lleviathan

I use mine day or night with no extra cooling. I have it sitting horizontally, and leave lots of space around it. Gets pretty warm, but I've had no issues. It's the older model, not the newer shiny black one. There's no AC in my tv room, just a big ass fan pointed at me, not the xbox/tv.

I did order a 220v power supply from ebay for mine (US model), as I heard using a transformer with the xbox caused problems.

Actually, one quick question. To show the bank balance, is a bank book proof enough, or do I need some kind of letter from the bank?

You can get a 60 day extension to either a tourist or non-o visa if you have a Thai spouse (don't know about other dependents). Same requirements as getting a new multi entry visa, no banking requirements. You can only get it once per visa, as far as I know, you can't back to back it.

I know I could have gotten a new 90 day stamp by doing a border crossing instead of an extension, but I tried that a couple of years ago (with a tourist visa) and the Mae Sai immigration gave me a 15 day stamp anyway, so it still required a trip to immigration to sort out. This time I figured the extension cost more, but saved me time. I did border runs or other trips this past year.

Thanks for the tips. I do know about the 100k and other document requirements. I was just worried about the timing.

Is this just a drop off one morning, pick up the next business day in the afternoon thing, or does it take longer?

I'm planning to go to Kuala Lumpur to apply for a new Multi entry Non-O (spouse) visa in October. I've got everything lined up as far as those requirements go. I am in Thailand on my first Non-O multi entry which expired on Sept 9. I extended my permission to stay for an additional 60 days, expiring on Nov 10. I got the extension so that my wife could come with me on a trip to Malaysia while she some vacation time from work, rather than me going by myself in September.

My question is this. If I have more than 30 days left on my permission to stay when I apply for the new visa, am I going to run into problems? Or does that last extension end as soon as I leave the country? I'm suddenly paranoid that we are in KL a week too early.

I have a Nokia Lumia 710 - Windows Phone 7 device. I'm pretty happy with it. I came from an older android that I was quite frustrated with. The Nokia has better sound, is much faster/smoother (the old phone was 3 years old, so that's to be expected) but I never feel like I am waiting for too much. For a mid-range price (9000 baht with a free bluetooth hands free) I am really happy. I wouldn't spring the 15k or more for the Lumia 800 or 900. In that range I might go back to an Android. Or just get an iPad.

As long as your amp is rated for/can handle the 4 ohm load, parallel is the way to go.

An Urgent Question from my mom!

I bought a Kindle Fire for my Grandson (and his dad, truth be told) and didn't realize he'd need a US credit card to register and download even free or very cheap Apps. Does anyone know if:

1) A debit card (from a Thai bank) can be used?

2) If I buy a pre-paid credit card in the US and send them the number, that will suffice?

As far as I know, the Kindle Fire is pretty crippled without a US credit card. All of the movie and music content, even the App store, is only available in America right now. (App store worked in Canada too. Movies and Music do not.) Amazon does not have content deals outside of the states for anything other than Books. It uses the address attached to the credit card to check. A pre-paid credit card might work, or registering a US credit card on the account and then buying gift cards.

I have the Kindle 3 wifi here in Thailand and it works flawlessly. I have a Canadian credit card tied to my Amazon account, so Amazon sells me books available to the Canadian store - which is most of them. I can download over wifi - I've never used USB to download purchases from Amazon but do use USB to my Mac together with a program called Calibre to get other books onto it.

I still don't know what the selling argument for Windows Phone might be... why would anyone buy this? If "because it's cheap" is the only answer, I see a bleak future ahead. "Because it's almost as good as Android" doesn't sound too convincing either...

It seems like Nokia's WMP value props. are:

it's not iOS or Android

it's different

the world wants a "3rd ecosystem"

and as you identify,

it's cheap

I'm not sure those assure the company of even a passing chance at success?

While I find the WMP UI interesting, just from watching Youtube videos, it seems like it might appeal to children, cool big, blocks and the elderly who are visually challenged by smaller type/displays?

I've been an android user since 2010. My experience with Android has been really poor. I bought into it because I wanted more flexibility than IOS, but quickly discovered that what I gained in flexibility I lost in quality. Granted I have an early generation phone (Milestone/Droid), but I've spent WAY too much time maintaining my phone - hacking, custom ROMs, etc, to either get a feature or two that I wanted from a newer version of Android, or just to get it to stay on all day without rebooting and force closing.

I still don't really want an iPhone. I am not a fan of the interface, nor am I fan of the lack of glance-able information. WP7 appeals to me because it has a different take on a smartphone interface, faster access to the information I use the most, an awesome email client, and tighter control over the hardware it runs on than android. I no longer want to buy a phone that lets me install an app that slows my phone down or eats battery life. I am savvy enough to fix that, but I don't want to have to.

The fact that WP7 is streamlined enough to be fast and fluid on lesser hardware is good in my books. If I can get a phone that feels fast to use all the time, why should I care how many cores it has, or about the processor speed. If it costs less because it's more efficient, I still win. I'd rather pay around 10k baht for a shiny new phone than around 20k.

That "big coloured blocks" interface will be all over PC's by the end of 2012, alla Windows 8

Check out this "smoked by windows phone" competition.

