wjmark

TWO STORIES AND AN UNBELIEVABLE IMAGE.

When I was learning how to drive, my father told me two stories about swerving.

Story One - he was on a long-haul Greyhound bus (in the 1950's), and was sitting near the driver. An auto in front of the bus blew a tire, and started veering all over the road. The bus driver (according to my dad), just too his foot off the gas and grit his teeth. Didn't swerve. Didn't hammer the brakes.

Fortunately, the car managed to get control and get out of the way. The driver told my dad afterwards that he would have run that car right off the road if he had to - must not, cannot swerve...

Story Two - Mum and Dad were driving across country, and saw a flipped car in a field to the side of the highway. they stopped and found a young mother holding her dead child. She had swerved to avoid a rabbit...

I have never forgotten those stories, and the few times that I have found myself in that kind of emergency driving situation, it comes back to me quickly. Good training would be nice for professional drivers.

===

And while on the subject of driving in Thailand, I am sure that many of us feel we have 'seen it all'. Well, I saw one for the memory books.

I was driving south down Canal rd. between Huay Keow and Suthep rd. In that huge parking lot on the left, I saw it -- a woman pinned to a concrete support by a pick-up truck.

She was sitting on a concrete support for one of the lamp towers, and somehow - in this completely empty (and very large) parking lot, a pick-up truck had backed up (reversed) right up to her and pinned her legs against the concrete lamp support.

I immediately swung around to see if I could help (not being a great first-aider, I would have called a hospital or something), but there were already a couple of people there helping her, and one had already called an ambulance. While the woman was clearly in pain and shock, there was no apparent blood or anything on her legs. This meant that the pick-up had hit her so slowly as to not break skin.

And this was in the mid-afternoon - good light, etc.

Somehow, in an empty large parking lot, this truck had reversed slowly towards her and pinned her legs, without her seeing it coming. What the driver was trying to do is hard to fathom, and to not see a truck coming at your legs slowly is incomprehensible to me.

If it wasn't so sad (my guess is that she had multiple nasty fractures to both legs), it would be comical.

===

So in general - expect the unexpected. If you are driving and you expect people to come flying out of a side soi, and then slam on their brakes, then... no surprise! If you expect that motorbike to take three lanes without shoulder-checking, then... no surprise. If you expect that big SUV to swerve 3 meters into your lane (when only half a meter would have done), then... no surprise.

Driving is different here, but at least many of the problems are predictable (even if the actions seem nuts to us - they are often predictable). Be safe everyone.

okok - maybe not FULL of nice people - but still plenty of them...

and some scary ones.

Gold real-Honda rims - Dunlop tires - and yes it's red.

Leave it alone - it's special.

It does Mae Sai in 3hrs 20min. Not surprising it's so fast - it's a 125!

Thanks everybody - saved me outrageous taxi fares!

I am in Hong Kong now (here they have FREE wifi at the airport!), and my GF has just told me that the bike was fine this morning when she got back to CM...

ThaiVisa.com is really a nice resource (and full of nice people too!)

Cheers, Mark

Can I park my precious little Honda Wave at CM Airport for one night?

Thanks, Mark

Bad Donnyboy. Bad!

Actually, they seem to use a mixture of cabbage with only a little potato.

(Don't see many soi cabbages in Tachilek either!)

YES - MOTI! That was the name.

Unfortunately, only ate their once. But I never forget...

I spent a year in Osaka, and one of the Italian/fusion dishes I remember was a pasta tossed with cream and salmon caviar (Ikura). Sorry to mention this on the Indian thread - but it was so good that I had to tell someone!

Back OT - I did go to the Sheraton buffet about a year ago - expensive and very fancy. Not great, but some interesting attempts at 'haute/buffet cuisine'.

The reason I mention this is that at the time there was a full Indian section on the buffet - big Indian spread - fancy fancy fancy. Nice, pleasant, ok, etc., but something not quite there - just like someone's comments on the Chedi's Indian cuisine.

The Sheraton is now something else and I don't know what they have there these days.

In Canada I make my own dosas in a big electric grinder I mailed home from India.

In CM I make my dosas from a mix that I brought back from Canada!

One more for you...

Pla Phao Pak Sod is the restaurant's name

The name means Grilled Fish and Fresh Vegetables!

They have 3-4 types of fish, cooked at least 10 different ways:

Gang Som - spicy soup - different from Tom Yam - chillies, turmeric, onion, lemon grass, lime, garlic all pounded into a paste

Yam - spicy fish salad

2 types of Tom Yam - spicy clear soup, or spicy coconut soup

Salt-coated whole fish - not too salty!

Pla Tod Sa Mun Pri - Deep fried whole fish with herbs

Steamed whole fish with lime - Pla Neung Manao

and some others! My GF is telling me these, as she knows them well, and I can't remember!!

