bjohn34

I got China visa at CM consulate last week. Normal service 4 days, express is available. Cost depends on country of your passport.

Thanks to all for the quick and complete information.

It doesn't answer your question, but have you considered going via Macau?

9775 baht Bangkok Airways & Emirates. 21 hours and 45 minutes.

3990 baht Air Asia direct CNX to Macau. 2h40m. Ferry to HK every 15 minutes - 570 baht, and about an hour.

Expedia shows 6hr35min for CNX/BKK/HKG. Am considering Macau also.

Am looking to fly to Hong Kong soon and only connection appears to be through Bangkok with best fare on Bangkok Air connecting with Emirates.

If I use these flights, does anyone now if can I clear Thai immigration in Chiang Mai with bag checked all the way through ?

Thanks

Blue Sky Bar on Moon Muang is a popular place for pool players. I don't know what kind of pool, but I assume the tables are of reasonable quality. Not exactly a hi-so establishment, but if you're comfortable in Number 1 bar you'll be ok in Blue Sky.

been there. unfortunately, they just have small snooker tables passing off as "pool" tables.

only true pool tables ive found and quality of said tables on 1-10 scale:

1. lanna bowling (5),
   
2. 8 ball (6, good table but only a 5 footer),
   
3. number 1 bar (8).
   

have tried checking side spin out but its never open.

not looking for hi-so at all. rowdier, the better. just want a good table, decent equipment, and laid-back, yet, competitive players.

Sidespin is closed for good now and table sold last week. As far as I know it was the only decent 9 foot pool table in Shanghai after the close of CueBar last year.

On Chang Klan Road, almost directly across from the Shangri la hotel is a store specializing in diamond jewelry that has help me with several jewelry things, diamond and otherwise. I think the name is Diamond Gallery.

it is manager by a young Thal lady named Pam who is very well spoken and got Gemologist certification or whatever it is called in the US. Her shop specializes in diamonds but evidently her family has been in the Chiang Mai jewelry business for many years. She got a gold ring repaired for me. Good service and price.

Highly recommended.

I am a 69yo American who has happily lived in Kunming Yunnan for 8-9 months a year, for over five years now, and regard it as my permanent home. I have visited Chiang Mai several times. I view the city more a great destination in its own right, more than just a jumping-off point to the many nearby scenic marvels. how may i help you?

Allan

Allan -

I have interest in doing the same as you have been doing. Can you tell me what China visa arrangements you had for this long stay?

Also, do you rent a home there permanently?

thanks

Late update. After asking around and being dumb for awhile, I've finally found my favorite place to buy pure 999 silver. As for silver shops in Chiang Mai or I would say in the whole country, they don't regard silver as an investment even though I'm pretty sure they know the potential and the up coming boom in silver market. Their profits mainly come from "art" and "craft" rather than just from day to day trading.

A necklace can cost 3-5 times above the spot price if it has a complex design. I bought a 925 silver necklace for 600 bahts and found out that it only weighs 4.5 grams, yet it's undoubtedly beautiful or else I wouldn't pay for it

I went to many shops in Wua Lai for 999 silver shots and made a fool out of myself a few times. I've finally learned that every seller in Wua Lai will ask what I was planning to do with those shots. Telling them the truth won't help. They won't sell pure shots if you are going to invest or to keep or to pass it around. So I made up a story that I was going to melt it down and mix with copper into coins for an anniversary event or something. The bottom line is, tell them you're gonna use it.

Many shops in Wua Lai don't keep pure shots in stock, they only order it when they need it. So I ran into this jai dee guy who runs a huge silver shop there. He said the supplier is usually a gold dealer in Kad Luang. These gold dealers need silver shots to work with gold. And then he gave me his regular supplier's name which is now my favorite. There are many gold shops that sell silver shots there. To name a few are In-Sri-Tong (golden eagle), Ma-Mung-Kon (horsie dragon), Chang-Dow (elephant star) etc.

What shocked me the most is that they all sell at spot price (or close to) with no vat or no other b.s., no license needed, no nada. Just walk in and buy. They will weigh them and put them in a plastic bag just as they would when you buy a fried chicken. I really feel bad for those who concern too much about the regulations. It is easier done than said in this case Although if you're a foreigner you might need a Thai to do the talking and it will make the transaction smoother.

To confirm this, I've just picked up a kilo yesterday for 29,800 bahts. Silver was hoovering around $29ish an oz and Thai baht is hoovering around 31ish per dollar thus I would say it was at the spot price. It is really important to stick with certain dealers to form a good relationship with them when you're investing in PM.

Happy holidays and happy stacking folks.

ps, If there's a chemistry prof or a scientist who knows it for a fact or has an access to. I really need information of where to get concentrated nitric acid around here. I would really appreciate it.

sample of my previous purchases

Is this .999 purity or the standard .925?? thanks

There is a chemical and lab supply store on Suthep Rd which should have the nitric acid. Going west on Suthep, is on left side before Niemenhamen Rd. Sorry, don't remember the name.

Last year in Sept there was a professional 9 ball tournament in Pattaya with many top players.

Will that tournament be held again this year? If yes, anyone know the dates?

I live in Chiang Mai with Thai GF in rented house and spend 30-35000 bht/mo all inclusive. Internet service is reliable enough for my needs and I use a lot.

Weather better here except during the spring burning season. My house is pretty well insulated and I have not used AC for more than 6 months. I don't like heat and humidity and would not be able to do that if I was much farther south.

