cnxmike

What about this new steak and fondue restaurant at Moonmuang (the former True Blue)? Has someone eaten there already? How is it?

Is this Ob Khan Gorge at the Ob Luang National Park?

Tonight I was out with a friend. It's even depressing at night time.We walked along Moon Muang, then we crossed to the other side and walked up Loy Kroh. But it's the same old story everywhere, no customers or very few. What's going on in Chiang Mai?

Is there anybody, who has an explantion for that?

It's not only Loi Kroh that suffers from this syndrome, perhaps 90% of the other bars in Chiang Mai suffer the same fate.

What do you think is the reason for that? Is there a glut of bars? Or don't the bars deliver, what the customers are expecting? Maybe the wrong product? And why would someone walking around in Chiang Mai with open eyes start a new one or buy one?

Or is it the location? Imho the places at Nimanmaehim (correct spelling?) are doing quite good.

@mild7even

I'm planning the plane, too. Not only to save time, but I'm very interessted in aviation. It must be really a thrill to fly this small plane, because I guess, it flies very slow and low. There must be great sights.

The only place along Loy Kroh, which seems to attract many customers at daytime is the "No 1 Bar". I can't say much about night time, since I don't go out often after dark.

But walking along Loy Kroh or Moonmuang at daytime is really depressing. So many bars and restaurants and so few customers. I really wonder, how the owner of these places survive.

@mcgriffith

I'm also considering of effect a health-insurance here. But what is disturbing me is the fact, that you have pay the full year at once. Is there any way of monthly payments?

I suppose before you signed the contract, you did a lot of research. Comparing price and what you get for it. Is Bupa in your opinion the best solution? I'm in your age bracket and won't take too many risks. The more older you get, the higher is the chance of getting seriously ill.

I know it's OT. But how come you never use the correct spelling of "hel_l" but use instead "hel_l". I'm not a native english speaker. Maybe I missed something during my education. Is the correct spelling of "hel_l" such a bad word?

I don't want to offend or insult anybody. I'm just curious.

The new Rimping near the Airport Plaza. They are baking their own bread. All day long they have fresh bread and rolls from the oven.

Sorry,

somehow my copy and insert didn't work.

The problem is, for the foreign currencies like the USD or the Euro there are two rates at the moment. One rate you get in Thailand and one rate you get outside Thailand. The so called off-shore rate.

In Thailand you get for one Euro about 46 Bt. Outside Thailand it's only about 44 Bt. Whenever you pay with a foreign credit card, it matters a lot, where the conversion is done. If it's done in Thailand you get a better rate.

Here are the off-shore rates for the Euro:

SymbolEuroExchange

RateThai BahtBidAskEURTHB=X1Aug 1043.17243.17243.17243.242

Here are the off-shore rates for the USD:

SymbolU.S. DollarExchange

RateThai BahtBidAskUSDTHB=X1Aug 1031.53031.53031.53031.575

Source:

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency

Here the rates in Thailand:

Currency Exchange Rate Date : 10 August 2007Update : 3 Effective From : 14:45 [unit : Baht per 1 unit of foreign currency]CurrencyDescriptionBank NoteBuying RatesSelling Rates

Bill-DD-TTBuying RatesSelling RatesSight BillTTUSD1USD : 132.9134.24USD5USD : 5-2033.2534.24USD50USD : 50-10033.6734.3033.8433.9434.14GBPUnited Kingdom67.5269.2768.2450068.4225069.06750EUREuro Zone45.9947.0146.1925046.3025046.80750

Austhaied, I don't know, why you bear such a grudge against Spicchio at Central Airport Plaza. I eat there at least once a week, and imho they have the best pizza dough in Chiang Mai. That's the only place I would consider having italian pizzas. About the quantity of the toppings, i think it's ok.

I heard they are doing a sequel of "The Marathon Man" in Chiang Mai. But this time the hero won't be tortured by a dentist, but by a foot masseuse.

@slapout

"if you pick me out"

I don't think I should go there everyday and ask everybody: "Are you slapout?"

You should give more hints.

Concerning Chinese food I like very much "Dim Sum". Is this place also good for Dim Sum? Otherwise where can you get a good a Dim Sum in Chiang Mai?

Next to Dim Sum I like "Peking Duck". Is this dish avaiable in Chiang Mai?

What do you think about "Mad Dog" at Moon Muang?

I think the place is not too bad, but the people working there are so unfriendly. Whenever I go there, I'm not greeted with a smile and a "Sawadee Kha" but with an unfriendly look and and a kind of "What do you want" behaviour. You probably won't be surprised, when I tell you, that I don't go there too often.

Chiang Mai Saloon eg is much better in this way.

Yesterday we made a tour to the Chiang Dao Caves. Afterwards we looked for a place to eat. At first we planned to eat at Kurt and Mon's place. But since they spend the summer like every year in Canada, we had to look for another restaurant, and found The Nest.

It's a nice and pleasant place. The food was quite ok. Maybe compared to Chiang Mai a little bit on the expensive side. But I still would recommend it.

For those who cannot sleep at night, here some links to insurances:

Health insurance in Thailand

http://www.thaihealth.co.th/index_e.php

http://www.bupathailand.com/

http://www.aacp.co.th/en/default.asp

http://www.aia.co.th/mn12_eng_summary.html

http://www.aig.com/gateway/home/1-59-Thailand_index.htm

http://www.msig-thai.com/Home/index.shtml

http://www.ayud.co.th/en/index.html

http://www.generali.co.th/en/index.php

http://www.inglife.co.th/pages/eng/default.asp

http://www.axa.co.th/index.php?ln=en

http://www.lmginsurance.co.th/eng/index.htm

http://www.muangthai.co.th/01about_mtl/histo/histo_00e.html

http://www.prudential.co.th/english/index.html

http://www.thaisri.com/ENGLISH/main_e99.htm

http://www.thailife.com/en/

http://www.srimuang.co.th/

http://www.siamsamsung.co.th/english.asp

Concerning the Palaad Tawanron, I agree a great location with a great view. Their food - well it is this standard Thai food- didn't convince that much. In the case I ever should go there again, it certainly won't be because their food.

@UG

Oishi Ramen and Hachiban are located in the Airport Plaza at the 4th floor. They are serving japanese ramen (noodles) soups. Great, if you are not that hungry, and want a tasty and quick snack.

Since UG mentioned the Zen. Maybe we could discuss the type of restaurants you find all over Thailand mostly in shopping malls and department stores.

For japanese food I like Zen and Fuji.

Once in while I enjoy eating at MK. The new Coca branch at the Airport Plaza isn't running well, although they have the same concept as MK. How come?

At Sizzler I like the salad buffet but not the steaks. I don't like much the food at Black Canyon, although their coffee is good.

I don't like much Oishi I'd rather eat at Hachiban.

I am seeking a piano instructor or piano school for our 7 years old daughter. She already has more then one year expierience.

Does anyone know of one in Chiang Mai?

@tigerbeer

I doubt that you can buy anything 100% cheaper

Yesterday I was at the Central Airport Plaza. At the groundfloor just opposite the aquarium is a new pizza and pasta place called Spicchio.

Great pizzas indeed. Probably the best pizza dough I ever had in Chiang Mai.

We have a lot of children clothes and shoes, which are now too small for our 7 years old daughter. There are a lot of toys, too.

We would like to donate them for children in need. Has anybody an idea how to make it?

Last year I went to the Chiang Mai Ram , because i had a swollen finger. They suggested to make a cut into the finger. I would have costed me B 4000. Later I went to the Mc Comerick. They did for B 200!!!

B 4000 vs B 200. That's incredible.