MrBrad

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.

Bicycling is the best way to get around. I use my bike far more than my motorcycle, going everywhere from Mae Tang to Lamphun, Doi Saket to Hang Dong, and all over the city. Traveling the highways can be somewhat more dangerous, but just stay to the left and you should be OK. That said, always expect the unexpected; this isn't Kansas. There are lots of quieter local roads if you get out of town. In town, be alert and aware of the uneven road surfaces, especially in the old part of town with all the road construction going on. This company provides bicycle tours; I don't know if they rent bikes by the day. If not, perhaps they can suggest another shop for you. https://mountainbikethailand.com/

Where is this place located?

I think that the McKean Senior Center south of town on the east side of the river has cremation facilities on their premises. https://mckean.or.th/

FIY: Dr Chanakarn is away this week. He'll be back in his office on October 9.

Here are translated copies of the donation contract with Chiang Mai University. (The pages may be out of sequence.)

Maybe, but apparently there are exceptions, based on what exactly, I don't know. The cadaver that I referred to above was definitely a foreigner, and definitely well over 65. As for me, I'm an old foreigner; my application was accepted and I was issued a donor card.

Check out an upholstery shop. They should be willing to sell similar foam in whatever quantity you need.

I don't understand where this guy's coming from. There's nothing weird about the OP's post. The reverse side of my donor card states: "The holder of this card is willing to dedicate his body to the Faculty of Medicine for education and research upon death. When the holder of this card dies, relatives or close people should contact the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University within 24 hours Telephone 053-935-318 between 8:30 AM and 8:00 PM. Public holidays between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM." Over 500 bodies are used by the medical students at CMU every year. In December a mass cremation ceremony is held at Wat Latthiwan (Wat Kon Tan : วัดลัฎฐิวัน วัดขอนตาล) along the Ping River near Mae Rim. Combined ashes are scattered into the river. About three years ago an acquaintance of mine from Minneapolis was among those who were cremated that year.

Cinnamon rolls have been a long sought-after prize for me, too. At least those which come close to what I remember in the States. One of the best that I’ve come across is at Bake and Bite. They seem to be fresh and available only on weekends. Some are made with pecans which is a bonus. After finding that you like what they make, you can special order—even just a few-, and they will have them waiting for you on the day that you designate. They’re well worth a try. Note: they are closed on Thursdays and Fridays. Then, if you like really gooey cinnamon rolls, Bell Goose Café is the place to go. Their rolls are quite large and a bit pricier than elsewhere, but they are of good texture and flavor. The centers are a bit too gooey, too wet, for my liking. Maybe they don’t bake them quite long enough. But the stickiness of a good cinnamon roll can be found here. Someone suggested the cinnamon rolls at the Crusty Loaf Bakery which is two doors west of the Irish Pub. They’re quite good, though in my estimation, somehow coming up short. As with all baked goods in these parts, try to determine when the product was baked; fresh today is best, of course. Baked goods that are two or three days old and selling for the price of fresh doesn’t make for a happy customer. As for coconut cream pie, Love at First Bite does a good job. As an aside, their banana cream pie is to die for. Back to the coconut cream pie, I wish that they would use shredded coconut rather than larger pieces of coconut. But the flavor is there, and it’s really good. Here, too, they have cinnamon rolls as well as caramel rolls. You might want to try them as well, though I’ve not bought them here very often. Charin Pie Shop on the corner of Soi 17 in the Nimann area is worth checking for great pies. There’s always more than enough—including coconut cream—to satisfy your sweet tooth. https://goo.gl/maps/2GjjpMR1H6svg4TH9 Charin Pie Shop https://goo.gl/maps/asMZGJBNPh4WfjDL9 Bella Goose Cafe https://goo.gl/maps/YM1pBgpANw6kJ4bm6 Love at First Bite https://goo.gl/maps/jD3JrtkaXg1qN8hy6 Bake and Bite https://goo.gl/maps/RB3bdqfCLndLdiFE9 Crusty Loaf Bakery

Might this be it?

Here, in tambohn San Pi Seua, garbage pick up is every Thursday. They arrive at my place between 6:30 and 6:40 without fail. In years past, dogs would get into plastic garbage bags and spread the contents all over the road. They particularly liked sn!t-filled baby diapers. Having had enough of regularly cleaning up the mess, I had a local welder make a wire fencing cage in which all the neighbors deposit their bagged trash. It works like a charm. After the garbage has been picked up, I check to make sure that all bits and scraps are picked up. From week to week the area looks well tended. It's a bit of overkill on my part, but it's worth the effort. Now, having said all that, I had encountered a scrap-picker who would come around just minutes before the garbage truck. He would open bags and strew the contents hither and yon. That happened only once, or maybe twice. Anyway, the following week I monitored his doings, and asked him to pick up after himself. He doesn't come around anymore.

I have one question. About the proof of money in the bank, one previous post made reference to a bank statement which takes a few days to produce. Another post made reference to a letter from the bank regarding one's bank balance. I have always presented both. If I remember correctly, Bangkok Bank charged me 200 baht for the 12-month bank statement--which took almost a week to obtain, plus another 100 baht for a letter confirming my account balance to date. In your experience, at Chiang Mai Immigration, are both documents necessary? How chancy might it be to opt to provide only the letter, and then find out that they want the 12-month statement also? That would be a disastrous situation if one does not have the time required to obtain the statement.

Try the Old Medicine Hospital (as it's sometimes called) for knowledgeable masseurs. It's located in the south part of the city, near the airport, more specifically just around the corner from the Rim Ping supermarket at the Nim City strip mall. This link emphasizes their school for studying massage, but anyone can receive massages. The cost should be 200 baht or a bit more for an hour's treatment. https://www.oldmedicine.org/