scottie

Thanks all. Waiting for telephone company to connect us then can surf web easier.

Open our resort North of CM next few days

www.baanrailanna.com

Scottie

Many thanks PTE,

Thats put my mind at rest. Obviously didn't want to buy & then find to be disappointing.

You're spot on the used one offered was petrol, do think I'd prefer diesel.

I'll go back & look into each specific model as we were only told about auto.

Thanks again.

Scottie

Hi Everyone,

Well we're finally living in LOS after years of planning!!

Got to get transport, computer & many other things. So apologies if I don't reply for a few days as relying on transport from friend. No internet cafe within walking distance!

Went to a Toyota dealer in city (near airport?!) We fancy a Fortuner, apparently a 3 month waiting list! Also they were non negotiable on price

So anyone know of a used model? I know they've only been out a few months though.

Also anyone know anything about them? Fella from another place (who didn't have one admittedly!), said that Fortuner no good in mountains as only permanent 4wd

& 1 ratio.

Any advice/help much appreciated.

Thanks

Scottie

Many Thanks.

I'll take on board what you've said. Won't offer payment upfront in case difficulties do occur, also bear in my mind losing my deposit.

Here in UK, my limited experience of renting (through agent), is you never meet the landlord if there's a problem with plumbing etc. The agent usually takes care of.

Also rarely can you negotiate rental fees.

As I've read on here before, best deals are to be found driving around, looking for signs or asking.

Having been looking online for 3 years at buying & renting (only as guideline), many properties just don't shift. Probably even more so with so many new developments going up all the time.

We will have time by the way, as we've built a small resort just after Maemalai, before Mog fa falls.

So can use a room there whilst we look around. Hopefully one of our Thai friends can do a bit of groundwork for us, re showing us different areas & asking for us.

Oh p1p, from a previous thread I remember you saying you have a dog (Pyrennean?).

Well we're bringing over our golden retriever. Did you get it's import license at BKK airport when it arrived? & how was it with the flight....ok I hope.

So good size garden also a priority for us.

Just leaves me to say folks, without all your help & guidance getting us as far as this. What is a big & difficult thing to do would have been considerably harder without your input.

Terrific, absolutely terrific. Maybe catch up with some of you when we move out there.

Scottie

Moving to CM mid Oct. Have been doing some research on housing.

Having read some previous threads on here, I appreciate that cutting out the agent will save costs.

But surely as a tenant you'll have more back up regarding any problems if you use an agent?

Don't want any of the "horror stories" that some of you seem to have had!

Have seen some nice looking property to rent, obviously once there need to check out the area.... has to be good access to North.... Canal rd, Green Valley, Mae Rim, Mae Jo? Something like that.

Now if I see a house at 20,000bt a month, would it be possible to negotiate to say 200,000bt a year pay up front? That sort of thing.

Any of your experiences rec'd with thanks.

Scottie

Thanks for taking the time Axel.

I've already sent it all away. Took previous advice & went for multi entry,

dearer but hopefully straight forward. So long as I've posted correct company papers.

Scottie

Many thanks for that BigMac, that was just what I needed....a straight, simple reply for me to take in.

Multi entry it is.

Ta

Scottie

Hi All,

Have tried searching on this topic, just seem to be too many variables for me to understand.

Now I know we need non immigrant "B". But not sure whether we need multi entry or not. We will be supplying Thai consulate in UK with some of our Thai company paperwork, & as far as I know once in Thailand we'll need to do a visa run to Burma border every 90 days. So multi entry???

Sorry if this has been asked many times before.

Multi entry is considerably dearer than single entry, & didn't want to get this one if un-necessary.

Oh I don't have a Thai wife, know this makes a difference.

Thanks in advance. We move to Chiang mai Oct 18......yeah!

More remote I know but head north to Mae Ngat dam. Seemed a nice place & very peaceful.

Happy casting!

Scottie

Hopefully that's something else sorted out for me, Thanks Trawler.

Hope that policy cover is actually new for old though!

Scottie

Certainly the best most expensive place in Pai is Belle villa (think it's the only one with a pool). Ban Krating next best. Was there in Jan....both very good.

Enjoy

When in Cm last month, I had a quick look at bikes.

There was a range of them in Robinsons sports dept. Can't remember which floor I'm afraid.

But they were certainly more expensive, hmmm about 7,500-10,000bt off the top of my head.

Remember thinking a bit dearer than UK.

Seemed good quality to be fair.

Our Thai friend did say cheaper at Carrefour.

Scottie

You guys have been terrific.......thanks for taking the time.

Printed your advice out.

That expatmotors link has also been great.

Everythings alot clearer now.

So much to do proir to moving out.

Still you all know that!!!

Scottie

Agree not possible in one day.

I too used to look at flying, thinking such a short flight. Surely driving can't be that long or bad.

