Amphue Mae Fa Lueng

Its the government house where my family will always visit instead of Amphue Maesai as its where my wife's Ta Bian Ban (House Record) is. Its actually quite a beautiful place as its on top of a mountain. I did brought my camera but we were too busy so did not take any photos this time...

Boy boy's name needs to be added into the Ta Bian Ban and wife need to finish her birth cert which was done halfway last time. We brought along 2 elders from Maesai (supposed to be her birthplace) to bear witness and be interviewed by the officials to get her cert.

So now everything is settled and we need to wait for her results. Cross our fingers on this.... and hope everything falls in place... With her birth certificate. It will be much much more easier to get her into the queue for full Thai citizenship.

Amphue Mae Fa Lueng

Its the government house where my family will always visit instead of Amphue Maesai as its where my wife's Ta Bian Ban (House Record) is. Its actually quite a beautiful place as its on top of a mountain. I did brought my camera but we were too busy so did not take any photos this time...

Boy boy's name needs to be added into the Ta Bian Ban and wife need to finish her birth cert which was done halfway last time. We brought along 2 elders from Maesai (supposed to be her birthplace) to bear witness and be interviewed by the officials to get her cert.

So now everything is settled and we need to wait for her results. Cross our fingers on this.... and hope everything falls in place... With her birth certificate. It will be much much more easier to get her into the queue for full Thai citizenship.

Just caught and killed a rat!

No pictures as we already threw the body into the river near our house. I went to the kitchen and heard something in the cupboard. Looked into it and saw a rat staring at me. It saw me too and bolted. Not the first time. I've chased out one before and I guess its the same one. So I quickly closed the cabinet and called for help.

Thanks to my poor Thai... My mother and father-in-law thought it was a snake. :P So they were a bit scared at first. Until they saw it then they realised it just a rat. (They very used to it liao) I used a rattan stick to chase the rat while my father-in-law used a cast iron tongs for holding charcoal to catch the little bugger.

Its a bloody quick little bugger. It jumped from the cupboard when we opened it to the cabinets below the sink. There were lots of pots and pans in the cabinets so we proceed to remove them and tried to move them to the living room. Then it bolted again and ran into our living room. We gave chase and closed all the doors. As it has no where else to run, it hid behind our the gap behind our tableware cabinet in the living room. Bloody smart bugger. Anyway with some probing we managed to chase it out. Father in law gave the stunning blow and it knocked it out cold. We then use the pincer and carried it out of the house before I gave the killing blow with my rattan stick.

Quite an interesting experience and I'm still in my adrenaline rush.. Never get to do this sort of things in Singapore... hehe

Just caught and killed a rat!

No pictures as we already threw the body into the river near our house. I went to the kitchen and heard something in the cupboard. Looked into it and saw a rat staring at me. It saw me too and bolted. Not the first time. I've chased out one before and I guess its the same one. So I quickly closed the cabinet and called for help.

Thanks to my poor Thai... My mother and father-in-law thought it was a snake. :P So they were a bit scared at first. Until they saw it then they realised it just a rat. (They very used to it liao) I used a rattan stick to chase the rat while my father-in-law used a cast iron tongs for holding charcoal to catch the little bugger.

Its a bloody quick little bugger. It jumped from the cupboard when we opened it to the cabinets below the sink. There were lots of pots and pans in the cabinets so we proceed to remove them and tried to move them to the living room. Then it bolted again and ran into our living room. We gave chase and closed all the doors. As it has no where else to run, it hid behind our the gap behind our tableware cabinet in the living room. Bloody smart bugger. Anyway with some probing we managed to chase it out. Father in law gave the stunning blow and it knocked it out cold. We then use the pincer and carried it out of the house before I gave the killing blow with my rattan stick.

Quite an interesting experience and I'm still in my adrenaline rush.. Never get to do this sort of things in Singapore... hehe

Map Updated

I have updated the map I am compiling for Maesai. Hope this is helpful. I will also provide a link on the side bar to this map.

View Fatboi's Maesai Map in a larger map

Map Updated

I have updated the map I am compiling for Maesai. Hope this is helpful. I will also provide a link on the side bar to this map.



View Fatboi's Maesai Map in a larger map

Siburin Hosiptal

My daughter is born in Overbrook Hosiptal which was quite a big hospital chain in Thailand. Its the oldest private hospital in Chiang Rai. There is a gahment hospital in Maesai but I would strongly advised not to go there unless you are really broke...

