mamborobert

The more I read this post, the more I am convinced it is the path to disaster.

I cannot see the need in CM for ANY of the weaponry suggested, and foresee three possible outcomes:.

You forgot the fourth one; he carries a weapon for the rest of his life and it never leaves his pocket.

I keep re-reading the original post, and can't seem to find a request made by the OP for lectures or eventualities, much less psychological evaluations. Why do so many people feel the need to play 'parent?' I have a feeling that the OP is old enough to evaluate the outcome of the use of weapons. You and I may feel that there is no need for them but obviously the OP disagrees and wants to carry one. It's not our place to judge him or tell him otherwise, much less call him names for wanting to do something. He asked for certain information. Give him the information requested or don't. No need to play Hall Monitor.

Next, people will be reminding him not to run with scissors.

What utter drivel.

Actions have consequences and what the Op proposes can lead to escalation and that has consequences for the wider community......which includes me. This is CM not Dodge.

There are many other solutions to his perceived or actual need....including removing yourself from the threat.

If something posted irks people then of course they can comment or ignore it. But surely one of the major ideas of a forum is the free exchange of differing points of view.

This is not a free speech argument. Neither is it an parental/nany state argument

A person carrying a non lethal (arguable) means of subduing someone is not the same as running with scissors. If the Op wants to run with scissors thats his choice, where he runs with scissors where I frequent it affects me and mine.

If the Op wanted a gun, automatic rifle, or a taser or a stun gun there is a DUTY to voice that this is folly. This is how societal norms are maintained and society keeps itself in check. I would hope that we would for example all condemn someone who wants to wear Nazi memorabillia is public (as opposed ot wear a stun gun in public). This is free speech in action.

It is not a right to reply it is an obligation placed upon you as being a citizen. If someone wants to voice something that is their perfect right...it is also a right to respond.

Your post condemns itself with its own words, you want to excercise your right and consider posts in opposition or adversely commenting on the original post as being some judgmental/parental thing.

Sort of judgemental and parental to do that don't you think.

I had to show a 1920's black and white picture of my grand mother in a neck to knee and hat that wifey laughed at....until it was pointed out that wifeys costume was only marginally shorter (though her hat was bigger). Wifey;s CM costume is almost like a springer suit used in surfing (thick lycra, short sleeves with longish boy leg). Looks like sometihng an olympic sprinter uses.

Still no way she will wear a bikkini in CM....ever. Away is a totally different deal.

Well she's significantly reducing her risk of skin cancer, so maybe she's smarter than you think.

True enough but she's more worried about getting "dark".

Not so much worried about skin cancer.

The salmonella and other bacteria in the food she leaves out and grazes on throughout the day, driving without a helmet because it inteferes with her hair, taking any number of non prescription medicines from the old girl at the San Pakoy for various ill defined ailments, or the ghosts in her dreams will get her first.

Sanskrit is its....and not just on businesses.

When we moved into our house wifey had monk around to bless house........and motorcycle.

No real gold here but gold coloured paint.

Maybe for businesses they las out more as a money making investment.

I took her by KSK (Central and Supersports) and of course Airport Plaza (Robinsons). We could only find the thai types of bikinis that look like kids bikinis

Sounds like a woman I would appreciate.

lend her one of yours then

Then he could'nt do "fly's eyes" and scare the kids.

you'll find them at the night bazaar for sure and also at the sports store or robinson in kad sun keaw i believe

my thai wife loves them when we go swimming after overcoming a bit of shyness

and realizing that t shirt and jeans are not really comfy ocean wear

Same situation here.

I had to show a 1920's black and white picture of my grand mother in a neck to knee and hat that wifey laughed at....until it was pointed out that wifeys costume was only marginally shorter (though her hat was bigger). Wifey;s CM costume is almost like a springer suit used in surfing (thick lycra, short sleeves with longish boy leg). Looks like sometihng an olympic sprinter uses.

Still no way she will wear a bikkini in CM....ever. Away is a totally different deal.

I'm still trying to work out how you think the price is now low. Sure its gone down in the last week or so by varying amounts each day around the 100 to 200 baht mark over the week, but its still higher than it was less than a month ago, and nearly 2000 baht up where it was three months ago.

