Mousehound

Not sure of this rare species - any suggestions?

bird.JPG

Quite rare that one matey...usually they're all over our car park & grass after

the grass cutters leave. I thought we were the only ones to have em!

I like the Tree Sparrow - a bit neater looking than the House Sparrow.

And just think MH...the Sparrows originated in the UK once upon a time.

I guess you could say they're the UK's largest, in terms of sheer numbers,

export! About the only place I have never seen one was on the Antarctic

continent when there around the turn of the century. Then again I wasn't

looking for sparrows either...just didn't notce any...too cold? Hah!

They are not found in West Australia either. Those that are found (illegal immigrants)are shot - as are Starlings.

I don't see what the problem is. As a teacher I expect to develop the curriculum myself, write the programmes and develop the lesson plans as well as develop feedback strategies and marking schedules. On top of this I draw up daily lesson plans. All I get initially is the overall topics that need to be covered. That is why I work a 60hr+ week.

Wow, 19 posts and no one has said Adhere 13 blues bar. It's on Samsen RD, only 10 min walk from KSR. It's very small but has real character. They have a very good house band that plays there Thur to Sun from 9pm on.

Brown Sugar is another nice place for jazz but I'm unsure if they've moved as they were on Sarasin (sp) next to Lumpini.

I'm going to book mark this thread as I want to check out some of the mentioned places except the RLD venues as the only one that had decent music blaring from it was the bar outside nana next to Stumble Inn.

Forgive my ignorance but what is KSR? Adhere sounds interesting. Many thanks.

KSR - Khao San Rd

AdHere 13 is north, on Sam Sen Rd, over the klong bridge and twenty yards up on the left. Opposite Blue Diamond House and a bit further North. Google map it - it's marked. Next door is good food, although AdHere does snacks and such, that it brings in from there. Some times they do a kebab type thing on the sidewalk.. Doesn't really get going until at least 9.30pm - 10pm. Closes at 12pm. 7 days a week. Best nights are Thurs to Sat. Usually a two band thing happening with the lesser starting 8.30. It is a tiny place and can get busy. The Banglamphu Band is great. If I remember correctly the bass player is related to the famous Khun Took guitarist of Chiang Mai, who now plays regularly in BKK. If you get a chance to see Khun Took, take it - he is outstanding. I'll try to find out where he plays in BKK.

For what it is worth, I calculate the average of condos within three kilometres of CM centre (approx.) to be about 60k/sq meter. An average of about 2.5million Bht for 42sq meters. The factors that drive the scale up or down are, predicably, age, proximity, orientation, design and condition. Position, position, and position is usually the biggest factor. Then there is supply and demand and the usual economic ups and downs to consider. Factor into this the changing exchange rate. It's quite a juggling act.

Then there are personal situation factors: are you investing to rent or live. Do you intend to stay for xx years? After all if you intend to live in a place for a few years would you buy a place that you really don't like much but it was a good price? Or would it be better to pay a bit too much but get somewhere you really enjoy?

Investment wise the old saying that, "buy the cheapest house on the street" has some merit.

Oh, and one more factor is how well the condo is run. If there are condo management wars or if the common fees are too low or poorly managed, then a property will be affected.

If you get all this right but for some reason don't go through with things let me know. I'll buy the place myself!

naturesniche.com

in Singapore have one. about $40 US

I checked all mentioned bookstores in Chiang Mai before posting here, except for Kasetsart university but i suppose they only have a shop in Bangkok.

I would be interested to know if Kasetsart has one.

Adhere 13

Brown Sugar

Saxophone

In that order for me.

Thanks for the info people. I have a pretty good idea of what is about for the monies, and the pros and cons of old buildings v new. I am also familiar with some of the better known condos - in that I know where they are, but have only been in a few of them. The OP requests info on those buildings that are managed satisfactorily and I am keen to avoid buildings embroiled in "management condo wars". I now have two replies (thanks for those) to my original question and will start to look at what is available there.

http://www.andrewisles.com/all-stock/publication/a-field-guide-to-forest-trees-of-northern-thailand

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/A-field-guide-to-forest-trees-of-Northern-Thailand-/301375035251?pt=AU_Non_Fiction_Books_2&hash=item462b5a1773

Amazon have a used one for about $360US - so I think it is pretty clear where to get a copy.

