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BringMeSunshine

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    Prepaid SIM card validity

    in Mobile Devices and Apps

    Posted · Edited by BringMeSunshine

    On 5/1/2018 at 9:37 AM, Jdietz said:

    Dtac dial *1013  ( 2 THB per 30 days extension, max 365 days outstanding)

    Just to update this, extending the lifetime of a DTAC prepiad SIM is now *113*Number_of_Days#  (where Number_of_Days can be 30, 90 or 180)

     

    Alternatively, on the www

    https://app.dtac.co.th/en/home?passive=y&utm_campaign=home_accounticon&utm_medium=web_owned&utm_source=webdtac

    (Use any network to get to the webpage. Login with your phone number. They will text a OTP to your DTAC phone, enter that password into the web browser, then follow The Menu path:

    Beyond > Jai Dee > View All  > Day Giveaway  

     

     

     

    • Agree 1

    When do you drop the 'a'?

    in Thai Language

    Posted · Edited by BringMeSunshine

    It may be worth mentioning that the Irregular Tone Rule* (e.g. the นน in ถนน  unexpectedly adopting a rising tone, by 'inheriting' the class of the leading ถ )  only applies in cases where the ะ is not written. So, if you hear a word that fits this pattern, but the tone of the second syllable is not what you'd expect, you can infer that the ะ is not written.  This won't solve all your problems, but it narrows the field a little.

     


    * More on the the Irregular Tone Rule at the excellent 'Inside a Thai Syllable':
    http://www.thai-language.com/id/830222
    at section IIIb, heading, "b. - Enepenthetic ‘Leading Consonant’ Clusters"
     
    also, some relevant bits about clusters, more generally, in section I of the same page:
    "I. - True Consonant Clusters".

     

    Heck, why not go back and read the whole lesson starting at Part 1
    http://www.thai-language.com/id/830221

     

     

     

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

    Using Thai With Your Computer

    in Thai Language

    Posted


    While I am on the subject of useful Software - Karen's directory printer :
    https://www.karenware.com/powertools/karens-directory-printer
    ...now supports UTF-8/ Asian characters. So if you have a folder-full of files with the filenames in Thai and you just want a plaintext list of the filenames, you can now use that software and it will show the Thai, not replacing each letter with a rectangular box, as it (and other directory printers) did previously.

     

    • Like 1

    Using Thai With Your Computer

    in Thai Language

    Posted

    The Firefox extension to make Thai text bigger has now been rejuvenated for the "new" Firefox Environment (i.e. after 2017).

    You can get it here:

    https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/thai-text-enlarger/?src=search

    Kudos to :
    - Nate at Thai2english.com for the original version
    - /u/This_Hippo at Reddit for the new version

    Note: Applies to Mozilla Firefox browser only (versions after v57).  AFAIK, there are no plans to extend it to other browsers.

     

     

     

    Leaving Singburi, going SE - what's with that huge Chedi?

    in Central Thailand

    Posted · Edited by BringMeSunshine
    uploaded pic


    Does anyone know anything about this place?, 4km South East of Singburi on the Lopburi road (311)

    picture

    https://imgur.com/a/5wgozet
    14D52'53.8"N, 100D25'08.7"E

     

    Google maps lists a "Ban Pho Yen Priests Camp Site" near here, with the thai สำนักวิปัสนาบ้านโพธิ์เย็น , which seems to translate to "Ban Pho Yen Vipassana Institute".
    https://goo.gl/maps/NyjXkVEugy1GDRkY7

     

    It looks like it has been closed for 5+ years.  The main entrance is locked (but you can still sneak in round the back).  It has lots of grand features like a 40metre tall 'chedi'; a huge Wat and a sacred lake.  It seems strange that such an auspicious (and expensive) place would have been abandoned. What's the story?  

     

    .

