ZL1DD

My condo management does not want to know about TM30. Chiangmai immigration insists you have one and will issue one for you. You must remember to renew it on return if you leave the country. Otherwise they fine you ? 1600 baht next time you visit immigration.

We had the bus from hel_l Udon Thani-CM on CHACKRAPRONG "VIP" Bus. Seems none of their buses true VIP. Our bus old, four seats across, toilet stinking and filthy, driver incompetent, near loss of control on many corners.No food or comfort stops, although bus stopped many times for no apparent reason. Will not travel with them again. Any advice re alternatives, maybe CM-Kohn Kahn-Udon Thani? Or maybe safer and better to go to Bangkok, then fly to Vientiane. Would be grateful for any suggestions Barry

WARNING: Bus From hel_l

Wife and I booked from Udon Thani to Chiangmai, VIP bus leaving 8.00pm (2000hrs).

Should have taken warning from disorganised waiting room and filthy toilets with one urinal broken off wall and lying on floor.

Bus was not a VIP bus but an old intercity 4 seats across bus. Many seats broken so permanently fully reclined or unable to recline.

Cargo hold mainly taken up by ?LPG tanks!! Mercifully, seems they were empty as we stopped for diesel along the way.

There was not enough space for all passenger luggage, we had to take ours on board with us and place between our seats and one ahead.

Bus driver appeared sober but seemed that he was learning to drive. Drove too deep into corners and then wheeled sharply initiating skids and causing bus to lurch and roll. Bus clapped out, barely made it up hills.

Toilet on passenger level. Door difficult to lock. No flush on toilet or hand basin. There was a large drum of water taking up most of floor area. This soon used or spilled. By half way on trip stench in toilet extreme and smell in passenger area vile.

Bus stopped for short or long periods without apparent reason. We were not let off the bus for toilet breaks or to use the meal ticket stub.

When bus stopped at Lamphun I became very unThai and gave the driver and attendant a loud public verbal bollicking in my broken Thai. Attendant explained to wife that it was a "spare" bus and they were filling in for crew who were sick (???!!!).

At Chiangmai self and some Thais complained to Tourist Police who seemed to take note.

Do not know what will come of this.

NOTE: CM-Udon Thani an important route to and from Vientiane. Bus was full as was the bus we took the Sunday night before. That bus was VIP from same company and was adequate but no meal provided and no meal stop,

Do not know of other VIP bus on this run, maybe someone can advise. No plane or train CM-Udon or Vientiane. In view of our experience would look at alternatives. Possibly govt bus CM-Kohn Kahn-Udon or go via Bangkok. Any advice appreciated.

Our experience may have been a one off, but be warned.

Barry

My suggestion:

If you are in Chiangmai go to the big base hospital variously known as Suan Dok/Maharaj/Shripat.

Go to main entrance and make way to the 13th floor Special Medical Unit.

They do full medical checks, very reasonable prices, cost depends on number of tests you need done.

You also get interview with Dr Greg who is the GP and has lots of knowledge of the Thai situation.

Then follow treatment advised.

If you do not respond to treatment, or low order symptoms hang around would recommend visit to the traditional chinese doctor at wararot market, shop front room on Changmoi rd, about 100m up from the river, opposite the soi that leads into the main market area. Ask for "maw cheen", people will know place.

Avoid Chiangmai Ram , they seriously and dangerously misdiagnosed major problem I had.

Good luck

Barry

Go for it!

Suggest you google "no dig ? no-dig garden"

Have used it myself, results amazing, with minimal effort.

You will be able to do what you need on a plot not much bigger than a king size bed.

Yes! Linda Woodrow "Permaculture Home garden" an excellent source.

Cannot advise on seeds in Thailand, was intersted to see lots of imported packet seeds on sale in garden shop here, suspect some would not do well here.

Also try finding place where they grow veges near you, buy thinning seedings (they might even give them away).

Also you may be interested in reading up on "heritage vegetables".

There are almost certainly people in Thailand who preserve traditional strains of edible plants.

Enjoy!

Barry

I have been diagnosed with cancer of prostate. PSA from 10 to 12 in nine months. Recent Biopsy gives Gleason 3 -2, two small tumours contained in prostate. Am 73 years old.

Had the above tests done in Chiang Mai. Been in contact with my GP and specialist in New Zealand. Advised Brachytherapy probably treatment of choice.

Interested in any information about brachytherapy in Thailand, as logistics of return to New Zealand formidable.

Any leads much appreciated.

Barry ZL1DD

Thanks for the invite!

Will be there with dear Tanapan.

If I have replied before, treat this as confirmation.

With thanks and best wishes

Barry

Thanks for the invitation!

Enjoyed the last party very much.

Please sign in me and my lady Thanapan

cheers

Barry

Hello Charles and all:

Count me and Tanapan in for the party but not certain how many posts I have racked up.

Thought I was doing it right just being a constant reader, as it were.

With thanks and best wishes,

Barry

If you are saying you plan to obtain another 3 entry tourist visa in Penang I would say your chances are probably not good. If just a single entry you or any agent can likely obtain.

Thanks Lopburi.

Was aware that single or possibly double entry max applied at K-L. Got the triple entry in NZ, country of origin. Am I correct in assuming that any further applications will be limited to 60 or 120 days maximum?

With best wishes

Greetings:

Am presently in Thailand, nearing end of triple entry 60 day tourist visa.

Plan to go to Penang, try for same category of visa again.

Think I should be able to handle it myself, but have read favourable comment on visa agents in Penang.

Would value any advice, recommendation on such agents.

Disclaimer: If disappointed by any agent referred to me, promise not to flame, whine, contact lawyers, write to my MP etc., but reserve right to give an objective account of my experience.

cheers and thanks in advance.

Please sign me up for the BBQ party

thanks

Barry Kirkwood

Hello,

I am a New Zealander 71 years old. Been six months in Thailand, seriously considering retiring here.

Not quite ready to put up the 800,000 for a retirement visa.

Had been advised to go home, get O visa, work things out over the next 12 months.

Problem: Am going home for Xmas, now hear that Thai Consulate in Auckland needs three weeks to process O visa. With Xmas break this could mean over one month.

Had hoped to meet up with my daughter in Thailand in mid January (she lives in London, do not see her that much) so would not want to hang around in NZ for over a month.

Question: What alternatives do I have?

Maybe go for one of the longer term tourist visas?

Have heard that O Visas issued quite promptly in Kuala Lumpur, is this true, and would Thai embassy in KL (or Singapore) accept O Visa application from a New Zealand citizen?

Realise that there may be no precise answers, just wanting a steer on the question.

Thanks for your time,

Barry