YankeeVet

Relax folks. Typical political posturing from the US state Dept play book. Nothing more. All a political show because they violated democratic ideals and process rules. The full amount of money we borrowed from China for the US to give to Thailand will be paid in full when things settle out. The US taxpayers will pay the interest on the debt in the meantime and many years after. No worries.

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When I lived there, I always enjoyed maxing out my Yamaha Fino on the twisties on Doi Sui Tep. Keep in mind that I've had 20+ years riding offroad and street motorcycles. And I was the safety guy wearing a full protection crash pad motor bike jacket, long pants, and a 20000B supermoto helmet. I know my limits and the limits of the machine I'm riding. Rode the same route on several different bikes and you need to adjust for each one.

I recommend contacting one from your home state because many issues are dependent on state law. And they have to be licensed in that state. Who you contact really depends on your issue. Attorneys are so specialized these days. Find someone that specializes in your issue. You can easily scan the docs and send by email for them to review. Call first to make sure they can help. I'm sure you are already using a magic jack or a good calling card so voice comms shouldn't be a problem but it will take some time to find the right law office to handle your affairs. If it doesn't sound like they want to help you or it will be a hassel for them just move on. No shortage of law offices in the US.

Thank you everyone for the information. Especially the chart showing the air quality index over Rhee years. Definitely a help to myself and others planning to travel to Chiang Mai with kids.

Thanks for the replies. So we may be good till end of Feb. maybe 1st week of March. I remember how bad it was 3 years ago and thinking if I had small kids I would send them south for a month.

Wife and I lived there until several years ago. Planning our next trip back and have two toddlers now. Don't want to expose them to the smoke in February/March. Wife wants to stay until the first week of March but I can't remember when the burning starts. Anyone remember when it gets bad?

There is a campground at a reservoir not far from Chiang Mai. Bunch of us camped there in Dec '08. The caretaker even had tents for rent and would set them up for you. 2 Thai style restaurants on the shores of the reservoir (one on each side of the campground) and only about 5 minutes or so (by motorcycle) into Chiang Mai.

The camping area Kerry is talking about is Hui TunTao just outside Chiang Mai. Decent enough if you don't want to go far. To me it's like camping in your back yard. I've also camped for free in areas around Chiang Rai. One by a lake and one on top of a mountain near Ang Khang where you could see the Burma border. No one other campers around on all occasions so I guess Thai's are not really into the whole camping thing. Wife was an adventure tour guide so she likes to camp. Recommend you go with 2 or more friends for safety.

First of all I am a Christian. I do believe in life after death. At least part of me does. This is a conflict. At this point in my life I can tell you I am not absolutely sure. Maybe we are just smart apes that created religion as a belief system. I, like many others would like to believe that when we die we continue to exist in another state, i.e. heaven. The natural order doesn't seem to suggest this. Look at a dog run over at the side of the road. How is a human at death any different? Is spiritual existence just a creation of our creative minds? We know from historical records that Jesus existed but was he really the Son of God? Does his existence prove who he claimed to be? I was born and raised in the church. My undergrad is in geology. There is evidence in science for creation theory and God. How I wish I was ignorant and had no desire to contemplate such things. Either way, I live the best I can according to my religious principles and appreciate every moment on this Earth with me Family.

At what age should I become an Evil Mastermind with a fluffy cat?

Please STOP. Laughing too hard. No more, please!

"Around 230,000 people have been displaced in Mexico because of drug violence, and roughly half of them have crossed the border into the United States."

Hmm, Must be a typo. More like 23 million and all have crossed the border into the United States.

I am very impressed with the Thai Visa members to express such thoughtful and insightful commentary. We truly have a number of educated and insightful contributors to these complex political-economic circumstances. I have studied and traveled to China and SE Asia as part of my MBA as well as studying the region as part of my military career. I also lived in Thailand for 3 years and am familiar with the politico-economic situation. From my military and business professors I can tell you that China military and political influence is expected to continue throughout Asia and western influence will decrease. America and China are closely tied economically but vehemently opposed militarily. Thailand's best option is to play a game of favorites between both countries. USA wants to maintain a relationship with the democratic government and the supportive independent military. China needs trade and a relationship with Thailand and will press for that. Thailand is in a unique position to leverage itself between both countries for the immediate future.

Something I don't get. Anyone ever notice people riding motorbikes wearing a surgical mask but no helmet? So the logic is to protect yourself from hazardous exhaust fumes and long-term respiratory conditions but it's too much trouble to wear a helmet?

If Farang wants to come to Thailand, they should contribute to the local economy too.

Next time, they bring their own van, to visit their own bars, and drink their own beers, and perhaps even import their own girls (from the Philippines).

And I hope if the Thai navy ever visit the coast of the States they receive the same treatment. But of course they won't because that is not how developed countries welcome guests.

Tourists don't have to use the tuk tuks. It's up to them how they get from A to B.

Where did these people get that feeling of self-entitlement to tourists money? it's a dangerous game when you look at tourists like they're second class citizens.

Rkidlad,you are right. Foreign naval vessels arriving in at US ports are well received and treated as guests and for the most part our ships have always been treated well by the Thai Navy and public at large when visiting Thsiland. Also, please note that US Navy and Coast Guard vessels regularly take part in community service projects in the places they visit such as the recent CARAT joint exercise (photo's here: http://www.clwp.navy.mil/CARAT2010/thailandphotos.html). However, the ships are there to train with the Thai military and occasionally re-supply. The sailors are not there to go on tours, or shopping, or drinking, etc... to support the local economy. The Commanders of those vessels can easily cancel shore leave if they feel there is significant danger as they will be held accountable now if a sailor is seriously hurt or killed. Like the article said, This wouldn't have happened in Singapore. Any guesses as to where that ship will re-supply next time?

