iSabai

I suspect that most, if not all of the Thai tourist guides can't speak fluent or maybe any Chinese. How can they possibly be of any use to Chinese tourists that can't understand them?

No they will just sit back and complain,, it's easier.

Sitting back and complaining like you're doing then ozyjon? Tell me, did everyone in the UK run out and learn Polish to accommodate all the immigrants from that country? Did everyone in Oz run out and learn Vietnamese to accommodate all the immigrants from that country? Did everyone in the US run out and learn Spanish to accommodate all the immigrants from Latino speaking countries? Did everyone in Canada run out and learn American to accommodate all the immigrants from that country? (Okay, being facetious on that last one... )

Seriously though, do you really think it's as easy as a simple snap of the fingers to instantly have Thais learn other languages? And Russian, Chinese, Hindi of all of them?? I'd like to see you do it.

No, but they weren't guides, were they?

I guess your way of thinking a professional English to Hungarian translator would have a legitimate complaint if they got turned down for a job because they didn't speak Hungarian.

PS the "like" I gave you was a mistake. I was looking for the quote button.

Not sure exactly what you meant by that KB, with the Eng. --> Hung. thing. But I just find it rather smug of people to think that just because there's Chinese and/or Russians coming to Phuket that Thais would instantly learn those languages. It's just not a reasonable expectation.

If Thai laws keep qualified native speakers of whatever language from working here in tourism related fields, then that's another issue. I have no problem with native speakers working with their countrymen. But blaming Thais for not speaking those languages is a (just barely) subtle form of Thai-bashing.

PS, You can 'unlike' something you've 'liked' once you already 'liked' it then changed your mind.

I suspect that most, if not all of the Thai tourist guides can't speak fluent or maybe any Chinese. How can they possibly be of any use to Chinese tourists that can't understand them?

True, Thais need to learn a 2nd language if they want to work with a specific group of people and not just sit back and complain.

No they will just sit back and complain,, it's easier.

Sitting back and complaining like you're doing then ozyjon? Tell me, did everyone in the UK run out and learn Polish to accommodate all the immigrants from that country? Did everyone in Oz run out and learn Vietnamese to accommodate all the immigrants from that country? Did everyone in the US run out and learn Spanish to accommodate all the immigrants from Latino speaking countries? Did everyone in Canada run out and learn American to accommodate all the immigrants from that country? (Okay, being facetious on that last one... )

Seriously though, do you really think it's as easy as a simple snap of the fingers to instantly have Thais learn other languages? And Russian, Chinese, Hindi of all of them?? I'd like to see you do it.

Im pretty sure there is or was a spanish speaking person that owned bar in Laguna night bizarre

I really hope you meant 'night bazaar'. But then being Thailand and all...

Its both a bazaar and bizare

Okay, got it. Sounds like a win-win situation.

Im pretty sure there is or was a spanish speaking person that owned bar in Laguna night bizarre

I really hope you meant 'night bazaar'. But then being Thailand and all...

well, lets see what the death toll is for this years Thai new year, can someone post the figure when they know, i reckon for the whole of Thailand less the 10

From the Bangkok Post around noon on Saturday the 13th:

A total of 62 people were killed and 496 injured in 465 road accidents nationwide on Friday, the second of Songkran's "seven dangerous days" (April 11-17), the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Saturday.

The department on Friday reported the road death toll at 39.

Combined accidents over the first two days reached 791, with 101 deaths and 838 injuries, according to the department.

Chiang Mai had the most road accidents at 18. Provinces with the most fatalities were Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Roi Et and Prachuap Khiri Khan, with three each. Prachuap Khiri Khan had the most injuries at 21. Accident-free provinces were Si Sa Ket and Trat.

The main causes of the accidents were drunk driving and speeding. Motorcycles and pickup trucks were involved in the largest number of accidents.

this is horrible and almost surreal. no sound of a gun and the background noise just seems like business as usual. RIP good citizen

No muzzle flash either. Must be a low calibre - possible .22.

This guy was focussed, he even had the presence of mind for a second shot. Would not be at all surprised if he has killed before.

I hope the police catch him soon, before he takes another life.

Might be time for Phuket's gold shop owners to revise their security measures, which appear nonexistent at this shop.

RIP the victim.

You've been watching too many movies NKM.

Even a .22 can have muzzle flash if it's a higher velocity round.

The tuk-tuk drivers are a bit like the old fashioned trade unions. The owners and the tuk-tuk drivers that are close to them are the real baddies here. You can tell which are the favoured tuk-tuk drivers and thus the arse-holes, they are the ones that have the most favourable spots. Most of the other tuk-tuk drivers are just regular guys.

PS I'm certainly not defending the tuk-tuk cartel, just letting you know that I have met some tuk-tuk drivers who were OK people.

Good point. These guys are well organized, but not for the good of the common driver. They're organized to make money for the ones that control them. They are the real culprits. And they are the ones raking it in.

I have a feeling that the people who run the Patong faction might know something that we don't. Maybe....just maybe, they have been told that this bus is going to happen come hell or high water and it would be best to be on the winning side and avoid losing face, power and prestige.

Of course, this could be <deleted>, but, it's the only reason that I can think of why the Patong faction are not opposing the bus service.

Though somewhat speculative, this does make some sense. Possibly a rift between the two factions? I can see that as a plus in the sense that it leaves the 'consumers' out of it while they hash it out amongst themselves.

