WinnieTheKhwai

It's not a problem because this is topic number 573 that shall not be discussed on this forum. So I have a feeling it will all go away pretty soon.

Thought at that branch it's usually a couple days old and not that crusty anymore.

Having read that, I did not bother to look further for an answer to the other question which we must all ask of volunteer associations in Thailand:

Is a Work Permit offered?

Do note that all and any volunteer work without a Work Permit is illegal in Thailand. (Many people are, understandably, not aware of the need to check on this aspect.)

If they worked, sure. But seeing that these people are charging money to the "volunteer" that makes it a lot closer to an social or eco-tourism / education program than to 'work'.

I mean, they go on holiday and pay money to do stuff.. That's 'volunteering' only as a marketing term to the tourist. In reality it's not much different from anything else a tourist might do that costs money.

Yes, but on the other side. So that would be from the Tung Hotel Road intersection going South, towards where the railroad crossing is.

Bakery at the Oriental Dhara Dhevi. Absolutely without a doubt the best in Chiang Mai. (It's located in the little shopping 'village' on the right hand side when driving into the place). Cakes, pastries and ice cream are also to die for. Discounts apply after 7pm.

Long had it in mind to visit the place. Would appreciate the easiest possible directions to drive there starting on 1st ring road near the sansai market intersection or on superhighway near carrefour/index.

Ah, that's an easy drive then: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source...077248&z=14

So just take that first ring road until the interesection with the Sankamphaeng Road, turn right heading towards town and then it's a soi on the left. There's a sign for the Oriental Dhara Dhevi (big stone slab at the corner) but not super clear so pay attention.

Thanks for the report!! how far is it West of Samoeng? Is there anything else nearby, like a waterfall, etc?

Google maps doesn't seem to number the smaller roads in that area.. Which road is it on?

If you look at some Western countries, like Holland, then you will see loads of kids being ferried around on push bikes, usually two of them. And no helmets. ( Note that the Dutch don't go much slower on a push bike than a careful Thai family would on a motorbike. )

So, yes, Westerners do it too.

And as little as 20 years ago child safety seats in cars were also unheard of in most Western countries.. Thailand will catch up sooner or later. Probably sooner, looking at the birth rate.

No way would I fly the flag of my home country.

If I loved my home country so much I would have stayed there.

HOW ABOUT RETURNING THE COUNTRY TO DEMOCRACY ????????????????????? NO ONE REALLY TAKES ABHISIT SERIOUSLY>>>> ARREST ALL YELLOW AND RED SHIRTS !!!! ANDS HAVE A GENERAL ELECTION>>>>>> YOU ARE A LAME DUCK PRIME MINISTER

Who wrote this nonsense, sounds as if it was one of Thaksin's children, and written in Capitals the way a child would write a phoney sick note to their teacher....Very Sad Person...

Maybe you should listen to what he says rather than flame him. Read the forum rules.

If it's that much of an issue then get the guy a taxi meter or airport limo straight to Korat and be done with it.

Also you sound a bit confused yourself.. You don't know that Mo Chit is the Northern & North Eastern bus terminal? Google does.

If I had 5 hours I'd probably go into town.

There's absolutely NOTHING to do at the airport, and isn't very comfortable either. So especially if you can't use a lounge then I'd have a couple beers in town.

At the counter it's the same as call center. Internet is cheapest.

Change your browser and wait for the list of states to refresh.

My notes on train travel for this trip:

- Go for the aircon sleeper SECOND class. Makes the most sense price/value wise. Lower bunk is best as you got a window, and because

you get to decide when the seats convert to your bed, not the person opposite you.

- If you do it for the scenery / experience, then taking the 6pm (or so) departure from Bangkok TO Chiang Mai is best, because the best scenery

is in between Den Chai and Lamphun. It'll be morning by then, so you get the good views. Going the other way there is

only the day train that will give you that scenery, but sitting up for a full day will get very tedious; you really lose a day.

- Only take special express trains, not anything else as they're slow and stop all over the place.

