Rotweiler

OneZero... 1. Travel within the Tachileik economic zone (the Town and the areas surrounding it, including the resorts, golf courses, casinos, and night clubs to the East of the downtown) was previously permitted on a day pass (when those were available years ago) or a mini-Visa that was obtained from the Myanmar Immigration police at the border. Overnight stays at hotels in the zone were permitted. Travel outside the zone required a Myanmar Visa and hired transport (including a guide). I don't know if this will be the case now as I haven't been there in 3 years since before the border closed, but I assume those requirements will not have changed. The Myanmar consulate in CM should be able to provide that information.

It has been suggested that this information get it's own topic, so... The Mae Sai / Tachileik border crossing has reopened (confirmed). According to officials both Thai and foreigners can obtain "temporary passes" to cross into Tachileik for tourism/shopping. This is as yet unconfirmed by myself. If that is true, and the passes are similar to what Thai citizens have enjoyed before everything closed-up (but not available to foreigners then), it will be a huge step forward.

I second ThaiPauly's recommendation. He is excellent.

Just got back from Mae Sai (we live not far away). I can confirm that the border IS still closed and is unlikely to open in the immediate future. The 2nd Bridge crossing from Mae Sai to Taschliek is open to Thai/Myanmar day-traffic commercial traffic only. No tourist or pedestrian traffic permitted - period.

Write down what you want to happen if you pre-decease her. Then have that OFFICIALLY certified or translated. Then take those documents, along with your foreigner ID (Passport or pink card) to the local Amphur office closest to you and have your will registered. Costs 20B., and it IS a formal legal document.

Anyone have experience with repair of a windshield rock chip (with three small cracks coming from it).

Instead of asking whether the low-cost option is "too cheap", perhaps some of you should be asking if their high-cost options are too expensive. My cost (2 eyes, one month apart) was 25,000 per eye.

Her name is Khun Vannee. The name of the clinic is Jaksu Patana.

This is what really irritates me! I was advised last week that I won 300,000Baht in a Kasikorn Bank give-away. There were NO hidden requirements - only to let them know where to send the money. Ignored. Two days later, another message from the same people/person saying they are having trouble sending the money as my bank isn't accepting their transfer. Cope of an "attempted transfer receipt" from Kasicorn Bank Thailand included (no, actual name). Ignored. One week later - a pleading message: "My boss is very angry that I cannot send you our prize money of 3,000,000 kip. Please send me your account number and password for the Yoma Bank and I will send it immediately." Damn. Though I was rich. Guess I should has responded when it was still the Kasicorn Bank...................

14 + years ago. Walking around the moat with my wife. Pun Pun's establishment. Stopped for a bit. Seems we never left. Good Luck in the future.

Maybe the OP doesn't know that most ambulances are operated by non-profit, volunteer groups who also don't change for their services.

From reading the one responder's posts, I must assume that he has not been at the RAM for awhile. There is now a huge parking lot in the back (part of what was once the shopping centre's "extra land". I have not had to climb the tower for ages (those who have been at the RAM "parkade" will understand that. I must strongly echo the positive comments about Dr. Vipawan, my endocrinologist for 5 years. It is rare to see a doctor (at any hospital) who cares as much for the patient and actually listens to them, as she does. I have had considerably poorer results elsewhere, and I don't go to hospitals for orchids, to lurk in toilets, or any other reason except to get the best care I can to meet my health needs..

Good luck. It took me 6 months to cancel a True TV subscription and another 2 years to get back my deposit. Ultimately, researched the email address for the big boss of True - all emails ignored. Stated emailing the Chairman of CP. Got a polite form response from an automated responder. Started sending 2 emails a day, all polite, all slightly different, from multiple email addresses. all correctly identifying myself and my account number. No direct response, but did get an email from the customer service manager of True after 3 weeks with a notification that my refund was on its way. Sigh, the hassle over 2,000B.

Nonsense question. Perhaps by flooding?

Looking at the Forester as a replacement for out 12 year old Toyota. Would appreciate any comments from owners (past or present).

Two years ago, stopped at a crosswalk as two elderly people were trying to cross the road. Rear-ended - and was blamed (initially) for blocking the road. Learned my lesson - now check my rear-view mirror BEFORE stopping.

He is not an optometrist. He is an optical dispenser, not a certified optician (strange Thai professional designations). That said, he seems to be pretty good at what he does. And of course, as will almost all optical dispensers (especially the not-named-here huge national chain...) he will up-sell if he can. And in this forum, he and his shop have been mentioned dozens of times.

Not sure what is happening in Mae Lao, but MaeKhachan and Wiang Pa Pao were under water last night. Our Tambon had a tad over 50cm of rain in the past 3 days.

There are many shops that sell prescription glasses. There are VERY few medically-trained optometrists in them. A few opticians, maybe - more likely staff with a 3-day course on how to "use" the automatic good for everyone testing machine. In Chiang Mai, for example, appear to be a few certified opticians; far fewer optometrists. I know of only one (rotating between Sri Phat and RAM - Khun Vanee.

Weather apps on a mobile can be (are?) hit and miss. For years, we used Transparent Clock & Weather which we found reasonable at forecasts here. But VERY few app providers actually produce their own weather data, and that's where problems begin to crop up. Transparent used to have data from several good providers, but lately cut back to Foreca and Met.no. I understand Met is supposed to be very good (in Northern Europe) while Foreca is supposed to be great in North America. Both really suck in providing forecasts in SE Asia. The Weatherunderground is not very reliable here, nor is The Weather Channel, which is supposed to be great in US and Canada. The app maker has to pay for the data, so they tend to restrict their cost exposure as much as possible. But there is at least one exception - Today Weather. We have used the Today Weather app for the past several years. Today Weather provides the option of selecting from a list of over 20 weather data providers so you can test as many out to find the most accurate one for your area. May be worth a try if only to checkout the reliability of various weather providers.

Feb 1 was the most recent. All seem to have been related to Shan separatist activities but no one is confirming that (at least not yet).

The bombing was FAR away in Mae Sot. I think this should not affect the on-going efforts by the Myanmar and Thai officials to re-open the Tachilek - Mae Sai border crossing.

A Makita (copy..) electric chainsaw with rechargeable batteries is about 2,000B on Laz. Ours is now a year old; been used to trim dozens of trees and fell a few completely. Works VERY well - strong and batteries last along time. Price included 2 blades; 2 batteries, and a vid on assembly.

The response from Randell is a bit misleading - the Border Market is in Burma, not Thailand. The Taschlik Border Market is not accessible from Thailand as the border there is still closed (or was as of 4 days ago when we were there). The Mai Sai markets (on the Thai side) are open although as Randell says, while most stops are open and stocked, some shops did not weather the past 2 years and are closed.

Ghaat Luang (aka Wororoot Market). Second Floor Main Building. Literally thousands.