atsiii

The big issue with these pools is that they are not contained at all, except by the now non-functional outer structure.

The fuel rods are far further apart then they would be inside a reactor core, so it is very unlikely the will reach criticality, but without water they will start melting and can spread their contents over a large area.

As all these rods have been cooling down for quite a while, this will be even more slow-motion then inside the reactor cores. So as long as they occasionally get some water in the pools it won't be acute.

The water-cannon approach will be starting any moment now, let's see how that goes.

Except that the #4 pool contains not only 20+ year of spent fuel rods, but all the current rods from the #4 reactor which had been removed for maintenance. Further, it is feared that the pool has been re-racked (perhaps more than once) and the spacing is unclear.

It's interesting that the discussion seems to be turning toward the cooling pools, as opposed to the reactors themselves...

I have read some reports the past day or so, that talk about the issue of the risk in the reactors themselves lessening the more time passes since they were shut down.. In other words, the fission activity and heat should be naturally, slowly lessening with time... even in the absence of adequate cooling.

The uncooled cooling pools, however, where the nuclear fuel rods are kept in proximity to each other, appears to be a different issue.

Comments?

IMO... concern is turning to the cooling pools (particularly #4 which has been repacked and contains not only old but current fuel rods) because there is absolutely no containment structure around the pools. They are open to the atmosphere and contain copious quantities of radioactive materials. Studies have shown that a run-away accident in a cooling pool can be equal or worse than a core meltdown.

I'm sorry, but we are "bashing" because it is so well deserved. All I see from the Thai government are words. I see the Thai MP's refusing to donate 300o baht each, even though most are millionaires. I see the Thai government saying its rescue team was "delayed," even as rescue teams from 15 other nations are there rescuing. I see Thailand sending Three (3), count them... three, medical personnel to the disaster zone when most countries have send hundreds. I see the Thai government "saying" it will give 200 Million baht in aid, but then most of that will be paid out to Thai companies for airplane tickets and the likes--not actually to the Japanese. And While only three medical personnel are being sent to the disaster zone, 35 "health teams" are being sent to Narita to help Thai citizens who happen to be in Japan. Yea, right.

Japan donated $500 Million to the 2004 tsunami relief, much of which went to Thailand. They are the leading investors in Thailand, and a huge tourism partner. Yet you think all that's required is to say you're sorry for what's happening? Perhaps you have not noticed that this disaster in Japan is many times worse than what happened to Thailand in 2004: 10,000+ dead, 500,000 homeless, freezing temperatures and rain, +/- $100 Billion in property damage; an evolving nuclear crisis that promises to be the largest in history, etc. Yet you try to defend a government that is doing little to nothing? Oh, except saying they are sorry?

Question: what have you donated? There are endless ways to donate online and around Thailand... so how much have you given in this disaster? When the government is failed (and this one certainly seems to be), it's up to the people. So what as an individual have you done? My wife's company has taken up collections for blankets and they are paying Thai Airlines to deliver them. She can also help you donate through your ATM if you don't know how to do that. I myself am broke, but somehow I managed to give what the MP's here could not afford in an election year. So what about you? You who is so sick of us bashing your government for doing nothing? What have you given?

Needless to say, it is a rhetorical question.

You seem to be the master of useless information. If you would spend as much time working as you do digging around for anti-Thai info (or making stuff up), perhaps you wouldn't be "broke" and have to sponge off your wife. You're seriously veering off point here, but whatever. One could attack pretty much any country for "not doing enough." But since you brought it up, what percentage of that $500 million that Japan donated went to Japanese companies and Japanese individuals involved in that relief effort? What percentage is that of their GDP? How about other countries? What has Malaysia done? Or Vietnam? Or the PI? I could go on and on, but what's the point. You're going to hate Thailand and everything for which it stands for, which is why you wouldn't want to live here. Wait, you still do. <deleted>? And by the way, I donate to various charities every single year, not that it's relevant to the current discussion. But I'm sure you bring it up to make some sort of point.

