Our resident know-it-all points you to the city’s best little helpers. Illustration by Kosit Pattaranukul

Hi. I’m Mr. KIA—that’s short for Mr. Know-It-All. I live in BK’s classified section, with my funny hat and a cigar—oh wait, no, I just quit smoking. Week after week, I do the dirty work of looking for people to do your dirty work: cater your party, fix your vintage lava lamp, groom your dwarf Andalusian gerbil, etc. This week, we’re going to clean up that hovel you live in. Trust me, when we’re done with your pad, even your mom will have to admit you may be erring on the side of compulsive obsessiveness. Ok, let’s look at those letters and get down to business.

DEAR Mr. KIA: I just moved into an old house near Central Pinklao. The neighbors are OK and the view is not so bad, but there’s  something about my furniture. It’s not smelly or anything but that old bicycle, antique closet (full of secondhand clothes), ragged sofa, squeaky bed and all that old stuff leftover by the previous owners is are starting to creep me out. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been reading too many ghost stories lately. What I do know is that I need to get rid of this stuff as soon as possible.—Don’t Want To Sleep Alone

DEAR DWTSA: My suggestion? Get an exorcist and hold on to all that furniture you got for free from the (dead?) previous owners. Unless you’re trying to be generous, in which case, feel free to hand over your antiques to the following charitable organizations.

✚  Wat Suan Kaew (Baanbanglen, Moo1, Tambon Banglen, Amour Bangyai, Nonthaburi, 02-571-7666, 02-595-1444, 02-595-1946) is one solution to help you get rid of unwanted furniture. If there are many pieces, you can ask for a truck to pick them up at your home. Or you can bring them to the temple everyday between 6am-7pm.  
✚ Hand over your secondhand bike or spare parts to Thailand Cycling Club (845/53 Chula Soi 6. Ban Tad Thong Rd., 02-612-5510, 02-612-4747. www.thaicycling.com.) All bikes will be given to students in rural areas.
✚ As for old clothes, you can donate them to the Foundation for Rural Youth (59/118-120 Soi Ekkachai 89/4, Ekkachai Rd., 02-416-8073/-4. www.fry1985.org) which will hand them out to rural people and natural disaster victims.

DEAR Mr. KIA: I’m totally broke. No, I’m not going to ask you for money. But I do need your help to empty my drawers. My most prized possesions—my cameras—are all that’s left: my beloved vintage Nikon, an original LC-A from Russia and some other cameras my dad gave to me. I’ve searched around town and couldn’t find a place that would take these ancient relics. Can you tell me where I could get good prices for selling these treasures of mine?—Desperately Yours

DEAR DY: Poor you. Mr. KIA can tell you where to sell your old junk, but not where to get a good price for it. Shops need to make a living, too. That’s why shopowners are plump and rosy-cheeked and you’re this poor starving soul. If you’ve got this much stuff, why don’t you open your own shop? Too lazy? Ok, here’s where to make a quick buck. 

✚ Chusak Camera (Pirom Plaza, Mahachai Rd., opposite Merry King Hotel, 08-1934-5654, 08-6513-4760) sells and buys cameras from Europe, Japan, China and Russia. But note that if your camera is too old and the lens is not in good condition, they might not take it.
 ✚ Camera Takeshi is the biggest, most complete shop in Pirom Plaza (Mahachai Rd., opposite Merry King Hotel 02-623-7602, 02-222-8700 ext 241). Some cameras in the shop are for rental or to be used as props in movies only. So, if you think you’re going to miss your cameras, sell them here and wait for them to pop up on screen.
✚ Foto File (1/F, MBK Center, Pathumwan Rd., 02-620-9200, 02-620-9410, 02-620-9426. www.fotofile.net). Unlike its sister shop two floors above, which sells only new gear, this shop also deals in second-hand cameras. If you have old Leica, Hasselblad and Pentax treasures, head here.
✚ Fotoguffy (208 Rama 4 Soi 50, 08-1647-7371. www.fotoguffy.com) is a minimalist white box of a shop stocked with every Polaroid or Lomo toy-camera you could possibly desire. A nice place to drop by and check out if they want your little lomo from Russia.

