ebean001

The large Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai was torn down. It does not exist anymore.

How would you value it in your country? No secrets here. take it to a dealer and ask for a trade-in price. then go to a used car dealer for his price. it will be about 10% more. who in the 'h' would know any better?

You can take it to a second dealer and a second used car guy. the used car guy will give you a price based on his customer demand so it can vary. to sell it put a sign in the window and expect calls within a few days. when i sold my car the buyer did not look at the odometer or really much at the car. they knew i was farang therefore i took care of the car.

I have never 'dated' in Thailand - jk. From my international experience - never, never, never take a poor girl to an expensive restaurant. I did once. Repeat - once. When she saw the bill she said - my whole family can live one month on that amount of money. I never saw her again. she was totally insulted. She hated me for spending so much money on a meal.

Don't ever forget that parents are part of the education formula. The problem - parents are a huge part of the formula in this country. It really needs daily attention. In our private school I feel the teachers teach and the students learn but I am totally convinced the students do not remember.

They are seldom tested. In a school system in the USA, students are tested frequently. The test papers must be taken home, signed by the parents, and then returned. That, to me is a great system. Please, do not look in their books at the fill in the blanks sections. These ‘answers' are given by the teacher for the student to fill in.

I am convinced I need to 'home teach' my children that go to even private school. Therefore my #1 concern - and it should be our critical #1 priority - is the material presented in the books up to the grade level as compared to the world. It does no good to work hard as student and parents only to learn to a Grade level less than the ‘standard’ world acceptance. It is critical to compare with other grade levels in other countries.

Finally, I met an 8th grader who had no idea the answer for 75/25 (the answer is 3). He did not even know division. I asked him what he did in math each day. He paused for 20 seconds then said - the teacher teaches, we do not listen, then the teacher gives us the answers for our books, then we move on to the next subject.

I live in Chiang Mai which is totally different than any place in Thailand. I would say that the ladies here are very 'picky'. Some do not go out at all. others only go out with the 'right' guy. many are after a 'husband' and seem to be sensible about it. the cost of living is lower in CM therefore the ladies can live on a few drinks each night. it is just different here. you come to CM to have a few beers, meet people, and especially play pool. many. many bars have pool tables that are very difficult. get use to it and don't fight it.

it is advertised as the largest restaurant in the world. that is all i rememeber. my wife and I liked it alot. also boat trips around bangkok. the hotel will tell you everything. you have to go to Soi Cowboy and Nana even with your wife. As my wife once said - you got to go and it is ok. if you want to go too often then it is a problem. grand palace is a must. ask about what you have to wear before you go may help. the trip to Ayutthaya is totally required! Get a feel how the people live while going to Ayutthaya which is about 60 klms from BKK. If you hire a taxis to go to Ayutthaya then you can see all of the city (not small little town) but a guided tour could be a lot better. remember this - taxis, vans, and buses are noted for very bad drivers. many accidents. if you take a taxis you tell the man at the beginning you expect him to drive safely. if he does not, then tell him again. i had one fall asleep going 100 klms. you must guide you own life - just like any other city. if he still does not listen then stop someplace where you can find another taxis. never take a tuk-tuk after mid-night. this seems to be a recent problem.

50% but only 100 bahts a day. forget the %. the total amount is minimual. no one got affected too much as i recall. it happened, few complained, then many said they already paid minimum wage.

I am afraid there are way too many like you in Thailand. Of course you pay money. Do you think these girls get free food, room, and clothes. What are you - I got it - your totally ignorant. Tell me this - what good is a free, great, 5-star supper if you go home with no money. How do you think a poor woman thinks when you spend 5,000 bahts on a meal and she gets nothing. That 5,000 would pay a months rent with food money left over. It is probably more money than her parents make all month. You think your a hero for doing that? You are destroying her feeling. She should hate you for it - yep, a great meal but no money. forget it.

There are way too many men in Thailand that are simply ignorant. Yes, the girls want money - they want to eat. At you old job what would you have said if the boss took you to lunch and then said - free lunch no pay for the day.

This article again confirms to me just how backwards many farangs are. I have more confidence in my 21 year old knowing about dating. Everyone stop for one second and think - What does this guy think of a Thai woman? What does he think of a non-Thai woman from his country? You need to change the way your thinking so much that not even I can help you - jk

I would think there would be some type of warning for people holding tickets. hummmm

Never wait for delivery! Give them you number. Have them call in advance - like when the truck is coming. When they call and your not home then go home in a reasonable amount of time. We do it this way all the time. Thumbs never get much exercise. If it is a condo there are probably better advise from others - like let the condo take care of it.

I live in CM and for the last 4 weekends I have had problems. During the week - no problems.

I have found almost everything is a little more expensive in CM. Must be the cost of transportation. However, housing is considerable less than Bangkok. Land cost in CM is increasing quickly so in the years to come the price may be more equal - but that could be many years to come.

I have no advise on how to get a tourist VISA. I can tell you how I paid $130 for for my girlfriend attempt to get a VISA. Her interview for the VISA lasted 08 seconds (as in bull riding). The problem is that I tried to sponsor her. the embassy first questiopn was...do you ever intent to marry this man. Answer, Maybe. Response...exit door right...now. The paperwork folder that I created included security clearances, letters from empolyer, letter from God, it all was not relivant. exit door right.

So I took the long route....K1 Visa. Aplied in USA in Sept, 2007. Approved in Feb, 2008. 4 months in Bangkok before fianlly getting VISA. It is a long process.

It is even a longer process if you are married. You need a K3 VISA rather than a K1.

To get a tourist VISA for my girlfriend would have been nearly impossible...she is less than 30 and attractive. Getting one for a man maybe be easier, harder, just the same...have no idea.

I am quite sure if you feel like sponsoring him and have any romantic relationship...the answer will be exit door right. Maybe door left for men. good luck