iluvbeaches

The battery life is not very good on these tablets.

It depends from brand to brand.

My current Ainol 10 Hero will last 9 hours continious usage with graphics, or more than a week on standby, while the Onda v712 I had previously would struggle with 3 hours of usage and 24 hours standby.

I find that an acceptable battery life.

Never had a Samsung tab or Ipad, but do they have much better batterylife than the Ainol ?

That's very good for a no name brand. I get 12hrs or so with my iPad never really checked because I never use it that much in under a few days but 9 hrs sounds fine.

I think you should compare side by side high quality tablets with cheaper ones and usually the quality difference will be obvious. Then if you prefer to save the money it is a better choice. Silly to buy one, hate it and end up buying another one.

They're cheap for a reason.

battery life is in the 3-4 hour range usually

updates probably won't be available (i.e. if it's Android 4.0, don't expect the manufacturer to come out with a 4.1 or 4.2 update.)

they're not particularly fast.

I have a Chinese tablet at the moment (aigoPad M80), but I'm definitely contemplating a Nexus 7 (or even an iPad)

I'm not an apple fan boy but after playing around with some of my friends cheap tablets and a Samsung tab 7 of my own (which was the most decent) I got an new iPad. It's seriously incredible in comparison. The battery life, screen and available friction free apps- night and day competed to those crap Chinese copies in the 4000-8000 range. I charge my iPad every few days (!!) not hours, the thing is a beast.

If you play around with both for 10 min each you will see where your money goes. I'm sure the better Samsung ones have a similar wow factor my friend got the 8 note and I played with the 10.1 galaxy tab both are great.

Good day.

first - apologies for starting a new thread - but then, there are just too many topic/thread to scroll thru...so,guess starting one would be easier and faster..

Currently am working in Thailand... saw one Showroom and decided to 'buy' one unit of 28 sq mtr studio apartment.

then after looking thru ( what I can ) the topics and wanting to be sure....for the questions below;

As I am not intending to transfer money to thailand.. will use savings since won't be needed to pay full amount till completion somewhere late 2014.

1. The funds to pay for the unit 'must be from overseas ' ?

2. if I use my savings , how can i remit back home 'if' i sold it off later ?

just to be sure...not sure of my length of stay here atm..

thks guys.

As far as I know, you can refer to the actual condominium act, you cannot register the condo in your name (a non Thai or non Thai entirety) if you can't produce a foreign exchange form proving the funds came from abroad. You can send the monies to your home country and then send them back I suppose.

This is really something you should sort out with an attorney especially if the developer does not provide official translations of the purchase and sale agreement.

Listen to some of you guys

I like the airport trains. The express is fine (and plenty of luggage space) and reasonably priced to take you to the downtown area. The all stops service is also handy (and cheap) if you are staying around Ramkhamhaeng area, or other stations inbetween. Out of peak times it is hardly crowded

If you have a LOT of luggage then a taxi might suit you better, or if you are in a group, you might save a few baht also, but with just one bag or two the train is fine. Unlike the taxi you don't have the same risk of injury or worse in a traffic accident, Due to erratic driving and drivers suffering fatigue or under the influence of something. Nor do you have to sit stuck in traffic for interminable amounts of time.

When I get on/off at the other end in Sydney the 'airport' train is a regular commuter train, in peak hours much like the BTS at peak times. Try getting your luggage and yourself on that. You could take a taxi but that would cost you a bomb a fortune in Sydney.

As a system, not comparing to others, it functions fine and is reasonably priced. Comparing with my hometown it works great

Totally agree. The train works great and gets me to where I'm going. If your lugging around lots of luggage well yes that might be a pain but that's nothing specific to this train system. Maybe consider less luggage.

Although I sometimes need to rent a car if I don't I always use the train. Taxi drivers from the airport seem to all have a death wish. No seat belts also. Not safe in my opinion but then again I don't ride motorcycles and lots of people do so I suppose cost and convenience win out over safety for most.

Funny thing about motorcycles is that I'd guess 50-70% of my friends who ride bikes have been in an accident, serious or not, but still ride. Yet if you have one issue with a plane you'd never ride that airline again. I don't get it.

6.1 jailbreaked for the win!

