Dellboy218

No truth in that story at the moment. But if those UKIP nutters got elected very possible

UKIP nutters? and they are nutters because?

You are correct of course that most have a few hours lag. They are not real time. But that is not necessary. Publications like Lloyds list, Straits Times even and internet based websites will give vessels movements from which port to which port and approximate ETA. Otherwise get to know a shipping agent and ask them. They will have all the details anyone would want. Even if they know about AIS and the information available it will just be for confirmation of time and position. Of course you can always disable any transponder (did they have one?) but if you do the owners and charterers will be on your case almost immediately. At least in my experience of one going faulty. In this case it may be as simple as someone reading the newspaper. In case of imminent boarding we do have systems that will immediately ring alarm bells in various places ashore. Not much help to us of course. These systems are unlikely to be fitted to small coasters operating locally. Previous 'hits' have resulted in the vessel being discovered, even years later, operating under a different name and ownership. If you are going to sell the cargo you might as well sell the ship!

It is possible to set up a persistent monitoring system using satellite data that could help in detecting such hijacks.

It involves training people on ship detection and using satellite imagery and tracing the larger ships by the transponder signals known as AIS (Automated Identification of Shipping).

Unfortunately the system to set up is quite expensive - around $2-4m minimum, and needs a lots of satellite data (which can be done by the space agency GISTDA), which also costs money, but it would also help with the detection of oil spills etc.

If the Thai military, oil companies and ministries can put up the funds then the system, covering Andaman, Gulf of Thailand and the western part of the south china sea, could be in operation in about 4 months.

I presume they are waiting for the new budget?

//corrected for typo///

If I were a pirate planning a hi-jack I would use AIS tracking information to help select and plan hi-jacks, after the hi-jack has taken place I would disable the transponder.

The information is available online see :

for example see:

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/

search for Orapin

You get a friend in a shipping agents who will tell you what ships are stopping off for stores or transiting the area etc. You then have details of the upcoming vessels movements, a copy of the manifest including the number of crew. You will also find out if the ship is taking any cash for the crew. As an addition, physical details of the ship can be obtained including the draft and bunker fuel onboard which will then give you your options of where you can take it. I believe that will tell you all you need to know as to whether its worth your while. Much simpler for coastal traffic and much more likely!

It is possible to set up a persistent monitoring system using satellite data that could help in detecting such hijacks.

It involves training people on ship detection and using satellite imagery and tracing the larger ships by the transponder signals known as AIS (Automated Identification of Shipping).

Unfortunately the system to set up is quite expensive - around $2-4m minimum, and needs a lots of satellite data (which can be done by the space agency GISTDA), which also costs money, but it would also help with the detection of oil spills etc.

If the Thai military, oil companies and ministries can put up the funds then the system, covering Andaman, Gulf of Thailand and the western part of the south china sea, could be in operation in about 4 months.

I presume they are waiting for the new budget?

//corrected for typo///

AIS?(automatic identification system) Yes we do have a number of automated systems that track our movements. There are websites on the internet that any interested party can go to retrieve that data on any one they like. For its normal legal use this is for charterers and the like to see where there goods are. On the other hand of course, I presume it could be used for people with other intentions. The bureau in KL has been in operation for the best part of 25 years (?) although I am not sure what it has actually achieved. The only occurrence that seemed to stop the pirate attacks in the Malacca straits was the tsunami in 2004, it all seemed to go quiet after that. The only deterrent in the South China Sea I remember was about 20 odd years ago when a pirate boat attacked a Russian ship. However they must have been colour blind as apparently it was painted grey. The BBC reported at the time that all contact had been lost with the pirate boat. To answer another poster who asked how they could get the diesel out. I presume it was a very small coastal feeder and the diesel could have been cargo in which case its designed to be pumped out. So......switch the pumps on! I believe some ships do have weapons, I personally have never come across one in the last 40 years, save for a 12 gauge on one ship. I would not want to try to enter a number of ports around the world with any weapons on the ships manifest. Of course if you have weapons you have to be prepared to use them. Around the Horn of Africa some companies employ armed security guards. Strangely enough every one seems to be 'ex' special forces. They are heavily armed. The last lot that tried a sonic weapon found that it was not effective and jumped over the wall when the ship was boarded. Pirates - thieves, all the same

The police is doing a good job. Streets are safe, there is no major gang problem..

