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Anyone had any good experiences with Chiang Mai surgeons?

Do Thai passport holders need a visa for 4 day tourist travel?

What's the general procedure for US passport holder to get a tourist visa in Chiang Mai? I see details online for the Bangkok consulate but so far haven't found anything on CM specifics. Thanks.

Saluang seems nice the few times I've driven through, how's the living up there?

Hoping to send some friends to a waterfall tomorrow but not sure what's the best option. Thanks. 

Bk Hospital doesn't have one yet, any others in town? Thanks.

Don't see anything on the tv listings

Looking for a bike rack for the back of my car that can hold 4 bikes, and also for a good selection of mountain bikes, preferably smaller sizes. I'm in the Mae Rim area but any recommendations would be appreciated.

Some airlines require a letter signed by the parents saying she has permission to travel unaccompanied--it's probably a good idea to send this with her regardless, in case they're any questions at immigration in the UK. If she doesn't have much experience flying, you might consider a direct flight bkk to heathrow for example... I know Eva has some. My 15 yo did that trip no problem, and if you let the airline know in advance, they'll have an employee take them to the gate and can arrange for one to meet them at the arrival gate to take them to immigration etc. I was pleasantly surprised at how accommodating they were in this regard.

Check out Sukhothai University, they have a program that is primarily online, with occasional face time required.

Thanks for all the comments. I'm not due to start renting until next year earliest, so I've got time to work out the details. Most likely will get someone local to "manage" the rental and have service lined up in case repairs need to be done. Cheers.

What area are you living (Or want the work done) No point in getting a guy from outta town if it's at the opposite side to you.

I use a very good guy/team out in Mae Rim but I think they're having a weeks break at the moment.

I'm in Mae Rim too so please pass on their contact details. Thanks.

Any referrals for a rental agent or good or bad experiences renting on your own? Wondering if it's worth the hassle vs. selling.

I've used a few different guys who start out ok but start to jack up prices or are unavailable. Hoping to find a solid place that can handle all repairs and is reliable. Thanks.

I really don't care about Evenstevens writing style, I am just happy that the prices are not what I remember from my one and only visit to the Raintree years ago. Under 200 baat is par for a course of western food these days in town, even at the venerable Stube. Now I don't often eat western food when in-country, but there are those rare occasions so for 200 baat it would save me a trip into the city. Of course in Mae Rim Plaza you can always get one of the best khao soi dishes around for a mere 40 baat.

I've heard a few people mention the Khao Soi at Mae Rim Plaza--do you know the name offhand? Sounds like a good option.

Northeast corner of the plaza facing east, the only establishment that faces east in that northern building block. It is just up from the bank entrance. Family use to own the property and run the same style restaurant, it was a real hole-in-the-wall where you could end up sitting next to the Nai Amphoe, on the main road where the bank is now located. They are a Mae Rim institution and I have been eating their khao soi for over 25 years now. Great food and great people.

By the way, great newer khao man kai place along the east canal road just north of the plaza across from the new hotel they are finishing up on the west side of the canal road. Open until about 3PM. Again, great people and great food. No real sign other than banner sign in Thai on the road noting khao man kai. The shop is on the down slope from the road.

Oh okay I remember the Khai soi place from pre-Mae rim plaza, will give it another visit soon. Khao man gai also sounds like a good option.

I really don't care about Evenstevens writing style, I am just happy that the prices are not what I remember from my one and only visit to the Raintree years ago. Under 200 baat is par for a course of western food these days in town, even at the venerable Stube. Now I don't often eat western food when in-country, but there are those rare occasions so for 200 baat it would save me a trip into the city. Of course in Mae Rim Plaza you can always get one of the best khao soi dishes around for a mere 40 baat.

I've heard a few people mention the Khao Soi at Mae Rim Plaza--do you know the name offhand? Sounds like a good option.

Thanks for the first sensible answer... I have been reading up on the internet and will continue to do so.

I did find the place in meechok plaza on the internet and was going to visit for a chat. If it is out of business that's my main line of enquiry gone.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated

I live 70k North of CM city, on the way to Phrao. It is a higher elevation, and yes, the air is cleaner - not perfect on the bad days, but better than the city. I do 1 or 2 trips per week into CM; about 90 minute journey and it is noticeable, during the 'smog' season, that it gets worse on the journey.

Any idea what your elevation is? Or if you can send me latitude/longitude i can check.

We are in the same boat. My husband and I work remotely and just moved to Thailand about a month ago and deciding to settle in Chiang Mai as we both have fond memories of this city. However, the last time I was here was 7 years ago and I don't remember the air quality being this bad. I'm due to have a baby in July but am really worried about the pollution here and how that might effect my unborn child and newborn baby. I'm finding certain times unbearable and not able to take deep breaths when outside. We are planning to travel around for the month of March and then come back in April but I've read that the smog can last through May and this year especially due to El Nino. We have found some beautiful houses in Mae Rim about 30 minutes from Chiang mai and I'm wondering if the air quality will be much better there. It is not necessarily higher altitude but the area seems blocked off by the surrounding hills and there are no farms in site except for rice fields (which I don't think they burn?). I'm reluctant to sign a one year lease as I don't know if the pollution will be unbearable and don't want to have to leave our home next year for 2-3 months. I'm wondering if we should look elsewhere in Thailand to live but not sure where. We despise overrun tourist hotspots like Phuket and Pattaya. I've heard great things about Koh Lanta but I'm not sure if having a child there is the best idea as I'm not familiar with the hospitals. Any thoughts?

The worst of the bad air seems to clear up by the first week of April. Unfortunately when it's bad, it's the entire region that's affected (basically all of Northern Thailand). Bangkok and further south are not affected.

Look at the data for the past years for the Doi Suthep station.

It's marginally better, but not really worth the bother IMHO.

I'm checking aqicn.org but don't see a station listed on Doi Suthep, they just show Yupparaj and Thaphae. Which site are you using?

Ideally I'd like to find a guesthouse at a higher elevation, where hopefully the air quality would be better. Part of the problem is a lack of data at those higher places so I'd only have anecdotal evidence. I found a website that estimates elevation on any map points, and so far the highest option is around 1200m, which is the same as Mon Cham. The air seems cleaner up there when I've gone camping, but never during the burning season. Might have to give it a test run in the next few weeks.

Has anyone been at higher elevations during the worst of the hazy weather? Wondering if the air quality improves significantly as you head up.

Thanks, if I head over to that soi is it pretty easy to find?

My final destination is St. Louis,

Word.

So: CNX-HKG-ORD (Chicago O'Hare) on Cathay, and then a puddle jump to St. Louis?

Or CNX-ICN-ORD on Korean Air?

This topic got a special kind of crazy with going via Singapore and then on through East Asia and what not.

Word up. Hadn't thought of ORD as an option, that's good to know.

Oh, I thought he wanted the shortest long haul flight and he/she mentioned other west coast destinations.

I kind of looked at that first. I think that what I had found was CNX-SIN-HKG-SFO or LAX. The CNX-SIN flight uses Silk Air.

Basically looking to be in the air for the shortest trips, assuming at least one stop from CNX to LAX. My final destination is St. Louis, but in the past have gone via LAX. I'd consider another west coast destination like SFO or Seattle if they were substantially closer, but so far the shortest trip in hours that I've seen listed is Tapei to LAX.

I've heard there are a few schools that teach Mandarin for school kids in the evenings and weekends. Any recommendations? Thx