Ormgard

Looking for serious vipassana meditation retreat, if anyone has up to date information.

A Thai girlfriend of mine went swimming with a friend. Afterwards she developed dark blotches on her cheeks as a result of too much sun, an obvious catastrophy. Apparently this happens quite often to Thai women who aren't careful. The girl is seeing a dermatologist at a clinic who recommends sort of removing the blotches, plucking them away, apparently a piecemeal operation taking weeks if not months and madly expensive.

But I seem to recall a similar case in Pattaya with a girl with really DARK blotches on both cheeks; when I returned to Pattaya after four months in Europe they were miraculously completely, but completely gone and she had only used some kind of salve/cream, if memory serves.

Does anyone know of the very best way to tackle this problem here in Chiang Mai, i e is skin cream or operations the best way to go about it, and which are the best doctors (dermatologists), clinics and/or hospirtals?

Thanks all for the advice... Anyone else have personal experience with Huay Kaew Residence? The PICTURES look nice... Laughing.

Ta22, Your advice is appreciated and I'll make sure to check into those things before taking a room. And, I would not blame you if I had some problem with a room you suggested. If you could give the name of where some of these decent 3-4000 Baht rooms, it would be great.

Wizzard of Oz' pal didn't like Huay Kaew Residence, they "ripped him off", were "dodgy". I put a big questionmark here. In my humble opinion this might be a case of bad farang behaviour. To check out Huay Kaew, visit (if you're in CM, that is) the coffee shop in house 5. An American, John, runs it and knows most farangs in the complex. He has never heard of any farang complaining of mistreatment, on the contrary.

Another matter is whether you want to live in high rise (8 floors) modern buildings - the complex I think has some 300 apartments - (just) outside the old city or if you prefer a condo inside the moat, which will never be more than 5 stories (and often pretty seedy). Huay Kaew is sometims frowned upon because it rather looks like a modern hospital or factory, no "quaintness" here!

Incidentally, I hear the ADSL has been upgraded, from what to what I don't know.

And, it beeing a new complex, the AC is new - and silent.

Hello,

Is it possible to find an apt. in the 3-7000 Baht range in Chiang Mai? Can anyone recommend some specific places or areas? I don't need anything fancy, though AC would be nice.

Thanks in advance.

There's the Huay Kaew Residence, just off the NW corner of the moat, 200 yards up Huay Kaew Rd, next door to Orchid Hotel, which in turn is next to the Central shopping Mall (Kad Suan Kaew).

New, all conveniences including ASDL. Last I heard studios were Bt 4000 + electricity, water and ADSL connection (Bt 400/month?). One bedrooms I think would be from Bt 6 500 to Bt 12 500.

Don't have the website, but you can get info via [email protected].

QUOTE

OK, here's the best place, that I've never told anyone about. Turn east on the road between the "21" Karaeoke club and the Thai Mint (you'll see a red and white sign for the restaurant on that corner, but I don't know what it says). Go about 1km till you cross over a small canal bridge and take an immediate right (ther'll be another sign ther). Proceed down this road to the end, where it turns left, and the restaurant is about 75 meters up on the right hand side. The tastiest Thai food ever.

The propitor is called "ajarn saiyud" by everyone (in fact that might be the name of the restaurant) and she is a fantastic Thai chef and food artist too.

Thanks a lot, but, sorry, I don't know my way about CM. Where do I find the 21 Karaoke Club and the Thai Mint?

QUOTE: <<<<You've probably checked the food reviews I'm doing (see sig line)>>>>>

Maybe I'm dense, but I don't understand about the "sig line". Looking desperately for really excellent non-touristy Thai food in CM. Can one access a Thai food site of yours? Or go to somewhere here on this forum?

QUOTE: Try this website based in Chiangmai.. Top bloke who runs it.. Very helpfull. Best of luck. http://www.golfvibes.com/

Isn't there some other site focusing on Chiang Mai only?

[To kick this off, for anyone who is in need of gum treatment I can wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Darede who runs a clinic opposite Ruam Phaed Hospital, south of Chiang Mai gate (i.e. outside of the moat and wall).

Dr. Darede is a professor at CMU and she has studied dentistry in Denmark. Her English is very good and she is an exceptionally gentle and capable dentist. Her treatment style puts you at ease, and she is nigh psychic in sensing if the patient hurts without you having to even say anything.