DEAR Mr.KIA: I just had my birthday party. Everything was perfect except the condition of my house after the bash. It looks exactly like a crime scene: a broken table leg, shattered plates and glasses lying in pieces on the floor. Plus, one of my friends’ eyeglasses even ended up in the blender (causing the other stuff in there to be sprayed across the kitchen). I’m OK with such a mess but my parents will be home in a few days and they won’t be thrilled. Are there people I can call to make the evidence of my party go away—particularly those ugly stains on my dad’s favorite Persian carpet?—Turning Twenty Two

DEAR TTT: What drugs were you and your friends on that night? Do me a favor, will you: next time you throw a party, invite me. Cleaning up by yourself will teach you a lesson but you’ll just make more of a mees. You need a professional. Just give one of these cleaning companies a call and save your relationship with your folks.

✚ Coit (482 Soi Sainamthip, Sukhumvit Soi 22., 02-663-5200. www.coit.co.th) is a cleaning service franchise from the U.S. Prices start from B8,000 and they can wash curtains, Persian carpets, sofas, cushions, do general cleaning and remove unpleasant odors from your house. Some tips to help you get stains off your clothes, curtains and carpets are also available on their website.
 ✚ XTrade Genuine (84/1 Tambon Klong Nueng, Ampur Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 02-516-1020, 08-7716-4146. www.xgenthai.com) can make your home look new again in a few hours. Its professional team will clean everything from the floor to the ceiling (for that blender incident). Prices are B50 per square meter. Gardening and landscape design services are also available.
✚ For over 15 years, Four Hands Maintenance (46/28 Moo 12, Nuanphaka Village, Nuanchan Rd., 02-510-2571, 02-944-6581. www.fourhandscleaning.com ) has been offering floor, tile, carpet, mirror and furniture cleaning services. Prices start from B6,000 for a 40-square wa home.

Dear Mr. KIA: I urgently need to get more space in my tiny condo. Yesterday, I just realized that I have no space left when I tried to get out of my room and ended up trapped by piles of books. Besides the window that I use as an exit, the only spot in the room I can crawl to now is a desk opposite my bed. So here I am, writing for your help. Please Mr. KIA, find me some places where I can sell or donate my old books. I promise I won’t buy books for a year!—Rescue Me, Please        

Dear RMP: Mr. KIA understands your love for literature. But he really can’t force his mind to believe that you can keep your promise when you can’t even get out of your room like normal people do. Luckily, there are many venues in Bangkok that will buy those books from you and sell them to others at cheap prices or donate them to schools.    
 
✚ Dasa Book Café (710/4 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-661-2993, www.dasabookcafe.com. Open daily 10am-8pm) can give you as much as B100 or more for a paperback in good condition. But if some pages are torn or there are some marks, prices may go down to B20. Besides being a secondhand bookshop, it’s also a coffee shop, so you can spend that money you got on a cup of coffee.
✚ Elite Used Books (593/5 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-258-0221. Open daily 10am-8pm) buys good-condition books in foreign languages only (Japanese, French, German, English, etc). The ones with pages too yellow, textbooks and magazines will not be accepted. Prices range from B10 to B70.   
✚ Shaman Books (71 Khao San Rd., 02-629-0418, Open daily 8am-11pm) is one of the many used bookshops on Khao San. What distinguishes Shaman from its competitors is the efficient and organized way they sort their books. The friendly staff is extremely helpful. For novels, they will give B50-70. Foreign books only. 
✚ Science Center for Education (928 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-391-0544. www.sciplanet.org) a.k.a. “Thong Fah Jum Long” accepts all kinds of books and will forward them to the Office of Non-Formal Education for students who need extra-curricular reading materials.
✚ Bangkok Code (231/2 South Sathorn Rd., 02-470-9920/1, 02-673-9434/5. www.bangkokcode.com) is a library attached to King Mongkut’s University of Technology. It accepts all types of books, as well. Head to the customer service counter and tell them you would like to make a donation.
✚ Stang Mongkolsuk Library (2-3/F, Physics Bldg., Mahidol University, Rama 6 Rd., 02-201-5711. http://stang.sc.mahidol.ac.th) accepts science books for its own library and donates others to provincial schools.
✚ Foundation for Children (95/24 Buddhamonthon Rd. Sai4, 02-814-148, 02-814-1487. www.ffc.or.th) needs books that are suitable for children.