     

    Non O (Multi Entry) no longer issued at Royal Thai Embassy in London - new financial requirements for Single Entry Tourist Visas (SETV)

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    Couple of observations from a SETV application in London recently:

     

    • -You need to set up a user-id (and supply an email address) to use the online visa system
    • -The system crashed on me several times. You can save and resume part-completed applications, so save often
    • -The online system only accepts .jpg format* files. No pdfs.  You might have to get acquainted with screenshotting and photoshop/photoediting software
    • -Your attachments (flight tickets, etc) must be smaller than 500 KiloBytes (each) in size - again, you might have to do some tap dancing with image editing software to achieve this
    • -You'll also have to upload an image of your passport datapage and a passport-compliant photo of your face (they have a clever online checker to see whether your face-photo is compliant). The application process grinds to a halt until you supply a compliant photo.
    • -One of the requirements (for applications made to the London embassy, anyway) is "Confirmation of legal residence in the UK or Ireland (if applicants are not nationals of these countries)".  If you ARE a national of the UK, then your passport is your proof of residence, but the system will still expect you attach a .jpg of SOMETHING under that section.  How about a nice picture of some kittens?
    • -The system supplies a declaration page which you are supposed to (a) download; (b) print; (c) sign; (d) scan; (e) upload (which makes things tedious if you don't have a printer!). Tip, you can probably do a screenshot of it and scribble a signature on that, on-screen).
    • -Bank statements need to have a postal address on (the list of requirements doesn't mention this).  My online statement (with no address) was rejected.
    • -Posters above have mentioned that the bank balance needs to be above 20,000 THB equivalent. I didn't test this, myself.
    • -Proof of accommodation doesn't need to be for your full stay.  I booked a hotel online for a week's stay and cancelled my booking afterwards
    • -The website doesn't say anything about the requirements of the flight (return etc). I showed a one-way flight only, which was fine
    • -You will need to transport your actual passport to the embassy (!). If you are taking it there in person, you have to book an appointment date on the embassy's  online system.  You need to choose a date which is more than two working days away.  The embassy's online calendar/booking system will allow you to pick inappropriate dates (e.g. weekends when they are closed; or dates earlier than the 2 day leadtime). You have to use your own brain to pick a suitable date
    • -If you are taking your passport to the embassy in person, you have to print out all your evidence (bankstatements etc), despite already having uploaded it.  Postal applicants don't need to print/send the evidence, but have to printout the supplied sheet stating their application number/barcode. Postal applicants also have to slip-in a tenner in cash to cover the postage back
    • -If any of your evidence is deemed unsatisfactory when a human reviews it, the embassy will email you and tell you what is missing/wrong.  You then have to email it to them at an email address they supply.  Responses to emails are quite speedy.
    • -They will give you a date when you can collect your passport again. In person, this is done via a cloakroom-ticket number and collection number barcode. The blurb says you have to bring a 'identity card' with you, but you don't.  Apparently postal applications take 3-5 working days
    •  

    * actually, technically there are _two_ file formats accepted by the system.  One is .jpg. I forget the other one, but it's definately not .pdf or .txt

     

    Using Thai With Your Computer

    in Thai Language

    Posted

    On 10/31/2016 at 12:16 PM, BringMeSunshine said:

    I've merrily been using Large Thai Script for years, but was dismayed to find that it is not compatible with Firefox version 49

    The resurrection lasted until Firefox version 57, but then died when Firefox introduced their new "webextensions" requirements for extensions. It has been possible to run it on the Extended Support Version of Firefox 56, but that has just died, too (@september 2018). 

     

    If you want to use LargeThai going forward from 2018 - it is still working in browsers Waterfox and Pale Moon, which seem committed to keeping all old extensions working.  :)

    Using Thai With Your Computer

    in Thai Language

    Posted

    On 05/04/2010 at 7:46 PM, Richard W said:

    On the problem of Large Thai Script not working when Firefox is upgraded:

    I've just had that problem with Firefox 3.6.3. The version (of 'Version 0.1') of the 'Large Thai Script' add-on I found (at Large Thai Script :: Firefox Add-ons for Firefox) had maxversion specified as 3.5.*. I changed that to 3.6.*, but it did not work. What did work was changing it to plain 3.7. (I didn't try upping it to 3.6.3, as on past form Firefox 3.6.3 will soon be replaced by Firefox 3.6.4)

    I've merrily been using Large Thai Script for years, but was dismayed to find that it is not compatible with Firefox version 49 (well the 64bit version, anyway).

