silverhawk_usa

We did check around. We prefer a group as we feel that the interaction between students helps with the learning and is also more fun. EFL (English as a Foreign Language) only offered group as a 1 hour saturday class for 10 weeks. I think that is drawing it out too long for only 10 hours of class time.

London didn't hardly want to talk to us. They rudely told us "No groups here, only private." I then had to practically beg her to give the information for the private class. NES ( New Zealand Educations Services) seems to have the best deal so far. 3 times a week, 2 hrs for a total of 20hrs.

I was hoping for someone with some personal experiences to pass on some info....

My Thai girlfriend would like to better her English skills. We tried AUA but she had to take a proficiency test to place her at the proper level, which I thought was a good idea. Unfortunately, we found that if you don't score high enough they won't take you at all. (Catch 22, must take the written comprehension test in English before you can study English???).

Anyone have any other school or class recommendations?

Same here in Chiang Mai. Although I had a letter from my pension company the consulate wasn't interested in looking at it. They just said "Maybe the Thai's will want to see it". They didn't. Just fill in the blanks on the consulate form and swear to it.

I should add that this was 3 years ago. At that time the Thai Immigration told me not to get a new form each year, just make copies of the same form for future extensions which I have done twice now without a problem.

It is my understanding that you must get this check at a hospital. Clinics are not accepted. I have used Lanna Hospital on the Superhighway 3 times.

You walk in and tell them what you want; they check your blood pressure and then a nurse takes you to a new outpatient section. A doctor asks you a couple questions, and he then fills out a form. All very polite I might add.

My visits have usually lasted about 15 minutes. One time he did look at my legs. The cost was about 80 baht.

Again we waited about 15-20 minutes, then someone finally looked at her for all of five minutes and asked a few questions in Thai, concluding in English: she has eczema or allergy. I didn't need to wait 30-40 minutes for that diagnosis!

A little off topic but, while riding my motorcycle near Luang Nam Tha, Laos, I found my neck had broken out in a blisters and a rash. Went to the local "hospital" and there was not a Doctor present. Some rather puzzled looking nurses gave me some antibiotics and some creme. Charge about 100bt.

As I was leaving I ran into a Falang Dr. who was walking in at the time. I stopped him and he took a quick look and said "Oh it looks like some kinda fungal/bacterial infection thing, just take the medicine and it should go away".

Can't complain too much, it was gone in less than a week. Gotta love SE Asia!

Make that two no votes for Mae-Jo.

I DID feel it between Mae Jo and Sansai.

Really minor shaking of the sofa while watching TV.

Quake felt in Chiang Mai

The Nation

Published on Jan 24 , 2006

Chiang Mai - An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter scale was felt in this northern city Tuesday night, the Meteorological Department announced.

Adisorn Foongkhachorn, chief of Chiang Mai seismology office, said the epicentre of the quake was in Burma's Shan state about 194 kilometres northwards of Chiang Mai.

Adisorn said the quake took place at about 8:42 pm and could be strongly felt in Chiang Dao and Chaiprakan districts. No damages in Chiang Mai had been reported yet.

Rachai Srinual, an officer at the Chiang Mai Meteorological Office said his office received a lot of phone calls inquiring about the quake.

I have not been able to figure out what the "fuel element" is made of. Does anyone know? It has a strong smell of fuel oil or something similar. I left a couple inside my car overnight and it took a few days to get rid of the odor.

If you tried exporting I am sure it would have to be declared as a hazardous material, if it could be shipped at all. (No expertise in this matter).

I have had a Tiger Joker 120 for almost 3 years. I only have about 13,000k on it as I ride other bikes too. The only repair has been to replace the CDI which was relatively inexpensive.

I find it has far superior suspension and tires compared to the other brands but I think the engine is not as smooth and probably has less top speed but more low end torque. I wanted to change the gearing but find accessories to be a bit lacking compared to the Honda, etc. . I have been completely satisfied with mine.

After reading many of the views on the Padaung when I first came to Thailand (5 years ago), I too boycotted the villages. Finally, when in Mae Hong Song with a friend that wanted to go, I relented and thought I would check it out.