Dear Mr. KIA: I just got a new Mac to replace my old boring PC. It’s super stylish and goes along with my bedroom décor so well. The only problem is I will need to get the old PC out. I know that many foundations need computers to help kids learn IT, but I don’t know how to contact them.—Apple Rocks

Dear AR: You’ve got it right. Poor kids could sure use a trusty PC. And not only computers, even spare parts or old electronic devices can be useful, too. So, here you go:

✚ You can donate your old computer or just some parts of it to Mirror Foundation’s Com 4 Kid project (9/F, Lertpanya Bldg., 41 Soi Lertpanya, Sriayutthaya Rd., 02-642-7991/-2 ext 17. www.bannok.com). They will pass it on to poor children all over the country.
✚ Tub Hok Wittayakarn school (Tambon Nongnam Sai, Nakhon Ratchasima. 044-430-427, 08-1850-3573) also needs a hand. The school used to have 10 computers, in imperfect conditions. Those computers are all dead now, thus its computer class has been closed for two years. So come on, show some generosity.
✚ Help monks in Amnajcharoen keep up with globalization and spread Buddha’s word out to the world by giving that PC to Wat Pho Sri and Wat Nekkhammaram in Amnajcharoen. You can either go to a post office and send the PC to Wat Pho Sri, Tambon Janlan, Ampur Phana, Amnajcharoen 37180, take the computer to van queue at Wat Kininard, near Krungthon bridge (delivery fee is B50-100) or have a Suna service truck pick it up at your place (delivery fee is B100). Call Phra Bunnam Satharo at 08-6245-0045, 08-4530-3525 for more details.

Dear Mr. KIA: Last week, I had some time to kill and I started picking through some papers and stuff in my attic. I discovered a huge collection of old clocks and watches of my dad’s that I never knew existed. This would have been the highlight of my (otherwise grim) week, except that none of them are still ticking. My mom is threatening to throw them out, but my dad and I want to get them fixed. Can you recommend a repair shop where I can get it done? Preferably cheaply, or my mom will go through the roof. Thanks so much in advance.—Once Upon a Time

Dear OUAT: Did you also find an antique mirror, your grandmother’s wedding dress and a long-lost diary describing your parents’ courtship? Just curious. Mr. KIA certainly agrees with you and your dad that these prized possessions, especially if they have sentimental value, are worth keeping—even if you have to sacrifice some space in your house.
There are loads of watch repair services in Bangkok, but only a few specialize in caring for old clocks and watches, mainly because spare parts that fit old-style clocks are hard to come by. Anyway, after extensive research I have found a few places in the city you can definitely trust with your dad’s collection. Stop by any one of these places and they’ll be happy to turn back time for you.

✚ Kaek Vintage (Old market side, Sanam Luang 2 Sunday Market, 08-1920-3234. Open Sat-Sun 11am-6pm) services both modern and vintage clocks and watches. Prices range from B1,000 to B2,000 depending on the piece and how much work is required.
✚ Toy Naliga (96/1 Bangwag Rd., Soi Charansanitwong 13, 02-861-9378. Open Sun-Fri 7am-7pm) has been around for seven years. It specializes in vintage watch and clock repair services including self-winding clocks. The prices are quite fair: most repairs will cost you B800-1,000. Lots of experience and know-how employees also mean that this shop offers not just competent repairs but also suggestions and a vintage-clock-buff conversation (if you’re into that sort of thing).  
✚ Yon Way La Haa Adeed (Zone 6, Sanam Luang 2 Sunday Market, 01-776-7281. Open Sat-Sun 10am-6pm) specializes in German pieces but can fix any kind of clock. The shop is only open on weekends, but if you live near Soi Panichthon the shop owner will come to you on weekday evenings, and if possible, fix the problem then and there. No additional cost for this generous service. Prices range from B500 to B1,500.

