Hal65

I went to a school that now issues vol visas and they said it would be no trouble to issue another one.

I remember last year on this forum people were saying you couldn't get a vol visa without leaving the country, that info turned out to be out of date. So I think I'm okay this year too since the covid shot isn't mandatory.

I should clarify that I'm not seeking an extension. Essentially the vol visa will be a new one that I apply for within the Kingdom.

Hopefully that doesn't change anything!

My 1 year volunteer visa is ending in a couple months and I plan to get a new one here in pattaya. I was curious if Vaccination status is being considered on new visa applications or not. If it is, and is a big factor, I probably need to at least get the first vaccine as I don't have even the first shot yet.

Ended up just going to Immigration. They processed everyone's passports super fast, no need to fill forms or anything. I was in and out in maybe 25 minutes.

This is what I'm seeing on Chrome and Firefox:

I got my first vol visa last year. Was good for 1 year with 3 90 day check ins.

I'm coming up on expiration. Curious if others have gotten a second one in country without having to do a border run? That's what I did last year without a hitch.

Went to TukCom, then Big C South. Both closed. How about Central Festival or another location?

That chain who's name escapes me only has strength up to -6.50 and can not custom order -7. Does anyone know another option for buying higher strength contacts? I can't even import from the US as one needs a prescription.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/30143/thai-economy-no-longer-a-subject-of-global-interest-new-report-says/

Problems:

Quote

– The current key export products including electronics, automobiles, agriculture, and petrochemical will likely be outdated and face a downturn in demand.

– Thailand lacks cutting-edge infrastructure and mostly serves as a labor source for overseas manufacturers.

– The country’s economic institutions do not support long-term growth, and corruption concerns keep international investors at bay.

Solutions:

Quote

1. Improving the quality of manufacturing facilities

2. Expanding market size

3. Enhancing Infrastructure

4. Encouraging transparent economic institutions.

Past threads have said Vietnam is stealing interest and those who said that have been validated by the numbers.

So now, do you guys think any of the four solutions will be implemented? I know pessimism feels good but try to be fair about it. 

Personally, I exclude #4 right away. #2 seems unlikely here (philippines yes). #1 and #3 I don't know about and am curious what others have to say.

1 minute ago, hotchilli said:

It's a curfew.... what do you not understand?

How the voluntary nature of it translates to what police intend to do exactly after 9pm. Do you have any insight into this?

There is a new voluntary curfew in effect. Police will use some sort of pressure then. PattayaMail:

Quote

While not a mandate punishable by hefty fines and jail time as in Bangkok, its surrounding provinces and the Deep South, the stay-at-home “suggestion” will be vigorously enforced, with anyone out after 9 p.m. likely to be accosted by police demanding justification for late-night sojourns.

I get off work late so my only time to walk/run the beach is after 9pm. What exactly do police do to hassle you? Just check passport? Can they force you to go home?

If you get an Asus router model that has AsusWRT all you have to do is upload the .ovpn file supplied by the vpn provider.

Flashing DD-WRT is something i don't know much about. Involved process though

Any suggestions? My Go is no longer booting up correctly. The pointer is non responsive even though its little light shows correctly.

I'll go to bangkok if I have to.

Is there a bulletin board at Big C or a weekly paper that has ads for maids, movers, repair people etc?

I'm in Pattaya. My maid off Google has poor communication and sometimes skips out on a booking. Paying above market rates for this is doubly bad; I just need to know a better place than Google to find people.

Thank you! They have wooden type frames which is also the style at my place. I'm looking for a steel cage style, preferably tall off the ground (18").

I may buy a foundation if that is the only option though. Seems nowhere in Thailand carries the steel frames like this: https://www.amazon.com/Zinus-Platforma-Mattress-Foundation-Boxspring/dp/B075G4YTZ5/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=18"%2Bbedframe&qid=1625065950&sr=8-8&th=1

Thanks for the info guys. Is there a good place to get a second hand foundation? If not, I assume a place like HomePro is the best place?

My queen bed is too low; I'm looking to get a box spring to raise its height some more. Delivery to south Soi Buakao is also needed. Do you guys have any suggestions on where to look? Used or new is fine.

My apartment has a cheap box bedframe similar to this:

It raises the bottom of my mattress to about 12" from the floor. I'd like to add another foot or so; it feels too low at the moment.

What is the best way to add height? I am considering a new, taller bed stand, or a mattress base. The bed is a queen size.

I installed an AC recently. The thais cleaned a little when they saw me cleaning. Otherwise i got the impression they didn't feel it was their job. 

There were pipes on the exterior i had to prompt them to remove. One of the pipes was just dangling there, easy for anyone to see as broken or unneeded.

Instead of measuring pipes they guesstimate and cut off pieces based on the initial guess, shortening further as they test the length out. Often their final selection is still a tad long but "close enough' in their eyes. I was standing 3 feet away as they did this so there was no shame in it, I guess pre-measuring with tape isn't a thing here.

My fan started slowing down. when I pointed this out they decided to re-route power to another outlet. They tried drilling it but cracked the plastic covering. They also told me the outlet could not be used for other stuff anymore.

I am at least happy I was there to oversee everything. If I didn't watch them the AC room would have less electric when the AC runs. This ordeal has reinforced my belief never to buy property here.

9 hours ago, Mark1066 said:

What annoys me is that my packages often arrive at the Chiang Mai Flash Express depot the next day, in the morning, and then sit there for 24 hours until they can be bothered to deliver them. Kerry's prices have gone up a fair bit this year though so I can see why many vendors are looking at alternatives.

This was exactly my experience with Flash Express. it came after 1 day to Pattaya but took 2 extra days to deliver!

Flash Express needs to rebrand as Pause Express

Yes that was my experience too. Kerry to Bkk takes one day, flash express took 3 days

I used the Thai Post for shipping 16kg from Pattaya to BKK. 730 thb for shipping, another 240 for boxes and packing. 

Someone shipped it back with the same packing material via Flash Express. 210 thb. It hasn't arrived yet but presumably will tomorrow.

Is Flash express known to be the cheapest? I think I will use them next time.

The islands present an interesting and possibly rare opportunity to trail ride in a setting few can emulate.

I've seen dirt bike rentals on Koh Lipe so I bet it's a decent island too. Phuket is big enough that I bet it has a few trails. Koh Chang is closest to me and may have some interesting options as well.

I just tried the plant based burger. Bit of a pork taste. Patty was good but the soggy bottom bun caused by microwaving reminded me to toast it at home next time. I think it'll be a winner though. The PB Whopper at BK is delicious but 160 baht, this one was 35 baht or thereabout. could buy 4 for the price of the whopper so well worth home heating.

I also spotted plant based bolonga, plus a spicy variant. I bought them too and will try them in a sandwich perhaps with animal based cheese.