jjczap

Robinsons at Airport Plaza

The sports shop at the back of KSK (3rd floor)

All sell size 13US (size 12UK) shoes and trainers, but not in every style.

went to KSK a few weeks ago - nothing in sneaks, they had 1 pair hickers in size 13 , we all had a good laugh at how narow it was

same thing at Robinsons -- I guess it is hit or miss but I have been here for many years and no luck -- the only way I find is to order from US but very expensive because of shiping and customs and when I go back my infrequent times to US I just stockup

menu 2

menu

WOW what a trip!! Talking about New Haven pizza on the Chiang Mai forum! For all of you that do not know the city of New Haven is in the state of Connecticut USA - home of Yale University , the school of Bill and Hillary, father and son Bush ,Chaney ( but he dropped out ) and on and on all of whom know the Italian section -- worked in the city for 30 years

New York Pizza n Pasta has by far the best tasting pizza in Chiang Mai. I was born in New York and this pizza is legitimately *good*. If you want good New York style pizza then go here. I am personally a huge fan of the thin crust. It is not cheap though, although not too bad. A 20 inch pizza will set you back about 700 baht.

Pepe's in New Haven

I have been here many times and this is fantastic pizza. NY Pizza and pasta isn't quite this good but it is really good... just to show you that we likely have similar taste. I am *really* confused how you can say that Pizza Company has good pizza, by comparison, since I won't even eat at the pizza company. I definitely wouldn't eat at Paradise Pizza again, either.

The Dukes has the second best pizza I've had and it is okay by comparison (and I love most everything else at the dukes).

I've been to many of the other places being mentioned in this thread and I have to say that many of those options are downright awful. I won't say which ones because that is probably breaking the rules. I am even so skeptical that I have to wonder if these people are friends of owners or something in some cases... the pizza was just terrible. I mean I'd rather have a 4 dollar frozen pizza from back home in many cases.

Have to agree that for Pepe's in New Haven to be mentioned in the same breath as Pizza Company is a but odd, but maybe it's a misunderstanding caused by replying to a multiple of post all at once. Though one of the oldest pizzerias in the US, Pepe's is not at all typical of American nor of "New York" pizza. That might be because the place is run by Greek immigrants rather than by Italians. People that don't like it are generally New Yorkers who have some place back home that they don't want to betray and people from other states who grew up on Pizza Hut. But here in Thailand? Since we're not exactly spoiled for choices here I'm not shocked that some people think that Pizza Hut and Pizza Company are just fine.

Pepe's is not at all typical of American nor of "New York" pizza. That might be because the place is run by Greek immigrants rather than by Italians

From Pepe's web site --- Frank Pepe Pizzeria was founded in 1925 by Frank Pepe (b. April 15, 1893 d. September 6, 1969). Born in the town of Maiori, on the Amalfi coast, southwest of Naples, Frank Pepe was the quintessential Italian immigrant.

Frank Pepe originated the New Haven-style thin crust pizza which he baked in bread ovens fired by coke

From Wikipedia - Pepe's was founded in 1925 by Frank Pepe (April 15, 1893 – September 6, 1969), an Italian immigrant. Pepe was born in Maiori, Italy, and immigrated to New Haven in 1909 at the age of 17. The quintessential Wooster Square Italian immigrant

" New Haven style from Italian immigrants - the best -- Pepe's, Sally's , Modern etc New Haven Style the best -- ask Frank Sinatra Bill Clinton Ronald Reagan on and on and on - in their time they all stopped in the Italian section

absolutely no comparison here ( I won't mention New York also )

Don't forget to go to Macro and pick up a few rolls of 3M white filter material. I did a month ago while they had stock. Thin filter material that I place over the mesh screen on the intake of the aircon. So I turn the entire aircon into a air purifier! It works really really well. And after 2 weeks, you can peel off the filter material and wash it in a bucket with some laundry detergent and watch the water turn jet black. Hang up and dry and use again. At 300B per roll, its the cheapest and most effictive air purifier you can get. The total area of the filter is about 1 meter long by 40cm wide!

A few years back when it was really bad the American Embassy web advised to use an n95 rating mask -- I bought many from Home pro 3m brand - I remember taking my long morning walks wearing the mask and at the end the outside was a greyish black color but the inside was pure white - I found it amazing when I took off the mask going from a crisp air to nasty stuff - I think it really works - I stocked up a few months ago not sure what is available now

me plus one! Thanks!

This sound Nice! Me and my wife be there

change to gmail ?