If you're shorting it, it's not.

There is a reason countries and top investors are stocking up, even with it at a higher rate. QE 3 just started and QE 4++ probably isn't far behind. One of them is going to knock down the entire house of cards.

Revisit this thread in a few years and lets see where it is. I remember telling friends to buy when it was at $600. They laughed.

Very valid point and thanks for clearing it up.

Not arguing with that logic at all, gold has outsripped virtually everything and the horizon isn't that nice.

Try hitting up the local mosque or shops frequented by Islamics.

Bifidus as a starter culture can come from Milk (Halal), or "modified" milk products or Meat (Haram) so they have to work that out.

Also as the culture undergoes a fermentation process it becomes Haram regardless of meat/milk starter culture..

To be sure most devout practitioners stay away from having to find out either way and go for a Halal certified (non probiotic) Yoghurt.

There will usually be a sign that says Halal in English and Arabic, or a big letter M in a circle with a half crescent.

Stuff from Malaysia is usually ok.

Those guys protesting outside the US consulate might be good for something after all (for you anyway).

I'm still trying to work out how you think the price is now low. Sure its gone down in the last week or so by varying amounts each day around the 100 to 200 baht mark over the week, but its still higher than it was less than a month ago, and nearly 2000 baht up where it was three months ago.

Another post about caring guns and now Stun Guns,who are these people,

that they feel the need to carry self defense protection ,especially in Chiang Mai.

Over the years I have been to many dangerous places around the world,first

line of defense is your mouth,talk your way out of situations,then I already

look like a mugger,so that helps.

You are going to look stupid pulling out a stun gun ,when the other guy pulls a .45

But if it makes you feel like a big man to carry a weapon,so be it,but learn to use it,first

regards Worgeordie

Very much with you on this one, same as the gun thread..

Do any posters have an idea of how foolish it is to you a stun gun (apart from the risk that you can actually kill someone witha weak hear or a congenital defect, or by doing it too much).

Lets remember that police forces use these devices as an alternate means of non lethal force......not for self defence.

You are really unlikely to get a "taser" with projectile pins so the best you will get in CM is a stun gun. That means your up close and personal. As opposed to a knife being weilded by the other person (or perhaps yourself) which has a metre plus slash range. What that means is that you have to get past the slashing knife to be able to apply the stun (at which point you will probably have multiple slashes or stab wounds). It never ceases to suprise me how many young women carry knives or box cutters.....my money would be on them over a someone pulling stun gun.

Stun guns do not frighten anyone...knives do.

A stun gun is used to subdue (not defend). You have become the aggressor.

Absolutely no legitimate use in CM as at al, and many viable alternatives (keep your mouth shut and walk/run away being the best).

Criminals/thugs use stun guns to creep on unsuspecting victims, get close stun rob or otherwise acost....happy stalking.

Which leads us down the road of escalation. You have a stun gun, people get knives, then prowl/hunt in packs, then guns...might as well stayed in home country.

Been to a lot of pools in CM and very very very rarely see a girl/lady in a bikini.

They do seem to be quite a bit more reserved than their cousins in the South.

Usually you will see one pieces (and sizeable ones with boylegs at that).

Apart from the modesty aspect locals in CM are certainly not searching for a better tan so its full coverage then in for a quick dip (with a hat sometimes) and then into the shade of umbrella/whatever.

Your friend MIGHT actually become very aware/self conscious if she is the only one in the pool with a two piece....at least at the pools I frequent and some Thais might tut tut.

Think you might be best having someone put a few pairs in the post .....if you do find a range here not sure it will be that impressive.

I guess you didn't invest in Thai Stocks then my friend . If you invested in the west and especially Australia in 2009 then that might be the case. If you had invested in the SET you might be up at least 50% in that time. And in that time some of my managed funds are up 125%. And I can sell today or any other day and immediately realise my capital.Beat that with a condo!

True and not true.The gains in SET have been made of a low base as it took many years to even partially recover from the Asian Stock Market Crisis of 1997. Though they paid the IMF back earlier (2003 I think) the SET is still not that broad or that robust. All I'm trying to point out is that Property or Shares you are always going to make money or lose money depending on what period you are in or looking at. You could have sold your shares easily in the past and made a horrific loss but shares do have liquidity as a bonus (whatever the return). Hindsight is a beautiful thing.

