[If you are lonely and desperate why not find a gf at the local hardware store?]

Before I got married, I always found plenty of women in supermarkets. Based on what they had in their baskets, one can tell if they were buying for one or a family.

And sooo many of them want to come to the aid of a poor helpless male who has absolutely no idea how to tell if this melon is ripe or how to cook a chicken!

[Getting to the airport on Monday 15]

Just plan to go earlier than normal, and you'll have no trouble.
No one is throwing water at 9 AM.

[VIP Bus companies Chiang Mai to Bangkok?]

Mods, please close this thread. I have found the information I was looking for.

[VIP Bus companies Chiang Mai to Bangkok?]

5 hours ago, marin said:

Again I say are you sure? I sent you Sombat tour, its 2-1.

 

https://www.sombattour.com/en/services/view/bus-standards-comparison

 

 

 

 

The biggest problem is that many of the bus companies' sites are out of date.
Some now have completely different buses and timetables. Often, the photos ON the site are not from either Thailand or the company! (Case in point, the photo of the 'pod seat' at the start of the Sombat page. They do NOT have that bus!
I found it best to call each one and ask for what I was looking for. And even then, I received some incorrect information FROM one of the companies!
However, here is a YouTube video of the 20-seat Sombat bus. One seat on each side. This bus, however, is NOT listed in Sombat's schedule on their site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8I5TQlItbU

 

[VIP Bus companies Chiang Mai to Bangkok?]

59 minutes ago, srowndedbyh2o said:

Card to share?

 

Sombat Tours offers VIP 20-seat busses, with a single seat on each side of the aisle.

[VIP Bus companies Chiang Mai to Bangkok?]

Mods, please close this thread. I've been able to find just what I needed. Thanks.

 

[VIP Bus companies Chiang Mai to Bangkok?]

32 minutes ago, marin said:

https://www.chiangmaitraveller.com/bangkok-to-chiang-mai-overnight-bus-first-class-times-tickets/

 

Thanks for that. I'm looking for the company that runs the buses in the first photo; one seat on each side of the bus, which this company doesn't have.

[VIP Bus companies Chiang Mai to Bangkok?]

1 hour ago, ChaiyaTH said:

12go.asia shows all options as well as recent reviews

 

Thanks for the suggestion. This site seems to only show one bus company though.
I'm looking for a more VIP-style bus, single seat on each side of the bus.

 

[VIP Bus companies Chiang Mai to Bangkok?]

I have some large, fragile equipment I need to take down to Bangkok and don't want to trust airline baggage handlers or TSA agents with it, so I plan to go down by bus or train. I've done both many times in the past, and enjoy the ride. But I haven't done this since the Pandemic and wonder if there have been some advances made. I know there is a newer, more modern night train available (I didn't mind the old ones,) but I'm thinking about some kind of VIP overnight bus.

 

Do you have any experience with these VIP buses, enough to know which to take and which to avoid? My onw search shows there 'were' quite a few different companies available in the past.

Thanks.

[Using a wok on induction hobs?]

The round bottom of the wok will not give much contact with the induction surface, regardless of the frame holding it steady, and so heating will not be efficient.
I use a wok as my primary cooking pot, and do so on an induction hob... but... I use a flat-bottom Stainless steel (with an iron plate bottom) wok now. Bought it at Index on the Superhighway. It's not nearly as efficient as a carbon steel wok on a roaring gas fire, but it gets the job done once you get used to its eccentricities.  I cook more Chinese dishes than Thai, and use this wok at least 3-4 times a week.

["Hello - Doi Suthep - where are you?" cough cough cough]

8 hours ago, mania said:

 

 

But yes for those that do not consider living for months per year in a toxic environment a mistake then of course so be it for them no problem.

 

 

... and THAT is the name of the tune. It's no problem for us. Just another situation with which to deal.

 

 

[Fighting overweight and obesity]

On 4/8/2024 at 10:05 AM, rwill said:

You might want to take fish sauce off that list.  I started looking at labels for fish sauce.  The lowest I found was 1% sugar.   All the way up to 6% sugar.