This time around, we chose Siburin which is a new and growing hospital chain in Thailand. It's also in Chiang Rai so we drove there in our new car. Girl girl and my mother-in-law also came to help. We checked-in on the 16th evening as the procedure will be on the 17th morning. The standard rooms were all taken so we were give a choice to upgrade our room to the special suite for an additional of 400 baht per night or upgrade to the VIP room at 1000 baht per night. It was a no brainer so we took the special suite. The room is very clean and spacious. And I will gladly say its as good as those private hospitals in Singapore. (You can see for yourself in the pictures). There is even a fridge with mini-bar on it. You could also order food over the telephone to be delivered to your room at any hours. MAcham hotel with room service liao :P. And its not that expensive. 35 to 40 baht for a Pad Thai or fried rice.

I was expecting to spend about 40kBaht for this whole thing. I have heard that price has increased and I only paid about 28k for my daughter's procedure. So I guess in this newer and better hospital it should be more expensive. Overall, the bill is 37k baht. About $1600 SGD in a private hospital in Thailand. Its $400 plus more than what I paid for my girl but we also stay one more night. Total of 4 days 3 nights (whereas girl girl only 3 days 2 nights).

I kind of understand now why a lot of foreigners actually came to Bangkok or Chiangmai to have plastic surgeries. At this price and service, its again a no brainer. :)

Siburin Hosiptal

My daughter is born in Overbrook Hosiptal which was quite a big hospital chain in Thailand. Its the oldest private hospital in Chiang Rai. There is a gahment hospital in Maesai but I would strongly advised not to go there unless you are really broke...

This time around, we chose Siburin which is a new and growing hospital chain in Thailand. It's also in Chiang Rai so we drove there in our new car. Girl girl and my mother-in-law also came to help. We checked-in on the 16th evening as the procedure will be on the 17th morning. The standard rooms were all taken so we were give a choice to upgrade our room to the special suite for an additional of 400 baht per night or upgrade to the VIP room at 1000 baht per night. It was a no brainer so we took the special suite. The room is very clean and spacious. And I will gladly say its as good as those private hospitals in Singapore. (You can see for yourself in the pictures). There is even a fridge with mini-bar on it. You could also order food over the telephone to be delivered to your room at any hours. MAcham hotel with room service liao :P. And its not that expensive. 35 to 40 baht for a Pad Thai or fried rice.

I was expecting to spend about 40kBaht for this whole thing. I have heard that price has increased and I only paid about 28k for my daughter's procedure. So I guess in this newer and better hospital it should be more expensive. Overall, the bill is 37k baht. About $1600 SGD in a private hospital in Thailand. Its $400 plus more than what I paid for my girl but we also stay one more night. Total of 4 days 3 nights (whereas girl girl only 3 days 2 nights).

I kind of understand now why a lot of foreigners actually came to Bangkok or Chiangmai to have plastic surgeries. At this price and service, its again a no brainer. :)

My Boy, so far so good...

Finally I have some time and energy to update this blog. I have been posting updates on my facebook but those are just short burst of updates.

Baby and Wife is fine and healthy. Boy boy is a chomper.. really eats a lot and wife's milk seems not enough to feed the fiesty fella. Already opened his eyes on the 2nd day at the hospital and he likes to kick and punch to play. (just like when he is in mummy's tummy) He's also a night crawler like girl used to be... Sleep during day time and at night want to play. So we had a hard time trying to catch some Zzz.. But still so far, ah boy is much more easier to take care then ah girl. Xin hui used to cry for long hours for no reasons and ah boy only cries when hungry. Even after he shit he dun complain, just lie there and stare or even go to sleep (Ah girl no way liao, just a bit cry like hell) hehe..

Some of you might be interested in the bills and hospital I went and so far I have to say its a thumbs up. Its not expensive and I took some photos of the room too (more like a suite). Anyway, will post about that later.

Here are more photos at the hospital

My Boy, so far so good...

Finally I have some time and energy to update this blog. I have been posting updates on my facebook but those are just short burst of updates.