The SET had an upper 70% fall in 1997.

At present the SET is certainly the way to go and the abundance of empty and non completed condo projects (many that were stalled or ceased for a while after the 97 crisis) is a worry. A condo can be a good positively geared investment if you have a good tenant but thats far from a given (see all the empty condos). Generally now you would get a better return with cash in a term deposit in say Australia as you have mentioned.

If you can be flexible with times and can handle a drive there would be a heap of caves available in Chiang Dao, some of which have been used (and one that I know definately still is) for the purposes you intend. Even the ones that are open to tourists are not packed all the time, and, there are many areas that not generally open for tourists (lack of lighting, adequate footing for elderly tourists, or that people are to "big boned" to access). No problems there with bats/insects etc but they can get pretty cold. No doubt after some discussion the on hand guides can take you in to a secluded area and bring you out later, or have a word with monks near the caves. Not aware of anything nearer that Chiang Dao that would suit your purposes. If you can be flexible with times there are many periods where a lot of the caves have staff available but no tourists....

No dog now, but when I did I used to get a leatherworker to make one up. Had a big dog so something strong, ta bit thicker, smooth for the dog with a wide band was easier to have made up (and much cheaper in long run as lasted forever). Laugh away but when he was smaller used to get untreated leather belts (girls size) and just have them cut down. Hit the markets they will make them up no problems, plus you can take the dog for a sizing. That's what I did at the weekend market near Prince's college..

Do you want to go into Bangkok or is that just a transit point to CM? If a transit point I would go with Singapore Airlines (Sydney to Singapore and then to CM on Silkair, their subsiduary) if the connections are good for you.

Also Sydney to KL and then KL to CM with Airasia. You can pick the better seats with Airasia. Only thing that would put me off is the lay over time in KL (which depends on your flights) as have to spend it at the LCCT.

If your travelling soon Thai airways have a good sale on at present...only marginally more that Jetstar or Airasia but a lot more comfort. This is a good deal if Bangkok or CM final desitination.

Nearest to D-Town with all that stuff is Makro superstore , you can quite literally walk there (though not with kids as crossing superhighway). Its almost directly behind D-Town.

Its just down from the BIg C you are talking about.

Have a look and at that place and as far as transporting easiest way is to get a red colour from there to your place (organise it first before you go there) and you can stock up on bulk anything at the same time.

Otherwise you could get a rug and most stuff you want when they hold one of the trade shows next to DTown (where the Chamber of Commerce is on Thung Hotel Rd). Less than a minutes walk with kids from D Town and safe to take the kids, lots of clothes, rugs that sort of stuff. They have food stalls there same time, so if you can hang on for a while (and find out when next trade show is on) that would be worthwhile and much easier to transport (just carry and you can make multiple trips)

Apparently nothing as tasty as a dead black chicken thats been in a bag in 32 degree plus temperature for a few hours.

Buy her an oven

If I did that there would only be one chance for the chicken to get Salmonella (that being after its cooked and left out on the table covered by a thin layer of gauze for a few hours in between each of the 5 daily Thai feeding frenzies).

Ok please I gotta know is this topic.

a) The finest example of a guerrila marketing campaign that Chiang Mai has ever seen.

b.) Something akin to slowing down to view a horrific vehicle accident.

c) The Op and the follow ups illustrating that the good book is true (Proverbs 26:11).

May the BBQ is an awards night for a.)

Now I just feel sad. I take wifey on a Honda Click, and come back with more stuff than we went with.....always

If I'm lucky its not one of those black chickens (dead).

Apparently nothing as tasty as a dead black chicken thats been in a bag in 32 degree plus temperature for a few hours.

There was an Guy that had an organic farm in Chiang Dao. Don't think he is there at the moment but you could contact him through his web page http://momsorganicfarm.com.

He was very intense/committed what ever you want to call it as produce was linked to some (fringe - my word) medical treatment. Have no doubt his produce was pesticide free.

Every few months I get the urge for a favourite from home and the most recent urge is Nandos Peri Peri Sauce, the extra hot (which aint that hot by Thai standards but i like the tanginess).