It is on Canal Road, south of Suthep rd. about 5 minutes south on the left (east) side (she says 5 - I say 3! She says 'not 3, for sure')

It is just past a u-turn - maybe the first u-turn after Suthep rd (but that would make it less than 5 minutes - oh my GF just hit me because I never listen to her...)

And it also just past a gas station and a bar called 'Song Sa Leung' (all on the left)

- no english signs for the bar or the restaurant - too bad.

It is a really big restaurant - open walls. And it is right on the highway - not set back at all. You will see lots of motorbikes parked along the front. (Car park beside the restaurant)

They have a small English menu, but the restaurant has many other dishes on the Thai menu - sigh.

Cheap, and very big fish dishes. And a regular Thai selection of other dishes

And also try Pak Beung Tod - crispy-fried spinach-like vegetable - my GF's favourite!

If you can't find it, just ask. Anybody in the area should know (if you can get them to understand your Thai)

Very popular with university students

Hello Crow Boy

I hope you mean it is easy to toast pre-made somosas at home when you say "they are very easy to make at home"

While my own attempts always taste ok, I can not make nice looking somosas - sigh.

Just like my dim sum - delicious (I think) but just a little too ugly! Har Gow that look like lumpy pillows, and Gyoza that look like -- sorry, I don't know what they look like, but they at least taste like Gyoza

All this talk about Indian food made me hungry again last night. So I went for an Indian dinner (lunch was not enough).

Went to Bombay - and was very impressed.

Four of us - Somosas (nice, crispy, not greasy, basically potato). Papad - fried. Dhal - very good. Chicken Masala - good - too much potato and the chicken was a little dry. Bombay Aloo (potato) - nice and juicy. Sag paneer (spinach with cheese) - great, really great - the spinach was not loaded with cream like many others, and the palak was fried separately giving it a deep flavour and slightly crispy texture. Chipati - fine.

Four of us ate for 400 baht (only one lassi), and while full, none of us felt stuffed - a too common feeling after many Indian meals.

Two of the diners said it compared favourable to Royal (the new one), so that will be on my list when I get back in the New Years...

Hi,

I have tried the Japanese buffet at Central Doungtawan Hotel, and it is pretty good - but the sushi range is limited.

Hate to say it, but Nang Nuan is probably your best bet. And since sashimi is also on the buffet, they don't play that horrible game of giving you paper-thin slices of fish overloaded with great gobs of rice...

I like the teriyaki beef there too...

Bon appetit,

Mark

Favourite vendor? Not really. I think that there are only two or three carts, and they are probably the same family!

I now have a long-term visa, so I haven't been to Burma in a long time now. (The vendors are in Burma, of course. Not Mae Sai itself). The street carts were in the regular tourist market, just in from the border, and down the steps to the right...

A buddy went a few months ago and stumbled upon an actual restaurant where he bought me my somosas. They were more expensive than the street vendors (2 baht, not 1 baht), but they were bigger than the street ones - just as delicious!

My understanding is that most Indian food in Burma is done by Muslims - people with a high regard for quality of food and cleanliness, etc. The point being that they are all probably great!

btw individual somosas on the street carts were 3-5 baht each, but they will happily sell you 100 for 100 baht (maybe I paid 120 the last time)

Also, these carts have a few other 'fritters' - pakora/bujia, corn fritters, chilli-pepper fritters, etc., etc. Try them all, and then buy big bags full! Also, I suggest going to see them first and getting them to cook them at once. Get them to lay them out and let them cool - come back later to get them. Then you are not carrying around big steaming bags, and they should transport better. Don't forget to get bags of their spicy dipping sauce!!!!!

And let me know when the Somosa Party is!!!

good luck - but you won't need it!

Mark

p.s. If you spend the night in Burma, there is a great stuffed-roti (paratha? bathura? I can't remember exactly) stand that is open late. It is just at the end of the border street - about 100 meters in from the crossing - in a little square on the right. I ate two!!!!

You can also mail small motorcycles around LOS

1200 - 1500 baht

Only from (and to) certain post offices...

cheers, Mark

Burmese Curries

I forgot to mention that there is a great little Burmese restaurant that usually has one or two Indian-style curries.

It is on the little road that leads into Hillside 3. This is off Neimanheman rd right by the second (most southerly) 7-11.

If going south on NH rd. turn right at the second 7-11, and stop. It is just off the intersection on the left. They sometimes have a fish curry that is stupendous (albeit a little oily). And their bean/lentil soup is extraordinary.

Also try the various salads - including the Pennywort, and the fresh Tea-leaf salad.

Cheep cheep cheap!

Cheers, Mark

My two rupees worth...

Just tried Hinlay for lunch today. Lovely location - we ate in the garden - very romantic.