Baby and Wife is fine and healthy. Boy boy is a chomper.. really eats a lot and wife's milk seems not enough to feed the fiesty fella. Already opened his eyes on the 2nd day at the hospital and he likes to kick and punch to play. (just like when he is in mummy's tummy) He's also a night crawler like girl used to be... Sleep during day time and at night want to play. So we had a hard time trying to catch some Zzz.. But still so far, ah boy is much more easier to take care then ah girl. Xin hui used to cry for long hours for no reasons and ah boy only cries when hungry. Even after he shit he dun complain, just lie there and stare or even go to sleep (Ah girl no way liao, just a bit cry like hell) hehe..

Some of you might be interested in the bills and hospital I went and so far I have to say its a thumbs up. Its not expensive and I took some photos of the room too (more like a suite). Anyway, will post about that later.

Here are more photos at the hospital

Baby Jing Yong is here!

My boy is here... :) On 17th July 9:36am (+7GMT) at Chiang Rai Siviburine Hospital. Boy is the biggest among the others... 3.86kg.. :P Fatboy! I'm a bit shacked out... Ah girl is a bit on the defensive mood so she's not listening to me or mummy.. and she is sticking to mum like a glue... guess she might be getting a bit jealous.

Will write more once i get home.

Baby Jing Yong is here!

My boy is here... :) On 17th July 9:36am (+7GMT) at Chiang Rai Siviburine Hospital. Boy is the biggest among the others... 3.86kg.. :P Fatboy! I'm a bit shacked out... Ah girl is a bit on the defensive mood so she's not listening to me or mummy.. and she is sticking to mum like a glue... guess she might be getting a bit jealous.

Will write more once i get home.

Getting back to Maesai.

I have a lot of free time now as I am currently waiting for my domestic flight to Chiang Rai while typing this.  Good way to pass time is to write something while I wait.

I promised to update on how to get to Maesai so here goes.  By the way, this guide is only applicable for Singaporeans actually so apologies to those who are not.

The nearest airport to Maesai is actually Chiang Rai International Airport.  Maesai is in the province of Chiang Rai which is at the northern tip of Thailand.  Although branded as “International” The only flights that crossed borders are actually to Burma so I guess still can pass.  So there are no direct flights to Chiang Rai.  You die die need to transfer at Bangkok.

The easiest way and most expensive is to get Thai airways ticket.  The pros is that you do not need to get out of the airport and go through customs until you are in Chiang Rai.   You also do not need to get your bags and re-check-in for other flights (only Thai airways automatically transfer your baggages to the next connecting flight in BKK).  So basically you are stuck in the transit area for 2 to 4 hours.  The good thing is that if the plane is late..  Die die your next flight will wait for you, if not Thai airways will re-arrange another flight for you. The bad is expensive and you can’t get out of the airport. (The cheapest food is actually get out of the transit area and proceed to the basement, there’s a food court there where you can settle your lunch with just 50baht at most)

Another option is to travel budget which is my style.  There are 3 budget airlines.  Tiger, Airasia and Jetstar.  For domestic, there’s Bangkok airways, Airasia, Thai airways and Nok air.  So far the best match (may not be the cheapest but have the shortest waiting time) is to travel by Tiger air from Singapore to Bangkok in the morning.  630 am flight. which you will reach BKK at 0750 or 8am local time.  Then you proceed to clear customs and immigration and go all the way up to departure hall to checkin for domestic.  For domestic, I only fly Airasia and occasionally Thai airways.. Never tried the Bangkok airways and Nok air as their timing are weird.   The flight I normally book is the 1135 flight. (Today the flight delayed so I’m still waiting for my flight) and will reach Chiang Rai at around 1pm or earlier. 

So at Chiang Rai airport, you just need to get your bags (if you checked-in)and then proceed outside and look for two taxi stalls on your left when you exit.  Ignore those touts and avoid the limousine service.  Expensive like hell.  A ride to Maesai will set you back 800 baht.  and takes 45mins to an hour to reach.  Just tell them the hotel you are going and the stall will assign a driver who knows that area well for you.  If you have not book a place to stay.  Some hotels you can try are Rong Raem (Hotel) Piyaporn.  (think is about 1000baht or more per night during peak seasons)  Its the newest and cleanest hotel in Maesai. Or if you want budget.  Tai Tong is not bad also.  Old but at least cheap and clean.  Forget about Wang Thong (the pics on the Internet looks good but its bloody shabby).

So there, just a basic guide to get to Maesai as promised. :)

Getting back to Maesai.

