Old Curmudgeon

Anything else specific to Chiang Mai or Thailand? I used to carry a little card that said, in Thai and English: "Don't put in any chili". I'd point to a picture on a restaurant menu, then show the card to the waitress. Worked well.

+1 for Greens delivery service.

Thanks, @placnx for posting about AUA. Some readers of this thread are likely to be interested in that. But this thread is not about conventional language courses such as AUA. It is not a language course. I tried to make that clear in my posts above. But if questions remain about the difference between this and conventional classes, welcome to ask here. In addition there is the requirement to be familiar with Kaizen methods. That is surely not part of any conventional language course.

@Polaky's post brings up another point that I need to clear up: The purpose of this group is NOT learning the language for casual conversation. The goal here is: 1 - VOCABULARY ACQUISITION by drill and practice (with others at a similar level.) 2 - IMPROVE the learning process using "Kaizen" methods. If one's goal is just to talk with Thai ladies, this is not a good fit. But if your goal is to expand your vocabulary and fluency, this could be a good fit. Basic understanding of Kaizen methods is required to understand the process. Without that understanding, it would be a waste of time for all involved. I will mention again to emphasize: This will try to apply Kaizen and Lean methods to language learning. As far as I know, this has never been done before. For several years now, I have been trying to do that in my own language lessons. However, there is a big problem: The concept of "process improvement" is anathema to Thai culture. Both of my private teachers get upset when I even hint at improving learning techniques, "This is the way we do it in Thailand!" So, I'm posting here looking for other expats who also want to improve their own language learning process.

I never thought of that! Specific to Thailand. Good idea.

I should have made the OP more specific: This group is for practice and drill to gain fluency in vocabulary. And for using methods of Kaizen and Lean to make improvements in learning vocabulary. Not intended as a substitute for learning with a Thai native-speaker. Also not intended as a substitute for beginner lessons. To participate in this small group, must already be fluent in Thai alphabet and tone rules and understand the language concept of "register".

This post asks what you put in your EDC bag or sling specific to Chiang Mai or to Thailand. EDC = Every Day Carry bag Sling = like a "fanny pack" bag, but over your shoulder. There are lots of YouTube videos about what to put in an EDC. No need to go over that again on this thread. Also lots of YouTube videos about which Sling bag to buy. Again, no need to go over that again here. For details, I've learned a lot from the YouTube channel, "MauriceMoves" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olk3EiDi0dg The essential topic here is what items for Chiang Mai or Thailand. Here's my list. Looking for suggestions - specific to Chiang Mai or Thailand: My "papers, please" envelope. Copies of essential passport pages and 90-day report. Folded to fit into the plastic sleeve from my bank saving account passbook. Not 100 waterproof, but pretty good. Years before the Covid hoax, I carried a cheap, surgical, face mask against pollution here. Still do for those really bad days. Used to carry Becker-Pirazzi Thai-English dictionary. It's heavy, but I know of none better. Now mobile phone app instead. Toilet paper. Years ago, essential, but these days, most toilets in malls or offices have toilet paper, but not all. Tiny, rechargeable flashlight. These days very few electric blackouts in public buildings in Chiang Mai, but Boy Scout motto. "Want to buy" list. I consider shopping malls and supermarkets an annoying waste of time. So if I must go into one, want to get everything I need there and then get out. So I have a list of things I "want to buy" someday. If I'm in, say, Big-C to buy light bulbs, I'll look at my list and buy socks or a new belt at the same time. A few "non-woven" shopping bags. The nonsense of "no plastic bags" started in Thailand a few years ago. Supermarkets do give out used cardboard boxes, but bags are so much easier to carry/ Non-woven bags only 5 baht each and fold down to almost nothing. I usually have 2 in my EDC bag. Super-tiny umbrella during rainy season. Just enough to get from front door of some building to arriving GRAB car. I used to carry a cheap, thin, plastic rain coat like motorcycle riders use. But those are bulky and once it gets wet, what to do with it. Anything else useful in Chiang Mai in particular and Thailand in general?