My friend and I sat and talked for a long time with a beautiful young lady who spoke amazingly good English. She explained of the problems and the benefits of her life. She felt they were much better off in Thailand than in Burma. She said they received an excellent education at the local school and it showed in her speech and her questions and interests. These were not your typical shallow questions or topics. She was interested in our incomes and we discussed pensions vs. investments, life in other countries, and other surprising topics that she was interested in knowing. She explained that as children they have a choice of whether or not to wear the rings, although I think at that young an age it is not really an informed decision, but she was comfortable with it. We laughed with some of her friends who were trying on “normal” clothing and saw how uncomfortable they looked and felt.

Sure they put on a bit of a show for tourists, but what attractions and villages in Thailand do not? She understood their plight in life and although things could be better, she was not depressed or pessimistic.

There will always be many sides to this but I think it is not fair to judge them by applying our Western values. If you have not visited and sat down and had an honest talk with them, you surely should not be forming rigid opinions and beliefs. They are an intelligent people getting by the best they can under the current political and social situations that are forced upon them. If one is to campaign for other living conditions, first start by asking them.

The answer to your problem is obvious.

Leave your dog with your parents who love him, and come and get a "soi dog". There is an abundance of spare dogs here that would be ecstatic to have an owner like you.( look up lanna dog rescue.)

They're happy! (your parents)

You're happy!

Have to agree with this. I think a Shepherd trying to adjust to this climate after living in England would be pretty miserable and unhappy. You are also exposing it to many things that it would not be used to, not excluding virus', etc.

I had a Thai Ridgeback Dog which I purchased in Thailand and it later died of mosquito born diseases. It was first misdiagnosed by 3 different vets. Finally, properly diagnosed and treated extremely well by the vet on Superhwy and Chiang Mai Land Rd but too late.

Leave the dog home and find a new, needy companion here.

Hi everyone:

I'm looking for potential places to live/retire and am wondering about noise in Chiang Mai. Is it possible to find a place to live away from barking dogs, crowing chickens, fireworks, honking horns etc?

Any comments or experiences appreciated!

-pb

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I live in a mooban (Sririporn 2, Sansai) about 10k outside of Chiang Mai. I rent a very nice furnished home for about 12,000 bt a month. Sometimes it is so quiet here it is scary (except for some birds in the morning). You have to be selective/lucky as I used to live only a few kilometers from here and the roosters and soi dogs made me crazy.

How about border crossings to Laos with car/motorbike?

Is there a tempory import of vehicle form available at the border ?

Or is applying through a Laos travel agent  and in a motor convoy the only legal method to cross Laos? Any experienced folks out there?

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Crossing into Laos with a car is more difficult than with a motorbike. You need what is called an International Transit Permit (ITP) which must be obtained from the Thai motor vehicle department and some other paperwork.

I got lucky and found Tongwiset Tour which is located just before the Friendship Bridge (left hand side) in Nong Khai. 042-467578, 01-3922418. They took my vehicle book and passport and went to the Motor Vehicle Department (or whatever they call it), handled all the paperwork, obtained my permits, "T" stickers for the windows (which are required) and were back at the office in a matter of 2 hours.

They then had one of their staff actually ride across the bridge to the Lao side in my car, process all the paperwork and obtain my Laos Visas. It was about 2 years ago so I don't remember their fee, but I think it was about 500bt. I do remember that whatever I paid them was well worth it.

As for a motorcylce, the step by step process is explained on the GT-Rider Message Board Entry Procedures at Friendship Bridge.

edited by moderator (link wasn't working - now fixed)

I am assuming it would be the same as a lightning strike. The cell phone attracts the voltage jump from the power pole which would enter the body and the cell phone, thus exploding the battery.

The high voltage would then travel through the body seeking a "ground" and exit the leg and foot. The same injuries occur in many high voltage accidents. The most serious injuries are to the part of the body touching the grounded area or source of power.

Agree totally about the drivers. How about some PARKING in Chiang Mai. I have a pick up truck (also motorcycle) and some destinations are absolutley impossible to find a place to park the truck.

If some buildings were torn down and legitimate parking lots made, enforce removing some of the on street parking, the traffic situation would be better. BUT then again we would get into the issue of the police having to do their job. Catch 22.

The Mad Dog on Moon Muang always has a small, but knowledgable group. Small TV's but a great sound system. Also shows the replays when the race has been at an odd time.

