Paul Hancock

A few additional points from a Chiang Rai dweller:

- it is worth paying 40 baht to one of the parking lots on the left of right of the bridge rather than street parking - there are quite a lot of desperate people around and cars may not be as safe as they are usually when left on a Thai street (for free)

- as you return across the bridge to the Thai side (between the two immigration offices), to your right is a shopping centre where there is quite a good selection of wines at lower prices than in Thai supermarkets (good wine starts at around 300 bt rather than 500bt/bottle). Thai immigration seem to tolerate 4 bottles per person. The selection here is better than in the one or two shops in the Tachilek market (and turnover is probably rather higher, so less chance of a corked bottle.)

- I think the closing time for foreigners to return is 5pm, although the office is open to Thais and Burmese for longer hours

- if you want a haven from the madness of the market and the persistent vendors, there is a branch of the excellent Thai "Doi Chaang" coffee house just down the stairs into the market along to your left. The touts seem forbidden from following you in here.

- Thai baht are universally accepted in the shops

- if you have time to spare, friends say a half day tour of the local hills and temples around Tachilek in a moto for 300bt or so is an interesting experience

Lastly, if you have EVEN more time, the FIsh Cave (entrance signposted to the west of the A2 about 10km south of Mae Sai, turning just south of the police road block) is interesting - a steep walk up a 200 steps to a temple in a limestone cavern. Beware the monkeys - a 20bt catapault is recommended.

-

Very sorry to hear about your experiences, despite so much planning. I think we all discover as we get older that small islands are for younger people who sleep all day and party all night. On my rare forays south these days, I tend to stick to mainland coastal resorts so there is always somewhere to escape to. Doesn't sound as if you will be back, but (for example) Khao Lak, north of Phuket, has great beaches and easy access to inland national parks for diversion.

I have lived in the north (Chiang Rai) for 10 years, and it is almost another country here - not to mention much cheaper than the islands. Here are a few thoughts for your Chiang Mai sector based on my frequent visits:

- careful with the Tiger Kingdom. A colleague's wife almost died after she was lacerated by a tiger. Keep your distance from the cuddly pets.

- if you are confident on a motorbike (and it isn't raining), consider hiring a small bike (or a 250 off-road machine if you're more confident) and spending a day in the hills to the west/northwest (Some ideas for rentals here, but whoever you choose, check the bike before riding off). Doing the Samoeng loop road is easy, with lots of trails off there. You can get a good laminated map prepared by GT-Rider from many shops showing the trails. Going up to Doi Suthep and continuing to the top of the mountain and down the other side to a Lahu village is also fun.

- not many people go to the Ancient City just outside Chiang Mai, where you can see remains of the predecessor settlement to Chiang Mai.

- spend a couple of hours wandering along Nimmanhaemen Road where the Thais go for coffee, modern food, art/furniture galleries. This is what Bangkok could be like.

- check out some of Chiang Mai's great live music scene. Boy's Blues Bar (named after the owner, Boy, rather than anything else.....) often features local guitarists who step up for a guest appearance.

Maybe the North can save Thailand's reputation in your eyes......

Good luck!

Correct - this was an application for a multi-entry visa. The consulate official did not say she could have granted a single entry on the spot, but I didn't ask.

I ended up getting a 3 x 60 day tourist visa as the only usable (but obviously inferior) option.

I made an appointment to visit the Hull (UK) Thai Consulate to pick up an over-50 O Visa on Aug 5th.

When I arrived there with bank statements, etc, I was told that the rules allowing these visas to be issued while one waits have been changed by order of the London Thai Embassy, which now wants to vet all such applications before the Consulate can issue such visas.

Leaving aside the irritation at my wasted journey (the Consulate, knowing the reason for my appointment, could have warned me of the change, but chose not to), I want to save other people making a wasted journey, and also to factor in a longer wait for visas issued by post.

From my perspective, the only reason to use Hull - on the spot visa issuance - has disappeared.

Some of you may remember the Gate Theater Group of Chiang Mai brought live drama to Chiang Rai last year with their production of "Driving Miss Daisy" and over 100 people attended the performance.

On May 11th, the Gate Theater Group are back at the Legend Hotel for a performance of "The Dodo Bird" by Emanuel Fried, and we hope all expats will consider supporting this event. The event starts at 7.00pm, and there will be a cash bar open from 6pm.