Dolly, a change to Gmail is a good idea and opens up a plethora of other facilities like Picasa photo storage, hosting and publishing. GM's calendar is excellent and viewing of any mail attachments is very simple.

You should perhaps trial it, open a Gmail a/c, and have a play ... it works a bit differently to HM but once you become accustomed you'll not go back to HM. Except to re-direct mail to the new a/c.

I do have a g mail account. After half a day of waiting hotmail let me open my mail and send mail. I sent my g mail to most every one on my list. I actually opened the hot mail window up and then opened a new browser for half a day. Unbelievable.

The problem I am having with g mail is tying to open up my address book. I will keep working on it. I had originally gone to hotmail because sending pictures on g mail was a slow process and at the time you could send 50 pictures at a time no matter what the size was on hot mail.

I know it is a lot better here so I will just fool around with it and figure it out. Just takes getting use to. But I would appreciate a tip on opening my address book so I can edit it. I know if I just put the first initial in the send to bar it will open all in that letter.

FYI -- this is a web site that you can track the status of HOTMAIL and other sites - looks like maybe you were caught in their problem of 24 hrs -- here is the site

http://downrightnow.com/hotmail

G'day

The return is for 6 months. The staff tells me there is no fee payable although I wont be surprised at the usual 1% fee for mutual funds

I like the auto transfer function as I am not here in CM all the time

Cheerios

Lawrence

Hi Lawrence - my wife works for Bangkok Bank and she says that she has never used the term guaranteed - she says these are mutual funds and have market risk at redemption - its worth what the market says its worth - the term that is used is expected return but no guarantee - she says though that as long as she can remember it has always at least achieved the expected return -- is this the fund

From Bangkok Bank web site

Bualuang Fixed Income - Term Fund 33/12

Investment opportunity to enhance your return

Invest about 6 months...Expected return 3.15% per annum

Open for subscription 22-28 August, 2012

I too saw this article and have been waiting for the Cabinet to approve the extension - I have searched but have not found anything to date that it has been extended - the chart I attached was from this agency this morning

I did see this,

Update July 2012 :

During a cabinet meeting dd. 26 June 2012, it was decided that the deposit guarantee should be kept at 50,000,000 baht per person per bank, as requested by the Finance Ministry. This decision was apparently guided by global economic uncertainty.

It is most interesting that this statement did not make headlines, and was only reported in a sidebar in the newspapers (source here, the Nation dd. 27 June)

http://www.thaiwebsi...s-insurance.asp

But, must also wonder in the event of any real financial collapse

gaing your money back through any countries promise may be easier said than done.

THANKS a million!!! I now know why I couldn't find anything - this really helps with my planning - I will double check/triple check with Bangkok Bank about this - my view on them is that if there is a problem they will be the last one standing - I will also investigate the Government savings bank since it appears they are exempt from these rules

I agree with the other comments on a collapse - there is no money to cover this - just like in the US with the FDIC ( Federal Deposit Ins Corporation ) they can handle quite a number of bank failures but no way a collapse - we would all be at the mercy of the governments to cover the difference - during the Asian financial crisis the Thai Gov was on the hook to cover all the deposits ( still trying to get out of the Trillion Baht ++ hole there in )- now trying to lower the ins - What do they know that we don't?

I just talked to a very high level at Bangkok Bank who had to double check - for some reason the Gov did not widely broadcast this but the answer is that the Cabinet did approve an extension of the 50 mil baht ins but only for 3 years - until Aug 2015

I too saw this article and have been waiting for the Cabinet to approve the extension - I have searched but have not found anything to date that it has been extended - the chart I attached was from this agency this morning

I did see this,

Update July 2012 :

During a cabinet meeting dd. 26 June 2012, it was decided that the deposit guarantee should be kept at 50,000,000 baht per person per bank, as requested by the Finance Ministry. This decision was apparently guided by global economic uncertainty.

It is most interesting that this statement did not make headlines, and was only reported in a sidebar in the newspapers (source here, the Nation dd. 27 June)

http://www.thaiwebsi...s-insurance.asp

But, must also wonder in the event of any real financial collapse

gaing your money back through any countries promise may be easier said than done.

THANKS a million!!! I now know why I couldn't find anything - this really helps with my planning - I will double check/triple check with Bangkok Bank about this - my view on them is that if there is a problem they will be the last one standing - I will also investigate the Government savings bank since it appears they are exempt from these rules

I agree with the other comments on a collapse - there is no money to cover this - just like in the US with the FDIC ( Federal Deposit Ins Corporation ) they can handle quite a number of bank failures but no way a collapse - we would all be at the mercy of the governments to cover the difference - during the Asian financial crisis the Thai Gov was on the hook to cover all the deposits ( still trying to get out of the Trillion Baht ++ hole there in )- now trying to lower the ins - What do they know that we don't?

