xenophanes

This is the way they have cleared their land for hundreds of years so do you think that they are going to change just because a few old farangs are not happy with the way they do things.

Where i come from we would just say "mind your own business" and i'm sure thats what the Thais are thinking if not saying, this is after all their country .

Just because something has been practised 'for hundreds of years' does not make it a good practise.

I can assure you that it is not a problem that 'a few old farangs' are not happy about. I know Thais both young and old who hate the pollution caused by this outdated and ignorant burning. Breathing clean air is a basic human right and is the business of everyone.

Why are you such an apologist alfieconn?

To those who submitted helpful replies and private messages: I shower you with grateful thanks and good wishes for a happy new year!

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Xenophanes,

"Lumpy performance from Vista Home Premium- programs not responding"

Two thoughts :

1. that's a pretty vague description, you might get more helpful answers if you posted

a. what kind of machine you're using (cpu speed, amount of ram)

b. what, if anything, (software) have you installed or changed (upgraded ?) on the computer.

c. any hardware changes.

d. what specific applications do you notice changing behavior : all of them, moving files : what ?

2. ThaiVisa has a dedicated computer forum(s) which we haven't visited much, but it seemed to have some pretty expert end-users : perhaps you might post there ?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Internet-com...cation-f17.html

good luck, ~o:37;

Hello orang37,

many thanks for your response- I think my op was a little too brief too! I am having what I am sure are software problems with my Acer notebook vista hp and am looking for a service in CM that can visit my home in order to rectify the situation.

Also, thank you for your beguilingly entertaining and informative posts on TV.

Help, please?

Thank you HughJarse for being one of the few on this thread to have actually addressed the op. A couple of heavy evening downpours this week have cleared the air and dampened the fires so all is, for now, well.

PS Greetings to you from my old chum, Hugh Jampton.

Many influential and intelligent Thais read and contribute to this forum and it would be fascinating to know their views on the slash and burn pollution that has now reappeared in Chiang Mai and will worsen for the next four months.

Doi Suthep has disappeared into the smog and the air smells acrid and scorched. Particulate airborne matter is a proven killer which especially threatens the very young and the more senior members of society.

A Thai view please?

What are you doing to stop this? Do you want it stopped?

In Copenhagen, the green wheels are grinding. In Thailand?

Born in a generation more familiar with levers and switches, I am daily dazzled and amazed anew by the digital wonders of this age. Encouraged by the good offices of this forum, I ventured deeply into the interweb and discovered the magical proceedure that now has my dvd player playing discs of many origins.

A call to Bangkok Samsung produced the advice that I should take the gadget and a selection of discs to the Chiang Mai office where, for a fee and a not inconsiderable investment in time and patience, the matter would be investigated with no guarantee of resolution.

Who needs all that when TV and Google combine?

Many thank you's to those who have given their time to reply to my silly enquiry.

...and you can only can change the regions a very few times, after which your dvd reader will lock up on the last setted region, be careful!

The normal number of times a DVD player can have its region change is 5 times. As for legality, some countries it is illegal even to sell region locked players and even considered a violation of the WTO free trade agreements. The only real issue is possibly voiding the manufacturers warranty. Just Google your player brand and model and changing regions and should be able to find the codes.

Changing the code is not illegal but you still can't do illegal things with the player such as copying copyrighted DVD/CDs. The main reason regionalizing players has to do with business (money).

http://www.videohelp.com/

This is far more complex than I imagined.

Taking a tver's advice I went to Samsung yesterday and they reluctantly gave me a code which I entered into the player. It now does play European dvds but refuses to play some (not all) purchased in Thailand.

I am now more confused than ever as the previous code I had but lost permitted me to play any dvd with any regional code.

I do thank you for all your help but it seems to have been in vain so far.

Each one is different mate. Believe it or not, if you phone the company offices in thailand (should be on the instruction booklet) they will tell you!!! I got the wife to phone Panasonic Thailand and they gave her the code over the phone!

Thank you for your reply.

You know that was what I suggested but my Thai other half said, 'No,' panic filled eyes and, 'Police take you!'

Mine is Samsung. Player not other half!

I have just purchased a new dvd player but I have forgotten the code I used in the old one in order to play discs bought from Europe. Can anyone help me please?

As fascinating as it is to hear that it's raining in Hang Dong, or to find out how much we should be paying for onions, and since the 'Tourist Numbers Drop By Almost One Million' post has ended up as a debate about the murder rates of Thailand, I thought it might be slightly more interesting to hear how safe people feel visiting, or living in, Chiang Mai.

