martijn12345

Prolly need to catch a nightbus to BKK later this week. But are they even going with this curfew?

If you have no idea what is actually written on the ticket. Wouldn't it be better to ask ur GF or somebody else tell you what it says, before deciding this must be a joke and ripping it apart?

Nice to hear that HD is getting started here. After spending most of the last few years here in Asia. I am now just back from Europe and kinda made a research what I am missing out on. In my former home country 20MB internet is the norm, 50MB everywhere available. Many channels are in HD but you gotta pay a bit extra as well.

I don't mind being a bit behind, we definitely have other advantages that totally make up for whatever high-tech thing we are missing

This is indeed an incorrect article. Tourist haven't fled Thailand that much and so quickly just because of the curfew. The whole situation is to blame, and now tourism really starts to feel it. People who were here already stayed as planned, but new people didn't arrive... So business is going down day after day. So it's normal that it takes some time before businesses really start to feel the pain, makes sense that time has come after more then a month of serious problems. Doesn't mean figures mentioned are incorrect tho, just the way they are presented.

Goodview probably has 10.000 baht running costs per day. And over the past few weeks lost over 100.000 baht due to this situation (not the curfew) but because the previously mentioned stuff, now they closed cause they are not meeting their minimal income on a daily basis, this is due to the whole situation and not only the curfew.

I would believe the story if a place was a real nightlife place, prolly not much business in the places that normally get going after 12pm. But ppl still need to eat and still go out for dinner.

Here in Chiang Mai seems like nobody cares. Drove home around 10pm. Lots of people outside, business as usual. There was some police but they also did business as usual

Care to share why?

Best of luck anyways

Just back from airport plaza. All banks are open, and the populair ones are enormously busy. Somehow even got a better exchange rate from the bank then is given on the internet for my Euro's. Altho better is hardly the right word as it's still rediculous

Used to go often to Hot Shot, not much of a dancer, their u got ur chair and ur just looking around sipping ur drink, enjoying the view. Last time I was there was Febuari and there were 6 ppl inside when I entered. Was this just a bad evening or is that place totally gone out of fashion?

Im renting in a moo baan in between tesco and airport plaza, walking distance for farang.

It's a normal 2 bedroom 2 bathroom house, aircon living and master bedroom, hotshower in 1 bathroom, non furnished 6.000 per month. During the hot weather the past few months around 3.000 baht for electric+water.

There are sometimes more houses for rent here, so it might be worth driving around in the area. Bring somebody who can read thai as 'for rent' signs are hardly ever in english.

There's an art supply shop on Sirimankalajan that sells all kinds of brushes and paints, including acrylics. Not sure about canvases as I haven't looked too closely but I assume they would have some? The shop is also a post office agent which is why I've been there, but haven't bought the art supplies :-)

Even Google Maps can't help me to figure out where Sirimankalajan is. Some directions when i'm coming from the road to Hang Dong, near Tesco.

Thnx for the advise will check out both stores.

Banks inside Tesco on the road to Hang Dong are also closed. This one is normally open on a Saturday, so I hope tomorrow it will be open again.

Non-sense post, my bad. Sorry

This would be one hel_l of a ride. I think ur looking at 24 hours of bus-sitting. So if it is within ur budget, I recommand to take the plane to KL.

Does anybody know a shop for art supplies in Chiang Mai? I know they have some basic stuff in B2S in Airport Plaza. But hope there is another shop that is more specialised. Looking for acrylic paint and canvas in various sizes.

U can download lots of stuff on internet, takes a bit of googling and sometimes registering for a forum.

I saw in the corner of my eyes some software cd's/dvd's in the shops that sell copy stuff. But that might be for Iphone or Windows Mobile or something.

N95 is hardly a smartphone tho

I can reflect a little bit on this topic.

I came here over 10 times in 5 years, sometimes a month, sometimes 6. Most of the time for work, some of the time as holiday.