If you want a really entry level phone - but a solid performer - look at the LG Optimus One. Slightly older 2010 entry level model, but it has decent RAM (512Mb) and performs well. 3.2" screen, slightly low res 320x480. Might come with android 2.2 but there is an official 2.3 update out there. This phone is also really well supported by the modding/hacking community because it was a good low cost phone.

Should be around 4500 baht new though http://www.siamphone.com/price/ says its 5990. The LG Optimus Hub is 2011's updated version of the phone. Slightly faster CPU speed but listed at 7990 baht. At that price there are more options.

I don't think flash is a requirement on a smartphone, but there are usually hacks out there to put flash on any rooted android phone.

<br />Sorry to hijack the thread but the DTAC/3G/850MHz question's vaguely relevant...<br />

DTAC 3G should be on 850MHz, as is True. AIS and TOT are on 900MHz.

I have two Motorola Milestone's, one from Canada, one from Hong Kong. To make a very long story short - owning a Motorola anything has been a nightmare. In the 2.5 years I've had one, I've only had a working phone in hand for about 9 months. I'd stay far, far away.

Where in CNX are you? I'm near the airport, don't see 3G on my phone. What are your APN settings?

I have a Milestone, which Motorola dropped support for almost immediately. Using the stock 2.2.1 upgrade the phone was useless. Rebooting, crashing, etc. If you go for hacking your phone, go to the XDA forums and find the specific development forum for the model of your phone. Then check out the CyanogenMod. It will almost always be one of the most actively developed roms. MIUI is also really cool, if you have a phone newer than mine it should run it well, and you'll be blown away by the difference. I'd run MIUI if I could, instead I stick to Cyanogen 7. MIUI needs too much ram for my phone.

http://www.cyanogenmod.com/

http://forum.xda-developers.com/

http://miuiandroid.com/

I've got DTAC and a phone that would work with their 3G in Chiang Mai. They haven't rolled it out here yet. Its AIS or True at the moment.

<br />And from next week will be in WP 7.5.

Don't want to hijack the thread, but which phone you getting? Been keeping my eye out for a reasonably priced older WP7 phone, thinking that they might be cheaper once some of the new models hit the streets.

For AIS she will need the version with WCDMA/HSDPA 900/2100 - as AIS uses the 900 band. For True or DTAC she will need the 850/1900/2100 version as they use the 850 band. I don't know about True-H, it would make sense if it was on 850.

I have a Canadian (same as US) Xbox, and play online all the time. I haven't fiddled with proxies or anything. Lag is definitely an issue, but I only have the cheapest plan from 3BB. I can still get through matches of COD Black Ops. My only problems have been trying to purchase games, add-ons and etc. This is when you need a proxy. For gaming on live you don't need to do anything with proxies.

For the power supply, I'd been warned off of using a transformer, and finding a transformer beefy enough for the xbox seemed expensive, so I bought my 220v power supply off of ebay from the UK and had it shipped to Chiang Mai for about $30Can. When you pick one up, make sure you get the proper model for your xbox.

Check that here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907635

At Airport Plaza in Chiang Mai I'm pretty sure I saw a few shops with Galaxy Note boxes around IT City.

I use my Xbox over Live with 3bb's cheapest plan, and am able to play a passable game of COD Black Ops with friends in Canada. My ping definitely isn't the best, but I can certainly play and voice chat. This is with the Xbox also using a pretty poor wifi signal, so it's definitely a worst case scenario. I tend to play in the morning, because it is night back in Canada, whereas when I play in the evening, sometimes my connection is worse.

For the Xbox, just order a 220v power supply off of ebay. I've heard that transformers cause issues with the xbox, and a 220v power supply is probably cheaper than a transformer powerful enough for the xbox. Check this website to get the correct power supply for your box:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907635

I believe the ps3 already has a universal power supply. 110/220

Legit games are really hard to come by - you can't buy things off of xbox live without going through a proxy/vpn. Many games are region locked as well, so you might have to go ahead and order off of Amazon, or get friends back home to send you gifts. Unless you mod. I haven't modded because I like playing on Live.

Playing online works alright for some games. I routinely play COD black ops between Chiang Mai and Canada with passable lag with 3bb's lowest priced plan.

Unless you have an aftermarket power supply already, most were either 110 or 220v. It works just fine to get the 220 power supply. I bought my 220v power supply off of ebay and had it shipped to Chiang Mai for about $30. When you pick one up, make sure you get the proper model for your xbox.

Check that here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907635

on the power adapter there should be stated something about the volts.

110 v / 230 v

if the above is mentioned then you're in the clear for just another cable.

If your visa ends in July then go for a border run the day before it expires and you will get a bonus entry with a 90 day stamp.

Making the 1 year visa valid for stay in Thailand for 15 months.

Then you can take your 60 day extension.

From Police order 777/2551

2.24 In the case of an alien visiting a Thai spouse or child:

Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 60 days at a time.

(1) Proof of relationship.

(2) In the case of a spouse, their marital relationship shall be de jure (legitimate) and de facto.

I am here on a triple entry tourist visa, and have 1 entry left - should be able to extend until early May. I am married to a Thai woman - would I qualify for this extension, or does it only apply if I currently have a Non-O visa? I only need an additional 60 to 90 days after May, just wondering if this is better/easier than trying for back to back tourist visas.

Cheers