90 Day reporting is a Pain in the ass just another form of harrassment

When I report they (Chiang Mai) give me a blank form to fill out at home for next time. Every 3 months I drop it off, show them my passport, done in 5 minutes. Not a big deal at all.

I don't want to start an arguement but I think there are many things in life one has to do more than every 90 days (like pay bills ) that are much more a pain than this. Don't sweat the little things.

Recently I went into the Chiang Mai Immigration Office to get a residency certificate for my drivers license. They carefully inspected my visa stamps and then INVITED me into the 'bosses' office followed by 3 other immigration officers.

The boss stated "You must report every 90 days!" and gave me a look like "You're in trouble now boy!". I told them I had been reporting (1yr in Thailand) and took the receipt from my last visit out of my wallet and showed them. Usually they staple this in my passport but it had come detached.

All was well, a few smiles were exchanged, and I was given my certificate. Usually they are quite friendly at the Chiang Mai office but it was clear that if I had not been following the 90 day rules I was going to have a bad day.

I just returned from applying for a 1 year extension of my retirement visa at Chiang Mai Immigration.  This answers my original post  “sort of”.

I went in the late morning hours and was given a 1:00 PM appointment to return.  At 1:05 they called me in to process the paperwork and an interview.  They were quite professional and friendly.  I cannot complain at all.

They DID require a copy of my Bank Book and a letter from the Bank (Bangkok Bank). However I had only 80,000 Baht in the account.  As I had a letter from the U.S. Embassy and my pension provider in the U.S. showing that my pension made up for the difference of the 800,000 Baht requirement they had no problem.  I brought along a copy of the law which stated this fact, but it was unnecessary.

So although my pension did not stand entirely on it’s own, the bank account was almost an afterthought.

In addition, I was able to speak with Pol. Lt. Col. Bonphot who did the Chaing Mai Life (and other magazines) interview.  He speaks fluent English and was again quite amiable.  I couldn’t help but notice that none of the staff are wearing their “brown” uniforms and instead now wear matching polo shirts and trousers.  A much less intimidating atmosphere.

As I was speaking with him, I was embarrassed by a fellow falang who came in wearing a grey “Army” t-shirt with very short workout shorts and clearly little else underneath. I recalled Lt. Col. Bonphot’s interview where he said it would be nice if falangs dressed and acted more politely and respected the Thai culture.  Come on guys, you would not go to a Government Office on business in your home country dressed like that, why do it here?

In the end (about a 50 min process) I was given a 10 day visa extension while they processed and checked my paperwork.  They said they had to verify the information (all valid BTW) and check the Immigration Computers at the airport.  All in all, they did not give any indication I should anticipate a problem. At the counter they had told me in advance to expect this process on my first renewal.  I was told to return Oct. 9 for my Multi entry Non Imm O-A visa.

Note however, they are checking EVERYTHING especially computer entries.

It was quite an interesting sensation in Chiang Mai.  This morning after 50 mins of trying to get an internet connection I could find nothing about it in the news except through this site.  Good job!

Interesting how Thai Meteorologist says in essence, 'Yes, there was an earthquake, we are not sure where,  how strong or how long it lasted'.

U.S. Earthquake center lists full details.

Why, oh why, do the Thai's put up with this poor service from all their agencies?  I know it's a rhetorical question.

Can't believe no one answered this yet.  Maybe you already have found an answer.

I live in Chiang Mai.  I simply go to Thai Immigration and ask for it.  They required two photos and copy of passport.  I don't remember the fee but it was minimal.

I acquired 3. One for purchase of a truck, a motorcycle and a drivers license.  The original is kept each time it is used and it also is only good for 30 days.  

Before doing the above I requested one from the U.S. Consulate.  They are the ones that advised me to go to Thai Immigration as the same issued by the U.S. Consulate would be more expensive and may not always be accepted.

Each time was about a 20 minute process.

I received my retirement visa while in the U.S. I had to mail my required documentation to the Thai Embassy in Chicago and had no problem.  I only had to show proof of income (pension) in the required amount and my U.S. Bank Account.  There was no questions of a Thai account. Took less than 10 days.

As for the round trip ticket, I did have to convince the Airline that a OWTicket was permissable as I had a visa already.  The Airline said they had to meet the requirements of the destination Country before allowing a passenger to board.  After showing the existing visa I had no problem.