Kel

My usual in CR is Singha - couldnt find Beer lao which I really like

Could find in BKK - no problem

Was surprised about 2 years ago when I went into my local Dan Murphys ( chain of bottle shops in Australia) and there it was by 6 pack or carton.

3 Weeks ago in our local Aldi Store they had Leo on special at a real good price for imported beer.

It's amazed me that Beer Lao is just over the border and not available.

All the best

Kel

Thanks to OZEMADE and others for the information on the rebate and I want to take advantage of it.

I am ,however, getting mixed messages on whether of not the scheme has been extended into 2013

I dont read Thai - is the continuation mentioned on the website - wife's nephew is talking to Toyota Dealer in Chiang Rai on a pickup with purchase price of B925,000 - I think the rebate will be B90,000 (aprox)

Dealer + wifey telling me definite finish in December.( can understand dealer wanting to tie up a sale now)

March 2013 extension would be perfect for us as we won't be up there until then.

Any feedback would be appreciated

All the best

Kel

Whilst this cut and paste is from the VFS site, it may be worth your while to seek a meeting.

I did so whilst my wife was applying for a patner visa and the lady was very helpful

I realise it only refers to migration visas, but it's worth a try

"Staff from the Visa and Immigration Office of The Australian Embassy, Bangkok will be available to address queries and meet with applicants wishing to lodge Migration Visa Application at the Australian Visa Application Centre (VFS). Any applicant wishing to personally speak with an Immigration Officer about their migration visa application may do so by visiting the Application Centre between 2 PM and 4 PM on Thursdays".

All the best

Kel

Interesting

Now here's my problem

I arrive in town tomorrow with my soon to be wife

She's been mai sabai in sydney for 3 weeks with a runny nose and a bad cough but wanted to get fixed at home

I'm a Catholic and she's a Baptist

Do I go for the discount but get overcharged on the meds

Or do I man up as a tyke and take the price on the chin

I will pray for guidance tonight

May the good lord look sideways at all your souls

All the best

Kel

Check the DUSIT - they do an excellent Chrismas Eve Buffet with wait staff dressed as Santa's helpers plus a group of kids singing Christmas songs

I've been there twice over the years when in Chiang Rai witha goup af friends and family and had a great evening both times

All the best

Thanks Hern,

Whilst Evergreen is close to the Asia Hotel it's not the steet I was referring to - I had a look at their website

Google maps doesn't come up with much (except for the Aisa).

I appreciate your help

All the best and enjoy Bangkok (wish I was there now)

Kel

Hi guys 'n gals

Some time ago a BKK acquaintance (no longer in BKK) gave me the card of a small (maybe boutique) hotel or a larger type guest house located in that street right next to the ASIA Hotel.

If you turn to your left coming out of the main entrance of the ASIA - thats the one.

As I vaguely recall it was about 200 metres down that street.

Unfortunately I have misplaced the information and have no idea how to get in touch with the place as I would like to book in for mid January.

I'm just wondreing if anybody who knows the area could perhaps let me know the name and any other information available

Thanks a lot and Merry Christmas

Kel

Jeez that's cheap - tax included?

Quote

He then gives me his businesscard! WHY.

Fortunately I'd been given another card a couple of weeks earlier by anoher American in Chiang Rai so I gave him that, thanked him for his time and left

Unquote

Love it! Love It !

All the best

On the police check - have you been living in Australia ?

If over 12 months they may request an AFP clearance - this happened to me and threw our timing out the window.

Fishooks is correct on the ID translations I thought they only needed one (misread the document obviously) - anyway can be arranged easily

I think she/ we answered the money question as nil - bearing in mind it's her application

All the best

Kel

I've often wondered what triggers the "dreaded" 8503 endorsement on a short visa - is it the paperwork submitted and / or the mood of the issuing officer?

In my case my girl received a 3 month visa without the 8503 - she /we subsequently applied for an extension for a further 9 months which was granted on the conition of a medical and x-ray.

It did contain 8503 as expected

This gave us the opportunity to live together for 12 months, return to Thailand , apply for a spouse/partner visa which was granted in March this year.

Has anybody requested removal of the 8503 on the basis of future plans ?

I'm in a similar situation, however my partner has just received her AFP Clearance and sent it down to the Embassy.

On the two occaisions I have spoken to Khun Leena I have found her to be personable, helpful and responsive.

I'm not sure if Leena interviewed Bai and I know that she was very nervous about the meeting - trouble is Bai's English is limited and its hard to get a real good feel about how it went.

I have had no problem in contacting her - I think her direct line is given on th eacknowledgement of application letter

All the best

Kel

Hi Guys 'n Gals

I was wondering if some of you have had any good experiences since May with CR travel agents.

I have to buy a CR/Sydney/CR ticket for my GF later this month and it seems there is a fair differential in pricing.

