el jefe

I beg to differ on jackr about Jacky's bike, have been there for years and never had any problems with crap parts, my bike is still running good after 3 years of been maintained there, and to me, service has always been fast and adequate. But I do agree about Top Gear nice place, never been to Chaitawat though.

Jacky's is the only place I trust to work on high end and mid-range bikes. He doesn't have the biggest selection of cheap stuff, so if that's what you're looking for you might be better off looking at one of the other shops mentioned here. Or in this thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...&hl=bicycle

This was all dscussed a week ago.

And, PP, if you're going to be doing "long rides on flat roads", I'd go with a road bike instead of a mountian bike.

Pretty funny looking at those April posts by Red Sox and Yankee fans.

The team with the best record in all of baseball plays in New York.

Lets Go Mets!!

If you're looking for a quality road bike, the best shop in CM is Jacky's on the left hand side of Chiang Phuak Road, just north of the market. You'll need to know what you want though as no one there speaks much English, unless, of course, you speak Thai.

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

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.

Hello everyone! Can anyone tell me where is Hillside4? Can anyone lead me from thapae road to hillside4? Thanks a millions! ; )

Go around the moat to the northwest corner where CM Ram Hospital is. Go west on Huai Kaew Rd past the Central Shopping Center and the big gas station. Go another couple of 100 meters and Hillside 4 is on the right.

Bangkok Airways flies non-stop to Jinghong, China.

Someone mentioned Luang Prabang/Vientiane and Yangon/Mandalay. You can fly non-stop to and from Luang Prabang but all flights to/from Vientiane require a change of plnes in either Bangkok or Luang Prabang. The flight schedule to Myanmar is a loop is goes from Chiang Mai to Mandalay, then on to Yangon and then returns to CM. It's not very convenient either as it's only once a week, Thursday's I think.

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.

Oh, and to el jefe, thanks for recommending buffets to Hong. I plan to visit them all. I thrive on variety when I eat, and they're all closer to me than the Indian place I've been on about.

CC -

I'm a fan of buffets too, but I don't consider the Thai buffets to be very good. In addition to the grill-your-own meat, fish, tofu and vegetables, they serve a wide variety of cooked food. Almost all of it was prepared much earlier in the day. Cold fried food isn't worth the calories. The papaya salad and everything else that wasn't meant to be eaten right after frying will be fine. For 89B, don't over-eat. I've learned that I'm happier there when I eat less and walk out full, not stuffed. I've tried several of the buffets and the one behind Hilside 4 is the cleanest. If you go, there will be about 500 Thais and you'll be one of 4 or 5 farang.

You'll have no complaints with the variety and quality at the Vietnamese and Amari buffets. I'm sure the Sheraton is excellent too.

Anyone know where got good buffet to eat? The one that i visit is near the museum insect there, but i wish to visit other good recomend buffet.

Hong, it's a Thai BBQ buffet you're looking for, right? I think the best one is the one behind Hillside 4. You'll see a steady stream of motos entering the alley just to the right (east) of the building. The food is similar to the one you're refering to near the insect museum, but the place is much, much cleaner.

If it's a Western buffet you want, my favorite is at the Amari Hotel. It's about 250B on weekdays and 350B on Sundays. A wide selection of western, inernational and Thai dishes. Plenty of western desserts too. Just about everything is done perfectly and the service is excellent. I can't compare it to the Sheraton since I've never been there, but the Amari is in the area I think your looking.

There's also a Vietnamese buffet on Suthep Road near Neimanheiman, called HaLong Bay. Pretty standard vietnamese selections from the buffet table, but you can order about 20 different items from the menu at no extra charge. The grilled shrimp with sugarcane is worth the 89B all by itself.

The excellent Thanin Market is nearby (just north of the Novotel). I don't know of any parks or green areas in the vicinity. Sorry, I can't answer any of the other questions.

Lopburi's link above has most of the answers and Lanny's analysis is correct.

I just have two additional comments:

1. You can still amend your 2002 tax return if you had a properly filed extension until October 15, 2003 for that year. Otherwise 2003 is the earliest year you can amend.