It amazes me how people think they can sum up someone they don't know by just reading a few paragraphs of something they wrote. At any rate, you ask a couple of good questions so I'll try to answer. I'm online today trying to help my friends in Japan with requested online research and information. I don't work here in Thailand because I'm not allowed to work in Thailand. I'm semi-retired, living here here in Thailand for half the year on my savings--after having starting and run a small company for 30-years--not on my wife's salary as a translator. The other half of the year I do still work, but is is largely pro bono by choice, and my wife works on her translation remotely via the Internet because she is allowed to work in our other country. I'm broke because I have no income and live purely off my savings, which is okay for the modest lifestyle I choose, and also because I have no debt.

I don't live in Malaysia or the P.I. or Vietnam (although I did almost die there), so I leave it up up to those people to hold their own governments responsible for their actions and inaction's. In turn, I believe it is my responsibility to try and make my governments--as best I can as an individual--responsible for their actions and inaction's. That is what I'm trying to do today; because doing nothing or little is a conscious decision.

You attempt the same argument here that I see almost every day on these boards: namely that if someone else, somewhere else does something bad, or doesn't do something good, that it somehow makes it okay for you (or your country or tribe or family) to do it, too. Whatever happened to "two wrongs don't make a right?" If others on a street don't stop to help, does that mean it's okay for you not to stop and help, either? That's the basis of the argument you're trying to promote?

In answer to your question, I believe Japan's 2004 tsunami aid of $500 Million was about .115% of their GNP. I don't know what percent of that went to Japanese companies, and I'm not sure how to find that out. I only know that most of Thailand's emergency aid is going to Thais because they said so this morning on the Thai news. I do know that Japan is one of if not the largest investors in Thailand (it's not the other way around), and I know they step up and try to help with every natural disaster worldwide. They provide serious, well-financed, well-trained resources. So why then is Thailand doing little or nothing to help them in return? And why are you trying to defend that? Isn't that Thailand shooting itself in the foot?

And you're wrong, I do enjoy Thailand--but mostly just the people and food; not the politics, government and pervasive corruption. I'll make no attempt at defending that; and I'll continue to question all that do.

Finally, you bring up a great question: what really does Thailand stand for? In my own way, I've been asking that question all day. It's the same question that I'd like to see asked of the Thai MP's and the Thai government, in general. Educate me: what do you think it stands for?

just wondering if any of you guys spend some money to help the Japanese People????

you guys all write about the MPs but what about you??

Do something first or Shut up...

Yes, thank you for bringing up a good point. When the government is failed; it's up to the people. My wife and her co-workers have taken up a collection to buy blankets and as well as money to pay Thai Airlines to deliver them. They all share my embarrassment for the Thai government doing essentially nothing. Myself, I donated online what the rich selfish self-centered MP's could not bring themselves to give up in an election year to the Red Cross in Japan. I am also in constant contact with my friends in Japan; trying to share international viewpoints and insights with them about the developing nuclear crisis, so they can be better prepared if/when the fallout reaches Tokyo.

That is my answer (as of right now), what is your answer?

Not surprising that every single newspaper in the entire world has loads of business articles discussing the local economic impact this tragedy will have, yet people use ones here as an excuse to rant against Thailand.

A business analyst on CNBC even said "The human toll here looks to be much worse than the economic toll, and we can be grateful for that." If you want something to be mad at, those are the kind of comments that are bad, not merely discussing what is likely to happen like we have here

I agree with you, DP. I've heard countless Thai officials expressing their sorrow and condolences for the Japanese people, yet, all the pri*cks on TV can do is whine about what was not said. Or was it? I'm sure TAT officials may have expressed the same sort of sentiments publicly, but the article didn't include it because it was IRRELEVANT to the point of the article. Isn't the TAT's job related to tourism? Some of you Thai-bashing loonies need to get a life!

I'm sorry, but we are "bashing" because it is so well deserved. All I see from the Thai government are words. I see the Thai MP's refusing to donate 300o baht each, even though most are millionaires. I see the Thai government saying its rescue team was "delayed," even as rescue teams from 15 other nations are there rescuing. I see Thailand sending Three (3), count them... three, medical personnel to the disaster zone when most countries have send hundreds. I see the Thai government "saying" it will give 200 Million baht in aid, but then most of that will be paid out to Thai companies for airplane tickets and the likes--not actually to the Japanese. And While only three medical personnel are being sent to the disaster zone, 35 "health teams" are being sent to Narita to help Thai citizens who happen to be in Japan. Yea, right.

