ZEAK

Been working with a Thai architect designing my condo. After I had the drawings done up I paid for her services, which I thought were quite reasonable. Then when she gave me the quote from a contractor I was told about the factor F, which, if the total sum is under 500K, the factor F is an automatic %25 of the total.

This seems like an awful lot, not to mention any cream on the side that they may be getting from the contractors. I am concerned that my little renovation job is going to cost me a lot more than I had hoped for. Right now I am thinking about taking my drawings, which I paid for, and getting quotes myself from contractors to save this fee of %25.

Has anyone had experience dealing with architects in Thailand? Did you have the dreaded factor F as well?

Would you say it's a fair assumption that after an initially hopeful start, the meter taxis have proven a disaster in Chiang Mai?

I see them mostly parked somewhere, not moving, not being available unless you're willing to call, book, and haggle.. That to me is not what meter taxis are about.

Just flew out 2 days ago, called the meter cab and after giving all details to the dispatch was told 150B. After a brief back and forth I had to hang up. Whats the point? Im sure they are used to this by now. Went outside and got a song tao for 60B.

Love Thailand, just get let down when things turn out not to be what they are promoted as. Seems to happen quite a bit.

Airport manager Serirat Prasutanond told a press conference that photo experts had confirmed that the X-ray picture captured an object that looked like a diamond ring and which appeared to be kept in a case.

So it only looked like a ring and was in a case and probably in a pocket inside a folded up jacket.......

The security-camera footage presented to the media showed that Chrobop had to pull out something from his pant's pocket twice, because the security gate sent off an alarm on his first two walk-throughs. Both times, he put the items in his jacket, which he placed in a basket to be passed through the scanning machine.

...maybe 2 rings eh...say a total of wot 1,000,000 bt...nice one..

Picking up his belongings at the other end, Chrobop was unable to find what he had put in his jacket and spoke with the operator, who helped him search for it, but they could not find it.

unable to find a ring (or maybe 2 ) in a box, in his jacket pocket that he probably just put on and...

Officials rescanned Chrobop's belongings but did not find the ring, which the first scanned image had shown, Serirat said.

Did they check his trouser (for our US readers -Pants) pockets or was that considered NOT POLITE .......

and betcha he got a police report for his insurance company........so now.....

I agree.

The world is full of cons and con men. A little slight of hand and "presto", I'll take a check please.

Amazing that people think nothing of the fact he just let it go and got on the plane. I would not have moved untill the police showed up. This whole shnanagan stinks, and its too bad everyone is looking at Thailand as the source of the stank. Where is the proof??

I agree, Skype is the way to go. I talk to friends and family overseas for hours....for free! And if they are on Skype on their end, the sound quality is so clear it is surreal. If I call a regular phone it costs pennies. Check it out.

Thai saying:

"Tum dee dai dee, Tum chua dai chua"

Make good, good comes back, make bad, bad comes back.

My girlfriend and myself often say this to each other when we have been wronged or ripped off in any manner. It seems to put us to ease at once knowing that it will all be taken care of it. I.E being charged an extra 5 baht at a street vender selling young coconuts just because im "farung", when we knew what the price should have been. Instead of making a fuss, we remind ourselvs of the above.

Best

I'm not the one filling out the complaint form, you are.

Im not "filling out the complaint form". I did fill one out. And once again, dont know why you are bent out of shape for me having submitted a complaint on their hotline. And I am not the one that went off on a tangent with a stick beating a dead horse with your last "story" post. Simmer down man. You make some wild assumptions. Now are you going to reply to me by saying, I am simmered down, you simmer down?

I'm not saying don't complain about pollution. The website sets parameters for the complaints. It wants you to complain about people or companies causing the polution. It doesn't want you to tell them something they already know.

So you send them an email that says the city of Chiang Mai has too much pollution in the air. They look at the email and say "Duh!" From that they assume that all farangs must be stupid. Why do they tell us something we already know? They look at each other shaking their heads negatively and press the delete button on their computer.