2. Your wife obviously must sign all of the returns. You are now both liable for any tax due related to the other's income and assets.

I spent a week in the Viangbua last year before getting a permanent place. It's clean, efficient, and seems very secure. There's often a tuk tuk waiting out front for an overpriced ride anywhere you want to go. Otherwise, walk out to the main road and there's little problem catching a songtheiuw. The Thanin Market is a block away. imho it's the best market in CM for take-away and the stalls selling made to order meals are a great value. Besides a noisy internet cafe a block away and a 7-11, there's not much else in the neighborhood you'd be walking to.

I've ordered the ribs at Duke's about 10 times. The only time I didn't get a "huge" serving was the one time it was huger than huge. As consistently large the ribs serving is at Duke's, the baked beans are consistently terrible. The staff at Duke's often have a problem getting the sides and sauce orders right too. But I'm there for the ribs, which have taste in addition to quantity, not the beans and service.

I've used STA more than a dozen times for various travel services. The entire staff is equally competent, helpful and fluent in English.

Hey cmsally,

Was there ever a time in your life when you were surprised that a person would willing kill you if you were crossing the street simply because you occupied the same space as their vehicle's intended path. Are you so callous that you would ridicule someone for being surprised? What do you say to the old lady or obese person who can't sprint across the road?

I really don't understand the logic that says if something exists in Thailand, it must be alright. Perhaps we should all agree that rape is cool becuase it happens a lot in Thailand - like it or leave it.

My point was to use an extreme example to point out that you need to go out with an attitude of self preservation. You can't expect the other person to slow down or stop. Some people assume you will get out of their way and others just don't see you! Although I always slow down or stop when there's a crossing, light etc. I agree with others in that I wouldn't slam on brakes and there's one good reason for that. 80% of drivers get far too close to other cars. You can see accidents caused by this frequently on crowded highways. One car has to brake and one or even up to 4 or 5 pile into the back - simple reason is they don't allow enough space between them and the car in front. Looking at the chalk marks on the road these seem to be the most common types of accident in the city area.

So you would rather kill someone than risk being rear ended by the car behind you? Funny, cause I stop all the time for pedestrians and never have had a close call. Do you even own a car?

If I want to stop for a pedestian, I must take my eyes off the front of my car and look behind my car long enough to accurately judge the speed/intentions of anyone coming up from behind. Dangerous, obviously, because my attention is taken away from whatever I may hit...

Frankly, sometimes I feel that I can't look back because there is too much going on infront of me to risk an accident, so I don't stop for the pedestrian, therby making a safe choice for me, other traffic, and the pedestrian.

If you decide to stop for the pedestrian anyway, and you don't have an accident, then I'd say you're lucky, not a better driver.

That's the scariest thing I've ever read about driving or walking here. Please let me know when you'll be on the road so I can make sure I'll be indoors.

4. Oh, this one's important. Can I cross everyday including Sunday? And, if my VISA expirres on the 15th, does that mean I have to renew it on the 15th or before the 15th.?

Yes, the border is open every day

Technically, you are due by midnite on the 14th

In practice, you're okay until midnite on the 15th.

That's not how the dates worked for me. The last three stamps in my passport read:

8 Jan - 6 feb

3 Feb - 4 Mar

3 Mar - 1 April

The 30 days start on the day of arrival and the 30th day is the day you must leave. You have until the end of the day stamped in your passport

My wife and I stayed in the Viangbua for a week last October while we looked for something more permanent. The standard rooms in the Viangbua would be fine for a single person. The staff is friendly and helpful; security is excellent; everything is modern and well-maintained. The location isn't bad either. The Rimping Supermarket is withing walking distance and the Thanin Market may be the best market in Chiang Mai. There are 100's of options for take-away as well as over a dozen stands with tables and chairs for authentic Thai food. I still go back often to the Kao Soi guy. It's the best in CM, imho. I found the food in the Viangbua's restaurant to be mediocre and prepared for farang tastes. If you're not bringing a lap-top, there are internet cafes around the corner that charge 15 baht/hour, but you'll be the oldest person in there.

