CLO ACTIVITY REPORT FOR CHIANG MAI - MAY 2006

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 CHIANG MAI 000077

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT KFLO KSEP APER
SUBJECT: CLO ACTIVITY REPORT FOR CHIANG MAI - MAY 2006

REF: STATE 228323


1. POST HEREBY PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING CLO REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING APRIL 30, 2006.

SECTION ONE:

NAME OF COORDINATOR: SUSAN HAMPSEY
GRADE LEVEL: FS-07-01
WEEKLY SCHEDULED HOURS OF WORK: 24 HRS/WK PLUS SOME OVERTIME

SECTION TWO:

CLO STAFF MEMBER: CLO ASSISTANT AND NEWSLETTER EDITOR: LINDA SANTITHARANGKUL (HIRED 9/01 AS FAUX CLO: LINDA CRUIKSHANK) GRADE LEVEL: FSN SINCE 2003, PRESENTLY 8-5 HOURS OF WORK: 40 HOURS/WEEK PLUS SOME OVERTIME

SECTION THREE:


1. LIST OF AGENCIES SERVED BY CLO: STATE DEPARTMENT, DEA, and AIR FORCE DETACHMENT 415


2. BREAKDOWN OF CONSTITUENCIES:


A. EMPLOYEES AT POST W/0 CHILDREN W/ CHILDREN

MARINES 0 0
SINGLES 8 0
MARRIED 8 10
TANDEM INDIVIDUALS 2 0
ASSIGNMENTS: 28

TOTAL EMPLOYEES WITH CHILDREN: 10
TOTAL EMPLOYEES W/O CHILDREN: 18
TOTAL EMPLOYEES REPRESENTED ABOVE: 28

B.FAMILY MEMBERS (ON ORDERS) AT POST AWAY FROM POST
SPOUSES: 17 1
ELDER FAMILY MEMBERS 0 0

CHILDREN: TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN ALL CATEGORIES
BELOW: 24

AGES 0-5 TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN AGES 0 - 5: 8

GRADES K-5 TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN GRADES K - 5: 5

--NUMBER OF CHILDREN ATTENDING THE OFFICE OF OVERSEAS SCHOOL ASSISTED SCHOOL: 2 --NUMBER OF CHILDREN ATTENDING ANOTHER SCHOOL AT POST: 3 --NUMBER BEING HOMESCHOOLED: 0 HOMESCHOOLING PROGRAM(S) BEING USED: N/A --NUMBER ATTENDING SCHOOL AWAY FROM POST, RECEIVING AN EDUCATION
ALLOWANCE: 0
NAME(S) OF SCHOOL ATTENDED: N/A
--NUMBER NOT LIVING WITH PARENT AT POST, NOT RECEIVING AN EDUCATION ALLOWANCE: 0

GRADES 6 - 8 TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN GRADES 6 - 8: 4

--NUMBER OF CHILDREN ATTENDING THE OFFICE OF OVERSEAS SCHOOL ASSISTED SCHOOL: 2 --NUMBER OF CHILDREN ATTENDING ANOTHER SCHOOL AT POST: 2 --NUMBER BEING HOMESCHOOLED: 0 HOMESCHOOLING PROGRAM(S) BEING USED: N/A --NUMBER ATTENDING SCHOOL AWAY FROM POST, RECEIVING AN EDUCATION
ALLOWANCE: 0
NAME(S) OF SCHOOL ATTENDED: N/A
--NUMBER NOT LIVING WITH PARENT AT POST, NOT RECEIVING AN EDUCATION ALLOWANCE: 0

GRADES 9 - 12 TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN GRADES 9 - 12: 5

