charley1947

The Super Bowl will kick off at 6:30 a.m. on Monday 6 February our time. Is there any venue open at that hour that will have the game on? I searched CMTV and got no response.

Does anyone know of a place where I can watch NFL games? I know the hours are a little odd, but a few customers could make it worth someone's time.

I started the year-long courses at CMU this month. They take care of all the visa stuff; I just provided photos, autographs and money. They teach speaking, reading and writing. Initially we are given English language transliterations for pronunciation but this is supposed to stop once we have learned the Thai alphabet [We are currently ensconced in the ever-popular low consonants]. Most threads on this topic have stated repeatedly that learning the alphabet along with the language is the best long-term approach to gaining some mastery of the language. I can let you know in a few years. I don't have any other reference points here other than my four years of high school French. Careful analysis of the two has led me to conclude that the teacher here in CM is definitely hotter. You spends your money and you takes your chances.

It definitely is fun.

Where is this place? i don't see any ads. Is this one of those scams from you and your friends trying to get free ad space?

HEY!

I still don't know where the post office is and I don't know what a postal carrier looks like in CM. Also, my lease says my area is 50000, not 50300. Anybody know how to locate a post office or "postie?"

I recently moved into an area called "Santi Tham." I gave my bank the mailing address that was on the lease, but I don't believe it works for Thai mail. Can anyone tell me which post office services this area or where I can go to get a proper address so that mail will reach me? Also, please add any comments on the CM postal service that would be either helpful or at least amusing.

I am living in CM now and really appreciate TV. However, I do not need to be notified by email each time a new topic is posted. Can you tell me how to turn this feature off? Thank you in advance. C

I followed the thread about computers and bought this spiffy new laptop in the US. Now my camera has been stolen. I will be moving to CM in 5 weeks so either place works for me. I have been looking here [uS] at cameras in the $250-400 range. Any suggestions about buying here in US or in Chiang Mai?

CMU has sent me the necessary visa paperwork along with a letter of intro for the embassy in Chicago. The embassy assures me that everything CMU told me is correct. I will enter with as three month visa and then convert it to a one year visa. The embassy was familiar with CMU and said there should be no hassle. I hope to get my non-immigrant visa during my first year in country and would appreciate any advise on that thread. I hope to hoist a few with you folks in early May. C47

I got a quote from a shipping company for a 3'x4'x6' approved crate, 700lbs. from a U S dock to Bangkok [CM was not an option]. $200 US to build the box, $1,700 to get it to Bangkok, where I would need an agent to get it through customs and then shipped to CM. Last year I got a quote of $450 U S to ship a similar crate from CM to a U S port. Has anyone got experience with this or any suggestions? 2K is lot for some art and books.

OK, so how about contact lenses in CM vs US?

Most likely it is the bad water. Our water in our moobaan is brown - no joke. Now we buy tons of those 19 liter bottles of water for 20 Baht each to use for everything. The first time we washed our white clothes here when we moved in 18 months ago, they turned light brown and we have never been able to get them white again.

sounds like a challenge to do the laundry

I would seriously look at an inline filter of some sort

I don't intend to do the laundry myself. There appeared to be a plethora of laundries in CM. I was just looking for some ideas like IanForbes or some of the other folks who might help me avoid the trial and error process.

Last year in CM I took my laundry to a place near my hotel. I was overcharged by CM standards and my white clothes came back with a decidedly red tinge. Is this because of the water, the soap or my being a farang? I will be moving to CM in a couple of months and haven't yet located a house or apartment. I will be staying in a hotel for the first month or so and don't want to have my clothes ruined. I understand about trial and error but I am hoping someone out there may have some tips. Also, what about dry cleaning. I wasn't looking last year but I probably will need a service this year. Any help is appreciated and this is a great forum for a newbie! Thank you all.

Last year in Bangkok I got ten [10] shirts, some of Egyptian cotton and some of miracle fiber for $180 U S and three [3] dress pants of Italian cashmere for $90 U S. I can't verify the origin of the fabric but all have held up well, especially the pants that have gotten plenty of use.

On a related topic, any suggestions for a good dry cleaner in CM?

I got lost trying to follow the AIS discussion. Here are some questions from somebody who feels pretty clueless right now. I expect to be in Chiang Mai the first week in May. I need a new laptop. Am I better off purchasing it in the U S or in Chiang Mai?

This ISP stuff puzzled me. Can I get by if I just grab 3G service for free? That would mean not using it at home, I believe. Thanks to this forum I realize I need to shop around for service, but I could survive my first few weeks before I found an apartment/house to rent by going to an area where 3G was available. Do I need to use an internet cafe to get my email?

If my questions seem confusing that would reflect back on the author. Everything here in the U S has been pretty automatic. Just sign up, send somebody a check every month and everything works. Apparently I am about enter a new dimension of internet adventure.

What other stuff should a newbie know about internet service in CM?

I will be moving to CM in ninety days. Does anyone have suggestions on the best way to handle mail? I want to keep a U S address but I don't want any more junk mail. I could use a friend, family member or one of those mailboxes that the shipping stores offer. What else? What's best?

CMU offers a one year thai studies course. It comes with help getting a one year education visa. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Stewart, Many people suggest going to Bangkok to see a cardiologist..... I'm not sure how to reach a doc... in CM