Japan donated $500 Million to the 2004 tsunami relief, much of which went to Thailand. They are the leading investors in Thailand, and a huge tourism partner. Yet you think all that's required is to say you're sorry for what's happening? Perhaps you have not noticed that this disaster in Japan is many times worse than what happened to Thailand in 2004: 10,000+ dead, 500,000 homeless, freezing temperatures and rain, +/- $100 Billion in property damage; an evolving nuclear crisis that promises to be the largest in history, etc. Yet you try to defend a government that is doing little to nothing? Oh, except saying they are sorry?

Question: what have you donated? There are endless ways to donate online and around Thailand... so how much have you given in this disaster? When the government is failed (and this one certainly seems to be), it's up to the people. So what as an individual have you done? My wife's company has taken up collections for blankets and they are paying Thai Airlines to deliver them. She can also help you donate through your ATM if you don't know how to do that. I myself am broke, but somehow I managed to give what the MP's here could not afford in an election year. So what about you? You who is so sick of us bashing your government for doing nothing? What have you given?

Needless to say, it is a rhetorical question.

Quit putting this crap up on the board and start running an online feed of what's really happening--in Japan!! For Buddha's sake!!

There has now been an explosion at the fourth reactor. Radiation levels near the plant are now 20 times the annual limit in just one hour. Tens of thousands dead. 500,000 homeless and/or evacuated. Perhaps $100 Billion or more in property damage. The winds have now changed and are now blowing the radiation plume towards Tokyo and the homes of 37 Million people. Tomorrow the temperatures will drop to -3 C in the quake and tsunami devastated zone. Start putting what's important out here so you can be proud of your government for sending three medical personnel, or paying most of the 200 Million baht of Japanese aid to Thai's, or your MP's refusing to donate 3000 baht each because they have an election coming.

For Christ's sake--quit putting up all your self-centered selfish whining (and trying to call it journalism)and start being a good Buddhist! (sarcasm intended!) Start putting up what is really happening, because I guarantee you it will have more of an affect on you and every person in Thailand than these stupid stories.

Frustrated...

Is it me or are we getting more and more large scale disasters happening more often? A hundred or so years ago it was a regular thing for the Thames to freeze over in London - now it never happens - it is not just the City has become hotter because of the housing and offices because in the suburbs around the weather is similarly warmer than before. I know we have had major disasters before it just seems that in the last few years their magnitude and frequency rate have increased substantially. But then again maybe it is just a trick of my mind? I fear more of the same thing and worry about this country which is so ill equipped mentally and practically to deal with large scale problems. Imagine if that earthquake had hit Bangkok - frightening.

I think a small part of the answer is that we continue to encroach and develop more and more in the danger zones. We build entire cities below sea level, we try to stabilize shores and coasts that by their very nature must be dynamic, we build on steep mountain sides, inside river flood zones, near the ocean, then on the ocean, then over the ocean... and on and on. So even if the magnitude and frequency of these events remains the same (which I don't know one way or the other), the resulting property damage and loss of life continues to increase--event after event. We seem incapable of learning any lessons...

It just keeps getting better!

Now I'm told that even if the 200M baht in assistance to Japan is approved, it will mostly go to Thais!!! The morning news said they would give 60M for sending staff, 20M for their airplane tickets (to Thai owned airlines, of course), 100M for buying Thai things to give out in Japan, etc. So in addition to sending only THREE (3) medical people to the actual quake area, and 35 "health teams" to Tokyo primarily to help Thai citizens (I'm sure they can stay at Thai owned hotels!), the Thai MP's refusing to give 3000 baht each personally... the embarrassment that is Thai government just keeps getting better!!

And the King is watching all of this? Really?

Wouldn't Buddha be proud to know how well these people have taken his teachings about "selflessness" to heart. Just brings a tear to your eye!

To clarify my POV this is a terrible situation, thousands and thousands of people are going to struggle and help is needed, but government to government financial aid is not required. If Thailand want to help send some of the army to help with the search and rescue, but if they do like the disgraced China and send 15 search and rescue staff that get off the airplane with a massive 6 foot China flag then its pathetic PR stunt.