Dear Mr.KIA: I’ve had my Toyota for quite a few years now. It works fine for me—meaning it gets me places—but the thing is, I have also been saving up for a new one. Since I’m single and there’s really no need for me to have two cars, I’d like to sell my old Toyota. Before I do, do you know any place where I can take my car in for a check up? You know just to make sure nothing is broken. I love this car and I’d still like to get some real value out of it. Thanks.—Motor Mouth

Dear MM: Being the macho guy that I am, of course I will have my fair share of car knowledge. Although my wallet is not big enough to help me maintain a classic car collection of my dream, I do feel that a car makes a man, even if it’s just an old Toyota.

✚ Drive your Toyota to Test Car (641/2 Sri Nakarin Rd., 02-320-4490/1 www.testcar.co.th) for a professional check up. A full package check up is B3,200 which includes the engine checking, wheel, choke up, brake and headlights. For a laser scan service, there’s an additional B800.
✚ Or try Sind Auto Service (6/258-9 Moo4, Soi Ladprao 71, 08-1371-4142, 08-315-3340. www.sindauto.com.) At B500, minor check ups (brake and choke) are covered. 

Dear Mr. KIA: I’m going to clean my house big time during the next weekend. And I don’t want my fluffy kitty to walk around. This is totally for her safety because my husband can’t tell the difference between my lovely pet and a Persian rug at our front door. And he almost killed her with the Hoover twice in the past year. So, Mr.KIA, can you recommend me some places where my lovely kitty can spend a night or two in a comfy environment? Thank you very much.—Meaw Meaw   

Dear MM: As sad as it is, sometimes those cuddly creatures can become a burden. When you have to leave town or, as in your case, keep your cat in a nice place while you are busy renewing your home, you want to know that little Sparky and Mittens will be treated with the care and affection to which they are accustomed. Always prepared for the worst, Mr. KIA was on the verge of finding you a place to have your kitties’ claws and fangs sharpened so that they can defend themselves against mean wardens or bullying ­fellow boarders—luckily, he stumbled across the following places, where your cats will be treated kindly.
When it comes to choosing a home away from home for your pets, ask to see where the animals sleep, play and eat, and if the cages are small, the place is dirty or something just doesn’t feel right, don’t leave your friends there. Be sure to speak to the staff who will be caring for your pet and confirm that they will be able to meet any special needs your animals may have.

✚ Vet 49 (120/1-2 Sukhumvit Soi 49, opposite the hospital, 02-712-8231. Open daily 9am-7pm) provides board for your critters for B200 per day including two meals. They also see to it that your pet gets daily exercise, and specialized diets and medical treatments if need be. Note that in order for this or any pet hotel to take your cat in, FVRCP (Distemper), rabies and leukemia shots need to be up to date. For dogs, that’s DA2L (Distemper), CPV (Parvovirus) and Bordetell (Kennel Cough).
✚ 101 Rak Sa Sat Clinic (1210 Lad Prao Soi 101, 02-370-2146. Open daily 9am-9pm) will take your kitty on for B100 per day, including walking and cleaning. If your cat is small, food is included. If it’s Garfield-sized, though, and has a corresponding appetite, you’ll have to either bring in your pet’s favorite food or pay a surcharge of B35-80 per day.
✚ Thonglor Pet Hospital (205/5-8 Soi Thonglor, 02-712-6301/-4. www.thonglorpet.com) will take care of your kitty for B300/day (food is not included, food prices vary depending on the type of food your kitty likes). Each cat stays in separate unit to prevent diseases.

Dear Mr.KIA: For the past few weeks, my life has been incredibly dramatic. My grandpa passed away and left me a traditional Thai wooden house in Nakornpathom. Nobody has lived there for a long time but a 73-year old gardener. Obviously, he is too old to take care of the garden and I’m too busy. So, help is needed. I need to make it more modern and easy to take care of. Don’t ask me to change it into a parking lot or something else, it’s a precious heritage and I want to keep it.—Handle With Care

Dear HWC: No, I’m not going to ask you to take those innocent trees down. On the contrary, Mr. KIA prefers to save lives. And he’s searched the city just to find these three top companies providing gardening services.        

