tfc

Thought I'd add this positive experience because I was surprised. Went to Goodspeed computers yesterday and sold a usb modem because I was told by the shop assistant that my laptop internal modem had busted. Turned out it was the software so I went back for a refund but expecting store credit at best. 5 minutes later they handed over the cash, no arguments or problems. Happy and surprised.

If mosquitoes like to bite you then make sure you spray yourself. I was lax in the beginning until I got dengue which is no joke.

If they have available rooms I've never actually been charged more for a mountain view room at Viangbua.

They said it's fully booked.

Funny, the few times I've called the Fujian at Mandarin Oriental to ask if I need to book, they say, "yes, there is only one table left we are fully booked." I turn up and there only 4 people are there. Sound like a weird marketing strategy that is used at some places here.

I always though one of these water cooled shirts would be cool. http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liquid-cooled-clothing-the-cool-shirt

Generally I find the level of awareness that drivers in Thailand have is much higher than back in my home city Melbourne, Australia. There's no comparison really. I've often commented before even coming over here that drivers in Melbourne seem almost asleep at the wheel with their level of awareness.

WJ, Thanks for recommending So-You. Really good. Was there tonight with my wife. I can't compare it to the expensive places in CM mentioned above but it compares favorably to mid-priced dim sum in NY and HK, especially when you take cost into account. Most of the dishes at So-You are 35 baht. We tried 8 different dishes. All were good to excellent.

Now, what happened to the request for a separate food sub-forum? At least 7 of the threads on the first page are food threads.

Have been in CM for 3 months and been trying to find a decent Dim Sim place that is half decent compared to HK or even London. Have to say, been hugely disappointed each time. Had high hopes for "So you" after some comments here, and probaly best value for the money, but I would just about call it passable as dim sum. Certainly would not go as far as to say its really good ! To compare it to the mid-price places in HK is stretching anyones tastebuds after having lived there for 9 years. I have sadly come to the conclusion there are no good Dim Sum chefs in CM simply because they can't pay a decent one enough to come over from HK. They say in HK they are revered much higher than normal chefs with higher salaries. Pity CM has some great food going for it but sadly authentic DimSim isnt one of them yet.

Hi Sandy,

Did you try the Fujian restaurant at the Mandarin, thats about the best in town IMHO. Its also the most expensive. Service takes a bit of a battering when there is a coach load of tourists in though.

Give it a try and let us know how you get on.

Not tried the Mandarin yet but at those prices, I guess my expectations would have to be sky high. Be nice to know where the chef is from or where he learned his trade before hand ! Duangtawan dimsum experience was a culinary disaster especially at the price, apart from the nice views.

After reading the posts here I finally went to the Fujian at the Mandarin Oriental. It's definitely the best that I've had in Chiang Mai but considering that most of the dim sum I've had here would be turned down by a dog in HK this is probably not saying much. The Fujian probably gets about a 4/10 compared to Dim Sum in HK or even Australia but if I was desperate for this type of food I'd go there again. The restaurant has a great atmosphere but not many people seem to eat there (strange because when I called up to see if I needed to book they told me that they only had 1 table left. They probably only had 4 tables of people out of 25 or more tables available). The service is also good. 600 Baht for the buffet and a free flow of green tea.

On the hottest days I'll rinse my shirt or singlet in water if I'm around the house, wring it out and then wear it. With a fan on it's like natural air con.

I've bought several times from www.swansonvitamins.com

Their prices are competitive and their normal international shipping is fedex. This is where the problem is though because after my initial 3 orders fedex Thailand started slapping on a massive customs fee which amounted to an extra 1500 baht for an order that was worth 700 baht. The first 3 orders only had the customs fee of 200 baht but it seems that after you pay the first time and they know that you're going to pay they then get you each time. So you might be better off getting requesting that it is sent with normal mail - or you can try your luck. All I do now is get my vitamins sent to a friend in Malaysia and I pick them up whenever I pass through there.

I've heard the argument that having a degree shows that you can "last the distance" but in my own experience I don't think that it's hard at all to get a degree at least in some disciplines. University for myself and many of my friends was a giant party and getting a degree just meant hanging around for 3-4 years of fun and a small amount of work. Most people I know who got degrees saw University as one of the most enjoyable times of their lives not something they had to endure. Most of them say the opposite about the jobs that they now have.

Sign me up with one guest. Sounds great!

No problem with me either.

