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The Trash Man

I had a hot water shower added to the outside shower at my in-laws house a few years ago, and it seems they do not use it unless it is really cold out. They use a concrete water tank that holds about 1/2 cu meterof water. This morning when I took a shower there had to be at least 500 mosquitos in the room. They, falsely believe I think, that they will use more water/electricity/money by using the pressure shower.

How do I go about converting them without causing a problem??????

Many people.....I started to say many older people since they are your in-laws but realized I do not know and this really applies to any age...... want to stay with the "familiar". And many Thais are used to cooler bath water, so they don't feel the need for the warm water.

Unless you have solar heating, the water heater/warmer uses electricity, so it does cost money to use (disregarding who pays for it).

I find that in some homes I like the dip shower better than the pathetic output of the heater shower head, specially in an upstairs bathroom where the water pressure is lower. However, I do end up using more water dipping.

Those were my immediate thoughts. And, based on what my in-laws do, incomprehenseable to both my wife and myself, probably all you can do is just take satisfaction that you have given them options.

Hi, I'm hoping that some computer geeks can help me here.

Can somebody recommend an idiot proof, one touch program that can convert AVI files to DVD so that I can watch them on a DVD player. I have tried a couple of programs but they have not been user friendly.

TIA

I use Any Video Converter from CNET http://download.cnet.com/Any-Video-Convert...4-10661456.html . It is one touch after a fashion: you have to select the file, set the destination folder for after conversion, and identify the format into which you want the S/W to convert your input file.

5

Agree here. I think it's nice that the parents want to teach their offspring social manners. When given a Wai, whether genuinely felt or fake, the receiver should at least acknowledge it, and I don,t mean you necessarily have to wai back, a nod of the head and a quick smile would suffice.

Correct. Surely you teach your children to say Please and Thank you?? This is the Thai equivalent. Always acknowledge the Wai, but as stated a nod and smile is enough. You should never initiate a Wai to someone else, unless the are older than you or deserving of respect.

Thats correct & well said sir.

"The exception proves the rule?" Monks do not wai in greeting, so when you meet a monk in a non-religious situation (e.g., if you see a monk you know on the street), you should wai whether you are younger or older than he is. In this case, it is as

Barky and Astral said, he is deserving respect as a person. You are not indicating any personal espousal of a religion.

Another case where I find waiing first is appropriate (with both younger and older people) is when it is obvious that they see a farang and are confused as to whether or not I will return the gesture. I see this quite often when I meet people that have been educated/lived overseas for a long time. And when they are in a group (e.g., a group of all Thais, not Thai/farang couples, arrive at a party with spouses) it lets the whole group know how you will react. I think it puts everyone at ease (and keeps my wife from being embarrassed).

Waiing takes a certain feeling of comfort with the culture, knowing (and caring) that you are behaving politely, and a degree of self confidence to make it look natural.

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Does anyone know where to buy a "black light", ultra-violet, fluorescent lamp in Chiangmai?

I use the 23" ones in my fish pond filter to kill agea (with varying degrees of success over the life of the bulb). If that is what you want, try major electrical stores, specially ones that cater to contractors like the Forgotten Name on Wulai south of the Chiangmai gate (45 degree road). They cost something like 100-150 baht there (bulb only). Other stores will special order and charge up to 1000 baht, so it pays to shop around. Home Pro does not have them. Don't remember about Global, haven't asked at Home Mart/Noppadon or Home Mall.

Not a happy camper when it comes to using the US Embassy and SERVICE in the same breath. Two phone calls requesting an appointment to discuss my Thai wife's green card and IRS requirements resulted in my calls being re-routed before I could even finish telling them what I needed. Needless to say I didn't get the appointment and was directed to web sites for my info. Been there already and just wanted clarification on some points. Emails have been just as big of a disappointment as my phone calls. Have been unable to log into their web site to even register my location here. Their response was for me to try another computer. THIS ONE WORKS FINE! It's their web site or my DSL high speed service provider(TOT) that doesn't. Doesn't seem to reason that TOT would be filtering out the US Embassy Site. I know there is a lot of censorship and monitoring here but I doubt it in this case. I just wonder what will happen when I go for my "income verification letter? By the way they don't do english to thai translations even for a price. Kept all correspondence as I may write my senator. I feel that they should provide better service or just close down. Obama could use the money. What has your experience been like when you had to go through the US Embassy? Let's discuss it or at least vent.

