BrianJohn

Sure sounds sus to me, maxim is when in doubt…….

Perhaps try using an established address rather than the reply button, ask PayPal about requests like this, and offer to forward the email to them

Traveled BKK to Chian Mai in April “ to see the country” Day train up, sleeper back, amazed at the amount of time spent waiting for the train coming the other way (at the dual track pass sections). Arrived late both ways, was tired and grumpy but would definitely do it again, especially at that price.

A great microcosm of Thai life, almost every compliant one reads here applies to the trains, along with unexpected pleasant encounters with Thai travelers - the staff were abrupt to rude.

Sure the trains were dirty and primitive by western standards, the diningcar was unbelievable, the dirty eat-in kitchen with loose garden furniture a real shock thankfully I was only after drinks, but the faults lay more with management planning and implementation, the staff do need a shake-up / wake-up, we had a cleaner onboard both ways!!

Agree with a previous post, the locals need a cheap means of mass transport and the tourists must pay western prices if they want western standards. Keep what you have and try to improve it because the experience with privatized rail here (Oz) is not good.

I also would like to hear from anyone who has undergone the laser treatment. Have had back waxed a couple of times, now have a bloody forest seems like the waxing stimulated the re-growth, have booked a trip to BKK for early September and was hoping to include a first treatment. Words of wisdom please.

Making no claim to expertise, but my travels in Myanmar leads me to propose that the styles of food on offer vary in proportion to the geography, found am Indian influence in the west, a leaning toward the Thai style in the east, and the really good Burmese food around the capital. The one dish I tried to include with most meals was the green tomato salad in it’s many varieties. LOVE IT.

We are lucky to have two good “Burmese” restaurants here in Melbourne, and they are both on my favorite places list. ALMOST worth risking the political situation to return for the food. Will be seeking same next visit to BKK

Returning from three weeks in LOS, the gist of this thread reminded of a comment by a straight friend who lived in Thailand for a few years, married a Thai woman then settled in Oz. “Thais make the best friends money can buy” his subtlety was appreciated and helpful in my recent travels.

I enjoyed the company of a local lad whose way I happily paid on outings, only fair I thought considering his low income and that I was suggesting outings. I established early on what was an acceptable expense and that worked well.

Interestingly the “no touch in public” lasted for most of the time, until he understood that sex was not a condition of friendship. A discussion about preferences did arise, with each indicating a bias toward our own ethnic origins without causing any discomfort, in fact that discussion probably further broke down any remaining barriers and lead to him initiated casual physical contact in public, being in context with the conversation and occasion.

While sex was not part of the initial arrangement, later when the occasion arose it was enjoyed by both parties (or appeared to be!)

Well folks I’m booked for 30/4/09 into BKK onto CNX, and I have to tell you I’m watching the news and especially these postings VERY closely, and will be making my final decision late on the 29^th or even early 30^th , sometimes it’s better to cut ones losses rather than be tangled up in this ongoing political unrest. With airfares falling it might even be better to wait, if travel insurance covers this situation. It’s not so much the scare factor as the uncertainty of the travel plans, and the stress which it places those still at home under.

Keep the feeds coming, they are really appreciated.

So while debating the rail costs, what about the multi-day passes (10 & 20 days I think), saw reference to it once but can’t get details, do they exist, what is the cost, and are they practical for someone who is NOT a backpacker?

You must have been a West High boy? Just over the road from Victoria Park. Remember the bike (motor) races there many years ago?

 Sorry BB grew up in Sydney, moved to Melbourne for affordable real estate, and Vic Park is enemy territory – windy hill is/was home. Bikes are a nogo zone for me, had a bang-up in C.M. ’08 and that ended my working life but not the love affair with LOS and C.M. in particular, which is why I’m asking all these dumb questions about the trip to Mae Sai, to try andmake the april/may trip a better experience. BJ

I knew him not at all but grieve for the loss of David the person, and the void felt by David’s family and friends.

