madmitch

Good luck with your boss's friend.

I had exactly the same problem and also visited two offices, Central and the big one on the road between Chalong and Central, received promises of at least a phone call to say they were looking into it but got nothing.

A short time ago, I rang one of the numbers on the original sign-up form and got a helpful English speaking lady who told me to unplug my modem for 15 minutes and they would reset it. Amazingly, this worked, and I had a much better, though not completely uninterrupted service, for the next month or so, though last time the line went down, I souldn't get through on this number.

Unfortunately, I am not in Phuket at the moment, so I cannot give you the number, but have a look at your original form.

Are there anyother light beers available in Thailand?

I think San Miguel started this new trend and, yes, San Miguel Light tastes like water. I also made a mistake and bought a can of Singha Light, just because it was there and it tasted even weaker than the San Miguel, which I thought impossible.

Chang made for export has always had a lower abv for some reason. Also as well as Chang Light, they have also introduced bottled Chang Draft.

If the Thai brewing industry is following an American trend then maybe in a few years we may see microbreweries start to proliferate. Which begs another question; are there any localised (legal!) breweries in Thailand, apart from the brewpubs? I'm not aware of any (even Phuket Beer is now brewed by San Miguel).

As I stated in a previous topic.

ALL THE WORLD CUP GAMES ARE BEING SHOWN LIVE ON THAI TV. THAT MEANS IF YOU HAVE UBC, THE COMMENTARY WILL BE IN ENGLISH.

Blimey I feel a bit hoarse now.

I hope you are right but if you remember the last World Cup, Thailand took a very nationalistic approach and refused to allow English language commentary on the state channels, even on UBC. I can't remember whether they showed the matches with ads taking up most of the screen every five minutes or not. Of course, the expert summarising at half time and after the game will only be in Thai, the presenters decked out in this years favourite line in tracksuits.

If you are watching in bars, it'll be worth looking out for those with satellite or cable as the African coverage will probably be better.

Hello,

We've been with Tot for about 3 months now in Bangkok (Sukhumwit - near Phrom Phong). In the last few weeks, the access to various sites seems to have got a lot worse.

We're on the silvercyber package (512/256) and have been very happy up until now. Most sites are working just fine and if we download from a working site, it goes quickly enough; therefore I don't think it's a problem with the local connection. I've tried resetting the router to factory settings (it's a Tot-supplied router). There are certain sites which just cannot be loaded - Firefox reports that "the site took too long to respond" (or similar wording).

Hi Gents,

I too have exactly the same problem, I've just spent the last 24 hours trying to work out why this was occurring to no avail. Traceroute reports the route fine and ping works ok but it doesn't allow connections to http (port 80) for some reason.

My list of problem sites is:

http://www.drc.gov.uk/newsroom/website1.asp

http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/

http://www.emirates.com/

http://cvm.eq2guilds.org/en/index.vm

http://www.eq2players.com

http://eq2.eqsummoners.com/

I am really curious to hear about your 'workaround' solution, please share

Cheers,

Dominic

I'm on TOT in Phuket and these sites seem fine from here (as are the first two on this thread) so it's not a TOT issue. Emirates took three attempts to load but I spent a long time on the site yesterday booking flights so there is not a problem here. I haven't a clue if thyey use the same or different servers in Bangkok.

If you want a price from Emirates, their own website www.emirates.com prices are often cheaper than those available from agents when travelling from BKK. Also it's worth signing up with their frequent flyer, book online and you get extra miles. And they fly to Gatwick.

THree that haven't received a mention:

Phoenix Nights

Mind Your Language

Up Pompeii

I'm looking to buy a decent SLR camera.

Would I get the best deal in England or when I come into Thailand? Are any of the surrounding countries worth looking into for buying camera equipmant like Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam and China?

Oh, and the same goes for mobile phones.

Many thanks in advance.

I've been checking this out myself recently and if it's a digital SLR you want then the UK is cheaper than Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore for some reason, particularly if you buy online. Not sure about Hong Kong or China.

You may also find the newer models not available in Thailand.

Are you sure ?

"The Election Commission has decided to hold another round of by-elections in the 13 constituencies where Thai Rak Thai party candidates standing unopposed failed to muster 20% of the eligible votes in Sunday's polls.

EC secretary-general Ekkachai Warunprapa said the third round of polling would take place on Saturday while candidacy registration is scheduled for tomorrow."

