czGLoRy

to do the exact same thing () I was able to ask the front desk of my apartment to send me my next bill with an address that would be in english/show my thai address so somebody could mail me something. It was typically in Thai and showed my American address, but they accomodated me and adjusted it to show english and my thai address.

I am disgusted at the sights I saw today and last week at two temples. I know the names but don't want to target a temple / be specific.

One temple in CM has a ton of animals, snakes, birds, fish, turtles, and similar small animals. They are kept in vice-like cages in absolutely miserably condition.. in hopes that people will buy them to set them free to "better their lives" or something-- and of course turning a profit by selling these animals, and holding them in terrible conditions. Very similar conditions to a terrorist group holding a person hostage and demanding a ransom for the persons freedom-- of course it is to animals so its not important. I was nauseated by the sight.

I went to another temple today, and they had the same thing. three or four old thai ladies capturing/selling birds in very very small cages and they could not move, and a couple had broken wings because they had to be smashed into place. I politely told the person I thought it was inhumane, and she laughed and told me how foreigners are sensitive, and that just earlier that day a falang girl cried at the sight of the birds, and laughed and kept going about capturing more birds =/

I doubt it would matter.. but is there anyone to talk to about this? I would like to hear a "manager" opinion from the temple about why they let such acts continue.. I was completely disgusted by this.--- I hope I am not being out of line with my opinions here.

Definitely Chiang Mai - my mother in law was a witness. The police have the license plate numbers.

this will surely stop them!

Would groups just jump in and start killing another person becasue someone they know is? Thats what it looked like the animals in the video were doing

I went to Valentines karaoke with a few friends and got there in there, sat in the main room and ordered one beer each (4) and we see they are 200 baht, so we immediately just ask for the bill. They take forever to bring us the bill. The girls come in the room and line up, we just ask for the bill again. Two girls sit down and we ask them for the bill again. They are pouring us our beers behind a pillar so we can not see. Two of my friends OKAY one lady drink while we are waiting for the check. So, thats a total of 6 drinks. They bring us the check.

4,800 baht.

we were charged ~300 three times for "mamasan fees"

the girls apparently drank like twenty five drinks in the fifteen minutes

we "drank two beers each" for eight beers

we got charged 450 + 450 for an "hour" with each of the girls

and a lot of other fees that were obviously fabricated. We literally did nothing else and we were immediately asking for the check.

standard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CtLRivEdQ0

I know this area! Is this normal?

wow.. I have never seen speeds that high with CAT CDMA. I get about 25 kbps download and really bad upload.. and its down constantly. When it works it is fairly stable in terms of disconnecing in Chaing Mai at least.

I know the Dukes discreetly adds on a service charge, 7% I think, to the bill

Actually they are adding the VAT tax to the bill. It is not a service charge. They did have a 10% service charge for a while, but dropped it.

I'm sure thats the case for Dukes, but I just wanted to say Oasis actually charged 17%, 10% service, 7% vat, and no tip went to the staff. I wouldn't even care necessarily, except I feel like this is really unfair for the people who work there, as they are not getting tipped hardly ever because of the service charge, and also for anyone who pays without knowing that this does not go to the masseuses.

If you eat at Oishi with a service charge, does this not tip the waiters??

anyone know if this is the casE? Genuinely interested. Sounds like a rough deal for the people who work in the restaurants/spas.

I know the Dukes discreetly adds on a service charge, 7% I think, to the bill

Actually they are adding the VAT tax to the bill. It is not a service charge. They did have a 10% service charge for a while, but dropped it.

I'm sure thats the case for Dukes, but I just wanted to say Oasis actually charged 17%, 10% service, 7% vat, and no tip went to the staff. I wouldn't even care necessarily, except I feel like this is really unfair for the people who work there, as they are not getting tipped hardly ever because of the service charge, and also for anyone who pays without knowing that this does not go to the masseuses.

If you eat at Oishi with a service charge, does this not tip the waiters??

I recently went to Oasis Spa after eating at Oishi on the same day. Oishi had a service charge, I figure it goes to tip the waiters/waitresses/standard. Whatever. it was the standard 10%-- I normally always leave a tip, but

I don't when I get a service charge tacked on.

I go to Oasis Spa, and there is a 10% service charge as well. I paid and left. I found out later that the service charge does not go to the masseuses as tips, but goes to pay salary for some of the employees.

Is this standard? I was kind of shocked to find this out. I also always tip after getting a massage, and the massage was great, but I did not leave a tip that time because I figured "I already had". They don't state anywhere that the masseuses are not gtting the tips.

Is this standard? Thoughts on this?

