Chiang Mai Voted One of the World’s Top Cities (that’s right, AGAIN!)

Via: City News – Chiang Mai

The city came in at 21st, while Bangkok was ranked 13th in the Top 25 Cities in the World category of the Readers Choice Awards 2014.

“The culinary capital of Thailand, Chiang Mai’s laid-back vibe is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and the crowded beach resorts of the south,” according to the award announcement. “There are several excellent cooking schools and a popular market scene whose standout is the night bazaar on Chang Klan road – the place to try khao soi, a steaming bowl of yellow curry noodles.”

Six Thai resorts appear in the Top 20 Resorts in Asia category, including the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle Chiang Rai in second place and the Anantara Chiang Mai Resort and Spa at eighth. The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai is in 20th place.

http://chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=4601

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Bangkok – Oh man, I hate when this happens!

Via: Coconuts Bangkok

A woman was almost killed by a python that came out of her toilet last night.

Rampeung Onlamai, 57, had just finished her shower at her home north of Bangkok when a python emerged from her toilet and attempted to drag her down the drain.

Rampeung said the snake sunk its fangs into her right hand and then started pulling her back down toward its toilet nest. Rampeung defended herself with a nearby broom and called out for her daughter, who rushed to her rescue and pried the python’s head off her hand.

The python then crawled back into the toilet.

Rampeung was admitted to the hospital, where she needed 20 stitches to seal the gash.

Samkok district officer Metha Taweekunchai said he’ll order his officers to capture the snake in Rampeung’s toilet, so the family can resume using it, Khaosod reported.

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/11/04/woman-almost-eaten-python-her-toilet

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HAPPY HOLIDAY!

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Tags

news

Thailand – Songtaew (song = two, taew = benches)

1927 – Muang Sukhothai

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See more historic photos of Siam/Thailand, HERE:

http://teakdoor.com/famous-threads/39970-siam-thailand-bangkok-old-photo-thread.html

 

Chiang Mai – Cheapest Places to Retire WELL

Via:Huffington Post

1) Chiang Mai, Thailand ($920)

Not 1) Cuenca, Ecuador ($1,010)

Not 1)Dumaguete, Philippines ($910)

Not 1) George Town, Malaysia ($1,070)

Not 1) Granada, Nicaragua ($1,040)

Not 1) Istanbul, Turkey ($1,045)

Not 1) Nha Trang, Vietnam ($680)

Not 1) Samana, Dominican Republic ($1,155)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathleen-peddicord/best-places-to-retire-overseas_b_5716909.html?utm_hp_ref=fifty&ir=Fifty

Note: Keyword – WELL

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Pattaya lady-boy Rounded Up (See Photo) In Walking Street

Via: Pattaya Daily News

At 00.10 am Pol.Capt.Netithorn Rattanasuchanan-deputy investigation inspector- had led a team of police officers and volunteer police to crack down on lady boy gangs who prostituted around Walking Street, South Pattaya and Pattaya beach.

The police officers aimed to clamp down on crime and drugs in Pattaya especially the lady boy gang that are always prostituting and stealing from foreigners. This behaviour had destroyed the good image of Pattaya therefore the police officers had to crack down on them.

The police officers caught 20 lady boys and took them to police station, recorded their information, and fined them 200 baht ($6.25 USD) for each before letting them go. Plus the officers had detained a group of 5 lady boys and Thai girls who were suspects in case of snatching a wallet on a baht bus. However the police officers will contact the foreign victim so the snatchers can be identified.

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/pattaya-news/lady-boy-gangs-rounded-walking-street-pattaya/

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Chiang Mai – 9 Top Havens for Expat Retirees

Via: U.S. News & World Report

Asia:

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Estimated expat population: 20,000+

Chiang Mai has been luring expats from the West for years. The attraction is twofold–the low cost of living and housing and the weather.

The high quality health care and health-related services are other big pluses for foreign retirees in this part of the world.

The city boasts modern infrastructure and an abundance of Western amenities.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/9-top-havens-expat-retirees-142051392.html

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Photo:

TrekEarth – Amit Raj Singh

http://www.trekearth.com/members/amitrajs/

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Personal Note:

I retired nine-years ago, and have been living in Chiang Mai.

Good Gawd Almighty, I LOVE Chiang Mai!

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Chaiang Mai – Songtaew fares slashed in HALF!