The above is from todays Bangkok Post and Phuket District 2 is one of the remaining constituencies without an MP, therefore I am sure there will be an election in Phuket, what I don't know is where. Where are Districts 1 and 2?

There's going to be a by-election on Saturday 29th in Phuket District 2. Does anyone know where this is and does it include the main tourist areas? If so this will mean another night (or two) when the bars are closed and tourists are wandering around, wondering what to do with themselves.

My vote went to EPL because I think the 'branding' itself (that others have stated clearly is mostly initiated by Thais themselves for fincancial purposes) takes away from national team spirit and sports character. Take any group of 20 teenagers from around Thailand and ask them to name 5 players of the Thai national team. Will atleast half of them be able to do it?? I doubt it. Then, ask those same kids to name 10 players from the English national team...Chances are they will not only be able to name 10 players from the English squad, but also tell you their EPL teams.

And how does this affect the big picture? Ultimately, it's one of the driving factors why the Thai national team hasn't had a shot at even participating in a world cup (please correct me if I'm mistaken)

If the Thais had a decent professional football league of their own then it might, just might, gain some interest, but when your choices of who to support are the likes of Krung Thai Bank or the Tobacco Monopoly then it's no surprise that there is so little support. Money needs to be invested, local identity needs to be instilled and decent pitches need to be laid. Then attract some interest by employing a couple of EPL or other European has-beens, get the better Thai players to stay in their own country, promote the game properly and this will not only generate support from the masses but improve the Thai national team.

Mr. Phuwanat insisted that the 41 orangutans have died of respiratory illnesses triggered by heavy rain between February and April

They come from the rainforest <deleted>

A negative reply to start.

TOT's own ADSL is very poor. The line is down at least two days a week on average and the speeds are generally no faster than dial-up (which I need to use regularly as back-up). On a good day I have downloaded a 12MB file in under 5 minutes but those days are the exception. I have measured my bandwidth at times and speeds have been from 20KPS to 300KPS (I have the 1MB package) but sadly something near the lower end of that scale is the norm.

It's cheap by Thai standards, though not by international standards these days, but I suppose you get what you pay for.

I'll be interested in any suggestions for a better provider.

[i've just bought a number of DVDs from Best of British, based in Pattaya but they'll EMS anything. Good quality, not the cheapest but for British comedy etc probably the widest choice you'll find. Minder and Fools and Horses on the list. Email for details.

[email protected]

[OK on KSC dial-up (which I am using because TOT ADSL is down yet again and the back-up TRUE dial-up has decided to not recognise my user ID/password after about an hour's use and trying to get through to them is a nightmare!)

I've been unable to connect to TOT Online (dial-up) for a couple of days now. My PC gets as far as checking the UserID/Password, but there's no response from TOT. Is it just me? Or is TOT Online down at the moment?

I got a 2,700 baht connection with TOT in Chiang Rai city area. Since yesterday my connection has been unacceptable. I can get online and do what ever with patience, but listening radio, watching tv or playing online games is impossible.

What area are you in and others experiencing problems or everything smooth?

I guess there is nothing we can do untill monday when their office opens...?

TOT ADSL is regularly down in Phuket, though recently it has been better. I'm currently on my TRUE dial-up back-up.

Yesterday, the connection was very good for TOT, allowing me to download Google Earth in a little more than 2 minutes. Very unusual.

One of the top stories in Sweden right now. Swedes are usually very sensitive about things like this, so count on a few percent less drunk swedes in Phuket in the coming months.

Correct. Two of my guests received a text message half an hour ago, first they had heard of the "threat". I showed them this thread and put their minds at rest.

Absolutely no signs of any related activity (i.e running to the hills, evacuation, panic) here in Karon.

You could try going to departures concourse and doing a deal with a cabbie dropping off. I reckon 400bht is OK for the sake of an argument. Let us know how you get on! I'm there in June!

Noi chance with an official limo andI can't say I'd advise hanging around trying to find an unofficial taxi for the sake of saving 50 baht.

Meter taxis are by far the best and cheapest way, about 450 baht to Karon (Patong is nearer) including the surcharge.

A very clever move, particularly with the element of surprise. If the election, as expected, takes place in April, none of the anti-Thaksin contingent within TRT can do anything other than stand for TRT, unless they want to sacrifice their political careers and the associated rewards, due to the 90 day rule (you have to be a member of the political party you are representing for 90 days to become an MP).