I am organizing a study group for expats who want to practice Thai reading and vocabulary at intermediate level, approximately ป.๓-๔-๕ (Sorry, not for beginners.) Meet once a week in a quiet coffee shop in a central location. Focused practice and vocabulary drill, (not random conversation). Bring your own vocabulary lists, with several copies to pass around. Discuss word meanings, pronunciation, and "register". The unique idea of this group is to apply principles of Kaizen and "Lean" to improve the process of learning a foreign language. Apply ideas of Paul Akers and Norm O'Hara to language learning. (As far as I know, this has never been done before.) Will begin with "morning meeting" (but sitting, not standing, thank you very much). Then apply "3S" and 2-second lean to learning vocabulary and developing reading fluency. No charge. Not a business in any way. (Just pay for your own coffee.) Questions welcome here on the public forum, but interested queries only by PM/DM please.

Follow up after a few weeks of use: 1. Works very well to keep floors clean and shiny with all the dust and air pollution here. 2. Simple and easy. I am not using the "app" at all. Just press start button and it goes to work. Start before going to sleep and it works in the dark. Wake up to clean and shiny floors. 3. After finishing work, automatically returns to it's charging dock. No extra effort to keep it charged. Only effort is empty dust and add water. 4. In addition to adding water, I put in a little "MagiClean" floor mop liquid. Instructions say to not do that, but I do. Works well (so far). 5. Not a "vacuum" cleaner at all. Zero vacuum function or vacuum noise. Just a mechanical sweeper with a rotating brush underneath. Years ago we called that a "carpet sweeper". For a bachelor expat who doesn't want to do house work, and with the dust in Chiang Mai, this is very convenient.

I'm going to write some nasty words about a meal from "Chef's Kitchen". I think (but not sure) that "Chef's Kitchen" and "Korat Chef" are the same business. If I'm wrong about that, please reply here quickly so I can correct that mistake. I am NOT referring to the grocery shopping and delivery business. No experience with that. Only about the prepared foods, frozen, ready to heat and eat. The nasty words are about beef lasagna from "Chef's Kitchen" -- my supper this evening. This not a food review thread, so I won't go into the intimate details. Just will say their beef lasagna is the lasagna equivalent to a cheap, knock-off wrist watch. In other words, at first glance, from a distance, looks like a Rolex. But on closer examination (or at first taste), it is clearly fake. Not just fake, but a cheap-cheap fake. Lasagna. Maybe this one menu is an outlier from Chef's Kitchen. Maybe all their other prepared foods are great. I don't know, and I'm not going to know, because I'm not going to throw any more money in their direction.

Good one @Seppius. Thank you for posting about Korat Chef. Biggest collection of savory pies, sausage rolls, and pasties that I've ever seen. Since they also prepare many foods (Chef's Kitchen brand), can you recommend some of your favorites?

Thanks, @FolkGuitar for mentioning Kasem Store. One of my favorites, too ... especially for home-made cinnamon buns. Interesting article about history of Kasem Store here: https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/clg/see-do/shopping/food-shopping/kasem-store-chiang-mais-charm/ Alas, no system for ordering and deliveries (as far as I know.)

Yes, and Yes.

This topic has worked out in ways I didn't expect when I made the original post only 5 hours ago. Right now a Bowman's mince & onion pie warming in the oven. ... thanks to suggestion from @roo860 above. Delivered a few minutes ago from Green's. ... thanks to helpful post from @BritManToo above. I'll put some Bisto Best Beef gravy on top, and serve with a Barr's Lemonade. ... all from Greens. And I didn't have to go any further than my front gate. For an American man who enjoys British "pub grub" this is very nice. Further details: Green delivered everything I ordered. Albeit one can of Bisto gravy mix a few weeks past expired date. But I don't care. Living out here in the Far East one can't expect all the niceties of civilization. I'm just happy to have it.

The French toast at Route 66 used to be great. I would have said, worth a trip out there just for the French toast. Alas, recently declined -- maybe a new cook or something like that. Still, worth a try. Once. To see if it up to standard. Oh, and for French toast and pancakes at Route 66, B.Y.O.M.S. "Bring your own maple syrup". The syrup they serve is probably "Imperial" brand, (no need to add any additional slurs), maybe made in China, with who knows what chemicals and flavorings. But the French toast was really tasty. "Was". Don't know if will be again.