I think it's a positive thing to read the compassion that people have had on this thread regardless of whether others think that it is "too little too late" or that "people didn't give a dam_n when he was alive." Sure sometimes it takes things like this to happen to bring out some heart and compassion but bringing out compassion after the event is still far far better than having someone die, having a heart heart and really not giving a dam_n at all. There have been a lot of people and things that I've only appreciated once they've been gone but having had those regrets I've learned not to make them again. So it's not too little too late - because for people who felt some compassion at hearing of this man's demise or hearing of his state of mind leading up to it they might be in a position next time to help someone through their action or word because of that very compassion that they're feeling now.

i dare to differ-while lamduang is or has been famous for kao soi it is out of the way and the quality of the product has diminished a lot.the place on charonpratet is a tourist trap and their overpriced kao soi's are not the real thing either. personally i would recommend a small vegetarian place -the third business coming from chiang mai gate on the left side of suriwong rd. also at khun chern as part of the lunch buffet on soi 17 nimmaheimin rd.-while i am not a vegetarian at all to me kao soi tastes much cleaner and happier without the meat.in any case it is important though to only order it in places that specialize in it - sell a lot and make it fresh every day.a few of my friends complained bitterly after having had it at daret for example although daret house is a fine restaurant otherwise and has excellent green curry for example.

just my personal opinion of course.

Daret house a fine restaurant? I went there tonight and the chicken potato curry was basically water with a few strips of chicken and potatoes. The worst curry I've had in Thailand. May be the other stuff on the menu is good but I can't fathom going back to check when there are so many other good restaurants around.

You must have been on an off night. Every Thai I've been to Darets with loved the food there. I go there often and think the food is fine and the price really can't be beat anywhere. Beer is very cheap and the staff are nice, friendly people. Even when everywhere else in town is deserted, Darets House is usually packed.

I wonder if there's another Daret's? I was there with 2 local Thais and they weren't happy either but yes it may have been a bad night. Seriously though, it was so bad that I don't think I could go back.

i dare to differ-while lamduang is or has been famous for kao soi it is out of the way and the quality of the product has diminished a lot.the place on charonpratet is a tourist trap and their overpriced kao soi's are not the real thing either. personally i would recommend a small vegetarian place -the third business coming from chiang mai gate on the left side of suriwong rd. also at khun chern as part of the lunch buffet on soi 17 nimmaheimin rd.-while i am not a vegetarian at all to me kao soi tastes much cleaner and happier without the meat.in any case it is important though to only order it in places that specialize in it - sell a lot and make it fresh every day.a few of my friends complained bitterly after having had it at daret for example although daret house is a fine restaurant otherwise and has excellent green curry for example.

just my personal opinion of course.

Daret house a fine restaurant? I went there tonight and the chicken potato curry was basically water with a few strips of chicken and potatoes. The worst curry I've had in Thailand. May be the other stuff on the menu is good but I can't fathom going back to check when there are so many other good restaurants around.

dam_n I didn't realize that I'd be need a jacket for Chiang Mai but it's really getting that way at night. Is it going to get much colder?

Just wondering if anyone has the contact details for an acupuncturist called Ajarn Herman. The only contact details I can find for him on google are from 2004 and his mobile phone details seem to have changed. Feel free to PM me if you want.

Man I've known people who live on $500 a month in Australia let alone Thailand. Sure they were living in a share house but they still managed to eat out now and then, go to the movies and funnily enough there was always enough money for dope. Over here I know foreigners whose salary is 15,000 baht/month and so they have no choice but to live on that and they seem to live very interesting and full lives from what I see and hear. Contrary to what some may believe they don't stay in their houses all day because they're so weak from lack of food that they can't walk out the door. They're always out organizing free or cheap social events and workshops and they are full of life and inspiration. Then again I know another guy who earns $1000 US a week who always says that he finds it hard to live here because he doesn't earn enough money.

Thanks for the suggestions, glad to have a few places to try out.

Haven't heard of it - where about it is located?

I was in Phuket for a while and through recommendations came to find some really good places for Thai food. When I moved up to Chiang Mai everyone told me that the Thai food was going to be a lot better but as of yet I haven't found anything that really gets my taste buds going although I'm sure it's only because I haven't found the right places yet. So with that in mind I'm looking for recommendations for top quality Thai Food in Chiang Mai - fancy,budget or mid-range - doesn't matter, just looking for recommendations for places that serve Thai food that you can't keep away from.

I flew to KL from Thailand in September on an Australian passport. Can enter the country for up to 3 months without a visa. I believe it's the same for a lot of other countries. The VOA cancellation is only really a problem for countries that needed a visa in the first place.

Rizla - I just started taking the B complex every day not sure if it's that or the repellent that keeps them away though because I use both but figure the B is good for the health anyway.

CM4me - thanks I'll take a look next time I'm at Rimping.

I'm a bit shocked hearing that it happened between 8am-9am in the morning. I used to live right near where that happened and my gf used to ride at that time too.

Good on him. It's an honorable thing to do by the standards of any country or culture.