Dellboy218

Rice Rubber Maize

When are the Thai farmers going to grow something, that the markets actually want?

Like organic food, a steady growing market, where they apart from being able to make a living without handouts, don't have to poison the soil and surrounding waterways as an added plus!

What would you suggest they grow then? How much of a handout do you think the poor rice farmer has had? By their very definition they are poor, poor farmers are subsistence farmers, if they are lucky they grow enough for the family to eat, there is none left to sell to make use of the much advertised subsidy. That goes to others. Rubber? To try and help the poor farmer some years ago the government of the day encouraged them to grow rubber and even subsidised the purchase of young trees, that in itself was subject to another corruption scandal as many trees were of poor quality or in fact, dead, 7 years later when the trees have matured and they can earn some money, the government changes the price plummets, of course they are not happy. One government tells them to send their money and grow one crop and the next government tells them to rip it up. Organic food? I wouldbe interested in a soil analysis unless you are talking hydroponics.

Have a look on here for a general idea of whats available and prices.

www.chiangmai2car.com

the price is meaningless without understanding what's included and if there is a good regular customer base that doesn't rely on tourists then presumably the figures will speak for themselves. Just ask around how much it costs to equip a restaurant and establish a loyal customer base - the number of (good) places that open and fold are a testament to how people underestimate what a slog it can be.

Just looking at the key money, over a ten year ownership that would equate to 44k p/m before rent, power, staff, products etc. etc.

Let's hope that customer base stays loyal. Never mind all numbers of possible political, social (and even natural) turmoil that is quite probable within that timeframe.

If 5.3m isn't pocket change I would recommend something a bit more stable.

When he sold Happy Pizza, the customer base stayed loyal, and moved to his new place Yummy Pizza.

In the end the new owner of Happy Pizza walked away losing 100% of the key money.

The new owner wasn't very happy that he bought a business with no customers.

That might have had something to do with the person that took it over. Leaving your young children to play with TV remotes next to a bar is not the best way to keep customers. It lost him this one anyway.

Why not teach / tell the rubber farmers who to grow something else?

Why do they keep growing crops that are not in demand?

Probably because not so long ago the Government of the day pushed rubber growing as a way to help the farmers lot. They subsidised the growing and purchase of young trees. That in itself subject to a corruption investigation over claims of poor quality stock and quite a lot being dead, a bit of a give away. The farmer then patiently waits 7 years for his surviving trees to produce, the Government changes, the price drops form around 180 down to 60B and the Government of the day tells those self same farmers to cut their trees down, sell the wood and grow whatever is being pushed this month that someone somewhere will make a buck out of. Somewhat cynical but not too far from the truth.

mate, I got my 5 year licence last month and it was just under 1,500 baht all up, I did list the costs in here somewhere so others would know what they are. You get the choice of 1 year or 5 year licence after the first year, a 1 year licence does not need you to do the tests(pulling the strings and the light tests) but the 5 year one does.

You shouldn't have to do any kind of test when you get the five year because you already did it before when you got the one year in the first place . Unless things have changed ......

Renewed my 5 year earlier this year, had to watch the safety video and a do couple of the eye tests including colour blindness..

You can pretend to be Thai and try to wing your way into national parks for 20 baht.

A favourite boast of some holders.

Why do you say it is a boast? In some places, not as many as one woud like perhaps, it does work and always worth a try

North end of Moon Muang, follow the road left onto Than on Sri Poom, take the first 'U' turn, just there on the left there is a shop selling Police and military gear, they also sell gas powered plastic ball firing BB guns, or at least they used to.

From my own personal and very humble point of view I would not be cutting plugs off or changing anything until I had checked it. I appreciate you may not for whatever reason be able to check it but if it was my own humble self I would:

1. Have a look at the main cable as it enters the machine to see if it is in actual fact 3 core with the earth connected to metallic parts.

2. Use an Ohm meter to see if there is any impedance between those same metallic parts and the third pin of the plug. If there is something less than a couple of Ohms then there is no point to cut it off.

3. Have a look at the socket and see if there is anything connected to the third pin.

4. If so then use a Voltmeter to see if you can read anything across to the live or the neutral. If you end up with nowt then its not connected.

5. Normal earth rods are heavy copper coated steel. Bang one into soft moist ground with some heavyish cable. Small cable will not be able to ground nasty fault currents. Then you have a choice of connecting it to the third pin or to the body of the machine.