Interesting

All the Americans and all the Thais with Amercian passports that I know of have no problems getting whatever they need promptly and getting good, polite service. And everyone seems to be able to use both the BKK Embassy web site and the CNX web site via TOT ADSL with no problems (and registered with the state department, again with no problems).

But is that then not a bit strange as you are not a Muslim ? Would you not feel uncomfortable doing it for no other reason than mimicry, or trying to fit in ? Its to do with their religion and culture, same as a wai, but its not ours.

I stopped reading at this point just to throw in a response and leave the posting. So if someone else has already said this.....

I see wai-ing is like saluting in the military. There are rules on who wais who first, when is it required to be polite, etc. The problem I had way way way back was separating social wai-ing from religious wai-ing/praying. Once I did that, I then felt comfortable doing it. And, of course, it helped that my wife let me know in no uncertain terms when I embarrassed her by not wai-ing. ASIDE: being "older" that most everyone else now is nice because I can now let everyone else initiate the wai-ing; if they don't, I don't.

As for the Malasian question: if it is the same as the wai, a cultural tradition rather than an Islamic religious greeting, then I would not hesitate to use it.

The Smiler

I may be applying within 6 months.

I didn't take my birth certificate with me but before I left U.S., but I made a crystal clear scan of of it. Will they accept that copy or do I need the original?

Also my birth certificate is written in French. Will I have to have it translated? If "yes", will they accept my translation or do I have to have it done by a certified translator?

Thanks in advance.

Call Manila and ask if you can not use your passport and two other U.S. govt picture IDs. If you do not have 2 other IDs, they will give you the definitive answer as to what you will need. As I wrote earlier, I know what worked for my wife, but it is always better to get the answer from the people that approve your application.

Now I've just got to find the dam_n birth-certificate (it's somewhere in the US : I know I had it when I applied for my first passport many years ago; too bad they don't accept a valid passport only, but I suppose in these days of terror and fraud they have to be extra scrutinous).

For what it is worth, my wife successfully applied this last Jan without her's as Thailand villages did not issue birth certificates for home delivery way back then. She used her US passport plus two other "govt" picture IDs (a military dependent ID and driver's license). So I would think you may have a work around. I would think that either the consulate and/or Manila can confirm that and tell you what to use.

When ever I go to Mae Sai on a vodka/DVD run, I always stay in On the visa side of thins, you don't need to go to CM immigration. Just get a copy of your passport (photo and last entry stamp pages) and hand that over along with your passport and 100 Baht when you cross from Thailand into Burma.Have fun.

Who said anything about CM Immigration ? He does not need a photo or anything else . There is no stamp involved! He gives the passport and 100B. He gets a 1 day pass to visit Burma. No exit and no entry stamp involved. Please stop confusing things for people.

So you are saying there is no chance that, on the day he crosses, Thai immigration will take his passport and stamp EXITED on it, thus potentially cancelling whatever long term visa which he is using to say in country?

Seems to be a lot of us 'baby boomers' applying this year. I just did and the process is quite easy, if you follow the procedure.

I first emailed the US Consulate here in CM to return [by email the application and cover/requirements/instruction page] ......they promptly sent them.

Then, as per instructions, I mailed by EMS mail and faxed the same application to insure that it got to Manila....

Then a few days later, I got a call from Manila and set up a time and day for a short phone interview and received confirmation by email. during this time, I got to know the SS rep in Manila by 1st name and he has been quite helpful.

He told me that my application would be processed by their Baltimore office and my first check would come a month after my b-day.

