Cold Weather in Chiang Mai
Cold weather in Chiang Mai makes winter everyone’s favorite season. Visitors from steamy Bangkok stream north to simply enjoy cold weather…in Thailand! Everyone spends an extra half hour snuggling in the mornings, then dons ski boots and colorful scarves and heads into the crisp, clear weather. The cold is the source of great pride and […]
Bringing Controlled Pharmaceutical Drugs into Thailand
If you’re bringing Controlled Pharmaceutical Drugs into Thailand, or or need to fill a prescription for some, then read this post and follow the instructions below very, very carefully. If you do not, you will go to jail and stay there for a considerable time. “The traveler is allowed to carry for his personal treatment medications which […]
Chiang Mai’s Chinese Restaurants
Chiang Mai’s Chinese Restaurants ? We’ve got plenty! It’s just a matter of knowing where to look. But first, a few words about choosing restaurants in Thailand: Option 1: Walk Around. It’s free and you can get better data from looking in person than you can any other way. Option 2: Google Maps, if you […]
SIM Cards in Thailand
You’ll need to provide a face-scan or fingerprints to buy SIM cards in Thailand starting December 15, 2017. (We will still have some prepaid SIMs to send clients so that they’re able to call as soon as they get off the plane but, as soon as our stock runs down, you’ll be on your own). […]
Home Food Delivery in Chiang Mai
You can get home food delivery in Chiang Mai just like anywhere else but, since Chiang Mai is in Thailand, what you get and when you get it may differ from your expectations. In Chiang Mai, Food Panda, a delivery chain, is the popular choice. Allow for the usual delays at peak meal times and choose […]
Volunteer in Chiang Mai
If you have the urge to volunteer in Chiang Mai, here’s a complete guide to Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand and Burmese opportunities. But before you do, a few words of advice: To enter Thailand with the purpose of doing volunteer work you must have a Non-Immigrant O Visa. Here’s what you’ll need to apply at […]
How to Book Train Tickets in Thailand
Here’s how how to book train tickets in Thailand. First, there’s lots of good news about trains in Thailand. Inspired by Big Brother China’s example, Thais are on a train binge. Last year the line from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was replaced with new trackbed, rail and ties. This month the new trains–imported from and financed by […]
Thailand Internet: 5 Years Use
What can you expect from Thailand Internet: 5 years use has taught me some useful lessons. Lesson 1. A year is a long time. I signed a normal, ironclad, 12-month service agreement that bound me to my first provider, True, and spent a year regretting it. Service was slow and patchy most days and technical support, […]
Insects in Thailand and How to Kill Them
There are lots of insects in Thailand and how to kill them is a challenge. Thailand is a friendly place. Friendly to all kinds of life forms, too, not just humans. In fact, one life form that discouraged humans from settling Thailand’s rich river bottoms for centuries was insects. And there are some insects, (like […]
Shipping Stuff to Thailand: Tricks of the Trade
If you’re shipping stuff to Thailand tricks of the trade can be useful. Here’s a useful story, courtesy of client and friend Bill Spaulding, whose ‘stuff’ came from around the world to his doorstep thanks to Alan, our miraculous shipping manager. Here’s Bill’s story, in his own words: A couple weeks ago, Alan and crew […]
Stress Free Retirement to Thailand
Stress Free Retirement to Thailand With one of the lowest costs of living in the world and high quality of life, Thailand has become one of the top retirement destinations overseas. There is a diverse expat community enjoying the country’s rich cultural experiences, stunning natural beauty, tropical climate, and Thai cuisine. Whether you’re looking at […]
Thai Street Food Safety
Thai street food safety is not mysterious. Apply this rule of thumb to eating Thai street food and save yourself embarrassment and discomfort: freshly cooked and freshly peeled food only. You’ll notice that Thais always choose their meat from the griddle – not from meat that’s already cooked and removed from the flame – because […]
Find a Mate in Thailand
Want to find a mate in Thailand? A French client recently wrote to ask about a very promising relationship he’s commenced with a Thai woman. He concluded his letter with the question, “Are there any major pitfalls I should be looking for?” Here’s my answer: Dear Francois, In addition to the pitfalls inherent in all relationships, you […]
Domestic Staff in Thailand
Domestic Staff in Thailand: How to Pay Your Cleaning Lady My cleaning lady comes every Sunday at 9:30 and brings her cute three-year-old daughter who frolics and sings the whole time. Except for the fact that their visit cuts into morning chats at my local coffee shop, it’s a great arrangement. She’s fast, efficient and […]
Thailand’s Political Fortune Tellers
Thailand’s political fortune tellers are like ours, only different. Western politicians use pollsters to foretell the future. Thai politicians use fortune tellers: much more fun! When a Thai politician is stuck for an excuse, quoting a fortune teller is perfectly acceptable: “Fortune tellers told me to speak less to maintain a good political atmosphere. I will obey […]