searcher22

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

And of course we have the ‘can do no wrong I have right of way’ Merc & BMW’s...

Happened to me just this morning. High-speed Merc flashing its headlights. I stood my ground in my little Mazda.

I saw them at Rimping for the first time, a few days ago. In the frozen meat section. Don't remember the exact price but they were quite expensive. I tasted some in Canada and they were suprisingly good.

MeeChok plaza...no market last Monday and Tuesday, the usual market days throughout the year. Probably none today and tomorrow too.

I had a delightful long walk around the 700 stadium today, just before the rainstorm hit this evening. It was breezy and cool and breathing felt good again.

Just a quick recap on my driving licence that I renewed today.

Arrived at 1pm today (Wednesday), all done by 2:45pm.  No line-ups. No hassles. Renewed my 5-year licence for another 5-year period (plus 1 year bonus as it had expired a few days earlier, so my licence now valid for 6 years, until Feb 2024). Most of the time was spent watching the educational video. Only had to do a ten-second color test.  A medical certificate was not requested, since I already had a 5-year licence.

The office is closed tomorrow (March 1, 2018) due to a government holiday (Makha Bucha day).

Many of the car commercials I see on TV feature reckless driving, and it's depicted as fun and macho.  

I was shopping at the Big C Superhighway yesterday evening. I could hear the thunder. Then suddenly the power went off. I was in total, pitch darkness for about 30 seconds before the backup lights went on. Had there been an explosion or earthquake, I wouldn't have been able to find my way out. I'm buying a small keyholder flashlite today...might be a life-saver some day! The surrounding neighbourhood with all its condos was also pitch dark.

Rain and 15-minute power outage just south of Mae Rim

There's also the O2 gym with a wide variety of equipment and an enclosed air-conditioned area for cardio workouts. Locations include Khuang Singh and Mahidol Road near the airport mall. There have a few Thai-style shower stalls. Low daily rate of 60 B.

We're about 3 km south of Mae Rim and we did not get a drop of rain. Only wind.

same here, staying home keeping busy reading behind the news.

is a life-long task.

However the problem is gaining weight.

next month will go back to Europe for my 5 mile walk in nature each day, and

eating lots of sandwiches.

No win situation, but at least get to love my sandwiches and sushi so now and

then. Can't wait.

Mia in the contrary is gone most of the days.

Wow, same here, staying home and catching up on all the news and gaining weight too (as a result of inactivity due to March smog-days and now Songkran gridlock!). I wish I had a 5-mile walk in Europe to look forward to too!

A few must-read articles (with excerpts) for anyone considering yearly health checks (and who have no symptoms):

Some Medical Tests, Procedures Do More Harm Than Good

http://www.newsweek.com/some-medical-tests-procedures-do-more-harm-good-67291

“There are many areas of medicine where not testing, not imaging, and not treating actually result in better health outcomes”

"In fact, for many otherwise healthy people, tests often lead to more tests, which can lead to interventions based on a possible problem that may have gone away on its own or ultimately proved harmless."

" (Doctor) Nissen regularly counsels asymptomatic, low-risk patients against having cardiac CT, echocardiograms, and even treadmill stress tests; studies show they produce many false positives, leading to risky interventions."

****

Medical Checkups Fail to Reduce Death Rates

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/medical-checkups-fail-to-reduce-death-rates-1.1240350

"Dr. Gerry Brosky of the department of family medicine at Dalhousie University in Halifax said the annual

physical has fallen out of favour with most doctors."

****

Why I Won’t Get a Colonoscopy

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/2012/03/12/why-i-wont-get-a-colonoscopy/

“Screening the apparently healthy potentially saves a few lives (although the National Cancer Institute couldn’t find any evidence for this in its recent large studies of prostate and ovarian cancer screening). But it definitely drags many others into the system needlessly—into needless appointments, needless tests, needless drugs and needless operations (not to mention all the accompanying needless insurance forms). This process doesn’t promote health; it promotes disease. People suffer from more anxiety about their health, from drug side effects, from complications of surgery. A few die. And remember: these people felt fine when they entered the health care system.”

The gyms in Chiang Mai are nothing to write home about, except for the upscale Shangri-La Hotel gym. Broken, antiquated or limited range of equipment, too crowded, loud music, lack of gym etiquette, inadequate or non-existent showers, no a/c, boutique pricing, etc. I have visited them all and have not been impressed by any of them, at best they're just "ok.".Hopefully one will come along with a real wow factor.

I took a van from Bangkok (mo chit station) to Rayong yesterday. As we left the station, the driver made 4 other stops in bangkok...picking up additional passengers...and freight! They crammed in piles of boxes until just about every available inch was used up. It took four attempts to close the sliding door because of all the stock. I almost stormed out of the van as I was worried about being trapped inside in case of an accident. Never again am I taking a van! Either a vip bus, private car or taxi for me!

Two weeks ago, my GF fell sick for three days, with fever, soar throat and coughing, and stayed one whole day in bed. She then passed it on to me. So I fell sick for three days, with fever, soar throat and coughing, and stayed one whole day in bed dazed in front of the computer screen. Now we're both fine.

Thanks for the replies. Agree much too sweet (except my chocolate muffin). I should have mentioned that I was inquiring more about their restaurant operation than the bakery itself.

I know of two shops that have closed recently (between KSK and Nimmanhemein, and on Mae Rim Road (rte 106). I used to like their reasonably-priced menu offerings, comfortable surroundings... and their chocolate muffins. Are they Kaput?

SPOTTED

Central festival by bus

Tops market--ground floor--175 bt

lots of good teas there

Yes, I've seen it there too. That store has the most varied selection of imported foodstuffs in Chiang Mai.

Avoid paying by credit card in Thailand if possible, especially for minor purchases. Most credit cards also charge an additional 3% or so conversion rate.

I also mailed by 90-day report on Monday Dec 29th, 2014 and I received it back today, Jan 7th, 2015. Both registered letters. So the whole process took only 4 days, not counting the closed holiday period. Excellent!

The Think Park covered in "snow" and decorated for Christmas is quite charming. There were also some "snowflakes" blowing around in certain sections. Hundreds of people were walking around and taking pictures, and kids loved it. I'm from Canada and it really felt like I was in a nordic town. Kudos to the Think Park for their creativity! Now if only a bit of REAL snow could fall in Chiang Mai for a month or so!