Since 9 months I'm living here, and as I am typing this I am siting in Suvarnabumi to fly back home. The only reason this doesn't give me that sad hollow feeling i always used to have in this position, is knowing that i go just for 3 weeks to visit family and friends, take care of some stuff that needs to be taken care of. Before I know it I will be back. This is the first time going back home since I moved here, and it made me realize first time, for the full 100% that I made the right decision last year to come here. My life is pretty far from perfect, lots of things to improve and upgrade, but I am endlessly more at home then I was in my country of birth.

I'm just 27 and absolutely not saying this is it for the rest of my life. Maybe someday I am done with Thailand or want another change. But I def. cannot share your feelings, and assume like other that you might have come here for the wrong reasons. And I mean that for a long stay in Thailand vs. a tourist stay, not being judgemental on you. But the thing you mention make for a great holiday 3 weeks a year.... and as it turns out not a happy ever after.

are tubless tires in general less likely to be punctured or does it not matter. i have the original wheels and innertube tires. But very willing to change to tubeless if that reduces the chances of pushing you bike after enjoying an evening in town.

If you can already drive firstly just go down to the licence / registration office and see what is involved in the actual driving test. There are 2 offices in Chiangmai. The one I use is on the Chiangmai - Hod Rd opposite the airport. Can't miss the purple fence. As you come in the entrance take the first turn to the left which is where they do the driving test. Sit around for a while and check out what they have to do.

When you go for the licence (all done in one day) Written test in the morning, driving test in the afternoon. You will be required to do a written test of the road rules (computer testing multichoice) and a coordination and colour blindness test.

The counter for Farangs used to be 20 or 21. You will need a medical certificate, proof of residence etc. Check at the counter for what is required now. Photos are done when you get the licence (digital)

Good luck.

Just did it, and this part is 100% correct. Pay attention to the last line, if you don't bring all of those doc, you will be send straight home. Bring all of those and be there at 9 am. And you will have your licence by mid afternoon

If you have to do it on a regular basis, then I think motorbike is not your best choice. But like mentioned. It might be a good idea for the first time, and then trying to figure out at your destination what is the best way to get to Chiang Mai, this is often more easy then how to get there.

I don't feel Thai in any way. And don't bother about it. Reading this topic does make me realize that I have things in common with Thai ppl.

I do trow trash where I want, except in nature areas.

I do go against the traffic because I don't like to make 2 u-turns when going back from Tesco Lotus.

Furthermore I do have a Thai driving license, but I think that is commonsense, that is something I have not in common with Thai ppl

a couple of sas guards and maybe this will stop the

You forgot to mention the moat and the Rottweilers.

sorry guys, i am not british, i dont know any sas nor do i care about

building a moat, this is thailand not england.... if i want to keep people

out i will do it thai style - 3 m solid concrete fence, barbed wire on top,

and a few mean soi dogs out the front trained to smell out last night's beer.

It's obv. personal who you want to keep in and out of your property. And to blame ppl from who you know in fact they lower themselfs to scam others under false predictions is very understandable. But don't get your head spinning that skin color is in any way related to behaviour, and don't be foolish to actually say that all 30 million people originating from the NE of LOS are all bad and all the same.

It's very simple, poverty will trigger ppl to do some nasty things, so it's obvious that the poorer, less educated part of the population will more often go into faul play trying to make a living.

IMHO there is no black and white in Thailand, only grey...

Love this topic. Don't understand why some ppl don't see the fun in this and have to make it so serious. Just cause you sometimes have a misunderstanding (which is most of the time endlessly more funny then a problem) doesn't mean ur in a bad relationship or whatever quick conclusion you guys are drawing.

I unfortunately don't really have to share any stories as my GF understand and speak english pretty well. Then there is still the obvious difference between understanding and wanting to understand

Very very cool

Exactly same story here. The right footstep for the passenger somehow had come loose. Went over there and they fixed it instantly.

These pictures capture the essence of the hectic songkran festival very well IMO