JuniorExPat

Okay, not enjoying it so much now; I hadn't realised that I was lighting the blue touch paper!

Seriously though, I'm a bit confused by the talk of modems, I thought the information would be about SIM cards and service plans . . . what am I missing?

BTW, my friend is expecting to arrive in Thailand with an HTC Flyer if that makes any difference. I'm going to send him the links provided; thanks Phil Conners and Jiu-Jitsu.

JxP

Thanks all, I'm enjoying the learning process, I really should know more about this and this has given me the opportunity to learn!

I'd really like to read some info from people with first hand experience of bringing such a device from the UK to Thailand so that my mate can avoid wasting valuable holiday time on sorting out his connectivity . . . any takers? :-)

Thanks,

JxP

Dear Tech Experts of ThaiVisa,

I have a friend visiting from the UK in November and he has just asked me about using mobile internet whilst here (Chiang Mai, in case that makes any difference). I know nothing about this subject so am asking around for information.

His question was: "If I get a PAYG card for my phone / tablet device will it have a data plan attached to it or are there entirely separate cards for that over there as there are over here?"

Any websites, phone numbers, personal experiences or other relevant advice or info will be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

JxP

My recommendation would be Doug Morton (72 Studio):

http://studio.dougmorton.com/contact.htm

He's done some product photography for me similar to the work you are talking about and has shot some great family portraits of my little clan. The bonus for your project may be that he is also a graphic designer with plenty of experience with catalogue and book layouts. Doug is a friend so I won't wax too lyrical but I do hope that you take a look; he's professional, experienced and good value.

JxP

Hi eek,

Not really clear about what you're looking for but here's a quick list of places where I have had good experiences buying silver jewellery:

Pond Silver, 93/6-7 Wualai Road (LHS heading towards Hang Dong) - 053 203065, 081 697 5842

Thongyon Silverware, 122/1-2 Wualai Road - 053 202796/201192

Sherry Silver, 59/2-4 Loi Kroa Road - 053 273529

As mentioned before, much of the silver sold in Chiang Mai is manufactured elsewhere in the country. Yoo Lim in Bangkok is one manufacturer/wholesaler/exporter with whom I've also had good experiences, if memory serves the minimum order value at Yoo Lim is USD 1,000 so don't make the trip if you only want a few samples!

Yoo Lim, 1169 Charoenkrung Road - 02 234 8971-5 - it's opposite the Post Office and close to Kho San Road.

If you do decide to visit Yoo Lim PM me first for some more direct contact details.

JxP

Sad to see Tuskers go but happy to know that Chas, Rachel and mini-Begley will be staying in Chiang Mai.

Best of luck to the Begleys, great hosts and lovely people.

JxP

Reports are that a 26 year old Australian jumped from a billboard near the Chiang Mai Ram hospital and died from his injuries, so says the Chiang Mai Mail on Facebook.

R.I.P.

JxP

My wife had nothing but good words for Dr Thawatchai at Chiang Mai Ram when he was taking care of her during her pregnancy and the birth of our son. This was over three years ago but according to the Chiang Mai Ram website he is still there. An older, very caring chap with a dry sense of humour.

JxP

At the risk of teaching my grandmother how to crochet a quilt whilst watching Songs of Praise: try clicking on your user name up at the (almost) top left hand corner of the page to get to your profile and then click on the "Posts" tab to have a look at the posts you have made, maybe the thread was moved for some reason.

JxP

Quote:

"CNX Blood Request Update - thank you...!!! we now have a couple of O- volunteers on standby in Chiang Mai. The power of Facebook and thaivisa.com...!!! The doctor will re-evaluate Daphne's blood count tonight and, if the platelet count hasn't stabilized, they will proceed with the platelet harvest/transfusion to...morrow morning. Please keep Daphné Geurts in your thoughts and prayers..."

JxP

so do u still need donors or not? i have a fairly big facebook group with people from chiang mai and could spread the request there.

For the immediate emergency it seems that there are enough donors and even some on stand-by. No harm in contacting the hospital if you are O negative and/or keeping an eye on this thread.

There is now a Facebook group dedicated to this subject: "EX-pats in Chiang Mai, Blood Type"; described as: "Ex-Pats living in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Please enter your blood type if you would like to give blood in case of an accident to another Ex-pat or indeed if you have an accident and need to be in contact with someone close by with the same group."

JxP

Quote:

"CNX Blood Request Update - thank you...!!! we now have a couple of O- volunteers on standby in Chiang Mai. The power of Facebook and thaivisa.com...!!! The doctor will re-evaluate Daphne's blood count tonight and, if the platelet count hasn't stabilized, they will proceed with the platelet harvest/transfusion to...morrow morning. Please keep Daphné Geurts in your thoughts and prayers..."

JxP

More info, copied and pasted:

"CNX Urgent Blood Request - Daphné Geurts is in Chiang Mai Ram Hospital with Dengue Fever... she's a friend, mum and has a lovely little boy, Liam. Her platelets are levels are crashing & we urgently are seeking 6 units of O- blood. Please repost. Anyone who can help may call me on 08903 44644 . . . . Thank you.... "

JxP

I have just received a call from a friend seeking O negative blood for a patient at the Chiang Mai Ram hospital. The patient is suffering with dengue and is need of a blood transfusion. If you can help, please do so.