Had Pork Vindaloo, Chicken Tikka Masala, Dhal, roti, and some yellow spiced rice. Bill came to under 200 bt

Overall - quite decent. Not great, but solid good food. The vindaloo was the most disappointing - a touch bitter, and not any real depth of flavour. But the Chicken Tikka Masala was very good - just a touch sweet for my tastes - but still very good. And the dhal was not deeply Indian flavoured, but had a nice hint of ginger pervading it.

Oh yes - both the pork and the chicken were very tender. Next time I will try the Chicken Dopiaza.

The little crispy/flaky roti was a treat! The yellow rice was ordinary.

Overall - a B+. That is a good mark from me - I am very picky! And my mum is a restaurant critic...

Cheers, Mark

p.s. - Worst Indian meal of my life? Arabia - about two years ago. Disgusting and expensive.

p.p.s. - Best Indian meal of my life - a high-end totally-fresh Indian restaurant in Rapongi, Tokyo, about twenty years ago. All the ingredients were so fresh that I can still taste them. Expensive.

p.p.p.s. - Favourite place to eat Indian food - a little Dhaba (stall) in Dharmsala, India. Very very good food - 12 rupees.

p.p.p.p.s. - Best somosas in CM? IN MY FREEZER! I always ask visa-runners to bring me back a hundred somosas from the Muslim street carts in Burma (Mei Sai). 1 baht each!!!! I pop 6-8 of these little beauties into my toaster oven for 7 minutes, mix some cumin, chillies, salt, and yoghurt together while they are heating. Crispy little delights, I can tell you! Not overloaded with mashed potato...

Again - thanks to everybody for the input (even the sharp as a bowling ball stuff - I wish I were that sharp meself!).

Yes, Whirlpool has ONE model that is set up to change hinges.

Earlier today I saw an appliance shop with a Whirlpool sign in the window. I went in, and they phoned head office to ask if such a thing existed, and ordered me my weird fridge!

For everybody's info, it is a 'WBM 470' (the number itself is pretty exciting, I think!). It is only a 7 cubic foot model, but it is two door (top freezer), and it is only 7,000 baht - with FREE home delivery!.

fyi - the shop's name is Sahapanit CM, and it is near Prince College. I am sure any Whirlpool dealer could order it, 'though.

Taxexile - thanks; that phone number is a service company only - but the Whirlpool tip is greatly appreciated!

Greenside - welcome to the wonderful world of Thai logic. ie: go figure! The guy at the shop said that there are only right-handed fridges here, because most people are right-handed. I think it is the same logic as people driving their motorbikes at night with the lights out to save electricity!

Cheers, Mark

p.s. What all this means to me is that I will not have to go around the fridge door into my bathroom to get food out!

Someone was asking about South Thai food in CM.

I have found a gem for you. My south-Thai GF says it is very good and VERY spicy!!! I also say it is very good, and not so spicy - I like it a lot spicier than she!!!!

She also tells me she thinks it is a little expensive, but that still means 30bt per dish - and she also thinks the servings are a little small. For me no problem - 150bt for a big two-person meal!

Named "Ahan Bak-Dhai Pataloong" - but no signs in English...

(ahan=food Bak-Dhai=South Thai Pataloong= town in South Thailand - where the owner comes from).

I will try to describe how to find it - not so hard...

It is about 150 meters south of the intersection of Suthep rd and Canal rd (fyi - there is s Tesco Lotus Express on that corner)

So if you go south on Canal rd (towards Hang Dong), just cross Suthep rd. The first couple of turnoffs to the left go into a big (quite nice) market (Talat Ton Pa Yom). And there are a few motorcycle repair shops along Canal rd - the little turnoff is just past them.

So maybe the third turnoff (still only 150 meters from the Suthep intersection) to the left is the correct turn. It is a dead-end lane - too small a road to be called a soi.

You will see the restaurant from Canal rd. - tables outside (w/ blue plastic table-cloths and blue umbrellas) on the right side of the lane (south side). That's it!! Less than 50 meters from Canal rd.

The owner's name is Tuk (some people call her Tuk Tuk!), and she is great. Food is great. And not so spicy for me - probably very spicy for YOU!!!!!

Sorry - not enough information in my first posting.

I have been to Home Pro, Siam TV, Carrefour, Makro, Tesco, Niyom Panich, Big C,...

And I too was told not available in Thailand.

Yes, I know about looking for the holes etc on the other side - none have them (the LG has some of the places indicated where they would have put holes if it was built for another market...)

Niyom Panich has one - imported - 85,000 bt

I think I may buy a Hitachi (looks the easiest to modify) and take my Makita drill to it. Hope I don't punture anything!!!

About the Whirlpool - any ideas where to get/order one in CM?

thanks a lot for the comments and viewings,

Mark

p.s. - yes - my two door fridge will have a separate freezer door on top (or bottom) - not the big expensive side-by-side style.

Like I said - where do I find a reversible fridge - one that can change the hinges from the right side of the door to the left?

I would also like this to be a two-door fridge... and not too expensive - 15k

Thanks, Mark