el jefe

This won't make many of you happy. I'm certainly disappointed. Several months ago I heard that the tourism authority is planning a handicrafts exhibit on the Royal Flora grounds from Nov 2009 to Jan 2010. I guess the good news is that there is nothing planned for the next two winters.

Has anyone else heard anything about the handicrafts show?

You didn't say anything offensive, you just asked a silly question. Well, actually a good question, just 7 years early.

7 years ago PM Thaksin hadn't been elected yet. Now he's been deposed in a military coup. What will the gov't be like 7 years from now?

7 years ago the baht was 60 to the dollar. Now it's 34. What will the baht dollar rate be 7 years from now?

7 years ago no one cared how many monthly visa runs you did. What will the visa rules be 7 years from now?

7 years ago no one talked about pollution/traffic/over-development/name-the-problem in Chiang Mai. What will be the problem 7 years from now.

Those are the questions you should be asking.

Not true. You can get a 14 day visa in Tachilek that allows you to travel to Kyiang Tong and Mong Lar. You can't go anywhere else and you have to exit Myanmar at Tachilek, but a visa in advance is definitely not required.

Ginny,

Baan Thai is on Soi 6, just west of Nimmanhemin. It has a pool. I have a friend that just started renting there recently. He says it's a pretty standard room, about 40 sq meters with no kitchen facilities. Supposedly all rooms are identical.

I had no idea BaanThai was a condo. I thought it was a rental building. Learn something new everyday.

Most condos in CM have no website. Some have a website during the pre-construction and construction phases when the sponsor/developer is trying to sell units. After that, there's no need for a website.

HTH.

Are there many serious road cyclist in Chiang Rai? I'm looking for a few riding partners who like to go out for 2.5 - 4 hour rides covering 70 - 120km. I'm living in CM now but am considering the move up. Having someone in CR to ride with would make the decision easier.

Mike knew that In and Out wouldn't come after him in CM to protect their trademark. Let's see what happens when he opens a MikDonalds, complete with golden arches.

I have decided to try Costa Rica because it has good internet, lower humidity and temperature in the central valley and much better air if you are outside San Jose. Unfortunately Phuket area is just too unreliable and slow for my work needs....I will really miss Thailand but I don't know where to live healthy with decent internet here. Maybe in the future if they get their act together. Enjoy Krabi !!!!!

CSN & Robroy --

If you do decide to try Costa Rica's central valley because of the possibility of better air, you'll probably want to live in the eastern suburbs on the San Pedro / Curridabat side. The trade winds blow all of San Jose's pollution to the more exclusive western suburbs of Escazu and Santa Ana. It's still never as bad as CM. If you go as far west as Ciudad Colon, Atenas, Grecia or San Ramon the air is considerably better. And fwiw, a comparable lifestyle in Costa rica will cost about twice as much as in CM.

An hour ago you could easily see two huge fires going on on the lower slopes of Doi Suthep slightly north of the city. These look too big to be local farmers. It's probably the govt doing controlled burns. Unless the govt figures out a better system, there's no way this problem is going to get better anytime soon.

The great thing about the weather is that if you don't like it, wait 5 minutes and it will change. Or, in the case of CM, a few days.

After a cooler and longer winter than usual, it was hot for a few days. This morning it was a very chilly 14° in Mae Rim.

I had 6 fans all lined up and ready to go. Now I don't need them. TA22, you need any more fans?

You can't blame the farmers and the hill-tribe people for all the burning. It's the gov't too, or at least it's some govt controlled agency. I was on the Mae Sa road today and there were 3 groups of workers burning the dead vegetation on the hillsides. There was a big yellow truck with each group of workers. The trucks all had some type of gov't insignia, but I can't read Thai so I can't be sure who is responsible. There not burning these hillsides to plant anything there either.

So who is doing it and why??

