seesip

Visa on arrival.

http://www.mip.gov.mm/visaonarrival/

This looks cool, thanks. I've been reading conflicting reports about this, I think partly because conditions have changed over the past year. Have you done the visa on arrival before?

No, I have a friend who does mine. Having said that, I had a Burmese Dr. friend here last week and she assures me that visa on arrival is operating. You could call the Burmese Embassy to double check.

Greatly appreciated. I'll be heading to the embassy anyway, but a relief to know I've got a fallback option. I'll confirm this is in operation when I go tomorrow. Many thanks.

Visa on arrival.

http://www.mip.gov.mm/visaonarrival/

This looks cool, thanks. I've been reading conflicting reports about this, I think partly because conditions have changed over the past year. Have you done the visa on arrival before?

Anyone applied for a visa recently? I know they're open from 9-12 but I can only get there at 11am and wonder if that is going to be a problem. Thanks.

Or do you get a visa on arrival?

Bought a "House Worth" counter top convection oven from Power Buy about 2 years ago. Anyone know of repair shops in town? Only runs on maximum heat so something is wrong with the temperature controls.

Did you visit their web site? Not sure if it is against the rules to post it here. Their web site says they are on Facebook also.

There have been a few MMA places in Chiang Mai in the recent years. One that comes to mind is TeamQuest, close to Central Airport Plaza. I don't think they have BJJ, but they did have grappling.

Both of these should come up easily in a search engine.

MSPain

Thumbs up for Team Quest, good group of guys there. I think you're right its MMA that's offered not bjj but haven't been by there in 6 months so not sure.

There's a place on the bottom floor of Kad Suan Kaew (Central) near Subway that has Chinese food and a selection of dumplings including the soup filled Xiaolongbao. Not super high quality but decent.

I've had some luck with a smaller firm here in Chiang Mai but need to move on to something larger and wondering if anyone has any recommendations? Or if you've been in a similar situation and decided to work with a Bangkok firm I'd like to hear those recommendations too. Many thanks.

Looking for best rates plus airlines that might have a bit more room. I know some offer economy plus where the seats are a bit bigger. Thanks.

Tried emailing but it bounced, any idea if this CSA is still going on and how to contact? Thanks.

CSA is definitely still active. Was it the Fair Earth email address that bounced? You can probably contact Jeff directly via Facebook. PM'd you the address I have.

Awesome, thanks for sending that. I'll give it another shot.

CM Municipal Stadium near Chang Phueak has seats for spectators around the track, you could walk those steps. Guessing 700 Year Stadium does too but haven't been recently.

Jeff Rutherford feeds his family almost wholly from what he grows. He's not a big producer but does sell livestock occasionally, and I believe he sells vegetables every Saturday at one of the international schools. A very nice chap, he too is committed to organic farming and rallies local farmers to (stop or) minimise their use of pesticides. Contact him via FB or go visit. He is welcoming and generous with tips, advice etc. He grows 3 different types of rice and if you're lucky, he might feed you some. Yum!

http://www.facebook....196523863744326

Tried emailing but it bounced, any idea if this CSA is still going on and how to contact? Thanks.

Tried both the upstairs and downstairs at Meechok/Rimping plaza and the downstairs one IMO is way better. Kitchen can be a bit slow if they have a few tables order at the same time. But food is tasty. Favorites: stir fried beef and onion with a fried egg, pork 'ragout', spring rolls, ban mi sandwich (small but really good).

I'm guessing internet in Burma is generally unreliable, but I've heard that some areas have decent connections. Does anyone have any experiences? Thanks.

Have used a local attorney in the past who did a good job, but she is currently unavailable. Need someone local who can handle the basic contract prep, etc. Appreciate any recommendations.

Another thumbs up for this place. Play area is great for kids. Seating in the restaurant is comfortable. Food was quite good. Pizzas with very thin crust, nicely cooked. The house salad has fresh ripe ingredients. Tomato soup was amazing. Will definitely go back.

Yes it is possible. You act as guarantor (based on current/previous earnings) to the wife, but are looking at a high minimum--typically 50%, over 15 years.

If you look hard enough an negotiate you can get pretty close to 100% and 30 years. Officially they don't do 100% of course, but if you get the place over-appraised you get real close. Yes, your wife would need regular income.

We financed two places, one at 100% of the sale price, another one I think we got up to 80%

Government savings bank has the best rates, but is also the most hassle to get anything done. As with so many things in Thailand it depends on the individual branch and individual person more than the bank as a whole. (Though I will say that SCB seems a waste of time.) KTB, Military Bank, Bangkok Bank and so on are all game, with various entertaining hoops to jump through.

All of that is for existing properties. If it's new such as Land & Houses these companies tend to provide financing themselves, so then it really turns into an epic negotiation. Find the sales person who wants the sale.

Thanks that's very helpful. Don't the banks themselves usually do the appraisal? Are the banks negotiable in the % they'll finance, or do they usually have an established percentage that's offered?

I've found that so far the banks we've spoken with have said to bring in the signed sale contract (which typically includes a down payment), in order to apply for the loan. But the problem is, if you've already laid down cash for the down payment but the bank decides to deny you the loan and/or offer to finance a low percentage, etc., then you risk losing the down payment. I wonder why they don't do tentative approvals beforehand? Seems risky for the buyer.

I assume you are farang? is it possible for us to get a loan/mortgage etc; I was under the assumption it was not possible.......2 assumptions..........and they say assumption is the mother of all f£ck ups

Part farang. But wife is doing the borrowing. Not sure what the policies are for farang borrowing.

Looking into options for buying a house, any recommendations for particular banks? I checked out Bangkok Bank and have heard a positive comments Government Savings Bank.

There's many camps, some are small and out of town. Some of the better known are Lanna (near CMU), Quest (near the airport), and Tiger (Mae Rim). Tiger is a new branch of the Phuket location. Any of them take boxers at all levels, experienced or not. Good luck.

Tiger offer the same things as they do in Phuket?

Yes, but looks like some of the construction is ongoing.

There's many camps, some are small and out of town. Some of the better known are Lanna (near CMU), Quest (near the airport), and Tiger (Mae Rim). Tiger is a new branch of the Phuket location. Any of them take boxers at all levels, experienced or not. Good luck.

EQ Square on Hang Dong Rd just before Tesco Lotus has great vocal / singing coaches, all top notch.

There's another location of EQ Square over by Prince Royal's College / McCormick hospital, and they have a good vocal coach who speaks decent English.

Some favorites:

-Shan tofu noodle salad

-beef curry

-mohinga

-tamarind salad

-tea leaf salad

-balachaung

Some of the bakeries in town have sandwiches (the one by smith is great) and butter is better makes a good sandwich.

What/where is Smith?

Thanks everyone for all this info. Most likely I'll try the CNX/Kunming/Hangzhou route by China Eastern. Has anyone tried the high speed train Hangzhou/Shanghai? If I'm in Hangzhou for 5 days, is it worth it to make the trip to Shanghai for one day/night?