I have been living in Northern Thailand for several years and have visited the Nan area several times. It seems like it might be a peaceful and quiet and serene to live for a while.

Any expats there who can comment on their experiences, availability of rental housing, cost of living, services, etc?

thanks

In my mooban outside CM proper we pay 6 baht per cu mtr.

I need to cut some gaskets for the carburetor on my old bike.

Anybody know where to buy sheet gasket material. I tried my normal shop near Wararot market and they don't have

thanks

I park in one of the 10 baht per day parking businesses at Arcade and have never had any problem.

Are you sure it will not go lower?

Hop so, then I will buy some more

If abroad you can change your security setting from the OTP to a two password setting.. then no SMS but you must enter second password to confirm transaction.

Login to Cyberbanking, then go to "Profile Setting" tab on the right. Then go to "security Password Setting" and follow instructions there.

If you are now set up for OTP, to make this change you must be somewhere you can receive OTP SMS to confirm the change.

Sorry, I seeI'm out of cool here, but yes! Why, I like watches, Ok so I don't wear onearound the house, but when I go out……They are the most elegant thing about me.

Me too. Always wear a watch when away from the house. Force of habit and I like to be punctual. I could look at my phone for the time. but easier for me just to look at my arm

To the OP regarding working out repayments

Here is the formula to work out your payments if you have to borrow say 900000 baht

OK

900000 Bht x 2.45% (Interest rate) = 22050 Bht x 5 (The 5 Year repayment period) = 110250 Bht + 900000 Bht (The original loan amount) = 1010250 Bht Divide this by 60 (This is the amount of months the loan was taken out eg 5 years = 60 months) = 16837.5 Bht

This final figure will be your monthly payments.

You can change the loan amount interest rate and loan period to suite your circumstances but believe this is the formula Toyota will use when giving you a quote (according to the nice Toyota lady on our Moo Bann)

Hope this is of some use

TB

Your nice Toyota lady is screwing you then by charging interest on the full value for the entire period of the loan. When payments are made the principle balance declines and so does the interest charge each month.. Payments for the loan you described would be 15952.79 per month if I punched the buttons on my calculator correctly. There are lots of mortgage payment calculators on the web and available in Excel or other spreadsheets also.

The actual formula for this type of payment schedule is

M = P [ i(1 + i)n ] / [ (1 + i)n - 1] cannot show correctly here but is (1+i) to the nth power and (1+i) to the N-1 power in the calculation

M = mortgage payment (monthly)

P = principle of the loan (original loan amount)

i = interest rate ® divided by 12 or simply r/12

n = number of months until payoff. 30 year mortgage = 12 months x 30 years = 360

Read more: How to Calculate: Mortgage Payment Formula | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5292057_calculate-mortgage-payment-formula.html#ixzz1KiApOBO7

The above post format is completely messed up so here's the post again more clearly:

lol thanks for the good news Cobra But on a serious note appreciate the advice.

I actually went to the shops today and the old guy wth all the beakers in the window wasn't there. His younger assistant was and he didnt really know. I then went to "Union Science", the big one down the road and they gave me a print out of what their 's.bicarb' contained.

Their breakdown is:

NAHCO3 =99.27%

ARSENIC = 0.000089%

HEAVY METALS (PB) = 0.00047%

LOSS ON DRYING = 0.14

PH VALITE = 8.4

NH4 = 0.

This result shows that the product contains traces of a heavy metal but unfortunately doesn't specify what. :-( . I asked and they didnt know. I also noticed the word 'arsenic' ....thats a bit worrying isnt it....?

The final shop I went to was called 'chemical world' . Their breakdown is in Thai and my girlfriend translated to me the part about heavy metals. Apparently it said "no trace found" I will attach both files as soon as I find my camera and perhaps someone can read the rest of it in Thai...

I would assume, but might be wrong that the PB is Lead. Concentration is so low that should be no worry. Same with the arsenic.

'Been with Dental4U (tacky name - great service) since they started about 4 years ago. Now have a branch on the east side of Pronthip called Elite Dental. Dr Warut is well-recommended and treatment alternatives well-explained. If you want Grace without the additional farang cost - try them!

I have used Dental4U for the last 3 years and been pleased. Have had root canals, crowns, fillings and regular cleanings.

I changed the tires on my Click a few months ago. On the advice of a Click owner friend I put on the "big" tires that are available for the Click. Ffor a few hundred baht more it was well worth the difference. I think I paid 1400 baht for both new tires and tubes.

The "big" tires fit on the same rims but have wider stronger sidewalls and the ride is completely different (better). The bike sits about an inch higher after the tire change.

Highly recommemded. This is a pretty common upgrade and you should be able to get them anywhere.

I had a vasectomy done at Siripat Med Services Center at Suan Dok hospital about two years ago. Was an outpatient procedure. i was in the operating room no more than 30 mins. No problems afterward.

Cost at that time - 8000baht

I have an electric hair clipper but do not have a set of plastic guides to fit on the clipper.

anyone know of a place to buy these guides in Chiangmai?

thanks

I just applied for one the other day. I am US citizen and as I recall is 4560 baht. They said I could get 6 month multi entry, but only 30 days each stay.

Price for US citizens higher because OF US proces Chinese citizens to get visa to US.

Will pick up Tuesday.

Does anyone know a source of hickory or other suitable wood for BBQ smoking?