If we can forget about the inherrent dangers of stubbing your toe on an uneven footpath, death from falling coconuts or the obvious dangers of driving in Chiang Mai and instead concentrate on the general question of personal safety or threat of violence, then personally, I would have to say that I feel very safe here. A critic (such people do exist) once suggested that I was burying my head in the sand over a similar debate and even pushed the point further by attaching a picture of an ostrich!!! Hopefully, he has, since then, been savaged by rabid soi dogs (a topic of debate in itself, but some other time, maybe).

So, what do you think? Should I continue to wander about with a care-free attitude, a song in my head and a spring in my step, or should I be looking over my shoulder and avoiding the shadows?

PS - If we could hold back on the graphs and statistics, that would be nice. And if you're looking for 'subliminal advertising' - there ain't none.

PPS - If you're new here .... you might want to take the comments from the Knife-man of Bangkok and the guy who thinks he's a primate, with a little pinch of salt.

Totally safe Mr Hunt but maybe better with a song in your step and spring in your head?

1. In recent years, what are the most notable changes in Chiang Mai's infrastructure?

- Ring roads with tunnels at major intersection channel development away from the historical old town and are very convenient to get somewhere fast.

- Internet is just about everywhere either WiFi or now 3G and then of course EDGE if the other two aren't there.

- More varied nightlife

2. What are the property hot spots in Chiang Mai city, and why are these areas so popular?

There's basically 'in town' and then 'out of town'. Out of town in any direction is all pretty similar, it depends on personal preference. In Town the absolute hot spot is the general University area, especially Nimmanhaemin Road. Hot spots == high price.

3. What type of property is in trend in these areas and what kind of buyers are they attracting?

In town you see more up-market yet somewhat smaller scale and nicely built condominiums going up. Out of town space isn't an issue so you're more likely to find houses (either inside a gated development or not), and available land to build your own.

4. What is the price range difference of property / land in the popular areas in Chiang Mai city with more country locations outside the city.

Buy or rent? Condo's in town are more expensive than houses out of town. In town for a nice condo with a couple rooms (anything more than just a studio) will set you back 4-5 million baht or more. Houses out of town start around 2 million (2 floor, 3 bedroom, small garden) and go up from there.

5. How do foreigners and Thais differ in terms of what they want from a property in Chiang Mai?

Thais like to be close to main road, and generally have road access and are willing to pay extra for it. Westerners tend to like it a bit quieter and don't care as much is they're way down a soi. Many Westerners don't want to buy or lease a house when someone else (wife, etc) owns it so they end up going for a condo unit because they get to own it in their own name.

6. What problems are developers facing at the moment?

Economic crisis and not having a lot of money available, also finance harder to get for potential buyers. On the other hand, construction materials have come down in price a bit.

7. What advice do you have for buyers in Chiang Mai?

Live & rent for a long time before deciding what your preference is, both in location and in terms of the most suitable type of house/condo. Typically this changes over time too; a lot of people want to be in town because they don't initially drive a car. Then later they might settle a bit out of town where it's quieter and cheaper.

8. What are the well respected developments in Chiang Mai?

Koolpunt Ville, Land and House, Ban Nai Fun.. But take it as a case by case basis, no guarantees.

9. What is the recent Capital Appreciation of property?

There isn't any. The only appreciation is on the land. The building depreciates just like a car does. (Perhaps a bit slower) If you maintain it well then the only 'appreciation' is due to price of construction materials and labour going up, meaning that building a similar house is relatively more expensive. For Condominiums it's a complete casino: A handful of condominium buildings are maintained well and are in a good location so the value of these goes up, or at least it doesn't go down. For many, MANY others through, they go down the drain badly. At least with "your own" house, you control maintenance yourself.

10. If you are a Chiang Mai resident, how would you describe lifestyle?

Family man.

Thank you Winnie! This is exactly the sort of feedback I was looking for. Please private message me with your name so that I can quote you. Once again, a million thanks.

The November issue of Tropical Living in Thailand magazine is running a Chiang Mai theme and I would be most grateful if any Thai Visa member residents, estate agents or developers would assist with the following questions.

Please let me know your name and status for use in quotes and if you would rather send these by private message, please do.

Many thanks in advance.

1. In recent years, what are the most notable changes in Chiang Mai's infrastructure?

2. What are the property hot spots in Chiang Mai city, and why are these areas so popular?

3. What type of property is in trend in these areas and what kind of buyers are they attracting?

4. What is the price range difference of property / land in the popular areas in Chiang Mai city with more country locations outside the city.