In my OP on this topic I recommended Villa Market in Bangkok. Others recommended Green's, albeit lukewarm recommendations. Another recommendation: Smokey Mountain Foods (Pattaya) for meat. Any other suggestions for grocery delivery services here?

Thanks @roo860 for posting about that. Just a moment ago I was looking at the Bowman's pies page at Greens. The photos look same-same as any generic meat pie. But now I'll order a few to try. --- I just ordered a variety of Bowman's pies at Greens. Warning to my fellow expats: the web site is a pit of quick sand. Lots of little problems.

Thanks @BritManToo for reminding me about Greens in Chiang Mai. My experience there is excellent, really excellent customer service and fast delivery. Decent prices. Just a limited selection of products. But as more people order from Greens, selection will surely improve.

Serious disagreement on that from my Thai lady companion. She looked at individual stalls then said, with a tone of disgust, "Price same-same Rim Ping." Don't expect any bargains at J.J. market. Just go to Rim Ping, (and get air conditioning, too).

It's a nice store to go into, but for on-line ordering and delivery, our dearly beloved Rim Ping market seems to NOT want our business. They offer "free" delivery (over 1,000 baht order), but time spent on the phone trying to get what you want makes ordering for delivery from Rim Ping a big waste of time. TOPS, LOTUS'S, Big-C, all have delivery and some farang groceries, but not much. And quality of service from those three are, as expected, "Thai-style". Missing items, wrong items -- similar color package, but wrong item -- common. [Warning: If ordering something that comes in a variety of kinds -- like pasta -- from one of those, don't expect to actually receive what you thought you ordered.] Instead, I order from Villa Market in Bangkok. Big variety of farang foods. Web-site easy to use. Delivery 2-3 days. Everything packed securely in lots of bubble wrap. Small order delivery to Chiang Mai only 125 baht. Rainy season ... Flood season ... Air pollution season ... Chinese tourist season ... Often I'd rather not venture out for routine groceries, not even to a nice store like Rim Ping. So I order farang groceries from Villa Market in Bangkok, 700 km. away. I can recommend their delivery service.

I just bought polycarbonate sheets (I know, different from acrylic) on TikTok. Price much lower than the big home centre stores. Quality good. Delivery low cost. Tik Tok!

Thanks, @Mukdahan Mark for posting about this. Interesting question. I use regular sim in a router for my data connection. Are you planning to use esim in a mobile phone?? A laptop?? A router?? I found esim adapters for sale on TikTok, but never bought or used myself. Adapter plugs into regular sim slot, with little dongle that hangs out. For mobile phone, awkward. For router, certainly do-able. KKDAY link here ... KKDAY esim link Asked GPT chat for information on the concept: eSIM (embedded SIM) is built directly into a device (smartphone, tablet, smartwatch). Key Features: No Physical Card: Remote Provisioning: activate, switch, or manage carriers and plans over the air (OTA) without physically swapping SIM cards. Multiple Profiles: can store multiple profiles (e.g., different numbers or plans), making it easier to switch between carriers or use one SIM for personal and another for business. Benefits: Convenience: switch carriers without waiting for a physical SIM card or visiting a store. Global Roaming: often compatible with multiple networks, making it easier to switch to a local carrier when traveling. How to Use: Check Compatibility: Ensure your device and carrier support eSIM. Activate the eSIM: Scan a QR code provided by your carrier. Use an activation app or manual entry (depending on the carrier and device). Switch Networks: You can easily switch between profiles or carriers in your device settings. Limitations: Carrier Support: Not all carriers support eSIM yet, especially in certain regions. Device Compatibility: Older devices do not have eSIM capabilities. Transfer Complexity: While eSIMs are convenient, transferring them between devices may require additional steps compared to swapping a physical SIM.

Well, thanks, I guess ... but that post is off topic. The key word in the topic headline is "Where". On the other hand, if @narkeddiver started a thread in the computer section of the forum about that could be a useful topic.

Well, thanks, I guess ... but that post is off topic. The key word in the topic headline is "Where". On the other hand, if @gamb00ler would start a thread in the computer section of the forum, about great deals in new Mac's, that could be a useful topic.