SammyJ

1 hour ago, mania said:

I just did one from here in the USA as my Thai license expired

pretty painless now & all done online to send photo, pay fee etc

 

I did mine here & it was sent to me quckily

https://international-permit.com/en-us/price.html

 

There is also this one which is cheaper but has to be done thru mail

https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html#overseas

What about the other way--if going back to the US, and my US state driving license has expired--can i get an IDP here, or use my Thai driver's license to rent a car in the US?

20 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

I would reconsider - they look very untidy to me... and will you forever have to battle cutting that grass? 

 

I know, you did not ask for my opinion - but just trying to help.

I was thinking the same thing--some times in the past, i have had to abandon more ambitious plans, and stick to the "KISS rule", just to get the job done and maintain my sanity--when i realize that, in reality, no one but me, will likely appreciate the fancier landscaping projects, i had to admit adjust.

22 hours ago, novacova said:

There’s a lot of good multi trade tradesmen. If you’re in the city and want a good price, then you’re best bet would be to find someone in a village outside of the city. Show him what you want, hop in the truck with him and get the supplies. Sit and watch them work and have buy them lunch, and beer whiskey and munchies for them every day after work. Average 500฿ a day per person 

Having lived in Thailand, in various places, for well over 20 years, and having Thai family, friends, workers, etc,, and spending the last 7 years in CM, your advice is spot on! Prior to CM, in more "rural living", I did what you describe above many times--especially, the "sit and watch" and "diplomatically supervise and re-direct" as things sometimes veered from the original set of directions.

If you don't do the "sit and watch", even here in CM, you may return to find the end result somewhat lacking from what you had expected.

5 hours ago, actonion said:

Nothing wrong with Ford's  easy to work on, parts not overly expensive, and twice i have been smashed into by Thai driver's driving  Toyota's, Isuzu's , both sustained serious damage, but my old Ford Ranger 2002   had little damage..       Never had a problem finding a  garage to work on it ( in East Pattaya)..

Unfortunately, haven't found that to be the case here in Chiang Mai.

3 hours ago, seedy said:

Mine are one Nissan, One Honda, two Isuzu

Brand loyalty not my thing I guess !!! 555

All bought second hand too.

Tires I go local - great shop close to home.

Yes, most any local shops will work on those--try taking in an older model Ford, and as another poster also commented, and they will not want to work on it.

11 minutes ago, Adiudon said:

I own an old Ford, a 15 year old Focus that I bought cheap with a few problems 5 years ago.

I am a mechanic so it wasn't a problem to fix but finding the parts local to my area was, but a quick search of Lazada found everything I needed, either here or from China.

When I was asking around locally for parts it was amusing to see how scared the Thai mechanics or shop workers were about anything other than the usual common makes of vehicles, other than basic items the answer was always no, no have.

One of the best sources of information I found which could help your search is joining a Thai based facebook group for your vehicle, (there is one I looked) you could be lucky and find a competent repairer close to your area.

Yes, I found, basically, the same thing--pretty much automatic rejection of wanting to tackle my Ford--unfortunately, I am not a mechanic, so could not tackle the problems myself.  But, as you mentioned, i found a lot of accessories and a few parts on Lazada--looked overseas to ship some from the US, but very expensive--I also did join a FB group of Ford Escape owners, all Thai, but they accepted me in and were of help at times, but most of them lived in Bkk or other provinces than Chiang Mai.

I have a repair guy who is "ok" and we have made do for now, but I was on the search for someone better--thanks for the suggestions!

18 hours ago, seedy said:

I am surprised - don't know why at my age I am surprised by ANYTHING !!! 555

Not really that surprising--Ive lived in Thailand over 20 years, the last 7 in Chiang Mai--very little surprises me anymore.  Were you older vehicles foreign cars?  Or, Toyota, Honda, Mitsu, etc--most local auto shops will work on those cars of any age, but most have rejected working on Fords or Chevys--that's why I posted here, seeing if I could get a lead on a new shop--Expat Auto did recommend one that, time allowing, I will check out later today (Saturday)--will let you know.

Like I offered in my original post--I actually do wish i had not made the Ford purchase--I know better to stick mainly with Toyotas and Hondas--my other three cars are all Toyotas--two trucks and an SUV--anyone can work on them--my new Toyota truck I take to the Dealer--yes, under warranty,   On my older Toyota vehicles I checked around and got recommendations--looked at Expat Auto also, and while i like them, their prices were similar to the dealer's, and when i inquired about purchasing a new set of tires, I was quoted a price, which included  extra charge for balancing and alignment--every other shop I asked, did that for free upon purchase of four tires.