✚ Cholarak Garden (89/139 Soi Wongsawang 19, Wongsawang Rd., 02-586-7196/7. www.cholarakgardon.co.th) do modern, tropical and stone garden designs. First-time assessment is offered for free. But there’s B5,000 deposit for a look at the plans. Prices for redesign services start from B10,000.
✚ Nature & Trend (21/236  Pinklao-Nakonchaisi Rd., 081-818-7833, 02-888-7888. www.natureandtrend.com) can turn your jungle into a beautiful garden. They can also set up automatic watering and electric system in your garden. Prices start from B50,000.
✚ Garden Center (933 On-Nuch Rd., Saunluang, 02-333-1125/-8. www.gardencenter.co.th.) Besides a variety of garden designs, they can also maintain your space. Price starts at B20,000.

Dear Mr KIA: Having lived in Bangkok for over two years, I can safely say that the residents of Bangkok are NOT very eco-friendly. Before I lived here, I was an avid recycler of glass, aluminum and plastic in my hometown. For months now, I’ve been collecting plastic bags and other assorted materials in my room. Where oh where are there recycling centers in Bangkok? Does such a thing even exist? Thanks.—Mr. Recycler

Dear Mr. Recycler: You even recycled my title, Monsieur, which is fine, because I love greenies. The more you save the planet, the bigger the car I can drive to compensate. Just kidding. I recycle everything. I’m currently writing this on an old ATM slip. Here is a list of places in Bangkok where you can drop off your junk:

✚ Splendid Recycle (990/30 Sukhumvit Soi 101/1, 08-9171-1314. www.tarad.com/splendid.) They usually buy scraps from computers, engines and electrical appliances. They will come to your house if you have the stuff worth more than B2,000. Call them for pricing.
✚ Siam Recycle Shop (5/368 Ramindra Soi 14, 02-943-6370, 08-6625-0616. www.siamrecycle.net.) They take almost everything that’s old, unwanted and can be recycled. They give you a market price on a scale that’s not rigged—or so they claim. For metals it’s B11-12/kgs while plastics go for B12-20/kgs.
✚ Ruam Charoen Shop (97 Moo 19, Bang Peung, Phra Pradaeng, Samutprakarn, 08-1303-1939, 08-1755-9723. Open daily 8am-5pm. www.ruamscrap.com.) The price depends on the metal: B110-210 for copper, B40-80 for aluminum, etc. Check with the shop.
✚ BKK Recycle (616 Sathupradit Rd., 08-6786-7359. www.bkkrecycle.com.) They buy electric equipment and metal scraps. Prices depend on market rates. Check by phone or have a look on their website. They also accept old batteries.

Dear Mr.KIA: I’m getting married and going to move to Germany real soon. I’d like to donate some of my old stuff to Wat Suan Kaew and to rural schools in Isan. Many places interested in taking small pieces like clothes, clocks and DVD player from me, but they can’t pick up huge things like refrigerator or my grand piano. Nobody wants to do the lifting, wrapping, packing and unpacking. And some of the moving companies I have used always end up breaking something. I need some reliable experts to handle these tedious tasks. Can you recommend me a few of those moving companies?—Move Me

Dear MM: How generous you are! Hearing about good intentions in this cruel world is just what Mr. KIA needs. And yes, moving things around is a pain in the butt—and the back, the legs, the arms. You can easily injure yourself. Mr. KIA says all you need to lift is your finger—and just point. Here are some help.

✚ Omega Logistics (116/80 Nontree Rd., 02-295-2801/-5) offers moving services in and around Bangkok. You can choose from four different truck loads (B3,500, B4,500, B7,500, B9,500), depending on how much stuff you have. All packing, wrapping, boxing, lifting, moving, unpacking and relocating services are included. All moving related equipments and gears such as cardboard boxes and protective pads are included. Nationwide and international services are also available.
✚ Leo Logistic & Moving (827/13 Rama 3 Rd., 02-295-0800) is another all-in-one helper. You can choose from two different truck loads (B6,000, B15,000-20,000, depending on the width of the truck). All moving related equipments and gears are included. Nationwide and international services are also available.
✚ JVK International Movers (222 Krungthep Kreetha Rd., Huamark, 02-379-4646. www.jvkmovers/com) can help you wrap, pack, move and unpack everything from your place. Prices start from B8,000 for a pick-up truck and B12,000-15,000 for big 6-wheel truck. Same as Leo Logistics, nationwide and international services are available.