paulbrun

Yes, excellent topic. I have both local and foriegn credit cards, and occasionally use either. I haven't looked very closely, but I am pretty sure that they have always charged me in Thai baht..? Last time I checked the rate that was used to convert to Thai baht, on my UK credit card, it was in fact very favourable..! By the way Jim, did you work as a DD, once upon a time..?

I am looking for information about a fatal road accident that apparently occurred in the Chiang Mai area about 3 weeks ago. The victim was a frenchman by the name of Jean-Pierre Richard, and he was a work colleague, and friend, of many people here. If anyone has any knowledge about this tragedy, I would appreciate their feedback. Thank you.

I agree that there should be less "low class" tourists for Phuket so that those of us who live here don't have to watch them half naked and constantly pissed driving around with no helmets. Seriously though you cannot judge Phuket on what you see in Patong/Karon etc. It is a very large island and has still alot of beauty if you know where to look.

Agree 100%. There are far too many 'low life' tourists spoiling what was once a very beautiful, and relaxing island to visit. (it still is in some areas..) These are the 'wrong' type of tourists, no matter how much they spend while they're there. How to segregate the good tourists from the bad, is a difficult question though...? I have been regularly visiting the island for many years, and will shortly be moving there. As far as I'm concerned, reduce the numbers, and try to atttract a better, more family-oriented type of tourist/traveller. Putting the hotel prices up might not help. Closing down, or limiting the hours of business, of the 'seedier' type of bars, would almost certainly help though. Imposing restrictions on the types of entertainment available for these people might also help..? If it's no longer an attractive place, for them to come, maybe they'll start going back to places like Pattaya and Benidorm again. By the way, I liked your explanation about the 'Doobie' brothers very much, one of my favourite bands from a 'golden' era..! PB.

It's amazing how rumours get out of control....While checking my e-mail today here in Chiang Mai, a good friend of mine who also lives here but is currently traveling in India told me he heard about the bombs that went off at Tescos and at the night Bazzar. Unbelievable, just Unbeleivable..ps I thought a mod would close this topic..oh well

Totally agree. Total waste of time even asking a question like this. I won't in future. Topic closed, permanently..!

Why do you people get so serious? I don't live in Maejo, and when I said "I've heard nothing" I was refering to any reports, if I was refering to the actual sound of an explosion, I would have said "I heard nothing" If you had Thai police and Fire Department for a small domestic exposion, don't you think that it would be magnified a hundred fold for even a slight "bang" at the likes of Tesco. Don't believe everything your wife tells you either

I wasn't going to bother replying to this post, but seeing as how you are suggesting that I cannot trust my wife, I feel I have to..! I do live in Maejo, as it happens, but I was not referring to you not hearing the noise, but rather, not hearing any local 'gossip' about an incident, if you are not a local. If you did live in the vicinity of an incident like this, you would probably hear someone report about it, even if you didn't actually hear the explosion itself..! Maybe there is some substance in the rumour, or maybe not, but that does not give you the right to suggest that my wife made up the story..? I called her because I am away from home, and was concerned for her safety, and she then told me what she had heard about it. I can only assume that you must be single, gay, or unhappily married, if you have this attitude towards women..?

If an "explosive device" is detonated, no matter how small, and people get hurt, no matter how slightly......Word will get out....I've heard nothing

Maejo's a long way from Tesco's in Hang Dong..? We had an explosion in our village last month, when a farmer blew up his kitchen, while mixing pesticide chemicals..! He and his wife were 'slightly hurt', and we had police, fire department and a hundred nearby villagers aound within minutes. I doubt if anyone outside the immediate vicinity ever knew about it..? Same day as the earthquakes, by coincidence..!

A very persistent rumour but nothing more than that.

I called them up to check when the same question was asked in a previous thread to check, and they said 'No, it's just a rumour' - they were open until midnight as usual, which would hardly have been the case if they had had a bomb go off.

My wife investigated this yesterday, and she says that two security officers were 'slightly hurt' when an explosive device, hidden in a trash can, exploded. The damage was minimal, and Tesco's obviously wants the whole thing kept quiet, so as not to scare away business..? Likewise, the tourists..!