Let me explain what they are looking for. If you see someone dumpling liquids from barrels into a stream, if your neighbor burns spare tires on a regular basis, or maybe you notice the local store dumping trash in the forest nearby.

They are looking for a name or address they can connect to the pollution. Not your opinion about the air quality. Unless you can associate the Chiang Mai air quality to a name or address then they probably don't care about your opinion.

You might as well complain to the Ministry of Education because they won't do anything about your complaint either.

If you don't give them what they ask for, then they don't care what you think. It's very similiar to the visa process. If you don't give them the right paperwork, then you don't get your visa.

The very first paragraph says:

Experiencing a pollution problem? Smelly factory next door? Somebody dumping garbage where they shouldn't? Someone fouling a waterway? If you'll supply us with a few details, we'll look into this problem. ..

I do not see where is sets the "parameters" for the complaints. Nor does it say do not tell us about problems that we already know about. Cmon man, kid noy.

So I send them a formal complaint, not and email. This is their service, dont forget that, and I voice my opinion on what I feel is pollution. And? Now they know that I have an issue with something. I will not say as you did that they then assume all farungs are stupid. How do I know what anyone assumes? And if they delete the complaint I cannot tell you, as I do not work with them. Do you?

You seem like you do, as you ASSUME that you know what they are looking for in regards to complaints.

Its a pollution hotline, with more than one place to give suggestions, if you would have actually filled a complaint you would have seen this. It DOES NOT STIPULATE that the polluters contact details be provided, sure, hand em over if you got them, but if not you can still file a complaint.

You make many broad accusations, assuming that you know what they care about and what they dont, and who are you too say that nothing will be done? Really man, your a bit of a downer.

I can just see the Thai government jumping all over your complaint.

"Red Alert, Red Alert!!!" "Call the Prime Minister, alert the media, get the monks in here now!" "Let's ask for help from the United Nations".

Jet fighters start to scramble on the runway. The army mobilizes in Bangkok. Even the Muslims in the south of Thailand lay down their arms and head for their temples to pray for a solution to the haze.

The USA and the UK send relief teams with mask and water sprinkles while offering millions of dollars to help with the rescue of Chiang Mai. China and Russia also send aid. China sends masks copied from the masks being handed out by the Americans and Russia controls the flow of aid with their strong armed mafia groups.

Then they all look at each other and say, "Why are we here?" Then someoen says, "Someone named Zeak complained about air quality in Chiang Mai." They all look at each other, shrug their shoulders, shake their heads and say, "Lets go get a beer".

Here's a newsflash for you that you might not know. The Thai government, the citizens in Chiang Mai, and every foreigner living here in Chiang Mai already know about the air pollution. Even CNN and the BBC have done stories on the issue.

So what do you think they are going to do when they get your complaint? They will do nothing. You say "get real" to me, you should get real. Stop thinking you can save the world by complaining about something everyone else has already complained about.

Now if you have some legitimate complaints against companies or individuals, then I think they will be glad to listen.

"So what do you think they are going to do when they get your complaint?"

Refer to previous posts. And try to lighten up a bit, you seem a bit wound up.

Buffalo wings- now there's a subject you can really sink your teeth into (ouch!).

I make my own, but HERESY I use the nice plump drumlets. Actually some meat there. And LOTS of Tabasco sauce. Did I say lots- yeah.

When perfectly cooked, and the Tabasco fumes wafting off make one's eyes water at ten paces, dredge sloooowly through some really good "ranch" style dressing. Follow with quaff of ice cold amber beverage. Repeat. Then repeat...ah, you get the picture.....

You should be a writer!! Very descriptive and tempting. Im hungry....and I just ate!!

Thats good to hear. But I personally really like November the best in Chiang Mai. The air is clear and all the plants are green and lush from the raining season.

No higher than usual for this time of year? CM is just getting over being declared a disaster area because of the haze this year. It was bad, no. Is it getting better, dont know, Im not there, but I hope so.