It has become much more difficult recently. I think some banks want a minimum deposit amount, a number which I can't recall but is quite high (IMO). Also if you are an American looking to deposit USD, don't be surprised if they hand you a U.S. tax form and ask you to sign it. The BoT also has some strict guidelines for where the funds can originate from.

Best to approach a bank you already have a relationship with and ask them.

Edit: why not use an ATM to buy THB using currency exchange when you need it? You will get the best rate that way.

cause I have some USD with me, I just would like to save them in the bank.

Maybe a safety deposit box? A few in Bangkok and banks have them though most are taken and long lines. I remember seeing one around Silom in bangkok advertised looked very professional, good security and such.

So there's me at the Muay Thai training, thinking I'm doing well learning Thai as I go along.

Sai, kwa!! sai, kwa!! sai sai sai!! ( left right left right left left left )

Sog kwa ( right elbow ) sog sai ( work it out for yourself, no one is that thick )

Anyway emboldened by my new language skills I asked a lady why whenever I say aroy mak mak ( delicious ) ladies often reply to me aroy ma. So she explained it's like very very much, and very much.

So she then taught me how to say I like to eat very much ( which is true ) so she said Schop geen mak mak. Okay......I can do.

Anyway further emboldened by my new language skills I was in my local restaurant last night, talking to the owner and a waitress with perfect English and I said......

Schop geen ma

The girl look horrified and said......you like to eat dog??

I said NOOOOOO!!!! I like to eat very much......

She said......you like to eat dog very much?? ( looking incredulous and horrified in equal measure )

Nooooo!!!!

But you say Schop geen ma......that means you like to eat dog......

No it doesn't......it means I like to eat very much

I am Thai......I speak Thai fluent, I know what you say.....you like to eat dog.

Okay, fork it......I like to eat dog, dog aroy mak mak.

Nearly passing out with shock.....she said, where you get dog in Chiang Mai?

I said Vietnam man in Soi 2, 40 baht old dog, 100 baht for puppy......mee ow kao.

You eat puppy dog?

Yes, I like puppy tail very much.

Now truly disgusted she said.......get out of restaurant, or I will phone the police.

<deleted>?......I'm finished with this language, it's just too dangerous

The tones are essential. Like in French, unless you pronounce them perfectly nobody understands you. Frustrating but it can be done. I find over enunciating the tone does the trick but it helps if you tone down your own accent if you have one.

I think one thing people forget who work a lot is how to productively fill your days once you stop working. I personally don't think hitting the drink is any better than working one selves to death.

Make sure you have a plan for the 24 hrs a day you don't have to be on someone else's schedule. Figure out some hobbies, or start some. Best way to meet quality friends also if you become and expat.

For me, I'm never going to retire because I don't look for or enjoy normal jobs, office jobs. I think it's a problem with my whole generation, honestly, even with an good education job prospects I just can't do it long term. Maybe that's why I sympathize with the (lack of) work ethic in Thailand.

I am luckier I suppose that I've made a lot money my entire life in equities and my small businesses hobbies other wise I'd be in financial trouble.

mogandave- On the surface this sounds like a smart move. I wish I was more astute about speculating in foreign currencies. My concern is that their are much more knowledgeable and sophisticated currency speculators that have made fortunes speculating in foreign currencies. Also, are your holdings in Thailand insured? Can you go to bed at night knowing that your deposits in Thai baht held in Thai banks are fully insured? Thank you for any info because I am losing more and more confidence in the US Dollar and need to come up with an alternative plan before my savings becomes worthless due to the ravages of inflation, debasement of the US dollar, debt in the trillions of dollars and out of control printing of trillions of dollars by the Federal Reserve.

Always a good plan to earn or hold money in the currency you live so you don't worry about exchange rates.

Major Thai banks are insured to depositors up to a certain amount by something like the fidc and ecb - I think 1 million.

cornishcarlos. I heard that too - Samui sucks. In what way ? I was thinking of a trip there but have been put off by many people. I believe its a bland place flat with poor scenery. Chaweng I understand has a Bar Scene but not much point in leaving one bar-scene place for another.

Comments appreciated, thanks

Samui has à great balance of everything a Thai island should have. Many other islands that people praise are ok if you want to live on a boring deserted island but samui has areas that feel like that and areas with more life. Nice to have a real mall, theater, bkk hospital, airport stuff like that. Skip chawang though.

