gpdjohn

Mine looks nothng like that and is only listed as a "Departure Card"..

I do my 90 day next week and have moved since I arrived..

Should I take some money with me on this one here in Chiang Mai ????

I liked in the article on how it was quoted as "this was morally unacceptable"..

But it's ok to have a Army Officer murder a Police Officer, run away for a year, return, have the charges dropped and within a short period of time regain your rank back into the military.....

I guess killing is more acceptable than a BJ..

Sorry...

end of rant.

I'm sitting here just shaking my head in disbelief...

My gosh...

TIT

I wonder on how long I will keep my sanity in this crazy backward country..

My standard for espresso drinks developed in San Francisco's Italian neighbourhoods. For coffee quality, Lanna and Libernard are my favourites. Libernard probably has the best barista talent in town. The owner takes great care to use the correct roasts for each type of pressing, rather than one roast for all.

I've tried Starbucks here a few times, seems like the coffee lacks freshness, perhaps because the beans come from abroad (including the Thai roast). But I'd rank Starbucks over Black Canyon. The coffee at Black Canyon tastes even less fresh to me. Too much foam in the lattes and caps at every Black Canyon I've tried.

Wawee also usually disappoints, not sure why they can't seem to get it together. Beans don't taste very fresh and the baristas again tend to overmilk the lats and caps. Could be they're catering to Thai tastes.

Funny how virtually every espresso shop in town (Libernard may be the only exception) serves powered nondairy creamer with their fresh-brewed java. And I notice that many Thais add powdered creamer to latte and cappuccino as well.

For price, the two branches of Tawa on Suthep Rd can't be beat. Beans are freshly roasted, if a bit over-roasted, and the original Tawa has free wi-fi.

The Coffee Bus across from Rimping Supermarket they do a great Latte @ 35 Baht beats the <deleted> they sell at Starbucks for 85 Baht

I concur, and that's normally where you'll find me in the mornings almost daily. I just wish they would have bigger cups...I wonder if I said sumptin to Nui she would get me one... Great crew there as well..once told me my lunch and dinner was B3000 !!

How about u cony-sewers giving an idea of sizes and prices

Both 'bout 5 feet to 5 and a couple 'o inches..

Can't remember how much for a cup, but it was a American size (yeah, not these little dinky cups) good 'n hearty , and somewhere 'round B80 I think...too busy trying to flirt to worry of the cost...

Former Army man, so I like mine really black, really hot and preferably outta a canteen cup..

Coffee Shops, What are your favourites ?

Amsterdam..

Sorry i know.

Why yes...Betty Boop. One of the best in A'dam!

Back on topic..

Wawee near Meechoc ( couple 'o cute ladies...)

Hey, no offense taken...

But I would just wanna use the steam room, which you said was broken and not working..( I have found that in all the cases of a gym setting, the're always broken..)

So the frills of a pool, weight machines, aroma therapy, tea, and a smile is not what I'm looking for..

Not much water, but a heck of a lot of wind here in the Meechock area...

So far.

Gunna go out on the Vespa, since it worked for the Gonz, see if I can intice more drops, or get struck by a bolt of lightin' ..

Chaiyot!

Good Job gpdjohn ! You got it to tinkle most of the night. Now that you have found the recipe, keep it secret, we may be able to turn in into $$$$ some day soon. Maybe something like Mo-Peding around the inside of a big barrell. We can call ir Rolling for Rain. Going in opposite directions, for at least one lap.

About 7:30 - 8:00 PM, had one really blasting bolt of lightning, bring some screams from some of the ladies. Thought of you and was hoping you were not at the landing end of it.

At one point whilst circling the 'hood and singing "which a ta ta oranika, oranike, hey hey hey hey no wa.."

The hair on my arms stood up after a strike of the juice..I remembered from my days as a 81mm mortar instructor at Ft. Bragg that this means it is close...very close.

So, I rode home and hid in the bathroom......

Gotta head up to buy some groceries here soon, so get ready..

Didn't think he could play the golden keys ...eh?

seeing is believing..

and heeeeeerrr they are....

and da man ...50 cent

Ha ha... I want cool too... but it feels soooo good to sweat!

Saunas and steam rooms are the way forward! Great detox, great relaxer, and most of all great for feeling good!!!

I'm used to big communal steam rooms / saunas... and I don't get what all these men only saunas here are about... (as a girl anyway!) I also don't like the tiny, one person cell-like steam rooms that cost 200 B for 15 minutes!