--NUMBER OF CHILDREN ATTENDING THE OFFICE OF OVERSEAS SCHOOL ASSISTED SCHOOL: 3 --NUMBER OF CHILDREN ATTENDING ANOTHER SCHOOL AT POST: 1 --NUMBER BEING HOMESCHOOLED: 0 HOMESCHOOLING PROGRAM(S) BEING USED: N/A --NUMBER ATTENDING SCHOOL AWAY FROM POST, RECEIVING AN EDUCATION
ALLOWANCE: 0
NAME(S) OF SCHOOL ATTENDED: N/A
--NUMBER NOT LIVING WITH PARENT AT POST, NOT RECEIVING AN EDUCATION ALLOWANCE: 1 (SAN LEANDRO HIGH SCHOOL)

FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES BUT UNDER THE AGE OF 21 (23 IF STILL IN COLLEGE):
--NUMBER AT POST: 0
--NUMBER ATTENDING SCHOOL AWAY FROM POST: 2

--TOTAL FAMILY MEMBERS ON ORDERS AT POST: 66 --TOTAL FAMILY MEMBERS ON ORDERS AWAY FROM POST: 3 --TOTAL FAMILY MEMBERS REPRESENTED ABOVE: 69 (PLUS ONE FAMILY MEMBER NOT ON ORDERS AWAY FROM POST, UNDER 23 AND IN COLEGE)


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C. TOTAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF HOUSEHOLD (NOT ON ORDERS): 1


D. TOTAL CLIENT POPULATION: 71 (DOES NOT INCLUDE TDY'ERS WHICH RANGE FROM 8 TO 15 AT ANY GIVEN TIME)

SECTION FOUR:

CLO RESPONSIBILITIES:


A. FAMILY MEMBER EMPLOYMENT
OBJECTIVE: TO PROMOTE AND FACILITATE FAMILY MEMBER EMPLOYMENT.
--ADVERTISE CONSULATE AND OFF-POST JOBS. AN EFM WAS SELECTED TO FILL THE VACANT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT POSITION, AND A MEMBER OF HOUSEHOLD WAS HIRED AS THE POST CLO.
--COMMUNICATE WITH OUR DEPENDANT COMMUNITY ABOUT THE JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AT POST, AND ASSIST WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
--EMPHASIZE VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE CONSULATE.
--COUNSEL FAMILY MEMBERS ON OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT IN THAILAND.
FIND OUT WHAT JOBS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND SHARE CONTACT INFORMATION.
--FACILITATE INQUIRIES FROM BIDDERS AND INCOMING FAMILY MEMBERS VIA E-MAIL REGARDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
--FORWARD WORK TIPS AND CONTACTS FROM FLO TO SPOUSES LOOKING FOR WORK, EITHER THROUGH THE NEWSLETTER OF BY E-MAIL.


B. CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY LIAISON
OBJECTIVE: TO PROVIDE A CHANNEL OF INFORMATION BETWEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OFFICIAL MISSION, WHICH RAISES SECURITY AWARENESS AND REPRESENTS COMMUNITY SECURITY CONCERNS.
--INCLUDE ADVISORIES, TRAVEL WARNINGS PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS AND HEALTH WARNINGS IN THE NEWSLETTER, IN SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS, ON BULLETIN BOARDS OR IN E-MAILS.
--MAINTAIN A FILE IN THE CLO OFFICE WITH CURRENT SECURITY ISSUES.
--MAINTAIN FILES AND ATTACHMENTS WITH INFORMATION ON AVIAN INFLUENZA, THE TSUMAMI, THE LOCAL FLOODS OF 2005 AND AIR POLLUTION HAZARD FACTS AND FIGURES.


