funlovinkid

Any thoughts, anyone?

This is pure conjecture on my part, based in part on my understanding of the SGS2 variants (I9100/I9100T).

I have only seen/used I9300 - SGS3's on DTAC.

For the SGS2, Telstra seems to have requested a special version tuned to the 850 MHz 3G network. This tuning definitely utilizes a unique firmware/baseband modem version (verified), and perhaps specialized, unique hardware (unverified). Since DTAC and TrueMove H operate 3G on 850 MHz they seem to have decided to market this version, perhaps in an effort to differentiate the phone, and entice customers to purchase from them/their channels?

I have not seen nor heard about any potential issues with i9100 or i9100T models other than perhaps having to wait a bit longer for the Android 4.0.x upgrade. The versions seem to be plug compatible.

I am saying that this may also be the case with the I9300/I9300T SGS 3 variants. Personally I would recommend the I9300 version, but I think either version would be fine, and be considered equivalent. These two versions have the same features, functions, capabilities, UI, apps. Android ver. etc. I suspect that they have different baseband modems but have not been able to confirm that.

Thanks, Lomatopo, looks like you hit the nail on the head, see posting immediately above...

Quick question, can I buy one from a different network from my own (True)?

Yes.

Quick question, Or are they locked to the network?

No. Phones are not locked to networks here.

It appears as though there may be a I9300T version, again perhaps "enhanced" for 850 MHz 3G for Telstra in Australia. Maybe TrueMove (H) and/or DTAC will hawk this model here? My cousin purchased an I9300 direct from Samsung - I specifically examined this and recommended this version - with some AIS branding on a sticky label. She installed a DTAC uSIM and was seeing ~ 9 Mbps/3 Mbps on a first speedtest. The I9300/I9300T are of course both quad-band 3G. As with the I9100/I9100T, or even N7000/N7000B, option I always recommend going with the 'standard' version, i.e. I9100, I9300, N7000.

Lomatopo, what do you mean by the I9300T being "enhanced" for 850 MHz? I happen to live in Chiang Mai, and I went to the largest shopping mall here today with the intention of buying a new SGS3 I9300 model, and the only model that was available (in any shop, and I went to many) was the I9300T. I was with a Thai friend at the time, and so I asked him to ask the shopkeepers what the significance was of this, but all they could tell him was that it was the DTAC/True model, but that an AIS SIM card would work fine on it as well (I happen to be an AIS customer, and pretty sure I want to stay that way). They also kept saying something about it being significant to 3G performance (similar to your comment above).

I remembered having read this thread, so decided to postpone the decision until I fully understand what the difference is. The fact that all the I9300 models got snapped up, but not the I9300T's, makes me a bit leery. The Samsung shop sells only the I9300 model (and I think their box has an AIS logo on it). I can't really believe that a different model number gets assigned to a phone that is 100% identical to an existing model number, and I don't want any surprises down the road (like--oh, look, it doesn't work in Europe! or whatever). I happen to be an engineer (most recently, a network engineer), so I think I understand the technology pretty well. Both models seem to have the same specs on the box (quad-band, same frequencies, etc), but I'm wondering if maybe the version of Android is slightly different, or the installed apps are different (thereby suggesting possible future issues with support), etc, etc. I know phones in Thailand technically aren't 'locked' to a particular carrier (like they are in the U.S.), but the fact that they seem to be marketed as specific to one carrier or another has me wondering.

Any thoughts, anyone?

================

EDIT: I think I might have just answered my own question. After posting the above, I dug around a little using Google, and came across the following very interesting link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1740061

The key takeaway from the link above: "All modems are interchangeable between both these models. The I9300T modem is optimised for the 850 MHz band, but it may not be the best for you. Try, test and find out "

Because DTAC and TrueMove use the 850 Mhz frequency for their mobile communications, anyone using their service would benefit from using a phone which has a modem which is optimized for this frequency. On the other hand, because AIS currently uses the 900 MHz frequency for both 2G and 3G communications, I'm pretty confident any AIS customer WOULDN'T want the I9300T phone, because you might find yourself with nagging connectivity problems (i.e. weak signal, dropped calls, poor call quality, etc).

