nickbkk

Thanks!

My bad. I misread the results. Shame I didn't keep the results, I don't know if that was to the US or JP. In any case, it's much better than my True DSL.

What do you mean bt TH 30Mb for the testmy test you ran. If TH means Thailand, Testmy don't have a Thailand speedtest server.

Forgot to say I got the PowerHome 50/10 package for 888 baht/month.

I have to say that dealing with AIS was a breeze.

On Saturday:

1. Use online form to apply for service.

2. A few hours later, get email confirming the application.

3. A few hours later, get SMS confirming the application.

4. Monday, get phone call to confirm the key details.

Scheduled the installation for Thursday afternoon. Engineer called on Wednesday to confirm.

By 5pm on Thursday, everything was up and running using a second line. Fibre is to the building, VDSL to me. Fiberhome HG180 gateway.

Just ran some speed tests.

Also, now to cancel the True service.

I don't understand the reference to Sweden or, in fact, that entire first line...

Sure. No servers run from home but I backup terabytes of data to the cloud.

Can I ask the OP why upload speed is important ? Are you running a server ?

I thought it was running on your AIS line first, not in sweden.

AIS routing is not optimized like 3BB, but it seems bandwidth throughput is much better.

Some European destinations goes via USA in AIS. Before they were routing via (Thailand ->) Hong Kong (and then Singapore, which was kind of stupid.)

Sure. No servers run from home but I backup terabytes of data to the cloud.

Can I ask the OP why upload speed is important ? Are you running a server ?

You, sir, are awesome. Thank you so much for taking all the time and effort to post such detailed and useful information to the forums. This is exactly the kind of info I had hoped I would get.

I got AIS Fibre 50/10 last Friday....it's great. Big, big improvement over my True DOCSIS/cable 15Mb/1.5Mb plan which I will be cancelling fairly soon.

AIS Fiber is marketing heavily in our BKK condo development. Overall, I'm quite happy with my True DSL but am keen to boost my upload speeds.

For my purposes I consistently achieve the 1mb/s upload speeds advertised for my True product.

It looks like the fastest upload speed True offers is 3mb/s. AIS Fiber offers upload speeds from 5mb/s to 10mb/s. Of course what they offer and what I can actually get to the places I need to get to are two different things.

So, I wonder if anyone has actual real-world experience with service quality and upload speeds to the 'real world' via AIS Fiber.

All information gratefully received.

cheers!

You can therefore print the company details from your own country on your business cards. There is nothing to stop you doing work for your company back home whilst you are in Thailand.

I have not read through to the end of this thread, so maybe this is discussed later but this advice looks incorrect. It is my understanding that anything construed by the Thai authorities as work requires both appropriate visa status and a work permit. I think there are some exemptions concerning work permits for a few fields (mostly sports/entertainment and some diplomatic stuff) but doubt this situation is covered by these.

In any case, if you're considering going into business in Thailand, it obviously behoves you to find reliable, expert advice from impartial lawyers and accountants. Kind of an Escher thing, really....

How old is the laptop? Sounds like you have a sticking key on the keyboard. In particular, check your shift and ctrl keys. If a key is sticking, when you click on things with the mouse, you can get strange results.

Yeah, TOT ADSL went down last night. I live near north of Victory Monument. Was still down this morning but as of 10.30am today, it's back up. It was not a DNS problem, no packets were getting through (although I didn't test any IP addresses in Thailand).

I had urgent work to do, so I ended up dropping another 550 baht on my condo WiFi service. That worked last night but was down this morning. No idea if it's back up. I don't know what ISP the condo uses.

Maybe 'fake reds' put tyres on the pipe?

My wife works very close to the Ministry of health. I know the area well. The expressway is not anywhere near the Ministry of health. I would say its at LEAST 500 metres or possibly more, as the crow flies, from the expressway. They would need to get inside the grounds of the ministry to be any threat to the buildings (though some migth be a target from the outsie road, not the expressway itself. The ministry is fenced and has 5 or so gates. I assume now manned by soldiers, and I would imagine they are checking all vehicles now (could drive in easily before). Perhaps the explosives where to agitate the nearby military.

From the closest lane on the expressway to the closest cars in the parking area behind the ministry is 376 meters. The maximum range of a standard HE round fired with the M-79 is 400 meters, putting it well into the parking area. If firing from a higher position (raised expressway), the range will be slightly longer. I think you might even be able to fire a 53mm round from the M-79, which would probably give substantially greater range, at the risk of damage to the weapon and/or user.

The Grenade Primer is up: http://thailand.media140.org/bangkok/?p=713

The M-79 is a large-bore rifle used to fire 40mm cartridges (they're basically like large shotgun shells). You can fire tear gas, rubber bullets, sponge rounds, bean bags, buckshot (like the classic shotgun), flares, smoke, anti-personal, high-explosive etc.

