MrBrad

Sourdough Saturdays at Biscotti on the south side of Mae Rim. https://www.facebook.com/biscottichiangmai https://maps.app.goo.gl/EdBNFComwuMdwmG99

The service is very slow. Mine took over a month. Remain patient and continue to check if it was received.

Make arrangements for automatic payment of your utility bills through your bank. You'll never have to think about being late again, and it's painless.

I've never heard the term "bed towels." Google search doesn't help. What are they?

Dr. Chanakarn - Orthopedics Clinic 346 Charoen Prathet Rd https://maps.app.goo.gl/92fTVhe3R7fHpZvP7

For those who favor sourdough bread, this place might be worth a visit one Saturday. https://maps.app.goo.gl/L1tc72bZnrzh7PUEA

It's been explained to me that according to Buddha's teachings, one should not take a life. So, in some circles, the slaughtering is done by a non-Buddhist. As for eating, well, one individual told me that since the animal is dead, it might as well be eaten (or something to that affect).

I was at Immigration near the airport last week. I overheard a man who had just gotten his extension. He'd expected to get another 30 days, but they gave him only 7 days for his 1900 baht. They explained that he's allowed 2 extensions, the first one is for 30 days, but the second one is for 7 days. The price is the same for both. Understandably, he was not very happy.

I've found that carefully and clearly printing in block letters the address of the recipient is the surest way to get a letter to the proper destination, and even that can fail, I suppose. One year my aunt sent me a birthday greeting card in October, but I didn't get it until December because someone or some machine in the US postal service thought that it was bound for Ireland, not Thailand. She had addressed the card in cursive script rather than printing out my address. Moral of the story is to take the extra time to clearly print the recipient's address in order to lessen any confusion.

On my Android I tried "EMS1669" as suggested. I got "Looking for EMS1669? This app isn't available for your device because it was made for an old ..." Is the app still valid and, if so, does anyone know another way to find it? Thanks.

Has anyone had experience with Form W-8 BEN? It's a certificate of foreign status of beneficial owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Individuals). I'm considering leaving some of my IRA investments to a Thai citizen upon my death. I've learned that the form above needs to be on file at the financial institution. The instructions for the form are quite daunting, however. Does anyone know how to sift through the legalese or where to find someone in Chiang Mai who can help? Thanks much.

It might help to meet with the emergency department at your chosen hospital and more-or-less register your information in their computer. Give them your home address; they'll find it on Google Maps, take a few screenshots and file it under your name. I'm not saying that this is a foolproof solution to getting an ambulance to your home if needed, but it couldn't hurt. I did this at Chiang Mai's Bangkok Hospital, by the way.

What does "self insure" mean?

This isn't exactly a health-related question, but then again, it sort of is. I used to buy Dove hand soap here until just a few months ago when I could no longer find it available anywhere. I like the fact that the original white bar is almost scent-free. Has anyone here found a similar scent-free bar soap, regardless of brand name? I've asked at several stores, and the clerks say they haven't heard of such a thing in Thailand. Surely, I cannot be the only person who is sensitive to heavily perfumed soaps. Oh, and I did order what was supposed to be the original Dove bar soap through one of the online outlets here. The product that I received was not the original white bar, but a strong, vanilla-scented variety which was mispackaged in the white wrapping. Quite disappointing. Thanks for any ideas offered.

Just a word about driving: Be sure to get an international driver's license. You'll need it for being legal when driving a motorcycle or car. The cops love targeting foreigners for just this type of thing. Wear a helmet as well (which may be a good thing), or pay a fine.