If we walked out to the main road, we never had trouble finding a songthieuw for 15 baht per person to take us anywhere in the city but it's almost impossible to get one after 9:00pm.

Honda Waves rent for 100 baht/day. It shouldn't be a problem renting one for a month for 2500 baht or less.

We wound up in Hillside 4. we thought the location was a little better. They also have a pool for residents. It costs 100 baht/day for non-residents.

Why don't you make a reservation in the Viangbua for a week? See what it's like while checking out other places like Hillside 4. There should be plenty of apts available in July.

Rabieng Kaew (150 meters heading south from the bridge, on the right) has the best food in Mae Sai, imho. However, I've only been there for dinner and I'm not sure they're open for lunch. I've never had a bad lunch in Tachilek, but unfortunately don't know the names of any of the places I've tried. None of them are within 1/2 km of the bridge.

imho, the VIP bus from the Arcade station is the way to go. It's big, roomy and comfortable -- 8 rows of reclining seats and only 3 across. It's much more comfortable than the typical mini-van. Bring a book or take a nap. How to kill the 3 hours? Have lunch in Tachilek. Go shopping for fake cigarettes, fake sunglasses, and playing cards.

All of the tour operaters in Mae Sarieng offer boat trips down the Salawin River, either as a stand alone trip or as part of a multi-day trek. Most of them include a quick stop on the Myanmar side of the river. You can buy lunch and snacks and have your picture taken with some "Karen Army" soldiers but there are no border/immigration formalities. You are technically in Myanmar but no one seems to care. You're expected to get back on the boat and continue downriver stopping only on the Thai side after that. There wouldn't be much point in exploring further in that part of Myanmar. It won't count as a visa-run and you'd be in Myanmar illegally. Not a risk anyone would want to take.

FYI -

I was at the top of Rte 1096, the Mae Sa Road today. There's a viewpoint 11 km before Samoeng. There's obviously no view at all this time of year, but I did stop and was able to count 23 separate fires burning.

El Jefe, you mentioned the Vientiane flight stops in Luang Prabang, can you get a 90 day Visa in Luang Prabang ?

I've never tried but I really doubt it. i don't think there's a Thai embassy in LP.

The CNX flight to Vientiane stops in Luang Prabang. A much cheaper, although more complicated, alternative for Vientiane is to fly Nok Air (on Friday and Sunday only) to Udon Thani for 1200B. Catch one of the vans right outside the terminal to Nong Khai for 200B. From there a tuk-tuk gets you to the Friendship Bridge. It's still another 20km to Vientiane but there are frequent songthieuws and buses.

So the consensus is that Miguel's food is either blow average, above average, or as good as Mexican gets in CM. Those opinions are all probably right.

(Since I started the price debate), his prices are either high or irrelevant. I'm Ok with that. But if he's really importing beans (very hard to believe from a business viewpoint), he should stick a couple of jars of jalapeno peppers in with the next shipment. It would go a long way towards improving his food.

It's pretty much agreed that most people don't like Mike's behavior. He's obviously not catering towards a Thai crowd and gringo/farang tourists and some expats don't mind as much. But the bottom line, literally for Mike, is that his Mexican restaurant will succeed just as his burger places did.

As for me, I don't have to give my money to someone I don't like.

I can't wait to get back to NY for some real Mexican food.

If you need any help, I'll pitch in for a ticket.

Wake up Senor Pompouseno, you're lucky to get any freakin Mexican food in Chiang Mai at all! Do you get a little chubby telling the board about great deals in NY? If not, why bother? I bet another 5 guys could come on here and insist they know better and cheaper.

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Hey Polecat,

The ingredients Mike uses are local. He's no importing anything from Mexico. So why the premium prices.

So let me rephrase my original post:

In my opinion, Miguel's food is below ordinary, his prices above ordinary, and the way he treats his staff is apalling.

Oh, and if you really want to pitch in for the ticket, I'll gladly accept.