CMX

Oh how I HATE to hear the thunder this time of year. The results inevitably lead to little good and power outages. Power outages raise temperature inside house 10 degrees, block I'net, threaten refrigerated goods, darken the house, and set dogs to bark.

Meanwhile, aquifer is helped not at all, outside cooling is brief, it's more humid, and m'bike travel difficult.

Admit gardens might gain some benefit, but....

Anyway, it's noisy in Sansainoi.

Update

Raining moderate-heavy now for 10 minutes 1KM S of Sansai post office. Four power hiccups so far.

I can hear heavy thunder in Sansainoi, south of the Sansai post office. Ka-BOOMs! Electric power has not failed yet, however.

For a number of years, I did not understand that the 1st time application route by way of the consulate letter was available to U.S. citizens there in CM. Thus, I could not comprehend puzzlement by others about someone who might lie in order to stay in Thailand. I assumed that all the bank assurances and so forth would have been previously established in 'America.'

Had I known, I might have taken the route in Chiang Mai - $50 notwithstanding - because the governmental organizations in the U.S. these days often charge a lot for simple documents; additionally, they can be sluggish in performance. Plus a health document and police etc. It happens, for example, that my state's police alone charge a lot for an embossed letter. Very pretty, but nonsensically priced.

In short, the hassle alone in the US, involving the Thai consulate/embassy and associated mailings of passport plus documentation, is much greater than that of CM - costs too! This does not mean, however, that I am financially below the bar in any way. Perhaps most of us using the local CM route are legal - particularly given the quite serious penalties should we be caught swearing to falsehoods to our government, say in the case that one contravenes Thai law sufficiently to become noticed?

In short (at last), we're all on a leash promising good behaviour while in Thailand. At issue is that - rather than which sort of lead.

There are a number of strategies that work to make the experience more tolerable for us retirees or anyone with some free time:

Visit elsewhere as well; both Airport Mall and a Rimping (interesting eateries) nearby, not to mention a record-settingly inexpensive (morning) vegetarian restaurant northward toward the canal. Yamasaki bike dealer south side of canal. And so on and so forth. For myself, fetching a book, divided by people watching, and (immediately available) snacks suffice. Or send a trusted cook and cook something familiar, or a beloved cleaning soul and you buff a dresser yourself for a while.

Chiang Mai is best experienced by those looking for opportunities to cope in positive ways, and living here better even yet when I'm willing to discard Western ideas of 'hurry, hurry'. Subscribing to the rat-race may not be the profitable way to experience life - once given the opportunity.

Cynicism aside, I've addressed them (in another office, now closed) twice and found their assistance (as has been my experience with Immigration) excellent - English language too. Of course, one is calm and polite. I doubt that anyone with "an attitude" such as anger or indignation is likely to prosper.

Hate the thought that I'd contribute so much to global warming.  Always preferred the thought that being fertilizer would be more romantic, but then, helping to educate medical students would be contributing too - but how do they dispose of the various parts later?? 

Anybody (so to speak) know?

Naboo (#4) points out something, when I arrived in CM, at first surprised and pleased me - as I was disappointed about lot sizes too. A considerable sense of privacy can be acheived with full greenery at the property line - short bamboo is but one choice. Moreover, green walls are very pleasant while 'removing' in a sense, the house next door. Such enclosures also confer a sense of inner quiet within them, not to mention an opportunity for green, shade, and flower design. These aspects are often employed (keeping in harmony with home) in places where land is hard to obtain (urban or near it). But the 'garden' can be far more peace giving, small or large, with thought given to acheiving tranquility or a sense of privacy by way of growing things.

Neighborhood noise is a consideration also, of course - location is the important consideration for that (roosters, dogs, speakers, neighbors themselves), and there are a number of fine suggestions above for that relating to location. Should be checked out, however. in person, and even then, time will tell.

I had 5 shirts done by Fashion King last year.

They fit very well and have worn very well.

However, I can't claim 100% cotton and suspect a mix; the price and size were v. good indeed. I know that the general consensus in CM is that one cannot receive best quality in town, but it's worth checking with them - being a careful questioner as to % of material - and feeling/inspectin its quality. I also had 3 suits made up (mostly wool, but...) and they've worn v. well here in the States. I guess what I'm suggesting is that their contracted workers are well chosen.

