Norman d'Plume

Thank you everybody for your kind wishes. Squeak returned home of his own accord early this evening.

I have also been lucky enough to experience the Jabber sausages. They are probably the best I can remember tasting since I was a young child. Meaty, juicy and full of flavour.

I found the Lincolnshire sausages brought back the strongest childhood memories, but the tomato, the spicy crab sausage and the chorizo are nothing short of amazing. The andoullie is a bit small though and could do with a bit more smoke.

We already have a Sausage King whose sausages are mostly okay. I vote the Jabber should be proclaimed Sausage God!

Strewth - I never expected this thread to take off so well. Thank you everybody, especially Priceless, for all the information posted.

Good to see Blinky back too!

I started the thread because I have suffered annually from the smog for the past several years, having never suffered breathing problems or even hay fever before. I found it annoying and upsetting that my good friend, the General, should constantly poo-pooh any idea that there might be a pollution problem that directly causes suffering to people here.

Last year I had a friend fly in from Hawaii. He had to be hospitallised after only 48 hours in the city, so it's not only long term residents and locals who are damaged by our smog.

Thank you again to everybody who have made this a most informative thread.

How many Davids ARE there in Chiangmai?

As well as the on-going debate about how many farang live here, there's another more whimsical one about the incredible number of people named David in our midst.

Many years ago, one Saturday lunch time, a pretty young lady paused outside the open door of a bar near Thapae Gate and called out 'David!"

"Yes?" came the chorus of replies, as no fewer than 7 heads swivelled in her direction.

Now, The Olde Bell in Loi Kroh Road is aiming to break that record, and what better day to do it than St.Davids Day, March the 1st? Welshman Pedr Fawkes runs The Olde Bell and, as everyone knows, St.David is the Patron Saint of Wales, so all men proving that they are Davids, or anyone proving Welsh ancestry is invited to a free buffet on the night of March 1st! There will also be discounts on drinks, raffle prizes, silly games etc.

"We won't be too fussy about proof of links with Wales" says Pedr, "possession of a leek might be accepted, for instance!"

With Davids of almost every western nationality - even a Belgian - in town, it could be quite a busy night. For more details and to book yourself into the buffet, just contact David, the idea's originator.

Have a good evening

Norm!

My ranking (after 15 years of involvement ) of international schools, based on cost-benefit ratios:

1. CMIS -- Long tradition (it was the second international school founded in all of Thailand). Strong community involvement, good teachers.

However you should not discount the strong Christian missionary element at CMIS. It's primary aim is still to provide schooling to children of missionary families.

I decided against sending my children there after an extended discussion with one of their teachers about the evils of Darwin's unproven theory, which ignores God's immutable teachings.

2. Grace -- The word of God maybe, but also truly qualified and dedicated teachers and administrators. Run according to Western standards.

Grace, I'm afraid, I regard as little more than a brain washing institution. One of the contractual obligations, as detailed in the web-site, is to evangelise and convert pupils to their particular brand of extremely fundamental christianity. If you are not a member of their sect, you are not made welcome.

3. Prem -- Very expensive, but has the prestige due to its IB program that might get a kid into Harvard if he's that smart. Whether the teaching standards are that much better is open to serious debate.

Many pupils are being moved away from Prem because of perceived social problems. Prem students seem to have adopted a "holier-than-thou" attitude which many others find grating. Their arrogance is becoming highly unpopular in other circles.

NIS -- Good teachers, but run in a Thai management model (fill in the blanks).

NIS pupils are often regarded as having a chip on their shoulders, being unable to qualify for, or afford, Prem. This has sometimes led to trouble with pupils from other schools. Note the infamous fight on the football field a couple of years ago.

Lanna -- Same as above.

Lanna is a school on the way down. They have a revolving, open-door policy, accepting, without question, pupils other schools find unacceptable - as long as they have the money to pay. The Thai management run the school as a cash cow, constantly complaining they are losing money, while buying ever more property for personal use.