Via: City News – Chiang Mai

Suriya Prasartbandit announced at the local government’s weekly press meeting that after the recent re-organisation of public transport around the city, he now plans to REDUCE the cost of songthaews to 10 baht per journey and five baht for students. The current price for a journey is 20-30 baht. 

 

The re-organisation has solved some problems regarding public transport in Chiang Mai, but according to the Chiang Mai Transport Cooperative Limited – which represents songthaew drivers – many problems still need to be addressed.

 

Chiang Mai currently has 2,700 registered songthaews, with 550 of these organised into 11 specific routes around the city.

 

The announcement has been made following complaints by drivers that not only is there a lack of customers but that the newly assigned routes are hardly used. Drivers also highlighted the price difference between songthaews that drive on specific routes and those that can take passengers anywhere.

 

The governor hopes that by reducing the cost and making every songthaew charge the same price, people will be encouraged to use public transport more often. Prices will be lowered and price placards changed from September 1.

 

However, the response by the public and drivers has been mostly negative, with many people saying that 20 baht is still very good value for money and that they would worry about the overall loss of income for the drivers.

 

One songthaew driver commenting on CM108’s website said the daily cost of rent and petrol is around 850 baht a day. Under current pricing, drivers receive on average around 1,200 baht per day, leaving around 400 baht to take home. Under the new plans, the driver said, he would have to have more than 200 customers per day to match his current income – which he suggests would be impossible.

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=4398

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Personal thought:

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I think the people who rely on their car/motor-bike, will continue to rely on their car/motor-bike.

Reducing the songtaew drivers revenue by half, will greatly the numbers of songtaews on the road.

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I will continue to pay 20-baht.

why?

Because I can.

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Thailand – Tourists get extended visas

Via: Bangkok Post

The Immigration Bureau has approved a new regulation that allows tourists to extend their stay in the kingdom by a further 30 days, effective from Aug 29.

That will mean holidaymakers from 49 countries who enter Thailand under a 30-day visa exemption can stay for 60 days. Visitors entering on the 60-day tourist visa are still eligible for the extra stay of 30-days as per normal.

The move is designed to boost tourism, said Pol Col Voravat Amornvivat, deputy commander of the bureau’s Investigation Division.

The measure will appeal to foreign travellers who want to prolong their stay in Thailand and visit other Southeast Asian countries, Pol Col Vorarat said. The extension will cost 1,900 baht.

The bureau, however, tightened up visa extension regulations for foreigners who enroll to study Thai in private language schools outside of the official school system, as well as those working in a public charity/non-profit organisation or a foreign chamber of commerce. Those affected will be granted visa extensions of 90 days but for no more than one year.

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http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/429056/tourists-get-extended-visas. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Post Publishing PCL. All rights reserved.

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(2 of 2)Thailand – Immigration authorities LOOSEN Grip

Via: City News – Chiang Mai

Expats and tourists will not have to carry their passports on them at all times, it was reported today, following earlier reports that laws requiring foreigners to do so will soon be strictly enforced.

Police Colonel Voravat Amornvivat, a senior official at the Immigration Bureau’s headquarters in Bangkok, told Thaivisa.com that he wanted to reassure the expat community.

Tourists will not have to carry their original passports and expats can use a Thai driving licence or photocopy of their passport as a form of identification, he was quoted as saying.

“Making all foreigners in Thailand carry their original passports with them would be very difficult,” he said. “It’s about being reasonable and using common sense.”

The latest news comes amid often conflicting reports as immigration authorities crack down on visa overstayers and those who make regular ‘visa runs’.

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=4313

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Another example of a Thai SNAFU – ‘Situation Normal, ALL Fucked Up’!

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(1 of 2) Thailand – Immigration Authorities Tighten Grip

Via: City News – Chiang Mai

The Immigration Bureau in Hua Hin has announced that it will enforce rules requiring foreigners to carry a valid photo ID at all times and report within 24 hours of moving to a new address, sparking fears that these will soon be enforced nationwide.

The rules apply to both tourists and expats, Thaivisa reported, adding that they are likely to be enforced across the country.

The ID documents deemed valid are a Thai driving licence, an original passport, or a copy of the passport verified and stamped by local immigration authorities. Failure to carry one of the above may lead to a fine of 2,000 baht.

Another rule on the books states that foreigners must report to police or immigration when they visit another province and stay for more than 48 hours. However, these rules are rarely enforced.

Many expats voiced concern about the move on the Thaivisa website, pointing out that the rules were open to abuse by corrupt police officers and would discourage foreign tourists.

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=4303

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