x-pat

Quite a rattler, but short. My wife moved from the 2nd to the 1st floor in less than 3 seconds and even managed to grab the laptop and take it with her. We moved to Chiang Mai 18 months ago and since then the earth keeps shaking every few months. I wonder, is that business as usual?

Cheers, X-Pat

Went there today.

I am a great fan of wooden furniture and teak wood furniture in particular, but most of the furniture shown at the exhibition isn't so hot after all. It's quite conservative, clunky, and plain. Almost all of it is stained in the ubiquitous orange-brown (granny's favourite) colour.

Yes, there are some finely carved beds, closets, and tables which are very beautiful, and there's also nice garden furniture.

Yet, I have to say that the teak shops around Ban Tawai are already years ahead in terms of design and style. Some of these shops have picked up pan-Asian styles (Chinese, Burmese, Indonesian, etc.) as well as innovative, modern forms, whereas the teak offered in Talat Kam Tiang is basically the same that has been sold for the last 50 years.

Cheers, X-Pat

BTW, if anyone has information on residential air filtering systems and their efficiency with regard to PM10 - that would be very interesting...

Cheers, X-Pat

p1p: You should note that this year is the worst in 14 years or more, and it is caused in part by the El Nino phenomenon. As soon as the rains come, IMNSHO, CM will be back to being the best place to live in Thailand, By far....

Thank you, p1p, duly noted. Like most here, I have studied the data on the Thai PCD website, and it seems that there is a bit of a recurring problem with PM10. Unfortunately, this was unknown to me before I came to Chiang Mai. PM10 are quite difficult to dodge, especially here in Thailand, where houses are built open and unisolated. Aircon won't help a bit if it isn't filtering and recirculating at the same time and if the house isn't completely sealed. There will always be an exchange between interior/exterior. Of course, one could install residential air filters, or leave town for a while... After all the hard work of getting us settled in CNX, I won't give up easily, so we are pondering our options at the moment. School holidays seem to coincide with the peak period, so we could actually go on an annual smog vacation and visit relatives in Bangkok.

p1p: Is Bangkok so much better that the year round pollution there is better than the, mostly avoidable, short period of pollution here?

Air pollution in Bangkok varies dramatically with the micro-climate in different areas. It ranges between "lethal" at some Samut Prakarn factories or under some sky train station in the city to "harmless" in outlying areas. The Putthamonthon area is next to Nakhon Pathom, ca. 25 km away from downtown; there is very few pollution.

Cheers, X-Pat

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us and lived in houses made of asbestos.

Oh yes. Being born in the 60s, I am one of the survivors. But Chiang Mai this March surely beats mommy's asbestos house. I just came back from a 14-day trip to Bangkok today which I and my family specifically made to escape the smog. Earlier this month, our two toddlers were coughing and rubbing their eyes like I never did in aforementioned asbestos house when I was their age. The irony is that 2 years ago, we moved away from Bangkok (where I lived for 12 years) to Chiang Mai for exactly the same reason, namely to escape the pollution. We put up with losses of earnings, moving expenses, adaptation to a new environment, etc. to live in a greener and nicer place. We bought land in Chiang Mai last year, and we planned to build on it this year.

I guess the smog event has changed that. It's funny that we now fly to BKK to breathe clean air. Believe me, the air felt smooth and refreshing even on Sathorn Road, compared to what we have been breathing previously in Sansai. It's perplexing. Since the problem appears to be recurring and aggravating, I am not so sure anymore whether we should stay at all. Sure, Chiang Mai is a lovely place. My wife has found new friends, I have found new work, and our kids love it too. But the prospect of opening our lungs to the annual PM10 fallout is a major damper. We have put the CNX house building plans on hold. In BKK, we looked at a lovely small house at a canal near Putthamonthon. Looks like we gotta make another difficult decision...

Cheers, X-Pat

I wonder whether this level of pollution is "normal" for this season.

My family and I moved here 1.5 years ago and I haven't yet seen any air pollution as extreme as in the last week. It is a truly unpleasant experience. My wife complains about head aches; my eyes are burning and breathing is heavy; our two toddlers are coughing in their beds. The year before (2006) we have not experienced these extremes, but we don't have long-term experience in Chiang Mai. However, PM10 values of 150 and above are certainly worrying.

It is rather frustrating for me, because we moved away from Bangkok to escape the pollution and congestion. Now we find the same problems here in the north.

How long does it usually last? Are most years like this?

Cheers, X-Pat

Does anyone know whether the Jazz festival that may or may not be advertised on this web page (Chiang Mai Jazz Society) may or may not take place with the artists mentioned who may or may not appear? I contacted the the society about this by email but got no reply (surprise, surprise).