Bottom line: I'm glad I waited until the I9300 becomes available again (hopefully soon!)

Quick question, can I buy one from a different network from my own (True)?

Yes.

Quick question, Or are they locked to the network?

No. Phones are not locked to networks here.

It appears as though there may be a I9300T version, again perhaps "enhanced" for 850 MHz 3G for Telstra in Australia. Maybe TrueMove (H) and/or DTAC will hawk this model here? My cousin purchased an I9300 direct from Samsung - I specifically examined this and recommended this version - with some AIS branding on a sticky label. She installed a DTAC uSIM and was seeing ~ 9 Mbps/3 Mbps on a first speedtest. The I9300/I9300T are of course both quad-band 3G. As with the I9100/I9100T, or even N7000/N7000B, option I always recommend going with the 'standard' version, i.e. I9100, I9300, N7000.

Lomatopo, what do you mean by the I9300T being "enhanced" for 850 MHz? I happen to live in Chiang Mai, and I went to the largest shopping mall here today with the intention of buying a new SGS3 I9300 model, and the only model that was available (in any shop, and I went to many) was the I9300T. I was with a Thai friend at the time, and so I asked him to ask the shopkeepers what the significance was of this, but all they could tell him was that it was the DTAC/True model, but that an AIS SIM card would work fine on it as well (I happen to be an AIS customer, and pretty sure I want to stay that way). They also kept saying something about it being significant to 3G performance (similar to your comment above).

I remembered having read this thread, so decided to postpone the decision until I fully understand what the difference is. The fact that all the I9300 models got snapped up, but not the I9300T's, makes me a bit leery. The Samsung shop sells only the I9300 model (and I think their box has an AIS logo on it). I can't really believe that a different model number gets assigned to a phone that is 100% identical to an existing model number, and I don't want any surprises down the road (like--oh, look, it doesn't work in Europe! or whatever). I happen to be an engineer (most recently, a network engineer), so I think I understand the technology pretty well. Both models seem to have the same specs on the box (quad-band, same frequencies, etc), but I'm wondering if maybe the version of Android is slightly different, or the installed apps are different (thereby suggesting possible future issues with support), etc, etc. I know phones in Thailand technically aren't 'locked' to a particular carrier (like they are in the U.S.), but the fact that they seem to be marketed as specific to one carrier or another has me wondering.

Any thoughts, anyone?

I was always under the impression that there were no restrictions on how you obtained the funds to purchase a condo, you just had to have the Foreign Exchange Certificate if you wanted to repatriate the money later on

Based on my recent conversation with the Chiang Mai Land Office, that's not true at all (see what I wrote a bit further up the thread). Because the Land Office retains the FETF (or any other official statement from the bank that the incoming funds are for the purpose of buying a condo), and because they want this documentation to be tied to a specific condo purchase, it needs to be consistent in terms of purchase price and condo specifics (i.e. condo building name and condo unit number). As I expressed concern about at the start of this thread, it turns out that none of my FETF's would be accepted by the Land Office because they aren't specifically for the purchase of a particular condo at a particular price. Hence, I'm moving cash back out of the country so that I can transfer it in as needed whenever I actually have a condo purchase contract in effect (which will hopefully be soon).

Why do I get the feeling I've become a circus dog?

Update: I went to the Land Office in Chiang Mai, and spoke with the guy referred to above (as he is apparently one of the few people in the office whose English was relatively good). So I showed him my three FETF's, and he conferred with his superior. The answer I received back: I couldn't use any of them for the purchase of a condo. The Land Office wants to see funds transferred into the Kingdom (in what I believe should be an amount which fairly closely matches the stated purchase price of the condo, probably a little more would be OK), and the purpose for the funds transfer stated on the FETF should be not only for purchasing a condominium, but it should state the name of the condo building, and also the room number (or condo unit number) being purchased.