C. EDUCATION LIAISON
OBJECTIVE: TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH SCHOOLS AT POST AND TO PROVIDE RESOURCE INFORMATION ABOUT EDUCATION.
--VISIT LOCAL SCHOOLS AND MAINTAIN STRONG CONTACT WITH THEM.
HELP FACILITATE SEVERAL SCHOOL VISITS WITH THE NEW REGIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST. BE A RESOURCE FOR THE SCHOOL STAFF WHEN THEY HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE U.S.
--COVER SCHOOL VISITS IN THE NEWSLETTER.
--PROVIDE INFORMATION TO BIDDERS AND INCOMING FAMILIES REGARDING SCHOOL CHOICES, AND SET UP NETWORKING POSSIBILITIES AMONG PARENTS WITH CHILDREN WITH SIMILAR NEEDS.
--UPDATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOLS WHICH INCLUDES CONTACT INFORMATION, E-MAIL ADDRESSES AND WEBSITES.
--ADVERTISE CALENDARS AND SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE SCHOOLS IN THE NEWSLETTER.
--HELP BUILD UP THE COLLECTION OF COLLEGE MATERIALS AT THE NEARBY AUA LIBRARY ROOM SET ASIDE TO ASSIST WITH INFORMATION ABOUT STUDYING IN THE STATES. PROMOTE THAT ROOM IN THE NEWSLETTER AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD TO THE COMMUNITY.


D. INFORMATION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
OBJECTIVE: TO GATHER AND ORGANIZE INFORMATION SO THAT IT CAN BE DISTRIBUTED OR AVAILABLE TO MISSION COMMUNITY AND FLO WASHINGTON.
--WRITE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER TO KEEP CONSULATE COMMUNITY INFORMED OF LOCAL EVENTS AS WELL AS RELEVANT NEWS FROM THE CONSULATE, BANGKOK AND WASHINGTON.
--ORGANIZE CLO DATA ON PUBLIC FILES FOR CLO AND CONSULATE STAFF ACCESS.
--DEVELOP A COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER IN THE CLO OFFICE WITH MATERIALS RECEIVED FROM FLO AND OTHER U.S. SOURCES, AS WELL AS LOCAL INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND VARIOUS TRAVEL INFORMATION.
--MAINTAIN THE COMMUNITY LIBRARY IN THE CLO OFFICE WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED BOOKS, PERIODICALS AND CATALOGS FOR THE USE OF THE CONSULATE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS TDY'ERS.
--CONTINUOUSLY UPDATE THE CLO BULLETIN BOARD TO KEEP THE CONSULATE COMMUNITY AWARE OF CURRENT LOCAL ACTIVITIES.
--UPDATE A DATA BASE FOR SERVICES IN TOWN.
--MAINTAIN AN INVENTORY ON THE CLO SUPPLIES STORED AWAY IN THE WAREHOUSE.
--POST CABLES OF INTEREST TO FAMILIES IN THE CLO OFFICE.
--ASSIST A FAMILY MEMBER VOLUNTEER WITH PUBLICITY FOR SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS.
--MAINTAIN A SPREADSHEET ON INCOMING EMPLOYEES, NOTING THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
--organize AND UPDATE the Chiang Mai Welcome Packet.
--participate in areA activities to represent the consulate community and gather information for the CONSULATE community.
--CONTRIBUTE STORIES AND PHOTOS TO THE LOCAL PRESS.
--WRITE ARTICLES AND REPORTS REGARDING EVENTS WHEN WARRENTED.
--COMPLETE THE 2006 SUMMARY SCHOOL REPORT.
--UPDATE THE ON-LINE POST REPORT.


E. GUIDANCE AND REFERRAL
OBJECTIVE: TO LISTEN TO INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE CONCERNS AND TO OFFER APPROPRIATE RESOURCES AND REFERRALS.
--MEET WITH INDIVIDUALS TO TALK ABOUT JOB OPPORTUNITIES, AND FAMILY AND PERSONAL CONCERNS.

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--DIRECT INDIVIDUALS TO APPROPRIATE POST PERSONNEL WHEN NECESSARY.
--IDENTIFY LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER EXPERTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH MED UNIT IN BANGKOK AS A RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY.