The main problem as I see it is the government inability to order the police to clear some major protest site, but that is more a political problem than a police problem. That a deranged monk be able to hire a private army, block a major road and create mayhem for 6 month is not acceptable.

Sorry but the police can't be held responsible for that, we are not idiots !

May I ask who this 'Deranged Monk' is of whom you speak? Just wondering.

How strange that in less than a week the Army can pay the farmers but the PTP exgovernment couldn't manage to do the same thing in more than 9 MONTHS.

My understanding is that when they had caretaker status, they were not able to borrow money as the government of Thailand. The army, however, can simply order banks to provide the loans necessary for the payments.

And the months they had before that?

Honda suffered during the floods a few years ago. Their factory was basically wiped out at that time, without much in the way of preventative measures to stop it happening again.

This news is a big about-turn from two years ago: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/31/us-honda-thailand-idUSBRE82U06B20120331

Even before they were affected by the floods they suffered quality problems and bad publicity to the point that Honda Japan warned them they would halt some production and/or move it elsewhere.

Quite a few places carry cheap gloves

Right across the street from Suriwong Bookstore is that helmet shop

Also on ChangPuak is another helmet store about 100 meters from the moat

on right with a large selection

So many little bike accessory shops in ChiangMai

Just watch as you ride anywhere & you will see a few with helmets etc

displayed. Just stop in your sure to find a pair for 200 baht or so.

just to add to your answer...........www.helmet2home.com

You could try Slime, goop or similar products in your tyres. Its remains effective for the life of the tyre. These particular brands may not be available but I have seen others. These are not to be confused by the sealants sold by Tesco which would also probably get you home but I believe there is a problem repairing the tyre once these have been used.

They did have them in Amorn, Big C, Hangdong Road a week or so back. About 1000B.

Amorn group in Bangkok has one, cheap Chinese brand "Uni-T".

The shop where I bought one is in the Ban Mor area in the bazar down to the chanal.

It is between is between Thanon Ban Mo and Thanon Atsadang.

If you want a more professional type (like Fluke), there are two shops in Thanon Atsadang;

one is near the corner at the bazar, the other a little down the road.

If you try a local Amorn shop, ask for a "voltage detector".

Uni-T and Fluke do make voltage detectors but they are for laying on or very close to a wire to indicate voltage present. They will most likely not indicate lower than 110Vac and will not go to any depth inside a wall. It would not be worth paying extra for a Fluke VoltAlert as neither is designed for the this purpose. What you need is something like the Chinese Mastech 6818 or the American Triplett Fox & Hound but sadly I have not seen either in CNX, except in my toolbox and sadly I am not in CNX at present.

Another way to save money is to replace the "old" aircon with newest aircon called "Inverter". Any brand has it, any Btu available, much less consumption compare with traditional aircon. ;-)

But are they? I have just bought a new aircon and spent a little time looking at the figures. Now I may be looking at this the wrong way but looking at the ...btu per watt per hour.... the inverter aircon of the size I waslooking at had a range of about 9 to about 20 with an average of 11.9. The non inverteraircon which was another 1000btu larger had a btu per watt per hour of 11.7. On those figures ....virtually the same. An inverter does give a soft start though which maybe advantageous to those using steel frames to mount the condenser unit to a wall.

Do you require a battery charge/maintainer that incorporates a desulphate cycle when required? If that is the case then the smaller Ctek type is certainly available

These whistle blowers need to grow up and stop acting like little children. Learn how to protest and not make fools of themselves.

The other mob play with matches!