The price is 550 baht per person, which includes wine or beer and finger food following the performance. Students pay 250 baht, which excludes alcoholic beverages. (For directions on how to get to the Legend, see www.thelegend-chiangrai.com.) Tickets are available now at the Legend Reception desk.

A summary of the play follows below. There is some adult language.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Paul Hancock on [email protected].

Here is some information about the play:

I drove from Mae Sot to Tak this morning and saw a Green Bus just off the side of the dual carriageway about 10km from the T-junction where the road to Mae Sot leaves the Bangkok highway (before the hills).

It appeared to have left the road, but from a very quick glance, was not seriously damaged.

Maybe other readers travelled the same route today and can add to this?

i have heard some statistic that the fast boats have some serious crash weekly, though i don't know if its fact or rumor.

anyway i opted for the 2 day slow cargo boat, and i enjoyed it. certainly not 4 star comfort, but not without its own charm.

the bathroom was not too unlike hanging your but of the side of the boat.

i sat next to a very nice lao family and was able to talk for the two days as thai is quite close to passa lao.

if you're a chill person you might enjoy the slow ride...

The one day downstream boat I previously described from Huay Xai to LP, run by Khun Adisak, is NOT one of the small speedboats which I, too, have heard crash frequently. It is the same sized boat as those which take 2 days, but with a more powerful engine. (Plus, you don't have to hang your a*** over the side to answer the call of nature....)

The bus trip from LP to Vientiane is really special if you have the time.

Not really off topic (I don't think) Has anyone tried the overland from Huai Xai (Sai) to LP?

I keep hearing that the "new" road is being pushed through from inland Laos but can't find any news on progress.

Anyone heard anything?

Thanks chaps

AjarnP

I don't think there is a road from LP to Houay Xai. It runs from the Chinese border to Luang Namtha then south to Huay Xai on the Mekhong, opposite Chiang Khong in Thailand.

When I did the trip last year, we had to do a dog-leg north west from LP to Luang Namtha, then come down the route of the new road (then half finished, said to be completed by now) to Huay Xai.

You can get local buses (very slow but entertaining) or shared minibuses - the latter booked through travel agents who put groups together. It's a 2 day trip by this route. Luang Namtha is nothing to write home about but a good centre for trips to local hilltribe villages.

BTW, a propos of an earlier post, there is an under-publicised one day boat from Huay Xai to LP which is NOT the speedboat - in fact it is rather luxurious. I've taken it twice and others have also used it. It runs Wed and Sun, and one way costs 2,800 bt. The guy who runs it is an Indian-Thai called Adisak on <send a PM to Paul Hancock if you are interested>

Just purchased a 46 LCD Samsung tv today.....

The guys from Carrefour came to install it, and the DVD picture quality looks fantastic......and then he switched over to UBC cable and i was gobsmacked with the quality of the picture quality....quite blurry on most channels. My CRT 32 Sony picture is far better.

Bearing in mind that we watch 80% tv and 20% DVDs.....I am very dissapointed. I realise that UBC does not broadcast HD, but still very surprised about the quality.

So bad in fact that I sent the guys back to the store with the TV!

They claimed that the poor picture is 'normal' with UBC cable....but mentioned that Plasma would be better. So I will go back to the store tomorrow where they will show me both LCD and Plasma connected to UBC.

Any similar experiences? Should I expect and accept poor quality on a new LCD with cable?

I have had exactly the same experience with my Sony 32" LCD. I am going to try one thing - use an RGB lead to connect the to the TV, instead of the phono one supplied. (There is an RGB socket in both the box and the back of my TV)

According to some sites, this results in less loss of definition.

Will report back when I have tried it. Has anyone else?

I hope I haven't missed an answer to this question in the previous posts.

I am a UK citizen aged over 50 with a non-Thai wife. We have obtained O-A/O visas for the last 3 years via the Thai London Embassy. We just apply as if it were a new application rather than an extension (ie with a new medical cert, cert of non-criminality, etc).

The change in the regulation refers to "extensions", but not to the initial grant of such visas at a foreign embassy.

Anyone have any idea if this is the intended effect of the change (ie it affects only extensions applied for in Thailand) or whether it covers all applications whether "extensions" or applications where there was no previous visa or it expired?

I made the trip from chiang khong to luang prabang last Nov. We crossed at 0745 when Thai emigration opened and obtained our visa in a few minutes on the lao side of the river (need 3 photos, passport valid for 6 months and a visa fee $30-40 depending on your home country).