     

    Well, it seems like there is some kind of "son of Large Thai Script" in the form of "LargeThai"  - another Firefox extension. It  isn't new (last updated 2011), but it does work with Firefox 49 and, although apparently made by another developer, they say it is an extension of the earlier one and is legitimate.  It does seem to work fine. 

     

    This is just for info - in case anyone is struggling with the "death" of Large Thai Script.

    Single Entry Tourist Visa Kuala Lumpur @ October 2016 report

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

     


    I was in Kuala Lumpur and thought I'd give it a shot at getting a Tourist Visa there.    

     

    I wasn't expecting much, given previous reports.

     

    There are signs up at the counter windows saying that tourist visa (and transit visas) need to have a Return ticket and a Hotel Reservation.  

     

    Along with the application form, they give you a checklist of requirements, which again includes Return Tickets and Hotel Bookings.  The notes about Hotel Bookings say that you have to have hotel bookings  for *every day* of your stay in Thailand.   

     

    The application form has a sign-off where you must acknowledge that if they deny you a visa, you still pay the fee (150MYR)

     

    ----

     

    I don't have return tickets nor hotel bookings, but approached the counter anyway.

     

    I made the case that I would be coming and going by bus and that you can't get bus tickets from Thailand to Malaysia in advance.   They said you could if you book online.  (Which, in retrospect, does seem to be the case, even if they are 50% more expensive that way).  

     

    The embassy didn't seem to be concerned about the Hotel Reservations.  


    The bottom line is that they said I should go away and get a return ticket.  I declined.  Presumably, if I had gone and gotten one then everything would have been hunky dory.  

     

    That's it, really.  No change since previous reports.

     

    -----

    Circumstances: UK passport, a few TRs in the past, none back to back. (Not that we got to the stage where I handed over my passport).  

    I will get one in Penang, this is just an update for info.  


    OK, back on your heads.
        

     

     

    • Like 1

    New to Thai. I'm confused!

    in Thai Language

    Posted

    ^ stongly agree with #15 - you need to let go of expecting things to "make sense".   See this article about the "Wall of Whyz":

    http://womenlearnthai.com/index.php/breaking-down-the-wall-o-whyz-when-learning-thai/

     

    also, don't learn the constants in a linear, a-z fashion - consonants fit into three distinct groups and learning all those in group 2 (mid) together {then group 3 (high); then group 1} will save you a lot of headache later on. 

     

     

    David Smyth's book Teach Yourself Thai is very good for reading (either the 2003 original or the 2010 update).  Free mobile apps like LearnThaiFromAWhiteGuy are also a big help. 

     

     

    All I can say is there is a whole lot to learn :).

    You ain't seen nothing yet !

     

     

    Popular islands in Trang closed to all visitors for 4 months

    in Southern Thailand

    Posted

    Anyone have any more facts on this ?

    for example Tham Morakot is a place on Ko Muk, so why are they listed as different places? Is the whole of Ko Muk closed.

    How it is enforced? For example - there is an indigenous population on Ko Muk and a daily boat there (including during the monsoon season) . Will anyone looking like a "visitor" be turned away from the boat? Or are all the resorts forcably closed, so there would be nowhere for him to stay?

    If a tourist just wants to stay on the land and swing in a hammock, is that allowed?

    Or is it just the day-tripper snorkel/diving boats that are stopped ?

    TIA

    more..."to Chaengwattana Immigration by bus or railway"

    in Bangkok

    Posted

    Note that the map is on its side, North is off to the right. The shuttlebus stop you marked on your picture (the one by the main (public bus-stop) entrance, opposite the Shell garage, bottom right on the map) wasn't in operation in December 2015 - the whole first 200m of that street (Soi 7) was taken over by a "Winter festival" street market.

    Winter festival over - here's another snap showing where you get the free shuttle bus from just inside the entrance to the complex at soi 7:

    post-121628-0-09458400-1459501332_thumb.

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