tonititan

Oh, and by the way, I would never be sleeping with my mom for money.

"So if your mom bought you a car, and someone stole it, you wouldnt consider yourself loosing anything?"

If my mom paid the down payment on a car for me but put it under my name, and then I couldn't afford the monthly payments, it would be my own dam_n fault. The person who it would suck for would be my mom.

I took Etihad from Bangkok-->Abu Dhabi-->Munich. No problems at all. I thought it was a great airline. For my ticket, the premium economy class (or whatever Etihad calls it) wasn't much more, and it was definitely worth the money. My layover was also about 2 hours. There's not much to do at the Abu Dhabi airport, but it was ok. At least they had free internet kiosks.

Nah! I don't think too many people come to Thailand for bungee jumping. Yes, perhaps the operator made a mistake, and we know that safety standards in Thailand are not the same as in other countries, but I would think that this type of freak accident could happen anywhere. The man even said that he wasn't going to sue the operators.

"I noticed that Indonesia Air Asia is on that list. Are flights to/from Bangkok and Bali operated by Thai Air Asia or Indonesia Air Asia?"

Bangkok <=> Bali is operated by Thai Air Asia. But Bangkok <=> Jakarta is operated by Indonesia Air Asia.

Are Indonesia Air Asia on the list because of a problem with the airline or because of a general ban on Indonesian airlines stemming from the industry not being properly overseen?

No, it's not all Indonesian airlines. The list specifically said that it included all Indonesian airlines EXCEPT Garuda Indonesia, Airfast Indonesia, Mandala Airlines, Ekspres Transportasi Antarbuena.

I noticed that Indonesia Air Asia is on that list. Are flights to/from Bangkok and Bali operated by Thai Air Asia or Indonesia Air Asia? Would that route be considered unsafe?

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to find a driver in Chiang Mai to drive 2 people to Chiang Khong (on the Laos border). I have looked online a lot, and I found a few transfer/limo companies. Some of the prices are outrageous (I know I should not have to pay 6000 baht for this trip), and some of the prices are very reasonable....but the websites just look shady, and I'm not crazy about giving my credit card info or making a bank transfer to some random company that could just not show up to pick me up.

I know that I could wait until I get to Chiang Mai (I live in BKK) and just ask around until I find a taxi driver who quotes a reasonable fare, but I will be under time pressure to get to Chiang Khong in time. So, I want to arrange transport ahead of time and have the driver pick me up as soon as I arrive in town.

Does anyone know a privater driver in CM? Or, a reputable company?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I'm not sure what the laws on, but I know that in practicality, it depends on the employer. In terms of international schools, some do not tax housing allowances, some do.

I'm pretty sure it's been about 1 year since he decided he did not want the condo anymore...maybe a little less. The last time I talked to him, the condo wasn't sold. He called the condo a lot and showed up there several times with people who were interested in looking at the condo. But, the management wouldn't let him inside to show the condo. I think that they always had excuses for why he couldn't bring people upstairs.

Woohoo! I can't wait to watch last night's episode after work tonight!

"She says it says that if there is any sort of problem that doesnt allow for a continuation, then they will pay the back upon selling the unit."

I would think that would be one of the major problems. IF they allow you back-out of the condo and agree to return the money, it could take a long time to sell the unit. There are so many condos going up right now! Maybe that's why the lady at the condos said it would take a "looooooong" time to get any money back. Furthermore, the condo management now has no motivation to sell your specific unit. Why would they try to sell that unit, when they can sell a similar unit to someone else AND keep your 380,000 for now?

You asked if anyone has heard of this happening, and yes, I have. A friend needed out of a contract for a condo that was being built. The company said he couldn't get any money back until the condo unit was sold, but they refused to try to sell it to someone else, and they wouldn't even let my friend bring people there to view the property (he didn't have the keys yet). I still don't think he's ever gotten the money back....

Sorry for the bad news.

Sorry if this is too personal, but can I ask why you specifically need a Thai school? Is it because the child only speaks Thai, or the schedule, or the cost?