I too live here and have most of my assets in fixed deposits - all of which are in Bangkok Bank - I am currently in the process of moving my deposits to several banks because of a change in the Thai banking rules by the BOT -- as of Aug 11 2012 your deposits are only insured up to 1 mil baht per bank - just a friendly warning to those who are lucky enough to have more than 1 mil

I also saw this thread awhile back

Deposit Protection Will Not Be Reduced As Planned

I too saw this article and have been waiting for the Cabinet to approve the extension - I have searched but have not found anything to date that it has been extended - the chart I attached was from this agency this morning

We've kept money in a fixed account for years based on the fact that we are living here and spending baht so might as well eliminate all the

problems with moving funds and constant changing exchange rates. We have generally gotten between 3.25-3.90% return but they do take out

Thai taxes which drops itabout .5% . Over the last five years in most of the West you'd be lucky to clear 1.5% on your deposit/CD accounts so

we are doing better here anyway. We also are ahead almost 15% on the exchange rate from when we brought it in over now, but that is

just good karma. Haven't looked into Mutual Funds but if you want a degree of risk I feel you should take that back home rather than here.

\

I too live here and have most of my assets in fixed deposits - all of which are in Bangkok Bank - I am currently in the process of moving my deposits to several banks because of a change in the Thai banking rules by the BOT -- as of Aug 11 2012 your deposits are only insured up to 1 mil baht per bank - just a friendly warning to those who are lucky enough to have more than 1 mil

Some people always lament the poor, overworked immigration staff.

IMO they create work in order to safeguard their need for job security and not being moved..

A 'zoo' means nothing to them other than security, does anyone think they are worried how long you are there?

Sending it in decreases their workload......I have no doubt it will be stopped.

They must be really pissed off that their queue slots are now only half an hour, can't play on the phone any more.

I guess I will have to step in for the immigration staff.

Bureaucrats are pretty close to the same throughout the world. Having practiced law in the US for 27 years and working in state government for a portion of that time, I have met more than my share of them. And doing a bit of international travel, I have had to deal with a fair number of immigration officials from various countries and cultures. The Thai immigrations staff do not seem to be significantly worse or better than the average I have dealt with. (Well, with the exception of TSA. Thais are much better). There will always be slackers and there will be those that go out of their way to help you. Strangely enough, I have run into far more of the latter than the former.

As for the Chiang Mai staff, I read all the complaints here in the forum and wait for an experience that approximates one of them. Admittedly, I have only lived in Chiang Mai a year and a half but I have yet to see anything remotely close to what has been described.

I do get a laugh out of reading the complaints though. Seems that whatever the complaint is about, is is never sufficient to cause the complainer to do the one thing that will resolve their issue ... leave Thailand and return to that land of perfect bureaucrats from whence they came.

Just the thoughts of an old curmudgeon who has seen too many of the human frailties up close.

David

"As for the Chiang Mai staff, I read all the complaints here in the forum and wait for an experience that approximates one of them"

I very much agree - I have been thru the process of getting my first retirement and multi entry visa and in May just completed my 4th renewal and many 90 days checks - I can say that I cannot report on anything negative in this process - it really is a very simple process and if you understand and follow the rules and have the proper documents its a piece of cake and they are only getting better -- its the same all over the world so just relax

I now have accounts with all the Thai banks and I don't have a work permit, I've opened these accounts because it makes it easier to transfer funds as individual banks offer new products.

Same here.....Right now Ayudhya with their 2.9% & two withdrawals allowed a month is nice.

BKB at 2.62% is not bad too albeit 4 month fixed.

SCB nothing special right now....

All have a nice web interface too that makes it easy to transfer from one another

Bangkok bank right now 3.25% 5 months

checked bangkokpost.com just now and could not find anything on the topic - I know my reading eyesight is not what it used to be - can you please be more specific as to what was actualy said versus speculation - I was at Bangkok bank today renewing a fixed deposit and as always I ask them many questions about what they know is changing - the only thing they knew was as of Aug 11 the BOT has changed the bank insurance rules that only 1 million Bhat is insured per bank - so for those fortunate to have more than that be aware you are now at risk

Did you just check on line ?because i have a hard copy of todays paper .Its on the front page ,all down the right hand side .Its written by king oua laohong and Somruedi Banchongouang.