/quote]

I had my teeth cleaned in the usual fashion by Dr. Darede in May. She charged me 2 x 800 baht, i e Bt 1600 for the whole job, which I find exorbitant, to say the least. Had an excellent cleaning job at Pattaya International Hospital in -05 for Bt 1000, which I at the time found expensive, considering there were plenty of smaller dentist shops doing it for Bt 500.

The Duangtawan really try hard on the Japanese buffet, but Japanese food HAS to be eaten when it is ultra-fresh.

I much rather pay for Zen or Fuji and get top quality Japanese food.

Is the Japanese restaurant Fuji in Kad Suan Kaew (Central shopping mall)? If so, on which floor?

Zen is, I know; I don't know about top quality, though...

The best khao soi in Chiang Mai I have had is at Khao Soi Samoe Jai in Faa Haam. There is also a small unassuming place near Kat Kom market (and the Nation's Chiang Mai office) that comes close.

Aroon Rai ... A nothing-special eatery trying to play the 'local eatery' card but charging farang prices for food that does not have significantly higher quality than a regular 'taam sang' shop.

Good on you, Meadish! Hopefully someone will muster up the energy to get onto the Lonely Planet guide, who persists in pushing Aroon Rai.

But, Meadish, where in the world IS "Samoe Jai in Faa Haam"?! Not to mention "Kat Kom" market??

You can atone for this by providing us all with your mother's recipe for Genuine Swedish Christmas Meatballs.

It would be a blessing if every poster on these sites always remembered to give directions as to where the places mentioned are situated.

Many, many of us are new in town!! Many, many of us have never heard of obvious places like John's, Laughing Leprechaun etc.

It might be a drag, but if you're new in Chiang Mai maybe you don't know where, for example, Thapae Road is. (Thapae Road is the street going eastwards towards the river Ping, from Thapae Gate, which is the gate at the center of the eastern part of the wall surrounding Chiang Mai old city).

I’d like some information, if possible, on the noble art of haggling. I know this is a sensitive subject, but there may be some basic tips available.

I’m told that you cannot expect to knock off, at best, 10% at Warorot, and less than that in proper stores.

But the Night Bazaar seems to be another matter, guidebooks advise you to try to be really tough.

A friend has this simple rule: aim for half of the initial asking price no matter where you’re shopping (which means you have to start out really low), and you can’t go drastically wrong; when the seller can’t go lower, he’ll tell you so (but give it a few more goes).

Germans... who knows. Anyone?

Give me a hand someone, please. When is the Sweden vs Trinidad & Tobago game tonight Thai time?

A lot of tourists (male and female) hang out in Talad Boon U - round the back of the Irish Pub - beside the Rasta Cafe.

Where are these places?

Looking for dependable shop selling 2nd hand mobiles, and would love suggestions as to best subscription rate for farang living here in the winter but going "home" for 2-3 summer months, i e right now.

son has some fever, just wanted to know what kind of infection. our regular doctor (Khun Dr. Saipin) was on leave. some old man doctor who looks like he should retire at the pediatrics attended to my son. asked him what antibiotics has he prescibed, no answer. just antibiotics he said. mentioned that my son has "very red throat". fine, so its a throat infection. thats all i needed to know.

got to the payment counter and we were charged 1,100 baht. asked why its so much, they said its the cost of the medicine. went to the pharmacy and saw that they have prescribed Banan, some new antibiotic. my children have been prescribed many different kinds of antibiotics there and all of them have been "pretty strong" ones. a word with my sis who is a doc strongly disagrees about giving the kids strong antibiotics. she recommends the lower class, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, erythromycin for mild infections before moving up to the next class in case it doesnt work.

i told them i dont want the antibiotic. they can have it back and i got refunded 720 baht for it. drove down to Pharma Choice and asked about the same antibiotic and how much it was (out of curiosity). they would sell it to me for 270 baht. difference of 450! i went for the regular erythromycin manuctured by OLIC for 85 Baht.

its not about the money. i would pay whatever it takes to make my children feel ok but please be warned that if you go to chiangmai ram 1, just get diagnosed and head out somewhere else for your medications. i intend to do that from now onwards. we have had 2 children born in that hospital but they have started being a bit unreasonable in the charges of their medications.

also if someone could recommend me some good pediatric doctors in chiang mai, it would be much appreciated.

My impression, right or wrong, is that if you don't have a company health insurance card, or the equivalent, you're purfunctorily treated.

Also I want to confirm that lab and medicine costs are far above other CM hospitals, not to mention pharmacies.