Hey Rampo, Thanx for taking the time to contribute, have you seen inside The Star of late, we were there Aug '08, their Delux room was a good size with an area similar to a sittingroom but are a bit tired, but the how would you rate the Montri Hotel room. BJ

Sorry B. Bill,

OMG do I sound stupid! Only been there once, had the most talkative guide in the business and can’t remember sh*t. Dug up a map when I went off line “Oh embarrassment embarrassment”. Blame lack of concentration on the avid thought of further travel at a much reduced price. Agent here (Ballarat) got everything signed, sealed and paid for before we left Oz, now finding out about the better ways to get more bang……

Sadly I’ll probably do the foot & mouth thing again, but am finding these threads a real learning tool, have to try harder not to drive you old hands crazy. Thanx BJ

Last year we met a great couple who both had stalls selling Thai handcrafts, Tikki (Thai) was in the night and her husband Sean (Canadian) was located at a hotel down the road, they were very helpful and gave me a business card which is presently touring Oz unaccompanied – my fault, sadly this idiot cant even remember their surname. We are making arrangements to return to C.M. and wanted to contact them, anyone have an email

(or snail mail) address, sadly this idiot cant remember their surname. thanks (hopefully) BJ

Thanks Southerndown how do I find them online? tried google - nix. I'm making arrangements for next trip from Melbourne, aiming for late April.

OPPS just altered paramaters and got some references. is there a dedicated website for prices and times?

Have been looking for something reasonable in BKK myself (but traveling other way) apparently the Embassy Hotel is about 540b, one post said the rooms were a reasonable size, decor - improving (?)

While here whats the opinion of the train trip, does not matter which way up or down. does one see much of the country? Much room - am an Aussie thus worried about Thai sized seats. Thanx BJ

A most interesting thread for me, I was in Mae Sai last August and bought a metal Buddha about 50cms tall, the local shop said it was from Myanmar and would pose no problem taking it to Australia, sitting in departure lounge at CM airport decided to check with customs office , outcome–statue still in CM and I’m heading back in April for more travel and to see if I can bring it home this time. Any way to start the application long distance? Have digital color photos, Ajarn mention the national library does that mean I have to collect it from CH and head down to BKK? Do I need an application form and does it really take two weeks? HELP PLEASE. BJ

Thanks Folks, I'll check those out, also just read about the VIP bus to Mae Sai as opposed to the pricey tour guide & driver routine, looks like I've got some homework to do before April if I'm to keep the travel agent happy. BJ

I'm not trying to talk you out of driving, but thought you might enjoy recent news on what the bus trip is like :

The VIP bus from Chiang Mai's Arcade bus station is so very comfortable. Last Friday (January 9) I took the 8AM bus which was a very new monster-sized "Golden Dragon" (joint venture of Chinese and western companies in Xiamen, China) 32 seat bus with many of the seats in the back now "first-class." We arrived about noon in Mae Sai.

330 baht each way to Mae Sai and back.

The VIP seats are enormous, and the first-class seats looked roomy enough for me. The ride was so smooth I was actually able to read the whole way up !

They now have a VIP bus back from Mae Sai to Chiang Mai at 2:30PM (I used to take the 3:30PM bus back). This one was also a Golden Dragon behemoth.

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Does this bus service continue on to Chiang Rai or terminate at Mae Sai? made the trip with a tour very talkative guide last year cost big bucks, this service sounds pretty good, also are forward reservations needed? or just purchase a ticket on the day? any scheduled stops? FangsMuchly

We are heading back to Chiang Mai for our third visit (hopefully) in May, stayed at at the Park Hotel during my first visit 2007 - service & staff fantastic, but a bit out of the old city & I had a motorbike accident returning one night .

Second time 2008 first at the Amora, nice place, but pricey and elevated above the street level a bit of a problem as I was still recovering from the bike accident in 2007, then after 3 days in Chiang Rai returning to Chiang Mai we stayed the Star Hotel - where we were really looked after by the staff , the place is a bit T&T (Tired & Tatty) now, but the location and access is terrific.

For our next visit we are looking for somewhere central that caters for the disabled – that bike accident damage is permanent. Creature comforts of air-con and at least a queen sized bed – I'm bigger than average – are mandatory or the holiday is not fun. Don't go in for all the 5 star frills I use the hotel room is mostly just for sleeping.

My limitations are 1, almost no stairs (lifts required) 2, a shower stall not one above the bath. 3, good space to be able to move about the room.

We are happy to return to the Star, but would like to try something new, any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated .

Regards BJ