How can this happen with today's technology and being so big the crew cannot see these monsters moving towards them .

Sure the technology is there...but the crew in the bridge haven't got a clue how to operate them.....

More likely too much technology. Too much time looking at electrical gadgets and not enough time looking out of the windows. An all too common failing these days, quite often the OOW does not have an AB or OS as look out and if they have just been busy in port it is possible the OOW was overdue for a rest period.

Been driving Chiang Mai to Amphur Det for over 20 years so if the route I use is of any use.........

Route 24 to Ubon

Route 23 to Roi Et

Taking the northern bypass route

Route 214 From the north end of Roi Et bypass turn right onto 2116

Route 2116 Towards Route 12. This is a wide single carriageway road, usually quite fast.

Route 12 To Khon Kaen The 2116 leads onto the 12, straight on at the lights.

Route 230 Turn left onto southern KK bypass

Route 12 Pick up Route 12 on the west side of KK (Note - Very few filling stations around the bypass)

Route 12 Takes you all the way to Phitsanulok through Khao Khor and Nam Nao national park, there is a lot of widening work on this road. Exiting Khao Kho is a Bangchak filling station on the left, clean toilets and a good place to stop for a breather

Route 126 Phitsanulok bypass. As you come into the town keep right and straight on at the traffic lights. All the way to Den Chai is dual carriageway from this point.

Route 126 A few Km up the road are traffic lights at a junction. Turn right for Chiang Mai

Route 11 To Uttaradit, this is a few Km up the road and hang a right at the lights. Be very careful here. The signposting is not that good. You will see a flyover. Do not go over the flyover, Keep to the left and turn right at the lights. You have to go under the flyover. There are a number of filling

stations on the left

Route 11 Uttaradit, straight on at all the lights, big PTT station on the left exiting the town after the last lights

Route 11 Denchai, turn left the dual carriageway ends a hundred odd metres up the road.

Route 11 To Lampang. A few Km up the road there is a fork in the road with very little signposting, the road actually takes the right fork. The mountain stretch through Phrae area starts here

Route 11 To Lampang. The dual carriageway starts a few kM south of town. As you drop down into town, take the turning left at the traffic lights, marked for Chiang Mai.

Route 1. This will take you to the traffic lights (just after the flyover) at the intersection of Route 1. Take a right

Route 1 All the way to Chiang Rai

PM me if you need any further info on that route

Why you going east to go to Chiang Rai ? Your driving an extra 120 k. when its only 975 km from Sisaket to Chiang Rai instead of 1100 km your way.

If you had bothered to read my post I did actually say I normally drive between Chiang Mai and Amphur Det. I do not normally go to Chiang Rai. I am merely passing along my experience. of this route which is most of the way the Gentleman wishes to drive. I know that route and places to stop. I am actually driving in a general North west direction not east. Perhaps you could add something constructive to the original posters question and pass along your vast knowledge of this route.

Leebie

If you do end up travelling through the Phrae hills there are a number of three laners. Buses and coaches think they have the right to use up all three lanes. May I suggest you do not drive this section during the hours of darkness. :I have met a few in the past overtaking on blind corners and I have had to go 'off' road to avoid an accident.

Been driving Chiang Mai to Amphur Det for over 20 years so if the route I use is of any use.........

Route 24 to Ubon

Route 23 to Roi Et

Taking the northern bypass route

Route 214 From the north end of Roi Et bypass turn right onto 2116

Route 2116 Towards Route 12. This is a wide single carriageway road, usually quite fast.

Route 12 To Khon Kaen The 2116 leads onto the 12, straight on at the lights.

Route 230 Turn left onto southern KK bypass

Route 12 Pick up Route 12 on the west side of KK (Note - Very few filling stations around the bypass)

Route 12 Takes you all the way to Phitsanulok through Khao Khor and Nam Nao national park, there is a lot of widening work on this road. Exiting Khao Kho is a Bangchak filling station on the left, clean toilets and a good place to stop for a breather

Route 126 Phitsanulok bypass. As you come into the town keep right and straight on at the traffic lights. All the way to Den Chai is dual carriageway from this point.