These FETF's are required to be used if the transfer amount is in excess of $50,000 USD, or equivalent. Does anyone know if a different form is used if the amount is less, and does this form also require a statement of purpose for the transfer? If I decide to buy an inexpensive condo, I'm wondering what paperwork I should expect to be dealing with. Also, does anyone happen to know if a Foreign Exchange transaction must occur for the incoming funds (i.e. from some particular currency into Thai Baht), or if I happen to already have Thai Baht sitting in an offshore account, would it be OK to transfer it in for the purpose of buying a condo?

So many issues to consider here!

Well, I had a chat with someone at the Chiang Mai Land Office about my situation, and his response was that, as long as the price paid for the condo is less than the total amount of funds transferred into Thailand, he would approve the condo registration request. So I intend to go there, meet the guy, show him my three FETF's, and confirm what he says before entering into any condo purchase contract. So, this is a hopeful new development.

However, I'm still not sure about the possibility of encountering a problem in the future, if and when I decide to sell the condo, and choose to move the funds back out of Thailand. I believe I would still need to use my existing FETF's to prove the original source of the funds, but because none of them indicate plans to buy a condo, would the local bank disallow my request for the outbound transfer? Or would the same situation as above apply, in which they would allow the outbound transfer as long as it were less than the sum total of the three FETF's? Any feedback would be appreciated!

I remember a post on this forum saying that for a remittance to a Thai bank account for the purpose of buying a condo the message to the beneficiary on the payment order given to the foreign bank and subsequently the information on the FETF must indicate the name of the condo building or project and the number of the condo unit being bought. In the end, though, it will depend on how the official at the Land Registration Department handles it and this may vary from one department and/or one official to the next.

When I bought a condo last year the Bank of Ayudhya gave me the FETF to fill out and under "4. Please specify" I wrote "Purchase of condo unit [number] at [condo building name], [postcode] Bangkok". I haven't got the copy countersigned by the bank at hand at the moment and thus can't say what code the bank entered under paragraph 4 on the form.

For what it's worth, I did find the correct code for buying a condo. It reads: "318069 Purchasing condominium".

I moved some substantial cash into Thailand at various points in the past when the exchange rate was favorable, with the intention of either using the funds for living expenses or buying a condo. At the time, I was under the impression that, as long as I kept my copy of the Bank of Thailand Foreign Exchange Transaction form to prove the original source of funds, I would have no problem either buying a condo or moving the funds back out of the country if I so chose.

A friend recently informed me of two potential problems with my assumptions above:

1) the Land Office might not approve the purchase transaction for the condo if the BoT FET form is beyond a certain date;

2) moving the funds back out of the country could result in a 30% tax on the funds transferred.

In addition, I'm concerned with the "Purpose" code which was used on the FET form for each transaction, as they're all a bit different:

1) 318131 Others (please specify details): to which was written "For living expenses or investment"

2) 318131 Others (please specify details): to which was written "Living expenses"

3) 318052 Gratuity of Private Sectors: to which was written "For living expenses or investment"

I selected the code in the first two transactions above (and provided the written description), but in the last transaction above, the transacting bank chose the code and typed in my description of the purpose. Since I didn't have access to the official description for each code at the time, I naively assumed that the bank would choose the correct code to match the written description that I provided them at the time. Now that I consider the meaning of the official description for the code they used, I'm getting a bit paranoid.

Does anyone out there have any experience which might clarify the situation a bit?

and asked for 500 baht. Having previously read this forum thread, I was under the impression that this service would be provided at no charge, so I protested

The very first reply to this topic: "Once completed, you pay 500 baht that goes straight into the officer's pocket. So do not expect to receive a receipt."

Very helpful, Admin. Did you notice another reply, slightly further along the thread, which reads:

"..why are you paying an Immigration Official 500 baht to issue a form that is FREE..you're only making it harder and harder for us all by pushing up the bar!"

But of course, this must be the first time that people have different opinions on a subject, eh? Please advise as to how I should gauge the validity of any particular opinion in the future....