OK, here's one more review of The Duke's vs the CM Saloon, especially as it pertains to the burgers:

First, I think most of the food at The Duke's is outstanding, but on the expensive side. I used to get the ribs there all the time because they are the best I've found in Asia and an excellent value. I never had a good burger in Asia so I never wanted to "waste" a meal at Duke's trying their burger. Then I figured out that if my wife ordered the full rack of ribs, I'd get plenty of her leftovers, plus the burger I could order. Now I get the burger all the time. Always the Bacon & Blue Cheese Burger, rare. It's the best burger I've had in Asia and compares well to most burgers in the US.

I tried a bacon cheeseburger at the CM Saloon because of the recommendations on this board. The meat was mushy and not as tasty as at Duke's, they used ordinary cheese, and the bacon wasn't as good either. Even the bun was better at The Duke's. Both came with french fries. The Duke's fries are always perfectly cooked -- hot and crispy when served. The fries at the CM Saloon were limp and ordinary. Both burgers cost the same price (except for the 7% tax at Duke's).

I went to the CM Saloon on Rajawithee Road. Maybe the Saloon on Loi Kroh does better burgers? I don't know and don't think I'll find out. Even though Duke's is not as convenient for me, it's the only place in CM to get a burger.

bump for some current info... anyone?

any elaboration on where to find this place too?

It's just west of Neimanheiman, maybe Soui 8 or 10. There are plenty of signs.

I tried Powerhouse on a one day free pass. I wasn't impressed at all.

This may only apply to US citizens, and I doubt you can do this via the internet, so it may only apply to those of you that will be back in the US to do it in person.

Open a Charles Schwab account. They will give you an ATM/debit card that will allow you to withdraw up to $500 (or equivalent in foreign funds) from any ATM anywhere in the world for a $1.00 fee.

Or open an account at any Commerce Bank branch. Same $500 limit and no fee for any withdrawal anywhere ever. If you don't like carrying around 1000 baht notes, you can make as many 900 baht withdrawls in a day as you'd like as long as you don't exceed the $500/day limit.

I cannot substantiate, corraborate or provide any further information abou this, but was informed in earnest by a connected thai person to take care. I am taking their message seriously enough to alert others.

There are meant to be 2 Thai people, man and woman, currently operating in Chiang Mai. They stop farangs, and then "take them away". (I don't understand, but it is not good.) I think they might stop people on motor cycles, but the thing to do is get away from them very quickly if you are stopped.

Apparently, this has happened to three people already. The female is meant to be a particularly bad character.

Please be on the look out.

If anybody has heard anything related to this, i would like to hear it.

Since I am unable to support this, you may as well take this message as just talk, but at least i have tried to inform people.

So, am I supposed to be afraid of all Thai couples??

I can't think of a better visa run than Lao Airways non-stop to Luang prabang.

My second choice would be Bangkok Airways to Jinghong, China.

Someone else flies to Kunming, China.

WOW 600 Bath just to join !!

First entry free. whahahahah so funny .

and there is entry fee everytime . i need to go .

sound like good money .

you can go up The mountian and come down at least 12 time with 600 baht .

..

maybe that why thai alway think that expat are easy target for rip off.

even the expat are ripping off expat whhahaha .

TA22,

hahaha. reading your posts are very funny.

this thread is about hiking.

the Expat Club organizes hikes to many places.

They are FREE. FREE.

hahahaha.

You keep saying "Go to Doi Pui, Go to Doi Pui."

You go to the same place all the time.

hahaha

The Expat Club hikes go to many places besides Doi Pui.

If you want to join the club you can.

there are many benefits.

some people find them very worthwhile.

others don't.

some people just go on the hikes for FREE. FREE.

hahaha.

No ripoffs.

hahaha

On the same note, are there any hiking clubs or groups in Chiang Mai? E.g. an informal group of residents (Thai/farang) that arranges day hikes in the area?

The CM Expats Club has a group that goes hiking on nearby trails every second Saturday. Nothing very strenuous but a nice day walking in the woods with some interesting people. the info was up on their website, but I'm not sure it's still there.

1) I need a Laos visa. It seems from reading that I can get one from a travel agent. It will cost me between $30 - $40. This should allow me to enter Laos. I can't get this at the border or the airport ...correct? meaning I should get it in Chiang Mai before I leave. What is the time frame on this visa? Can I walk in and get it in a matter of minutes or do I have to wait a day or so.