Excuse me, but what planet are you living on? Tens of thousands are dead, 500,000+ homeless and/or evacuated, property damage probably in excess of 100 Billion dollars, and even before the quake, Japan's economy was the most in-debt and thus fragile developed economy in the world. Aside from being a huge tourism partner with Thailand, Japan is probably the largest foreign investor in Thailand. And if because of this natural disaster, Japan were to withdraw or significantly reduce its spending in Thailand, you will be lucky to earn 15 baht for that 12-hours of hard labor (which, BTW, is two or three times more than I have ever personally witnessed any Thai to work outside of poor farmers in rural Thailand!, or perhaps many of your Burmese, Cambodian or Lao "servants!").

Moreover, when Thailand was in need after the 2004 tsunami (which did nowhere near the damage to Thailand that this tsunami has done to Japan), Japan stepped up and provided $500 Million for tsunami relief. And now you think that Thailand should just leave Japan's disaster for the Japanese and the rest of the world to deal with? FYI: China has already stepped up to the plate, big time--and they are essentially enemies. Yet this is how you propose treating your biggest international friend and investor? I suspect that at this moment, Japan should be grateful for its enemies! Thailand seems to do a much better job of accepting international aid than it does in stepping up responsibly and trying to help when it's needed.

IMO, you should be embarrassed to express such selfish and self-centered comments in the face of a natural disaster that has already claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Japanese--many of which, no doubt, tried to help Thailand in its hour of need. But you are probably not embarrassed, so I am embarrassed and ashamed for you. I hope you are not Buddhist and do not believe in kharma.

In addition to the PM's concerns about safety and terrorism, I would add that there is still no proven and affordable disposal solution known to man.

Setting aside for a moment the environmental cost/benefit arguments, the economist Emory Lovins showed in the late 70's and early 80's that if the real costs of nuclear power are accounted for, it is--among many other things--unaffordable and economically unsustainable. The cost of fuel enrichment is all subsidized by national governments, so no real market cost for fuel is ever shown in the economic analysis for proposed plants . Nor is the cost of ultimate waste disposal accounted for--because it is a complete unknown! And the real market cost for dis-assembly and mothballing a retired (or damaged) plant is rarely ever discussed. When all the real costs are added up, nuclear cannot even begin to compete economically with alternative energy. The problem is and has always been that distributed alternative energies cannot provide the same rate of return (i.e. profit) to the major multinational utility players as centralized mass production. IMO, that will be--as always--Thailand's chief challenge in this argument: the already rich and forever greedy industrial establishment.

And not to alarm anyone, but after the disasters in Japan, there has yet to be any discussion of the status of the spent fuel rods that are sitting in cooling ponds at every reactor site. They are stored on site just because there is no known waste disposal solution. And if these cooling pools lose their integrity, as has the reactor cores, the spent fuel rods also pose a huge environmental risk. HUGE!

I am at least happy that someone in Thailand is trying to learn some lessons from this disaster. The Japanese early warning system did work, and almost every cell phone in the country was beeping out warnings seconds after the initial tremors were registered. Unfortunately, the tsunami hit within minutes leaving tens of thousands with no time to escape. However, the warning system did work, and had the epicenter been further out to sea, many more would have survived. Thailand can and should learn from this experience and try for once to get its act together. Another lesson to be learned--yet, again--relates to nuclear power.

I think the Japanese scientists are perplexed because the plate tectonic models in use around the world have to date been very reliable. They are not yet usable for widespread prediction (the Japanese do a better job of this than anyone else), but they have been very reliable in modeling plate behavior. So the fact that these other quakes are not typical of normal after-shocks is causing the scientists to wonder (out loud) if something new and different is going on. In other words... if the smaller quakes are not typical of after-shocks, are they instead some kind of precursor?

Another related topic for potential discussion is what happens in these Asian honorific cultures when it's more important to save face by lying and trying to cover up the truth, than it is to ask for and accept help when there is still time to help.

Have I got hold of the wrong end of the stick? What is the point of the medical teams remaining at Narita? How many casualties are in that locality? Do the victims have to be transport there?

I'm cynical enough to believe that the news that Thais and Japanese will be rehabilitated, whatever that means, is sheer political BS. Surely the guiding line should be that those in the most urgent need of treatment be dealt with first irrespective of nationality .

Agreed. So... did Thailand approve 200M baht in aid? That was supposed to be done yesterday, but I don't see anywhere in the news I can read that it actually happened. 200M would at least be respectable compared to the embarrassing 5M originally pledged by the Thai government--marginally enough to fix a couple of houses. But did this aid money actually get approved?