I guess about $90 US including freight. Not bad for a text book. Might get one myself.

OK - I was in the Post Office today (in OZ) and the guy next to me spotted a monitor with a $99 sticker on it. When it rang up it should have been $199. The fact is that a ticked item is an "invitation to treat". The seller is not bound by that price. It is an indication that if you were to offer that price they might sell it to you. However, if the product is promoted and say is "no longer available" then this could be taken as false advertising or a "bait and switch" ploy. It is best, whether in Thailand or anywhere else, to confirm the price for the product or service that is required before you enter into an agreement. I'm not sure that paying an extra $3 really puts this into the I've been ripped of bracket. The real question is "did they do a job worthy of 150Bht, or whatever" and if so you got value, and if not then don't go there again.

I use a pair of small nail cutters (like miniature side cutters) for fine stuff and where I need to get in close. For heavier wire and where a need an accurate cut I often use a fine wood chisel against a wood block. Easy to sharpen. I also picked up a nice pair of cutters from a guitar shop that does repairs and sells stuff to people that make guitars (you can get them online) They are for cutting guitar strings, excellent quality but were expensive.

What's your budget and size requirement?

50sq m min

4,000000 Bht

With the lengthy list of CM Condo management tussles over the last few years, can those that are reasonably happy with the way things are give me a heads up. I am now seriously looking at buying in. I have to say I wanted to rent but the way my government handles assets testing for pension purposes I would be better off buying.

Drop me a PM if you don't want to invoke the cries of the mob!

Ta muchly

^^ Hang on. They haven't told us which ONE yet.

It will be listed as the one with the green sign and red lettering!

I understand that Hinlay is a Burmese curry adopted by Thai phak neua. Locally known known as "gaeng hung-lay". There is also a Burmese run eatery at the corner of Sri Phum soi 1 and Moon Muang soi 9 (on the southern side of the road and one from the corner and on Moon Muang soi9) that does a nice Hinlay. It is on the menu as Hinlay curry. Might be more convenient for some. I intend to try the one near 137 pillars ASAP. Thanks for the heads up people.

If you want a really classy, and expensive, experience try the 137 Pillars.

If you want packed and packaged, and for me a rather hollow experience (and still quite expensive), then go for a big hotel.

I prefer to either eat at The Dukes on the east side of the river and then walk North to the green bit just past the Thanon Charoen Muang bridge. There we buy lanterns and fireworks and engage in a not so safe but very exhilarating hour of fun, with the main show going off from the bridge to the north. I do provide visitors and kids with safety glasses. The real fun for me is not being bound by all the safety regulations. But it is not for everyone. But then I also like driving in Thailand and any other suicidal activity that reminds me I am still alive.

I should add it is two years since I was on the river. Went to Thapae Gate last NY. Ok, but not as much fun as the river area.

Westerners often get hold of the wrong end of the stick!

Sangdee is on soi 5 sirimangjlajarn. Look for the hotel B2.

I have seen some Art Deco and Victorian style lamps in a shop on Thanon Phra Ahtit (runs alongside the river in Banglamphu BKK. They were quite well done. I realise you may not get to BKK, but they are available in Thailand - these were all made in Vietnam. A lot of that French second empire look - bronze bases. But there were also Tiffany style also. I think Chatuchack would be worth looking at as well, if you ever get to BKK.

I also like Gecko but think their F&C is just OK but admit it is good value. I actually like the atmosphere at Gecko and have met quite a few TV barflies there over the years. They are a pretty descent lot as a whole and I miss them, as I am now back in Oz (and I'd rather be in CM).

Silver-eared Mesia at a watering hole, Mae Wong NP.

Av mode; 1/250sec; ISO2500; F4.5; F/L300mm; off axis flash fired.

These are a real challenge for me and I like the way this looks. I avoid flash like the plague as a rule but there are times you just have to go with it. I see you have the ISO pumped up and quite a fast sync speed (faster than my gear will cope with. Did you dial the flash down or fire on auto? You seem to have kept the illumination limited to the central region (which I very much like as it focuses attention). Did you need to do much editing?