G'luck

Photos of this event showing roads and public buildings or comparisons to California losses regarding property only (not lives and injuries) tend to leave out that many hearts are broken by losses to homes and businesses that are certainly uninsured.

This was obviously a low level shift that did 'little' damage, but hurt it did, including even our startled or fearful locals swinging about in the air on upper floors, but more importantly yet those with little to lose, losing it. Characterizing these as minor events reminds me of one of the U.S. PeItigon's favorite terms - collateral damage.

In short, lots of ordinary northern folk lost a lot from their lives.

Some years ago Winnie t K launched a question - which was the worst intersection in/around the city? This was it. Morning traffic ought not to be worse by much, but just thinking about N and S traffic on Canal after 10 or 11 (opening time) gives a great headache, particularly when tied to the developments to the north and west. Beauty and pace are crumbling fast.

So it goes.

Corrections:

1. I had not meant to suggest that how Thais think about their nation was historically accurate. They think it. Americans little realize the degree to which their weapons upon arrival, natural resources, and the point in time of the development of manufacturing contributed to their imagined 'greatness' - every nation is raised with an elevated notion of their successes. Point is we act because of these internalized values, many exaggerated or false, Thais too.

2. This was not a g'bye to CM - t'was to expats only - said so in the title. My paean to Chain Mai (sadly, written in English), raises the issue as to whether falang should be regarded as cash-cows like pimples - or weeping carbuncles instead - on the fanny of the nation. As I said, my own experience with Thais was wonderful,

3. Point was only that we can get on the happy bus and live with 'it is what it is' - or complain, correct, suggest, and b.... Constructive use to find solutions is another thing, and the best use of this forum. 'Venting' means that one is yet to come to an inner understanding.

Sold my car, too.

Mapguy, thanks, yes...

Yes, the infamous London 'killer smog' did lead to correction. But the notion that somehow modern 1952 England acted quickly and right away is not the case; this killing smoke occurred after decades of 'pea soupers' that were doing the same killing, more slowly, since well before that century began. It was not identified and accepted as a problem for decades, since we humans don't like to change; also, someone's economic interests opposed such a change. That's the same here. Consider those unconcerned by global warming, sez I, before chiding oriental farmers who don't 'get' it.

I guess that's my point: Thais behave exactly as have we expats and our ancestors. Knowledge fights against perceived economic interests before much ever happens. I suggest that everyone here complaining about evolutions in Thailand have little memory of their own nation's struggles to their present conditions. And that's why we feel that we have the standing to complain.

"However, government medical reports in the following weeks estimated that up until 8th December 4,000 people had died prematurely and 100,000 more were made ill because of the smog's effects on the human respiratory tract. More recent research suggests that the total number of fatalities was considerably greater at about 12,000.^[2]" - Wiki (bold and underline mine).

This was London, very, very recently in human history - 1952. As if we knew better not very long ago, we being 'modern' and wise. Meanwhile, Los Angeles took apart trams to make more car and truck lanes.

Real choices are simple:

1. Walk or ride (exposed) back and forth on Narawat Bridge when the spray's working.
2. Pay enormous fees for proper filters for a small room and stay in it.
3. Get out of town for at least 7 weeks, more or less, depending on your health. But don't even try to plan ahead; use yer nose.
4. Tolerate it and go on about life - what's left, that is.
5. Use best medical advice you can find.

* Braying on ThVi, so far as I've seen for a few years, does no good, and leads Winnie to collect data we cannot (quite) trust.

Anybody who imagines a nation that not filled with corruption at one level or another, or at least where money talks much more effectively than honesty and pureness of purpose - has my sympathies. Though it is often said that ignorance is bliss, I admit.

In my homeland, for example, it is now OK for corporations to donate unlimited cash to political causes, making citizens rather outgunned, since there are no limits to advertisements (propaganda) using one device and another. In jury trials, the rich have brilliantly adept law companies, with supporting staff, taking their case. Only recently was a United States senator stopped from requiring cash up front before a constituent could consult members of their particular party. Our history is filled with entire eras of corruption on a massive scale at national and local scale. It has not stopped, either.

