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The Tarntawan Apartments (not to be confused with nearby Tarntawan Hotel) states on its homepage "no joiners fee." Tarntawan Apartments, located at corner of Suriwong Rd. and Soi Tarntawan (Tawan bar soi), is managed by Lucas who formerly managed the hotel and also operates Dick's Cafe on Soi Twilight. http://www.tarntawanapartments.com/apartments.html

I wanted to know, too, so I spent spentsome time searching on line for some answers. After exploring scores of sources I believe this Wellness Letter from the University of California as the most reliable I reviewed. Some of the points it makes: We are exposed to trace amounts of arsenic all the time—in our food, water and air. For centuries, arsenic was even used as medicine and in cosmetics, and it may actually play a role in physiological processes in some animals. Cook rice the way you cook pasta—in a lot of water. Use 6 cups of boiling water for 1 cup of dry rice. When the rice is done, drain off the remaining water. You may lose some nutrients in the cooking water, but you also reduce arsenic residues—by as much as 45 percent, according to a 2009 study in the Journal of Environmental Monitoring. Rinsing rice before cooking helps, too, though it also removes some B vitamins. Avoid brown rice syrup and foods made with it, many of which are junk food, even if they are organic or come from a health-food store. Also, limit foods with multiple rice ingredients. The letter also noted that jasmine rice from Thailand was among those varieties found to contain less arsenic than rice grown in some other regions. The letter isn't too long and you can find it at link below: http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food-safety/article/arsenic-rice-should-you-worry

ggopbkk wrote: "Try to imagine what the restaurant, which is a bit of a hole in the wall den, was like during the Vietnam war era when the Madrid was a CIA meeting spot." ------------------ I try to stop for pizza there once a trip and, like you, wonder what the characters sitting at those tables nearly 50 years looked like. Stickman wrote about the place once and I remember it being mentioned in a book whose title I can no longer recall. Truly great reports, please keep them coming!

Numazu, you're wise to undertake these adventures at a relatively young age and fortunate to have found a guy who brings so much sheer joy into the relationship. Butterfly or no butterfly, you're one lucky guy. One of the things I find myself occasionally falling victim to is the feeling that it's too late to fully enjoy life. But what really holds me back is not physical constraint but a mental one that often finds excuses to believe that it's even possible. Sharing your experiences challenges that mindset. Thanks for taking the time to put these reports together; they're like a not-so-gentle nudge in the back.

Good question. I'm a rice eater myself so I pursed this with no little amount of self interest. Consumer Reports published the following: All types of rice (except sushi and quick cooking) with a label indicating that it’s from Arkansas, Louisiana, or Texas or just from the U.S. had the highest levels of inorganic arsenic in our tests. For instance, white rices from California have 38 percent less inorganic arsenic than white rices from other parts of the country. Our latest tests determined that the inorganic arsenic content of rice varies greatly depending on the type of rice and where it was grown. White basmati rice from California, India, and Pakistan, and sushi rice from the U.S. on average has half of the inorganic-arsenic amount of most other types of rice. Brown rice has 80 percent more inorganic arsenic on average than white rice of the same type. Arsenic accumulates in the grain’s outer layers, which are removed to make white rice. Brown has more nutrients, though, so you shouldn’t switch entirely to white. Brown basmati from California, India, or Pakistan is the best choice; it has about a third less inorganic arsenic than other brown rices. The article doesn't cite rice grown elsewhere. It does cover the presence of arsenic in other grains. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/01/how-much-arsenic-is-in-your-rice/index.htm There was scare when cadmium was discovered in disturbing levels in rice in south China in 2013. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/22/world/asia/cadmium-tainted-rice-discovered-in-southern-china.html After what I've read, it raises my awareness but I certainly have no intention of stopping consuming rice. What I probably will do is soak in some water for a while before cooking. Thanks for the cooking tips, Abang. I'm always looking for new ways to use turmeric.

This BBC article presents a scientific approach to the question and an easy method one researcher says reduces arsenic levels by 80%: soak it in water overnight. http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38910848

Japan's NHK news reports that the Bangkok city government plans to redevelop the Klong Toey slums, and this has many residents on edge. Although they've been promised alternative accommodations, many fear that they'll simply be displaced as high-rise condos go up. The home to about 100,000, the slums occupy a space near a major subway stop and the Chao Phraya River. The report appeared as part of news acount praising a local developer for installing two unique soccer pitches within Klong Toey. Their design makes the field conform to the available space, a concept named one of the top 25 innovations in 2016 by Time magazine. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/editors/1/bangkoksinnovativesoccerfields/

Have had 3 in-room massages (all in Bangkok and all arranged on line) and found one barely satisfactory and the other two less than satisfactory. In two cases is was simply lack of skill and in the third it was someone who had the idea that he should receive the massage. In all three it was buyer's regret. Having said that, I know others who have had generally good experiences. In addition to the cons mentioned above, the down side of in-room is if your bed is too comfortable, even a good masseur cannot do the job right because much of the motion is transferred through to the mattress. I like visiting different massage shops and selecting a masseur. You get to see masseurs in person. I generally avoid places where they want you to choose from a tablet. There are many good reviews in the forum by members who report first-hand experiences in Bangkok and Pattaya. You'll save time, money and frustration by benefiting from their experience. I'd recommend Arena or Banana Club as good places to start in BKK. Good luck!

Could you please tell me if that was per person or for both?

Beds at the Crowne Plaza are among the most comfortable hotel beds I've had the pleasure to sleep in.