searcher22

Susento, Your friends, who were among the 60-70 million Thai speakers decided to join the approx. one billion English speakers. Smart move.

You miss the point entirely. If they'd moved to Russia they'd have learnt to speak Russian. Unlike the Great White Entitled Bwanas on this thread they realise that they have to try and fit in to the place that they're living rather than expecting the rest of the world to adapt to their requirements.

So I guess next time you rent a room in Thailand and you end up with a squat toilet, no air conditioning, dogs running around the swimming pool and a karaoke bar next door playing loud music till 2 AM, you'll be a very understanding guest who will give the hotel a 5-star review on Trip Advisor for being so authentically Thai.

There's no noticeable problem if you stay indoors and have air conditioning. But only come to Chiang Mai if you HAVE to, because you're still breathing toxic air. Otherwise, head for the beach.

Good for you Nancy L. Glad you mentioned the matter of a Dress Code.

Sadly, all too many Expats in Chiang Mai have little or no concept of dressing appropriately. Just have a look at some of them any day when they front up at the Immigration Office.

Can only trust that they'll show some respect now that you've mentioned the requirement.

Trend forecaster Gerald Celente laments today's slobiness "Look back to old photos of America. Even the poorest immigrants dressed sharp, had respect for themselves, held their head high and had dignity."

"Once upon a time in America, not too long ago, from the captains of industry to the janitorial staff, dignity and style were essential elements of self respect. Whether it was a night at the opera or “take me out to the ball game,” theatergoers and sports fans dressed with the appropriate degrees of formality and care."

Nowadays: "Air travel? It’s a flying circus. The unkempt, ungroomed, the just-rolled-out-of-bed could care less if their smelly bare feet and grotesque appearance offends fellow flyers."

Had three electrical interruptions today - a few km south of Mae Rim - longest one lasted an hour, this morning.

Personally, I think the new 10baht fare is a bit low. I'd rather pay 20baht.

It's nice to see people care like this. I just hope it won't incite the authorities to introduce dual pricing (Thais: 10 baht, foreigners: 20 baht) on all their routes once they hear how wonderfully generous we farangs are.

I'm all for helping the needy. But I'm not sure it's good to instill the idea in Thai people that we're willing to pay more than the locals for the same product or service. That can lead to some very discriminatory practices. Why not offer the songtaew driver some fruits, milk, nuts or other snack, instead of cash? Some of them may even resent these tips.

Chiang Mai (Thailand) ranks among the top ten retirement destinations in the world.

Prolonged exposure to heat and humidity can lead to a variety of skin problems (eczema, rashes, bacterial infections, etc.), even if you're acclimatized. Which is why dermatologists recommend air conditioning whenever possible in order to prevent flare-ups.

Not to mention Herpes and HIV.

Lucky that most of are healthy.

..and cancer, old age and ugliness.

...and dementia too, as the above responses seem to indicate

It's too late.

Prolonged exposure to heat and humidity can lead to a variety of skin problems (eczema, rashes, bacterial infections, etc.), even if you're acclimatized. Which is why dermatologists recommend air conditioning whenever possible in order to prevent flare-ups.

So, it's 8 months of hell for 4 months of comfortable weather?? We all must be fools to endure that and after almost 15 years here, I wonder why I suffer.

I do envy the 'snowbirds' that can escape the heat and smoke and only spend Nov-Feb here, but with kids that are going to school, it's not practical.

On what basis were you expecting it to be cool here?

A lot of tourism websites propagate the myth that October to February is the "cool season" in Chiang Mai. But it's only "cool" at night, and only for about eight weeks. Who cares if it's a comfortable 15C/60F at 3 o'clock in the morning? It's the day temperatures that count, and it's almost always 30C by noon during the "cool" season.

Here's an excerpt from a birding website that is more in line with the truth: "Many people head to Chiang Mai in search of the legendary "cool" weather, however, arriving in the city I think that most people will be disappointed to find it almost as hot as Bangkok."

Another website states "The cool season runs from December to March, although there's usually just one week in December when temperatures are actually comfortable."

I too am looking forward to the winter months in Chiang Mai, because the heat is more bearable due to the lower humidity. But please don't call it the "cool season." Call it the less-hot-but-still-hot season.

What Chiang Mai needs to do is build a glass-enclosed, air-conditioned pedestrian city (such as Dubai's 48-million sq.ft Mall of the World now under construction) that would include shops, hotels, serviced apartments, artificial beach with waves, walkways, waterfalls, parks, bicycle track, aquarium, cultural and theatre district. Imagine....Chiang Mai without the oppressive 9-month heat, ...smog-free, car-free and dog-free too! Let's start thinking big!

There's a Vietnamese restaurant north of town (Meechok Plaza) that sells these baguette sandwiches for around 50 baht each. I don't know how it compares to the L.A. ones though.

A new gym has opened on the inner ring road (highway 3029). You'll spot the sign as you drive east towards Meechok Plaza, which is just a few minutes down the road.

