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ASK EMMA
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I miss my seafood!
Dear Emma,
I know, it is crazy to live in the mountains and hope for fresh seafood but
I grew up on the California coast and miss fresh seafood. I am nervous to
eat seafood and ocean fish here in Chiang Mai having heard more than a few
horror stories of food poisoning. But the craving is getting too strong and
I can’t see flying to Bangkok just for seafood. Do you or your readers have
any recommendations?
Yours,
Seafood Ed
Dear Ed,
Well today is your lucky day. As the Kantary Hills Hotel café is holding a
seafood buffet for 590 Baht until the 8th of April. Whilst Emma did not go
last year a friend did and raved about the fresh seafood, oysters, crab,
prawns, squid. Grilled or in salads and other dishes. Quite a bargain really
and my friend said he ate until he could eat no more. If you don’t there in
time I understand there is a very popular large seafood restaurant on Huay
Kaew road but I am afraid I don’t know the exact location, it is on the same
side of the road as the Pub and down the road a little bit. My apologies for
the rather vague directions but these are the ones my rather vague friend
gave me.
Finally if you are feeling rather flush, Akaligo at the Mandarin Oriental
Dhara Dhevi has what must be an excellent seafood buffet every Friday for
1,800 baht.
If any readers can suggest good quality seafood restaurants offering fresh
seafood please be sure and email in to the editor and she will let me know.
[email protected]
Yours,
Emma
Leases and renting
Dear Emma,
I am new to town and want to rent a long term condo but have heard so many
horror stories regarding people who do not get their deposit back that I am
now quite worried. I know I have no choice as I must rent but is there any
specific place I should consider? What things should I look out for? Is
there anything I should do when I move in?
Thanks for your advice,
Wary of rentals
Dear Wary,
Well first of all, yes it is true many do not get their deposits back. But
just as often people do. I have received my deposit back in two different
places I rented from with very little hassle. A lot depends on your attitude
in my opinion. However, before you move in, make sure you document all
damage and include it in the lease contract. Take photos and have them
dated. You can print these out and have them added to your file with your
landlord if you wish. Document all moveable valuables that are already in
place such as a microwave etc. If the place is furnished, check the
inventory on the lease contract and make sure it is all there. Go through
the place with your landlord (or landlady) together if possible. If not then
with a staff that runs the building.
Finally, when you do move out, clean the place and make sure everything is
the way it was when you moved in. Don’t leave marks on the walls and expect
them to not want to paint over, don’t leave damaged furniture or dirty
appliances. And finally, when you do move out and go through the condo
together make sure you are pleasant and friendly. Confrontation will not get
you far in Thailand so if you go in smiling and pleasant (having treated
them with a pleasant demeanour throughout your stay) you will find that
things go much easier. As they say, “You catch more flies with honey than
vinegar.”
Yours,
Emma
Old batteries
Dear Emma,
I come from a country that religiously recycles and whilst I have managed to
find the man who comes round and takes my plastic bottles, cardboard and
metal bits (including old broken appliances) off my hands I have not yet
found a place to dispose of my old batteries. My recycling man does not take
them. What can I do with these batteries? I am amassing quite a collection
at this point!
Yours,
Recycling woman
Dear Recycling,
The Municipality has set up recycling booths, if you will, at many places
around the city. You will see a booth type set up with a big red sign that
says “Hazardous Waste” in English (below the Thai language sign). There are
booths set up at the Municipality, the District Office inside the moat, Icon
plaza, Central Airport, Kad Suan Kaew and many other locations, just keep an
eye out for the booth, it is usually fairly noticeable and looks a bit like
a telephone booth. Batteries go in the middle basket. Big C Extra, when it
was Carrefour, had a battery recycling station, I haven’t been out there to
check lately but presumably it is still there. You could also check other
big stores like Tesco to see if they have one too.
Yours,
Emma
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