TravelerEastWest

Fresh hot black coffee made from good beans and roasted well - is simply amazing - just the smell alone is intoxicating. I will not drink instant coffee as it is normally not even remotely close in quality to good coffee. Coffee is quite bad for my health (causes sleep problems and glucose spikes from cortisol and I am a diabetic) but I still love the occasional cup in the morning! Lucky for me it doesn't cause any headaches or stomach problems etc or I would never drink it... I have a dozen coffee bushes and it is easy to grow - harvesting, washing, drying and roasting take some time but it is fun.

Very simple for many people - not all - much better sleep when they don't drink coffee - better sleep equals better health... Also coffee stimulates cortisol which causes blood sugar levels to rise so not good for diabetics - again not bad for everyone but many people have diabetes or pre diabetes.

Coffee has a long half life so for many people it hurts their sleep so it can be bad for you as sleep is important. Some people can drink coffee with no effect on their sleep... sho for that group coffee can be ok

Reasonable price and fast service about an hour but they dont have trained optometrists so always best to see a real doctor first to get your prescription...

Great answer!

You are wise and a diplomat. This is very practical: "why not bring a small block of chocolate the next day and say 'Enjoy' and smile. " The smile part is very important and just relax and don't worry. If you can speak even a bit of Thai all will be well.

I don't know about your office staff but Thailand is interesting and not that efficient at times. We make donations to local community projects as we are expected to - but don't always agree with the project... But sometimes they are ahead of the West example they banned smoking in public places earlier. There are a number of books available on this subject which will help you visit Asia books etc. Good luck.

Actually it is normal to not pay tax on certain government land which is given for farming - no real paper. Inside the village they usually have an informal system for transfer - sometimes the forest department collects a fee... In theory if a farmer has government land given by the forest department it is currently being recorded on a computer database/map. Children have a right to inherit if they are farmers - can't build resorts etc.

Exactly - forest land etc has rules to follow - usually the children etc can inherit but exactly how would require talking to a local lawyer...

Sounds about right if you can find someone at night or on a holiday up on a mountain...

Thank you - already replaced at the dealer - not possible for me to do it... I don't trust most of the small shops to do a good job with the correct parts. From experoncethey can be honest and try to save you money but the savings aren't worth it when you have problems later. And I have had problems later...

Automatic My car is 10 years old so what they call here First class insurance with extras as you mention is not available. Thank you for the idea My dealer said if they are open they will help but they are closed on Sundays and holidays...

Thank you will take a look Checked - very limited use - example: "NOT covering vehicles on top of mountain and island areas" Mountains is where I need it most. I miss AAA in America!

I forgot the name but it was a small part that failed from age (10+ years old) the part plus labor at a dealer was 2,400 baht. Thank you guys for your support much appreciated. The plastic casing around my gear shifter now has a crack due to the mountain mechanic not having the correct tools to remove it but the dealer glued it back into place and I don't even notice the crack and it is a non moving part so lets let it be - also the replacement would be 5,000 baht and a long wait... The mountain mechanic guy helped my wife return home safely so all is well... Note now she wants to go back with me - I love the mountains but am not excited about the temples as my Thai is just basic conversation not up to deep discussions...

Here is a photo of the loose part:

Thank you for the suggestion - Looks like he is closed now and I can't read Thai but seems like he is inside Chiang mai? My wife was stuck up in the hills a couple of hours from Chiang Mai - apparently they have some nice meditation temples there... Anyway a local guy took a look and found a broken small part and temporarily fixed it so all is well for the moment! I will take the car to the Isuzu dealership tomorrow they use all the correct parts and do a good job on Isuzus.

Thank you for the link lots of things to think about My Isuzu is a Mu 7 about 10 years old but low miles. But anything can happen in the countryside on dirt roads...

Interesting something easy to check - thank you. Why would the level be low?

Is it possible the cable between the shifter and transmission broke?

US AAA Thai style is it available? Transmission problem today - Note I am in the Chiang Mai area. I have a 10 year old Isuzu with low miles which usually runs great; today the transmission started slipping as in the gears light up Park, Drive etc but it feels loose and won't move. My wife likes to visit temples on back roads made of dirt. Today she got stuck (still is and luckily the monks called a local tow truck for her, so step one she is OK. 1) Should she have a village guy try to fix it or tow an hour or so to the Chiang Mai dealer? My thoughts are if it is something very simple to fix ok fix in the village if not let the dealer fix it. 2) The guy who was driving was shifting often high low gear etc as it was a dirt road on hills - does that hurt a transmission? 3) And last but not least going forward is there a Thai style AAA available? I have Viriyah insurance but the car while in good shape is old so they only insure for liability and accidents... Thank you for your help!

Thai EMS for the countryside have shipped many times no problems.

You can put the house in your name without a problem usually.

Taximan Better safe than sorry Go see a good dermatologist that speaks English Go to one of the big private hospitals

Very interesting! For myself I am ok with no pain for suffering... smiling!

In Chiang mai Bangkok hospital is not currently offering Covid shots. But CM Ram is which is where I went a few days ago. Got Moderna for 1,200 - no appointment was needed. No side effects so all is well.