Quote of start of it ,

''Anti money laundering Chief Seehanat Prayoonrat said yesterday the office has asked the Justice Ministry to issue a regulation requiring commercial Banks to thoroughly check the backgrounds of people who pen bank accounts ""

" From Aug 21,banks must demand necessary documents authenticating the identity of account applicants.The documents will be strictly checked before the accounts can be opened ""

"" After Aug 21 ,opening a bank a/c will not be easy Pol.Col.Seehanat said ""

Thanks I will try to find a hard copy == but for me I don't see anything new -- Bangkok bank required me to have my passport and they made copies of the front page with picture and a copy of my visa page -- so maybe other banks are not doing this

From Aug 21,banks must demand necessary documents authenticating the identity of account applicants.The documents will be strictly checked before the accounts can be opened ""

like I said they know who I am where I live and more - sounds like Bangkok Bank has been doing their job - so I don't see any change for me

checked bangkokpost.com just now and could not find anything on the topic - I know my reading eyesight is not what it used to be - can you please be more specific as to what was actualy said versus speculation - I was at Bangkok bank today renewing a fixed deposit and as always I ask them many questions about what they know is changing - the only thing they knew was as of Aug 11 the BOT has changed the bank insurance rules that only 1 million Bhat is insured per bank - so for those fortunate to have more than that be aware you are now at risk

Name and shame I say, until they grovel and offer up an excuse and an apology to Winnie, why, we can even have a competition for the most pathetic plausible excuse with the winner earning a free beer at the Big C beer hall.

Yes, it must have been a real hassle for him to drive all the way to BigC in vain. I hope he got his satisfaction at Loi Kroh.

Man what a pathetic coment -- I think this was a good use of Thai Visa to open up some opportunities for people to get together but the a--holes do there thing -- I think this is why the participation is going down - the owners know what I mean - God bless the good hearted people!!

And I'm not sure I know what you mean! I also think the idea was sound but where it fell down is that 95% of the people who said they would join in, failed to show up, that I think is the pathetic part, it'll certainly make people think twice before trying to arrange something similar in the future and that's sad.

I hope he got his satisfaction at Loi Kroh. THis is what I mean by pathetic -- to what point does this comment add to anything!! re read my comment -- the owners know what I mean

Name and shame I say, until they grovel and offer up an excuse and an apology to Winnie, why, we can even have a competition for the most pathetic plausible excuse with the winner earning a free beer at the Big C beer hall.

Yes, it must have been a real hassle for him to drive all the way to BigC in vain. I hope he got his satisfaction at Loi Kroh.

Man what a pathetic coment -- I think this was a good use of Thai Visa to open up some opportunities for people to get together but the a--holes do there thing -- I think this is why the participation is going down - the owners know what I mean - God bless the good hearted people!!

I support the above last three entries. For peace of mind sake, just stay with the "retirement" visa (extension). Much, much easier in all respects.

Yes Yes Yes -- just stay with retirement visa - makes life so much easier been doing it for 5 years now

theblether

Get over yourself, the OP was sharing his experience and some of us are appreciative of it. We've all had days when flukes occur, and we've all had days when everything goes wrong. No need to boast about cutting a queue

First no line was cut - the point was there are 2 lines with a sign that said copies and guess what between the women making copies there was a women waiting I guess to direct you for photos but what she didn't have a sign over her head that said photos only - the point was this is Thai and sometimes you have to think a little different to get things done Second I understand flukes happen and there are days when everything goes wrong - but my comments were directed to what I perceived as whining that these non forward thinking Thais are not holding my hand and directing every step of the way for me - as I said every thing is posted on the front window of Immigration as to what he had to do - his attitude toward the Thais bothered me - was this a fluk or just laziness - as I said in previous post is his attitude go with the flow and when things don't go his way its because of somebody else why don't you re read my posts and think about it and then get over yourself

Must have touched a nerve with you guys - tough looking into the mirror isn't it!

theblether

Get over yourself, the OP was sharing his experience and some of us are appreciative of it. We've all had days when flukes occur, and we've all had days when everything goes wrong. No need to boast about cutting a queue

First no line was cut - the point was there are 2 lines with a sign that said copies and guess what between the women making copies there was a women waiting I guess to direct you for photos but what she didn't have a sign over her head that said photos only - the point was this is Thai and sometimes you have to think a little different to get things done Second I understand flukes happen and there are days when everything goes wrong - but my comments were directed to what I perceived as whining that these non forward thinking Thais are not holding my hand and directing every step of the way for me - as I said every thing is posted on the front window of Immigration as to what he had to do - his attitude toward the Thais bothered me - was this a fluk or just laziness - as I said in previous post is his attitude go with the flow and when things don't go his way its because of somebody else why don't you re read my posts and think about it and then get over yourself

Thanks HD... much appreciated.