There is a 1 day fast boat which is comfortable and takes 8 hours ($80 o/w - email [email protected] for details). This avoids wasting a night. Check hotels in laos before you go- I've heard of people having problems.

There is a course provided at an elehant camp linked to the Anantara Hotel at the Golden Triangle opposite the Hall of Opium museum. If you call or email the hotel they can make a booking for you. It's not cheap (about $70 pp) but you get to sit on the elephant's head for a couple of hours and control the thing by kicking it behind the ears.

i did the visa run in mai sai also and i am just wondering if you go into burma you pay 500 thb but what if before that point you turn around and go back into thailand will there be a problem ? saves you 500

regards,

Bram

I ... am wondering if anyone knows if it is possible to get a Visa at Mae Sai and go over the border to a market and just a quick look.

yes, you can go into Myanmar by yourself.

There is a schedule of fees posted at the Myanmar border crossing.

The main supervisor there speaks good English. You pay a certain amount (in thai baht) depending on how many days you want to stay in Myanmar.

You are restricted to certain areas in the north.

You cannot go to Yangon from TaChiLek.

My experience is that there is nothing to do in Burma (at least this part) except visiting the Buddhist monuments and a little shopping under the bridge at Mae Sai.

There are no good restaurants.

The only reason I can imagine anyone would want to stay in Northern longer than the one-day visa run is to visit the gem mining areas or some other sort of professional business.

sarpesius

What gem mining are you refering too?

Is it in Thailand or Burma?

I will be in the area next month.

Thank you,

Mike

This is probably more info than you need, but if you want to go further into Burma, you need to get a visa in advance from the Embassy/Consulate and cross one of the international crossing points (Or go via Mandalay/Yangon, etc). You can fly to Mandalay from Chiang Mai quite cheaply.

If getting a visa from the Embassy/Consulate is difficult for you, I can give you the address of an agency which fixed me up with a visa on arrival for a small extra amount on top of the already substantial visa fee.

A "tookair" (large lizard which makes a loud noise overy so often at night) has taken up residence in the wooden panelling just behind my bed and is making a good night's sleep difficult. Banging on the panelling doesn't help. I have 3 cats but they can't get in the wall space.

Any ideas about displacing it humanely (eg spray? Electric signal emitter?), or as a last resort, some kind of poison?

A "tookair" (large lizard which makes a loud noise overy so often at night) has taken up residence in the wooden panelling just behind my bed and is making a good night's sleep difficult. Banging on the panelling doesn't help. I have 3 cats but they can't get in the wall space.

Any ideas about displacing it humanely (eg spray? Electric signal emitter?), or as a last resort, some kind of poison?

You could have him snipped by a vet.

That should calm him down a bit.

If you can't find a vet I think ladies

can do it.

Had a couple offer to do me at one

time or another.

For free , too !

Good point, but I forgot to mention that was my first attempt at curbing his aggression. It didn't have any obvious effect on his behaviour....

I have an aggressive stray tom-cat interloper who keeps on beating up my 2 female cats. I have sadly concluded I can solve the problem only by finding a distant temple where the monks will care for him...

Problem is most temples seem to major in dogs. Has anyone noticed a cat-friendly temple in the Chiang Rai area?

Of course, if anyone has a serious alternative suggestion for solving my problem, I'd be happy to hear it.

Just to add to the debate on how to connect to AIS GPRS using a laptop and a GPRS phone:

- I bought a Nokia 6070 phone (about 4300 bt, cheapest you can get which works with a PC) and a CA-42 connectivity cable (1500 bt) from a Nokia shop (most phone shops don't seem to stock these)

- bought a GPRS SIM ( for 300 bt - different from normal ones, it seems) and took it to a Telewiz (AIS) shop, where they selected my data package (I chose 60 hours for 200 bt/mo)

- downloaded from the Nokia site the latest software - you need 2 types, one for the cable and then something called Nokia PC Suite

- using the PC Suite icon to connect to the internet, I used the access number (*99***1#) and username/passwords suggested above (AIS) with no success

- I called 1175 and was told to leave the username/password blank, but to use the suggested dialup code

Having done all this, I connected first time and got a 115k connection!

Happy to answer any more detailed queries people have.