Thanks in advance

All the best

Kel

Sorry Guys- attachment didn't work

I'll get back to you

How about this little beauty

maybe we can patent a collapsible / backpackers model

I had an absolute ball last year which was my first view of the festival.

So much so that my Son & his wife are joining me in CM this year.

I've been trying to locate a program of the various events - (last year there were details of various activities all over CM)- so we can try to do a bit of planning

Can't seem to find a program and was wondering if anyone has seen one as yet.

All the best

Kel

A Bear, a Lion and a Chicken meet....

Bear says: "If I roar in the forest, the entire forest is shivering with fear."

Lion says: "If I roar in the desert, the entire desert is afraid of me"

Chicken says: "Big deal, I only have to cough and the entire planet shits itself

I had my first Songkran in CM last year and had an absolute ball - through Thai friends got to see the "serious" side ( visited temples for various ceremonies) plus the "fun" side at a number of locations.

So much so that I'll be back in April with my Son and Daughter in Law who wre amazed at the photos.

I had a list of events that I found last year showing the days/ times / locations of all the main activities(processions etc). I know I got them off the net, but can't seem to find it yet - perhaps a bit early.

Wondering if anyone has come across the program as yet

All the Best

Kel

I was wondering if someone could give me some information on the costs of education for a Thai child in Thailand:

1) Primary School ( per term or per annum) plus are there “private” Thai Schools and, if so , what would the fees be

2) Secondary /High Schools ( per term or per annum) and again, if there are “private" High Schools, the approximate fees payable

Any advice would be appreciated

Many thanks

Just wondering how the Good View fared during the recent floods - some of the photos of the Ping river were incredible and I recall there wasn't much room between the river and the wall of the restaurant.

If anybody snapped a photo I'd be very intterested to see it.

All the best

Kel

Sorry for the delay Guys,but thanks so much for the interesting responses.

All the best

Kel

ok

Q2 of the OP - the water pouring represents the transference of merit - see the thread on merit making in this Buddhist forum for info on that. While it is Brahmic symbology, there is evidence that the Buddha also did this water pouring.

String tying is usually a way for all members to participate, being physically connected through the string. One end of the string will also go around the Buddha image, and to the water that is made into holy water by the chanting and offerings. Often the string is later cut into parts and tied about the wrist as a memento of the occasion. The string around the roof is a way of hooking it up so that it can easily be extended to the participants without getting in the way; the function is the physical connection. Same as holding someone's elbow when they do the water pouring (transference of merit to relatives and all world beings)

All the astrology stuff is not really Buddhist, but chinese astrology/numerism etc.. and so you need an expert in that to explain it. Many of the monks have trained (or not...) in astrology, and practise it in the temple. So far as I know this practise was frowned upon by the Buddha who recommended practising Dhamma (generosity, morality and meditation) as the best thing you can do. Though early Buddhism was tied closely to the lunar calendar - makking the 'Wan Phra' an 'auspicious' day. Again though the Buddha said Dhamma practise was auspicious, and did not engage in numerology or astrology.

The water you drank Bronco, was regular water put into the urn and attatched by the string to the Buddha image. The chanting and merit (again see earlier thread for explanation of Punna - merit) makes the water into 'holy water' and this can be drunk or put in the bath water, or sprinkled on the participants or house. A candle is burned over the water as the chanting takes place - hence the wax (they usually use real Bees wax candles for this)

You will need an astrology expert to explain the astrology stuff. And I have never really enquired as to the gold leaf pasting which goes on at all temples.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had a wonderful time in Chiang Mai with my Thai Girlfriend during Sonkran visiting a number of temples.

She is a devout Bhuddist and it made me feel good to attend varoius ceremonies with her.

I wonder if someone could let me know the significance of:

1) At one temple where services were outdoors ther was the burning of string (?Saisin?) and a number of people took pieces of "old" clothing.

2) At another my girl consulted with a monk and poured water from one vessel to another - as she poured she asked me to touch her on the elbow. The water was then poured on a pot plant close by.

3) At another the roof of the temple was covered in squres of string which then extended to the floor- the people wrapped the string around wrists and later wrapped or passed it over their heads.

All in all a very calming and peaceful experice.

Any information would be appreciated.

All the best

Kel

Thanks for the advice - have now got the box and its a bit of an old clunker.

Was wondering if reasomably basic but reliable second hand setups would be available and at what (reasonable) price.

The young bloke is 13 with little or no experience( probably has tripple my knowledge)

I dont know whether this is right, but it was mentioned to me that a new basic outfit would be in the oder of THB19,000

Any advice would be appreciated.

All the best

Kel

I am bringing a basic computer up to CM next month to give to a fiend's son and will need to buy a monitor .

Would appreciate a steer in the right direction.

Many thanks

Kel