Called the "Mini-Gym" it features an array of aerobic and weight machines in a sparkling clean and air-conditioned environment, with an adjoining boutique restaurant and coffee shop. It's currently in soft opening mode. There were no customers when I visited yesterday in the early afternoon. They apparently have 30 customers signed up already. Those who join might well have all the gym to themselves for now! Not cheap though. For a little bit more, you can join the Shangri-La Hotel fitness centre and get a swimming pool with that.

24000 B = 1 year
13200 B = 6 months

7800 B = 3 months

Looks like the ED Visa option is becoming a losing proposition, a sort of black hole, where the return on investment is no longer guaranteed except for the most dedicated of students (those willing to study on their own 20 hrs/week in addition to attending regular classes).

I get this same thing, usually at this time of year...  Sand flies, no see em's, nits, what ever you call them are a blessed pain.

I've been struggling with these insects too for the past few weeks (no see um's, midgies, sand flies. etc.) Yesterday I got bitten by one (never saw the bugger) and developed an itch so intense on my chest that I had to pull over at a pharmacy to buy an anti-itch cream (chlorphenoxamine), then almost ripped open my shirt and applied it!

Wiki: “their bites can cause intensely itchy, red welts that can persist for more than a week”

They can easily pass through standard 16 mesh window screens. Spray the screens with permethrin and consider getting a tighter mesh screen, although this may limit air flow into the home. Use fans around the house to dispel them and wear protective clothing whenever possible. Using DEET and anti-lice products, as mentioned above, can also help.

I'm wondering if it's worth buying a second insurance policy to cover my $1500 deductible under my current medical insurance policy. Can this delay payment to me if both insurance companies start fighting over who-pays-what? Will I have to fill out more paperwork in order to get a refund? In other words, does it complicate things?

Right now, I have a specific ATM card topped up with $1500 in the event I get sick or injured. I can just as well withdraw the amount myself from my bank account to cover the deductible....if I'm physically able to do so... and not have to pay additional yearly premiums.

Any thoughts on what is the better strategy?

I avoid the shopping mall food courts like the plague (more so than streetfood), after experiencing several bouts of food poisoning.Soups ok, but I stay away from meat dishes...especially if eating at off-peak hours.

I did notice something was different this morning when I went for a walk at Huay Tung Tao park. Blue skies and a very clear view of Doi Suthep. Finally!

Wow! that was scary! Hope no others are on the way.

I find the March-April-May period unbearable in Chiang Mai due to the double-whammy of extreme heat (April-May) and extreme pollution (around Feb-March-April). So much so that next year I will either go south to the beach or return home to Canada during that period. The dilemma with going back to Canada is that's it's still bloody cold in March!

Then, start taking large doses of Vitamin B Complex. Vitamin B Complex makes your sweat smell awful to mosquitos and they will not bite you.

False.

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What's wrong with citronella? It works, doesn't stain, isn't poison and you can actually make it yourself.

Citronella and other natural products only work for short periods of time (an hour or two), if at all. You then need to re-apply. When it comes to Dengue, I prefer to use the heavy artillery (DEET). No half-measures for me.

Then, start taking large doses of Vitamin B Complex. Vitamin B Complex makes your sweat smell awful to mosquitos and they will not bite you. VBitamin B is water soluble so your body will expekl any of the vitamin you don't need but the mosquitos bites will drop off significantly.

1: Nobody should be taking "large doses" of ANY vitamins.

2: Recent scientific tests have shown beyond a doubt that Vitamin B does not provide any type of protection against mosquitoes.

The only thing to have been proven 100% effective against mosquitoes is DEET.

Had a Reece's peanut butter chocolate peanut bar yesterday.

On second thought...maybe you should listen to your doctor.

I have recently started using this company - https://www.facebook.com/cmbread?fref=ts and are finding them very good. They do all kinds of white and wholemeal loaves, baguettes as well as delicious hummus and all natural peanut butter. Also, their products are cheap (better value than from Rimping) and are 100% vegan. This has been excellent for me as buying from the other places on here has proved a problem due to the ingredients they contain. This company also deliver to your house! I thought I'd let people know in case anyone else can take this advantage. By the way, I have no affiliation with them other than being a customer and want them to get more so that they will stay in business and I can continue to order bread from them!

Cheers

Dee

Thanks Dee ,thats very interesting to me,i will work out a decent order

and i will freeze it,lasts a long time in the freezer and if it goes in fresh

its just as good when it comes out, just dont want them delivering 2 loafs.

regards worgeordie

I also freeze mine. I get it made at Butter is Better and have them slice it and package it in two packages. that way I don't have it out as long.

Unfortunately for me Bread is not a doctor approved product. Some thing about carbs. So I get Whole Wheat. Some times 7 grain more carbs but a heck of a lot tastier.

You would think giving up chocolates would be a good enough thing now bread is there no end to the good stuff I am supposed to give up?

Don't let anyone talk to you into giving up chocolate (unless it's KitKat) and bread (unlike you got celiac disease). One or two squares of dark chocolate (70% cocoa or over) and two slices of you favourite bread every day can be part of a healthy diet. Just stay reasonably active.