5. How do foreigners and Thais differ in terms of what they want from a property in Chiang Mai?

6. What problems are developers facing at the moment?

7. What advice do you have for buyers in Chiang Mai?

8. What are the well respected developments in Chiang Mai?

9. What is the recent Capital Appreciation of property?

10. If you are a Chiang Mai resident, how would you describe lifestyle?

In honor of our Iranian friends who were caught In flagrante delicto doing the deed in Pattaya, how many of us have ever done the same? I'll leave it up to you to interpret full on or not full on.

I did overhear a couple "at it" on the beach.

She: 'Oh man, I wish you could get your b***s up there as well.'

He: 'Is it that good baby?'

She: 'No. You're shoveling sand up my bum.'

are any other banks not making this charge?

Bruno's is stuffy food not too good, Mata Hari is crap and the owner is rude and obnoxious, Manhattans is 'ok' but they seem to have gone downhill - if you're up for a nice meal and are considering these places - why not try Mantra? It has a great and comprehensive menu, fabulous setting, great service and a real car park ... Which is sorely absent at the other venues!

Bruno's is disingenous and pretentious though the waiting staff are attentive and keen. Manhattans is overpriced and souless and the faux New York theme is dated and incongruous.

Mata Hari is everything a top class restaurant should be. Great food. Great service. Great decor and an owner with a great sense of style and humour; something siamsoidog clearly lacks. Noisy Mantra has a bigger car park- where else would a street dog eat?

Imagine, just for fun, that you could have ANY alcoholic drink (brand name is preferable, but genre is acceptable) for the rest of your life. Don't worry about cost, you can pretend it's either free or the same annual cost that you're paying now. However, that is the ONLY alcoholic beverage you can drink for the rest of your life! This includes at social functions, drinking alone, afternoon sessions and big nights out.

It's not easy for most of us, so I'll start with a real cop-out and say Guinness.

Of you go, guys, but please remember it's ONE and not more with excuses.

Dom Perignon 1945 for breakfast, elevensies, lunch, tea, dinner, supper and the occasional quaff. Please have it delivered by a naked native wrapped lightly in olive oil.

All thanks and bottoms up; happy da(ze)ys

First tried it in London at a Thai Embassy "Do"and not bad..

assume it must be at a reasonable $$$ in LOS...figures.......nice with masaman

Monsoon Valley Red:– a dry red. Blended with Pok Dum, Syrah and Muscat grapes.

Fruity aroma with a touch of spice with the subtlety of oak.

Medium-bodied.

Monsoon Valley Shiraz Special Reserve: – made on Shiraz grapes.

A full bodied, dark puple robe. Fragrant, spicy with the hint of cedar. An intense taste of rich plum. Nice smooth finish

These sound excellent- thank you for the intelligence. Do you happen to know where I mught find them in Chiang Mai as I would like to try them. Once more, a million thanks.

Well, all of your kind, well informed and comprenesive replies have convinced me that CR is blessed with a most civilised and generous group of ex-pats. Thank you so much for all the time and trouble you put into these posts which have definitely persuaded me to jump into the jalopy and drive to your city for a break and change of scenery.

Once again, a million thanks to you all.

What is there to do and see in Chiang Rai? As an expat living in Chiang Mai, I am considering a short holiday in CR but have no idea what is on offer. Any help would be hugely appreciated so thank you in advance for any ideas.

Oh Mr Hunt, I do thank you for jiggling my memory buds- I used to enjoy Mr Guyler's eccentric but undoubted washboard talents at his/my local, The Lord Napier, a famous jazz pub in Thornton Heath, Surrey. Sadly, the last tine I went there, it had been closed down and of course, dear old Corky has departed too. Oh yussss. Hattie also but incredibly, Mr Sykes is still alive and nearly kicking.

QUOTE

First Chinese swine flu fatality "was electrocuted"

A 34-year-old woman who became the first swine flu victim to die in China may have actually been electrocuted in the hospital toilet, it has emerged.

When you gotta go, you gotta go...

Dear CM TV forum members. Having not been long in this city you have all been so helpful in finding all the essentials for me; whether by answering direct questions or by my searching back posts.

You are stars! Thank you.

Thanks again elektrified and mongoose... took the watch there and all was satisfactorily solved for THB300.

My wife and I have his and her Gucci watches from the USA (authentic, yes) and we took them to Central for new bands and batteries however; I was watching them like a hawk and as they started damaging the back of my watch to remove the back plate by prying it I made them stop and return the watches. I have given up and no longer wear a watch I will leave it to my children to deal with.

This is exactly the sort of thing that I am scared of.