19 hours ago, seedy said:

Never in my life owned any Ford

Was replying to your post that the car is too old for Expat to work on it.

Ok, I understand--I did check just yesterday at Expat Auto and they recommended another shop at which to check, so hope that might work out.

17 hours ago, seedy said:

How old is it ? My 1997 and 2001's are no problem. And of course the newer model also.

Sorry, another follow up and one that might seem obvious and was mentioned here,  and that I should explore--and that is to take it the Ford dealer--I just haven't, assuming their unwillingness for older models or the cost, but I may well be wrong--so I will explore that option as well.

17 hours ago, seedy said:

How old is it ? My 1997 and 2001's are no problem. And of course the newer model also.

Mine is a 2004--are you indicating that you take your later model Fords to expat auto for repairs or just general maintenance--oil changes, etc---I had recently taken asked Pro Auto, which is often highly recommended, about working on my Ford, and they declined. 

45 minutes ago, seedy said:

Expat Auto very good.

 English speaking owner

Yes, I know Expat Auto and actually bought a different vehicle from them--unfortunately, they are not into addressing the needs of older Fords, and are on the more expensive side of auto maintenance and repair.

54 minutes ago, yeahbutif said:

Rayong garage..

"Rayong garage"  is this a name of  a shop in Chiang Mai??

If not, i cannot actually take it to Rayong--just not very practical.

Hello.

Is there anyone who could recommend an individual or auto shop that can work on my older model Ford Escape?

I have tried a few shops, and they leave a bit to be desired==so. am on the search for a new option.

Would greatly appreciate any advice or recommendations--(the best advice i should have followed several years ago

was NOT to have purchased this car to begin with--but, the family likes it, a nice mid-szed SUV, a V6 so has some power, and let's 

not forget the snazzy sunroof.  In reality, i have already put enough money in the darn thing, i'd lose on trying to sell it, so just looking for someone proficient to work on it.)

Thanks very much

On 8/10/2022 at 4:45 PM, 1FinickyOne said:

I just bought some recently.. not sure if it was in Big C on the highway... or Lotus in Borsang?? But I don't think I see them for sale regularly... but then again I do not search them out... 

 

just checked the label, I think it was tesco/Lotus in Borsang - it came in a package of 4 - - so, it is probably in any Lotus... maybe call first to save yourself a trip... 

Thanks, I will take a look--Lotus is one of the few places I haven't been to.

12 hours ago, night_rider said:

Makro Express in Nimman carries them.

Thanks, i will give it a look.

7 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Makro for the win..now just need to be a member or bribe one!

Ive been told that for the Makkro in Chiang Mai that the membership requirement has changed.

Now, anyone may be a member in order to accumulate points, or, can purchase items without a membership number.  Has anyone else heard this or done this?

29 minutes ago, FriendlyFarang said:

Makro usually has them

But I noticed that sometimes some types of apple are just not available for some time. So if they don't have them now, try again in a while, then they might have them.

I recommend "Pink Lady", imho best taste and good consistency.

Thanks, I do go to Makkro on occasion, but haven't looked there for apples--yes, i know the Pink lady, great taste, but it is about sugar content, and not that you must, but in the article i copied about Granny Smith apples, they have some characteristics that are especially helpful in those wanting to limit fructose and uric acid.

Hello All---not my usual. more serious, medical question, but still very much health related and related to Chiang Mai.

For any reading the latest research about sugars, fructose (which metabolizes into Uric Acid), fruit is great, apples are great, as they contain great fiber and other things which are of help--but in moderation--too much fructose (fruit sugar) is harmful to some, especially those with diabetes, hypertension, gout, etc--so, Granny Smith apples are not only very delicious, but the lowest in sugar--I have friends in Bkk that buy them at supermarkets, but i have not been successful in finding them in Chiang Mai--I have tried, the Central Supermarket at Central Festival (where i expected to find them, but didn't),. Tops, Rimping, Big C, all to no avail--they seem to have every other type of apple, ranging in flavor and cost from 15 baht per, to more than 100 baht per, many imported, but again, no Granny Smiths--if they have them in Bkk, thought we would have them here.

So, if anyone knows a market that might have them, I would appreciate the information.

For those interested, below is a copy from an online article about why Granny Smith apples are so good.

