mark__baum

Ok, pretty simple. I want to put some good doctors to work on my body, in particular some manner of foot doctor, and things would be most favorable for me were this to happen in Chiang Mai rather than Bangkok. (traveling around, in Vietnam at the moment)

My first priority in a hospital is waiting time. "Can I get a same-day appointment?" is the primordial question in this case. A close second priority is the English abilities of the doctors, though I've found in my travels that most communication upon scant analysis is completely miraculous no matter what language it's in, and that everything truly important gets resolved even if none of the participating parties have any idea what any of the others are talking about. For this reason English abilities are second to waiting time. (though both are important)

If I'm lucky there's only one worthwhile hospital for farangs in Chiang Mai, which would simplify my decision. Perhaps there's ten, but I don't know, I've never been to the city.

Anyway, much gratitude and tribute to any who is able to purvey useful information.

Happy thoughts, folks! I've been traveling about this charming country Thailand for a little while now, plan to head on to Laos and Vietnam, and then to India in March! Totally riveted, looking forward to it, all of you are beautiful, lovely audience, etc etc.

So I had a brief peak around for costs of flights from Bangkok to India, and so far the best prices I've turned up have been over $300. This is in contrast to a vocal report from another traveler I chatted with who said that such a flight should be on the order of $100 or so. Is there any knowledgable, discerning stranger out there who would be willing to advise me on what airlines-websites-travel-agencies I want to consult before actually dispensing a tuft of my treasury on a purchase to the ancient enchanted regions of Hanuman and the best curry in the world?

I'm also looking for cost estimates of the proposed ticket, preferrably less than $300.

Any guidance, suggestions, dreams, fanatic traveler visions, affectionately wry or insightfully caustic remarks would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

mark baum

Thinking about hopping up the map to Chiang Mai for a few days, and was hoping for info on really cheapy gust houses or hostels in Chiang Mai? I'm thinking between 150-300 Bh/night. I might also search the Internet, but this forum has so far proven a wonderful resource and I like using it.

much appreciation,

mark baum

Some technicalities and other voids of really basic visa awareness that are rather buggering me at the moment. Any bestowed wisdom would, in my opinion, be indication of most praiseworthy, superluminal generosity!

So I have a single-entry 60-day tourist visa, good until or through January 2'nd.

If I leave the country and re-enter, the visa-run deal, and get a 30-day just-visiting visa or what-ever-they-be-called, do these 30 days extend from my date of re-entry or from January 2'nd?

And is all I have to do is book a flight or bus ride to, say, Cambodia, stay for one or two nights perhaps, or simply pass over for a couple hours, and then hop back over the border? What part of the 30-day extension is not automatic and requires some knowhow on my behalf?

Additionally, there's a Full Moon New Years bash on this coming December 31st, that I am totally psyched about. Does anyone have any opinion whether it might be feasible to party the new year, and then on the 1st to dash from Ko Pangan for Cambodia or wherever for a 30-day extension?

Many well-intentioned thoughts in all your general directions for any assistance whatsoever,

Sincerely,

mark baum

So...

Its really any dermatologists I can go to, or do some of you guys have an address or name which has a good reputation? I mean, there are probably hundreds of dermatologists in Bangkok, and costs and qualitity will vary...

cheers Aaron

Ok, I'm in Thailand just a few days now, in Bangkok, looking for English-teaching work but also interested in some of the other specialties this country has to offer. In particular, I am hoping to see a gastroenterologist at some time, and I was wondering if it would be possible to get a specialist to see me by simply dropping in, or is an appointment necessary? And if I schedule an appointment, how soon might I expect to be able to schedule it?

Thanks many smiling zillions for anyone who is able to fill me in!

Just something I've been thinking about, how many great and potentially salubrious drugs which in the United States require a prescription are available in Thailand sans prescription.

I am moving to Thailand in just a little more than a month, and in particular I was wondering if I might hope to find Zelnorm without a prescription. Zelnorm is a drug which is helpful for some people with chronic idiopathic constipation,(a group to which I may accurately be included) and to some women with constipation-predominant IBS. Would anyone out there be able to afford me any kind of expectation whether this particular drug may be obtainable without prescription? (A prescription which, at least in the U.S. for someone without insurance, would cost at least 300$ simply for the visit to the gastroenterologist.)

I'm also curious if any of the ADD drugs - ie, ritalion and aderol - are available over the counter.

Hello kind forum-ers. I am going to be moving to Thailand in about two months, teach English, hope to experience an exotic foreign culture for a year, etc., and I was wondering what kind of challenges I might face trying to rent a place that is also accompanied with kitchen facilities? The reason is that I have IBS, and while I tend to do good on rice and vegetables(a big reason why I chose Thailand over other countries) things will likely work out better for me if I am able to prepare a majority of my meals for myself. So is it difficult or expensive to rent a place with a kitchen? If anybody could help me out with their wisdom I would be much grateful!

Ok... I live in California and want to move to Thailand and teach English. I fall under the jurisdiction of the L.A. consulate, it seems, and on their web-site it explicitly says that in order to receive a 60-day (plus 30-day extension, etc.) tourist visa, one must provide photocopies of plane tickets that show both entry into and departure from Thailand.

This seems burdensome to me, since I hope to acquire a job once in Thailand and stay for an extended period of time, and correspondingly don't have any need for a departure booking. It seems that the capricious Thai consulate wants me to spend money on a round-trip ticket, when I only need a one-way ticket.

This became additionally confusing, when I tried visiting the web sites of other consulates. The Sydney, Australlia Thai consulate, for example, only requires a one-way ticket to grant a tourist visa!

Furthermore, I talked to a friend who traveled to Thailand a few years ago. He never applied for a visa ahead of time, and when he entered the country he was simply granted a 90-day tourist visa. Have the regulations been changed?

Is there anyone out there who has traveled to Thailand using a visa granted by the L.A. consulate? Is there anyone out there who was granted a tourist visa upon entry into Thailand? DO I have to purchase a round-trip ticket when I don't want to?

If you have relevant knowledge, please, please share. Thank you!

Is there anyone out there, who has direct experience with the Thailand (particularly, Bangkok, which is where I'm most interested in) English-teaching market, who can comment on the influence that having some manner of TEFL certification has on obtaining a work permit? Does having a TEFL certificate make getting a work permit a whole lot easier, or is it primarily better just to get a higher salary? (I DO have a B.A. degree)

I'm planning on visiting Thailand and teaching English for six months or so, and don't plan on making a career out of it. I am simply trying to decide whether or not it's worth the expense and time of getting TEFL certified. (Not that I don't sincerely care about helping Thais learn English, I am still willing to put myself through great ordeals in order to be a good teacher.)

I'm most concerned at the moment with work permits. So can anybody help me? Would a TEFL certificate be of significant help with getting a work permit? Just what kind of greater opportunity does certification provide?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! To anyone who is able to give me helpful information!

Mark Baum