Last week, I emailed my new friend in the SS office and asked the status of my application and he says it is approved and there was a small increase and my first check should arrive in August3........happy birthday to me!!

Make shure that you have birth cirtificate, military records, passport and other proofs of age and citizenship and should be no delays.

Jaideeguy describe it very well. In fact, if you send it directly to the US, they will send it back to Manila for the preliminary processing. I would only add 3 minor things:

1. The CNX consulate recommended EMS/FedEX/DHL, which costs money, vice sending it thru the consulate for free because you have a record of it being delivered within a couple of days. If it go via the APO it gets routed first down to BKK and then who knows where before, hopefully, ending up in Manila. I say hopefully as the consulate does not track it once it leaves CNX. OBTW: you can send it out via the APO but can not received Manila's replies that way.
   
2. You can get all the forms you need off the SS site
   
3. You can fill out a preliminary application, fax it to Manila, and they will reply back with a check list of what you need for your formal, complete application. I attached a template you could use for this.
   

NEW_SSA_APPLICATION_SSA_MNL_Template1.doc

Electricity bills are usually delivered on or about the 27th or so of the month. They must be paid relatively quickly in Thailand; like 7-10 days from the date you receive it. You can pay the bill at any 7-11. If you are late, they will come to shut off the electricity and you will have to go to the main office to pay the bill and a re-connection fee.

Our water bill comes on the last day of the month along with the moobaan fees. It is due within 30 days. I imagine some moobaans do things differently.

The most convenient way to pay is to have a separate bank account linked to all your utilit bills and have them paid automatically as they come due. You can sign up to monitor the account on line and then, if you have another account, transfer money in as the utility account gets low. Otherwise, you will have to go to the bank every so often to keep the account funded.

Keeping just a few months expected bill amounts in there limits your exposure to any problems, but I have never heard of anyone that has had any problems.

A bit of paperwork to set it all up, but once it is done you can forget about making payment runs for electricity, water, telephone every month.

EDIT: And each month I get a receipt/bill showing I paid last month and what I owe this month (though, of course, I can check on line, also).

Do everyone, especially anyone who might happen to read your "article", a favor

and drop the idea until you learn enough about journalism to understand that you don't

interview "one person" and then write an article. If you would have ever looked at this forum you

should have gleaned an understanding that you'll get fifty different impressions on retirement in

Chiang Mai from fifty different people. Do like most journalists make up whatever story you want to peddle

for assuredly there is one Chiang Mai ex-pat that will agree with whatever you write.

Tumbleweeds,

I wasn't going to reply as your OP didn't quite make sense to me ("expat who has lived in Chiang Mai for at least several months"). But L&J's reply seems so apt that I wanted to add my concurrence. If you really want to do some "investigative journalism" and write a report, I would suggest publishing a premise or some guideline so suitable interviewees would know who they are. Otherwise, just use L&J's input and say "50 expats living in Chiangmai have 50 different opinions". Done, finished.

Any suggestions where I can find a good selection of framed prints, probably US/European views

I have bought some from the shop near Carrefours car park but would like to see a new selection

Cheers

There is framing shop on Chiangmai Gate moat, outside east-west road on the same side and just east of the Psychiatric Hospital, that has a large assortment of framed prints and paintings of US/Eropean type views and subjects.

Anyone know of a good copy business that copy to PDF? and do large colour copying?

It sounds as if you only want to make a one time electronic copy of personal documents. If that is true, try a friend who has a multi-function printer/scanner and/or go to the computer club and see if someone there won't help you out.

Last resort: All the computer places have good ones right around 2500 baht and even cheaper sometimes. Buy one and you will have the capability to do this yourself. Once you start doing it, you might find you have way more documents to "document" than you thought of at first.

Tried several times to complete the Thaivisa Internet Survey 2009 form. Clicked on the blank circles but nothing happens.

Anyone else had the same problem?

No problem filling it out but a problem with the intent. If TV wants to offer something bigger and better, this type of survey is not very informative.

