TS79

Family coming over for Xmas, need to get something booked up for Xmas eve / Xmas dinner. Don't want a quick in and out place, somewhere to chill for a couple of hours and have some drinks too.

Index near Central mall have changed their policy to not accept local bank Visa Debit cards anymore although they will continue to accept Visa Credit cards no problem as of about 6 weeks ago. When asking why they just say that the manager is trying to stop the use of debit cards for reasons unknown. The will refuse to accept debit cards and direct you the ATM machines outside.

Just curious, a question to any merchants out there who use these credit / debit machines.What is the cost of using these systems? Is there much of a difference in fee to the merchant when a customer uses Visa Debit card over Visa Credit card? Can't understand why a big retailer like Index would not want to accept debit cards.

It's hardly a scam, just not very good for customers.

Another for future people reading this thread :

Maxi Colour in Phuket Town, on Montri Road, by the roundabout with the clock tower.

They have all the country requirement and measurements.

I am in Phuket. I tried to checkout from Amazon but as always, electronics cannot be shipped to Thailand.

Tried Ebay seller with international shipping?

Please correct me if I am wrong. TOT also have fibre optic here however from the pole or whatever their connecting point is do not we still have the copper wire to our modem? I would love to be proven wrong as I am a bit tired of their so-called 7mb which is more like dial-up speeds most of the time

I have a TOT fiber into the house. The fiber connects into a OCU then cat cable into a regular 5 port router. Speed and consistency has been good.

Not before time. Welcome back.

Also was in Bangla a couple of days ago as a mate is in town and there was loads of guys with loris, probably in the double figures region. Even had a word with the Enforcement guys (who confiscate sellers merchandise) and got a not bothered response.

Talking with my mate about how to educate the tourists about it and the best we could come up with would be a printed leaflet handed out at the airport arrivals (immigration counter maybe) written in several languages letting the newly arrived tourists know not to have their pics taken with them. No customers for the touts, then no need for Slow Loris. Easier said than done though.

It looks like algae so something with Chlorine in it. You can buy granulated chlorine at a pool shop, mix some with water and spray it on.

Very much so. I live in Kathu and will try to avoid going anywhere near roads between Lotus Intersection and Central Intersection (and beyond) during evening rush hours. The rush hour times seems to be getting longer these days and the roads start getting clogged from 3pm until 7pm. The two-year tunnel construction is going to make it horrible. The new traffic light sequence is making the lotus junction a little bit better but nothing significant.

But in general, yes, I do my best to go where I need to go during the mornings and early afternoon and then camp up after that. I feel for the people who travel in rush hour daily and do the school runs.

In my opinion having done considerable research, Daikin are the best manufacturers of air conditioning units.

In the event you are going to use it every night, then I would choose an inverter model.

Agree, I have two Daikin Inverters and they are good on power consumption considering they run pretty much all day every day.

Looks like `D-Net' is shown in some of the photos. Searched for `D-Net IPTV'

and was taken to `SatelliteTVofThailand' <snip>

No surprise there then.

Finally.

Best way to wire a socket circuit ? (See pic attached).

Method 1 - CU to 1st socket, 1st socket to 2nd socket etc..... (No join in wires except behind the sockets).

Method 2 - CU to JB, cables from each socket to JB.

What do you guys think is best.

Socket Wiring.pdf

Tried X10 in my home a couple of years ago with lights and a sockets. I struggled quite a lot because the electrical system was not up to scratch as is usually the case here in Thailand. I put the problems down to borrowed neutrals and twisted taped connections in the ceiling affecting the signal pass through.

As my requirement was only lights and sockets, I ditched the X10 and used simple timers for the sockets and found some electronic light switches that could be programmed.

I have 3 or 4 X10 screw-in light fittings (from UK) lying around if you want to take them off my hands for a reasonable price

<snip> riding motorbike in the dark without light ( hate it and usualy they have black clothing just to make them more difficult to spot).

Especially if there is 80% tint film on the windscreen.

I almost got into a fight with a salesman when he tried to sell my friend insanely expensive fancy-brand HDMI cables... Digital is digital, either the cable is too crap to use or it'll be perfect...

As for HDMI audio vs Optical, good question, I know coax digital is recommended over optical due to higher bandwidth, but I'm not sure how that applied with HDMI... sure beats all in terms of convenience, though!

Tell that to the guys who review stuff in What Hifi magazine etc. The quality (expensive) cables always get better scores.

I think its more of a "buy the first tank" rather than a deposit.

I think if you were leaving the area then the gas guy might give you a couple of hundred baht to take the tank if it was in decent condition. But aren't these tanks only certified for a number of years before the gas guy won't change it out anymore?

Since the tank is changed all the time (unless if you insist on getting your own tank refilled) this really is a moot point.

Unless gas guy gives you an really old tank.

I think its more of a "buy the first tank" rather than a deposit.

I think if you were leaving the area then the gas guy might give you a couple of hundred baht to take the tank if it was in decent condition. But aren't these tanks only certified for a number of years before the gas guy won't change it out anymore?

Home Pro Chalong has bags of BBQ wood chips in the garden dept.

Any good glass shop will do. Should be tempered, laminated and pretty thick though for a balcony. I recently had a full glass shower room fitted that is 10mm tempered and all the bracket holes were drilled by the glazier.

Tempered glass is not cheap.

Never had a problem with books or DVD's from Amazon UK. Received my last 3 books from Amazon 4 weeks ago.

Perhaps Amazon.de has different rules

Seems this is your first extension of stay, don't forget the first 90 day report is due 90 days after applying for the extension of stay and every 90 days after that as long as you don't leave the country.

Hi guys,

I've been to immigration today and everything went smooth, in and out in 15 minutes.

Once I got the stamps in my passport from the Extensions counter they told me to go to the 90-day report counter for them to tell me when the next report is due. This desk told me to report back for 90-day report on 11th February 2013 which is 90 days from today and not from the application date of 26th Sep, is this correct?

90 days from Application date 26 Sep 12, would be 90 day report on 24 Dec 12

90 day from todays date 14 Nov 12, would be 90 day report on 11 Feb 13 (as told).

I've attached a scan of my stamps:

Application was made on 26 Sep 12

Was told to report back today 14 Nov 12

Extension is permitted until 15 Oct 13

Just worried if I turn up on 11 Feb and it should have been the earlier date.

Thanks,

TS.

Seems this is your first extension of stay, don't forget the first 90 day report is due 90 days after applying for the extension of stay and every 90 days after that as long as you don't leave the country.

How far ahead of the actual 90-day report date can the report be made? e.g can i go there a week before it's due if the report is going to fall over the xmas / new-year break?

The 90-day report requires the TM47 form completing and any supporting docs with it?

Thanks again all.