Are we slapping Thailand on the back for sending three (3) medical personnel to the stricken area? Three? Are you serious?

It sounds like the 35 health care teams being sent to Narita are primarily intended to help Thai citizens (read, voters!) who are in Japan at this time. And oh yes, they will also help Japanese--so long as they speak Thai.

Aside from the "three-person" medical team sent to the quake site, I'd like to know if the 200M baht (+/- 6.6M dollars) was actually approved, because didn't Thailand only send +/- $10,000 to help with the Haiti earthquake?

Japan stepped up to the plate and helped Thailand and others affected by the 2004 tsunami to the tune of $500 Million; and Japan is one of if not the leading economic investor in Thailand--not to mention being a huge tourism partner. And yet we are supposed to be excited and slap Thailand on the back for sending "three" medical personnel to the quake stricken zone? It seems Thailand does a much better job of accepting money and aid from the international community, than it does in stepping up to the plate and giving when it's needed.

Personally I think the esteemed forcasting director is talking thorugh his ar*e

"Academics say it may take three to five months for Japan to recover from the devastation"...and pigs will fly.....there are years to reconstruction before Japan recovers..

"He estimates total damage of around 0.5 percent of their GDP, or approximately 25 billion US dollars"........

The estimates for the New Zealand earth quake are put at $ 11 Billion and 1.5% of the GDP, as serious and sad as the New Zealand earthquake was, the devastation is nowhere near what has happening in the Japan

I would suspect as well that Japan will be calling in any loans made, and you can forget about addtional overseas investment for years, and current investments are "pulled"

Its too soon to accurately estimate the financial impact; my hunch is that the academics are pulling those figures out of the air. Some times its best to say "We simply don't know..."

5555... Agreed! Was it Marcus Aurelius that said (and I paraphrase),"Tis better to sit quiet and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt?"

I've read estimates of 100 Billion dollars or more in damage at a time when the world's third largest economy is already (before the disaster!) the most in-debt and thus fragile economy of the developed world. The loss of life and property is simply frightening; with the worst of the nuclear repercussions still to come. But at least Thailand has offered 5M baht in aid--enough to repair a couple of houses or one fishing boat!

You really should read more before making such comments. Thailand & its priminister expressed its sorrow for all in Japan.

Not one word of sympathy in the article for their Asian neighbors, just straight into how this would affect Thailand's tourism . . . nice

Excuse me, but where in the above article does it say, "Thailand and its Prime Minister expressed its sorrow?" Was this expressed in hidden code? Or perhaps by offering 5M baht for aid--marginally enough to fix up two houses? I'm curious, does anyone know how much money Japan gave Thailand after the 2004 tsunami? It would be an interesting comparison, I think... as a percentage of GDP, of course.

The article seems to indicate that the police had received advance information about the smuggling, and had obtained a search warrant. Then, upon seeing suspicious looking men, they presented "themselves"... suggesting multiple officers were on site. So... if they were expecting and planning a bust, how is it they did not have the perps surrounded (thus cutting off escape routes) before "presenting" themselves, and how is it that some officers were not in a position to pursue while others secured the contraband? It makes me wonder if the whole thing was not setup... like, "we need a big bust to look good, but we will let you get away so there's no big problems in the long run."

I'm curious... do these huge amounts of confiscated drugs get burned or otherwise destroyed by the police before they can be confirmed by independent testing?

IMO. it just sounds like the whole thing was staged...

...would have to agree. Drug busts are usually well backed up and these clowns let two pickups run away? Then they found the 'abandoned' vehicles with the goods? How did they "find" them in 'plantations' and why would these 'smugglers' leave all that behind? Nope - like the river markets in the morning, the scales are all over the ground. And what happens to the take? Does it get recycled via..... You keep the pickups, we keep the .....

Bullshit a Bust like that is not staged maybe if it would be 50.000 Tablets and a 1-2 Kilo Ice but not that much, this is just to much money except the Drugs are Fake or from a very very low Quality

I agree... that's why I wondered out loud if the drugs are tested enmass before being destroyed. This has happened elsewhere when police are given incentives to "crack down." Huge busts are made, a small amount of the "real stuff" is tested, then all the placeabo tablets and white powder are destroyed for the benefit of TV. No arrests are made... cops get a slap on the back... and life goes on as normal.