Cheers, X-Pat

Farangity loss is a creeping phenomenon which can affect anyone with sufficiently long exposure to Thai culture. It often happens without the victim noticing it. Episodes of acute farangity loss are often connected with prolonged stays in the land of smile. The symptoms are difficult to diagnose and are often overlooked by those affected. Fortunately, Dr. Expatricus has developed a dependable test that helps you to detect dwindling farangity. Take the test today and find out whether you are affected.

(1a) Question for men - The woman of your dreams is:

70 kg, 180 cm, bosomy, blonde (0 points)

60 kg, 170 cm, slender, brunette (10 points)

50 kg, 160 cm, petite, dark-haired (20 points)

(1b) Question for women – Your ideal husband is:

Charming, handsome, faithful (0 points)

10 years younger, dedicated to drinking and gambling (10 points)

20 years older Caucasian who supports you financially (20 points)

(2) You answer your phone with the following words:

My first and last name (0 points)

“Hello” (10 points)

“Khap” (20 points)

(3) You put toilet paper:

In the bathroom (0 points)

On the dining table and in the bathroom (10 points)

Only on the dining table (20 points)

(4) How much gold do you wear?

None (0 points)

Less than 1 Baht or alloys less than 99.5% (10 points)

1 Baht or more, all 99.5% pure gold (20 points)

(5) Your preferred TV snack is:

Potato chips or pretzel (0 points)

Fried rice (10 points)

Roasted ants (20 points)

(6) And the beer that goes along with it:

Guinness, Stout, wheat beer, German draft (0 points)

Canned Lager beer (10 points)

Chemically enriched beer resembling brine with animal names (20 points)

(7) On the walls of your apartment one finds:

Abstract art of the 20th century (0 points)

Beer or whisky advertising posters (10 points)

A picture of the Thai royal family (20 points)

(8) Items in your garden include:

A garden gnome (0 points)

A gaudy light chain with blinking lamps (10 points)

A banana, coconut, or mango tree (20 points)

(9) Your preferred seating is:

A couch or an armchair (0 points)

A wooden or stone bench, or a folding/plastic chair (10 points)

I don't own furniture for seating (20 points)

(10) Which TV programme you don't want to miss:

The evening news (0 points)

The Saturday night quiz show (10 points)

The last episode of my favourite soap opera (20 points)

(11) What do you smell when you open your fridge?

My fridge is odorless (0 points)

Curry paste (10 points)

Rotten fish paste (20 points)

(12) Your bathroom contains a:

A bidet or a shower cabin (0 points)

A water barrel and a plastic scoop (10 points)

A squat toilet (20 points)

(13) You are late for work. You tell your boss:

“I will work longer today to make up for it.” (0 points)

“A lot of rain today, a lot of traffic.” (10 points)

“Grandmother sick, doctor late, buffalo dead.” (20 points)

(14) Your private library consists of:

A good selection of fiction, classics, reference books, etc. (0 points)

Cook books and pulp magazines (10 points)

A phone book and three comic books (20 points)

(15) Your TV is broken. How do you spend the evening?

Grumbling, sourpussing, going to bed early (0 points)

I grant myself a second dinner (10 points)

In invite my friends for whisky and gambling (20 points)

(16) How do you greet someone you meet in the street?

“Howdy!” (0 points)

“Hello. Where are you going?” (10 points)

“Hello. Did you eat already?” (20 points)

(17) At a party you meet new people. To break the ice you say:

“Pleased to meet you. Did you already taste the 97 Burgundy?” (0 points)

“Hi, my name is Michael. And how much do you make per month?” (10 points)

“Hi, are you as drunk as I am? Hahaha.” (20 points)

(18) Items in your car include:

A car jack, a fire extinguisher, and a first-aid kit (0 points)

A selection of drinks and snacks (10 points)

Talismans, amulets, Buddha figurines, and an air freshener (20 points)

(19) You think of this poll as:

Entertaining (0 points)

Meaningless (10 points)

Exhausting, because it makes me think a lot (20 points)

(20) How did you calculate your total score?

Using mental arithmetic (0 points)

Using a pocket calculator (10 points)

I estimated it (20 points)

0-80 Points

Your farangity is 100% sound. At this time you don't need to worry about loss of cultural identity. Probably you don't have any intentions to leave the latitudes where uninterrupted Coke & Hamburger supply is guaranteed. Skinny, short, flat-breasted Asians don't rock your boat. As a stiff-necked potato eater you can neither deal with tropical temperatures nor with curry digestion.