- Trains tend to arrive late, and are slow anyway, so don't do this if you're on any kind of schedule.

> Who can just pick up and move with the seasons?

Plenty people do. For starters because they don't like the winter in Europe/USA/etc. Or because they don't like the hot season.

Personal preference. Makes a lot more sense to me than whining about it on a forum every single year in late Feb/March. (Not suggesting that this is what you do, but some people come really very close, see further above.)

Do not give them any more money.

Exactly. Already said it in my first post. Do document what you're doing, give them notice and that will be it.

Don't try and get too misty eyed folks, a fair few girls enjoy this work, the others like the money it brings.

Meddle all you want but at the end of the day the onus is on the girl to do what they gotta do.

I hope it's okay to get 'misty eyed' about murder, or about reducing the ill effects that result from being in this line of work, either physically or psychologically?

Easy enough, just don't pay the final two months.

Anything that doesn't involved the landlord having to pay money BACK is also more palatable to the landlord usually.

Obviously you need to make sure that any additional costs (electricity, phone, etc) are covered.

Thank you for that. I knew your response would be more comprehensive than I could ever manage.

I really hope we can put this topic to bed now. Anyone with a respiratory condition: quit smoking, and visit your friendly health care professional at Ram or the medical establishment of your choice.

Call them and ask? : NCA TOUR Call Center 0-2936-0009

> some of us grew up, aged and surprisingly, actually behave responsibly on occasion!

So you grew up, wanted to act responsible and then thought "You know what, I'll move to Thailand and go live in Pattaya!"

Oh-kay..

Just leave. really. And then DONT post about it.

There are groups in Chiang Mai (EMPOWER being one such group) who do provide some support to the girls of the night.

If my memory serves me correctly they even opened their own bar in Chiang Mai Land.

I have looked out for this bar when travelling thru CML however have never spotted it. Perhaps it has shut shop already

No it's there. It's the one with the red sigh with green lettering saying "Experitainment". Bar is called 'Can Do'. It's on the right hand side when coming from Chang Klan, not too far from Chang Klan.

While it's open, it's not very happening at the moment unless they have a party. Bit of a weird location, but they needed to combine a casual bar function with an office & education function upstairs. Still I would love it if they were somewhat more in the tourist bar area.

I would agree that the realm does not have the range of support groups for these girls that other country's do.

It's actually worse, because government tends to actively work AGAINST groups like Empower who are in it to support the girls WITHOUT trying to get them out of the industry other than by providing options and empowerment through education. They basically would prefer to legalize prostitution and make social and health benefits mandatory just like it is for other professions. That doesn't sit well with idiots in governent (culture ministry...) who consider it 'un-Thai' and prefer to stick their heads in the sand or honestly don't care about 'lower class people'.

www.empowerfoundation.org

Did you know that wednesday is the national day off for barbers (not beauty salons)? True. So don't try and get a cut on a wednesday.

Yes I did know that, but fortunately not many people care, including barbers who are mostly open as usual.

Would you want to ride around in a vehicle that has like an 80 km/h top speed, does NOT conform to any safety regulations, etc?

If the alternative is being on a bike with 4 people: !!!!!! YES !!!!!!!!

Anyway, you can all stop dreaming as it's not made in Thailand or ASEAN so you will be paying a BIG premium even if you could get it shipped overhere. A model with the basic options you'd need would probably cost as much as a Honda Jazz by that time, so it doesn't make a whole lot of sense then anymore.

On the topic of the cheapest car in Thailand, I believe that would be one of those Malaysian ones..

Meaning the Naza Forza:

http://www.bkkautos.com/2008-Bangkok-Inter...how--Naza-Forza

http://www.nazaclub.com/index.php

http://www.thaiprotonclub.com/news_read.php?id=1803

Or Proton Savvy

http://www.andymervingeorge.com/2007/12/pr...ut-in-thailand/

http://www.thaiprotonclub.com/index.php

go silent for two weeks for the slightest provocation.

I wish mine did that.