anais

ReefSeekers says February is absolutelyt the worst month for Komodo - days they can't dive - so I'll save it for another trip.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm looking forward to the research (and the dives!)

Sorry you are having a bad time. I live at BCP and I love it.

Hello,

My dive buddy is coming from the US in late February or early May and I'd like to book a 5 or 6 day dive holiday. Not interested in a liveaboard but rather someplace that we can fly to from BKK. I've been to Sipadan and Kapalai so that's a possibility but what else do you recommend in Asia?

I've got pretty high standards (Koh Tao won't cut it) in terms of marine diversity and good viz, as my first dive was the Drop-Off at Sipadan. (Spoiled for life!)

Any suggestions much appreciated.

I work between Siam and Chit Lom (live in Thonburi). I can do lunch in that are or an evening after around 6:30 or 7:00.

I got lucky: My landlady put in a new oven with 4 burners (electric, but oh well) for me in my condo. The pans here are expensive and of poor quality, but I'm slowly building a little collection and it won't pain me to part with them when I move. Very glad that I packed my cast iron skillet, my good knives, and my microplane. I think I'll buy a microwave just to make popcorn and reheat street noodles.

Cooking utensils seem unreasonably expensive and I would recommend to bring things from home unless you're not on a budget. I'll be bringing back a few more things after my December trip.

Ummm, I thought this *was* the ladies meet-up thread. I've been in BKK two months and have a number of friends (from other friends, the journalism community, and previous visits). But they're mostly guys. I'd be happy to get together any evening next week for a coffee or drink ... nothing on my social schedule yet.

Cheers,

Cyn

Thanks, Mark. Do you know the old writer's name? I might be able to pull it up through Nexus/Lexis.

Hello,

My new employer requires a health certificate to accompany my work permit application. The HR director had made an appointment for me at a local clinic, and said the cost would be about B500. But then someone else at the office said the cert must come from a hospital, not a clinic.

Samitivej Hospital tells me the cost will be around B1500. Is this reasonable? I will be reimbursed but it does take a while and I'd like to keep costs down. Thanks for any info.

A friend who used to live in BKK told me that the Bangkok Post used to (may still have) a food critic who reviewed street vendors. I've searched their site but can't find anything like that ... does anyone have more details? I'd love to track down some of these reviews.

Thank you!

Hello,

Even in my temp apartment I need a few things: tiny coffeemaker, clothes hangers, iron, etc. The main street by my apartment (I'm steps from the Saphon Thaksin station) doesn't seem to have these, at least not in an easily identifiable place, and Central World where I work looks to be all Gucci. Where can I find these sorts of sundries? Many thanks ... this is the first day since arrival Tuesday morning that I haven't spent 12 hours in the office, so I'm a bit slow getting my bearings.

Thursday night, my second at my temp apartment, I came down the stairs at Saphon Thaksin, turned the wrong way toward the river. Instead of climbing the stairs again I walked down the (dark) sidewalk toward the street and encountered a small cobra. All right, I only spotted the viper-shaped head and didn't stay to do a forensic exam, but it was definitely a viper-based lifeform.

Welcome to Bangkok!

Thanks for the info!

Hello,

I arrive next week to begin a job with offices at Central World. I'm a farang, female, and would like a flat with 1 or 2 bedrooms, hi-speed internet, location walking distance to my job or convenient to a BTS station.

Other requirements: CLEAN, nice furniture, balcony, proper bathtub and a decent kitchen (oven would be great) as I like to cook.

My budget for housing is between 20 and 25K baht per month and I don't intend to be overcharged for utilities. I can sign a one-year lease and have excellent references.

Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

Come ON, TV! I know at least ONE of you knows my perfect flat!

(If you've responded to my post in BKK, please forgive the duplicate)

Hi,

I'm packing up a lot of old yoga tapes to bring with me to BKK, but my new apartment most likely won't have a VCR and I don't want to buy one. Is there a place in BKK where I can get my tapes transferred to DVD for a reasonable cost?

TIA

Hello,

I arrive next week to begin a job with offices at Central World. I'm a farang, female, and would like a flat with 1 or 2 bedrooms, hi-speed internet, location walking distance to my job or convenient to a BTS station.

Other requirements: CLEAN, nice furniture, balcony, proper bathtub and a decent kitchen (oven would be great) as I like to cook.

My budget for housing is between 20 and 25K baht per month and I don't intend to be overcharged for utilities. I can sign a one-year lease and have excellent references.

Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

Hi Frank,

Is this still available? I'd like to see it when I arrive next week.

Hi CWP,

Still no luck ... enjoy your stay in LOS.

Hello,

I arrive late October 2nd and would like a short-term rental while I familiarize myself with BKK. Only requirements are that it's clean and safe and very close to BTS or within walking distance of Offices at Central World. I can pay up to 20,000 baht but that must include utilities. Thanks!

Thanks, OAH. But: Waaaa! I must find a way.

I'm interested to know how "professional" translates for farang females. I'll be working in an office, supervising a staff, in a creative/media environment. For the past 7 years I've been a grubby freelancer with the exception of a few nice "Manhattan" outfits.

I want to make a good impression in my company but God do I dread wearing "dress" clothes.

I don't mind leaving a lot of things in America, but I can NOT live without my hoops. I have an NBA League Pass that allows me to see all the Bulls games and I really want to be able to keep up with the team. (Hellooo, Ben Wallace!) I'd buy a Slingbox and watch the games time-delayed via my Tivo but they aren't Mac compatible yet.

How do you NBA fans in Bangkok manage? Any suggestions?

I think Koh Tao is lovely and a very nice place to chill, especially if they like to dive. Getting there will give them a little adventure and, although I was robbed there, the island overall is safe.

Thanks, Bambina!