 

I just try to avoid sugar, rice, bread, potatoes as much as possible.  Also Sriracha sauce is like 17% sugar. Try not to eat highly processed foods.

There are several categories for following the Keto lifestyle, and each has its own characteristics.

Pure Keto - Very, very strict. Absolutely zero sugar, zero processed foods, only free-range eggs and meat. Fresh vegetables. Very careful attention to 'personal macros,' and record-keeping of protein, fats, and carbs. Probably the fastest way today to lose weight but I couldn't do it!
Lazy Keto - just like Pure, very dietarily strict but without the record-keeping so not as exact.

Dirty Keto - Not at all pure. Eating most everything, but avoiding most starches and large sugars, with attention to personal macros only to remain in Ketosis.

Dirty Lazy Keto - I think you get it.

 

So long as the body is in Ketosis, these all work. With a side benefit that you never feel hungry, and never feel full or bloated after a meal!

 

Listening to many dieters (I mod a Keto group) their number one reason for not continuing with their previous programs was that it was too strict. Too restrictive. Too boring.  For me, Pure Keto is like that. I tried it. I wasn't comfortable with it. So I evolved eventually into Lazy Dirty Keto, which HAS worked for me for the past 5 years.

["Hello - Doi Suthep - where are you?" cough cough cough]

2 hours ago, mania said:

Perhaps...Perhaps not.....But what it does do is help those who have not yet made the move avoid the mistake that many have made.

 

(SNIPPED for brevity)

 

That aside...Does complaining about the complaining make people stuck in CM feel better? 😉 

 

 

How do you suppose it affects those who do NOT consider the move to be a mistake?

Judging by the large number of expats who don't feel the need to leave, there seem to be quite a few who don't think living in Chiang Mai is a mistake.
In the past 23+ years here in Chiang Mai, we have never felt the need to leave. Your mileage may vary.

 

And yes, complaining two or three times seems to be sufficient to illuminate those who need to complain every day, and stop some of the bitching by people who are upset that we are not upset about the AQ... But only some. I guess misery loves company.

["Hello - Doi Suthep - where are you?" cough cough cough]

Does complaining about it every year really make people feel better?

It must be because the same people complain bitterly year after year! They announce over Social Media the first instance of air pollution as if no one else has a window through which to look, then repeat their complaints daily until the rains come.

Frankly, I haven't noticed that those complaints are improving air quality, but I might not be looking at the right numbers.
Put on the air purifiers at home, put on an N95 mask when you're outside, and get on with life. It's not a Zombie Apocalypse.

The Thai government is doing what it 'thinks' is the best way to handle it (even if we don't,) and Thais don't like this air any more than we do.

 

[Fighting overweight and obesity]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Then you certainly can't say you're on a Keto diet, and enjoy the effects of ketosis.

(SNIP)

I did cut way back on my bread intake, as can easily eat half a loaf (435gr) in one day.  Think I got it down to 200gr a day.

 

If your body is in Ketosis (the metabolic state in which the body burns fats for energy instead of sugars,) you are getting the benefits of the Keto lifestyle.  I measure my Ketone output every day, and have for the past almost five years. The fact that my body DOES produce ketone bodies means I AM in Ketosis.

Over the years I've learned that I like to break Ketosis every 4-6 months for about a week, and then I am definitely NOT in Ketosis. It takes me four days of correct eating to get back into it, tested by Ketone reagent strips. For me, and my body, I can eat about 50g of carbs per day without breaking Ketosis, which allows me to eat fresh vegetables, bread, and fruit every day. I just can't eat them at every meal.

 

We have to remember; that there are different forms of Keto that a person can choose;  'Pure Keto,' 'Lazy Keto, 'Dirty Keto,' and 'Dirty, Lazy Keto' that one can choose to follow. Different requirements for each, but they all rely upon keeping carb intake below the required (different for each person, so you have to carefully track in the beginning) levels so as to remain in Ketosis.