I just joined Relax-Land... It has a promotion - costs 890 B a month, but you have to join for 3 months.

It's got a sauna and steam room (not working at the moment) but the sauna was the best I've ever had! Made in Finland - it's the real deal, and seemed brand new!

You also get the use of the gym (brand spanking new equipment) with a personal trainer, a great pool, and if you want massages upstairs, in a great setting (200 B for a Thai massage / 800 for aromatherapy).

The service is impeccible - I was given ginger tea and fresh fruit after my sauna, and everything is pristine. Apparently the guy who owns it also runs one of the gay saunas...

man, for those kinda prices, I would want the Lennon Sisters singing to me...

Thats sounds vasty expensive for my budget!

And for those farang's who don't know the "Master of the keys"...

Here he is...Mr. Entertainment himself..

God, I hated that show...

Gotta love the perversity (in the intellectual sense, of course ) of this thread....here we have had some of the most ball-breaking hot weather...and people are looking for a Finnish-style sauna.....

I have to admit that a real sauna, with incredible scorching dry heat, eucalyptus branches, and all the other stuff- very therapeutic.

What I am missing, is that in the Scandinavian countries, after the afore-mentioned sauna, it is traditional to jump into a hole cut into a frozen over lake.

I'm wondering where I can find that here, as well as the frozen Stolichnaya vodka to accompany same....

Now, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout...

Frozen Stoly..mummm good after a hot steam...or anytime.

Heck, pass the frozen Jager, next best thing...German Nyquil I say...chug w/ a Red Bull...humm.. wonder how'd that would taste after steamin' until ya almost pass out...maybe like kee, but the buzz would be good..

Ahhhhwunderful....aaahhhhhwunderful....

Not much water, but a heck of a lot of wind here in the Meechock area...

So far.

Gunna go out on the Vespa, since it worked for the Gonz, see if I can intice more drops, or get struck by a bolt of lightin' ..

Chaiyot!

The OP asked if it was possible to live on US $1000 a month, and many of the members who responded said it would be a problem.

What would the trick be to live on $550 when many of us can't live on $1000?

I can easily afford well over $2000 USD/month in CM, if I chose to spend it. I fit into the above description of "simple life alone". I also do an annual physical checkup and go to the dentist upto 3 times a year which certainly cost more than 6000 baht. I just returned from Cambodia and Vietnam spending for 40 days traveling. Since December, my living expenses in CM has averaged well under $500 USD/month so OP, $1000 for a single person has got to be a breeze.

To keep things clear, my figure doesn't include my monthly USA health insurance or my USA annual taxes.

I think you may have overlooked many of us who said otherwise.

My lifestyle hasn't changed that much from the USA (my choice) but costs me only a quarter of what I would have spent in Tucson, AZ. Yes, I use a bicycle rather than a motorbike to get around and without polluting the air. When I lived in Tucson and NYC, I used my bicycle for my day to day transportation as well, even though I had a car. I tend to eat more vegetarian and also prepare about 6 to 8 simple and delicious meals a week so I spend $3/day or less on food. If I begin to have a hankering for farang food, (only been here less than 1 1/2 years), I'll just cook it at home as I did back in the USA. I enjoy a good beer once in a while but don't need it. I do massage and yoga classes, each, at least twice a week. I have unsubsidized US based health insurance and admit that I still don't have a Thai GF yet ,but still pay less than $700/month. If having Thai GF will cost me more than an additional $500/month then I'll tatoo "Noi" on my right hand.

Like anyplace on this beautiful planet, it depends on your lifestyle.

Yep, another "Zonie" as they call us in San Diego!

But what if your income is solely from outside of Thailand..

B65,000+ per month and you do not have a Thai bank account...

Is this permissible with just the letter from the embassy stating such?

Thx

John

I have been searching for such places for a long time.

All the best equipped saunas in Chiang Mai seem to be for gays, nothing against them, just I`m not gay.

So if anyone knows of any decent sauna houses in or outside of Chiang Mai that would suit an old deprived married man like myself, I would be interested.

I am also looking for a good sauna, and one that is not for gays. Nothing against them either. Distortedlink, how can you tell that they were for gays? Heaven forbid if I accidently went in one, it would sure be embarrassing to be shoooooed out.

One gay sauna was advertising, free entry, and that`s what worried me.

"free entry"..

That's scary!!!!!

mom tells me that Thailand has 2 seasons only

they are 'Hot season' and '<deleted> hot season' LOL

Na, I was taught there were 3 seasons...