By far the most "popular" round is the high-explosive round constantly referred to by Thai news reports as "M-79 grenade".

Given the recent M-79 activity, I can only guess someone's got a big box close to expiry and wants to use them up.

In any case, these are most definitely not "large firecrackers". They will obliterate any human within 5m, are likely to dole out substantial damage or death to anyone within 15m, and can throw shrapnel beyond 200m.

The effective range against point targets is 150m. The maximum range of the rounds you are seeing used around Bangkok is 400m, as illustrated by today's attack on the Public Health Ministry. It appears whoever fired the first shot (allegedly from the expressway) likely hoped the second round would travel farther. The trajectory of the incoming rounds also appears to support the thesis that it was a nice, high lob.

BTW, the gun's Vietnam-era nickname "Blooper" comes from the distinctive sound made when its fired, literally sounds like "bloop". If you can hear it, it's unmistakable. It's probably drowned out against typical Bangkok traffic but the bang of the exploding grenade is kinda hard to cover up.

I've been meaning to write up a "Grenade Primer" but haven't had time yet. It might appear later today:

http://thailand.media140.org/

thailand.media140.org tries to provide timely postings of useful, relevant information about developments during the rallies while avoiding analysis, opinion and, especially, nonsense. It ain't perfect but that is the stated aim.

IMHO, following a good selection of Twitter accounts is by far the best way to keep on top of breaking news. You might have to weed out some of the nonsense but on average, the Twitter stream is usually 1.5-2 hours ahead of any of the purveyors of so-called breaking news, especially during the daytime. The good guys in here can also be invaluable for timely or unusual info. I just wish I didn't have to wade through so many redundant, inane or otherwise unhelpful posts.

I am on a 4mb ADSL package from TOT.

No doubt at all they are screwing with YouTube streams. 99% of the time, I have to let most or all of a YouTube video download before watching it. Though the YT stream over TOT can sometimes exceed 1,000 kbs, the streams are generally lucky to break 400kbs and often drop below 100.

However, if I am tunneling to the USA (man needs secure access to his other networks), YouTube happily sits at around 2,000 kbs. Have yet to experimented via tunnel to Singapore.

Similar experience with streaming from sites like metacafe and dailymotion over TOT but I have not done testing through my tunnel.

My interest in streaming media technologies forces me to research a wide range of streaming-content providers, including 'adult' video sites. (Honest! I have, on and off, been involved in bleeding-edge streaming content - not adult content, I hasten to add - since the mid-'90s).

For some strange reason, some adult video sites stream beautifully via the same ISP that seems to impede the use of less morally-questionable sites like YouTube. Go figure - I can't believe adult-content providers negotiate content-provision platforms with Thai ISPs, whereas Google definitely banks on its ability to provide a superior content experience for its properties. Then again, who knows what the boards of these companies demand, LOL.

Meanwhile, torrents easily hit the official DL limits over TOT.

So, my ignoramus conclusion has to be that the problem generally is not the ISP's ability to provide the speed listed on the packaging, nor is it the fabled lack of bandwidth between Thailand and The Real Internet (if that were the case, the YT streams would suffer equally via my tunnel).

This would also seem to refute the idea that such problems exist solely because of ineptitude at Thai ISPs. AFter all, if they had no idea, they probably would be unable to throttle YouTube traffic so effectively.

''Police at Lumpini station are believed to have charged the driver of the bus which struck Norling''

So its moronic to say killed by crazy driver?

Yes, it is.

Even if cause and fault has not been fully discovered , defending some Bangkok bus driver would not be high on my list having lived in the city.

I am sure the bus driver in question lies awake at night wishing he had your support. Congratulations. I created a thread just for you. Have a cookie!

It's about time the ThaiVisa forums had their very own thread where all these experts can ponder, post, prattle and pipe up about all those terrible bus companies, dangerous drivers and deadly vehicles they have to contend with only in Bangkok, Thailand and nowhere else on the planet.

I have enjoyed quite a number of comfortable, well-maintained buses, driven in a safe and sedate manner by experienced, skilled and considerate drivers.

Anybody who thinks bad and dangerous bus driving is special to Bangkok should read up on "Granny Bowling". Or visit Peru.

Enjoy!

Ironic to go like that. Gen. Patton survived WWII only to be run over and killed by a jeep shortly thereafter.

Patton was not run over by a jeep. People really ought to learn to work with facts.

Bangkok-based print media monitoring company seeking editor to work at our offices in the Silom area.

You will need the following:

• superb written English
  
• an excellent eye for detail
  
• the ability to work to deadlines
  
• reliability
  

The work is part-time in the mornings starting at 8am, Monday-Friday, with occasional work on Sundays and holidays.

Please PM your CV.

We are a media monitoring company seeking top-quality translators to translate between Thai and English. Most of the work is early mornings, usually about 7am to 12noon. The work is based at our offices (no teleworking available) in Silom.

