Markymark

This is hilarious! People move to Thailand to avoid heating bills?! They move to Thailand for SEX, Martin.

You prat, what a thing to say, bet your dick is as small as your brain.

It is simply the honest and obvious truth, icecubes, regardless of how much you and other prudes would like to deny it.

So its the reason you are here???

Obviously! Just like nearly every other foreign man living in Thailand.

looks like I'm a prude too. rather be called that than a grubby, sad, sex tourist

Your assumptions about the hygeine or psychological state of we sex tourists are largely inaccurate, Markyprude. I for one wash frequently and am a very cheerful fellow.

The difference between you and britmaveric, and myself is that I am honest about why I am here.

Well, we'll have to disagree on that. It is unfair to expect me to argue with someone who knows my own mind better than I. Oh, and don't tell me, every Thai g/f or wife is a former bar girl from Issan. Look outside your own little bubble occasionally - not everyone is like you.

This is hilarious! People move to Thailand to avoid heating bills?! They move to Thailand for SEX, Martin.

You prat, what a thing to say, bet your dick is as small as your brain.

It is simply the honest and obvious truth, icecubes, regardless of how much you and other prudes would like to deny it.

So its the reason you are here???

looks like I'm a prude too. rather be called that than a grubby, sad, sex tourist

If new laws (or stricter interpretation of existing laws) makes Thailand a little less attractive to the malingering former Gov workers (especially police officers) who are “too sick” with their “bad back” or “psychological issues” to do a day’s work in their own country, yet, in receipt of their UK tax-payer funded ill-health pensions, can swim, play golf and run businesses in Thailand, then I am all for things getting tougher.

bad riding skills then. can't count the number of times i've seen bikers swirve in and out of traffic without usage of mirrors, no lights, no helmets, no nothing. i think riding responsibely is the way to do it. (with utmost alert on traffic surroundings)

Don't know, I was not a witness, and therefore not able to comment on their standard of driving. In one accident, the truck that crushed the biker failed to stop, though the driver was later traced and arrested. I think the Police blamed the truck driver for the accident in actual fact.

Anyway, back to my point, enjoy Chiang Mai GLW, but take care on the roads, especially if you are on two wheels. No matter how good a driver/rider you think you are, you cannot always anticipate what Thai drivers are going to do; and I speak as someone who pretty much has stopped using a bike in LOS after some Thai guy nearly wiped me out with his pickup. IMHO.

most people on two wheels die cause of being drunk! i don't think its that bad the way people make it seem about riding bikes.

All the people who I knew who died on 2 wheels in LOS were NOT drunk - the other driver who killed them might have been.

And, BTW, the accidents I refer to happened in the morning when the poor souls were on their way to work.

Moving to Chiang Mai in 9 DAYS!!. Need advice on finding an appartment/house/room for rent, a computer, a cell phone, a bicycle, a motorbike, and a possible second job on the weekends. Not looking to spend more than 3,000 BHT per/month on rent. Any other bits of wisdom are welcome too. Anything, that you think might help the transition go more smoothly. Anything that I can/should do here in the states before leaving, etc., etc. Thanks

-GLW

BTW, why the rush?

It seems to me a bit more research/homework might stand you in good stead before you come.

Also, please be careful on 2 wheels, I know of two deaths in the last week on the roads. MY g/f lost her father and brother through separate road accidents. My advice is, stick to a meaty 4x4; you have a greater chance of walking away.

Take care

I have applied at Hull Thai Consule and recieved my visa back with in 3 days both times. Just make sure you have all the correct documents.

Agreed - the Consulate staff in Hull are very quick with postal applications and answered my emails within 24 hours.

Great song! I put up with the tube for 13 years when living in London, and it can be very unpleasant in hot weather.

But London Underground actually use some American terminology: e.g. “please move right down inside the car” - as opposed to “carriage”. This is a hangover from the help in its initial construction by the US (e.g. “cut and cover” engineering techniques). Also, one of the greatest and pioneering engineers in its construction was actually a South African.

“Vespa”

If Maejo Man wishes to use the term “Train Driver” then, IMHO, probably several hundred million people on this planet would know what he refers to.

BTW, “driving” is not dependent on the ability to “steer”, it is to do with the control of a powered vehicle. This is why you actually “drive” a motorbike (or a horse and cart) but “ride” a pedal cycle. This is why my “Driving (or “Driver’s”) licence covers me for motorbikes as well. Although, in common parlance, we all “ride” motorbikes, most laws governing their use are “driving laws”.