They recently expelled two pupils and instigated a 2 Million Baht defamation suit, because the parents had the nerve to suggest the food served was unhealthy for the children and was a cause of ill-health and learning difficulties amongst the students.

APIS -- Part of a resort scheme. Boarding school with many rich Bangkok kids who were gettin' a little on the wild side, so they got sent to the mountains in the north.

Start your child's day by giving them a dose of motion sickness. The drive up the mountain to APIS guarantees an interesting start to the day. APIS are known for having difficulties with pupils from other schools, particularly NIS.

To add my 2 cents worth I just hired Prathom to do some wiring work for me at my house. Need three phase wiring into the kitchen to install high powered water heater for new washing machine ( yes have 3 phase into the house, but not the kitchen). Talked with the guy and he knows what he's talking about! Came to the house, inspected and not a problem.

Found him from George's post about tradesmen in Chiang Mai.

Thank you George.

Think you'll find the tradesmen post was from p1p. George is trying to sell hotels

And I have uesd Prathom too with very satisfactory results, but a bit pricey though.

How much would it cost you in your home country??

Ajarn

Thank you for your interest and reply to my post. I don't quite understand why your tone has to be so aggressive though. I merely point out that I have used your recommended electrician and found his work to be satisfactory. However he did charge somewhat more than I have been used to paying other local electricians for equivalent work.

What does my home country have to do with anything? And how do you define "Home Country"? The place I have my only home is Thailand and has been for more years than I care to remember, certainly more than 80% of my life to date.

So aggressive?? I was just joking with you, which is why I left a

Get a grip on reality, sir...

Norman d

Have to say, for what it's worth, I also felt a bite in Ajan's reply, maybe I also need to get a grip on reality

But back to the topic, I would have thought you having been here so long and considering this is your 'Home country' you would have:

i) requested a job estimate in advance;

ii) as you considered it 'a bit pricey' why did you not opt for a cheaper estimate.

It seems rather unfair to criticize the guy after you had agreed the price before he started (did you?). Also why did you not sick with the 'other local electricians' you referred to in your post, who you state would charge you less.

Just my tuppence worth.

OK, thankyou Ajarn, Sir, for your reply setti9ng the matter straight.

Toon Army. I thank you also for your interest in this matter.

On the day in question, I was telephoned by my maid, giving details of an emergency. The electrician we normally use was on holiday so she needed to know who to contact. I was then staying with a friend in Bangkok. So, remembering Ajarn had previously recommended this man in the Chiangmai forum, I looked him up and gave her the details.

She made all the arrangements and got the job done, however she expressed some disquiet over the price quoted, to him and to me, but she was effectively over a barrel and had no other available choice at the time.

Hopefully this answers your query?

To add my 2 cents worth I just hired Prathom to do some wiring work for me at my house. Need three phase wiring into the kitchen to install high powered water heater for new washing machine ( yes have 3 phase into the house, but not the kitchen). Talked with the guy and he knows what he's talking about! Came to the house, inspected and not a problem.

Found him from George's post about tradesmen in Chiang Mai.

Thank you George.

Think you'll find the tradesmen post was from p1p. George is trying to sell hotels

And I have uesd Prathom too with very satisfactory results, but a bit pricey though.

How much would it cost you in your home country??

Ajarn

Thank you for your interest and reply to my post. I don't quite understand why your tone has to be so aggressive though. I merely point out that I have used your recommended electrician and found his work to be satisfactory. However he did charge somewhat more than I have been used to paying other local electricians for equivalent work.

What does my home country have to do with anything? And how do you define "Home Country"? The place I have my only home is Thailand and has been for more years than I care to remember, certainly more than 80% of my life to date.

We still have room at our passover seder, which will be conducted in English and some Hebrew, and have a Thai seder translation, as well. It will be pretty free-form, and we hope an enjoyable experience.

Write us if you're interested in coming next Monday evening.

Larry and Becky

Niemmenhaemin Rd.

Chiangmai

Larry, we wish you all the best with your seder. Would have liked to experience one, but we can not get free then.

Want to know how to clear the pollution? Have a strong word with Austhaied......