F. WELCOMING AND ORIENTATION
OBJECTIVE: TO ASSIST NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH ADJUSTING TO THEIR NEW ENVIRONMENT.
--COMMUNICATE WITH NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS BY E-MAIL FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE BIDDING PROCESS AND LINK THEM TO BENEFICIAL RESOURCES AND PEOPLE.
--DEVELOP A SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM THAT GIVES CLEAR GUIDELINES TO THE SPONSORS IN ORDER TO ASSURE A SMOOTHE TRANSITION TO POST.
--ORGANIZE A WELCOME PARTY FOR ALL NEWCOMERS.
--Prepare welcome packets with APPROPRIATE information about the post and northern Thailand FOR NEW EMPLOYEES and THIR FAMILIES.
--Help newcomers meet THE MISSION COMMUNITY AND FAMILARIZE THEM WITH the Consulate and Chiang Mai. FACILITATE INTRODUCTIONS to people WITH SIMILAR NEEDS AND INTERESTS.
--Maintain reference books and other resources in THE CLO office to help newcomers adjust to and become familiar with the local environment.
--ORIENT THE cONSULATE COMMUNITY TO THE GREATER COMMUNITY THROUGH NOTICES ABOUT GROUPS AND EVENTS IN THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, AND THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED E-MAILS.
-- PROVIDE ON-GOING GUIDANCE ABOUT THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT (WHERE TO EAT, SHOP, SIGHT-SEE, ETC.)


G. COMMUNITY LIAISON
OBJECTIVE: TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE OFFICIAL MISSION AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.
--MEET WEEKLY WITH THE MANAGEMENT OFFICER IN ORDER TO ENSURE HE IS AWARE OF ALL CLO ACTIVITIES SO HE MAY IN TURN INFORM THE CG AND OTHER APPROPRIATE STAFF.
--ONE OR BOTH CLO STAFF ATTEND THE WEEKLY TEAM MEETINGS WITH AMERICAN DEPARTMENT HEADS.
--ATTEND THE WEEKLY FSN MEETINGS.
--THE CLO IS A VOTING MEMBER OF THE HOUSING BOARD.
--THE CLO IS AN AD HOC MEMBER OF THE EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE.
--PARTICPATE IN OTHER MEETINGS AND TRAINING SESSIONS AS THE NEED ARISES.
--BE A SPECIAL LIAISON BETWEEN SPOUSES AND THE CONSULATE COMMUNITY.
--HELP BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE THAI COMMUNITY AND THE AMERICAN ONE. MAKE SURE THAT THAI HOLIDAYS ARE UNDERSTOOD, RESPECTED AND CELEBRATED.
--INTRODUCE THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO THE POINTS OF INTEREST AND SOCIAL EVENTS THAT ARE SPECIAL TO THE THAI COMMUNITY.
--ENCOURAGE THAI STAFF (AND FAMILY) PARTICIPATION IN CONSULATE EVENTS.
--HELP BRING THE THAI COMMUNITY ONTO THE CONSULATE FOR EVENTS SUCH AS PARTIES AND HAPPY HOURS.