6. I would expect leakage to occur through transformers, motors and heaters if fitted.

7. Regardless of earth or no earth fit a Safe T Cut of which ever flavor catches your fancy, ELCB or similar. Something that will take out the supply before it does you permanent injury. Google Safe T cut and you will see pictures of them, they can be stand alone or built into the consumer unit. They are a life saver.

I wouldn't know if they are exactly the same species but the local giant variety do seem to have a penchant for slug bait, usually get a couple turn dead up after putting some down. I understand they can be painful but fortunately I have yet to savour that!

Taking it that this vacuum uses an induction motor and not a commutated motor. an induction motors speed is indirect relation to the frequency of the supply. As this came from the U.S. it will be for 60hz, here it is 50hz. This means that motor will running a 5/6ths its rated speed. This will reduce the rated power output from the motor, reduce any cooling effect from its fan and it will probably be taking more current to achieve it.

Interesting, thanks. Can a transformer change the frequency or is that unlikely or not possible?

No it cannot, a transformer can only change the voltage. As an example, a 2 pole motor on 60Hz will have a rated speed of 3600rpm, 60 x 60, simple. The same motor on 50Hz will be 60 x 50, 3000RPM. If the motor requires cooling with its own fan then this is not going to give the same effect. Some motors are designed to operate on 50 or 60Hz and will have two sets of performance figures, others however are not. You can change the frequency by changing the supply to DC then passing it through an inverter to give whatever frequency you like. This is used on soft start systems where the motor is started slowly and is ramped up. Hope that helps.

Amorn sell stepdown transformers, they are in Big C on Hangdong Road and Big C extra, the old Carrefour place. Their main store is in Icon Square on the northwestern side of the moat. As it is likely taking more than the stated current buy one with some spare capacity but do not expect the vacuum to perform the same as in the states.

Taking it that this vacuum uses an induction motor and not a commutated motor. an induction motors speed is indirect relation to the frequency of the supply. As this came from the U.S. it will be for 60hz, here it is 50hz. This means that motor will running a 5/6ths its rated speed. This will reduce the rated power output from the motor, reduce any cooling effect from its fan and it will probably be taking more current to achieve it.

That's too bad. Having speeding cameras in Chiang Mai would ruin my day if I lived there. Move to Ubon where their is only the occasional police road check where they only ticket motor bikes for no helmets and current license . Never see them stop automobiles nor heard of anyone getting a ticket here in Ubon for speeding.

On the other hand Ubon is the only place I have ever had Police point a radar gun at me!

Rayong had some very nice beaches. It is now admitted that some oil may reach them.

May problem with the reporting on this is that it all sounds like "newspeak".

"Everything is under control".

It would be nice to hear from someone other than the perpetrators - PTT - or the government news agency

PERPETRATORS? So that's it then, signed sealed and delivered M'Lud. Guilty as charged. Unless of course you read a different article. I read it was a mechanical failure. Pipes crack, Valves leak, Flanges work loose. It happens. They fixed it. These things happen with the best will in the world. What they do and how they respond to an incident is a measure of the company involved. Of course they could be telling "porkies".......

Have a look on Ebay

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=m570.l3201&_nkw=bmw+din+power+sockets&_sacat=0

you might find something of use here.

These are BMW DIN power sockets, they are like a half size car power socket and fitted to BMW and other bikes. You can also find a range here, at a price...http://www.nippynormans.com/products/chargers-and-sockets/charging-sockets/orderAZ/page1

they also make an adaptor from DIN to standard power socket which is what I use with an Amorn 120B USB charger. If nothing else, being more compact it will be easier to find somewhere to mount it on your bike.

I was looking at KK to CM a few minutes ago, it's about 12 hours plus by bus

Correct because it goes through all the mountains Nam Nao through Lom Sak then Khao Khor on to Phitsanulok then up,it travels all the way across country first through some of the twisty scenic but deadly IMO roads there are.

Last time I drove that, 4 months ago, they were starting road widening works from Phitsanulok through Nam Nao, through Khao Kho to the Lom Sak intersection. May get a bit mucky if its raining and might end up with some delays.

This one called a modular helmet, not flip up.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Every-single box I saw Bilmoa, LS2, Shark had flip-up written on it for some reason. Well now I know more:)

Shoei is out of the question, too expensive, either I have something within 4-5k range or nothing at all.