"RIGHT NOW" (=today, and the last couple of days) it's pretty normal for the time of year, if not slightly better. I'm well aware of the disaster 2 weeks ago. I even put a page up on it: www.nachang.com/dryseason (Will update that page today with a picture of current conditions)

> And if I did look at the numbers, I would see that this time of year has terrible

> air. This is the norm. But does that mean that I am not able to want to

> improve the air for this time of the year?

Of course not. In fact I submitted a complaint too, 3 weeks ago. I think you're not completely getting the point I was making, which was a minor point anyway; feel free to just disregard it.

> Chiang Mai has terrible air at the best of times,

Now you're getting silly. The records are all there, show us.

> Look at all the song taos and tuk tuks and lorries blowing smoke. Do

> you like that? Do you not realize that you are breathing those fumes in?

I'd tell you to move to Laos, where there's far less motorized traffic, but you'd find the same crap air this time of year.

IMO, Chiang Mai DOES have terrible air. If you ever ride a bike in the city traffic than you would know what I mean. I see farungs that wear masks all year when riding in traffic. What about our boys it brown? They wear mask 24/7 as well.

Im not getting "silly". When I see black smoke spewing out of trucks I consider that pollution that directly affects the air. Record levels or not, it should be stopped. Also, you mentioned "normal" as per the site. Well 120 is cosidered the ceiling high level, anything above that is a lot more serious. So just because levels are at 109, and are below the "safe" levels, does not mean there is no air problem in CM.

Your attitude is very "mai bpen lai" (ish) about the air. So your website confuses me, why put effort into something just to turn around and say all is well. Were you just showing the contrast between seasons?

You say on your site;

"Another factor is that without a nice monsoon to move the air, all the pollution keeps hanging around"

So why not try and reduce the pollution in CM, instead of waiting for the rain to wash it all away? Its like sweeping dirt under the rug as far as I am concerened.

For me, I am only going to spend half the year in CM, and then hit the sea for the dry/burning/cancer season. Unless, things improve. Which I really hope they do.

Cheers

I'm not saying don't complain about pollution. The website sets parameters for the complaints. It wants you to complain about people or companies causing the polution. It doesn't want you to tell them something they already know.

So you send them an email that says the city of Chiang Mai has too much pollution in the air. They look at the email and say "Duh!" From that they assume that all farangs must be stupid. Why do they tell us something we already know? They look at each other shaking their heads negatively and press the delete button on their computer.

Let me explain what they are looking for. If you see someone dumpling liquids from barrels into a stream, if your neighbor burns spare tires on a regular basis, or maybe you notice the local store dumping trash in the forest nearby.

They are looking for a name or address they can connect to the pollution. Not your opinion about the air quality. Unless you can associate the Chiang Mai air quality to a name or address then they probably don't care about your opinion.

You might as well complain to the Ministry of Education because they won't do anything about your complaint either.

If you don't give them what they ask for, then they don't care what you think. It's very similiar to the visa process. If you don't give them the right paperwork, then you don't get your visa.

Sorry, I do see where it sets the paramaters.

Experiencing a pollution problem? Smelly factory next door? Somebody dumping garbage where they shouldn't? Someone fouling a waterway? If you'll supply us with a few details, we'll look into this problem. If you prefer, we also have three ways to complaint;

http://www.pcd.go.th/info_serv/Hotline/default.cfm

So, thats what I did, I gave them a few details about what I feel is a pollution problem. Really am amazed that people are getting bent out of shape about this, instead of using the hotline.

I'm not saying don't complain about pollution. The website sets parameters for the complaints. It wants you to complain about people or companies causing the polution. It doesn't want you to tell them something they already know.

So you send them an email that says the city of Chiang Mai has too much pollution in the air. They look at the email and say "Duh!" From that they assume that all farangs must be stupid. Why do they tell us something we already know? They look at each other shaking their heads negatively and press the delete button on their computer.

