TakingAVacation

10 dollars? Did the price double?

Yep. Been at that price since late last year.

Don't miss out on the bakery opposite the bus station. Great food and some of the profits go to schools (or some such charity).

You mean the one across from CR Bus Station near the 7-11, called "Baan Cheewit Mai" (or "New Life House"). Proceeds go to help needy orphans in the area. Very good cause and very good bakery items, too! One of the best in town. Most locals aren't aware of it, but this place also has a quiet upstairs section where you can chill and read the paper or watch TV while you munch your muffins. Check it out.

While Mae Sai sightseeing is ultimately limited to one's visa-run schedule, I agree that Wat Phra That Doi Wao (yeah, "wow" is the appropriate word!) deserves a visit if you have time. Sweeping views of all of Tachileik and parts of Mae Sai. And often a nice, cool breeze to go with it. Access is via the small soi lined with street vendors just past the Chinese temple, heading north toward the border area. It's a very busy little soi with lots of people going in and out, so you can't miss it. Also, instead of walking up the oversized, stone/concrete stairs (too exhausting in the heat and humidity, IMO) I recommend taking one of the waiting motorcycle taxis (at the base of the stairs) to the top. Only 10B for the short, one-minute ride but well worth it. Then, walk back down the winding access road on the other side (that the taxis took back to the bottom). Easier (and safer) than risking a sprained ankle on those huge steps. Also, bring something to drink, as there may not be any vendors up there. The benches for chillin' and taking in the view are over on the north side, facing Tachileik and the river below. This is a 'must-see' while visiting Mae Sai.

Those prices quoted by traveller2000.com are way, WAY out of line.

Just take a tuk tuk straight out to the superhighway (be sure to indicate that you want to be dropped off across the street on the northbound side, so say something like "ao roht meh pai Mae Sai, krup"), then after a wait of no more than about 20 min, flag down (don't wave but instead jut your hand twice toward the street in front of you as it approaches) the local transit bus to Mae Sai Bus Station (1.5 hrs, 33B), then catch the short connecting transfer to the border via one of the waiting red songthaeos (10 min, 8B). Last return bus to leave Mai Sai for CR bus station is something like 6pm, so watch the clock. Be sure to check the latest schedule, also. My advice is to not wait for the last one but to give yourself plenty of time to return. Remember to bring 500B or 10 USD for the Myanmar-side stamps.

The price for the tuk tuk from the airport out to the superhighway will have to be negotiated of course but don't pay more than 60B for the short trip. Also, there may not be one there waiting when you arrive so have the Information Desk call for one or you can just wait a bit if you're not in a hurry.

(Note: you probably already know most of this but I am posting the info in detail as a reference for others who may not be familiar with local prices and schedules).

While all the applicance stores offer free local shipping, I recommend avoiding BigC or Sinthanee, the latter being the most over-priced.

Your best bet is to shop in town. Try one of the appliance stores along the road that leads east from the Clock Tower (or south of there along Phahonyothin Rd or in that general area). I bought my modest Sharp SJ-22L (191 L, frost-free) from Thaweeyont Marketing (more or less right across the street from the The Golden Triangle Inn) for only 8000B delivered. It's been trouble free. Not sure of the name of the road, but here's a link to a good map of CR. Refer to the top of the callout (i.e. the highlighted blue rectangle) where it shows the Clock Tower, then CR Bookcenter, then The Golden Triangle Inn. That's the road I'm referring to. Thaweeyont had some deals on appliances when I was there, but their cameras, TVs, and electronic gear was full retail. Best to shop around elsewhere for these kinds of things.

Also, spend the extra money and get frost-free only. You don't want to be defrosting the thing constantly in this hot, humid environment or having to deal with food spoilage issues...

Daewoo and Sharp are good, reliable brands to go with. Avoid LG and some of the cheap, odd-named ones (you'll know which ones I'm talkin' about when you see them...)

Glad to be of help.

Been a randy Sod all my life. But now, quite suddenly, I have gone off sex!

...

If you're over 45, see a doctor.

cdnvic:

Any comments about COMODO firewall? Is it good? I am sorry to direct this question to you. I only did that because I recognize your expertise on this matter.

Thanks...

I use Outpost Firewall Pro

Allows fine control of traffic. Highly customizable. Does everything ZoneAlarm ever did, and more. The best I've ever used.

BTW, BEWARE of ZoneAlarm. It's now owned by Checkpoint Software, an Israeli company that has a reputation for being snoopers. They made some changes to it so that it would compile a large database file on your internet usage and store that on your hard drive, which they were likely retrieving in part when people were online. It didn't have that before. And it seems to 'phone home' whenever it wants. If you don't believe me, go look in the ZA folder or do a Google search on the subject. Maybe they stopped doing it, but I still don't trust them. Sneaky bastards...