To add my 2 cents worth I just hired Prathom to do some wiring work for me at my house. Need three phase wiring into the kitchen to install high powered water heater for new washing machine ( yes have 3 phase into the house, but not the kitchen). Talked with the guy and he knows what he's talking about! Came to the house, inspected and not a problem.

Found him from George's post about tradesmen in Chiang Mai.

Thank you George.

Think you'll find the tradesmen post was from p1p. George is trying to sell hotels

And I have uesd Prathom too with very satisfactory results, but a bit pricey though.

Back on topic

The only problem with the new Rimping Superstore at the airport fly-over is FINDING it! I looked opposite the big Toyota dealer, I went down the side of the fly-over and looked in the Amway/Budget car park, kept left round the golf driving range and turned left back into the city. Nowhere! But on my second lap of the block I FOUND it, thanks only to a smiling security guard!

As soon as you are into the slip road ('off ramp' in US-speak?) look up into the sky and see the towering NIM sign in red and white. Slap the brakes on at the foot of the NIM sign (whoever they are?), turn hairpin left at the security man and there's Rimping and their vast car park! There are 2 Very small Rimping signs, but as you busily try to avoid accidents you could easily miss them both.

As per Rimping-on-the-ring-road there are many locations for other shops in the complex, but so far only one major one, Daiso, is established. This is worth a 15 minute browse in itself. Crammed with giftware, stationery and other non-food items, ALL priced at 65 baht each!

Once you are inside, this Rimping comes over as the most stylish of the whole chain so far. An operatic soprano greeted me through the speakers as I wandered through the fresh food - and assistants who meet you in the eye and give greeting smiles, rather than nervously looking the other way, as is more commonplace around here. Bigger than the penultimate Gad Farang Rimping way down Hang Dong Road, yet smaller than Central Ring Road, this one seems to have even more emphasis on 'luxury' food and drink items. Do you like your saki warm or cold? They must have 30 different varieties. The refrigerated 'cave' (wine room) is not only the size of most other store's whole wine selection, it has bottles ranging from 350b to over 3,500b.

The value for money on wines, spirits and deli items makes the dull Tops (across the road in the Airport Shopping Plaza) look like unimaginative highwaymen.

The Rimping cheese selection and deli here are utterly drool-worthy and both offered modest complementary tastings when I was there on March 29th. Go see and enjoy, and then let that security man stop the traffic and let you out again! Khun Phairoj and his team have proved yet again that it IS possible for men to enjoy shopping!

The Dukes do good buffalo wings.

Strewth, you must have a bl00dy sweet tooth.

Seemed like their recipe was 85% pure sugar, and that's taking the chicken into account too.

The only time I ever tasted them, as part of one of their mixed platters, I had to ask to take them home to wash the sugar off before I could eat them.

Beware if you are diabetic, (I'm not). These wings are set to kill you.

I have had good, tasty, spicy wings twice in Chiang Mai. Both places are now unfortunately closed, but I too hope to find some again.

You know my six and ten year old children know to apologise and admit when they <deleted> up. Most well brought up people should do so. To be unable to offer an apology implies this guy is either never on line or, as Al says, is psychotic in some way.

Interesting to note though that the SUPER-MODERATOR did not take any action despite my understanding that GCM broke forum rules by directly criticizing him. I thought we got banned for that.

Amazing worked.

Unforgettable was just ignorable.

Good thing.

์ำNow cancel his normal passport too and force him to return to face the music. He needs to appear in open court to show his blind followers he is not the all-powerful super-being they seem to think he is. His corrupt practices have caused immense problems for the country and he must be brought to book if for no other reason than pour encourager les autres and show that society will never accept his type of kleptocracy again.

"This is Thailand": A phrase oft quoted by a.) Foreigners to the kingdom who come across yet another reason for total bemusement. and b.) Thai persons who consider themselves of import when explaining such policfies causing bemusement to non Thais.

