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Ruffian Dick

@Ruffian Dick

Serial expat

American expat in Thailand

Forum

356 posts

Contacts

3

About me

American, Married with children

Lives in Chiang Mai

Speaks English, a bit of Japanese and French, working on Thai.

Registration: 15 March 2017

Activity

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
4 years ago
Wulf Lin

Want to know more about living in Chaing Mai. by Wulf Lin

How big is the Singaporean expat community in Chiangmai Mai, what is the average cost of living, also about housing.

Ruffian Dick

Numbeo is a good start: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Thailand&country2=Singapore&city1=Chiang+Mai&city2=Singapore&tracking=getDispatchComparison Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
4 years ago
Veedushi

What's changing in Thailand after the COVID-19 crisis by Veedushi

Hello everyone, I hope you're doing well. As the Editorial Team of Expat.com, our aim is to provide you with fresh and up-to-date information about the COVID-19 crisis in your host country. You might be expecting a lot of changes following the ...

Ruffian Dick

I'm not sure if any country is truly "post-COVID19" yet. Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
4 years ago
Loïc

The lessons of the crisis in Thailand by Loïc

Hello everyone, While there is still a certain amount of uncertainty in our lives, the situation seems to be beginning to change in Thailand and globally. We have had to show courage, tenacity and even ingenuity in many areas, in the way we ...

Ruffian Dick

Well, I've learned I'm not bored easily. And some people's patience is not as broad as they think. :) I gotta say, that I am proud of the way that the Kingdom has handled this plague. Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
4 years ago
hoistman

Chiang Mai : Would love any advice on a good area to live by hoistman

Hi I currently live in Rayong. Next year we plan to spend at least six months in Chaing Mai. I intend to visit shortly. Would love any advice on a good area to live. Preferably somewhere where it is easy to get into town, but fairly ...

Ruffian Dick

HI Hoistman. I'm currently living in Mae Hia, which is south of the old town on 108, a mile or so to the south. It's much less congested here, we have a variety of shopping opportunities, easy to get to things, etc. The airport's very ... Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
4 years ago
GuestPoster5892

Chiang Mai air pollution by GuestPoster5892

Hi, we are planning to pick Chiang Mai as our retirement city, but heard the city is covered by heavy smog EVERY YEAR between the months of March and April, if it is true, is this a big issue for the local residents ? how serious is the air ...

Ruffian Dick

It depends on how sensitive you are to a bit of smog. If you grew up in LA in the 60's for instance, you might feel right at home, although the smoke is sourced mostly thru forest fires. Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
4 years ago
Janehunt

Retiree for Chiang Mai? by Janehunt

Hi, I live on the Gold Coast and am a retiree in Australia, thinking seriously of coming to Chiang Mai to retire so I would love to hear from anyone who has done the big shift! I will be making a trip there just after Christmas, and it would be ...

Ruffian Dick

Hello, I've been quiet on this board for a long time. I've been living retired in Chiang Mai for at least two years now, and I love it. Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
5 years ago
Falangette

Eyeglasses by Falangette

Help ! Does anyone know what happened to Vision Center on Rathviti Rd ? We drove by yesterday and it looked closed for good !!! They are the BEST for glasses prescriptions .

Ruffian Dick

It’s open. I just went there. I got a pic but can’t upload. Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
5 years ago
janvranckx

Patio (terrace) furniture by janvranckx

Where can I buy (European (US) standard) Patio (terrace) furniture in Chiangmai ? I went already to different stores but the quality and choice is very low (Concept, bangkok furniture, etc...).

Ruffian Dick

I'm not sure what you mean by "European (US) standard". I picked up a table and two chairs at Baan and Beyond. Perfectly acceptable. Remember that these are probably built in the same factory in China as the furniture you buy in the ... Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
5 years ago
Pete152

Retirement visa by Pete152

Do i need a permanent address in Thailand to put on my Retirement visa for Canberra or can i just put my hotel address? Also whats rhe best method of finding a condo in Thailand given that i cant speak Thai.

Ruffian Dick

You should have a TM30. Use the address on that. Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
5 years ago
Pstonex

Receiving a package from the uk to Chiangmai by Pstonex

Hi all, I’ve just moved to Chiangmai and will be staying here for 6 months. This week I was planing to purchase a new laptop, but ideally I do need an English keyboard so I am planning to have one shipped from the uk to Chiangmai. My dad has ...

Ruffian Dick

Most hotels will receive mail. Have you looked at laptops in Thailand? I don't see any lack of "English" (QWERTY) keyboards. Another way to do it, is if there is someone visiting, they can bring the laptop as checked luggage or ... Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
5 years ago
Falangette

Eyeglasses by Falangette

Help ! Does anyone know what happened to Vision Center on Rathviti Rd ? We drove by yesterday and it looked closed for good !!! They are the BEST for glasses prescriptions .

Ruffian Dick

I was there just recently! Maybe before you were there, obviously. :? They actually sold me a pair of contacts that were terrible; I shouldn't blame them though. Later I took my prescription to a place at the Airport Plaza Mall and I found ... Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
5 years ago
MKeil52

Living cost by MKeil52

Hello everyone, I am looking to get some ideas as to the cost of living in Pattaya. I would like an estimate as to water, electric, cable, and internet I plan on retiring there soon and just want to get an idea. I have checked out some rental ...

Ruffian Dick

Try this: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Pattaya Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
5 years ago
RDMTULSA

Bringing pets to Thailand by RDMTULSA

My wife & I will be relocating and retiring in Chiang Mai in March 2019. We will bring our pet dog (Labrador Retriever). Are there any exPats in Chiang Mai who have relocated their pet(s) from the USA to Chiang Mai?

Ruffian Dick

I arrived with my cat. We didn't use any service. I got a ticket with Korean Air, since I understood I could bring him into the cabin with me. But no, he was too FAT and needed to be stowed in the baggage hold. It's not really the baggage ... Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
6 years ago
aussieb

Haggling prices in markets by aussieb

Hi all, I am coming to Thailand next month. I haves a general question about haggling price with store owners in markets. Not department stores. Is haggling accepted in Thai markets? Is there a rule of thumb? I lived in China for three years ...

Ruffian Dick

It doesn't hurt to ask, especially if you make the offer in a playful mood. Read More

Ruffian Dick replied to a thread
6 years ago
Dalas Pearl

"Too much load will kill you" by Dalas Pearl

Now what? I have been here in Thailand for almost 5 months now and I am still on my adjustment period. This has been my dream before to experience teaching abroad and tries how to live away from my family. So far Im still holding on but over the ...

Ruffian Dick

I wouldn't be afraid of losing a job that stresses me out and makes me miserable. There are lots of jobs out there. Read More