L&J

We have had retirement visa for five years and no problem with income in bank requirement. However will be back in the USA
for couple of months prior to renewal date. During that time will be drawing funds from our regular bank account and possibility
that account will drop below 800,000 baht towards the end of the trip. However we have well over 1 million in a fixed account
that is drawing some interest. Will Immigration take this into consideration (will be far more than needed between the two accounts) or should I withdraw some of the fixed rate money baht and put it in the regular account for a cushion?  Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks

Question has three parts- first we want to book tickets from Thailand to the USA.

1. Notice in the Bangkok Post travel agencies offering flights at a certain rate(not including taxes & surcharges)-
     understand that probably never going to get those rates, but how much in the ball park are those fares?
2. Can travel agencies here in Chiang Mai relatively match the expected prices out of the Bangkok agencies?
3. Have you any recommendations for local agencies that are competitive and reliable?

Any assistance will be appreciated. Thanks

Wanted to pass along some personal observations about a visit to Chiang Rai-Kapok City(Laos)
and Mae Sai.

1. The new Central PlaZa shopping Mall in Chiang Rai is head and shoulder better
     than the CM Malls. It is the brightest, cleanest and most open space mall I've
     seen anywhere in Thailand. Possibly the new Promenade Mall being built here will
     rival it but for now CM is definitely well behind its smaller neighbor to the north.

2. Road between Chiang Rai and Chiang Saen is being widened to four lanes as is the road
     from Chiang Saen to Mae Sai. The charm of the roads winding through the countryside
     is officially gone. The construction is awful and we went over it in dry weather-  
     it would probably be nearly impassable when wet.

3. You can go to the "Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone" in Laos to visit Kapok City.
     This is a little bit of Macau (giant hotel and casino) located directly across from the Golden Triangle. The
     whole story is far too long to detail here but if interested I will put together a
     report with pictures and give you link if you PM me.

4. Someone evidently gave the Burmese border guards a calculator as they only accept 500 baht
     for the border crossing at Mae Sai. Had been told they have been steadfast in this for couple
     of weeks and can verify that was the case yesterday. Needless to say they are also not too
     pleasant about questions on the subject.

Pizza N Pasta (New York Style Pizza), run by follicle challenged Steve, has been mentioned
in the past but wanted to mentioned it again as Steve has moved to new location. Located
now along the middle ring road halfway between the Hang Dong Road and the Canal Road (on the
south side).

1. Location has great parking and the brilliant white interior is kept so clean that you
      could eat off the floor. Casual dining inside or outside. Delivery is also available
      Open 11-22:00

2. The Pizza and Calzones are of a quality unmatched anywhere we've eaten in SE Asia. The
       Pizza can be ordered with a variety of doughs and sauces that should satisfy anybody's
       individual tastes (including Thais who are always there in numbers when we've dined)

3. There are five sizes of pizza including one that would give you sixteen slices (not sure how the delivery guy
       handles that baby. Pizza by the slice seems to be available when they are busy.

4. Cost is not as inexpensive as you might find in some other places but if you compare the
       size and amount of toppings it is actually a much better bargain than you'll find anywhere
       else in town- you be taking some of your pizza home for next day breakfast/lunch.

5. Staff may be the best in the city in that they are so well trained and they always are
       extremely happy and friendly.

6. Chef Steve always seems to be there- supervising the kitchen (totally visible and immaculately
       clean) and engaging the customers in friendly conversation.

   Have no personal interest in Steve's operation other than really want him to stay in business
as there is really nothing better in this hemisphere.

The Bangkok Post website
has a photograph of a 38 year old teacher shot by separatists in the South. The poor
man is lying dead under his motorbike in a pool of his blood. Its an image that should
sicken anyone who sees it but I can't imagine how his family, friends and students would feel
in seeing it. I've seen many like examples of this attitude in the Thai media but
this one just defies any sense of decency IMHO.