"hot, hotter and hottest"

I have been searching for such places for a long time.

All the best equipped saunas in Chiang Mai seem to be for gays, nothing against them, just I`m not gay.

So if anyone knows of any decent sauna houses in or outside of Chiang Mai that would suit an old deprived married man like myself, I would be interested.

I am also looking for a good sauna, and one that is not for gays. Nothing against them either. Distortedlink, how can you tell that they were for gays? Heaven forbid if I accidently went in one, it would sure be embarrassing to be shoooooed out.

Me as well... not gay that is. Iam also a deprived married somewhat old guy too.

Well, it's not a sauna, but I love the hot springs way out yonder in San Kamphaeng. Always rent one of those little huts ( privacy rooms ) gotta tub in 'em, and crank on the 'ol boiling water..half way full and it sure feels like a sauna. ahhWunderful ...ahhwunderfuul ( apoligies to Mr. Welk )

Only bad thing is that the Vespa ride back to town after some great hours there sure is a bitch.

As I sit here with a icebag on my head, looking as though I have been on a all night drunk, I would like to ask, does anyone other than myself think that it is hotter this year [past 2 - 3 weeks] than it has been in years past?

The days seem a few degrees hotter and definitely the nights. Wake up in the morning and am wet with persperation...

Used to always sleep with at least a sheet for cover, but now want no cover at all.

Is there any website that record daily high temps on a day by day by the year basis.

It just feels hotter.

Gonzo

Hi, I was in Bangkok for a week ago, two days work in Sampeng, but I did fine, not drinking any water on the hole day.

Ya mean the "whole" day?? ( not to worry, I don't speak english eiterh.. )

Keep going like that and you'll end up wondering on how ya got into a hospital and your kidney stones will feel wonderful..

Wonder how warm it's gunna be today? My butt cheeks are already sweatin'...

Medication time...."oh, nurse...ice cold Chang please.."

I live by Mae Joe intersection, south of Mae Joe University. Thanaval Village.

I will attempt to PM ya, but dealing with lousy dail up until my ADSL arrives, most likely sometime around when China puts a man on Mars...

I think you live in the same village as me.. Just past Ruamchoke mkt, before the 'Jet' gas station? It's called Muubaan Tanawan.. I have a cheap garden guy who does a great job. His name is Pone, and his number is 089-701-9317

And if that doesn't work, PM me for an alternative. Our team based in Sansai would probably travel to you.

200b for a totally comprehensive job once a month - on what admittedly is a small garden (approx 175 sq m area). One thing I like is that they are perfect at sweeping and tidying up afterwards.

Thanks for the offer. Found a guy already. Thanks much.

I live by Mae Joe intersection, south of Mae Joe University. Thanaval Village.

I will attempt to PM ya, but dealing with lousy dail up until my ADSL arrives, most likely sometime around when China puts a man on Mars...

I think you live in the same village as me.. Just past Ruamchoke mkt, before the 'Jet' gas station? It's called Muubaan Tanawan.. I have a cheap garden guy who does a great job. His name is Pone, and his number is 089-701-9317

Yep, we live in the same place...pizza place at the entrance, right? Eat there all the time..( well, end up guzzlin' whiskey w/ the owners on some nights.. )

Sky King, what a great show....and where is Ms. Penny when we need her most sorely to cool our hot and frayed tempers:

Darn, ya beat me to it..postin the pic..

For those people who might say its hotter ' n He11 , take heart, you may have something to look forward to.

They also have a great amenity package, other than wing fluffing and halo polishin'

Fluffing? Did you say "fluffing"?

"polishin' " ??

Saw a couple of those movies once...

Goto immigration and then get back to us ....

Its not a over stay, I'm legal

simply lost a passport trying to get back on track to leave.

Believe me I had copies of my first passport was in a bag and it got stolen with all my id's

the old number was like 11 digits new one post-9/11 is 9 new number.

Maybe my story can help others, i will report back from China what happened.

I know its no big deal, just a painful process.

I have a plane ticket to Shanghai...plus visa to China

I remeber the date I entered

I wont get deported like u may think.

Watch I wont I'm American tehy cant touch me.

Tommorrow am on plane to Shanghai

not USA

I bet you 50,000 baht i wont be kick out.

Quite the contrary my good man...oh yes they can.

Please quit making silly statements like these as they make the rest of us American's here look as foolish as you.

People here are trying to help you.