Hey, I had a usps package delivered to me without tracking, and supposedly it has arrived, but I received no notice or information. Is there a local office I can go to where it likely would be sitting? I checked the USPS website and they have no info on international offices. I don't really know what to do in this situation at all. Thanks!

that is definitely a good deal, I ended up getting impatient and picked up one of teh chinese boxed ones, it seems to be fine.. it had a $38 US price tag and the guy says that = 1900 baht and was insisting I was incorrect about it being just about 1200. Someone else should pick this up with the current offer there and enjoy it! Much better than a PC for computer games even imo

Anyone know where to find xbox 360 controllers in CM? I have looked in Central Airport Plaza, Khad Suan Kaew (sp?) and Pantip Plaza. The only ones I found were 1800 baht ones that I was not sure were even real. They looked cheap and in chinese boxes. I would like to buy a legit one, anywhere avaialble? Should I just get one of the chinese ones? Thanks

I was thinking if I had to sell street food, I would make a massive barrel of Kraft mac n Cheese and hotdogs and sell it, I have a feeling Thais would love that stuff, easy to make in huge quantities, and cheap. Anyone who wishes to take this idea is welcome as long as they provide photos and a free sample.

they probably have fritos, I will chec. If not, they almost certianly could get them

I saw some people asking a while ago and was excited to find it myself, so just letting everyone know. Theres a lot of hard to find sodas such as dr pepper, mt dew, cherry coke, diet pepper etc in a great little store by Mikes Burger called "Kasem Store" on Nimmanheiman. 54 baht a can though.

Enjoy!

thanks for the reply, good advice and will try calling them and tell them I will handle it myself, it that doesnt work, I will see if they can ship it back to the provider.

Hello, I don't really know where to ask or if any help could be provided, but maybe it will be informative for some others as well. I have imported some supplements a few times from a website (don't know if I can list it, a popular one from USA). They are just simple things like vitamins. I have received the orders which were very similar three times so far, and for some reason this third one cannot be released.

I was called on the phone and they (DHL) said customs needed a passport copy and approval to import the items. All I ordered was this:

Nature's Answer, Periobrite Toothpaste, Cool Mint, 4 oz (113.4g) (NTA-01640

[ Doctor's Best, Meriva, Phytosome Curcumins, 500 mg, 60 Veggie Caps x2

[Doctor's Best, 5-HTP, Enhanced with Vitamins B6 & C, 120 Veggie Caps]

[Now Foods, Maca, 500 mg, 250 Capsules]

Natural Factors, RxOmega-3 Factors, EPA 400 mg/DHA 200 mg, 240 Softgels (fish oil softgels)

Now Foods, Vitamin D-3, 2,000 IU, 240 Softgels x4

So, just vitamins/fish oil/curcumin, and they need an import license? Is there anything there that would be not allowed? They have not been helpful and I am not sure what to do next. Meh. Thanks for any info!

i only found one source, they were indeed at the boots main branch in CAP, and they were 900-950 for the 20 MG/30MG respectively Nicotinell TTS from Novartis. One pack had 7 24 hour release patches.

Anyone know of any better supplier (cheaper, more of a "bulk" deal, etc?)

Quick question, was just wondering where one could purchase nicotine patches and how much they should cost in CM. I asked the pharmacy nearby and they didn't have any. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Sigh thats terrible news, RIP.

I live here, but the tattoo is actually for a tourist friend of mine who is leaving within two weeks who really, really wants one.

I was trying to find information where one could receive a Sak Yant (buddhist tattoo) in Chiang Mai, and I found a lot of information guiding me to the temple in San Patong. I called them, but unfortunately they are not able to do any work for the next few weeks. Are there any second options in town? Thanks.

Random question, where can I buy a silk robe for a male in a Chiang Mai? The Sunday market is tonight, I will check that out today but I have not had any luck finding these in Bangkok in markets. They have silk, but nothing in the form of full robes.

I got an ED visa at KL which gives you 3 months in the country, I left before the 3 months were up and without getting a re-entry stamp, and came back after the visa had expired. The ED visa is used upon entry, so everything is wiped. It was good for only 3 months and I have to do it again.

I have to do a visa run for an ED visa for the third time due to some problems. I am in Chiang Mai now, and I am wondering the best / most efficient way to do a run. I am assuming it is to Laos, but I cannot find any flights. I went to Kuala Lumpur the last couple of times, and it took quite a while and was very expensive. (Flew to bangkok, flew to KL, hotel for four days, fly to BKK, fly to CM). I don't know anything about the bus/train/alternate plane schedules, or anything about Laos or neighbouring countries. Thanks for any info.