mamborobert

Came across this post/thread in Reddit....still running hot.

I always thought the Nomad scene here was largely incestuous or verging on sybiotic parasitism (am I hiding my true feelings well?)

Anyhow for your viewing pleasure a non retiree/non expat/etc insiders view on Nomads in Nimman

https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalnomad/comments/5lkf2i/chiang_mai_reviewed_by_a_skeptic/

TIT......Remember the old adage "you don't lose your place, you just lose your turn".

take a few hours out of your day and find a replacement before she changes her mind and subs you back in from the bench......otherwise it's lather rinse repeat.

If you  have received no notice for the lottery through your father cannot see how you would be up for consideration, as you would have had to be registered several years earlier for the candidate pool.  So unless some over zealous Immigration guy wants to make a lot of work for himeself by actually enquiring of a Thai national shich seems hiighly unlikley you should be ok.....

It would be interesting how far they would go if you maintained you could neither speak or read/write Thai.   No hablo Thai, cannot see how you could be inducted/trained etc.  Worse comes to worse pick out a padded bra and a nice frock, that will get you out as well here  ..

Completed conscription myself...loved it....but just as it makes some people there were a few that it broke entirely.  Having seen that, and known how fragile some of my extended family were, could never advocate for it even though it really did a world of good for me personally.

Can you give it a rest......

There are nearly 800 districts in Thailand.  Shoudl the embassy visit all.  Should the embassy make house calls next to everyone regardless of them living by choice in Nakhon Nowhere.  That is a good use of tax payer dollars for sure.

Chiang Mai has sufficient and continuing demand to make embassy visits worhwhile.  

I think my last required visit to the nearest capital in Australia was a trip of over 3500km (one way).  Bangkok once a year is not that onerous, though I accept and am thankful that locally (due to numbers) CM is better served now. 

Why not concentrate your efforts constructively in the TV forum relevant to your district and establish that there is sufficient demand and then present that to the Embassy.

Cannot speak for the effectiveness or costs but this place tried to get my adult son to help with some communication problems with a Farang.  My son, who has the ability to display poor interpersonal skills when required, did not end up taking up offer as i thought to risky for him legality BIB tax visa wise (as in he is not Thai).  Only jogged my memory as there a number of instructors and visa appplicants at Immigration last week when I extended my visa.

http://en.hand2handcombat.com/1530882/debt-recovery-service

Even if the existing monthly requirement  Baht is not immediately changed surely the writing is on the wall.

For a number of months the Thai government has been indicating that it wants to up the quality of retirees and refers to the Malaysian model......and we have the good guys in bad guys out (its not only referring to crims..the want some integrity in their visa system) etc etc

The monthly requirment has not been indexed in how many years???  Even if a cost of living index was applied now it would go up considerably.  Surely it cannot stay at the existing level forever.  Even Thai minimum wages have gone up considerably in the last few years.

Thailand is an ageing poulation with lower birth rates...in 9 short years they are forecastinng 20% of the population to be over 65, hence the initiatives for pensions and old people homes and incentives to employ elderly that have come out again in the last month.  Retirees with insufficient income/insurance will be a drain on health system.  Think of your own country, do you like it when foreign nationals access health systems routinely and add to waiting times, costs, taxes, delays, bed shortages....

As far as replace/remove existing...in time most countries rationalise their visa selections/classes...not add to them (USA, UK, Aust etc have done this in last three years)

To me this is just a gentle heads up and opportuntiy  to get my act together before the inevitable changes do come...

The most recent Thai article I can find on the raid and blockade...if Mods can please accept posted for photographic content rather than Thai language content.

DELETED

It would appear that this may well be K Gang related.

May be unrelated to Hang Dong....BUT

DELETED

In the briefing I refered to in previous post there is a a few officers gathered round a table....and laid out on the table is a black T short with what certainly looks like a motorcycle gang motif in white on the front....so maybe K Gang not sure oftheir origins (as in Thai Yai or not).

Again, Thai news last night and this morning on social media...some 130 police and military raided a migrant camp in Hang Dong,  Same place that had the Thai Yai a few years back running round with swords and chains.

Cannot post the link here as is in Thai and based on previous experience Mods will delete...but there was happy snaps and video of the briefing

There then seems to have been a continuing blockade untl this morning.   Widespread support by Thais on local social media.  Lots of thums up for BIB.

Nothing about a death....and I am surre they would have reported that

Some may be interested in this 

The local CM Police have a Line service that sends out alerts.  I have had it for about a fortnight now.  There is the usual promoand community stuff (BIB helping cut rice, BIB with recent offenders) and finger pointing opportunities similar to their FB page but it also has some useful stuff recently...on the road closures for Loi Krathong, parade routes, underpasses that were recently flooded, major road works or accidents that can be avoided,  along with photographs and the like.