Let me explain what they are looking for. If you see someone dumpling liquids from barrels into a stream, if your neighbor burns spare tires on a regular basis, or maybe you notice the local store dumping trash in the forest nearby.

They are looking for a name or address they can connect to the pollution. Not your opinion about the air quality. Unless you can associate the Chiang Mai air quality to a name or address then they probably don't care about your opinion.

You might as well complain to the Ministry of Education because they won't do anything about your complaint either.

If you don't give them what they ask for, then they don't care what you think. It's very similiar to the visa process. If you don't give them the right paperwork, then you don't get your visa.

The very first paragraph says:

Experiencing a pollution problem? Smelly factory next door? Somebody dumping garbage where they shouldn't? Someone fouling a waterway? If you'll supply us with a few details, we'll look into this problem. ..

I do not see where is sets the "parameters" for the complaints. Nor does it say do not tell us about problems that we already know about. Cmon man, kid noy.

So I send them a formal complaint, not and email. This is their service, dont forget that, and I voice my opinion on what I feel is pollution. And? Now they know that I have an issue with something. I will not say as you did that they then assume all farungs are stupid. How do I know what anyone assumes? And if they delete the complaint I cannot tell you, as I do not work with them. Do you?

You seem like you do, as you ASSUME that you know what they are looking for in regards to complaints.

Its a pollution hotline, with more than one place to give suggestions, if you would have actually filled a complaint you would have seen this. It DOES NOT STIPULATE that the polluters contact details be provided, sure, hand em over if you got them, but if not you can still file a complaint.

You make many broad accusations, assuming that you know what they care about and what they dont, and who are you too say that nothing will be done? Really man, your a bit of a downer.

> Really. On who's standards? Yours?

No, the same site that you quoted.

> The regional area air quality data says different.

No it doesn't. You can download records for years back. If you look at the numbers then you will see it's no higher than usual for the time of year.

Also subjectively, not only can we now see the mountain again, we can see trees on it, and see the temple. That for me is when I start calling it 'pretty good for the time of year'.

> And "normally", the air is terrible in CM this time of year.

Yes, of course. See, we DO agree! (I just felt that with the link to that site being out on this forum since 3 weeks ago at least, if anyone was going to complain it should have been when things were genuinely grim.

No higher than usual for this time of year? CM is just getting over being declared a disaster area because of the haze this year. It was bad, no. Is it getting better, dont know, Im not there, but I hope so.

And if I did look at the numbers, I would see that this time of year has terrible air. This is the norm. But does that mean that I am not able to want to improve the air for this time of the year?

Chiang Mai has terrible air at the best of times, so I think wanting to complain about the air should not only be limited to certain times. Look at all the song taos and tuk tuks and lorries blowing smoke. Do you like that? Do you not realize that you are breathing those fumes in?

I never claimed that I was the first one to post the link to the site. And I really dont know why you would bring that up as all I wanted to do was to let people know that there is an avenue to voice concerns.

According to their website,

Experiencing a pollution problem? Smelly factory next door? Somebody dumping garbage where they shouldn't? Someone fouling a waterway? If you'll supply us with a few details, we'll look into this problem. ................

It seems like they are talking about anything factory size or smaller. Complaining about the entire city will probably get ignored.

It's like turning on all the fountians in Chiang Mai in hopes it will clear the air. It's not gonna happen.

I really dont know if anything will be done, or even if the complaints get read. But doing anything is better than complaining about it and doing nothing. To me having to wear a rated particle mask is not funny, nor is respiratory illness.

I laugh about how they were spraying water into the air in an attempt to make it rain/ clean the air, or what ever the hel_l they were trying to do. But that was that, and this pollution site is something else, so why not give it a shot. Like I said, it took me 2 mins, name and phone number and a few comments on my thoughts about the problem and I was done. And even if nothing ever comes of it, I feel better for expressing my concerns to a governing body.