So,

I emailed the help center and they wrote back telling me how to link my bank account to my PayPal account.

And i did and it linked but they still ask me for a credit card when I try to pay my bill.

So i have written back to the help center again. but if any one here knows how to pay when you have a bank account linked to your PayPal instead of a credit card ,i would love to know

Hello, was the instructions on the bank site? If so could you post a link?

I am trying to set up another Paypal account with one of my Thai bank accounts, SCB or Bangkok bank.

Can anybody recommend a reliable place in Bangkok to get my beloved Mac Book Air LCD screen replaced?

If anybody has had this done then what would it cost?

As its nearly a year and a half old I'm in two minds about getting it fixed if it costs too much. The damage isn't than bad and it's still fully functional with the cracks appearing on viewing app or movie which has black or dark scenes. I could simply wait until the next iteration of Macbook airs comes out whenever that is.

Should be straight forward to fix at shops in fortune, Panthip, I studio or better yet these third party Mac stores. Think there is one in din daeng/ sutthisan but can't remember the name. Maybe try to search the forum for it? I studio would over charge a bit.

I guess around 5-6000 for the replacement.

Any suggestions for a good PC based Strategy game? Simcity5 was a huge let down, Crusader Kings2 you need to do a MBA before you know how to play it, I've played Civ5 to death already... anyone have any other suggestions?New or old, doesn't matter as long as its a good, fun, enjoyable game

Endless space on steam. Reminds me of Masters of Orion.

I got one at Big C several years ago. I want to say 4000B. They will deliver for free but no guarantee on when. "Tomorrow" would appear to roughly translate to "Within the next several days" in Thai.

Big c is the way to go for random cheap furniture. Also got one there a few years ago small fold out futon for like 3-4000. Check a few different ones, always different stock.

Sometimes they will let you buy the show model for a discount at home pro, home works index and big c. Index is the worst though.

I had the same problem. I feel your pain.

Ended up just sticking to coffee places that have black filter or americano on the menu or at small shops watch them and then stop them before they syrup the hell out of it.

Coffee should be strong and black :-)

It brings to mind the old classic...

The how I like my women one? No sadly I like mine soft and blond ;-)

What is the secret to consistently getting unsweeted, black iced coffee in Thailand? I'm talking about in any cafe other than Starbucks. Despite my best efforts, seems like 1/2 the time I end up getting sweetened coffee.

I almost decided that "Cafe Americano" was the trick because I kept explaining at Au Bon Pain that I want "not sweet", "mai waan" "black", "sii daam", etc. Finally, their eyes lit up & they chirped: "Cafe Americano!" So I got that, and it was perfect. Black & bitter.

But in other cafes, Cafe Americano comes up heavily syruped. So I don't know what they think that means. This also happens (sometimes) at Coffee World and any number of independent cafes. I'm in Bangkok.

Other times, I have a long discussion with them in my dismal Thai, sometimes my wife tells them plainly, in Thai, what I want. And sure enough, sweet coffee arrives.

I'm not above sending it back to do over, but my wife is horrified at any hint of confrontation & I don't want to make anyone lose face, esp if the boss is around watching them. I know these girls mean well. So has anyone "broken the code" on what it takes to convince them you really don't want sweetener in your ice coffee?

Please note: "It never happens to me" is not helpful. I'm sure some of you are so extraordinarily skillful that you have no problem. But if this has happened to you & you've found an effective way to deal with it, I'm all ears!

I had the same problem. I feel your pain.

Ended up just sticking to coffee places that have black filter or americano on the menu or at small shops watch them and then stop them before they syrup the hell out of it.

Coffee should be strong and black :-)

Hey rgs!

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Yea, I have been to BKK for 4 times and Changmai once. I love the culture and the people here, the language as well.

hmm I understand the rental is flexible. but those around their central business district area? they command around 200k Baht?

Visa.. hmm understood.. I'm trying to apply from Singapore first, until i get a green light from my employer then I will move over.

Problem now is, is there any online job finder for Thailand, Bangkok?

Salary, as long as its within comfortable range, im good. Dont expect too much.

lastly, yea I met a girl in Malaysia JB. But she's not the primary reason I want to live in Thailand, Bangkok.

Thanks for the input!

Have you ever been to Bkk?

Why would you want to come here?

No idea about finance jobs.