He will return!

Sorry Ricardo, I was writing mine when you posted the same

As a substitute for grapefruit juice try pomelo juice. Not quite as bitter but OK.

It's on sporadically on the cable channels (Supersport from South Africa and DD Sport from India) but you are in the hands of the guy who decides what sports programmes he chooses to show on any particular day so it's difficult for any bars to actually advertise that they are showing it.

The other day I showed Finland v Canada in full with no customers then had a crowd watching Sweden v Russia on the Indian channel. During the first period they cut away to show the end of a curling match, then after the second period, which was shown in full, they went over to an Indian sports talk programme and that was the last we saw of the ice hockey.

So, keep your eyes peeled. It may be on somewhere. Look for a bar showing Supersports. But don't be surprised if you don't get the whole game.

One 2 Go had an unreported incident a couple of weeks ago. My GF and daughter were on a flight to phuket and despite being over halfway to Phuket from BKK, the pilot announced that he was going to have to return to BKK. The reason was not stated and rumours abound about this sort of thing so I won't say any more other than to say that when the plane landed at BKK, ambulances and fire trucks were waiting as though they expected a problem. Fortunately the plane landed safely.

An alternative plane was arranged at Don Muang, so of course everyone had to collect their luggage and check in again. The plane was boarded and sat at the gate for an hour and a half before the pilot finally decided that the plane was not ready to fly, again for unknown reasons. My GF rang me (I had been waiting for her at Phuket airport). The time was 3:30, exactly the time that was stated on the board as the ETA. I went to the information desk to be told that the plane would be arriving at 3:30 as (re)scheduled! I told them that I didn't think this would be the case as the plane hadn't even taken off. They didn't believe me, though 15 minutes later the ETA had changed to "cancelled". Why had nobody informed Phuket Airport about this beforehand?

They finally arrived on an evening Thai Airways flight, Thai accommodating all the passengers, well those that hadn't gone home, by upgrading to a 747. Only 7 hours late.

I wonder what was wrong with the two One 2 Go planes? I'll still continue to use them, along with the other budget airlines as Thai are now too expensive, as are my preferred carrier on the BKK-HKT route, Banggkok Air.

Throughout the history of what is laughingly called "civilization", the biggest killers have been:

a. War (especially deaths of civilians)

b. Plagues such as the Black Death

c. Abuse of alcohol

h. Cigarette smoking

I don't know what d through g are.

Alcohol is surely the most expensive addiction in the world. It kills. It never gives life. Prime ministerial names aside, "intoxicate" means "to poison."

What do you mean "(alcohol) never gives life"? I would guess a high proportion of conceptions worldwide follow a good night out!

Can you imagine it: bars covering their booze displays with a blanket and a small A4 sign sayin "Beer sold here", the Johnnie Walker Classic golf tournament becoming the Hale's Blue Boy Open, people wearing Everton or Liverpool football shirts arrested on the spot and all alcohol brand websites will be added to the 800,000 already allegedly blacklisted in this country.

Whilst I can understand the desire to reduce alcohol consumption, is a blanket advertising ban going to help? The majority of Thai drunks drink Thai whiskey, mostly Samsong and Mekhong, and Lao Khao. Have you ever seen these products advertised on TV?

Enforcing the underage drinking laws by ID checks and a serious crackdown on drink-driving would be much more effective. The last tax hike obviously hasn't had the desired effect so we can probably expect more of the same.

Maybe it won't be as bad as the above article implies it may be. There must be some members of the Government with some common sense......... Or maybe not.

Sadly jetskis are now making an appearance in a bigger way on the quieter beach at Karon. I went for a swim yesterday to find four of these machines for hire at a very popular swimming point towards the southern end. The sea air was tainted with the odour of oil and the noise pollution, though not quite up there with the Harley Davidsons, was unpleasant in what was previously a relatively peaceful spot.

A friend of mine's son suffered serious brain damage in a jetski accident in Cyprus a few years ago and I have been concerned about safety ever since. Watching a young boy of about eleven years old riding at full pelt and other obviously inexperienced riders negotiating their way through the swimmers on the way to and from the shore were of particular concern.

They can't be banned but why can't they be restricted to less busy areas?

[best beer I have found here is Headbutt Strong Ale. Unfortunately it's only available at the Brewhouse in the airport, as far as I am aware.

The wheat beer at Tawandaeng is also pretty good