You can get a "Visa on Arrival" at any Lao border crossing.

2)Is there somewhere I can downlioad the TV application and fill it out ahead of time or should I just pick one up when I get into Laos at the consulate. Should I bring two small pictures with me or can this be done for a fee at the consulate.

No need to download the application, but you should have the photos with you when you arrive. You'll also need 1 or 2 photos for the Lao visa.

4)Finally...flying from Chiang Mai to Vientiane seems to be about $200 round trip. Is the airport close to the consulate or your recommended accomodation? How long is the trip via bus if I would go that route?

You can also fly Nok Air to Udon Thani for $30 each way, take a $5 van to Nong Khai, a sontheiuw to the border and a tuk-tuk from the bridge to Vientiane.

A couple of posters ("Seeker" was one) reported on the buffet at the Duangtawan Hotel. I have two questions:

1. How are the western desserts?

2. It was mentioned that you can get just the salad bar buffet for a lesser price. Would the salad bar buffet price allow you to eat the desserts?

The gym above the Rimping Supermarket by the Novotel hhas excellent equipment too and also charges 300B/day.

The gym at Hillside 4, while not as modern, only charges 100B/day.

I was in Huay Kaew Residence last friday looking for a room for a friend. They showed me a 24 sq meter apt. I thought it was good value for the money -- fairly quiet and utilised the small space very well. but it's all a moot point since they told me they are fully booked now.

btw. Lanna 3 is on the NW corner of Huay kaew Rd and the Canal Rd.

"Gru Pli" is a Sato with a 4% alcohol content. You can mix it with soda to decrease the alcohol further. You should be a ble to find it in some convenience stores / mini marts.

With NOK Air you can book your ticket by phone and make the payment either by ATM transfer or pay at any 7Eleven store using "Counter Service" Click here and select "call center" from menu

NOK is the only airline I've had the problem with. PremR has the correct solution but it's still easier to just pay while you're sitting in front of the computer making the reservation. that can only be done with a Thai credit card.

As for the difference between credit and debit cards, the major problem with debit cards is that if a problem comes up with your purchase you can dispute it more easily with your credit card. if you made the purchase via a debit card, it's treated similarly to a check and you won't get any help from the bank.

Now that I know it' so easy I'll be going in to get to get my Thai credit card immediately.

This is absoutely disgraceful!

Aside from the extreme cruelty that killing dogs for meat involves, eaters of dog meat risk ingesting all sorts of nasties and diseases from eating dog meat.

It is doubtful to say the least, that these dogs are being bread specifically in captivity for dog meat & most people don't even like to touch a 'soi dog' but are willing to eat one!?!? Can you imagine the risks unthinking people are running!

Do people even imagine that dogs are killed in anything even approaching a humane way & in sanitory conditions?

What happened to the saying that a "dog is a man's best friend"? This practice should be outlawed as a priority!

iang, could you please post a link to some authoritative site that says eating dog meat is in any way unhealthy for humans.

You also imply that other animals are humanely slaughtered. I've had the pleasure to watch as pigs were killed in villages here in Thailand. Someone took a big stick and smacked the pig in the head a few times until it was only semi-conscious. Then a wire was wrapped around its neck and twisted until the animal was strangled to death. This took several minutes with the pig squealing the whole time. as soon as the squealing stopped the pig was butchered.

In Vietnam there is one species that is specifically bred for its meat. The same in southern China. It appears the only difference here is that the Thai's will eat many species.

Plus and Galong, who think dogs have feelings, personality and inteligence, how are they different than pigs?? You're either a vegetarian or not. And if you're eating meat, especially from mammals, why does it matter whether it's from a cow, pig, horse, camel, lion, or seal, all of which are meats available in the USA or Europe? As for intelligence, I've read that the octopus is one of the most intelligent creatures and it's considered a delicacy to eat them while they are still alive.

Every one of the 20 or so countries I've visited in Asia and Latin America has a dual pricing sytem. Let's face it, we have a dual income sytem in this world.

If you don't like dual pricing for tourists, I assume you're against giving discounts to senior citizens.