MESmith

Spain might be an option, Malaysia also, as would a return to Blighty although the weather aspect suffers in the latter case.

The OP talks about noise, prices and pollution all being on the increase. My experience is those things are true but can be managed and often offset based on where and how you live in CM. In truth the burning season is only truly bad (potentially) between March and mid-April, not the extended period of time the OP described.

FWIW I've managed to reduce my living costs here year on year for the past five years to the point where I'm now very comfortable that I'm spending at the right level, it's a very satisfying process I can recommend.

The air has been cr@p since before New Year. Maybe you don't notice in the city. There is a brown haze hanging over the valley. If you go a little higher you will see it. Too many cars, many belching black smoke, temperature inversion with the cold weather. Loverly.

My primary gauge of the severity of burning season is how much I can see of Doi Suthep and the mountain range to the East, right now they're both in sight plus the smell of burning is very light, when the time comes to close the sliding glass doors and turn on the air con. to cleanse the room air, that's when things get bad, for me.

Our windows are closed apart from midmorning. No point in opening them after lunch

I do a lot of hiking & cycling away from the valley floor. Returning home, getting out of the truck, I notice the smell of smoke after being a little higher up. It's like living in an ashtray.

Spain might be an option, Malaysia also, as would a return to Blighty although the weather aspect suffers in the latter case.

The OP talks about noise, prices and pollution all being on the increase. My experience is those things are true but can be managed and often offset based on where and how you live in CM. In truth the burning season is only truly bad (potentially) between March and mid-April, not the extended period of time the OP described.

FWIW I've managed to reduce my living costs here year on year for the past five years to the point where I'm now very comfortable that I'm spending at the right level, it's a very satisfying process I can recommend.

The air has been cr@p since before New Year. Maybe you don't notice in the city. There is a brown haze hanging over the valley. If you go a little higher you will see it. Too many cars, many belching black smoke, temperature inversion with the cold weather. Loverly.

mapswithme app might work for you. You download the Thailand map onto your phone, so works offline. Your gps will show your location. I've not used it myself, only had a look at the map on my phone, which looks pretty detailed. I don't think it allows you to "navigate".

Have a look here for iphone offline map apps

I'm not referring to helmet checks, but extortion on major highways, often causing large tailbacks. Better they drive around, taking action against traffic offenders. But that would require working & using their heads.....

The police do a decent job on highway crossings at school run time, assisting traffic across the superhighway etc. Thumbs up for that.

Then they go and set up their checkpoints to collect the cash, & lose all their credibility....

Global House sells sacks of rounded gravel. Brown colour. I think they do different sizes. It's outside, to the left of the entrance door. 130 bt a sack a few years ago.

But, you have to admit that it is a bit unnerving to see the planes coming in for a landing at 200mtrs above the Big C Hang Dong. Could be a recipe for a disaster................not to mention the noise factor for all the residential areas in that neighborhood. Glad I don't live there!

How many of those residential areas predate the airport?

I understand there are open air restaurants, pubs and cafes on the roof garden. I wonder if they will play loud music into the early hours, keeping the neighbours up all night.

You'd better order a powerful searchlight

I was thinking that myself when reading last night lol. Sure this Ford Ranger crowd are trying take over the world . In saying that I had

one ordered but gave up waiting and ordered the Mazda and happy now I did. We have a farm so this is a working truck and its up and down

mountains so its well tested .

My Ranger is almost back together and I won't be driving it again. trading for a Mazda.

Keep out of the puddles

The last time I did my yearly extension. The fellow doing it told me they generally do 50 a day some times more.

Assuming they are open 250 days a year at 50 a day that would be. 12,500 give or take retirement. Have no idea how many of the other type visa's extensions or what ever people want to call them there are.

Got to be Married ones, student ones and work permit ones. It could add up to a lot.

I don't go to immigration, I imagine a whole lot more don't too. Double it or treble it & you might be close....

re

If Maya opens tomorrow

this sign says it will

dave2

But is Maya ready? I hear not, but probably not as behind as Prom.....

Buy bigger monitor

Learn how to post pictures

Sorted. Only had to add 2 members to my "ignore" list

Chicog is right but Global House sold me one that is a fan, heater and mister. Astina is the name. Keeps a 5X8X12 (high) meter room pretty warm on a 12 C morning.

12 m high room?

Best to decide which of the lids offered by different manufacturers you want. Then find local dealer. Try motoring sub forum to help make that decision.

Can someone PLEASE resize those photos

Why don't the noodle shops get a tip? Unless it's only staffed by the owner.

Stop the burning!!!!!!

You should've bitten the owners & observed their reaction

I drive my boys to school. Policeman at the school car park has never pointed out I should employ the school buspick up driver.

Just google Mazda BT 50 problems. Here is one link to gearbox problem.

http://www.productreview.com.au/r/mazda-bt-50-2006-present/186921.html

That link dates from 2011

A different truck entirely. The current model was launched in 2012?

Maybe I should add, they have a great selection of various "educational" type toys, puzzles, science things, for all ages.

Check prices on Lazada first

I like it for movies ...and the best thing about it, for me, is the TOYS R US, tucked in a corner across from the movie theater ...sort of. I agree with MESmith about the design, it is sort of interesting and nice to have a different look, but very difficult to see things!

But for the people who have kids here, Toys R Us has the best selection of toys and all sorts of things not easily available here, even at Central.

I hadn't heard anyone talking about that, so I was surprised when I found it. Any parents who haven't been, do go!

That was the shop I had to explore to find!!