HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Farangs in filthy shorts

If only

Tenth anniversary celebrations at APIS

US Visa Procedures

I had a dream

Farangs in filthy shorts

Dear Chiang Mai Mail: 

I was reading the letter from Willy dated 27 February and couldn’t help to laugh at his ignorance and his over-rated sense of importance. He points out the imperfections in Chiang Mai but then wanting to retire in the city next year.

Allow me to correct his misconception and that of many farangs. Chiang Mai’s economy DOES NOT thrive on tourists from overseas especially those budget-travelers roaming the streets and shops in filthy shorts, sandals and rubber slippers. These groups of unsightly visitors are the ones who exploit the hospitality of the city and show little appreciation to the warmth and kindness of the locals. So often, I come across these cheap over-weight farangs getting away from a foot massage or a meal without paying any tips or giving a word, a gesture of thanks.

Quality and appreciative tourists, visitors are what Thailand and Chiang Mai wants. Mr. Willy can consider retiring in Hong Kong, Singapore or Shenzhen.

Regards,
Patchan, Bangkok

If only

Dear Editor

Rather than burning natural vegetation and garbage, people should be using composting to recycle it safely in a manner that avoids air pollution.
Check out: http://vegweb.com/ composting/
There’s a lot of info available about composting on the World Wide Web. I suggest that you do a good article about composting and find local examples of people actually practicing this. I’m just looking into composting now for my wife and I as we no longer want to burn anything on our property, but most Thai’s that I’ve spoken with seem to think that there is no alternative to burning.
Great to see that you’re publishing again!
Cheers,
Charlie Sands
Hang Dong

Tenth anniversary celebrations at APIS

The first ten years of development for any institution is very important in establishing the principles which guide its growth and, as APIS is ten years old this year, we are taking this opportunity to celebrate the school’s achievements.

There will be two significant events to mark the occasion: the Tenth Anniversary Showcase will incorporate our annual Parents Day. This is to be held on Friday, March 30th and we hope all parents – of both boarders and day students – will join us for this important landmark in the history of APIS.

While the morning’s conference program is running, there will be opportunities for all visitors to view the displays of work and of the development of the school. There will be performances by Kindergarten students and a TaeKwondo display.

The morning will also provide an opportunity for parents to visit our refurbished Library and Computer Resource area and the Residential accommodation.

After lunch, to which all are invited, Elementary students will perform their version of The Wizard of Oz.

US Visa Procedures

Procedures for Visa Applicants: Everyone applying for a U.S. visa must first make an appointment to interview at the U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai or at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. Appointments are made through the Visa Information Service by Internet or telephone. To use this service, you must purchase a Visa Information Service Personal Identification Number (PIN). You can access the U.S. Visa Information Website Service (456 Baht or 12 USD) at: http://thailand.us-visaservices.com. The phone number for the Telephone Service (760 Baht or 20 USD) is: 001-800-13-202-2457. The present length of time to obtain an interview appointment for most types of visas is one week. Applications for student and exchange programs (F, J, and M visas) are given priority.

I had a dream

Dear Editor:
I had a dream....
I dreamt...I was in Chiang Mai.
I saw the sun and Doi Suthep, because the air was clear.
The streets were clean. No garbage, no stray dogs and rats.
The sidewalks were free of parked cars, motorbikes and ill-smelling cook shops.
The old city was a vehicle-free zone.
I saw only a few bicycle and taxi-drivers with electric engines.
So I ran without my gasmask in the streets of Chiang Mai and I felt a great freedom!
The Thais were happy and friendly.
They had learnt: “You can’t eat money!”...
I awoke with a smiling face at 7 o clock in the morning.
I thought: “Enough time for my training”.
I left my room and....saw the reality;
It was dark... no sun...no Doi Suthep!
The traffic was loud, stinking and crazy!
I had to run in the road, because the side-walk wasn’t free.
5 dogs were hunting me; the cars were very close, so that they almost hit me.
I was worn-out and went back to my room.
My disappointment was too much: I was swimming in a river of tears.
Than I came down to earth and knew: It was a dream!
But a life without dreams is the same as a desert without water...and so I don’t stop dreaming!
Max Felix Keller, Chiang Mai

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