My first time in Thailand back in 1987, I felt very welcome indeed. It was truly the land of smiles. Polite, friendly people everywhere I went. Now, 24 years later, it is a very different place; occasional friendliness, occasional hostility, for the most part just indifference.

Annual tourist arrivals were 3 million in 1987, now it is 15 million. Yet, the tourist industry still whines.

I agree completely; I've had the same experience. I suspect it's not surprising: when first tourists come to a new destination, they are generally welcomed and their spending appreciated. But as more and more come, locals often begin to resent all the inescapable changes, nor do they appreciate being reminded on a daily basis of just how much better off than they much of the world is. The typical arrogance of tourists doesn't help, either. On average--due to tourism--some local's lifestyle have improved some, but for most the improvement is negligable. Thus, what was warmly received in the beginning leads to indifference and ultimately hostility. After 30+ years of incessant wandering, I've witnessed this same progression in many places.

So... is there a way for us to collectively find balance? Or do we just wander on in search of the next destination?

I agree there are many challenges facing Thailand, several of which are identified in the article. But I would suggest that the pervasive systemic corruption that now exists at all levels is another force to be dealt with--and one that is shaping Thailand's future today in many undesirable ways.

The article seems to indicate that the police had received advance information about the smuggling, and had obtained a search warrant. Then, upon seeing suspicious looking men, they presented "themselves"... suggesting multiple officers were on site. So... if they were expecting and planning a bust, how is it they did not have the perps surrounded (thus cutting off escape routes) before "presenting" themselves, and how is it that some officers were not in a position to pursue while others secured the contraband? It makes me wonder if the whole thing was not setup... like, "we need a big bust to look good, but we will let you get away so there's no big problems in the long run."

I'm curious... do these huge amounts of confiscated drugs get burned or otherwise destroyed by the police before they can be confirmed by independent testing?

IMO. it just sounds like the whole thing was staged...

Could be they just give Chinese a free entry and charge everyone else

Why not? They charge farang 400 baht if you want to visit the Grand Palace; while Thai's and those who can pass as Thai's (i.e. Cambodia, Viet, Lao, Burmese, Malay, etc.) can simply walk in free. Racism is alive and well.

I've been Koh chang since late November this trip, and spend a few months there last year as well. There are literally tons of bungalows on the beach for your choosing. In White Sands there are many fan rooms on the beach for 700, a/c with hot showers are +/- 1000. Many monthly deals to be had. Kai Bea Huts (on the beach) are 700 per night and include breakfast. My rec is to rent a place for a couple of nights so you have somewhere to arrive. Then just walk up and down the beach looking at what you like... you will find it for 1000 to 1200 max for a month stay. You can also find water front "quiet" places for 6000 per month, and houses with kitchens that are not on the beach for 6000 to 10,000. On the low end there are lots of breach front fan rooms for 500... Kai Bea, Lonely Beach, etc. Nicer with hot showers ensuite for 700.

Some good scuba outfits.. BB is good. A couple of others, too.

Like I said, show up and stay anywhere for a couple of nights. Rent a scooter and/or walk up and down the beach. The islands is almost record setting empty, so there are plenty of deals to be had!

Allen

P.S. I am paying 10,000 per month for a large one bedroom fully furnished apartment with full kitchen, a/c, wifi, TV, hot shower ensuite, etc. in Kai Bea. Koh Chang Residence... the owner is Mo.

Some fantastic info there for me to take on board thanks :jap:

And i'm gonna do exactly what you said, just turn up&check into somewhere for 2nights!

Then as always hire a bike&cruise around as well looking at places strolling a long the beach!

Kai Bea beach is exactly how long on a bike from White Sands Beach?

Would you say Kai Bea beach is more beautiful?

Quote"You can also find water front "quiet" places for 6000 per month, and houses with kitchens that are not on the beach for 6000 to 10,000" Is this at Kai Bea beach only?

Can you PM me any links to house/apartments/acco with a kitchen in Kho Chang, as i've been think i don't have to stay on the beach in a bungalow, thats something that i may do in there green season & stay at a nice resort that i wouldn't dream of paying in high season

Can't wait to get there in a week or two

As i've never been&need a refreshing change from all the touristy places i always go to!!