I get the feeling that the hospital is trying to reserve their unquestionable abilities for individuals/companies who don't have to bother about costs.

Trying to hitch a ride with someone driving car, or as company on VIP bus leaving Chiang Mai Arcade station at 08.00 AM, return VIP bus from Mae Sai at 15.20, leaving three hours for lunch/shopping et al.

(I would prefer Wed May 24, as 25 is my last renewal day.)

Hi

Mainly for you England fans.

I live in Mae taeng and rarely go out in CM but will be looking to watch the first 3 England matches in a bar or a good place to watch the games.

So ...

England vs Paraguay - 10 June, 8pm Thai Local Time - where will you be watching this game?

England vs Trinidad & Tobago - 15 June, 11pm Thai Local Time - where will you be watching this game?

England vs Sweden - 21 June, 2am Thai Local Time - Will there be anywhere open to watch this game? if so where will you be watching this game? Its my birthday this day so it should be a douboe celebration!

I have thought about the Queen Vic but am open to any ideas.

Cheers

Ash

I'll be at the Outback - Batu Tharpae for all the games.

Where is this place, please?

I went to Rimping superstore (next to Novotel) for the first time the other day. Surprised to see it was only one floor, namely the ground one (fitness center upstairs).

I've heard so much about Rimping beeing excellent, on par with Central (Kad Suan Keow in Huey Keow Rd, next to the Orchid Hotel). But it didn't seem anywhere near Central. Limited number of stores, tired looking vegetables in the food department etc. Plus one rather expensive restaurant (S&P).

So what's the secret? What did I miss?

Best alternative in my opinion is to take a motorbike taxi för Bt30 from the bus station down to the border.

That's a peachy thought sixty five Kms on the back of a bike whose driver you have never met before. Death and wish are two words that spring to mind. The border is up, not down, as you would be travelling north

The guesthouse isn't that bad either, if it's the same one I'm thinking of.

I mean of course the MAI SAE bus station, 2-3 clicks from the Myanmar border. 30 baht would be VERY cheap going from Chiang Rai.

An alternative is to take the VIP to Chiang Rai and stop a night or two there. The buses from Chiang Rai to Mae Sae are frequent and the fan costs 30 baht one way (I think) and takes about an hour. Songtaew from the bus station to the border is 8 baht each way if you get crammed in or a rip off if you charter one for yourself (100 baht?)

Best alternative in my opinion is to take a motorbike taxi för Bt30 from the bus station down to the border.

Good place to overnight in Chiang Rai is the very pleasant Baan Bua guesthouse in Jetyod Rd, right in the center of town and close to the bus station. Bt250 per night. Booking recommended, even in low season.

There's a site listing all English version movies shown in Chiang Mai - at Central, Airport Plaza etc - both original English sound tracks and Thai, Chinese movies etc with English subtitles.

But I've lost the site address somehow! Can somebody please help?

Ok, I did my duty and read up on what I could easily find on the topic here before posting. Good stuff, but I have a few little particulars to ask about.

1. How often does the bus go from CM to Mae Sae? What's the best time to brutally tear myself out of bed before noon?

2. ######, I'm out of crappy little photos & haven't noticed where I can get some flattering new ones. I need a couple, right?

3. I've fooled myself into thinking I'm going on a trip, not just a necessary run. What about a side trip to close by places like Chiang Saen? Maybe break up the marathon bus ride?

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.?

5. I assume the facilities on the bus include just holding it in.

6. Anyone spend the night in Mae Sai and come back the next day?

OK, thanks.

REPLY:

1. there's a 24-seater VIP bus leaving CM for Mae Sai at 8 AM. Return VIP leaves Mae Sai 15.20 PM, which gives you about four hours in Mae Sai/Tachilek, world enough and time for visa, shopping, lunch.

2. Any Kodak or Fuji photo shop will be able to help you out, I think.

3. This entails puzzling together bus time tables and going on pretty uncomfy buses; OK if you're not in a hurry. But I'd do it in the one day, just to get it over with.

4. Why not be a day early, i e go on the 14th, in case something happens (this is what most people do).

5. The VIP bus makes no pit stops on the way, but there's of course a loo aft.

6. I guess Mae Sai is good for an afternoon sightseeing and a night out; it certainly breaks up a pretty tedious trip.

Which Payap campus is the language course at? Huay Kaew?

See Rishis posting on page 2 of this thread.

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

Apologies for this error!

It's the other way around I believe: Payap has a language lab, but apparently not AUA. Sorry!