90-160 Points

Although your farangity is not in acute danger, you have already removed yourself slightly from the Western norm. Such subtle deviations are difficult to recognise. Perhaps you stopped finding the British Airline inflight meals savoury? You ceased looking at your watch every 30 minutes? You push into elevators before anyone can get out? Be cautious! Theses are the first signs.

170-240 Points

There are clear indications that your farangity suffers from frequent exposure to Thai culture. Perhaps you already flirted with a Bangkok beauty? Do you tend to lose focus at work? Do you daydream about white sandy beaches and smiling Thai girls? Do you scour the streets of your home town for Thai restaurants? Get a grip, lad! Eat more fish 'n' chips and book a trip to Scandinavia for the upcoming holidays.

250-320 Points

You have severe farangity breakdowns which are caused by an advanced loss of cultural identity. You experience longer periods without karaoke/go-go bar entertainment as extremely depressing. Life in your home country appears like an unreal “film noir” to you. Your colleagues find your eating habits odd. There is still hope for you, however. Contact a rehabilitation centre and consider a six months potato and gravy diet. Burn your Hawaiian shirts. Play football, drink local beer, and watch sports or BBC/CNN for most of your waking time.

More than 320 Points

You experience the final stages of irreversible farangity loss. You are either constantly “butterflying” or you maintain at least one “mia noi”. Your eating habits have mutated to a degree where you find it difficult managing a knife with your right hand. You frequently indulge in rice liquor and cheap whisky. It is also likely that you already bought a pick-up truck with a 1000 Watts Karaoke system. If you haven't migrated to Thailand yet, you should do so immediately. It is already inescapable.

By X-Pat

Jets and helicopters are in the air over Chiang Mai all morning. It seems that all of CM's wing 41 is airborne. What's going on? Children day demonstration, or is the Burmese army invading?

Cheers, X-Pat

Last week I have scoured the city for computer books, but I wasn't able to find anything. In fact I did not even see a minimal collection of English language computer books at any of the book stores, not to mention specialty titles on Java programming. Are there any?

Bangkok has Kinokunya, DK, and several others. Some of the selections, such as the one at Siam Square and Kinokunya/Siam Paragon are excellent. Is there anything comparable in CNX?

Of course, there is always Amazon... but that's a 3 weeks wait for the delivery.

Cheers, X-pat

One big jolt here in Mae Jo. I was sitting in my library. Shelves, desk, fan, printer, everything shaking. No books fell out. Wife was notably discomposed. Baby sleeping.

Cheers, X-Pat

The finest view of the smog layer I had from Doi Suthep two days ago. It seems to cover the entire Chiang Mai valley. Unfortunately I don't have an image server.

X-Pat

Scenario yesterday: X-pat came home from jogging, sweating and panting. Wife says: "Mai mi naam". -- Rats! -- Luckily we live next to a large pond. Water was back this morning.

This kind of thing reminds me that we are not living in the capital anymore.

Cheers, X-Pat

The “Trips” Thai travel magazine’s January issue no. 111 feature is titled “The 10 Most Spectacular Hills of the North”, which I thought might interest folks here. For the benefit of those who are too stingy to spend 90 THB on the magazine, those tied to their beds by prolonged new year hangovers, and everyone else not commanding enough enthusiasm to rush out and grab a print copy, here is a short summary:

(1) Doi Inthanon

Altitude: 2,565m

Location: Jomthong / Mae Chaem / San Patong districts

ca. 30 km southwest of Chiang Mai

National Park office at km 57 on highway 108

Attractions: Sakura flowers, Siriphum waterfall (km 30), Mae Klang waterfall (km 8), Mae Ya waterfall (km 1), Brijinda cave (km 8.5), Wachiratarn waterfall (km21), Mae Pan waterfall (km 37), Beauty Spot (km 41), Summit Ang Ka Luang Nature Trail

Accommodation: Touch Star Resort (053 267-364, www.touchstarresort.com), Inthanon Highland Resort (01-9610-361, www.inthanon-highland.com), National Park Office (053 268-550, 053 268-577)

Best time to visit: December to early February

(2) Doi Pha Hom Pok

Altitude: 2,285m

Location: Mae Fang National Park, Fang district, ca. 160 km north of Chiang Mai

Note: 4W vehicle is recommended/Some areas are only accessible on foot

Attractions: Fang Hot Spring, Rare plants and orchids, hiking along the Nature Trails, Pu Muen waterfall, Mae Heng Yai waterfall

Accommodation: Mae Fang National Park Office (053 453-517-8) Six lodging houses and camping grounds

Best time to visit: December to March

(3) Doi Luang Chiang Dao

Altitude: 2,225m

Location: Chiang Dao district, 5km west of Chiang Dao, 75 km north of Chiang Mai

Note: this mountain is only accessible on foot

Attractions: impressively shaped mountain range, Doi Kew Lom summit, Doi Pyramid summit, wild plants, grasslands

Accommodation: tents only – no facilities. Doi Luang Chiang Dao Wildlife Santuary (053 455-802)

Best time to visit: December to March

(4) Doi Ang Khang

Altitude: 1,900m

Location: Ban Khum/Mae Ngon, Fang district, 150 km north of Chiang Mai

Attractions: Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang, Kew Lom viewpoint, Ban Khob Dong handicraft village, Ban Nor Lae, Burmese border beauty spot, mule riding, bird watching.

