Chiang Mai

[quote=member #2041] i frankly didn't care a bit about in-room broadband access.[/quote]i do. if a hotel does not offer hi-speed wireless internet access, i don't even bother.

i find it always very convenient to travel with my laptop... i like to have all my files handy, and i can't stand reading my emails on another interface than my good microsoft outlook.

i also use internet cafes, but i just ask them and they plug their lan line into my laptop ;) quick and easy.

i guess we're all meant to be different ;)

[QUOTE=Member #2041]With all the internet cafes charging 1 baht per minute or less in Thailand, I never travel there with a laptop anymore. There are at least 3 of them within 50 yards of the Raming Lodge, so I frankly didn't care a bit about in-room broadband access.[/QUOTE]
Some of us have to travel with a laptop for work (like me) so details like that are still important.

One thing I have done in a couple of places where my hotel did not have working broadband is to take my laptop to a cafe that will let me use a spare hookup for the same rate they charge to their regular users. Then I connect to a VPN and do my business through that.

[QUOTE=Finrod]Some of us have to travel with a laptop for work (like me) so details like that are still important.[/QUOTE]
I certainly understand. Being retired definitely has it's advantages. I was just explaining that I personally wasn't up on the particular detail of whether their wireless internet access actually worked well in the rooms. But be aware, this can be a problem anywhere - I've even heard that it could be an issue on certain floors of the JW Marriott in Bangkok - again, I am not up on the details, as I have confined my e-mail activity to universally accessible internet based services like Yahoo and att.net so that I have no need to travel with a computer.

[QUOTE=Finrod]Some of us have to travel with a laptop for work (like me) so details like that are still important.

One thing I have done in a couple of places where my hotel did not have working broadband is to take my laptop to a cafe that will let me use a spare hookup for the same rate they charge to their regular users. Then I connect to a VPN and do my business through that.[/QUOTE]

Lots of hotels on sukhumvit have wireless, especially in lobby. A couple of times, walked in to see if Wifi signal available and then sat down for a few minutes of work, ISG chatter -- often you'll also catch the eye of FL coming down elevator after a 'session' and ......... :)

[QUOTE=Asian John]Since I didn't really see anything great looking at Bubbles, I moved across the street to a Karaoke bar that I had never been to. I've lived in Chiang Mai for a couple of years now, and for the life of me, I still can't figure out this scene. There are some AMAZING looking girls singing and swaying there hips. EVERYONE in the joint is Thai sitting and drinking. Customers send up money necklaces (300 baht to 1, 000+baht! ). In return, the girls come and talk to the customers and the customers buy her lady drinks. I noticed 2 tables of Thai men shelling out lots of baht, and several ladies coming to talk. Then, I noticed the Thai men, pay the bill AND LEAVE. WITHOUT the girls? Why make such a huge investment. To talk? Of course, I understand that if you "make a good impression", she may go home with U. But it just doesn't seem like a "sure thing". When I shell out any amount of baht.- I'm spoiled in thinking that there WILL BE a return on my investment. When I look at these gorgeous chicks wearing almost nothing, I find it hard to believe they are not selling sex. Am I wrong? Am I too spoiled? Are these girls really just performing to get tips and money necklaces and to talk? Is there a method to this madness? Can someone explain? Now, keep in mind, this Karaoke joint shouldn't be confused with other Karaoke joints that you pick a girl of your choice then get a private room.- those are easy scores. But this type of Karaoke joint has a stage with various girls taking turns singing (I. E. Nancy Karaoke bar, New Star Palace, etc.). Any help would be appreciated![/QUOTE]Hi Asian John,

This place is indeed as you describe. The girls will not accompany you and even inside there is no action. It is just elderly Thai men who escape there fore a dinner and drink. Crazy.

Am very likely to be returning to Chiang Mai in April. I'm thinking I'd like to make a quick trip or two into Myanmar. Are any of the border towns of interest? Any difficulty in entering (or leaving) Myanmar? Any mongering to be done? Thanks.

Does anyone know it the White Orchid is still in existance. Its near the Diamond Riverside hotel one on the opposite side from the river.

[quote=animby]am very likely to be returning to chiang mai in april. i'm thinking i'd like to make a quick trip or two into myanmar. are any of the border towns of interest? any difficulty in entering (or leaving) myanmar? any mongering to be done? thanks.[/quote]in my personal opinion, i would not recommend visiting myanmar. the government is corrupt to the core. the burmese army manufactures and distributes ya ba (methamphetamine). the longest ongoing war in the world is between the burma army and the karen peoples who's villages have been burned, karen people killed, raped, etc. most of this taking place on the thai border, hence, thousands of karen are fleeing into thailand. the border is heavily mined, border villages can be very unsafe with army informants ready to report any infraction or unusual actions. border towns tend to be gathering places for burmese seedy types. i personally would not spend any of my money in burma. perhaps you should consider cambodia or china. you can get a direct flight to kunming, china and it is only about a hour's flight from cm. whatever your decision, chok dee khup and happy hunting.

Anyone know of nice quality guest houses in CM?

V

[QUOTE=Vinny_Viagra]Anyone know of nice quality guest houses in CM?