They have also had a "found dog" and a "found credit card" with pictures of both which may help them be reunited with owner.  The messgaes are "current".

The most recent one, and the prompt for the message is a photo that has been put up of ann elderly Japanese man that has been sat down besides a banana shop near a temple in Fanham since this morning , somewhat disorientated and seemingly not able to converse with BIB beyond him asking if he is near home.  They have put an urgent call out for anyone that recognises him.

Whiile there are more than a few digs at BIB (some quite deserved) I thought this was quite a good initative (and seems to operate in other major cities as well).  

Its a shame that the messages are not sent in English as well (even select ones).

But as it is I have found it useful on a few occasions now..

I went yesterday to extend my OA retirement.  Had with me the original lease agreement and my last receipt for rent, water, electricity, and internet.  NO TM30 that I am aware of.

In the end they asked for zero zilch zip nil nada nothing......

The only thing that I can think of is that they were happy that I had my full address on my statutory declaration (showing income and seal by embassy).  That was the only document provided besides passport photocopies and photographs.

Was not asked to fill in new foreigners personal particulars form either despite sign on desk saying this was required for new visa applications (perhpas becuase it is an extension???).  Have not filled in one of those before either.

As always, regrettably, your mileage may vary.

Extended my OA Retirement multiple entry (and did my 90 day) yesterday.  TM30 never mentiioned.  Also was not required to fill out the new foreigner personal details form.  Have never filled one out before and the sign in the middle of the counter inidcated it is required with all new visa applications. I wondered if it was not required because it was an extension rather than a new visa appplication.

I supposd these is an odd chance that the condo management unbeknownst to me completed a TM30.

Also when getting photograped for visa I had to hold up my passport, application and number card, and on the multiple entry photo just the number card.  I cannot really recall having to do this before....maybe did but pretty sure did not.

Have often been told that I am  "hansum"...now I have official confirmation from Immigration that I am a "good guy".

10 minutes ago, CMBob said:

 

Hmmm....think you got that partly wrong....it's tonight (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday) only....14th and 15th. 

Yes, my apologies, you are quite correct.  Never that good with dates and metrics once retired :)

The latest schedule....Subjecct to chaneg without notice....

Laterns are ok to go from 7.00pm to 1.00am...Tuesday and Wednesday only...so should (cough cough) be nothing tonight.

There are a LOT of candle ceremonies remembering teh King.  A big one outside Central Festival toinight apparently.

There will be lanterns no problem.  The numbers may be the issue.  There was an announcement by the local government a week ago limiting the number and places where lanterns could be sold (with a fine if not permitted to sell) and a stipulation on lantern size and fuel limit.

I'm just happy that I am not the only one that mixes Imperial with Metric.  For some reason for me...height is always imperial, weight is always metric, length is metric and diameter is imperial......I have however made the leap to all metric for liquids.....except when I have a pint.

For your viewing pleasure...a short video of the flood management system and a recording of the P1 (Nawarat Bridge almost 1 metre up today by 5.00pm) and P67 (32km upstream) river.  Almost double at p67 in same period

Probably get a bit higher by midnight as it takes about 8 hours for water to travel the distance from p67 to P1.

Still way off the level for flooding in CM proper though (tG).

http://www.cm108.com/bbb/topic/2042-ระดับน้ำปิง-วัดที่จุด-p1-เวลา-1600-น-1837-ที่-p67-ลดลงแล้ว/

22 minutes ago, Konini said:

 

Bamboo rafts outside Rimping Condo north facing are all gone I'm afraid.

 

Some powerful pictures in there - does that rice lying down mean it's gone or will it come back or be straightened or replanted?

 

 

Basically it is useless.

The costs of labour to harvest what remaiins is not worth it...even more so now at depressed prices.  In earlier days some would try to be saved for fodder but not so much now.  It will basically rot when the weather turns.

A lot of farmers were not harvesting now through a combination of encouragement by government not to further flood the market,  a hope that prices would rise a bit,  or to make sure of the new compensation package.  The rice in the photos looks like it was pretty much ready to harvest or soon would be like a lot round here now.

In previous years the government has sometimes provided compensation.  This also affected the Yingluck government where they had the subsidy going to inflate price and store...and at the same time upped compensation considerably after flooding (2011 for example) ,a double whammy.

Rice planting will not usually start agaiin until May.

Its certainly hiking down now....and as you said a lot of debris.