Does anyone know if it sells anywhere in CM at all? Or is there a good local equivalent?

I have a fall back position of a friend coming across from Oz in two weeks but feel like a prat asking him to bring across a supply of Nandos.

Any ideas or does my pratdom approach.

Does anybody know if the Honorary Consuls in CM produce these letters and whether Immigration accept them? Are there some Honorary Consuls that do and others that don't (realising that this is academic if Immigration will not accept them).

And just to add to the confusion will a Consul (Honorary or otherwise) for a country to which you are a national be willing to certify income if it is derive from another country?

CM specific as I wish to lodge in CM and consistency (in my experience) has not been that good between Immigration offices. CM have always been good to me though.

Wifey had a cousin conscripted to Kawilla. After recruit training they seemed to have this very odd system that was almost two weeks on one week (or more) off. Anyhow contacted him and if I was prepared to wait a few days I could get half a dozen guys no problem, all young, fit, with boots!. As this was a basic labouring rather than skill job went with him, Threw on a few beers, food and karaoke (at home given family connection). Top job done by all and have used a few of them for other things (driving wifey to mountain home for a few days....she don't drive and I don't mountain). A few still drop in about once a fornight to catch up with wifey (same village), bring mountain food for her and if I need anything done and am prepared to wait till they are on leave use them again.

I was suprised how many had second jobs while conscripts (for a while they all did security work at Royal Flora). There was always one that could fix a bike, or electrics as well.

No problems with language, or work rights etc as far as I am concerned its the best way to go (for straight out labour) if you are prepared to wait.

Could not agree more regarding staying away from Burmese in CM (re Police/ Immigration intervention) unless you are building in Chiang Dao or other rural (in which case its hard to find a Thai). Rather be sweet with the army than come to the attention of the police.

Any family of Op's in the army? If so I really would recommend giving it a go.

Simple. Us yanks figured out where the Russians, Indians, and Arabs were pouring into, then picked a location where they were not. When signs and TV channels in Chiang Mai start changing to Russian and Arabic, we'll move on.

Are comments such as this really neccesary?

'The guys who spit on me here, will 100% not be invited to our first big BBQ party with allot of nice food, drinks and peoples'

When and where's the party CMWeb?

It will be 99.99% in Kankanok Villa 2, I have to check after we have the exact date.

It will be between end October and end of November, we still wait to get arrival dates from some important business people before we can set a fix date.

bsw. We are searching for a small office space (show room), on the ground floor, on a good busy location, if somebody know or see something please let me know

Thanks

Says it all really doesn't it.

A real estate business looking for good office real estate.

I carried a firearm at my work for years and our credo was that it is better to be judged by twelve than carried by six. We were in volatile situations that were quite literally shoot first ask questions later. This is context.

To carry in CM because something may happen makes handgun little more than carrying a cigarette lighter in case someone wants a smoke. Millions on interactions every day with no harm. This is where I think some of the comments are coming from as far as actualised risk. If people start to carry when there is no real objective risk then more people do and it actually increases the risk of something going horribly wrong. The police realise this ...which is why we have licenses and regulation.

If there is a specific threat that is quite different but the OP has not suggested that and as I have posted earlier a specific threat actually makes it harder to obtain a hand gun legally.

But to answer the Op yes you can get a handgun (see earlier post). They can costs five times more than in the states. Concealed carry would be very very difficult you would have to have a real and iminent threat and be able to demonstrate this to BIB who would then be obliged to act on that threat anyway. You do see extremely rich or influential people with legal conceal and carry because there is an acknowledged threat and the BIB cannot always be there. Everything outside of a sporting or protecting property is a risk assessment by BIB and there is a line where they think you might use the hand gun if there is a specific threat so they will not give you one but for some influential or monied Thais the threat is so substantial (and Thai life is worth more than yours per BIB) they get a conceal carry licence. Its weird in one way but the more you need it the less likely you are to get it.

Handguns and rifles on home ground are realtively easy but again most license in name of wife its just easier (excuse is break ins in neighbourhood, a few attempts at house scared of by husband, has a bit of gold, husband works away sometimes,......... solution a point and click).

No issue with guns or rifles for me....at home. But like I said before conceal carry in CM for the vast majority is unnecessary and frightens me if someone does.