Rasseru

Such sad news. Like many others, I liked him well as soon as I met him. Actually, that's not quite true. That understates it. I liked him well even before I met him. He was a kind man. A good-hearted man. One of the kindest and best-hearted I've ever met. Here's a story that will explain my disjointed rambling. More than five years ago, I came to know him in this way. I asked on Thai Visa Forum if anyone knew of a place in Chiangmai that sold Indonesian kretek cigarettes, explaining that I was partial to them. Some time later, I received a private message from him, with whom I had had no interaction before of any kind, in which he offered to pick me up a carton of kreteks in Indonesia and bring it to me the next week or sometime after not much longer than that. I wrote back immediately, thanking him for his kindness, but explained that sadly it wouldn't work. I was going to be out of town the whole time he was going to be visiting. Back he came with one of his 'No worries!' If I told him where I lived he would drop it off for me at home . . . and that's what happened, without us ever having met. We did not too long after, on his next visit to Chiangmai, and I was always happy to meet him thereafter. Did I mention his kindness and good heart?

I bought two years ago two IQAir HealthPro units, Swiss-made, based on research I did at the time that suggested they were the best. They have worked fine for me.  They were not then available through any dealer in Chiangmai, but the dealer in Bangkok to whom I was introduced by their headquarters in Switzerland, shipped them to me here.

'if an englishman marries a thai lady in thailand, and she gets a british passport in the surname of her new husband, is the marriage recognised by the uk authorities?'

Hello, doppa. Tell us, if you don't mind, how in your example she would get the passport in the surname of her new husband, if not based on the recognition of the marriage by the UK authorities.

To help keep things on an even keel here, I dislike Australians and Americans in equal measure.

Not one to dilly dally, I sallied forth an hour ago to try to have lunch at Kafe Otto.

They're not really open yet. The Turkish gentleman to whom I spoke, and who seemed to be the owner, told me they could make a few items for me for lunch, and would be happy to, but added that they would pasta dishes, not Turkish dishes, as they were not really set up yet. I told him in that case not to worry, I'd be back another time when I could try their Turkish dishes.

He told me that tomorrow evening they will be offering a buffet of Turkish - or as he explained with a smile, what we call "Turkish/Greek", and there is indeed often little difference between the two cuisines - dishes, some fifteen or so items, if I remember correctly.

He told me also that they will not have their written menus ready until sometime next week, but will be serving a range of Turkish dishes in the evenings, even before they have their written menus in hand.

I was delighted to find your post here, SwaziBird, having spent a month last autumn living in Istanbul and enjoying marvelous Turkish food of all sorts every day I was there. I look forward to giving Kafe Otto a try soon, and to reporting back. Though I fear my report will probably be that the food is at best okay, and except in name only remotely like real Turkish food. : )

Talk of 'home-style' Italian food that makes no mention of the region of Italy in question leaves me wondering what is meant. Italy has many regions with many styles of cooking. Which are we talking about here?

Fully agree with recommendation of the shop above. I have found a much wider range of Japanese films there, including classic films, than one could find even in Tokyo, easily at least. A tremendous collection of films. Lately I have been exploring their Western films. They have a far, far broader collection of films than one could find to buy in Chiangmai.

Wanlamun.

Thanks, MrBrad. I thought of that possibility, but given what a complicated piece of kit a door knob can be, one at least with a turning and release mechanism inside, I would like if possible to find one already made. Perhaps, though, I could just have the knobs and covering plates made, and use them with a store bought internal mechanism.

I am trying to find some black iron hardware, in a roughly finished style, to use on a front door. I've looked for it without success at some of the obvious places, like Home Pro. Any suggestions of places you think might have it?

. . . So, where is the best Italian in cm?

Of the places I know, I like Casa Antonio best.

To help you judge my recommendation, though, I like Arcobaleno quite well too, particularly their pasta dishes. I've never tried their bruschetta.

Very good restaurant, have been six or seven times. Haven't even thought to try the steak, as in my experience steak is almost always a disappointment in Thailand. Pork or chicken is the way to go, in my experience. Have thoroughly enjoyed the pizza and pasta at Lapin. In part at my wife's encouragement, I have also wanted to 'keep' the place a secret. A number of Thai people have been there as guests when we have been there, so they seem to be doing well enough, and, in all honesty, we prefer to be in an environment that is more 'Thai' than 'farang'.

I have had very good experiences working with Homikitch over the last couple of years. I have had them make a whole kitchen for me, closets, bookshelves and other cabinetry. What I like in particular is that I have been able to bring them my own very specific and detailed (though amateur) designs and have them come up with proper designs, which have then gone through four or five or more developments based on our discussions, and then been perfectly executed.

If any would-be enraptured forum members out there would like to make an open and strong expression of their faith, whether or not with a view to improving their chances of leaving tomorrow for heavenly bliss rather than in five more months in much less pleasant and happy circumstances and for a more hellish future, I wold be willing to accept from you now irrevocable, legally binding pledges of all your assets to be effective from and after October 21st, 2011. :jap:

Sawadee krap, khun orang and khun CMX! I am happy to have brought you both so much pleasure!

Looks like it did ! Happy Songkran, Orang . . . :jap:

Hope this works, as it is perfect. Pere Ubu, singing 'Birdies'.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9qnRzCWFgd4%26feature%3Drelated&feature=related&v=9qnRzCWFgd4&gl=US

Any day with a splendid post like that from orang37 is a fine day for me!

I have not crossed paths with any pervs - while they were being pervish or pervy, I mean - in my five years in Chiangmai.

. . . it seems every Tome . . . has been on that list.

Every one? Incredible! Think I'm a-hafta get me one of those! : )

. . . Zero Mostel . . . had a sketch he used to do where he impersonated a southern Senator from the United States in a hearing on the origins of World War II. At one point in his comedy routine Mostel, in character as redneck Senator, would shout out : "What was Pearl Harbor doing in the Pacific ?" . . .

Sawadee khrap, Khun orang37,

Thank you for that very interesting story. It is particularly amusing as Mostel playing the Senator in fact spoke more wisdom than I imagine any of the yokels laughing in the crowd appreciated.

I took the plunge, and encourage everyone else to do so too. Some information is too important not to share.

Another 'trick', one that I use in the hot season and one that operates through the same principle as that mentioned by CobraSnakeNecktie (if I understand him correctly), is to take cold baths every couple of hours or so. I don't mean a bath with soap and so on, but baths taken Japanese style, with a shower and cleaning of the body first and then entry into and soaking in the bath, for at least ten or fifteen minutes. Just leave the water in through the day and night. I find it very effective. Cold showers feel nice, while one is taking them, but do not have anything like the effect of a cold bath, in terms of lowering one's overall - or perhaps I mean 'core' - body temperature. Anyway, in my experience, taking baths like this, and using a fan, mean I do not need to run any air-conditioning at all.

They will give you anesthesia here if you want - you won't know a thing.

Thanks for that, uptheos, but I prefer to be conscious.

Reading this because it's time I had one done, again. Last time was too long ago, maybe fifteen years ago, in New York. I was surprised to learn that people ever have anesthesia for this procedure. It was uncomfortable, yes, but not painful. Not physically, that is, at any rate. : )