Accommodation: Royal Agricultural Station (053 450-110, 02 2553-960)

Best time to visit: December to February

(5) Doi Hua Mae Kham

Altitude: 1,850m

Location: Mae Salong Nok/Mae Fa Luang district close to Myanmar border region, 100km northwest of Chiang Rai

Attractions: Orchards, Mexican sunflower plantations, tea plantations, Namtok Hua Mae Kham Park, Ban Doi Hua Mae Kham Akha and Lisu hilltribe village, Hua Mae Khan waterfall, Wat Doi Hua Mae Kham

Accommodation: Camping at Hua Mae Kham Park, Lodges at Hua Mae Kham Agricultural Center (053 918-101, 053 600-531), Baan Hua Mae Kham (053 609-106, 07 192-055)

Best time to visit: All year

(6) Doi Suthep/Doi Pui

Altitude : 1,685m

Location: Mae Tang, Hang Dong, Mae Rim districts on Chiang Mai’s northwest side

Attractions: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Huay Kaew waterfall, Monthathan waterfall, Chiang Mai viewpoint at km 13.5, Phu Phing Royal Palace, Doi Pui summit, Doi Pui Hmong village, bird watching

Accomodation: in town or Doi Suthep-Pui National Park (houses, lodges call 02579-5734, 02 579-7223, tent ground call 053 295-177)

Best time to visit: All year

(7) Doi Pha Tang/Pu Chi Fah

Altitude: 1,635m

Location: Doi Pha Mon, Ban Pha Tang district, Wiang Kaen district, 100 km east of Chiang Rai next to Laos border

Attractions: Bauhinia blossom, Doi Pha Tang hiking, Talay Mork (misty sea) vista, Hmong and Akha villages, Phu Chi Fah summit, Doi Pha Mon highland development center.

Accommodation: Phu Chi Fah Park Office (053 918-764), Phu Chi Fah Resort (07 938-911, 01-522-519), Toeng District Tourist Information Center (053 795-345)

Best time to visit: November - February

(8) Doi Tung

Altitude: 1,509m

Location: Mae Fah Luang District, 100 km north of Chiang Rai, next to Myanmar border

Attractions: Mae Fah Luang Botanical Garden, Doi Tung Royal Villa (Phra Tammak Doi Tung), The Princess Mother Museum, Doi Chang Mub summit (gardens and viewpoint), Phra That Doi Tung, hill tribe villages, Jud Song Sam Kwaen viewpoint, beauty spot at km 12.

Accommodation: Ton Nam House (053 767-015-7 ext. 230, 231), Doi Kham Resort (053 763-092, 053 763-039)

Best time to visit: All year

(9) Doi Khun Tarn

Altitude: 1,374m

Location: Tha Pla Duk and Mae Tha districts of Lamphun province, approx. 35 km southeast of Chiang Mai

Attractions: Khun Tarn railway tunnel, evergreen forest, Yor1 resting point, Mom Rajawong Kukrit Pramot’s lodgings at Yor2, view on Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon from Yor3, wild orchids, summit with view over Lamphun and Lampag provinces, Tad Mei waterfall.

Note: this mountain is only accessible on foot

Accommodation: Khun Tarn National Park lodgings (053 519-216-7), Bungalow Train (02 621-8701 ext. 5217, 02 225-6964)

Best time to visit: All year

(10) Doi Mae Salong

Altitude: 1,440m

Location: Mae Fah Luang District, 90 km northwest of Chiang Rai, next to Myanmar border

Attractions: 101 tea plantation, tomb of General Tuan, Santi Khiri village, Phra That Sinakarindhra, Sakura road (blossoming from December ot February), hill tribe festivals during the winter season

Accommodation: Mae Salong Resort (053 765-014-8, 053 765-132-4), Khum Nai Pon Resort (053 765-001-2)

Best time to visit: All year

That's good news.

X-Pat

nokia: x-pat, do you use Thai or English when you call the taxi service? Will they charge more if you use English?