I appreciate all the feedback here. Please allow me to add the fact that, since my original post, I've run two tankfuls of Shell Unleaded 91 Benzene through the engine, and it still knocks. Anyway, I took the car in today (April 20th), explained the problem again (they remembered me from the previous visit), and they humored me by checking the ECU as I had asked, using their hand-held Toyota computer diagnostic thing. They did this while the car was parked, with the engine idling (not sure if this matters or not, but I thought I'd throw it in). The service guy told me that the diagnostic computer was reporting everything normal. I asked him if we should be checking the ECU while the engine was under load or not (i.e. while driving), he said no, it didn't matter. So I asked them (the technician guy and the friendly English-speaking female Thai Toyota employee who accompanied me for translation purposes) if they could give me a printout of all the information being displayed on the handheld computer. They said no, not possible. I noticed that the computer had a USB port on it, so I asked if they could export the data onto a USB flash drive so that I could download it to my laptop (which I happened to have with me at the time), and they said they didn't have any USB flash drives available, but if I had one, that would be OK. Unfortunately, I didn't have one with me, so I walked away with exactly nothing, not even a paper record of the fact that I had been there for service. Same thing the first time around--they never actually registered my complaint and logged me into their system, or if they did, they apparently never felt it was necessary to give me a copy of the service record. So I have no proof that I actually tried to have the problem fixed, twice. In hindsight, maybe I should have insisted on receiving a copy of their attempt to resolve the problem, in whatever form that might have taken.

For what it's worth, my impression of both the people described above was that they really were trying to help me. The technician guy was middle-aged, and appeared to be somewhat of an authority, maybe a Technical Advisor or Service Advisor whom the less-experienced technicians might consult when unsure about how to solve a problem. The female Thai translator's English was very good, and it was my impression that she was faithfully explaining to the technician everything I was saying, and back to me as well, from him. The technician seemed resigned to be unable to solve the problem, for reasons unknown. He also repeated something that was said to me on my first visit, which was that engine pre-ignition knocking was "normal", which really bothered me, knowing as I do that it's absolutely not normal.

I Googled the issue earlier today, and found some articles by other Toyota Vios owners complaining of the same problem, and of the inability to get anyone to solve it (not all of them happen to be in Thailand). This got me wondering if Toyota might have a problem with its ECU, or the associated firmware, and is trying to avoid a recall. I also took a snapshot of the ECU inside my engine compartment, complete with the barcode, serial number, etc. Can't help but wonder if it's the right one for the car.

Anyway, I figured the next step would be to call Toyota Customer Service in Bangkok and explain my concerns, which I did today. They took down all the relevant information and said they would contact the dealer to arrange some resolution to the problem and would call me back, but now I'm wondering if the lack of documentation at the dealership about my service requests will present a problem. "Sorry, we have no record of this car ever being brought in for this problem!" hehe

Thanks again for all the thoughts and suggestions herein; I will follow-up soon with an update.

Well, just to throw in my own two cents on the subject, I jumped through all the same necessary hoops today, and here's how it went:

By the way, I don't have a work permit, so it was my understanding that getting a Certificate of Residency was necessary for me. So, after having requested and received a letter from the management of my condo building that I've been living here since last year, I took the letter, along with copies of the relevant pages from my passport, to Immigration. When I went to get a queue number from the machine, there was a nice Thai woman staffing the machine who told me that I didn't need a queue number for a Certificate of Residency, and to just go to the indicated counter, which I did. They accepted all my stuff (passport, passport copies, letter described above, and two photos), and asked me to wait. About 45 minutes later, they called my name, handed over the Certificate of Residency, and asked for 500 baht. Having previously read this forum thread, I was under the impression that this service would be provided at no charge, so I protested, but they just shrugged and said that's what it costs. I then asked for a receipt, and they said none would be available (or to quote them exactly, "mai mee"). So either they've formalized their method of charging for this service (under the table, but overtly), or they just choose to do it for selected nationalities (I happen to be American). Anyway, I don't enjoy being forced to participate in the rampant corruption happening all around me, but as someone else on this thread observed, I suppose it's cheaper than getting the identical thing from the American consulate here--which I'm sure is why Thai Immigration feels comfortable charging for the service in the first place: they're actually doing me a favor by offering me a discount.

