office and changed their e-mail address as well:

Chiang Mai Habitat

14 Suthep Rd., Soi Wing 41 (Soi 6),

A.Muang Chiang Mai 50200

[email protected]

Only one more problem: I've mailed them at the new address as well, no answer yet (only two days so still hoping )

The by far best one I have found is the Periplus Regional map. It includes city maps of Chiang Mai (1:20,000), Chiang Rai (1:17,500) and Mae Hong Son (1:14,000) as well as several excellent road maps. The road maps include the road numbers which are rare in other maps.

It is published by:

Periplus Editions

5 Little Road, #08-01

Singapore 536983

ISBN: 962-593-573-8

Available from Amazon.com at the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/962593573...283155&v=glance

(I actually bought it at a specialised map store in Stockholm, Sweden last Friday, but I guess Amazon is easier to get to for most of you )

SKAL (there should be a small circle over the A) is simply the Swedish word for the following:

English: CHEERS

German: PROST

Thai: CHOK DEE

Might give some hint as to the club's activities...

Hi All!

This is really premature from my point of view, but since the topic came up, here goes:

My (Thai) wife and I are planning to move to CM next year, September/October-ish. Our intention is to live there for nine months every year so we will obviously be bringing our cats (at present three of them, by then probably more). What about cat's supplies (other than scratching posts) such as litter sand, Royal Canin cat's feed, toys, grooming equipment etc. Are there any well stocked pet shops in CM, or indeed in Thailand?

I am only asking since the subject came up, will certainly be back with lots of newbie's questions closer to the actual day.

Regards / Priceless