st11x

G'day,

I will be arriving in Bangkok and needs to get to Chiang Mai. A return air trip for 2 cost about 18K after factoring excess baggage and pet costs.

I saw that I could return a VIOS or similar for about 27K for 5 weeks. Plus a night or two in a hotel to recover from jet lag, it'll probably be another 6K.

What is your opinion? Would it be a good idea to drive? Especially during this time of the year with all the pollution? I have a bike in Chiang Mai, but a car to use is definitely appreciated. I did the drive once back in 2010, not sure if the road conditions had worsen.

thanks
  Matt

G'day,

I have been away from my property in Chiang Mai and just learnt that my kitchen cabinets have been eaten by termites. How do you properly deal with them if you are going to leave your property vacant?

We have a housekeeper to come and clean the house, she will run the water, turn on the air conditioning, etc. I suspect the cabinets were not opened to be aired nor were they cleaned. We also have a contract with a termite company that comes 4 times a year.

Recently, we asked the termite company to drill a hole in the floor under one of the cabinets and inject the liquid inside as well.

It'll cost 60K THB to replace the cabinets. I question if I should replace them now since I am going to be there for a short while and then go away again. If they get infected again, it's money down the drain.

So any suggestions what else I can do to protect the investments and prevent it from spreading?

I have mold that had developed on other cabinets in the living room, but that seems to be easy to deal with.

thanks
  Matt

G'day,

I need to get from SFO to CNX, and is thinking of flying either EVA Premium Economy or drive down to LAX to fly Thai Premium Economy.

They are about the same price now, so I am seeking opinions on both if you have taken them on these routes. It seems like the Thai version has better seats and less cramped? That is the most important criterion.

With Thai, I can book a through route from LAX to BKK, not so with EVA. In any case, I can book a separate domestic route or just hire a car and drive to Chiang Mai.

thanks
  Matt

G'day,

Does anyone have the street prices of cameras like the Sony a77 and if stocks have started recovering after the flood? I am looking to see if they are cheaper to buy in Thailand (since they are made in Thailand) than say at BHPhotovideo?

2 years back, a made in Thailand WD passport cost just slightly more in Chiang Mai than at the Best Buy store, so that was disappointing.

thanks
  Matt

G,day,

Are there any major events happening in March 2012? I am planning a visit with some friends. Looks like we are one month short of Song Kran.

thanks
  Matt