I used to swear by ZA years ago, but no more. I'll never use another ZA product ever again...

Also, avoid Comodo. Not up to snuff...

My Canon camera (digital IXUS i) has suddenly started producing photos with horizontal lines and shooting blanks in the sunlight. Surprisingly they video function still works. I've had the camera for almost 3 years.

...

This is a free warranty repair due to a manufacturing defect.

Here's the link to the official notice from Canon:

Canon Image Phenomenon Notice

Key paragraph:

Phenomenon It has been confirmed that the connecting parts of the internal wiring of the CCD used in affected products may become disconnected, especially if the affected products are stored or used in high-temperature and high-humidity environments. If this occurs, the signal is not output from the CCD normally in Shooting Mode, which causes malfunctions such as the image being distorted or not appearing at all. This phenomenon can be confirmed on the LCD monitor display. The same phenomenon also appears on the recorded image.

I had the same thing happen to my camera. It's an older Powershot that I would like to salvage for use as a webcam.

This is a manufacturing defect that they will fix for free, even if it's no longer under warranty.

I just need to find a reputable service outlet here in TH that understands that this is a warranty repair outside of the regular warranty. Maybe someone in BKK can help with that.

I think there's a FedEx/DHL shipper across the street from the bus station, down on the left-hand side a little. Haven't used them, tho. But I'll bet it'll be pricier than ever now, even for documents.

You might just consider sending it registered mail. Fee is only 55B extra in addition to the still very reasonable postage. Never had anything lost sending things to the States this way. And it remains registered even when it gets there, so it will require a signature the whole way to your recipient. Pretty good deal considering the cost of registered mail stateside.

In fact, you should always mail things via registered from Thailand to deter theft, and by 'Air' only, not 'Economy Air'. The latter takes much, much longer (sometimes up to 5 weeks vs. about 10 days or so for 'Air') and is not worth the money you save.

There is also the option of sending it EMS, in which case for documents it would probably take only about 4 days to the States and run you around 400 or 600B for 250g or 500g, respectively. No additional registration fee is required. It's included in the price. I have never used EMS myself but I believe this service is available at CR Main also, at the standard walk-up counters.

Also, it's advisable to arrange your schedule so that you do your mailing in the mid-afternoon, nearer 3pm, when there's little if any wait time at CR Main. Parking is easier, too. Mid-morning or mid-day, expect to take a number and warm a seat for a half-hour or so. That is, if you can find a place to park.

If you're nearer Bandu (north of the airport), then I recommend that post office hands down over CR Main. It's on the Superhighway, south-bound side, just before the main entrance to Ratchabat Tech College. Rarely any wait no matter what time of day and if you have a problem, the supervisor speaks good English.

My 2¢...

I don't think it's so much of a "culling out of undesireables" as you say, as it is of protectionism. This is evidenced mainly with their recent changes to the business rules for foreigners, changes that have solidified their status as the absolute WORST country for new investment in all of Asia (as reported by the Japanese, who seem to understand business investment pretty well, thank you).

But, heck, I'm just a perennial tourist here, too, like so many others, looking at Thailand extensively as a possible retirement location. What's wrong with that? Some people seem to think it's a crime these days.

But, I get the message, tho. It's like what I posted in another thread regarding Thailand's current increasingly unfriendly immigration policy. That is, Thailand is fast becoming like a typical Vegas casino: they just want you to show up, drop your money, and LEAVE. And forget about trying to compete with them.

Don't loiter too long, either...

Thailand is a country heavily dependant on tourism. It needs a big inflow of foreign money just to maintain the status quo...

Wrong.

Tourism is only 6% of GDP. Exports of rice and other commodities make up the bulk.

(Say, are you new here in Thailand, or yet another wishful pretender posting from his home country?)

naamjai,

I sent you another PM, this time with my email address? Did you get it?

Are you still interested in the house and furniture?

Let me know ASAP.

Thailand's becoming like a Vegas casino: they want you to show up, drop your money, and LEAVE...

You keep writing long-winded troll posts like that and you're going to need a work permit soon...

Besides, there was no sex in the beginning, and so since this is Thailand, I knew something wasn't right and stopped right there...

I sent you a PM. Let me know if you didn't get it (the moderators here can be a little too 'ambitious' sometimes...)

I am looking to rent a house in Ao Nang or Krabi town multi-month to survey the life there.

Can any of you locals recommend a source?

Thanks.