I am interested in setting up a Book Club in Chiang Rai where people who enjoy reading can meet regularly to discuss books. These groups usually agree on a book people will try to read between meetings, and then exchange views about the book over a few beers. (See http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/bookclub/running1.shtml for some ideas of how a club can work.)

This isn't intended to be a very highbrow activity, just an excuse to get together with like-kinded people and broaden your reading interests in a very laid-back way. Read on if you are interested in attending a get-together on 19th Sep in the CR49 Bar on Jed Yot St (close to the old Clock Tower end) at 8pm.

For more details, see a summary I've put on my website at http://www.angelfire.com/space/pmchancock/bookclub.htm

so its not just me (i mean my friend) they are hard to find up here..

In The Rai!

I tried to find them in Chiang Rai and in Mae Sai, without success. I finally found a couple of VCDs in Phuket, and have them somewhere in my house in Chiang Rai. Assuming no-one from the WTO is listening in, a set of copies might be arranged.

Paul,

that would be fantastic!

I would really appreciate it..

In The Rai

I'm back in CR as from 2 Sep and will be happy to do this after my return (assuming the disks are where I think I left them). Somehow, within the rules of the Forum, you'll have to find a way to identify yourself so I can get them to you....

Please gentlemen, feel free to use the PM button left below. The message will be delivered immediatly and if you not happen to be reading our forum, you will see the message when you log in next time.

Good luck!

Limbo

so its not just me (i mean my friend) they are hard to find up here..

In The Rai!

I tried to find them in Chiang Rai and in Mae Sai, without success. I finally found a couple of VCDs in Phuket, and have them somewhere in my house in Chiang Rai. Assuming no-one from the WTO is listening in, a set of copies might be arranged.

KITTEN UPDATE

I have now found homes for my kittens. If anyone is interested (and has the same problem), I eventually put them in a cage and stood alongside the guy who sells puppies in the night market (just opposed Baan Chiwit Mai bakery), together with a sign in Thai explaing that the kittens were for free. I just stood there stroking one and thrusting it in the arms of anyone who looked faintly interested, and, voila! - all gone in two nights.

This is great Paul!

Your solution of this sweet problem wasn't only creative, daring and efficient, but moving as well.

I really hope you digitalised this enterprise and that you want to share the visualisation of this historical moment in Chiang Rai with us.

Your action widened the scope of 'farang' activities in Chiang Rai: To selling beer, drinking beer, conquering souls, wrestling with the own identity and spending the inheritance of one's children now the giving away of kittens is added .

Unique! Thanks for this update!

Limbo

Since Limbo asked.... here are a couple of shots of my ad hoc kitten stand at the night market. The Thai wording of the notice (whatever it said) seemed to provoke some amusement, but certainly caught people's attention....

I have 5 adorable kittens which need new homes by 8th July 2006. I can deliver in the Chiang Rai area.

All will be vaccinated prior to handing over, and, if needed, I will pre-pay the cost of spaying.

Please call me on 061 940 922 or email me on [email protected].

KITTEN UPDATE

I have now found homes for my kittens. If anyone is interested (and has the same problem), I eventually put them in a cage and stood alongside the guy who sells puppies in the night market (just opposed Baan Chiwit Mai bakery), together with a sign in Thai explaing that the kittens were for free. I just stood there stroking one and thrusting it in the arms of anyone who looked faintly interested, and, voila! - all gone in two nights.

I am wanting to buy a music keyboard - any sugggestions where or do I need to go to CM?

They have quite a good selection if you head south on the superhighway, beyond Big C and then across the lights heading for Chaing Mai. A little beyond, there is a big store with Sony signs outside on the right. You can try them out as well.

Can anyone advise on price range for a basic laptop

for word processing and accessing internet in Chiang Rai,

nothing fancy as users computer skills are limited,

something suitable for a student?

I would suggest getting a "name" laptop which carries a bankable warranty rather than a "no-name" one. Our no-name desktop has been nothing but trouble. Munich can now supply Acer machines - their catalogue lists a TravelMate 2424NWXMi with Celeron 1.6mhz for 28.900 bt. See www.acer.co.th.

As for internet connectivity, I am told that you can connect at acceptable speed (probably not 3G yet here in the north) via a GSM modem card (usually plugs into your PCMCIA slot) and an infra-red-capable mobile. I was told you can get a month unlimited use for about 900 baht with AIS.

Best shop for these gizmos is Technocom (just behind Overbrokk Hosital).