As a general thing, a good part of 'our way' is only to try for improvement - theirs too. In time.

"Let's hope they never get it sorted then. Thailand has enough overdeveloped shitholes like Pattaya and Phuket already." - ch, #9

Agree that much of Phuket is overdeveloped, but there is a worthwhile bit of it that is far from Patts in character, IMAO.

Told yesterday at 10:40 to get a number for after lunch for 90 day report. Could not return that day.

Told today at 9:20 to get a number for after lunch. So I did. After lunch at 1:10 my number came up and (prepared with photos and form 47) was done in 10 minutes. Didn't get to oogle at all, at all.

Had the car with me, so I filled it with LPG across street; got to park there free instead of the 20 baht.

Problem with our Immigration is that it is understaffed. I can name a number of countries where the people behind the counter would not be half so nice, given their 'customers' and the press of time.

Personally, I think that songkran and our annual threads about it are all a plot against the mods who have to plow through these mountains of wet, er, trivia.

One can but sympathize.

462-478 in pounds right now and for the next month, assuming return of 30-36 day span.

I always use ITA software, which is still reliable even though google bought them. But they don't show bargain carriers such as Air Asia, alas.

Nice thing about their presentation is that I can set a date and they'll search the next 30 days for the best price, all at once, and quickly, plus present the result in the currency you prefer. The length of each flight is shown then too. They do/can not sell tickets, however, it just looks.

Please excuse me for not indulging in speculations about your question or Delhi or your personal life or ....

I too have asked questions which called for answers, but instead received intrusions. Funny.

The dates of the holiday are 13-15. However, gov't sez that weekend holidays are extended for workers for two days, which is why some places have posted 'closed 15-17' signs and thus open on Thursday.

But as Winnie promises, no water is ever tossed beyond the 15th - though come to think of it, last year was so confused with rain and cool weather, that I seem to remember.... And then, the year before, motoring on two wheels on Nimmen, I seem to remember...

But that's the problem. I seem to remember....No matter, it's all innocent fun, if we're up for it.

Way back in entry # 27, Harry made clear that 500 baht motivated a very busy office to take on a job that was supposedly their function. Once the reimbursement was challenged from above, the office kicked the ball. As is sometimes the case here, it will take a while to settle and meanwhile we find our solutions. Those of us who rent houses need these docs in order to buy vehicles, for one thing, and I, for one, accepted the fee as being just how things worked here. Largely because of my evolutions with two-wheelers, I've purchased 8 vehicles in 3.5 years,

Imagine then if I'd paid $50 US for such a document, somehwat higher than 500 baht, ahem. What is of interest is if it is useful for a year's time, or only one month as was the case with Immigration's Residency Letter??? If not, what I've got is what I ride.

Another in-house problem (Thai Imm.) is figuring how one district's Immigration Office is adequately staffed for its population and another is not. But we'll never have a say in that either. Overall, this is one of those things that make Thai Visa useful. Also, it adds to the mystery of the orient.

"On
the third hand, I find that drivers of all vehicles have improved in
the three years I've been here - now, it's almost like driving at home.
How quickly they've learned!"

Actually, I was just trying to make the point that I've accepted Thai customs and habits in driving, many of which are regularly done by many and therefore useful to learn, and easily, once I got over being indignant. Guess I didn't make myself clear, as usual.

Most everything is a mix. Foreign folks who complain about this town are simply stuck back in some past, are unaware of other nations' ways, or don't know a thing about history, even their own. Complaining about differences is pure nonsense, as matters will develop in their own way in spite of us.

For me in a mere three years, things have become somewhat more convenient. Korean Air's regular flying from CM to Incheon and then to N. America has been a strong positive, doubtless associated with the town's growth; perhaps one day westbound travelers will go to Istambul or India direct. .

On the other hand, this vast amount of construction without a hope of improved roads (at least on time) catches my attention.

On the third hand, I find that drivers of all vehicles have improved in the three years I've been here - now, it's almost like driving at home. How quickly they've learned!

Veterans of Foreign Wars

The price Dave indicates means that he is also contributing the cost of the tax, a hearty donation all together.