H. EVENTS PLANNING
OBJECTIVE: TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS FOR ALL SEGMENTS OF THE MISSION POPULATION THAT INTRODUCE THE HOST CULTURE, MAINTAIN FAMILIAR AMERICAN TRADITIONS OR RESPOND TO NEEDS EXPRESSED AT POST. THIS YEAR, WE SURVEYED THE COMMUNITY AND REALIZE THAT RESPONDENTS ARE MOST INTERESTED IN PARTIES AND GET-TOGETHERS.
--PLAN PARTIES, TRIPS AND CELEBRATIONS TO KEEP THE CONSULATE COMMUNITY INVOLVED IN THAI AND AMERICAN CULTURAL EVENTS, RESPONDING TO THE DESIRES OF THE CHILDREN, SPOUSES AND EXPLOYEES. ORGANIZE CONSULATE COMMUNITY LUNCHES, DINNERS, SHOPPING TRIPS AND HAPPY HOURS, IN ADDITION TO LARGE PARTIES TO COMMEMORATE HOLIDAYS. MAKE SURE AMERICAN AND THAI HOLIDAYS ARE WELL-RESPECTED AND CELEBRATED. AMONG THE PARTIES IN THIS PERIOD WERE A HUGE LOY KRATHONG (LANTERN) FESTIVAL PARTY, A CHRISTMAS PARTY COMPLETE WITH DO-IT-YOURSELF GINGERBREAD HOUSES, AND A WATER THROWING FESTIVAL PARTY MARKING THE THAI NEW YEAR. EASTER WAS CELEBRATED TWICE, WITH A "SPRING FLING" HOSTING AIDS-AFFECTED CHILDREN IN NORTHERN THAILAND FOR A THIRD YEAR IN A ROW, AND A CONSULATE EASTER EGG HUNT AND FAMIY PARTY ON EASTER SUNDAY. SEVERAL HAPPY HOURS AND THREE (TWO AMERICAN STAFF AND ONE THAI) GOING-AWAY PARTIES WERE HOSTED. A THREE-DAY TENNIS TOURNAMENT WAS WELL-ATTENDED AND BROUGHT THE COMPOUND TO LIFE FOR THE WEEKEND. CLO ALSO ASSISTED THE MANAGEMENT OFFICE WITH A STAFF RETREAT AND DESIGNED T-SHIRTS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS. CLO HELPED COMMUNITY MEMBERS HOST A CHRISTMASTIME FUND-RAISER AT THE COMPOUND FOR A LOCAL EDUCATIONAL CHARITY.
--KEEP IN CONTACT WITH TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND, RAINTREE RESOURCE CENTER, ALLIANCE FRANCAISE, AUA, THE PAYAP UNIVERSITY LANGUAGE PROGRAMS, CHIANG MAI MAIL NEWSPAPER, WELCOME TO CHIANGMAI CHIANG RAI MAGAZINE, AND VARIOUS RESTAURANTS, BUSINESSES, HOTELS, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ESTABLISHMENTS TO KEEP THE CONSULATE COMMUNITY INFORMED OF EVENTS PLANNED IN THE AREA.
--ORGANIZE CONSULATE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN CHARITY OR CIVIC EVENTS.

SECTION FIVE:

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES:
--A CLO (MOH) WAS HIRED IN JANUARY AS THE NEW FAUX CLO. AMONG HER MAJOR PROJECTS ARE REVAMPING AND IMPROVING THE RESOURCES IN THE CLO OFFICE AND SHE HOPES TO CREATE A POST VIDEO AND RE-DO THE WELCOME INFORMATION. HER ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS AND THE FACT

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THAT THE OFFICE IS NOW FULLY STAFFED HAS RESULTED IN A PUBLIC SYSTEM OF FILE SHARING.
--RE-ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH THE BANGKOK CLO WITH A VISIT IN JANUARY, AND FIRST-TIME ATTENDANCE AT THE BUDGET MEETING. CLO WORKS TO HELP PUBLICIZE THE TRIPS ORGANIZED AT THE EMBASSY IN BANGKOK THROUGH BANGKOK CLO.
--BOTH THE CLO AND THE CLO ASSISTANT ARE FULLY TRAINED TO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE SOLE APO CLERK, AND HAVE DONE SO OFTEN DURING THIS PERIOD.
--THE CLO ASSISTANT IS THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER WRITER AND EDITOR.
--THE CLO ASSISTANT IS REPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN, PURCHASING AND SALES OF POLO SHIRTS AND CELADON CUPS AND MUGS.
--AN UNPAID, FULL-TIME COLLEGE INTERN WORKED FOR CLO FOR TWO MONTHS FROM APRIL THROUGH MAY.
--WORK WITH FSNS ON LOCAL COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND HELP MAINTAIN AND PUBLICIZE A FUND FOR THE SON OF A GUARD WHO DIED IN JANUARY.
MAINTAIN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR ONE CANCER-STRIKEN FSN.
--TDY'ERS RANGE IN NUMBER FROM 8 TO 15 AT ONE TIME. THIS FIGURE USUALLY INCREASES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
--A LARGE NUMBER OF TRAVELERS FOCUS ON CHIANG MAI AND THE CLO OFFICE IS ALWAYS BUSY FIELDING QUESTIONS AND OFFERING TRAVEL/SHOPPING/ACCOMMODATION ADVICE

SECTION SIX:

OVERVIEW OF LIFE AT POST:
Chiang Mai is an excellent family post. The cost of living in northern Thailand is low, and the area is rich in culture, with places to go, things to see, and many, many things to buy.
DELICIOUS AMERICAN/WESTERN FOOD IS AVAILABLE - AND GREAT LOCAL FOOD IS OF COURSE EVERYWHERE. There are direct flights from Chiang Mai to several cities in nearby countries for those who would like to explore the surrounding regions. there are numerous flights to Bangkok where you can catch a PLANE to almost any destination in the world. Bangkok (AND THE AMERICAN EMBASSY THERE) is a marvelous place to explore and is quite a dramatic change from life in Chiang Mai - AND LESS THAN ONE HOUR AWAY BY PLANE.

MANY international schools EXIST, AND THE SELECTION OF ACADEMIC STRATEGIES IS FAIRLY EXTENSIVE. tHE SCHOOLS DON'T OFFER A HUGE VARIETY OF AMERICAN SPORTS AND COMPETITIONS, BUT ATHLETIC CHILDREN CAN GO OUTSIDE THE SCHOOLS FOR PRIVATE TENNIS, GOLF AND SWIMMING OPPORTUNITIES.

MEMBERS OF THE CONSULATE COMMUNITY BENEFIT FROM A SPACIOUS, MODERN HOUSING compound with A POOL, CLUBHOUSE, WEIGHT ROOM AND TENNIS COURT. tHE HOUSING COMPOUND IS IN A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY SETTING, AND THE HOUSES ARE LOCATED AROUND A LAKE. CHILDREN CAN FREELY PLAY WITHIN THE SECURE NEIGHBORHOOD. BUT THE COMPOUND IS A 30-MINUTE-OR-LONGER COMMUTE FROM TOWN, WHERE THE CONSULATE, DEA AND DET OFFICES ARE LOCATED.

IN ADDITION TO GYM FACILITIES AT THE COMPOUND AND THE BOOKS IN THE CLO LIBRARY, THE AIR FORCE detachment has a COMPLETE gym AND AMPLE SELECTION OF BOOKS AND OTHER RESOURCES.

CABLE TV IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THAILAND, AND HIGH-SPEED INTERNET IS NOW COMMON AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE. COMMERCIAL GYMS AND SPORTS FACILITIES ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE PLENTIFUL, AND CHIANG MAI IS NOW A HUB FOR THE TRADE OF SECOND-HAND BOOKS.

MANY FAMILIES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE REASONABLY-PRICED AND WELL-TRAINED DOMESTIC STAFF - WHOSE COOKING, CHILD CARE AND CLEANING SKILLS ARE INVALUABLE TO MANY FAMILIES.

THERE ARE good medical facilities. We have A CONSULATE HEALTH UNIT AND OUR OWN FULL-TIME NURSE.

AMONG THE DIFFICULTIES MOST CITED BY PEOPLE AT POST: Driving
HAZARDS AND HEAVY TRAFFIC; AIR POLLUTION; AND THE CURRENT THREAT OF AVIAN FLU. ONGOING VIOLENCE IN PARTS OF SOUTHERN THAILAND AFFECTS DOMESTIC TRAVEL. FLOODING STRUCK CHIANG MAI FIVE TIMES LAST YEAR AND CREATED MAJOR TRAFFIC ISSUES, ALONG WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY AND ROADS.

tO COMPENSATE FOR THE DRIVING DIFFICULTIES, THERE IS LIMITED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION available, AND PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS (ALONG WITH RENTAL CARS) AND METER TAXIS ARE VERY REASONABLY PRICED. A NEW, LIMITED BUS SYSTEM IS OPERATING.

"apo" HOURS ARE LIMITED TO BETWEEN 2 AND 3 HOURS PER WEEK, BUT DAILY POUCHING QUICKLY LINKS US TO EMBASSY BANGKOK. LOCAL MAIL SERVICE IS RELIABLE AND ALWAYS AN OPTION.
SPYKERMAN