You need:

• excellent Thai and English reading and writing skills
  
• good typing skills
  
• to be able to work to deadlines
  
• very good accuracy and attention to detail
  
• the ability to work in a team
  

Please email your CV by PM

Thai-English Translators (based in Silom, BKK)

The work is based at our offices in Silom, Bangkok.

You need to have:

• Thai nationality
  
• EXCELLENT written English and Thai
  
• ability to work to deadlines
  
• availability for work in Silom in mornings, usually starting about 6-7am
  
• excellent reliability
  

Please note that this position REQUIRES you to meet the above conditions.

We offer:

• initial part-time, hourly-paid position with opportunity for performers to progress in terms of both pay and position
  
• an easy-going, friendly office
  
• the chance to really polish your translation and writing skills
  

If interested, please send your CV or PM for the email address.

WARNING: Beware Bangkok's Bike-Borne Bag Blaggers!

One of my staff had her handbag snatched by thieves on a motorbike at 3.30pm in Silom Soi 6, outside Aoi Japanese Restaurant.

She fell over, banging her head. I'm awaiting confirmation from the hospital but thankfully, it sounds like she will be ok, apart from some bruising.

Anecdotal evidence seems to show these crimes are on the rise. Tell everyone you know to be more mindful wherever they go and whatever the time of day.

Don't know Silom Soi 6? Google Map

The usual moaning ninnies will no doubt use this as excuse to whinge on and on about Thailand not wanting them, the authorities being buffoons/self-interested/corrupt/your_choice_of_nonsense_here, how this place really is going to the soi dogs, etc.

I still think you would be hard-pressed to find a place that offers the same attractions (including relatively unbelievable safety in one of the world's big cities) BUT that doesn't mean it's ok to walk around daydreaming and expect never to have a problem.

My intention is not to kick off yet another yawn-worthy thread full of expert ex-pat analysis of and solutions for everything that's so simple and obvious to fix here.

This kind of crime IS a real issue because the two big English-language papers refuse to run news about foreign victims of crime here so most visitors are blissfully unaware of the need (though small relative to most places) for situational awareness.

The fact is, the world in general is getting more dangerous for various reasons, the economy is in the dumps, and Cambodia is a couple of hours' drive away - do not think that you can go anywhere in Bangkok at any time of the night or day with impunity.

Just let people you know that this threat exists and they should keep their eyes open (and not walk around with handbags or similar asking to be grabbed). Carry your valuables on your person and if you MUST use a bag that is easy for bike riders to grab, make it something they can easily have off you without ruining your arm/shoulder/neck/skull.

Easy: get a Tourist visa from the Thai embassy/consulate wherever you are now. If that's a problem, don't fly to BKK, fly to Malaysia or Singapore and get the visa for Thailand there, then hop on a cheap flight to Thailand. If you do this, make sure you don't arrive in the middle of any Thai or local holidays cuz the embassy/consulate be shut.

A single-entry Tourist visa lets you stay in Thailand for 60 days. If you have any intention of visiting neighbouring countries while you are in Thailand, get a multiple entry visa or you'll have to mess around with re-entry permits.

Don't fart about with worrying about onward travel and all that if you can do it properly in the first place.

Hope that helps.

THE FIX

Soccer and Organized Crime

Soccer???

Ohh, an american who knows everthing about "Soccer"

Impressive ability to demonstrate xenophobic vitriol in so few words. Do you also supply toilet wall graffiti?

Declan Hill is Canadian.

I know for a fact that you can do it over DTAC GPRS.

A friend has the Nokia N70. She uses the application from www.fring.com

We have talked over the internet, me on Skype at my PC and her using fring over DTAC GPRS. Test her calling me and me calling her. It's not perfect, but it works. Occasionally, the phone freezes.

About 2 years ago, I used to stream BBC radio on a Windows Mobile phone, also using DTAC GPRS, so it's clear that streaming audio (though not of hi-fi standard) is eminently possible on DTAC GPRS.

Before that, I had used Skype over dialup, which itself was slower than the data rates possible on multi-slot GPRS.

Having established that it is possible to VOIP over DTAC GPRS, you have a range of options. You can use a phone capable of running your chosen VOIP app, or you can use a PDA or PC, linked to your mobile phone as a GPRS modem. The link can be by cable or Bluetooth.

Finally, you could buy a dedicated Skype WiFi handset and use it anywhere with wifi available, either paying for the access or using somewhere with free WiFi.

You can also pick up the Asus eee pc for about 11k baht. The default OS installation includes Skype. With WiFi, it works splendidly.

I forgot to add that if you already have a laptop, you can get a PC card or USB modem for GPRS. If anything, they work even better than the above GPRS options.

I haven't checked lately, but a year or so back DTAC has some pretty cost-effective GPRS packages avialable for pre-paid users. 40 baht for unlimited use for 1 day, or something like 299 baht for 1 month.