Joop50

Hi Tpapa, we live in Wiangpapao just between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and my partner Suni is official tourguide and speaks very good English. The area beside this town is very beautiful but unknown by tourists. Usualy all the tourings pass this town, only breaking at the Maekachan hotsprings. Suni developped some hikings in hilltribe area's and she has build up very good connections with councils as well as the village chiefs. Two of the hilltribe villages we have connections with, are protecting their envitronment against all kinds of disturbing and one of them is awarded by Unesco. Nearby Wiangpapao we found a beautiful walk through forest as well as agriculture area. Because the direct surrounding is quite flat some cycling routes and bicycles are available. We have a 2 person bungalow available and I can drive your family around with my car. Pick up from Chiang Mai is possible. For more information look at facebook page Wiangpapao private tour and suniguide.weebly.com. Suni's phonenumber = 0807928725

The government has learned from earlier years and specialy from last year. Read Tywais post and try to think better. It has to do with people, in particular elderly and children, Its called compassion.

Very friendly officer/assistants indeed at the Nakhon Sawan Immigration.
Came to do my 90 day report in stead of my home base Chiang Mai.
It took 15 minutes incl. 5 minutes wait time.
Hand over my resort statement but she hardly looked at it.

Used it just yesterday at immigration office in Fang, no problem as usual.

Last week there were very heavy thunderstorms here (Thaton) with huge rain fall in short time. It causes landslides and destroyed the water basin where the village supply water from. No one has any idea how long the restoration will take. Lucky us we have a well and a watertank but because of the earthquake, something must have happend in the watertank and blocked the delivery pipe. We have also a river pump for spraying the garden but did not use it for long time, It doesn't work. We rang some workers, still nothing working, maybe tomorrow. But we are still happy.

More light aftershocks during the night here in Thaton after the short heavy one from 22.00 pm.

Besides the 4 aftershocks yesterday we noticed 2 short shocks around 23.00 houre, and woke up from larger aftershocks around 2.00, 4.00 and 6.00 am. (Thaton, Mai Ai district) The large aftershocks around 8.00 am seem the last which fitted the earth back into its shape.

The earth continues to shake

And again now at 7.57 a short heavy shock in Thaton.

Another strong after shock here at 7.49 h.

We live in Thaton and we were shaken up about every 2 houres. The after shocks were quite strong here.

Every 2 houres an after shock so far. The last one was 6.05 h. Don't know if this is usual but it takes quite a long time in my opinion.

Just a minute ago a new aftershock. I count 4 now.

Second after shock but not powerfull anymore.

Quite strong here in Thaton, Mai Ai district but not very long, some after shock right now. Hope where the epi centre is, everyone is unharmed.

The green oranges are very sweet and delicious. Dont buy the big ones though, often dried out, the smaller ones have a lot of juice.

Very heavy rains during the night in Thaton, Mae Ai district. Some landslides destroyed the water supply in this village. Today no sun seen and a nice temp.

Just came back from a visit to Nan. Not really a town that lives, some nice Wats 2-3 decent restaurants and that's it. But the surroundings are very nice, some villages with pottery history and beautiful natural sceneries. We also visit Phayao and that is a more living town with many restaurants, small shops and accomodations.Around the lake a beach like scenery where many people picnic every day.

Last night, the strongest thunderstorms and heavy rain sofar this year in Thaton, Mae Ai region. The power off for about an hour and during the night some steady rain. This morning the air is fresh and the temperature is 20 degrees.

Although a there was a strong wind now and then and the air became dark, no rain in Thaton Mae Ai yesterday. But last night under a clear sky, the cold came back, we slept under a blanket and I wear a sweater now!

The wind is south, the sky becomes grey, the temperature is rising, let that rain from Mae Rim reach Thaton soon. (A kind of a selfie )

Living in Thaton, Mai Ai now I must say it is not that normal as it seems. A half year I live here and only one time we lost the electricity and not bcoz of storm or thunder or heavy rain but bcoz a truc hit a pole. I lived in Saraphi district, outside in a village and when there came a weather change with wind, electricity dropped out. One day the electricity campany send a team to cut al the tree branches which grew into the electric wires and for about a year it was much less worse but unfortunatly trees keep growing and the problem returned. I have the impression that only when many people complain a lot, this company take action where there should be a foresight check up and action. BTW, Kon Thai accept these powerless houres more than we do.

It stopped here also after the first 5 minutes but now there is a real downpour!

Yes, so much for the theory that rain alone will clear the air.

(A change in weather patter will, which also usually brings rain). But just a rain shower doesn't seem to do much. (As pollution levels are up, not down.) )

After 3 evenings with rain showers about 2 weeks ago we had very low pollution for a week, noticing it became a little worse after 3 days again.