Policies such as these are usually referred to as the "Thai Way", a phrase that has come to mean, "We will not learn from your mistakes, or those we have ourselves made in the past. We wish to repeat said mistakes ad infinitum ourselves."

These policies are normally adopted for one of two reasons. i.) Acute xenophobia or ii.) The desire to retain the status quo and constant absolute power for the oligarcic kleptocracy who have controlled, and fed off, the country for generations.

Face mask - 24 hours per day!

Have a look at silver items on Ebay. Pages and pages that don't sell.

This has worked for a friend of mine and could be a great help, although I offer no guarantees.

The Chinese herb "Jiaogulan" / "Southern Ginseng" or "Xiancao" ("Immortality Herb"), is both a strong adaptogenic and an antioxidant, (amongst other health benefits).

My friend was instructed to drink Jiaogulan tea with added green tea as almost his only liquid intake.

(This was to help him overcome a nasty cancer.)

He made a thermos flask of it in the morning and kept refilling with boiling water as he drank from it during the day. Now, six years later, he is still carrying his thermos and has outlived his doctor's forecast by 5 1/2 years. (I have also now developed a liking for the tea.)

He was previously a chronic sufferer from unipolar disease, (chronically clinically depressed for many years.) After a couple of months on Jiaogulan, he reports that he never took another pill. (I gather he was on Fluoxetine.)

Jiaogulan is readily available in Chiang Mai. The tea has very little flavour. When I make it I like to add some spices, Star Anise, Cardamom, Clove buds or other flavours to vary the taste and make it more interesting. I don’t add sweetener.

Don't stop taking the pills. Give Jiaogulan a go for a while and see how things progress. If you are anything like my friend, you might find you no longer need the chemical crutch after a while.

Good luck

Jiaogulan is a very helpful herb. Just Google for it on the net to get more info. I use it and swear by it.

I think p1p wanted to stress that you need to let the herb do its job. Don't try and force matters by cutting down or stopping until your body tells you you don't need to take the drug any more. It will. One day you'll wake up and not feel like taking your pill. Listen to your body. Take it when you feel you need it. Don't when you feel okay and you will conquor all!

Where?

We were never charged a single satang.

DIRECTIONS - From another thread:

Take the Hang Dong Road out of CM.

You will see plenty of signs pointing you towards Bann Tawai Handicrafts Centre.

Once you get to Hang Dong which is the first proper town about 9 cliks up from Central Airport Plazza, hook a left at the traffic lights,. The Secret Garden is exactly 1 klik up on the left, slightly set back from the road.

What is the name of your place?

However if you want a Coffee Shop in Hang Dong than my Wife's place "The Secret Garden" has many types of coffee available - (she buys from Starbucks, but charges half their prices). Papers. magazines, choose your own music.. sit inside or in a sala.. choice is yours.. a very peaceful haven...try it if you are out that way

TP,

directions please.

Take the Hang Dong Road out of CM.

You will see plenty of signs pointing you towards Bann Tawai Handicrafts Centre.

Once you get to Hang Dong which is the first proper town about 9 cliks up from Central Airport Plazza, hook a left at the traffic lights,. The Secret Garden is exactly 1 klik up on the left, slightly set back from the road.

If you can hang on till the end of the month there will be Crossaints and English breakfasts available as well

Cheers

TP

Posted in the coffee shop thread

However if you want a Coffee Shop in Hang Dong than my Wife's place "The Secret Garden" has many types of coffee available - (she buys from Starbucks, but charges half their prices). Papers. magazines, choose your own music.. sit inside or in a sala.. choice is yours.. a very peaceful haven...try it if you are out that way

TP,

directions please.

Take the Hang Dong Road out of CM.

You will see plenty of signs pointing you towards Bann Tawai Handicrafts Centre.

Once you get to Hang Dong which is the first proper town about 9 cliks up from Central Airport Plazza, hook a left at the traffic lights,. The Secret Garden is exactly 1 klik up on the left, slightly set back from the road.

If you can hang on till the end of the month there will be Crossaints and English breakfasts available as well

Cheers

TP

Look forward to dropping in there some time soon.