I think you're probably right on the line in the parking lot, but who knows. It would've taken a forward-thinking Thai to ask "Now, here's your copy of the picture & info page... do you also have a copy of your visa page and your entry card?"... then later "are all the numbers on the visa & entry stamps completely clear?"

Still, I was never genuinely unhappy with the service I got... I can only imagine it would be far worse at the local office where I have been living for the last 6 months (Phuket). Lets just agree that politeness isn't much of a priority there.

So I never lost my cool and neither did the counter guys. I learned long ago that anger does you no good when dealing with Thais... even more so when you need something from them that you cannot get anywhere else. So, best to just try to get them what they want/need without any fuss... which I would now be able to do far more easily now that I've been through it once.

It would have been nice had I been able to read a thread like this before I went, but it's still not impossible to navigate without any previous clues/experience... just more problematic.

Oh... and for the waiting times... phone games. Checkers for me & the lady, trivia games for me once she tires of losing... 555,,,

It would've taken a forward-thinking Thai to ask "Now, here's your copy of the picture & info page... do you also have a copy of your visa page and your entry card?"... then later "are all the numbers on the visa & entry stamps completely clear?"

do you take any contol or responsibilty in your life -- for example

how about your own forward thinking>>!!

What are you some kind of motivation speaker?

No but I am a believer in as much as possible of taking control of your own life and taking responsibilty for your own actions or non action - the OP continues to point to if only the Thais were smarter or if someone just did something for him he wouldn't have to think -- I was at Immigration on Tues for a retirenent visa renewal - the only item I needed was photos - I arrived 1.5 hours prior to my appointment and was faced with the same 2 crazy long lines - I said to myself no way so do I drive away and try to find a photo shop or deal with what is at hand - I looked around and saw 2 signs Line 1 copy Line 2 copy and all the people behind them but there was a wide gap between the 2 lines and the signs say copy but nothing about photo so I walked down the middle to the end where there was a young lady that I said " photo " - the answer KA sit over there - done in 4 min - there were 2 farangs that saw this waiting in line and asked how did you do this - I said just walk down the middle and say photo - you don't know how much they thanked me afterwards

In terms of my comment of if only Thais were smarter --- well I grabed myself a coffee and was relaxing waiting for my appointment when I saw the flat screen TV on the front wall and low and behold in english being displayed was what you have to do to extend your visa PLUS under the TV on the wall where photo copies of a passport and all the pages and items that must be photocopied!! what can I say?

I was called for my appointment and in less than 20 min I had a new retirement visa and mulity re-entry stamp with both dates the same so I can do both together over and over

Thanks HD... much appreciated.

I think you're probably right on the line in the parking lot, but who knows. It would've taken a forward-thinking Thai to ask "Now, here's your copy of the picture & info page... do you also have a copy of your visa page and your entry card?"... then later "are all the numbers on the visa & entry stamps completely clear?"

Still, I was never genuinely unhappy with the service I got... I can only imagine it would be far worse at the local office where I have been living for the last 6 months (Phuket). Lets just agree that politeness isn't much of a priority there.

So I never lost my cool and neither did the counter guys. I learned long ago that anger does you no good when dealing with Thais... even more so when you need something from them that you cannot get anywhere else. So, best to just try to get them what they want/need without any fuss... which I would now be able to do far more easily now that I've been through it once.

It would have been nice had I been able to read a thread like this before I went, but it's still not impossible to navigate without any previous clues/experience... just more problematic.

Oh... and for the waiting times... phone games. Checkers for me & the lady, trivia games for me once she tires of losing... 555,,,

It would've taken a forward-thinking Thai to ask "Now, here's your copy of the picture & info page... do you also have a copy of your visa page and your entry card?"... then later "are all the numbers on the visa & entry stamps completely clear?"

do you take any contol or responsibilty in your life -- for example

how about your own forward thinking>>!!

Sounds to me like your a real newbie!! Sounds like you just go with the flow - if an extention is important to you you must be in control instead of ' you mean I must do this? I have to take a picture of this? I have to make a copy of this?? What did you do ahead of time to make sure YOU are prepared?? Man you dont realize how simple immigration is if you spend the time to understand , and give them what they they want . Good luck - mine is very simple and easy life with immigration - I think they do a great job with the amount of people they have to deal with the numbers they have to deal with!!! Good luck man!