V[/QUOTE]

A great place to stay and eat....Queen Victoria Inn, 252/13-14 Praprokklao Rd, T. Sripoom, A. Muang Chiang Mai, Tele:053-418266. Email:Info@queenvictoriainnsthailand.com [url]WWW.queenvictoriainnsthailand.com[/url]

It is right next door to the Vista Hotel, and a few paces down from the new Thai Airways ticket office.

I have eaten there many times, and it is one of the best places to eat if you want quality western style food (they also serve Thai, Indian, and Mexican food)...on oval platters about 16 inches long. Great cooks there. Ian, the owner, and a great guy, also owns the Hungry Horse Bar and Restaurant on Loi Kroh......also a good place to eat. You will like Ian.......very personable. Plus, one of my dream girls, Urai, works at the Queen Vic Inn. Free Internet, too. Rooms are quite reasonable, too. It is located on the north center section of the walled old CM. Songteaws and tuktuk are readily available on the street in front of Inn. Don't pay more than 15 baht for a songtaew ride unless you go to the airport or bus terminal, or other places of that distance.
Some songteaw drivers will try to weasel 20 or more baht from you because you are a farang, but if push comes to shove, tell the driver you can call the Tourist Police and let them sort out the differences. They drive off.

[QUOTE=Oosik1]In my personal opinion, I would not recommend visiting Myanmar.[/QUOTE]You're not the first to remind me of these facts. My passport is about the size of a Stephen King novel and I'm always on the lookout for a trip to a new place. Maybe I'll just take a day trip.

[QUOTE=Vinny_Viagra]Anyone know of nice quality guest houses in CM?

V[/QUOTE]

Another nice guesthouse where I have stayed is [url]www.hollandamontri.com[/url]

Where I lived in CM, there was a massage business in the lobby that offered oil massages either in the shop or in your room for 250 baht/hour. I had three different ladies come to my room (separately) to give me an oil massage. After showering, I wrapped myself with a towel and met each lady at the door that way. They entered with their little basket of "tools of the trade" as I took the towel off and layed down on my bed. I thought if they pitch a fit, I will put the towel over me, but I won't have them back again. In all three occasions, all three didn't say a word. One attempted to cover me again, but I took off the towel........she proceeded with the massage. All three agreed to finish the massage with a hand job for a tip. One of them told me they only receive about 40 baht of the 250 baht (80 baht for 2 hrs). She was the oldest, about 50, but she was by far the most experienced and the best of the three. We agreed that on her day off, she would be available to come to my room and "do me." So, I payed her 500 baht a week for 2 hours of the most relaxing massages I have ever had. I can't wait to go back and resume our business relationship. Safe sex at it's best. Shower, get dressed, and go out for a night on the town. Damn! I do miss Thailand.

I stayed recently at the Holiday Inn at Chiang Mai. I caled for a massage from the recetion. It is outsourced to an external agency. Got a good thai massage and she was playful with my dick and all and wanted to doa hand job. But I am seasoned and therefore just a hand job wont do. But she seemed to indicate that it was her periods and so wont be able to 'make love'. So went searching for other options later. I saw a big board advertising 'body massage' right in front of the Holiday Inn. SOmehow I was put off into thinking it might just be a rip off joint for the idiot 'farangs'. SO went the opposite way past the parking lot of the Holiday Inn hotel. As soon as you exit the parking lot, you see another sign for 'Traditional Thai massage'. I decided to chance there. It is actually a road side restaurant cum massage place. An old lady asked in broken English beautiful young girl. I smiled my beautific charming smile and innocently said yes. She telephoned some one and said I have to wiat 20 minutes. This was 9 30 am. 20 minutes later a real cuite pretty 19 or so young chick came rushing in her scooty. She did a nice clothed Thai massage. I asked her if she could come to my room in the evening. Lot of murmurs and denying and questions and gestures and all. I just gave her my room number, a nice tip and got her telephone number. The massahe at that place cost me 300 B and I gave her 200 B as tip, which I think impressed her. In the evening I called her. SHe came to my toom at 10, and stayed with me the night.
Everything was on offer. Fantastic lithe body, small tits, tight C, nice round ass, 4 9' hieght, 32 b, mowed lawn, hips that I could circlemy fingers around, smooth white Thai skin, nice medium lenght hair. Not much experience. While she did attempt a BBBJ, it was apparent that she is still an apprentice. But I had a fantastic time with her. She had to go at 6 am as she had to egt ready to get back to the massage parlour by 10 am.
After she had gone I notice that she had left some of her stuff in the toilet. We were both very groggy in the early morning as neither of us had any decent sleep last night! So I called her and told her about her stuff. So she came back with her friend around 9 am. She then very naturally hugged me and pulled her friend to join us and we did a three way huddle. Her friend was a little bit older and stunning. They kept chattering in Thai and she kept telling me todo something to her friend. The long her short of it was she wanted me to do a tongue lick for her friend, which I obliged with great pleasure! 2000 b was the total damage. I think I could get more and perhaps a free thing going. But alas I had to leave CM for other destinations.

Road lover,

Great Report.

Thanks