Only time will tell...

More likely that the Patong boys have got message from their mayor to avoid more bad reputations so keep out of any conflict and media because the bus service will never start anyway.

And that's the other side of the coin Felt 35. Which is why I say it's purely speculation on our part. Whatever happens will not be affected by what we opine here. And although it makes for good ranting and whinging posts, what we speculate about here really don't mean <---->. It only serves to satisfy our own penchant for ranting and whinging.

I have a feeling that the people who run the Patong faction might know something that we don't. Maybe....just maybe, they have been told that this bus is going to happen come hell or high water and it would be best to be on the winning side and avoid losing face, power and prestige.

Of course, this could be &lt;deleted&gt;, but, it's the only reason that I can think of why the Patong faction are not opposing the bus service.

Though somewhat speculative, this does make some sense. Possibly a rift between the two factions? I can see that as a plus in the sense that it leaves the 'consumers' out of it while they hash it out amongst themselves.

Only time will tell...

Holy shit (pun intended)! This thread has taken on a life of its own. May just be worthy of its own Forum here on TV.

Mods: take notice!

phuket alpha confirmed its the HDD drive. they told me 6500baht for a new HDD! OMG, i can get on one ebay for $80, that's about 2400 baht. also they said 1600 baht service charge to put it in, same thing on a pc about 300 baht, i guess mac's are expensive

anyhow, the ebay seller is going to replace it so no problem

i'm not a mac user so i don't want to spend a lot on one. i just need one to port my pc app to mac and ipad

Yeah, Alpha does charge a service fee to look at your stuff. But I found they were honest & fair, and helpful in my case. They did replace a device that was under warranty from Apple USA for me at no charge though. I was really happy about that!

Thx for the update, good luck with the computer.

As a related side note, immediate treatment for acid burns, or other chemical burns like caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) would be to apply a liberal and continuous water stream or soaking for several minutes to dilute it and rinse it away. The OP did the right thing in that regard.

Also, any blistering or exposed open flesh or tissue should be well cleaned and checked to prevent infection. Scary and dangerous stuff.

I guess the OP did the right thing by using lot's of water to soak the solution away.

I'm just thinking that the solution could have been strong base(*), same as NaOH? So in cases when not sure what the solution is, it's better to just use water and then seek for medical help.

(*) Is Base correct word for liquids with ph > 7 ?

As I understand it yes. With a pH of 7 being neutral then < 7 would be acidic, >7 would be base (or a basic) solution. I ain't no scientist, but I worked with lots of hazardous materials back in my farangland life, and had some basic training in handling them.

But as many know, pH is not the sole determiner of hazardous solutions. The common example is Coca Cola which has a pH of 2 (or thereabouts) but is not hazardous (though some might argue that). Other citrus drinks like OJ or lemonade would also have a low pH from the citric acid in them, as would vinegars (acetic acid). And then there's vitamin C (ascorbic acid).

And at the other end, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an alkali, and used to remedy or neutralize heartburn (acid stomach). But then, you wouldn't want to counteract an attack from sulfuric acid on your skin by pouring caustic soda on your skin to neutralize it!

2006!!!A computer year is equal to at least two normal years. That computer is positively ancient.Get a cheap note-book instead, a 2006 computer isn't worth spending money on.

HAve to agree with that. Spare parts, memory, chip sets no longer available after a few years. I change out my PCs after 3 years or at least upgrade memory etc while it's still available.

True that LiK. Add to that, the climate here ages electronics even quicker I think. I've a friend who swears by his six y/o Acer notebook (that he's always got problems with but, "hey it's just fine!"). Hope he's got his important stuff backed up.

So can we come up with some chic-ish frenchy-sounding name to call all of us "fat old tourists, retirees, drunk Englishman and Germans or even worse Russian tourist who hang around Patong & co. and have such a simple kind of stupid living. Talking simple Thai, making bad jokes and just get drunk..." types?

Like maybe les fattiche drunkieres...

As a related side note, immediate treatment for acid burns, or other chemical burns like caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) would be to apply a liberal and continuous water stream or soaking for several minutes to dilute it and rinse it away. The OP did the right thing in that regard.

Also, any blistering or exposed open flesh or tissue should be well cleaned and checked to prevent infection. Scary and dangerous stuff.

its 2006 but i expect its something simple like something loose in shipping. the ebay ad said its ok and if not, i just get a paypal refund

thanks iSabai, i'll try the alpha in big C tomorrow after i hear back from the seller

I'd be interested to hear how you made out, if you can post it here.

Is the dog still alive? If so, why?

We had the thread (now closed) about when this incident happened. Or when it was reported anyway. Not gonna get into that again...

But you are correct. And my guess would be it's still alive.

What about the English Computer Man just before the circle?

i've seen that place but i don't know if he does macs or is reasonably priced

its a

Apple MacBook Pro A1211 15" Core 2 Duo 2.3GHz 2GB 120GB Hard Drive

This auction will contain qty 1 Apple

A1211 MacBook Pro. This item has been tested and in working condition

and will come with a 14 day D.O.A warranty.

but its not worth sending it back to the US, better just fix it here and i expect a HD replace can't be that expensive

I should add Steve, re: Phuket Alpha, that the guy there told me they have trouble here in Thailand getting parts for older machines. So if it's really dated you may have a problem.

Probably best to email or call them first.