I was so concerned about this new imposition on farang that I rushed straight down to my local 7-11. I asked the young chap behind the counter if I could check out his dongle. We are meeting tonight for drinks.

I am also in search of the same. I got some projects comming up and need a skilled shop.

Cheers

Looking for a place to store some funiture and stuff, long term.

Thanks

Errr.. the levels are back to normal. If you would have complained 2 weeks ago then I could understand..

Really. On who's standards? Yours?

The regional area air quality data says different.

http://www.pcd.go.th/AirQuality/Regional/Default.cfm

102 as if yesterda for PM-10

PM-10 : particulate matter (dust) <10 microns

And 89 on the air quality index. Still, one of the highest in Thailand. It may be within "safe" levels, but it sure is not good clean air.

If you dont care then dont complain. Your choice. Same as voting. If one chooses not to vote then they give up their right to complain, IMO.

And "normally", the air is terrible in CM this time of year. 2 weeks ago I was not there, nor am I now. Reasons stated above.

Cheers

I love Chiang Mai, hate the air pollution. I filed a complaint and hope everyone else does the same. It took less that 2 mins. Let them know what we think!

Click the link http://www.pcd.go.th/info_serv/Hotline/default.cfm

Hi,

I have visited Thailand a number of times and wish to utilise the services of a chauffer and vehicle for 4 people out from Chiang Mai and later Bangkok in June 2007.

Can anyone offer me assistance by way of company, or individuals names and contacts who may be able to provide this service at those locations.

I am looking at anything from 3 hours to 8 hours at a time.

Thanks for any help

Alan

I just got a driver for my TG in BKK, he seems good so far, but does not speak any english. If that is not a problem I can give you his contact number.

I wired money in for a condo, but made the mistake of doing two TT's and the second one was for les than 20K US so the bank could not give me a tor tor sum for that TT. But they did give me a letter stating that the total funds were for a condo purchase and the land dept was more than happy for that. Make sure to ask about that as I think the tor tor sum is not so important anymore. Also, some of the money was used for the condo purchase, some stayed in the Thai account and I TT'ed some back out of Thailand, with no issues.

Best of luck.

I make it a practice never to give money to beggars.

When I was in Hua Hin I watched a legless beggar sit in the middle of the walkway in the night bazaar.

When anyone would drop a big bill in his cup, he'd quickly put it in his pocket so only the small change would show.

In the few minutes I sat watching him, a 3 farangs passed by and put 100 baht bills in his cup, not to mention the smaller change dropped

I would guess he made more in an hour than many professionals make in a day.

Begging is an occupation that contributes little in the way of exchange of goods and services but it's sure profitable for the beggar.

Cmon man, the guy had no legs! How easy it is for him to find work?? I will not give to someone that is capable of working, but the disabled is a different story. Think about it. If you had no arms or no legs, how would YOU earn money?

What sort of surface finish do you plan? I agree with a previous poster that painting is not a great idea. I believe that a better plan is to:

- clean thoroughly

- acid etch

- colored stain

- polished paste wax

Small cracks do not affect the structural integrity of the floor, and add character. Concrete is porous, no matter how much it is "polished", and a good base of paste wax will prevent accidental staining.

Hey there. I have no intention of painting the concrete, I want it stained and then polished like some of the photos in this link;

http://www.concretenetwork.com/photo_libra...rior_floors.htm

You seem to know about the different options with concrete, can you recommend a good contractor in Thailand?

Cheers

Am going to be doing some reno's on a condo and would love to have polished concrete floors, just not sure if there are many contractors in Thailand that are skilled at the craft.

Any suggestions or recommendations?

Should I contact a professional design firm?

Cheers

http://www.concretenetwork.com/photo_libra...ior_floors3.htm

What about nose picking??

It seems to be a sport in S.E.A. that is enjoyed by one and all. It is not visually appealing and I am pretty sure that it is not the most hygienic activity to partake in.