Rental costs, anywhere from 2,000 baht to 200,000 baht per month.

The first thing to take note of, what happens if you dont secure employment, what type of visa will you be using to stay here.

Next, will the salary offered match your expectations, what do you offer that the Thais dont already have?

Third if you are moving here to be with a woman I would forget it.

I'd seriously recommend getting a job offer before relocation but depending on your language skills (Malay, mandarin)and your expertise it certainly is not impossible. Probably best to apply from there or come for like 2-3 weeks if you can get the time off.

You can look on job sites but since you don't speak Thai you will be limited.

Be careful as lots of shady investment and finance firms pop up, hire foreign staff and basically run like a call center to dupe investors or pump and dump scams so make sure the firm is reputable.

Rent you can get quality apartments from 15-25k din daeng asok or suk no problem, closer to 20-30 in sathorn or silom for very nice places, best is choose an area you want to live and pop in and speak to the juristic person office in the building. All have pool and gym and security, parking. They get a month commission just like the agents and then you don't have to waste time with agents.

Are you sure you want that area? people are not so keen after the floods that hit the area hard, and maybe next time.

Been through that area during the floods to visit some friends. Trust me, you don't want to buy in rangsit unless its practically free. Rent there is dirt cheap and there is no upside plus the potential of half a meter of water ruining your living room.

The most important thing about exercise is finding some thing that u enjoy. That way u will stick to it as it has to be life style not just something to do temporary out of guilt.

Try to structure the activity as well for real results.

Add in a few personal goals and u have the grounds for success and being proud.

Being older ( than 30 say ) injury is an issue so choosing a low impact sport is good. Control your intake too and see food as a fuel for the training and have a reward treat some times.

Personally I Mountain bike and light weight train with great results.

Good luck

I'd recommend indoor rock climbing. Amazing fun and such a great upper body workout.

Also tennis, squash, badminton or any sport that involves short interval running and is fun and competitive.

To get rid of it, I didn't want to be sitting in the same position 2 years down the line competing with the other 1000's of similar places.

It's easy to buy a place in Thai but IMO not that easy to sell.

Or at least in Bangkok. Too many people think buying in Bangkok is a good investment and can rent it out. All the Thai's I know that did that are scrambling to sell them. There are literally hundreds of places available to rent. The bubble is bursting.

Maybe for condos.

The prices do seem very high for the "average" Thai.

RAZZ

Could be a problem with not buying what Thais can afford or where Thais want to live. If your banking on foreigners it's strictly a speculative upmarket and not very reliable.

Bangkok is still the capital and where most upwardly mobile want to live. Capital markets are always a better bet than vacation areas. Sukhumvit is not an example of a place. Better to look for growth areas that are attractive to a domestic market, near expansions or where bts or mrt is being built or just built. Best way to tell that is whether there are majority other Thais who bought to live in the building rather than rent out.

But I think there is truth to the statement that it is much easier to buy than sell. Certainly the best is not to invest what you can't afford to hold on to for some time, keep a 5-10 year outlook. Use it as a base, hedge your rental expenses, whatever. But don't count on flipping it, local players are far more likely to get it right.

The wife and I have finally decided that we can't take it with us when we expire so we need to start travelling a lot. We are booked to go to Australia at the end of June but that's a long way off. So we are looking at either Japan, Korea or Viet Nam. For 2 or 3 weeks at the end of April early May. We have never been to any of these countries before so don't know which one we should choose first.The wife thinks Korea and I think Japan. We are hoping that someone on this forum who has been to all of these countries can provide us with some guidance.

Japan, one of the nicest countries I've ever visited. Stay in some smaller cozier area in Tokyo, avoid Roppongi, and get the one or two week train pass for domestic use and visit Osaka and Kyoto also.

Seriously, Japan beats Korea a thousand times over. I found Seoul very overrated and Koreans were not very welcoming in the big cities. In Japan the people are very kind and nice to us on our stay. And April the cherry blossom season so it's fun to drink a cold beer and eat smoked turkey in the park.

I agree with iluvbeaches. Japan truly is one of the nicest countries you will ever go to.

My ex and I did a 3 week trip there in 2006 and it was amazing. Also, 3 weeks will allow you to see from the north around Nagano to the south to Miyajima/Hiroshima (if you go, please don't miss this place)/Kyoto. There are also some little towns along the way between the south and the north that are worth a day or two just becuse they are so Japanese.