Modular generally refers to helmets where the chin bar can be easily and completely removed converting them from a full face to an open face helmet. Stick with the term ''flip up'' most people will understand.

I own two Bell helmets in your price range.

One is an EVO Revolver with an articulated mandibular section (Modular Design). It is DOT certified.

The second is a Vortex Full Face, it is DOT and Snell certified.

There is no such thing as a Snell certified Modular Helmet.

If you drive very fast or your driving style is akin to our Thai brethren, Snell certified is the way to go.

Short trips around town and minimal highway driving... a DOT certification should be fine for that usage.

Fit is a personal comfort thing, it should be snug but not vice-like in it's grip. Who wants to end every long ride with a headache? As one poster mentioned the foam will eventually compress some but maybe not enough to make an actual size difference. Look at the heels of your running shoes for example.

I get great service from both of these helmets and the flip down sun shade on the EVO is a nice feature if you start your ride in the sun and finish at night. The linings are also removable for cleaning, a good thing in this climate. You could also opt for a Transitions face shield that will darken or lighten based on the amount of sunlight. Great addition, but it will amost double the price of your helmet.

F1

If by 'Modular' you mean a flip up then you might like to have a look at web bike world, I think you might find there are Snell certified flip ups

There is nothing wrong with flip up helmets. There maybe a problem with poor quality helmets.

These websites might help you decide

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm ( There is a wide range of helmets reviewed)

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ This is a British Government test site. The tests obviously do not include the overall finish and fit/comfort of the helmet.

If nothing else, these sites might give you an idea of what to look out for in a helmet.

I differ from Rubbersidedown and would go for the larger size helmet. This is very much a personal decision based on the shape of the helmet and ones head. The Web Bike World reviews makes it clear.

One thing I would go for is the best ventilation you can get with a helmet allowing plenty of air through.

You might like to consider importing your helmet instead of buying a local brand. I have always used a German company that has very good prices and is reliable on shipping.

Damned fast work by salvors to right that capsized ship! Or is that 30(?) degree list the furthest she got I wonder.

Best of wishes to my fellow seamen who are missing. It must be difficult to find them if they didn`t bring a VHF or other localization equipment on board their raft. But if their rafts are anything like the rafts I am used to, they should be able to survive high seas and collect rainwater. So keep on searching.

Hardly High Seas at 4/5 metres, a 7000 tonner should have handled that without any problem. I guess the aftermath will be in the journals for lessons to be learned.

I appreciate you opinion, but I would consider 4/5 meter waves to be high for an emergency raft, though it should be able to handle that.

Bangladeshi seamen without the skills needed to run a cargo ship? And, the Thai government wants to hire 50,000 Bangladeshi fishermen?

A ship needs more than the skills of its crew. I am sure Espen, with whom I have just been swapping stories with, will agree with me that Those skills have to be matched by a company that is committed to their property and those that operate it. This sounds like they might not have been.

Best of wishes to my fellow seamen who are missing. It must be difficult to find them if they didn`t bring a VHF or other localization equipment on board their raft. But if their rafts are anything like the rafts I am used to, they should be able to survive high seas and collect rainwater. So keep on searching.

Hardly High Seas at 4/5 metres, a 7000 tonner should have handled that without any problem. I guess the aftermath will be in the journals for lessons to be learned.

I appreciate you opinion, but I would consider 4/5 meter waves to be high for an emergency raft, though it should be able to handle that.

I certainly would agree with that, any sea in a liferaft is high but not for a 7000 tonner that is why everyone is told that your best lifeboat is the mother ship and you stay with that until the last A well found ship of that size, even a 23 year old one should have had no problems. FXE120 maybe right but I hope not.

Best of wishes to my fellow seamen who are missing. It must be difficult to find them if they didn`t bring a VHF or other localization equipment on board their raft. But if their rafts are anything like the rafts I am used to, they should be able to survive high seas and collect rainwater. So keep on searching.

Hardly High Seas at 4/5 metres, a 7000 tonner should have handled that without any problem. I guess the aftermath will be in the journals for lessons to be learned.

Use Sygic on my Galaxy. Sygic uses Tom Tom maps. Another alternative is route 66. If its an Android you have then download straight from Google Play.

Seen them some time ago in the sports department of Robinson's, Airport Plaza.