For example: am I happy with what I have? The options provided make no sense to me as an H/W engineer who has worked with S/W engineers trying to define user requirements as there is no way to reference my happiness or unhappiness: compared to a 1GB line I had in the U.S. or compared to the 256K line that was the only thing available when I first moved into this house?

I'm confused. Is this about the same young lady and her family where you asked what was an appropriate gift to take with you to meet them? Or is this another one? You seem to change girlfriends alot.

I am confused, also. On 12 May he said: "At the moment I give the two daughters of my wife 50 Baht each occasionally. "

What happened over the last 40+ days; where did the wife go?

Looking for a fair priced place to get some dry cleaning done. I live near San Sai, Carrefour, Payap Uni. I found one place (Professional Dry Cleaners) but prices seemed high (70 baht/shirt). Is this is a high price in CM? I don't have anything to compare to.

What have some of you paid for dry cleaning? I will need to use it quite often is the reason I worry about price.

Thanks in advance.

There in one in the Rim Ping/Ruam Choke plaza that does good work; don't know how the prices compare. Are you dry clean plain vice silk/etc. shirts rather than plain washing, which should be cheaper?

I have a bookcase that has turned into a snack. How can I get it fumigated?

Shipping companies do fumigation of goods been sendt abroad. Ask some of them if they would do your bookcase as well. If you need help or tel. numbers send me privat mail.

Based on my termite experience.... if it is built in, you have to tear it out to get them "where they live". If you could send it to the shipping company, couldn't you take it outside, wrap it in plastic, tape the seams, and fumigate it yourself? But, that does not take care of the path the termintes used to come into your house to get to the book case.

So....that leads to the question: where else have they gone? When we tore out our bookcase, we found them in places where there was no external indication.

Edited to add this tought: if it is a new book case and you are finding dust on/under, then maybe it is just an infestation that came with the wood and they have not spread yet. We have had friends that bought wooden statues with that problem and "killing" the statue seemed to take care of the problem.

- Last not least: Anyone up for a drink on Saturday July 4th? Mrs. raro should be also around, so some place with food (any kind of), drinks and maybe later some rocknroll would be in order. raro

Theoretically, all the American expats, tourists, visitors, and hangers-on who frequent the Chiangmai forum will be at the 4th of July celebration at the stadium, drinking beer and eating hot dogs until the fireworks close the event.

I'll be bringing a group of 15 university students from the U.S. to Chiang Mai in September. They are studying global business. I am looking for something for them to do of educational value e.g. visit a good NGO, a factory tour, a farm. Something beyond the usual elephant camp tours. Any suggestions? They have raised some money so a donation to a charity would also be nice as long as it is of educational value. You can PM me if you wish.

Thanks!

Seems like an obvious place to start, but still...... have you contacted the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and the Consulate here in Chiangmai? Go to http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/contactus.html and pose your question there and I think you will get some help and/or advice.

If you know of a course or tutor providing GIS tuition for beginners I would be very grateful for an email address and/or telephone number (via PM of course). One week of intensive 1-on-1 tuition in Chiang Mai would be ideal but am open to alternative suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

JxP

Read this a couple of time and not sure what you are asking for.

I assume your are using the definition of tuition that is "instruction", which not many people remember.

And by GIS, do you mean a geographic/geographical information system, one that captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that is linked to location?

As I understand GIS, it is a geographic information system which includes mapping software and its application with remote sensing, land surveying, aerial photography, mathematics, photogrammetry, geography, and tools that can be implemented with GIS software.

So you want a week long training in this?

I retired from USAF in 1965. Filed 2 or 5 TRICARE claims since. No way was I having $100/month in Medicare premiums deducted from my SSA check.

When I applied for TRICARE FOR LIFE I was told I had to have medicare A & B even though medicare reimbursements were not possible in/from Thailand. The explanation was that treatment/reimbursement is via medicare first and then the remainder from tricare. If I made myself ineligble for medicare treatment/reimbursement (by not paying the premiums), I was ineligible for tricare for life.

So you are saying you do not pay for medicare part B but receive tricare reimbursements?