Anyway, then I go off to get a Health Certificate, or whatever it's called. For this purpose, I decided to follow the advice of someone else on this thread, and stopped by the hospital which you find on the left immediately before you reach the Hang Dong Tesco-Lotus--just look for the large "+" sign. When I asked beforehand what the charge would be for this service, the nurse said 70 baht. However, when I went to the cashier's window, they said 100 baht--although a young Thai guy had received exactly the same Health Certificate before me, and I watched them charge him only 70 baht. OK, another 30 baht down the drain unnecessarily. Beginning to feel like I have a sign tattooed into my forehead, in block letters: PLEASE RIP ME OFF.

Finally, I make my way to the Department of Land Transportation, a bit further down the Chiang Mai-Hang Dong highway. To find it, use the following reference: there is a pedestrian crossover across the highway at Tesco-Lotus. If you continue from there in the southbound direction on the highway, the entrance to the Department of Land Transportation is immediately before you pass under the next pedestrian crossover (maybe 2K further down the road from Tesco). This government complex has a purple fence bordering the highway, so this should be your warning that you're getting close to the entrance, and will be turning left very soon.

Once inside, take the stairs on the left to the second floor, and chat with the folks at Information. The process is very streamlined--they seem to be used to having foreigners around who need to be told what to do next, which was actually very appreciated. Anyway, I was renewing both my car and motorcycle licenses, and changing my address from Bangkok (which was on the old licenses) to Chiang Mai, so for the car license they charged me 500 + 50 (for address change), + 5 baht, + 100 baht for the photo to be taken. For the motorcycle, it was 250 + 50 (for address change), + 5 + 100 for the photo as well. Total was 1060 baht. The only test they made me take was to confirm that I could distinguish red/green/yellow using a simulated traffic light, which of course was quick and painless. My old licenses had expired 12 days previously, so apparently no problem with that (although I believe it's foolish to drive around with an expired driver's license, because I'm pretty sure it voids my auto insurance policy).

So, despite my complaints above about paying more than necessary, I was able to get the entire thing accomplished in a few short hours, and I don't have to worry about it again for 5 years. All in all, I suppose I can live with that.

try a different dealer

I have another, completely different question--after having the initial 1K kilometer checkup done at the Toyota dealer, I noticed that the fan belt was loose, as evidenced by the fact that it would squeal every time I started the car. I took the car back to Toyota, and they fixed it in about 5 minutes. But it made me wonder: what were they doing during the 1K checkup that would require them to loosen the fan belt? Normally, this is something that would only be required if something needed replacing, like an alternator or an AC compressor, but I'm having trouble imagining what part of a 1K checkup would require this. Of course, paranoid as I happen to be, I couldn't help but wonder if they were taking some of the new components off the engine and replacing them with used or refurbished stuff, and reselling the originals.

Anybody out there know if there would be a legitimate reason for a loose fan belt after a 1K checkup? After my recent encounter with them related to the 'pinging', I'm beginning to have doubts about this dealer.

ECU problem!

Try to require your dealer to connect the ECU to the computer any Toyota dealer should have.

Read in the correct values.

If well programmed, the ECU should be able to cope with all the different fuels available in Thailand

Sometimes oil on the connectors of the ECU can be the problem.

Cleaning the things might help, if not a new cable should be installed free of charge

If they do not want to do this, call Toyota Thailand.

Explain the problem, and ask them to help you.

Their knowledge of English is sufficient to handle your complaints and solve them.

Correct, but a new ride l think will not be troubled by blockages. Can be fixed by competent Toyota dealer.

Many thanks, guys! I have an appointment scheduled for later this week with the same Toyota dealership, and now I'm armed with some very useful knowledge.

Hi all,

I have a new (2011) Toyota Vios with 5K kilometers on it, which has been through both the 1K and 10K mileage checkups at the Toyota dealer with no problems found. However, the engine is constantly 'pinging' (also known as 'knocking', I believe), regardless of the fuel I use. I always use at least grade 91 'benzene' (not gasohol), which is sometimes marked as '91 Unleaded' at the pump. I took it to the dealership a couple days ago and carefully explained the problem, but they pooh-poohed it and said if there were any problems with the fuel/air mixture (or anything else which could explain the pinging), there would be a warning light on the driver's console. They ended up telling me to get my fuel from either Shell or Esso, and to avoid the other fuel stations. I then filled it up completely with '91 Unleaded' at the nearest Shell station, and the pinging continues.

