stevewhale

this is the list of low cost flight

http://www.nokair.com/nokconnext/aspx/welc...?currlang=en-US

http://www.fly12go.com/en/main.shtml

http://www.airasia.com/site/en/home.jsp

honestly i can't stand for sitting on train that long...but if u want to see scenery ..try train then

Yes I agree but we do want to see the country so.....I guess my rear end will suffer some more.

Thanks

stevewhale

First off I should like to thank all who answered my request for "Information" a couple of weeks ago. All the responses were very helpful.

I should be able to find this information but to this time I have not been sucessful. Can anyone tell me if the trains from Bankok to Chiang Mai stop to pick up passengers at Bangkok Int'l Airport. I understand that there is a train station there. Also could someone tell me a little bit about the Sprinter rail cars? Are they comfortable? Would you reccomend them?

Thanks again,

Stevewhale

Hi Steve

My wife and I moved to Thailan a year and a half ago and we had our first baby in Chiang Mai with Dr. Supriya. She's great and don't let it worry you. My wife had a complicated labour and had to get rushed into a c-section and Dr. Supriya was extremely capable. Certificates in her office also state that she's certified by the American Board of Obgyns as well. My wife and I both agreed that we'd prefer to have another baby with her than return to North America to have it. Ram hospital was fine as well. The total cost of the delivery (including 24 hours of "normal" labour and emergency c-section) was 45 000 baht. It's expensive for Thailand but cheap for US prices.

There's also a guy that just moved into my moobaan who setting up some kind of retirement program for active people. I don't know much about it but his website is: http://www.andana-asia.com/

Thanks for the assurance. My daughter and her husband found Dr.Supriya through some friends and I am sure they would not lead them astray (nor, I'm sure, would you). It's just that being so far away fom them we need all the assureance we can get.

Thanks again

Steve

The areas that are cooler tend to be more remote so living there becomes a trade off between cooler weather and increased transportation hassles. Even in the coolest places you are likely to live at will be too warm for a Pendleton shirt in the daytime most of the year...but then you probaly know that already.....if you are addicted to Pendleton shirt climate then you will not be happy in Thailand.

Thanks for the reply. What is your definition of remote? A half hour from central CM? an hour? or more? Dirt roads? gravel? some paved some not? all paved?

No worry on the Pendeltons, I grew up in Minnesota with 90 degrees/90% humidity - of course that was summer, winter was 20 below with a foot of snow. I know that while Seattle is famed for purpetual rain (not true BTW) but with my daughters description of the rainy season I am sure that I will soon develop "CM webbed toes".

Another quick question, my wife is Japanese and I understand that there is a fairly sizeable Japanese community in CM. Is this the case? From looking at some of the resturant themes on the forum it appears that there are some pretty good Japanese ones around. How about Japanese food shops and such?

Thanks again

Steve

Hi Steve.

For noticablly cooler weather, one needs to live high in the mountains near Chiang Mai. It's about a 45-60 minute drive to get there. There would be a dearth of rental properties in that area, and what might be available would be 2-3 times the range of rets you've said you're looking for. Somewhat cooler weather, cleaner air, trees and streams , can be found in the foothills nearby and the longer drive time would be cut n half. The rent range you've indicated would be for fairly low end housing, but if you spend some time here and search diligently, you might find something near the upper end of your range. Be prepared to make your own improvements or upgrades, as landlords here tend to take a "handsoff " approach with regard to anything save for rent collection.

Land prices in and around Chiang Mai are not exactly cheap, but I would say it trades at a discount to many other areas in Thailand of large population.

The Japanese expat piopulation here is rather large, but I know very little about it. I'm sure your wife would find common interests with some of them. I suggest an extended vacation to the area for fact gatering purposes and putting things you read here and elsewhere into perspective.

I just want to thank you again for sharing your knowledge with me. I am getting quite excited about visting CM (and not only to see my new grandchild).

Steve

The areas that are cooler tend to be more remote so living there becomes a trade off between cooler weather and increased transportation hassles. Even in the coolest places you are likely to live at will be too warm for a Pendleton shirt in the daytime most of the year...but then you probaly know that already.....if you are addicted to Pendleton shirt climate then you will not be happy in Thailand.

Thanks for the reply. What is your definition of remote? A half hour from central CM? an hour? or more? Dirt roads? gravel? some paved some not? all paved?

No worry on the Pendeltons, I grew up in Minnesota with 90 degrees/90% humidity - of course that was summer, winter was 20 below with a foot of snow. I know that while Seattle is famed for purpetual rain (not true BTW) but with my daughters description of the rainy season I am sure that I will soon develop "CM webbed toes".

Another quick question, my wife is Japanese and I understand that there is a fairly sizeable Japanese community in CM. Is this the case? From looking at some of the resturant themes on the forum it appears that there are some pretty good Japanese ones around. How about Japanese food shops and such?

Thanks again

Steve

Hi folks

We will be coming to CM soon as our daughter will be giving birth to our first grandchild. Thank you all for the information on hospitals and doctors. She will be giving birth at RAM (1, I think) and her doctor will be Dr. Supriya. Does any one have any information concerning her? We have been assured that she is first class but any info would be more than welcome.

The other thing that is running around in my head is about the possibility of retirement in CM. We live now in Seattle and as is the case with lots of folks our retirement will be livable but if we could strech its value it would be great. The other motivating factor of course is that it looks like our daughter and husband (and baby) will be in Southeast Asia for quite awhile. CM is about two hours away from where they live and two hours and $300 sure looks better than 16 hours and $2,000+! Any pratical advice would be greatly appreciated. I am just beginning to look at the complexity of the Thai retirement visa, expat insurance, transportation, etc.

One thing some of my Thai friends here in Seattle have mentioned is that CM lies in a valley and that it might be more comfortable for people like us who have "Seatle webbed feet" and wear Pendelton shirts most of the year to be out of town up in the hills. Is this a good idea and are there places that are fairly near, fairly affordable (6 to 9000B, rent or own) and, what else should I ask???

Any help, advice or information would be most greatfully accepted.

Thanks again,

Steve