As noted, Japan is not a cheap place but it can be a less expensive place. And as of the last few weeks, the yen is getting a bit weaker so your money will go a bit farther.

If you decide on Japan, let me know and I'll pass on what information I have that might be of use to you.

David

Totally forgot to mention that, what David said, Hiroshima was one of the saddest but most memorable places along the way. You could do the bullet train to Kyoto or Osaka, continue to Hiroshima and then on the way back stop at one of the other cities.

Stayed two weeks myself and could have easily stayed three. Go for the Sakura!

The wife and I have finally decided that we can't take it with us when we expire so we need to start travelling a lot. We are booked to go to Australia at the end of June but that's a long way off. So we are looking at either Japan, Korea or Viet Nam. For 2 or 3 weeks at the end of April early May. We have never been to any of these countries before so don't know which one we should choose first.The wife thinks Korea and I think Japan. We are hoping that someone on this forum who has been to all of these countries can provide us with some guidance.

Japan, one of the nicest countries I've ever visited. Stay in some smaller cozier area in Tokyo, avoid Roppongi, and get the one or two week train pass for domestic use and visit Osaka and Kyoto also.

Seriously, Japan beats Korea a thousand times over. I found Seoul very overrated and Koreans were not very welcoming in the big cities. In Japan the people are very kind and nice to us on our stay. And April the cherry blossom season so it's fun to drink a cold beer and eat smoked turkey in the park.

I have never been to either Korea or Japan. When I saw the origanal post my preference would most certainly have been Japan,

I know the OP is not going to take it with him but I was wondering about the cost in Japan, I had heard it was very expensive and was thinking for the same cost the OP might be able to visit two countries. Again I am just repeating what I had heard I most assuredly could be wrong I would like to know the facts as from all I have heard it is a nice country to visit and the people are much friendlier than Korea.

Just as a side note it is not to hard to get around in Bali with English. It was kind of funny the few times I was having a little trouble communicating with a clerk they would just ignore me and start talking to my wife and she would just look at them and say I Thai.

One other thing I don't know what passport the OPs wife carries if it is Thai she will have no problem in Asia. Western countries can be a different story.

Japan wasn't cheap but most of your costs will go to hotel, I found a good enclave near akihabara that had a nice double bed for 70USD, great amenities and close to train and subway- best to look at reviews on tripadvisor as places vary and ALL are tiny. You can eat very cheap or very expensive depending on where you go. A lot of places outside tourist areas people don't speak English but you can always get by with sign language - some of the best food, sushi, was in places with no foreigners, English menus or pictures!

Korea was quite pricey, great beer and soju culture and fun parties, very high tech and poppy, drinking with college students and "Farang" lovers was fun but sadly the US military personnel have likely spoiled it a bit as many places are not white people friendly. Not much a fan of the food though. In general, felt like people there don't like anyone outside Koreans. Maybe it was just our experience.

If you are on a strict budget however I would not recommend Korea or Japan because it will take away from the experience and will not be pleasant especially if you are traveling with company.

The wife and I have finally decided that we can't take it with us when we expire so we need to start travelling a lot. We are booked to go to Australia at the end of June but that's a long way off. So we are looking at either Japan, Korea or Viet Nam. For 2 or 3 weeks at the end of April early May. We have never been to any of these countries before so don't know which one we should choose first.The wife thinks Korea and I think Japan. We are hoping that someone on this forum who has been to all of these countries can provide us with some guidance.

Japan, one of the nicest countries I've ever visited. Stay in some smaller cozier area in Tokyo, avoid Roppongi, and get the one or two week train pass for domestic use and visit Osaka and Kyoto also.

Seriously, Japan beats Korea a thousand times over. I found Seoul very overrated and Koreans were not very welcoming in the big cities. In Japan the people are very kind and nice to us on our stay. And April the cherry blossom season so it's fun to drink a cold beer and eat smoked turkey in the park.

10m isn't that deep. I would say it's about average.

40m is deep dive.

Such a sad thing. 10m is nothing I am a beginner/intermediate and I do 15m no problem.

Unless something happened underwater it sounds like defective equipment or he didn't check his equipment well. I can imagine some, not all, dive shops might have shoddy equipment.