If I get any more details I will post them here.

JxP

I'm in the market for a bicycle myself, haven't built up the motivation to actually go hunting yet(!) but I do have a couple of notes that may be useful to you:

- Song Bicycle Ltd., Part.

3/4-6 Sri Phum Rd.

T. Sri Phum

A. Muang

Chiang Mai 50200

Thailand

Telephone: 053-213404

Fax: 053-211515

- "Song

Follow Moon Muang Road north to the corner of the moat, swing left into Sri Phum and it's on your left. Not as well run or stocked as Chaitawat, but a good alternative if the latter hasn't got what you need. A good place to pick up a cheap new bike if you're only around for a short while and don't need anything too good. Dealer L.A. Bicycle."

from: http://www.chiangmaicycling.org/bicycleshops.html

- "There is a bike shop on Mahidol Road in Chiang Mai specialising in road bikes - Crouching Tiger Tours - run by Australian guy. They have some bike clothes and accessories as well and are very helpful - they dont have a huge amount of bike stock but will get stuff in for you - well worth a visit - " from:

A friend recently purchase a "hybrid" bike from Crouching Tiger for B15,000, he seems very happy with it.

I may, I say "may"(!), get along to Song Bicycles later today, if I do then I'll report back here.

JxP

<snip>

And worse my passport will have 4 months remaining at the time of flight, so there may be some hassle with overnighting or even disembarking at KL

<snip

For what it's worth: A friend was not allowed to check in at Heathrow for a flight to Thailand due to his passport having less than 6 months to run apparently this is the law and cannot be argued against. I guess that if you're heading "home" the same rules may not apply, all the same it might be worth checking with your airline/consulate/embassy.

JxP

Dear orang37,

Thank you very much for taking the time to post here and for sending further information by PMs. You and you are exceptional members (an exceptional member?) of this forum, I am very grateful to you for enabling me to offer my friend so much useful advice and contact information.

Thank you and very best wishes to you and you,

JxP

> > > My friend has asked me to thank everyone here for taking the time to respond. < < <

Ram has seconded the diagnosis of a malignancy but this is before the results of the biopsy. She is obviously concerned as the recommendation is to go ahead immediately with surgery and during the course of the surgery decide if the malignancy is really confirmed and, if so, remove further tissue and then enter a course of treatment.

The diagnosis without the biopsy results strikes me as odd but as I know nothing about this the best I can do is ask around on her behalf for advice.

JxP

My advice from personal experience, working in Thai hospitals and being a health care mgt professional back home is seek not the best hospital but the best practioner/specialist for the issue at question.

BHI gets a lot of print but diagnostic skills are lacking everywhere in LOS due to the poor educational/training within Thailand. See if you can find your specialist who has had advanced training from a western country. That could range from a single course, to an internship to a residency. Their skill level should be higher than someone educated/trained only in Thailand...

While I have received adequate treatment for simple stuff at BHI, I also won't dismiss the time they misdiagnose a viral eye infection as a bacteria one and recommended I go on life-long high blood pressure medications b/c of two high readings...Wrong on both accounts....

I would think you should be able to find a good specialist here in CM w/o the need to commute to bkk. Make your selection via recommendations, his/her training and most of all their ability to communicate and explain the range of options available. Highly recommend obtaining second opinions on complicated or serious medical concerns..

CB

Thank you cardinalblue.

With your comments and RTD's note in mind I will send a message to Orang37.

JxP

The cancer specialist hospital of the BKK Hospital group are very very good....they have some equipment there that no other hospital has in SE Asia.....I have had 3 friends who have been treated there with fantastic results...like Bumungrad not cheap but !!!!

Hi Phuket Stan,

My friend has asked me to find out if you have any specific contact details or any other additional information about the BKK Hospital group.

Anything you can pass on would be great, many thanks.

JxP

Thanks RTD and Nancy.

RTD, my friend is keeping an eye on this thread and I will certainly contact Orang should she decide that more info is needed.

Nancy, thanks for the advice, noted and appreciated.

JxP

Thanks for the replies and thanks for your good wishes, relaxed.

We are looking for recommendations for diagnosis and whatever follow up treatment that may prove necessary in Chiang Mai.

JxP

A friend is visiting from a neighbouring country and is seeking medical advice regarding a lump in her breast.

Who would you recommend (from experience please) she visit?

My only (third party) experience is with skin cancer checks by the dermatologist at Chiang Mai Ram so I am asking around on my friend's behalf. If you do have a recommendation she would be really grateful for any and all contact details.

Many thanks in advance,

JxP

or you could use a couple of phones

Suddenly keeping the mobile phone in one's front trouser pocket doesn't seem like such a good idea!

JxP

Where are there any sustained wind places in Chiang Mai?

ThaiVisa.com? Seems to be plenty of hot air around here these days.

What about Huay Tung Tao, would there be enough space around there? Not sure how much wind gets in there though.

What's a foil kite? Is it something I need to know about before the children start asking for one?!

JxP

It seems that the reason for the road block is that the Red Shirt radio station is being dismantled.

JxP