shepsel

I have been using Redcliff coffee for 6 years now. It is grown in Chiang Rai and roasted in small batches, and sent EMS to me when I'm running low. At 499 baht per kilo, I purchase two kilos and keep it in the freezer. In my opinion this is the best coffee in Thailand.

Gold shops will buy old gold jewellery, but they pay a very low price based on the gram weight of the gold. You should go into a shop with some knowledge beforehand like knowing the weight of the piece, and what karat gold it is. Then you can figure out what percentage of pure gold it is (i.e. 14 kt, 18 kt. ) as 14 kt gold is 62 percent gold and the balance an alloy. Divide the kt. gold per gram by the going daily price for gold (currently around US$ 1200, and that is the price for pure gold). You will be very lucky if you get fifty percent of the value. Unless the stones are of any significant size and value, you will get next to nothing for them.

I entered KSK nearest the basement food court and east side parking lot--and, surprise surprise, there was no security.

I am looking to rent a cottage with a bedroom and kitchenette for about a month in March in the Baan Krut area Can anyone in this forum put me in touch with some contacts or places who have these type of rentals?

I am driving down--and we have a small dog--so it has to be pet friendly!

The large store on the north side of the moat has a counter almost beside the main entrance where they are accepting small appliances for repair. Unfortunately they are only corresponding in Thai so it is helpful to have a native come along if you're not fluent enough.

AMORN Electric has an appliance repair shop in most of their branches. They are reliable and usually can find replacement parts.

I also had some problems with a Siemens water heater. Most of the technicians that came over didn't know what to do, so I searched google for the website of the brand of water heater that I have. Then I went to the address listed on the website and arranged to have a qualified technician come over to troubleshoot the problem.

Contact John at Chiang Mai Removals and he will be able to arrange everything from packing to shipping arrangements.

When I first arrived in Thailand I looked forward to going out for Christmas and other holiday meals. Over the years prices for special occasion meals has risen at a much faster pace than other meals, and when dinners at the four and five star hotels had risen to a price beyond 1000 baht a person (mainly because they have a captive audience and not because of a jump in costs of ingredients), I took action with my feet. I self cater my own dinners. I usually cook the turkey or order a ready made one from Rimping or Central Food Hall, make a couple of accompanying dishes, then ask participants to bring a side dish, wine and/or dessert. My housekeeper comes in and serves and cleans up. We all have had a marvellous time in the past, and I am planning to do it again this year.

Cost wise you can get a large uncooked Butterball Turkey for 155 baht at Makro, or almost double that for a cooked one at the supermarkets, and the cost is a couple of hundred baht per person with lots and lots of leftovers.

Last year I ordered a turkey, stuffing and gravy from Central Food Hall in Central Festival on short notice (2days). They delivered it and all my guests raved about it. I will do the same this year except give them a bit more notice.

It seemed the crowds were far less this year with all the rain. We had prepaid reservations for dinner, or else I would have cancelled, and there was very little traffic going home, in fact the bridges were open to vehicles.

I've noticed that Central Food Hall at Central Festival has a few huge looking turkeys, but didn't look at the weight. I noticed a few large turkeys also at Makro Mae Rim but again didn't look at the weight. Ask the clerk to go in the back and look for larger turkeys and see what he finds.

The Export 71 Shop is temporarily located almost across the road from their former location at the Trio Condo until the building 's renovation is completed.

Jon--there is a shop off of Nimmenhaemin called Cosmos which sells pretty neat stuff. Howard-one of the co-owners, designs scarves and has them printed in very limited quantities on high quality silk. You can google Kaliedoscarves to look at some of the patterns.

At least at Amorn Electric--if the unit is defective or the wrong one, they have a no hassle exchange policy as long as you keep the receipt. It is worth it to pay slightly more than purchasing it from outside market vendors for this reason alone.

I've seen them, even though I was not looking, at Central Food Hall, and at Makro on the superhighway. I haven't checked prices, although I'm almost certain that Makro will be cheaper per kilo.

Thank you very much.

John at Chiang Mai Removals sells everything as well as does moving. His company has an excellent reputation as well as fair prices.

I am trying to find the telephone number for Samsung Appliance Repair--home service--as I have a washing machine in need of repair. A website lists 1-800=292=232 which is incorrect. I was wondering if anyone does have the phone number, as I prefer not to take a trip into town to ask them how to call for a service call to my home.

Shepsel, Since you gave me name of agent above, now I see, have you spoken with this person?

Do you have their number, so that I might reach them, too...but, for the general questions,

I think TVF members would have more info, if you don't have it for me..and, for you, too.

TFG----no I don't know the agent at all. I would appreciate a phone number or email address to contact the agent.

I have not spoken to an agent, nor do I have their contact information.

The area is absolutely quiet, just paradise like.

I have a small dog, and pets were not allowed at the hotel I stayed at, and I don't want to board my pet if possible while I'm away from Chiang Mai.

I would like to arrange a rental now rather than start looking when I get there.

I stayed at a Thai hotel on the beach inside of the Air Force land. The beach is incredible--not crowded, clean. I can't remember the name of the place but it was the only hotel inside the Air Force base.

I would like to find a rental near the beach with some cooking facilities for Mid February to mid April. Any suggestions?

Hi Shepsel/AliasJohn,

Thanks for your replies, Much Appreciated. It sounds like you've adjusted quickly, and you already run a restaurant?? WHERE's the place you want to "escape the 'unbearable air' you speak of? CMai?

If you have any more input, I'd love to hear it, regarding life there, how easy it is for a low-level Thai-speaker used to an area w/ more "English"-speaking Thais, how much farang community there is, etc.

OTHERS ON HERE, I WELCOME MORE FEEDBACK, OR A SUGGESTION ON HOW TO GET IT ON HERE...I"M NOT TOO FAMILIAR W THE TVF SYSTEM, etc.

Thanks again, all, especially Shepsel/AJ. -TFG

I was wondering if there were any real estate agents in the area. I want to go to the Aou Manow area for a couple of months in starting in February and when the air is unbearable in the north, and need a furnished one/two bedroom place near the beach.

Besides the second hand groups on facebook, you may want to advertise on the Chiang Mai Christian Church Newsletter--it is sent out once a week (on a Friday) to those who subscribe to it--and is geared to a western audience. I have had excellent response to selling household items on this mailout.