Sorry to be a pedant – but your response to MM was a trite unnecessary, especially so considering the circumstances of the OP and that MM's post was well-meaning, innocent and informative.

I fear you maybe confusing verbs and adjectives. If it is an “engineer” who “drives” a train, then the term “Train Driver” is not actually that wrong.

In any event, and more importantly, heartfelt sympathies to the families of those killed in this accident.

Regards

M

The "Driver" is the Engineer - also you do not drive a train , as there is no steering invloved.

Tosser

Looks like BR had it wrong then as well......

el jefe wrote:

Sorry about my "legalese". I beleive no one was home when the "burglary" occurred, but don't know for sure. Management posted a notice by the elevators on every floor telling about it and asking residents to close the security doors behind them. Nothing's changed. The doors are never closed. I'm not looking for any more security than a locked door. If my floor is locked, hopefully the burglar will do the easy thing and use an unlocked door on another floor.

I'm no longer there so it doesn't really matter to me anymore.

No need to aplogise... It is, however, nice to see the management taking the issue seriously.

Your point is valid; if people cannot be bothered to close security doors, then it defeats their purpose.

Hope your new accommodation is ok.

Regards

M

I spent 5 months in an apartment on the 8th floor of Hillside 4 earlier this year and I've got to disagree about the security. I thought that was the one area where the building was lacking. Anyone can get in to visit the offices on the lower floors or to use the gym and pool. Once you're in the building it's pretty easy to access any floor as the security doors are never closed. I heard there was at least one robbery while I was there.

As for needing to keep the balcony door closed and curtains drawn to limit heat, noise, smoke/dust, that was rarely a problem. We kept the door open most of the time. Of course during the hottest months we closed it to use the AC.

I agree that there is no "stop & search" on entry to the accommodation, but most people would not want security that tight. There needs to be a balance. The bottom line for me is that when I am out of town, g/f feels safe there, which was not the case in her previous accommodation.

You say there has been at least one robbery. This is news to me (and to the management btw). If you actually mean a burglary, then the occasional one is almost inevitable.

Thanks

M

By the way...No one answered any of my questions on Hillside 4. Does anyone know if they have one bedroom apartments or larger? I'm jealous of the people that have those if they do.

Hillside 4 has condos from 45sq m to around 200 sq m, although what is actually available for rent at any one time is another matter.

I bought there last year and am impressed with the security. Just having had some building work done, the guards were all over the workmen, checking IDs etc. Also they enforced a strict policy re noise and dust disturbance to other residents.

Agree with you about the balconies and the view - very nice. Some of the communal areas could do with a lick of paint though.

M

From DailyTelegraph 16 August 2006

Hunt for murderer of backpacker held up by Thai red tape

Red tape is preventing British police from questioning witnesses to the murder six years ago of a backpacker in Thailand, officers said yesterday.

This year, Thai police relaunched the hunt for the killer of Kirsty Jones, the daughter of a Welsh farmer, who was raped and strangled, after the original investigation was declared incompetent.

But eight months after saying that witnesses would be re-interviewed, the Thai authorities have yet to release the paperwork which would allow British officers to question witnesses in this country.

Miss Jones, 24, from Brecon, Powys, had just graduated from Liverpool University and was on a world tour when she was murdered on Aug 10, 2000, at the Aree guesthouse in Chiang Mai.

A string of suspects were charged or arrested, and subsequently cleared and released.

Dyfed-Powys Police, who helped the Thai authorities to secure the killer's DNA, say they now have the "key" to the crime and it is vital that they be allowed to speak with witnesses to get the killer's name.

According to the genetic profile, the killer is a local Thai man. Any of the British witnesses who were in Thailand at the time of Miss Jones's death might hold clues to his identity.

Chief Insp Steve Hughson, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "There are witnesses back in the UK and we feel, and the Thais feel, there might be some merit in speaking to them now. In order to do that, on the Thais' behalf, we need a letter of request, an official document."

Royal Thai Police are understood to have written to the Thai attorney-general months ago asking that British police be allowed to question witnesses, but permission has yet to be granted. Police want to question "two or three" Britons. But Mr Hughson said that, without official permission from the Thai authorities to question them, any evidence might not be deemed valid in a court case.

Miss Jones's mother, Sue, said: "It is extremely frustrating."