Route 126 A few Km up the road are traffic lights at a junction. Turn right for Chiang Mai

Route 11 To Uttaradit, this is a few Km up the road and hang a right at the lights. Be very careful here. The signposting is not that good. You will see a flyover. Do not go over the flyover, Keep to the left and turn right at the lights. You have to go under the flyover. There are a number of filling

stations on the left

Route 11 Uttaradit, straight on at all the lights, big PTT station on the left exiting the town after the last lights

Route 11 Denchai, turn left the dual carriageway ends a hundred odd metres up the road.

Route 11 To Lampang. A few Km up the road there is a fork in the road with very little signposting, the road actually takes the right fork. The mountain stretch through Phrae area starts here

Route 11 To Lampang. The dual carriageway starts a few kM south of town. As you drop down into town, take the turning left at the traffic lights, marked for Chiang Mai.

Route 1. This will take you to the traffic lights (just after the flyover) at the intersection of Route 1. Take a right

Route 1 All the way to Chiang Rai

PM me if you need any further info on that route

I believe you mean Dr. Sudhee. He is semi retired but works out of Chiang Mai Ram Monday and Thursday mornings. He was surgeon to the Kings late mother and a teaching professor. He bolted my spine back together and got me walking again plus a couple of minor operations. He is one of the best people that you could possibly see.

Along the same lines.....Solar reflective paint. Anyone got any personal experience with this product/brands. Although we do have insulation I would prefer it not to heat the roof up in the first place!

Big C Hangdong Road had 3M filtrette the other day with a 2nd pack for free attached, although admittedly a bit smaller than the main pack. Probably none left by now but might be worth looking.

Watched a Thai air Jumbo this coming coming into land, wheels down, final approach, nose lifted, power piled on and away he went, that happened twice, after that it went back to Bangkok

I suggest you try it, an empty fridge will consume more electricity. Why do you say leave the door open for as short as possible..............Because you are trying to cool a much bigger area, hence, make the area smaller. I said it might sound daft, I didn't say it was.

please yourself but if you are trying to cool a space, which is easier to cool, a large empty space or a smaller empty space?

It sounds daft because it is daft.

please yourself but if you are trying to cool a space, which is easier to cool, a large empty space or a smaller empty space? Or to put it another way If you are trying to cool a room which takes less energy to cool a small room or a large room? Reduce the space to cool you save energy, common sense pal!

I suggest you try it, an empty fridge will consume more electricity. Why do you say leave the door open for as short as possible..............Because you are trying to cool a much bigger area, hence, make the area smaller. I said it might sound daft, I didn't say it was.

please yourself but if you are trying to cool a space, which is easier to cool, a large empty space or a smaller empty space?

It sounds daft because it is daft.

This may sound daft but make sure the compressor works for as short a time as possible. The only way to run any fridge is full. If you are trying to cool an empty fridge the compressors will be running for a long period of time causing the problems you have mentioned. If you unable to fill the fridge then use polystyrene blocks, as an example, to fill up the empty spaces. Is any of it iced up? It takes energy to keep that ice. As others have said check the door seals. There has to be a reason why your compressor appears to be running a long time.

"The only way to run any fridge is full."

Tis daft.

Not nec. to fill fridge with foam, just open door for as short a time as possible.

Is comp running continuously? Then thermostat may be crook. Put a thermometer in the fridge - fridge part should be just above freezing - 0 - 5°C. Or defrost timer may be stuck to on - but thermostat should override it.

A power meter can give you some useful information such as power and energy consumption.

There may be a circuit diagram inside the lower back panel, covering the compressor.

I suggest you try it, an empty fridge will consume more electricity. Why do you say leave the door open for as short as possible..............Because you are trying to cool a much bigger area, hence, make the area smaller. I said it might sound daft, I didn't say it was.