I've used vans several times also, and never paid more than 1800 or 1900/day, not including gas. Some companies want to also charge you extra for the driver's accommodations, and sometimes the driver just sleeps in the van. Personally, I wouldn't want to have to pay for my driver's hotel room, but I would also feel horrible about him sleeping in the van for 10 days.

I just think it's so funny/strange that the kids here WANT to wear braces, even if they don't need them! Whaaaaat? I thought braces were dorky and dreaded by all teenagers. I guess I need to get with the times!

Hi,

I've heard that there are some excellent restaurants (especially seafood) on a pier that extends out over the ocean in Hua Hin. Does anyone know the name of the pier (to tell a taxi driver), or have any suggestions for specific restaurants? Thanks!

I have no clue....but I wanna go there!!!

An actually, he'll be coming from 112 too - Mooban Sammakorn!

Hey, I know someone who is in the same situation as you - moving to the same area of Minburi, and also commuting to Thong Lor. What time do you think you'll leave in the morning? Maybe you could work out a carpool or something. Feel free to PM if you want.

Only a PC backpacker on his/her first trip away from mummy could write drivel like that.

Those photos are all staged and most of the tribes jump in the 4x4 when the great unwashed have left, drive into town and get sloshed. It's all about money and little authenticity left.

Elephants beaten into submission pounding the same circuit week in week out.

No, your photos will set you out as the attention grabbing saddo of the Student Union when you get back home.

Exactly! That picture of the little girl sure looks just like the pictures I have from the Karen Hill Tribe "Village" near Chiang Mai. That place is so NOT authentic. I felt almost dirty just being there - it just seemed like they were so exploited. I couldn't even take a picture of kids playing without them stopping to pose for me. Yeah, the pictures look cool to show to family and friends, but I know (and everyone else who has been there) that we did not get an "insider's" peek into a real hill tribe.

What other benefits, easy Thai driverlicense (to not be scammed anymore by those racists when paying entrance fees) ?

Having a Thai driving licence is no guarentee of avoiding double pricing I'm afraid

And neither will having a work permit and visa! I'm a teacher, and I often (politely) ask for the "ajarn" price. I show them my ID card that indicates (in English & and in Thai) that I live and work in Thailand, and sometimes also my passport that contains the other documents. This works maybe 1 or 2 times out of every 10. The "Thai" price is usually just that...for Thais, not for all residents of Thailand. Right or wrong, is it really that much of a hardship on you to pay 100 baht instead of 40? And really, how often are you in situations where you're paying entrance fees for parks, etc.?

Some people say the Thai parent should always speak Thai and whitey should always speak English. Personally I don't find that as much fun, and I enjoy actually improving my own Thai at the same time as the kids are learning. Start with the basics and go all the way thru - together. You all learn and you spend time together sharing experiences - win-win-win. Bottom line I speak, learn and teach Thai and English with the kids, and Mrs Shrek does the same. If you're own Thai isn't good start now...for your own benefit as well as your family's...and encourage the Mrs to do the same with English. The best and most rewarding Thai lessons I've ever had, are the ones I've given to the kids...

FYI: "Some people" include experts in the field of bilingual education. That method, while definitely not the only one, is usually referred to as "One Parent, One Language" - meaning that each parent speaks only one language (usually their native tongue) to the child. That way, the child gets approximately the same amount of input from each language, AND just as importantly, they do not get poor models of either language. Kids learn language from listening to others speak it.

I'm not saying that what you're doing is wrong, but I really hope that you have put some thought and research into finding the best method for your children...and that might not necessarily be the way that is the most "fun" for you.

Wow, good luck man. It's not going to be easy.

Which floating market are you trying to get to? There's more than one.

Which floating market are you trying to get to? There's more than one.

I would bring your bike if you can afford the shipping! The bikes here tend to be quite small (for obvious reasons). I'm tall and had a hard time finding one that would fit my legs....I feel lucky to not have to hit my knees on the handles anymore!