Longtimer

I have investigated many cases of industrial espionage and only on one occasion ever heard of a bug actually being found. I have seen (very expensive) bug sweeps take place in offices, and remain dubious over some of the techniques I have witnessed by so called experts.

The majority of the time a leak is down to a member of staff who is misusing access to IT, telecoms, physical documents or even simple eavesdropping.

What I have seen more of recently is the use of keyloggers - software or hardware devices that store and transmit every keystroke you make. These are readily available and cheap.

There is a checklist of questions you need to run through before you start spending any money on technical solutions. Sometimes the answer is staring you in the face, very simple and non techinical.

I am not back in CM until 03 October, but PM me if you want to chat further.

Mark

Was this robbery (where violence is used or threatened) or a burglary? Thanks

The apartment was burgled while the occupant was out.

Just a thought. How many of these events do you think might be inside jobs. By that I mean "the girl friend telling her mate, how the BF has all this kit, e.g. PC, a laptop, 2 or 3 cameras, a nice gold chain, perhaps a bracelet etc."

When I go to the bank for a bit of dosh I never let the "live in" see what size wad it is and she don't know just what is in either of the safes. Thais are great talkers (read gossipers) and there ain't no secrets here.

Also have you never thought that living here we are under the microscope. We might not see it or recognise it but you can bet your boots our every waking movement is noted.

This is not just Thailand. Indonesia is the same, not to mention the former USSR or CIS states now.

We might think that we live quiet nondescript lives but you better believe it, we are under the microscope.

TIT

Of course, nowhere is 100% safe, although a condo may benefit from some security guard cover when left empty, especially if for an extended period. For the opportunist, it is easier to spot an empty house than an empty condo.

The management in my condo block tell me the guards are instructed to challenge anyone who is seen carrying out household items – although this wouldn’t help if the stolen items are small such as jewellery or cameras I suppose.

As to burglaries being “inside jobs”, I am sure this may sometimes be the case. Unfortunately innocent curiosity and gossip as to what a falang possesses, sometimes reaches the ears of the criminally minded

Another robbery occured last night, and this time it was a condo!! An apartment on the tenth floor of the Nakornping Condo was burgled and a gold necklace and cash was stolen. Who said condos were safer?

Was this robbery (where violence is used or threatened) or a burglary? Thanks

In a quote I got for contents insurance from Royal Sun it said:

Remarks: Jewelry and valuable items will be accepted and covered under the Agreed Value at 60% of Sum Insured. Electronic Appliance will be accpeted and covered under the Agreed Value at 80% of Sum Insured

([email protected])

Also you could try Aviva - AA Insurance [[email protected]]

Hope this is of interest

M

Sunrise from Hillside 4

Rtwo may be right.

I forgot about the Wing 41 presence of RTAF at CNX.

The plane in question is also used for delivery of fighter aircraft.

Anyway, as TP says, no big deal.

Regards to all

Air freightable "military equipment" is usually designed so that it can be broken down into components, so its transport is not dependent on one type of aircraft.

My brother (who worked for many years in the Asian air cargo business) tells me that the usual cargo for this particular aircraft is earth-moving or other civilian construction equipment.

Regards

M

I have just written a letter of complaint to Thai Airways (in London) over the attitude of their ground staff at BKK and CNX. What a contrast they are to the flight crew, who are usually pretty good.

I will let you know if I get a response!

M

att

I would love to stop the clock keep the “romance” of when I first discovered a new place, but, sadly, life isn’t like that.

But the romance is in the individual, as much as the place.

My brother is back in CM this week (after a long time away from LOS) and the waterfalls, Doi Suthep, Doi Pui, Night Bazaar, Walking Road Market, Riverside Restaurant etc., etc., are all on his list.

The Night Safari (even with all its problems) is worth a visit – although the place was pretty empty when I went in January! Take some insect repellent with you.

A visit to some of the Lamphun temples is also an interesting day.

If you are not someone who wants to spend their time in a “westernised” bar watching the “footie”, you will still find plenty of Thai culture to enthral you.

Have a good time (and do spend plenty of time searching the resources of this and other great sites before you go).

Enjoy

Chiang Mai Night Safari

A property's value is what it will sell for.

Condo ownership is attractive to farangs because of the vagaries of Thai property law in respect of foreign ownership of land. Accordingly, this makes the cost comparision between a condo and a house rather academic for many people.

Useful info here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/own_land_thailand.0.html

For a farang who wants to be in a good city location, and who is often out of the country, a condo is the sensible choice.