mamborobert

11 minutes ago, balo said:

I think the rain has stopped for good this year , yesterday I was out cycling and it looked like it was going to rain but it never happened , that's a good sign .

 

Funny you mentioned this...the forecast for the next three days has it clocking up nearly 20mm a day startinng tonight.  A few Thai media publications have alerts out.

The river is certainly low....I notice that bamboo  floats are being prepared near US consulate just to allow people to get to the water level.  Crazy stuff as I imagine with the weight and waterlogging they will not last the first night of Loy Kratong.  One good thing, the water management/flood gate control seems better this year.

All of course subject to change without notice :)

CM108 (Thai) and other media outlets are reopporting a fire at the Tarin Hotel this morning that necessitated the evacuation of 200 plus guests (mostly Chinese).  

While most guests managed to get out, it seems a dozen or more had to make it to the roof top becuase there was too much smoke in the internal  fire escape stairs below their floors once they were alerted..

Good that no one was injured and seems to have been a quick and effective repsonse from local emergency authorities.  I gather the hotel is empty now.

Link in Thai below with photos.

http://www.cm108.com/bbb/topic/1994-live-สดๆ-เวลา-0223-น-ไฟไหม้ชั้นใต้ดินโรงแรมธารินเชียงใหม่/

Has been in numerous media   articles over last week....and then again over several years.....progressing at teh speed of a startled turtle.

Example below from 28 October

http://pattayaone.news/en/tourist-minister-floats-ideas-new-five-year-visas/

A replication of this from 26 October

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2016/10/26/tourism-minister-talks-5-year-visas/

Numerous others with very slight alteration.

'

This bit may be of interest to some...

" Kobkarn also singled out complaints about delays at the Chiang Mai immigration office, saying it needed to increase staff because it takes more than six times longer for expats to extend their visas there compared to offices in other provinces. "

There is a dealer on the superhighway just down from Tesco Lotus....more or less opposite teh Lanna Hospital.  Bought one there no problems.

https://www.facebook.com/theskymoterchiangmai/

Prices are on FB page...There are also a few shops that mod them.

They do not have the discretion to give the Honorary Consul JP powers that would be valid for Stat Decs. I asked this at last outreach visit and posted same. 

"I did ask the Embassy A based officer if there was any intention of letting Hon Consul sign stat decs ....one word answer "Never".  Apparently current legislation does not allow for this, no plans, not a priority, to change. I queried arrangements regarding the QLD (as I recall) JP here, was advised that QLD has unique legislation that continues to permit authority  ( I imagine this would be only for QLD state related business but not sure)."

ps there was a consular uniformed guy there iwith a name badge saying hon Consul Chiang Mai....so they may have appointed already but have not seen anything public yet....from memory only I think it was Ross Elliott? Unless he is a temp stand in. But he was helping with numbering system and seemed to know a few who rocked up. Maybe one of those could chip in.

As far as role there is trade and local liaison like organising and assisting outreach service or people in trouble etc etc....not just expat visa issues which seem adequately addressed by outreach given that Stat Dec by Thai Regs has a 6 month validity.

as a Simple PR job it would suck a bit....not the same cocktail circuit  or support mechanisms as Bangkok.

An Oz Stat Dec has the following as the last lines of Pg 1 directly after the signatures and seal.

Note 1   A person who intentionally makes a false statement in a statutory declaration is guilty of an offence, the punishment for which is imprisonment for a term of 4 years — see section 11 of the Statutory Declarations Act 1959.

Note 2   Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code applies to all offences against the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 — see section 5A of the Statutory Declarations Act 1959.

I would also ask that people do not write to the Bangok Embassy (they are probably busy enough) about getting letters similar to the UK,  Oz Citizens can already get Stat Decs from the outreach service.  The outreach serrvice is very good and provides for a lot more services that just Retirement/Mariage Income Stat Decs.   Anything that lessens demand here for Stat Decs for income also may lessen demands for the outreach service that other expats need, or the regularity of the outreach service.

The Outreach Service is convenient, easy to use, well publicicised, regular, saves much more costs through a  trip and stay in Bangkok,  and I for one am very happy with it

Not sure if you are looking at production and resale or getting a few made up for self.  I have never really see fine stainless steel work manufactured in Chiang Mai.

If a few for self and want something interesting and uunique (though more cost) I would look at Wulai and get it made up in a silver alloy.  That is the "luxury" standrad in bombillas (with gold mouthpiece if you want to go all out). Will last forever and you can really play around and do far more elaborate designs that with a stock standard stailess steel job.

Saw these yesterday at the new Decathlon store at Tesco Lotus Hang Dong,  Ankle Weights at 1 kg, 1,5 Kg and 2.5 Kg.  Free weights in sets at 20 kg and you could buy additional weights.  Online they had more.  They had plenty of ankle weights and  20kg sets in stock....or can order o line easy enough.

https://www.facebook.com/DecathlonChiangMai/

http://www.decathlon.co.th/th/

There is a 10.28 minute or so video on their FB page...at about 5 min 15 it as a bit about weights etc showing 20kg set

The Op has a point. 

Its not informative, colourful, regulars gone......solution the Expat Club.

More information that you can be spoon fed, the most colourful mumus for women (designed by Omar the tent maker), and Hawaiian Shorts for men at the CEC breakfasts (ensembles not to be seen on a full stomach).  The regulars that have not passed on to a better place are often in at the Expat Club (Gods waiting room) resting their arthritic non Thaivisa typing fingers securely on the food in their handbags or pockets,  or at one of the Outside Activity Groups.