I know it might help if I start using 95 octane gasohol, but it's the most expensive fuel available at the pump, and it seems ridiculous if it's not necessary. The car is capable of using '91 E20' fuel (which I think is a high-quality gasohol), but I happen to live in Chiang Mai, and I'm told that it's not available here. So I continue to use 91 benzene.

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how did you get it resolved? I know that engine pinging actually causes engine damage, and I would like to get this figured out! Many thanks to any thoughts or suggestions.

True cable internet should be available in that area, if not 3BB has pretty good service around there. Not sure about the short term contracts, you'll have to check with them directly. I know many have the option to move the service when you move, but who knows if the new area will have the same service.

Along with the company tech coming to run a line into you condo, you will need some way to set up a wireless signal. You're going to have to get a wireless router that will connect into the cable modem/adsl modem that the company will provide. The ethernet lan connection your landlord pointed you to may be useless, unless they allow the tech access to where the line comes from.

You can pay at any almost any kiosk or by internet banking. I believe most of the major internet companies have a presence in Kad Suan Kaew, where you can ask if they have it at your condo and how much.

good luck

I just moved into a new condo building off Canal Road which provides its own free Wi-Fi, but after living here for about three weeks now, I've concluded that the Internet reliability is pretty bad. The building management is recommending that I try 3BB on a 1-year contract (which is OK with me as long as I can transfer the service elsewhere in Chiang Mai if I happen to move), but I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with 3BB, good or bad? Up until now, I was using True Internet in Bangkok, which was reasonably reliable, but I'm a little concerned about committing to a 1-year contract with 3BB if their service is dubious. CMSteve (or anybody), any thoughts on this?

I'm on the verge of ordering a new Toyota Vios G model, from either a Chiang Mai dealer, or a Bangkok dealer, depending on whether I can get a significantly better deal in BKK (I'm currently in the process of moving from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and as a result will need a car fairly soon after arriving in CM). From reading other posts here on TV, it seems that the Toyota dealerships in BKK are more competitive than those in CM, apparently because there's a monopoly of sorts in CM. In either case, any thoughts on whether my order would be delayed by the tsunami-related parts shortage? The one dealer I've spoken to so far has poo-pooed the issue, saying that any Vios order would be delivered within a month, but I have my doubts.

If you want CM plates I would use CM certificate of residence.

You can buy in CM and dealer register in BKK, but then you will have BKK plates.

A lease should be sufficient at local immigration to get CM certificate, copy of Tabien Baan and copy ID card signed by lessor should be attached to lease

You can by the car straight away with BBK certificate, and tell dealer you will provide CM certificate in a week or two

Sorry for my confusion, but I should ask the landlord for a signed copy of his/her ID card? And also, I'm assuming that the name on the Tabien Baan and the landlord ID card must be the same? Just hoping to understand the details in order to avoid complications here. Thanks a lot for the info.

yepp, a lease agreement for apartment/house/property should definately consist of agreement itself , Tabien Baan and ID. Most rental properties do not have any named resident in Tabien Baan, (kinda hard for owner to live there if you rent it) but if it does property shoud be rented from Master of House, IOW first registered resident in Tabien Baan and ID number match ID card

Many thanks!

If you want CM plates I would use CM certificate of residence.

You can buy in CM and dealer register in BKK, but then you will have BKK plates.

A lease should be sufficient at local immigration to get CM certificate, copy of Tabien Baan and copy ID card signed by lessor should be attached to lease

You can by the car straight away with BBK certificate, and tell dealer you will provide CM certificate in a week or two

Sorry for my confusion, but I should ask the landlord for a signed copy of his/her ID card? And also, I'm assuming that the name on the Tabien Baan and the landlord ID card must be the same? Just hoping to understand the details in order to avoid complications here. Thanks a lot for the info.