OK, I am not a great pizza lover, but my son is, and he would be the best person to ask. Trouble is, he is only 7 years old, and he doesn't log into Thaivisa..!

When he needs a pizza, and I mean NEEDS, we usually go to the old Babylon restaurant, up by the entrance to the University. The old man dies, sadly, but the food is still excellent.

Their's are pretty good, even though many of the staff have left to go to their new establishment, which we haven't tried just yet..?

We also eat at Stephano's, regularly, but I have some reservations about the place..? Nice location, food good, but the service, a bit on the 'average' side...?

But the number #1 place for pizza in Chiang Mai, or for that matter just about any other style of food you care to mention, is right there at my home..!

My wife is a great cook, and can cook just about anything, without a recipe..! I don't know how she does it, but the proof is in my ever-expanding waistline..!

Sadly, I can't invite everyone around to prove it..! Oh and the other place we go, but not so often recently, as it's difficult to get a table, is Giorgio's, over near the night bazaar.

Bon appetito, wherever you go tonight..!

I just heard from a friend that there was an incident (possibly an explosion..?) at one of the Tesco Lotus branches last night, at about 6pm..? Anyone know anything about this..? There's nothing in the news, and I'm away from home.

Seems to be a lot of paranoia in Chiang Mai these days.

Haven't you seen the previous threads?

Sorry, no, I haven't been following all the daily 'gossip' from Chiang Mai, as I am away from home, and I am meant to be working..! Glad to hear it is just rumour though. Last thing we need is for the problems in the south, and Bangkok, to find their way up north..? Thanks for puting me straight.

I just heard from a friend that there was an incident (possibly an explosion..?) at one of the Tesco Lotus branches last night, at about 6pm..? Anyone know anything about this..? There's nothing in the news, and I'm away from home.

The lawyer that I've been using for many years, in Chiang Mai, and who a number of my friends also use, is a very nice man called Udom Surin.

He helped me start up a Thai company, handled all my legal paperwork, including work permits, tax, registration etc., and he doesn't cost me a fortune.

He is not a criminal lawyer, so if you're in need of that sort of 'brief', then look elsewhere. His wife is an accountant, so they work together on company business.

At the moment, I cannot help you with a contact number, as I am away from home, but if I can find it, I will 'post' it for you later.....?

There is a sticky about this sort of thing, but it is a year old, and not many have posted comments on it.

So, does anybody have any recommendations about a thai lawyer who can handle business stuff? Sunset Asia will have good people, but they do not come cheap.

What about local people that are good hearted, confidence inspiring, english speaking straight talkers?

I *can* be a sort of floppy, reverent patsy if needed for getting along with people/having things work out.

But I would prefer to just go in, normal, and say i want a, b, c: can you organize it? What do I need to do? How do i do it?

Yes, I would like to be able to say that, without making the other person lose face or some other complete bs!

Rant off. Just had a bad day

I just got back from the Sheraton buffet. It was good but I thought that they could have been a little quicker filling up stuff, but a good solid effort.

There were a lot of kids running around which I enjoyed, it sort of gave a good christmassy atmosphere.

Sadly, I am missing out on the festivities this year, being away at work. But I am very pleased to hear that you are all having a good time in Chiang Mai, expecially the children. That's what it's all about for me... We used to go to the Sheraton (fomerly Westin) for Christmas, or New Year's. My own kids were up at some unearthly hour this morning, opening presents and having a grand time. This afternoon they're at a party at a friend's house. Best wishes to you all..! May the coming year be a peaceful, and healthy one, for everybody.

This question is not really to do with the problems facing the 'new' airport specifically, as the same situation faced travellers at Don Muang. But can somebody explain to me why we still have to be loaded onto buses, and taken out to the planes, which are parked in a 'special' area, if we are flying to 'certain' domestic destinations..? Is it just because there are 'some' passengers who haven't cleared immigration, and customs, on these flights..? I find it one of the most frustrating things about travelling through Bangkok, to have to head down to the ground floor, be herded onto a crowded bus, driven by someone with no concern for the many people trying to stand upright in the back, driven out to the plane, whereoupon you have climb the stairs, with all your luggage, and then fight an oncoming flow of people from the opposite direction, just to get to your seat..? Isn't there a much easier way of separating the domestic passengers, from the international ones...? Or maybe not....?? Anyway, I am moving to another area of the country, partly to avoid this, and if I never see either Bangkok airport ever again, I will be a happy man..!