Just one more thing, do you know if you can do a quick visa run from KC to Cambodia,as hoping to stay in Thailand 45days and won't have time to sort out a visa before arriving

Thanks once again

I am in BKK for a few days before I head back to Koh chang on 3/3, so I don't have a lot of links with me. If you call me at 087.548.2665 when you arrive, I'd be happy to meet up and/or point you in several directions you inquire about.

The quiet bungalow I was thinking about for 5000 to 6000 is a little ways down the east side (quiet side) towards Salak Phet; but there are many on the west side, too. The houses for rent for 5000 to 6000 per month with kitchen are in Klong Prao, about half way down the west side (tourist side) of the island. Klong Prao is a nice compromise... great beach, river, plenty of restaurants, etc. There are nice fan bungalows right on the beach in Kai Bea for 700 baht per night at Kai Bea Huts, and I'm sure they would give you a good monthly rate. The 700 per night rate includes breakfast.

Yes, I did a Cambodia visa run a couple of weeks ago. I used Tony's Travel and booked the visa run through a Brit named Colin at Coco Dee Bo Tours. I think it was 1400??? But I don't really remember. The mini van will pick you up at the KC side of the ferry (Sapparrot Ferry), take to across and down to Cambodia, wait an hour for you, then take you back to the KC ferry. We left about 9am and were back around 3pm. I can give you Colin's number, but I don't have it on my phone... it is in Kai Bea.

More if you need/want it.

Allen

P.S. I am paying 10,000 per month for a large one bedroom fully furnished apartment with full kitchen, a/c, wifi, TV, hot shower ensuite, etc. in Kai Bea. Koh Chang Residence... the owner is Mo.

I am usually staying on Kai Bae, where are the apartments located? Can't remember I have seen a place called Koh Chang Residence. Could you please help me with contact details to Mo, or link to web page. Because it's sounds like a place that I could be interested in renting next time I go there. Thanks.

Mo has a page on Facebook called "Koh Chang Residence." You can also call him at 081.410.4747. The apartments are about 200 meters inland from the main road through Kai Bea.

Good luck!

Allen

I've been Koh chang since late November this trip, and spend a few months there last year as well. There are literally tons of bungalows on the beach for your choosing. In White Sands there are many fan rooms on the beach for 700, a/c with hot showers are +/- 1000. Many monthly deals to be had. Kai Bea Huts (on the beach) are 700 per night and include breakfast. My rec is to rent a place for a couple of nights so you have somewhere to arrive. Then just walk up and down the beach looking at what you like... you will find it for 1000 to 1200 max for a month stay. You can also find water front "quiet" places for 6000 per month, and houses with kitchens that are not on the beach for 6000 to 10,000. On the low end there are lots of breach front fan rooms for 500... Kai Bea, Lonely Beach, etc. Nicer with hot showers ensuite for 700.

Some good scuba outfits.. BB is good. A couple of others, too.

Like I said, show up and stay anywhere for a couple of nights. Rent a scooter and/or walk up and down the beach. The islands is almost record setting empty, so there are plenty of deals to be had!

Allen

P.S. I am paying 10,000 per month for a large one bedroom fully furnished apartment with full kitchen, a/c, wifi, TV, hot shower ensuite, etc. in Kai Bea. Koh Chang Residence... the owner is Mo.

Maybe if the young Thai woman who dam_n near got beat to death selling fruit on the Phuket beach would just take her shirt off next time, perhaps the police would then take notice of all the crime?!

Of course what means anything without some data?

http://www.nationmas...victims&b_map=1

http://www.nationmas...-capita&b_map=1

Pretty interesting statistics referenced... I was actually surprised myself. Thanks, dumb farang. At .04 murders per 1000 people (#24) compared to .08 murders per 1000 people (#14), the referenced statistics would seem to suggest that peaceful Buddhist Thailand has 2X the murders per capita as the "Wild West" in America. What was someone else saying about learning to tend your own garden first before telling others how to tend theirs?

Clearly neither country has much to brag about, but I hardly see justification in the numbers for the arogant attitude of, "it's our business and we'll never listen to you!" The sad fact is, your children are dying; you should be trying to listen to anyone and everyone who might be able to help. Remember (and I paraphrase), "a conceited man (or nation!) can never be an intelligent man, for how can you learn what you think you already know?"