I have a lot of free time now as I am currently waiting for my domestic flight to Chiang Rai while typing this.  Good way to pass time is to write something while I wait.

I promised to update on how to get to Maesai so here goes.  By the way, this guide is only applicable for Singaporeans actually so apologies to those who are not.

The nearest airport to Maesai is actually Chiang Rai International Airport.  Maesai is in the province of Chiang Rai which is at the northern tip of Thailand.  Although branded as “International” The only flights that crossed borders are actually to Burma so I guess still can pass.  So there are no direct flights to Chiang Rai.  You die die need to transfer at Bangkok.

The easiest way and most expensive is to get Thai airways ticket.  The pros is that you do not need to get out of the airport and go through customs until you are in Chiang Rai.   You also do not need to get your bags and re-check-in for other flights (only Thai airways automatically transfer your baggages to the next connecting flight in BKK).  So basically you are stuck in the transit area for 2 to 4 hours.  The good thing is that if the plane is late..  Die die your next flight will wait for you, if not Thai airways will re-arrange another flight for you. The bad is expensive and you can’t get out of the airport. (The cheapest food is actually get out of the transit area and proceed to the basement, there’s a food court there where you can settle your lunch with just 50baht at most)

Another option is to travel budget which is my style.  There are 3 budget airlines.  Tiger, Airasia and Jetstar.  For domestic, there’s Bangkok airways, Airasia, Thai airways and Nok air.  So far the best match (may not be the cheapest but have the shortest waiting time) is to travel by Tiger air from Singapore to Bangkok in the morning.  630 am flight. which you will reach BKK at 0750 or 8am local time.  Then you proceed to clear customs and immigration and go all the way up to departure hall to checkin for domestic.  For domestic, I only fly Airasia and occasionally Thai airways.. Never tried the Bangkok airways and Nok air as their timing are weird.   The flight I normally book is the 1135 flight. (Today the flight delayed so I’m still waiting for my flight) and will reach Chiang Rai at around 1pm or earlier. 

So at Chiang Rai airport, you just need to get your bags (if you checked-in)and then proceed outside and look for two taxi stalls on your left when you exit.  Ignore those touts and avoid the limousine service.  Expensive like hell.  A ride to Maesai will set you back 800 baht.  and takes 45mins to an hour to reach.  Just tell them the hotel you are going and the stall will assign a driver who knows that area well for you.  If you have not book a place to stay.  Some hotels you can try are Rong Raem (Hotel) Piyaporn.  (think is about 1000baht or more per night during peak seasons)  Its the newest and cleanest hotel in Maesai. Or if you want budget.  Tai Tong is not bad also.  Old but at least cheap and clean.  Forget about Wang Thong (the pics on the Internet looks good but its bloody shabby).

So there, just a basic guide to get to Maesai as promised. :)

Map of Maesai

View Fatboi's Maesai Map in a larger map

I got a comment asking me for a map of Maesai. Google maps is actually quite accurate but the satellite photo is a bit ourdated. :P I will add more when I go back and I plan to put some photos too.

Will also update the way to get to Maesai (the old version seems outdated). Do post any questions regarding Thailand and Maesai at leejiing@gmail.com. Will help out any brothers or sisters who are interested in the LOS.

Map of Maesai

View Fatboi's Maesai Map in a larger map

I got a comment asking me for a map of Maesai. Google maps is actually quite accurate but the satellite photo is a bit ourdated. :P I will add more when I go back and I plan to put some photos too.

Will also update the way to get to Maesai (the old version seems outdated). Do post any questions regarding Thailand and Maesai at leejiing@gmail.com. Will help out any brothers or sisters who are interested in the LOS.

Back to School!

As mentioned in my previous post. I am currently attending the CCNA-Express course. Suppose to have one more colleague (to make a total of 3) but he was recalled back for "service" as one of colleague who was suppose to cover us had some personal issues.

Anyway its more of a refresher course for me as I already took my CCNA way back in 2000. It expired in 2003 but I never bothered to get it renewed so my current company throw me into the course again.

Things have indeed changed as last time we only did RIPv2 and touched a bit on OSPF... nowadays its all on OSPF and EIGRP.. duh...