 

I am the moderator of on of Chiang Mai's Keto face book groups, and would be happy to help you if you have questions regarding your own macros.

 

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Already passed my expiration date (67.7 yrs) so must be doing something right.

 

 

Yeah... but still a kid. Wait until you get as old as me, and then check!  LOL!

[Fighting overweight and obesity]

21 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

 

 

Well done on the weight loss and Keto.

 

How can you eat bread on the Keto though?

 

I get all the other stuff and I previously have been successful on Keto.

 

I go for annual health checks in Khonkaen, but they told me on the last visit that they don't like Keto or any diet that misses out on food groups.

 

 

Keto-friendly breads, cakes, cookies, tortillas, pizza dough, etc., etc., are not a problem!  Instead of wheat flour, we can use Lupin Flour, Almond Four, etc., and surprisingly, a recipe using cheese! 
Keep in mind that "I" do not like to 'suffer.' I won't deprive myself of things I enjoy. And with Keto, there is always a viable substitute! We just have to find them. If you want the recipes for these things, just ask! Happy to oblige!

 

But what food groups are missing? Every day I eat protein, fats, and carbs. I eat meat/fish/chicken, vegetables, fruit,  I eat Meat, Dairy, Vegetables, candy, and cakes. What group is missing? We were brought up in the 40's and 50's to believe that we need certain foods. Most of that belief came without peer-reviewed scientific testing so we ate margarine, threw away the salt, and started inventing fake foods to be healthy. 

 

Most older doctors, trained in the 50's-80's, having only one semester of nutrition (dating back 40 years) in 8 years of Medical School, and never going back for updates, are sadly out of touch with modern Peer-reviewed research, still quote the old party line.

 

21 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I can't go all keto, but was surprised when peeking at what is Keto-ish foods, and most I like and are available.  List of for me, as I omitted the one's I don't eat, or not really available in TH, or where I live.

 

I still need my pastry & bread, so all Keto just wouldn't work for me.

 

I eat bread and pastry almost every day. I especially love tortillas to make Mexican quesadillas.
Just because we follow Keto doesn't mean we have to deprive ourselves of the foods we love. My favorite is Basque Burnt Cheese Cake. Thousands of recipes online or at our Chiang Mai Keto FB group If you want recipes, just ask.

 

[Fighting overweight and obesity]

I've been following Keto for the past 5 years.

In the first year, I dropped from 115 kilos down to my goal of 72 kilos.

I've maintained 72+/- kilos for the last four years, while eating foods I enjoy, without a thought about reducing the amounts of those foods. Never feel hungry. Eat as much as I want of good, healthy vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts, cheese, breads, meats, chicken, fish, etc., and even have desserts when I want them. I eat in restaurants 6-10 times a week, just being careful what I select.  Annual health checks at Rajaveg tell me I'm still healthy.

It isn't that hard to be healthy.
Keto works, not as a diet, but as a lifestyle.
 

[I need an air purifier for my small studio apt.]

3 hours ago, mania said:

That you were a smoker from the age of 12 may explain your current tolerance for smoke 😉 

 

Unfortunately, age 11...    But I don't 'tolerate' the smoke. I avoid it. There is a difference.  Although I do 'see' it when I look at the horizon, between my air purifiers indoors and mask outdoors, it's just not an issue.  It exists. So do mosquitos. There is little difficulty avoiding either of them.

[I need an air purifier for my small studio apt.]

9 hours ago, mania said:

As well it should as those who smoke of course should not complain.

 

But everything else you mentioned makes zero sense & is just justifying some form of ignoring a problem

At a restaurant if a cigar smoker sat next to you & started puffing away & blowing it in your face you would say...oh that is nothing I use to live in a snowy climate?

 

Again UP2U it is your life your lungs your health spend it as you wish 😉 

 

No, I'd say that the smell of his cigar is ruining the taste of my meal. I'm really sorry that our comfort here, regardless of the pollution, bothers you enough to argue the point. I was a cigarette smoker for 40+ years before I quit 25 years ago. This air is nothing compared to that!  The X-ray I had a few months ago showed perfectly healthy lungs, despite living here through (and not leaving) 23 Burning Seasons.

