Mousehound

Phazey

If you do a study on the hive - swarm then can I suggest you post on TV's nature photography and the Arts as this seems to be where a lot of stuff relating to insects and other animals is posted? I am sure the regular posters here would be interested to see your results.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/371722-nature/page-52

I would suggest that for the first few weeks you will want to be really checking the place out and my experience is that I spent 300 to 1500 Bht per day on transport. This included trips out of town to Doi Inthanon and Chiang Dao and the hire of a sorngtao for the day. Mostly about 300bht per day. Now there are two of us, so that could double. Therefore a powerful scooter could be the answer. The freedom to get where you want and explore the back alleys is attractive to me as I now know CM pretty well. I spent a lot of time learning to ride a scooter in my home country first, with the deliberate decision to have a scooter in CM. I also have the advantage of driving on the left being natural for me. I then hired a car for two weeks to get the feel of the CM traffic. This was a great advantage - I can tell you get an adrenaline rush for the first two or three days driving in CM. Now I am fairly confident that I have a chance of survival but I wear gloves, helmet, jacket and long trousers as well as short boots. None of this bare feet lark for me! Also if I am out at night and have a drink or two I don't drive. In fact I avoid night driving wherever possible but have driven in the country quite a lot at night time. Remember that motorbikes fill the wards of western hospitals and that Thailand has ten times the accident rate than most western countries. Just like martial arts it's all about practice, preparation and discipline.

One recalls the days when, telegraphing ahead and arriving by elephant, one could arrange a chotapeg or two followed by dinner with HM Honorary Consul.

Now, one is lucky if the ruffian is wearing a shirt.

I have also heard rumour that chaps in the Diplomatic Corps are actually being recruited from those that went to Government Schools: and that they read newspapers (the Times is the only real newspaper) without having had them ironed first! Place is goin' to the dogs.

There are three main species of swarming bees in Thailand that I am aware of. The introduced European Honey bee and two types of native Bee.

Apis florea is benign but

Apis dorsata is a larger bodied bee that can be aggressive. It is often seen at night as well as during the day.

Apis Meliffera - The European Honey bee also is around being introduced some sixty years ago.

I am sure there are other native swarming bees. By the way, most species of bees are fairly solitary.

Native Bees produce a thick wax to the side of the comb and wrapped around the branch. This is to prevent ants getting at the comb.

Apart from the European HB native bees are a vital part of the ecosystem and should be left alone. Have a look at the bee to determine its species. Look it up on the WWW. They look like the European HB from what I can see but it is hard to tell from the pic.

But if they are not a real problem, as stated, I would leave them alone.

Crested Serpent-Eagles are quite common. The adult is dark from below with a single distinct white band on the tail and on the wings (toward the trailing edge but with the trailing edge itself being seen as a black line.). The immature bird is quite pale and streaked or dotted appearance from below. They soar or glide with wings held in a (mid) V . The tail appears quite short.

Raptors are tricky and especially for beginners. There are a lot of possibilities. The "jiz" is important. ie the way it flies, as is habitat and time of year as well as location. I would pm "Goshawk" as suggested. I recon to be pretty good at raptors but I think he has more local knowledge and is more likely to know what you may have seen.

I sympathise. yes you need professional help. Look after your own wellbeing as well. I find getting out in the open - take up bird watching or photography or anything that works - exercise etc, Also, a pet can be very helpful eg cat or dog. Good luck.

As I have, for once in my life, no other bottomless pit to throw my money into, I thought I would like to do up a couple of old scooters and possible a motorcycle (50's to 80s). Did quite a nice little café racer a few years back. Can anyone recommend a mechanic and bodywork shop that has experience of this work? I know there are a couple in Pataya and BKK but I would prefer to keep the work local if possible.

What is the "advantage" of an invertor then? Why would anyone buy one?

I'm told by one who knows that most KSK shows are in Thai. Maya has mostly English.

It's all on the internet.

What I'd really like is a theatre which shows movies from Europe. However, I can't see that these would interest a Thai audience.

I really miss the 'arts' or Film Society theatres found in many Aussie cities.

Actually there are a few places that show contemporary and classic film for film buffs. The CMU have regular showings, Alliance Francais and there is a place near the 3 Kings I believe.

http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/happenings.shtml

My "Robson" has them as the same bird. If they are a subspecies it would be the third Latin name that is different. Could also be a remote possibility that they were thought to be different sp. at one point but then re-classified. It does happen. Could be that my edition is a later revision. With all the common names for some sp. it shows why a Latin name can be so important for conclusive and common recognition.

Sounds a bit cheesy to me

My life is like a grated cheese salad. just as you are about to enjoy it, bits start falling off.

While we are at it, can anybody recommend any good venues in Chiang Mai for good quality jazz, blues, etc? I am now living in CM after 30 years in Sydney and it's the only thing I miss.

Better asked in CM forum.

North Gate jazz bar

Took's (The new "brasserie" on the moat.)

Boy Blue at Night Market

on the earlier Honda city, they had a known fault that caused power lose and required a high power charge - the flux capacitor, not sure if they were located near the aircon unit or not.

on a less serious note 240,000 K is some 'milage' for a small petrol engine, but Honda's are the best

I did 470K in a Toyota Echo and sold it to a Toyota mechanic. He told me that some of the Pizza delivery vehicles were hitting the 1,000,000k mark. In all that time I replaced an alternator and two rear wheel barings and normal book servicing. If a car is serviced properly and like me trips are not short, then these modern engines are a marvel. The electronics and everything else seems to be more of a problem.

This has been covered endlessly on TV. You can rent and drive on a NZ license but you can be in deep trouble if you have an accident and particularly if someone is injured. Get an International license. If it is a genuine and registered car hire company check your automatic insurance cover that you get if you pay by credit card. Never let them keep your passport - if it is a major hire company they won't try to in any case. Make sure you are covered whatever way you hire, and with whomever. Don't rely on anyone telling you are covered, make absolutely sure you really are. It is not worth the risk to save a few dollars going with an unknown entity.

pay by major credit card and check the insurance you automatically are given. Ours is covered automatically by Zurich Ins and I never pay for additional (or travel insurance). The cover for us is actually better than the cover we would pay for normally (especially general travel ins.) Saves us heaps and it is good ins. I have had to call them on the phone and they fixed things no problem. However, you will still get full insurance built in through a good rental Co but you may bnot choose to cover extras and excess if like us your credit card covers it anyway.

Don't panic Almost certainly a simple electrical fault. Most likely the alternator or belt slipping.

I used to get the cane for singing out of tune! Never did me any harm at all. Turned me into the superb psychopath I am today. Still can't sing in tune though.

hunting . . .

Black Drongo

A great shot - interesting, tone and colour as well as looking for the unusual angle. Thanks.

A 10 seater(?) van and a driver cost about 2000Bht from car hire places, I would imagine cars are a bit cheaper. I usually hire a sorngtao driver that I find drives quite well and rates are between 700 and 1500 for the day including fuel and depending therefore how far you travel. Car hire companies are the most comfortable and best insurance cover, but the most expensive. I personally preferred the sorngtao and have had some great days with the drivers. they seem to know the best places to eat and have taken me to places I would never have thought of. Last time went to see the drivers family who run a noodle making factory on the way to Chiang Dao. But you will find plenty of TV members who will tell you the baht buses are dirty, uncomfortable and death traps. I have also hired private cars with the owner driving. Not particularly cheap but at the time it was convenient. Never actually tried to hire the CM taxi service itself so I can't comment. Give them a call and find out - let us know if you do so.

If you do a search on TV for Car hire with driver you will find other suggestions.