As a representative of the Empire I make it a point to state my instructions to taxi drivers always in the clearest Oxford English.

X-Pat

Okay. I was kidding. Of course, I or my wife speak Thai to the drivers. Though I have the impression that the airport taxi fees affect Thais and farangs likewise. There doesn't seem to be a farang price.

Cheers, X-Pat

I have to speak in favour of the call taxi service. We used them three times to go to the airport and they were punctual and polite all three times. The last one was ordered for 6:00 AM and he showed up at 5:30 AM.

But, there are bad experiences, too.

Taxis going from CNX airport to any location in the city seem to (over-)charge a fixed rate which is determined by the airport taxi gang. It is invariably more expensive than the meter rate. Having negotiated such an unfavourable rate once, the driver remarked upon arrival at our moo baan, that the fee should be 20 Baht higher than quoted, because the quoted fee was for the other entry of the moo baan.

I regretted that his prior assessment was inaccurate, but pointed out that it was not my mistake, since I had contracted the service at a fixed price. Mentally, I was already gagging him with the exhaust pipe and winding the antenna around his neck. Since the driver accepted his loss -not without an aggrieved display of snottyness- the violence remained a fantasy.

Cheers, X-Pat

Sorry to hear that, p1p.

No signs of air pollution here in Sansai, except the occasional neighbourhood garbage burning session. I have also noticed smoky air in San Kamphaeng once or twice.

We have just moved to CNX. I don't know how bad it will get. Hopefully not too bad, otherwise we might have to move on.

Cheers, X-Pat

Ajarn: This 'construction' along tapae has been going on throughout the year

Which makes one wonder whether scheduling construction works in the tourist season or extending it over the whole year signals a greater degree of incompetence.

Obviously some Thai politicians have racked their brains over how to get more tourists to Chiang Mai. Suggested solutions range from exotic animals to cable cars.

How about not making a total mess out of the main tourist area?

Cheers, X-Pat

Yesterday we had a guest from Bangkok, so we explored the somewhat more touristy parts of Chiang Mai, Tha Phae road and surroundigs, in particular. I noticed that the city planning or civil construction department, or whoever is responsible for this, decided to splash out on a new pavement for this area. Great idea in principle. Only that Tha Phae is now plastered -not with stone- but with rubble, dirt, and deep holes, over which tourists can be seen teetering and balancing. The street vendors seem to take things with a certain aplomb, building their stalls right on the rubble. It would be interesting to know whose idea it was to renew the pavements right in the middle of the peak season. Excellent planning, as usual!

Cheers, X-Pat

I have switched to TT&T Maxnet 512. So far I get 35kB average DL speed (70kB peak) and less outages. I've been considering cable, but it isn't yet available in our area.

Cheers, X-Pat

That was Hi-Net in Chiang Mai.

Cheers, X-Pat

Dear CAT/Hi-Net Team,

I would like to thank you for the two months of adventure and excitement having used your Hi-Net broadband Internet service. It began with the parameter game, which left me fiddling with my the modem for hours, thereby learning all of its features. After I finally managed to configure it properly, I was able to achieve a whopping download speed of 10kByte/sec and less. The many line failures and breakdowns added to continued enjoyment.

In particular, I wish to congratulate you on the circular tech support scheme you have invented. This consists of a dialing a tech support number, and then being transferred several times until one is recommended to dial the original number again. I think this is a revolutionary approach to customer support.

During the last three weeks, when Internet access did not work at all, it was also very reassuring to know that everything looked fine on your side and that your status reports were okay. I regret that other obligations prevent me from continuing our interesting relationship and that I have to cancel the service.

Should you encounter any technical problems with the settlement of my bill, I will be glad to provide you with the phone number of my creditor support department.

Best Regards

Hello Chilvers!

We had a German Shepherd dog. It was doing fine in Thailand. Like all longhaired dogs, it needed a shady cool place. For our GSD that place was under my working desk. Served both of us fine. The dog had a nice cool place and I had a fluffy mat.

According to our experience, the number one cause of death in Thailand is traffic accidents. Of the 20+ dogs my wife owned over the years, one third died from collisions with vehicles. My wife's property is enclosed by a wall, but sometimes (especially in the heat season) the doggies sneak out anyway.

It's better for the dogs if the property is not located close to a major road.

Cheers, X-Pat

nokia: Pristine spots for nature lovers are getting fewer and fewer each day,and it seems like 4WD + trekking is a necessity...

What?

There's no cable-car/mono-rail/hot-dog-snack-kiosk on Doi Pui yet? I thought that's part of Thaksin's tourism expansion plan.

X-Pat (Ex-) City Slicker