Y Chang

I will be traveling to Chiang Mai and possibly Chiang Rai with a friend, who is a very seasoned traveler. He has been to many different places in Asia, Africa, South America, Australia and Europe. This will be the first time for the both of us to visit Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and I hope to take him to places that will feel unique and memorable to him. I came up with the sight-seeing and activity list below. For those who are locals or familiar with the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai area, please let me know if any of the places on the list are worth (or not worth) going, and kindly include a brief reason why. And further, if there are any "must visit" places that are missing from the list, please let me know. (Please note that we are more interested in scenic places and less interested in temples.) We also want to visit some hill tribes. As I understand, there are many in the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai hill areas, like the Hmong, Karen, Palong, Lisu, Lawa, Padaung, Lahu, and Akha. Which one should we pick? Finally, we will need to rent a car with a driver to take us around. Any recommendation on a reliable transportation service company? Look forward to some good suggestions!

Thanks Sheryl. I am located in Bangkok.

It seems that the supplies of Lispril in Thailand has not improved since last May. I still have trouble finding the medicine. I checked with many drug stores and they don't have it. Does anyone know if this medicine has been recalled, or the manufacturer Siam Bheasach has stopped making it? On the other hand, if you are able to procure the medicine, please kindly share your source. Thank you!

I want to rent a SUV or minivan with a driver for sightseeing purpose. It will be a one-day round trip; pick up from Bangna Bangkok to Amphawa Floating Market and then back to Bangna Bangkok. A Google search pops up many companies such as ThaiTaxis, BangkokBeyond, DriveMate, Klook, GetYourGuide, DelightCar, etc. Has anyone used any of these companies? Which one do you recommend? What was your experience in terms of vehicle maintenance, driver's safety skills and punctuality?

For the corporate field, you can just put down "not applicable", they will take it.

The Pfizer vaccines at MedPark is available to foreigners. I just got mine there. Please try again!

I'd like to find out the typical amount of tips for a thai masseuse and hairstylist in Bangkok. What will be a reasonable amount? Is it based on percentage? Is there a minimum and maximum?

MedPark Hospital offers Pfizer (the original version, not the bivalent). Here is the link where you can sign-up: https://medparkhospital.jotform.com/itmedpark/MedparkPfizerGroup

Thai Travel Clinic (Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University) offers the vaccine. Cost is 478 bhat. Here is the link: https://www.thaitravelclinic.com/cost.html

Try Ocean Dental (https://goo.gl/maps/bSiqjHZQyeB3W8r76). I went there for dental cleaning and filling. Dr. Namo was great! Price was reasonable.

Try Antergan Cream. The active ingredients are hydrocortisone acetate and mepyramine maleate. It works very well on insect bites for me. It doesn't require any doctor prescriptions. Just ask the pharmacists.

I went to Pattaya International Hospital for an eye checkup earlier this year. The cost was 2990 bhat which included IOP (https://www.pattayainterhospital.com/promotion-detail.php?id=29). I think you should be able to make an appointment just for IOP. Adding doctor's fee, it may be less than 2990 bhat.

Thanks for the reply, Dr Joy. Does the landlord need to register the property using this app first? Would you share your knowledge on using this app please?

I will be entering into a long-term lease in Bangkok. The landlord is Thai. In case the landlord is unfamiliar and unable to do TM30, I will need to take care of the reporting myself. My understanding of the process is as follows: 1. Prepare the following items: - Completed TM30 (part 1 and 2) - Power of Attorney Form - Copy of Landlord's ID - Copy of Tabien Baan or Title Deeds of the property - Copy of rental agreement - Copy of my passport information page, visa page and arrival stamp - A photo of myself 2. Submit the above documents in person to Immigration Division 1 Government Complex in Chang Watthana within 24 hours after I move into the property. My questions are as follows: 1. Is my understanding of the process correct? 2. Is there any items missing from the above list? 3. Has anyone use TM30.io (https://tm30.io/, a website that provides automatic TM 30 submission service)? If you do, please share your experience. 4. Lastly, please feel free to share your experience if you have gone through this process of submitting TM30 as a renter. Thank you and look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Hi Nikmar, the test is not for employment. I am looking for a test lab for lipid profile, kidney function, liver function, the typical annual blood tests. Do you have to be a registered patient to use the blood test lab at Sirindhorn Hospital? Do you know how much they charge for these tests?

Any suggestions and recommendations will be appreciated. Thank you!

I am looking for a rental in Bangkok and have identified a townhouse in ddproperty.com. I contacted the agent. We agreed on the terms of the rental (including the price, duration of the lease, move-in date, etc). After I have verified the ownership, I made an advance payment. The agent then sent me a reservation form but told me that the owner will not sign the lease agreement until the move-in date, which is a month from now. Is it typical in Bangkok that the owner does not sign the lease agreement until the move-in date? This seems to be different from what I experienced in Pattaya when the lease was signed ahead of time. Will appreciate an insight from anyone. Thanks.