CM108 has some snaps of damage in outer areas of CM (Mae Taeng) 

No big step down gap to the bamboo rafts now thats for sure.

http://www.cm108.com/bbb/topic/2038-มีคลิป-ภาพเพิ่มเติม-ความเสียหายจากน้ำป่าหลาก-ที่อำเภอแม่แตง/

http://www.cm108.com/bbb/topic/2037-ภาพความเสียหายจากน้ำป่าไหลหลาก-จากฝนตกหนักเมื่อคืน-10-พย/

37 minutes ago, wombat said:

 

do you have an email address for that one please?

Email address is in 3rd post of this thread...by me advising date location hours etc

There was no consulate per se in Chiang Mai...there was an Honorary Consul (Mike) who had limited consular operations run from his private business.  Mike has not done the role for I guess over a year now.  The Hon Consul has limited (by Australian legislattion) powers as far as Stat Decs are concerned. 

There is a new designated Hon Consul but has not had his confirmation given the passing of the King.  

The new HOn Consul was at the last outreach visit and no doubt will be at the next.  Perhpas we may get an idea as to what he may do and where he is located etc after his formal appointment.

16 minutes ago, crutchy26 said:

Please, oh please. Can everyone get on the bandwagon: Write a submission to AU DFAT about Consular Services provided by Au Embassy Bangkok. I have fired my email in & had acknowledgement. It's going to take numbers to get OUR Embassy to follow the UK Embassy practices I.e. Letter of Income.

A big NO for me unlesss you can guarrantee that the Outreach Service that does so much more than the Letter of Income will not be affected.  I would hate to se the existing (and more than adequate) service reduced, particularly when it does so much more than the "Letter of Income".

I am more than happy with the Outreach Service and the provision of a Stat Dec for income.  Local CM Immigration accept this no problems.

 I would encourage all those that use the servicce, and those expecting to use the service on the next visit in December to convey on any psoitive or indeed negative feedback to the consular staff in attendance.  Every  service they do  is considerably cheaper than making the trip to Bangkok and to me, we should encourage this type of service. 

You can get a Stat Dec at the next Outreach visit.  Details below.  Got one myself at last visit at end of October.  Quite a few were getting them and theyy are accepted by Immigration.  Search this forum and it has been mentioned a few times.  They have blank Stat Decs on hand or you can get embassy to email you on and complete and take it to be signed/witnessed/sealed.  Cost was 500Baht.  Easy as, cheap as, quick as........

Consular Outreach Visits

The Consular Section of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok will be undertaking the following consular outreach visit in Chiang Mai

at:

Le Méridien Chiang Mai
108 Chang Klan Road
Tambol Chang Klan, Amphur Muang
Chiang Mai 50100 Thailand
T +66 (0)53 253 666

The next outreach visit will take place between 9.00am to 12.00pm and 1.00pm to 3.00pm on the following day:

Friday 9 December 2016 (VIP Lounge)

During the outreach visit, we will provide the following services:

* Passport applications (please ensure you bring all original documents and a photocopy of each document with you)
* Notarial services
* Statutory declarations for marriage, retirement visas and driving licence renewals
* Witnessing documents
* Certified true copies of documents (please ensure you bring the original and a photocopy of each document with you)

As fees are payable in cash only, please bring the right change with you. Please contact the Consular section on 02 344 6300 or email [email protected] prior to your visit if you require further details and/or to confirm fees payable.

On 07/11/2016 at 9:29 AM, GeorgeV said:

I am also looking for reasonable quality furniture ... has anybody knowledge of a company by the name of Indochine ? 

 

They have an extensive web site with a seemingly huge range of styles ... according to their web site they are located in Mae On district ... a google map search shows a large lumber yard ?

 

 

Large lumbar yard is correct.  They also do luxury house construction so have a lumbar yard, kiln, lots of reclaimed stuff, as well as the factory/showroom for manufacture/display.

Have been round there once and sorry did not look at prices.  Was assisting a friend building in Borsang .....he was spending some 10 million plus on house cosntruction and fitting it out. ...

It was all really nice furntiure...but if we are calling Index, Koncept, Home Pro mid range this was certainly a class well above.  They do a LOT of exporting to Europe and US...cannot say that for the others

At the moment it just seems that there is a very substantial gap between the lowest concrete step and the bamboo floats..... so a bit of rain may help.

Saw the Fire Brigade lopping trees at Warrorot yesterday....and a squad of ladies in garbage bags with a hose truck washing away the distinctive smell from the defacto Songtaew driver urinal that the steps near the market have become.  It gets a bit odourous when it is hot/humid.  So preparations are in full swing....although the event itself maybe somewhat subdued as far as ancillary activities.