I will be joining the moment they start the OAG for Full Contact Bingo

2 hours ago, Paul Catton said:

Smart comments aside, it would appear the western man in uniform with the shock of ginger hair has more than a canny resemblance to Steve Saunders, formerly described as the "Clenbutoral Drugs King" and a volunteer with the Chiang Mai Foreign Police Liaison.

Fingers now being readied for Google Search?

Maybe the BIB have taken a leaf from the stated policy of Good guys in Bad guys out for visitors to Thailand.....and developed Bad guys in Good guys out for recruitment. 

The Pattaya volunteers for a while  looked better suited to Crimewatch than Bawatch.

16 hours ago, khwaibah said:

Fit my arse he is using a walking cane.

Funny, the way my wife structures Thai sentences  in English... ....this would have a totally different meaning

Might come out in Thaivisa news or Citylife later.....but just in case anyone wonders where he has gone,

Link to Immigration picking up a claimed US overstayer in Chang Klan.

<<<< Link to Thai language site removed >>>>

Sorry is in Thai.

Fit looking fella.....but aged 37. Maybe born 1937....Grecian 2000 sales in CM set to drop.

or he has had a hard life so far.....I did like him in Grease though.

Just a quick note in case anyone is considering going today.

Not sure if the/delayed date is cause but numbers are very low, perhaps 5 or 6 people waiting at any time. 

Was in and out for a Stat  Dec (500 Baht) in less than fifteen minutes.

I must say that the service improves (not that it was bad) each time I go.  Numbering systems, forms availability, writing desks, receipt issue etc have all improved.

I did ask the Embassy A based officer if there was any intention of letting Hon Consul sign stat decs ....one word answer "Never".  Apparently current legislation does not allow for this, no plans, not a priority, to change. I queried arrangements regarding the QLD (as I recall) JP here, was advised that QLD has unique legislation that continues to permit authority  ( I imagine this would be only for QLD state related business but not sure).

All in all if Immigration want the Embassy seal, and it is so easy to do now, I will just go with the consular outreach service.

Great service all round.

Ditto here.  Prepared my own Stat Dec which they witnessed and put seal on.  No problems with immigration.

They did not ask for any substantiating information on pension amount (though I did bring it with me and provided details in the Stat Dec of source and nature).

I gather they are more or less witnessing the signature rather than verifying its contents.  As an individual you commit the offence when you sign and its false, and submit in order to obtain a benefit.  I think the US  consul is pretty much the same deal. 

orang37....always look forward to your posts, verging on the esoteric as they may be.

but as far as the op goes.......perhaps you ought to consider pot kettle black in the universal plain English effective communication stakes.

As a side the costs still to me see large...I have had a few basal skin carcinomas cut off (ears)....and was done by the GP in OZ.  Perhaps a more standard practice in Oz or op's condition was of higher severity.

Just an advanced notice for those interested that Wing 41 pass applications for the next year are open from 1 November.

Link below has requirements for application, lodgement times, rules etc.  Apologies as is in Thai.

http://www.cm108.com/bbb/topic/1733-เตรียมพร้อม-กองบิน41-เปิดให้ทำบัตรผ่านประจำปี-2560/

I wonder if we will have the same commentry if/when the US Fed Reserve raises its rate. Or better still an unexpetedly close, or delayed outcome, or disputed outcome, or even decisive undesirable economically outcome, in November from the US presidential election. May even get the double whammy in same month. What was the old curse..."may you live in intetesting times".

Well if they keep doing that the new Immigration building at the Airport should be completed about the time my youngest,  26 year old son,  is ready for his retirement visa.

Boyzillian sounds a bit better than the Oz phrase of "back, sack and crack" wax.

If it's your first time I would go with http://www.peak-spa.com/

Lots of places do it, some salons, and nail salons, etc....not always with the best wax, or cleanliness, or, how can i put this, "single" use wax.....also if it is an occasional  add on service they might be a bit out of practice

Yours...hirsutely, Mambo

That is unusual.  I always thought the object of the exercise here was never travel with the Green Book. too easy if bike stolen or gets pawned.  Though I can understand a legal requirement to show ownership, but then again in the end that is not what they wanted demonstrated as could have followed thru with you,

I do wonder that with lack of tourists, chinese, and for me certainly more Thais wearing helmets, that the off the book revenue is down....next stop will be checking bald tyres I guess.

The helmet wearing is certainly catching on among  the Thais I know, through personal or second hand experience they have an increased belief that they will be stopped and fined.  Not necessarily  a bad thing if quality of helmets improved also.

I thought this year the government  would quickly and easily fix the issue with a Section 44 order banning floods.

hmmmm  it is a hard one, working people, English beer and sports.

Cannot say I have ever come across a bunch of Scousers drinking cellar temperature pale ale while watching the darts final in CM.

Then again that might be the attraction of the place......

Thank God that closing the local bars at midnight and the liberal use of Section 44 has brought this heinous trade all to a halt never to be seen again.

On a personal note one  positive side effect is less NGO's and Missionaries means its much easier to get a seat at The Dukes on the River.

for your viewing pleasure the most recent  p67 v p1 comparison i have seen and as Gonzo noted went up quite a bit in the first 8 hours today, updated figures and graphics for the Ping are available at the Hydro site.