Well last month for the first time we visited MHS. What a road!! Apparently (if I remember right 1,864 bends!)

We over nighted in Pai....loved it there.

Then spent 2 nights MHS. Visited market early in morning, quite foggy in morning.

Came back via Mae Sariang..did the "Loop".

The other reason we never flew was we weren't keen on flight times,just didn't fit in.

Definitely do it when you have more time.

Oh the drive is spectacular. Mountain after mountain, hour after hour covered in jungle & forest.

Awesome.

Scottie

Well, I've just done a search for the Fortuner, & really like the look of it.

You see I only mentioned the CRV because it's available & known in the UK.

Fortuner not available here, but I've just read very favourable reviews...& it's nice on the eye...... Oh & the wallet

Will look into this further.

Many thanks

Scottie

Thanks for taking the time.

I'll look into things over the coming weeks....& if need help, will get back to you.

By the way,is the Fortuner a 4wd CRV style thing, or more of a pick up style??

Scottie

Thanks for that Chanchao, I'll enquire about the Fortuner.

Reading your reply to someone asking about 2nd hand pick ups, where would I be able to get one of these magazines?

How are things in Thailand regarding buying new? I've never bought new in UK, as soon as you drive out of the garage forecourt, the value ofyour car drops about 20%....no kidding! Consequently good to buy something say 6 mths old.

Can you get nearly new bargains like that over there?

regards

Scottie

When in CM last month we sat down at the house (also called Ginger house?), beautifully done out. But on receiving the menu,we made our apologies & left.

Very expensive. We blamed it on the fact there was no Thai food.

We then went on to Bann Bu Ree, near Suan Dok. New & very good, well worth trying. Anyone else been there??

For beautiful, romantic setting imo Le Grand Lanna.

Scottie

Hmmmm you think that CRV is more of a toy? Not really up to the rigours of bumpy roads? I'll take that on board. Obviously I'll drive a few different makes/ models before committing.

We did rent a Mitsubishi Strada from North Wheels when we were in CM. Not keen.

Uncomfortable seats ( particularly in the back), hard suspension & generally too cumbersome. Like a tank!!

Leasing getting popular in UK, as new car every 2 or 3 years. Free servicing etc.

monthly payments quiteaffordable so long as you don't do a BIG mileage.

I know limited range of models in Thailand, so hopefully won't be a headache choosing something.

Thanks for advice.

Anyone else have any tips?

Scottie

Hi All.

Me again come to pick your brains

Now I was told it's possible to lease a car, do any of you locals do that?

Or have you bought yours?

I am starting a business at the moment in CM, & will move out later in the year.

So must be a tax efficient way of doing it.

I was thinking of something like a Honda CRV or similar. There was one inside, Airport plaza....next to Black Canyon when we were there in Jan, 2nd hand seem to remember about £12,000 (memory does fail me though!)

Any advice or figures etc. greatly welcomed

Thanks in advance

Scottie

Ate at Pasta cafe twice whilst in CM earlier this month.

Food was good, inexpensive & really garlicky garlic bread.

The only fault we could find was, when I chose a non pasta dish, chicken something or other it took a long,long time to come. A good hour+.

But that could just have been a one off blip.

The place we really loved was Bann Bu Ree. Near Suan Dok. Absolutely superb.

Tastes, presentation & price. Only been open a month or so.

Give it a go. Next door to Paddy Field.

Thai food, with some twists.

Enjoy.

Scottie

That's refreshing to hear Thaipauly. You're happy & you've given good sound advice.

The one thing you didn't say, was where abouts you live. Would be keen myself, if right part of town.

Due to move out later this year....hey we'll have a swing of the golf sticks if you fancy it!!

Regards

Scottie

Agree with others thoroughly enjoyed Lanna. As far as I know Green Hills & Lamphun are quite long.

Lanna has some nice water, but not too punishing (famous lastwords!!)

Gymkhana also close to town & the oldest. Any good??

Whilst on the subject, what's the situation re. regular rounds, friendly & comp. out there?

Love my golf in UK (course only 5min from home), & would like to carry on at least twice a week when we move out to CM.

Scottie

It's not a slice, it's a power fade

That's a fair description in many ways.

It's been overtaken by some of the newer hotels, but if you mean Rydges Tapae....that high rise should never have been built where it is.

Think that may be the one

Scottie

I'm going back there next week,having stayed there many times over the years.

Lovely pool & garden area. Very good food in both the Lanna coffee shop & La Gritta (Italian).

It isn't the cheapest place to stay by any means, we Love it though.

You'll need a tuk tuk to get to the night mkt, but there is a mkt opposite the hotel frequented mainly by locals.

Good massage 5 min away at Wangcome/ Kalavek & good spa too, turn left out of hotel car park & it's on your left.

Many eating places around Nimmanhaemin & Huay Kaew roads.

Hope that's been of help.

Scottie