I'm planning to move from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and I want to have a car there. So, I plan to visit CM for a few days and rent a place to live, and also buy a car and park it at my new residence, while I return to Bangkok temporarily to pack up and ship my stuff to the new residence in CM. I have an existing Certificate of Residency for my Bangkok residence, issued by Thai Immigration in BKK. So, when it comes to buying the car, I know from reading other posts that I will need proof of residence in order for the Dept. of Land Transport to register me as the new owner, but I'm wondering if it would be best to use my existing BKK Certificate of Residency for that purpose, or if I should try to get a new one in Chiang Mai based on my new CM residence address after I've established the lease agreement for my new rental there.

I'm not sure if it's necessary (or important) to have the registered owner of the car have a legal residence in the same province that the car is registered in - and if it is required, is it a problem to change my legal residence afterward?

Also, if I do have to establish proof of residency in Chiang Mai for this purpose, will a newly-signed apartment lease agreement be sufficient, or will I need to provide other documents like utility bills, which establish residence over a period of time?

Many thanks to any advice, suggestions, solace...

Many thanks to all! Sounds like good advice, and it's consistent with everything else I'm hearing lately.

I plan to move from Bangkok to Chiang Mai relatively soon, and I would like to find a moving company that I can trust. I also don't have a new place established yet in Chiang Mai, so I would need the company to have the ability to securely store my stuff in Chiang Mai until I get established. Has anybody out there had a good experience with some company in that respect? Many thanks for any feedback!

I plan to move from Bangkok to Chiang Mai relatively soon, and I would like to find a moving company that I can trust. I also don't have a new place established yet in Chiang Mai, so I would need the company to have the ability to securely store my stuff in Chiang Mai until I get established. Has anybody out there had a good experience with some company in that respect?

OK, folks, thanks for the information!

I'm exploring Chiang Mai right now to see if I might want to live here (currently living in Bangkok, and ready for something a bit less chaotic), and I'm wondering if anyone can make any recommendations as to good areas to live. I'm interested in something around 2 rais of land, either with or without a house on it, with existing utilities, and services (like a modern supermarket) not too far off. I've seen a bit of the San Sai area already, but not much else. Curious if there are any expats out there who know of a peaceful area around CM that's relatively convenient to the usual services a Westerner would want.

Thanks, Tpthai2, your nice message, makes it worthwhile to post here. I may never be PC here for those with rose colored glasses, but I have been here a long time, been through almost every situation that can go badly here, and did go bad here, and I am still here, so I think I am worthy of my opinions, but some people just can't accept that.

No big deal, they will pay later ...are probably paying now, but just haven't realized it yet. But I always appreciate any sane answers here, as those are far and few between, and not normally from newbies.

Amykat, a couple of thoughts here. First of all, thank you for your original post, it was very helpful food for thought, which is EXACTLY why I'm on this forum in the first place. Secondly, I can understand why some of the detracting comments offered by others would explain why you might want to resist the urge to post here. I've had the very same experience, attracting lots of people who tried to entice me into an argument. My opinion is that these people tend to be snipers, someone who shoots when they feel it's safe, and hide when it's not, and unfortunately these forums are a perfect place for them to hide. For one, I have no respect for this. My feeling is that in general, these are unhappy people, and can only derive a sense of satisfaction when they've successfully ruined someone else's day. They deserve our pity, not our anger, but most certainly not our energy. Life is too short for that. The only mistake you might be accused of was allowing yourself to be baited into a dialogue with someone with unfriendly intentions, who was just hoping you would take the bait. For myself, I might or might not agree with everything you include in a post, but I like to think that I'm able to accept the constructive information you offer, without feeling a need to point out something with which I disagree. In any event, I hope you continue making the effort to post your comments here, and not allow yourself to fall silent because of any detractors. We all benefit from sharing in each other's experiences here in Thailand, and unfortunately, in order for this to work, I think we have to learn to expect - and ignore - unfriendly comments. Remember that there will always be those of us out here who are silently appreciative of the time and effort you invest in helping us, and hopefully, at some point, it will be our turn to share something useful as well.