Thanks, but we'll keep using our air purifiers and masks for the next couple of weeks, and that will be that. I'm 77 years old and quite active. I'm looking forward to another 10 years or so.

It's just not a problem for us. Your mileage might vary.

[Wifey Into Menopause]

Eating the same as her body is changing will certainly result in weight change.

For what it's worth, I was 115k-120k five years ago. I began following the Keto lifestyle and quickly lost all the extra pounds easily! I've maintained my weight at 72k now for the past four years, without sacrificing my eating pleasures or feeling particularly deprived of foods. Never hungry, that's for sure.
Keto isn't for everyone. But for those of us who can, it's an overall (not just weight) win, with the reduction of inflamation caused by eating the 'wrong' foods. That's something everyone can feel with Keto after just a few weeks!

[Road accident scenario, what would happen?]

With all the road construction going on, and numerous 'bear traps' left in the road, trying to keep a motorbike's wheels on solid pavement becomes a real challenge. In heavy traffic, you can't see the road surface ahead so you tend to make quick, sudden movements to avoid the deeper potholes, but some Grab or Food Panda rider has decided that riding real close to you is his life's work, blocking you on the left, and a bike with 4 CMU students is hugging you on the right.

 

I never really thought I'd ever say this... but... Thailand could stand more police presence on the roads. 

 

[I need an air purifier for my small studio apt.]

21 hours ago, mania said:

 

True that method will also remove what is in the air. It may burn up fan motors sooner but in any case works.......

But a bigger concern is  just seeing these used filters & imagining what is going in your lungs, because yes your fan sucks but so do you. This is basically a mirror of what your lung is also filtering INSIDE your home no less.

 

Always amazing why folks tolerate such bad air. The world is a big place with clean air readily available. Yes of course not everyone can afford to leave but many can & don't......Famous Thai proverb....Up2U 😉 

 

 

Same reason I 'tolerated' blizzards when I lived in New England for many years (had rather a lot of 'em,)  earthquakes when I lived in California and Japan (had rather a lot of 'em there too. I've survived three major ones,) and tornados in the Midwest.
In New England, we put on snow tires and chains, and make sure we have enough fuel to stay warm. We did not need to leave home until the snow melted.

In Japan, we kept 'bug-out bags' (small backpacks with emergency food and equipment) beside the bed, and had all heavy furniture securely anchored to the walls. Earthquake-proofing your house is normal (in Japan, anyway,) and you can find all the different types of anchors in the home centers. Wise people make use of it. We did not need to leave because of it.

In the Midwest, we had a storm shelter when needed. We didn't need to move to the coast until Tornado season ended.

 

Here in Thailand, we have good air purifiers for the house and N95 masks that we use for a few weeks a year. No big deal.  And listening to cigarette smokers and weed smokers complaining about air quality?  Just makes me laugh!

 

For those who have medical issues, certainly, this air quality isn't helping you. But constantly complaining about it doesn't do anything more than make you upset... and hearing it over and over probably upsets those around you.

[Review of the Hotel Act. Airbnb encouraging feedback to the review board.]

Why spend time and energy changing or adjusting the laws if they don't enforce them?

 

 

 

[I need an air purifier for my small studio apt.]

Get a box of N95 filter material at HomePro or Global House, and just cut a square to cover the back side of your fan. That's really how an air purifier works, just with a fancier filter. This will work perfectly, and is as cheap as chips!  We do that with three fans in the house in rooms where we don't have the main air purifiers.  You can see the effective difference after just one week's usage.

[Chiang Mai Air Quality and Pollution]

I wonder how many different threads can be started in AseanNow about air pollution.

Perhaps we could have a contest to see who can post the greatest number of redundant comments?

 

Mods... didn't you start a separate forum just for Air Quality two years ago?  Can you start it up again? This is just the very beginning of the Burning Season and already there are three different threads on my first page.