Why Granny Smith Apples Are The Preferred Choice

This next study is important cause I find its’ conclusions very true since I’ve felt the same experience with Granny Smith apples. I’ve noticed a good way to keep the pounds off and control hunger more than anything which leads to eating less and losing weight is to eat a Granny Smith apple before a meal and you will notice that your hunger will subside and you’ll end up eating less. This is what I call a “diet hack”, a shortcut to losing weight. Take my advice, it works and so do the researchers of this 2014 study agree as well. The study studied seven varieties of apples on how the bioactive compounds affected the good gut bacteria of diet-induced obese mice. The researchers found that compared to all the other apple varieties, Granny Smith apples had the most beneficial effect on gut bacteria and that’s why I eat mostly eat Granny Smith apples myself compared to all the other apples.

“The researchers explain that Granny Smiths are high in non-digestible dietary fiber and polyphenols, and low in carbohydrates. Even after chewing and exposure to stomach acid and digestive enzymes, the compounds are unscathed when they reach the colon. The bacteria present in the colon then ferment the compounds, producing butyric acid that spurs on the growth of friendly gut bacteria,” according to Medical News Today. If you are overweight and want to lose pounds, make sure to add Granny Smith apples in your diet. You’ll thank me!

Gout And Eating Apples

When it comes to gout, you should know what apples contain about 14 milligrams of purine compounds per 100 grams of fruit, so it is very low in purines. Applesauce, apple juice and dried apples are also low in purines. Make sure to watch out for the sugar content but for the most part they are allowed in a gout diet. Apples are also high in vitamin C which may help support healthy uric acid levels.

Although there haven’t been any studies as of yet that have analyzed the impact of apples on gout patients, one study shows promise and concluded that apples can combat against inflammatory diseases. This study clearly outlines the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory role of apple, so a similar response could be expected with gout sufferers after consuming an apple. Another 2013 study on colorectal cancer found that apples possess anti-inflammatory characteristics as it inhibits the activity of COX-2 which is another player when you suffer from gout inflammation.

Finally, a word about fructose. Apples do contain a large concentration of naturally occurring sugar fructose, so again my advice is best to stick with Granny Smith apples since it also has the lowest sugar content from all variety of apples. One cup of sliced Granny Smith apples contains 10.45 grams of sugar. As gout sufferers, it is important to watch out for our sugars --glucose and fructose.

Thank you

21 hours ago, Iamfalang said:

I'll bump this thread.

 

someone help this guy.

 

please go to a hospital immediately and start with some basic EKGs that aren't too expensive.

 

go from there

 

good luck

thank you

14 hours ago, NancyL said:

Dr Thanawat is very good for heart rhythm problems and Dr. Apichart is good for blood pressure/cholesterol issues.  Both at Bangkok Hospital-Chiang Mai.  I see Dr. Apichart and he is very good at NOT pushing the hospital's meds.  Instead he suggests that he writes a hospital prescription for a one week supply of a new med, so there is a hospital record that I take the med if I'm ever admitted and so I don't have to run to a pharmacy that same day to buy the med.

thank you

6 hours ago, Dante99 said:

for what?

 

 

Having never seen one before, I assumed a cardiologist addressed all heart-related issues, but i am guessing i am wrong--in my case, it has to do with heart rhythm problems.

Hello Again,

I would appreciate any recommendations on anyone's experiences, positive or otherwise--feel free also to private message me--with any cardiologist based in Chiang Mai.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Get recommendations for a doctor that some have used--do not worry about the building--CM Ram, Bkk Cm, Sriphat, McCormick all good buildings, but the buildings will not be doing the procedure.

Look on the hospital's websites for bio's of the drs--their experience, training, etc--and gather recommendations of others' experiences--if cost is a factor for you, then drs at Sriphat and McCormick will charge less, but likely will also be at other hospitals on different days of the week.

3 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

It means it was  not very good

So, treatment at ALL private hospitals was "not convincing" or just the one you went to, and in all depts at that hospital, or just the dept or just the dr you saw?

17 hours ago, problemfarang said:

Hi, im in nonthaburi area.

i painted my car (ford focus, moon silver color) to a place which was suggested by a friend of mine. I never painted a car before but i tried to found out what things i should be aware and the most common thing was people keep saying it wont be the same color for sure because nothing can be as the factory paint. And i will see the difference and it will make me annoy. 

Well, i went to this place. waited for 10 days (paint and some scratches like that). I had mostly sun burn. YOU CANNOT BELIEVE the job they did and for a really reasonable price. I have 1 car detail expert and even he thought i painted it at ford factory. They did a great job and i highly recommend them. And when my friend tested the paint with some kind of instrument the reading were great almost original paint quality. 

 

If you are interested direct message me. 

Sounds great, but I am in Chiang Mai--and i think posted in that local forum, but i should have made more clear in my original post--thanks for the suggestion, wish i could try them.