My wife and I don't go to Phuket anymore because we've noticed a significant decrease in friendliness and hospitality and an increase in rudeness and ripoffs. We don't use the Tuk Tuk's there because we already know they prefer to wait for a sucker rather than negotiate a reasonable rate. There are better places to go in Thailand that appreciate our business. And to the Tuk Tuk drivers that are upset they weren't able to cheat a sailor out of their hard earned money... Boo-Freaking-Hoo.

Per the OP's question. I have flown China Air many times from CNX to both Honolulu and San Francisco. Really never had any problems. My only complaint is the 747 used on the Taipei-San Fran route hasn't been updated with better seats and personal video screens. Food varies but is edible most of the time. Try to minimize your time in the Taipei airport. I would be open to flying other airlines but I've never found anyone able to come close to their price for those particular routes.

I think its a great idea and I would love to join in but I'm heading back to America in just 2 weeks and won't be back to CM for a while. I think I bore most of my friends when I start talking about financial markets and economics so it would be great to sit and talk shop with people that have similar interests. Good luck getting it going.

Well that makes 5 times I've been dropped tonight. I hope this is a temporary problem. Otherwise I'll just give up and tether to by Blackberry which is reliable and only costs 300B per month.

Oh, and in case nobody noticed. When your connection gets dropped, as mine just did, or any time you logoff and reconnect, it costs you 2mb to 5mb of your allocation.

You're not alone. I've had problems for the past seven days. Connect, but no internet and dropped connections. Seems to have more problems on nights and this last weekend. I had to spend last tuesday night working off the wifi in our condo lobby. Still, it's better than the TOT line I had last year.

I've been reading through this thread and just though I'd say hello to my fellow investors. I've been a full time securities trader for about 3 years now so I'm still a novice in the investing world. Mostly stocks, ETF's and bonds. Mostly a technical swing trader now although I used to be a pure fundamental trader as quantitative analysis is what I learned in school.

I trade through a US brokerage account but prefer to invest in overseas markets. However, lately I've noticed that the US is one of the few markets in a confirmed uptrend and breaking to new annual highs. A lot of sideways action from brazil, china, europe, and asia over the past 6 months which is concerning since I expect to see these markets leading ( as they have recently) and the fundamentals for growth are better. However, it is what it is.

Is the US in a bull market? Well that appears to be the case now. This has gone on far too long to be a bear market rally. We will have pull backs for sure as we just saw. I use data from Investor's Business Daily, Vector Vest, and stocktiming.com as well as the 50 dma on the indexes for my decisions to move in and out of the market or go long/short. I did sell out of half my long positions yesterday to take profits as we are reaching extreme levels of overbought in the US indexes. Yes, we can go higher but risk is too high for me at today's levels. Waiting for a pullback to buy weakness. There are a lot of ways to make money in the market, so to each their own. Although I have no idea how anyone can daytrade in Thailand, at least Chiang Mai, with slow unreliable internet. I spent most of last night in the lobby of our condo using the slow wifi since my AIS 3G was kaput.

Good luck to everyone.

Full disclosure: I currently own long positions in AMZN, PCLN, DBRN, and GLD. Shorting IVV as a hedge.

The roadblocks were obviously there to intimidate or prevent the reds going down to Bangkok. About one mile towards CM the reds scouts/organizers/whatever were redirecting the the protesters via the back roads to bypass the roadblocks.

The roadblocks were obviously there to check nobody is heading to Bangkok with a truck full of arms / weapons / bombs. That it pleases you so that these roadblocks are being dodged around speaks volumes of how little interest you have in the welfare of others that have the misfortune to come face to face with the mob.

LOL. Last year it was the red shirts blocking the road to Bangkok and the police directing people through the back roads.

I stopped by for lunch the other day and I agree with the thread. Thanks TV members for pointing me to another great eating place I wouldn't have found on my own. My wife tried the pork knuckle with mashed potatoes and really enjoyed it. According to her, a good value for pork knuckle compared to other places in CM. I had a grilled ham & cheese with fries that tasted oh so Americana. Also ordered a nice side of crispy bacon... Yumm. Had a nice chat with the owner and it was great to feel welcomed. There are so many things I want to try on the menu and the daily specials that I'll be back again soon.

You might want to try "The White House" on Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd, located along the Ping River next to Tara Bar. About halfway between the Holiday Inn and the original Dukes Restaurant/Iron Bridge.

I believe sentimental Thai songs are their specialty and they have a live band, at least on weekends. The food's not bad either. It's not exactly near the town center but not too far either.

While walking out the door of our condo...

Wife: You go get alligator.

Me: Alligator?

Wife: Yes, you go get alligator.

Me: Honey, they don't have alligators in Thailand, only crocodiles.

Angry Wife: What you talk about? I say go push button for alligator!

Me: Oh, elevator.

Angry Wife: That's what I say! Why you always do this?

The wife is an English speaking tour guide by the way. But this stuff happens all the time to us. Love this thread.

Personally I like the system in Thailand. If you want to party or buy drinks late at night there is always somewhere or someone that caters to this but it is kept fairly inconspicuous. Of course everyone has their favorite Mom and Pop shops that will sell after hours and on holidays. Here in Chiang Mai there are many places open late. Some less conspicuous than others. Yea, the Police know, but most officers turn a blind eye if the place isn't causing any real problems. Compare this to most places in America. I actually had a drink snatched off my table at 2 am in San Francisco. Police were in the bar at 2:01 to issue violations. Some States never sell beer on Sunday because that's the day society says you are supposed to attend church. I've been to some places that don't sell any alcohol...period. Thanks America, but I don't need a nanny anymore.