I haven't seen any mention of the gentleman who owned the Coq D'Or..? I never met him, but it seems he was quite a character. He left some of his books to Premcenter School library.

I am planning to get my visa in Singapore this coming week. Anyone know if the Thai Embassy there will be closed too, and if so, for how long..?

And another contribution from a friend of mine.......

"And we can't go much further without paying respects to dear, departed, diminutive

Dr Frank Kelly from Australia, the genial former convenor of the Informal Northern

Thai Group who had previously written speeches for Pierre Trudeau in Canada.

Frank, who passed away quietly here after battling cancer for almost a year, had

finished an authorative book on expat life styles. He had lived and worked in 14

expat communities. The book was never published and now seems to have been

forgotten. Shame as it looked very promising. Can anyone shed any light on it..?"

How strange..? I was just thinking about both Fred Knipe, and Tony Knowles today, and had no idea that either had passed away..? Enjoyed many rounds of golf with the former, and many beers and interesting chats, with the latter. And the list goes on......? All are fondly remembered.

I've been asked by a non-member to add a couple more names....

- Brian Roggensack

- 3 un-named ladies who worked at the Domino Bar...???

And another one from the 'old guard' at Gymkhana Club...

Donald Gibson

I also wasn't aware about Nick 'Smiling Monkey'....??

Skipper

Andy the Scot

J. B. Gross

Jeremy

Roger Morton

Allister the Scot

Jack Wall

Rick Cherry [ Dr. Lic ]

Crickett ........ way before her time

Chuck Hatherly

Old Ed Dodson

Ken Owens

Maurice Moreau

Chris C. (The Pub)

John Link

Horst Fruchtenicht

I hope you all have fun playing at Gymkhana. I have been an 'occasional' visitor to the course for many years, and always have a good time there. The course is not difficult, but can be challenging for a new player. The greens are very slow, so don't hold back. Give it a firm tap..! The club has been in financial difficulties, and is trying to encourage more people to play there. The whole course was flooded, several times, earlier in the year, and lost much-needed revenue, while it was closed. Sadly, I will be away, and not able to join you. But I look forward to hearing about your day! PB.

I think I fall into a category mentioned above, where I work outside Thailand, but come back into the country every other month, for about 25 days. I stopped applying for visas, as it was time-consuming, costly, and unnecessary. I just come back in every time and get a 30 day stamp. I have lived, and on occasions worked, in Thailand for over 15 years. I married a Thai woman, have two children, several properties, and have invested a large amount of money in the country. I wish to remain living there, and being married to a Thai, and with children in school, I should be able to? If I have to start getting visas again, so be it. I qualify for a retirement visa, I think, being over 50 years old, and having sufficient capital in a Thai bank. What I don't need is to have hassles, when I return to Thailand on my return next month. I hope the smoke clears, and it becomes easier to understand exactly what the new regulations are...????

Jeremy Dootson, a long term English resident of Chiang Mai sadly passed away in Chiang Mai yesterday.

He was a great guy and a good friend to many. His wife Audrey runs the successful Pie Sabai pastry company.

Jeremy was one of the good guys on the Chiang Mai scene. His sharp Cornish wit, and loud belly laugh, were always a feature of meeting up with him. However, his health had been failing for some months, and it can't have been helped by the prolonged periods at work, in Vietnam. My thoughts are with Audrey, and the rest of his family back in the UK. He will be missed.

Hi 'Thaipauly',

Several people have recently asked me, if "you are me"....?

I'm also living in Chiang Mai, and come from Oxford, and my name is Paul..!

I'm also interested in 'performance' cars...! We might find we have other things in common...?

I will not be in Chiang Mai until early October, due to the fact that I still have to work.

But if you're interested, we could try to meet up sometime after that..?

Kind regards,

Paulbrun.