Fundamentals were unchanged though. All those OSI layers and TCP/IP stack, subnetting, bits and bytes. My other colleague who is my team mate and in the same course is having a tough time absorbing all these information. I have to keep remind her that I once took a semester during my University on all these basic networking stuff thus I could comprehend. If not, 5 days crash course on CCNA is really a bit tough for the uninitiated.

Lab is also a breeze for both of us as we deal with routhers and switches every day in our work but learning new commands for my colleague is a bit daunting for her to as she is not used to CLI (console line interface).

So far we are 3 days into the course and 2 more days before the whole thing finish. Frankly, I kind of enjoy the course (not because its easy) mainly is to get the feeling of being in a classroom again and facing a lecturer. The whole experience is quite stimulating and I do hope I get more chances to go for such courses.

And speaking of certification. I did not plan to re-certify initially(sure can pass one lah :P) as I think I won't be in this line for long. Still, maybe I would just take it and see if I can clear CCNP next year... See how lah... :P

Back to School!

As mentioned in my previous post. I am currently attending the CCNA-Express course. Suppose to have one more colleague (to make a total of 3) but he was recalled back for "service" as one of colleague who was suppose to cover us had some personal issues.

Anyway its more of a refresher course for me as I already took my CCNA way back in 2000. It expired in 2003 but I never bothered to get it renewed so my current company throw me into the course again.

Things have indeed changed as last time we only did RIPv2 and touched a bit on OSPF... nowadays its all on OSPF and EIGRP.. duh...

Fundamentals were unchanged though. All those OSI layers and TCP/IP stack, subnetting, bits and bytes. My other colleague who is my team mate and in the same course is having a tough time absorbing all these information. I have to keep remind her that I once took a semester during my University on all these basic networking stuff thus I could comprehend. If not, 5 days crash course on CCNA is really a bit tough for the uninitiated.

Lab is also a breeze for both of us as we deal with routhers and switches every day in our work but learning new commands for my colleague is a bit daunting for her to as she is not used to CLI (console line interface).

So far we are 3 days into the course and 2 more days before the whole thing finish. Frankly, I kind of enjoy the course (not because its easy) mainly is to get the feeling of being in a classroom again and facing a lecturer. The whole experience is quite stimulating and I do hope I get more chances to go for such courses.

And speaking of certification. I did not plan to re-certify initially(sure can pass one lah :P) as I think I won't be in this line for long. Still, maybe I would just take it and see if I can clear CCNP next year... See how lah... :P

Its all scheduled!

I have been busy lately with work and the preparation for my new baby. The due date was brought forward by 2 weeks. (Doctor say my wife's tummmy is too huge and baby seems to be more than 3kg.) So I will be flying back on the 14th and the should be going to the hospital on the 16th The cesarean is scheduled on the 17th.

Price for a cesarean birth in Thailand is no longer 25k bath (approx 1k SGD) Its about 35k at least now. (that's just 3 years ago!!) Wonder what really happened with the pricing but still, this time we are choosing another hospital which was newer and has more experienced doctors though.

There are many things I wished I have time to write about but so far I'm a bit overwhelmed by work. (I am actually working on another 24hrs shift while I'm typing this :P) Need the extra cash for the new car and the new baby.

Anyway, some things I want to write is a new bag I had and more about my health. Maybe I will drop another note next week which I guess I will be a bit more free as I will be on course. So after the course and 2 more days of work and I will be in Thailand for a month. Hope everything goes as well as planned.

Its all scheduled!

I have been busy lately with work and the preparation for my new baby. The due date was brought forward by 2 weeks. (Doctor say my wife's tummmy is too huge and baby seems to be more than 3kg.) So I will be flying back on the 14th and the should be going to the hospital on the 16th The cesarean is scheduled on the 17th.

Price for a cesarean birth in Thailand is no longer 25k bath (approx 1k SGD) Its about 35k at least now. (that's just 3 years ago!!) Wonder what really happened with the pricing but still, this time we are choosing another hospital which was newer and has more experienced doctors though.

There are many things I wished I have time to write about but so far I'm a bit overwhelmed by work. (I am actually working on another 24hrs shift while I'm typing this :P) Need the extra cash for the new car and the new baby.

Anyway, some things I want to write is a new bag I had and more about my health. Maybe I will drop another note next week which I guess I will be a bit more free as I will be on course. So after the course and 2 more days of work and I will be in Thailand for a month. Hope everything goes as well as planned.