monsieurhappy

Driving through the place recently (several times on business) I was quite amazed at the number of old codgers walking around with younger Thai girls. I expected it, but some that I saw really blew me away.......like really old guys.....say well into their 80's staggering along barely able to walk and in tow ......yep the young Thai woman.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good for them!! If they were spending their last few years in the UK for instance they would be hidden from the world inside an old peoples home. Their families would no longer want to go and see them but Gordon the Gopher Brown would still be taking as much tax from them as he could. Can you blame old people for wanting to spend their remaining days in a kind of paradise. OK, they have to pay these young ladies to take care of them, but they are getting a much better service for their money than anywhere else in the world. I'm not in my 80's yet by a long way, but it was one of the considerations I made when I decided to come and live here, that I wouldn't be pushed into an O-F-H to finish my days. At least these girls who look after them can call themselves nurses as opposed to B/Gs LOL.

Just to clarify here what I'm talking about - it's not the "tide mark" or anything like that around the bath or whatever or any kind of grease mark from soap. I'm trying to explain a sort of film which is on my tiles in the shower area. It's almost as if you've sprayed them with laquer and it will not come off with the usuall means. I'm pretty sure it's lime scale. As I said before, a product called "cillit" ( lime & rust remover) plus a lot of e/grease removes this film from the perspex doors, but barely touches the tiles. I was using this stuff ( cillit - bought from Tesco ) yesterday with a non-metalic scouring pad and only after a lot of scouring did I manage to remove some of the scale.

My car windscreen, although not quite as bad, looks like it has had water drops on it and when dry have left a white mark. As these build up, oncoming traffic lights at night and the sun shining in the day make visibility difficult. I had a new screen fitted only about 6 months ago ( due to breakage ) so I know this marking as only occurred since then. We use the well water in my village which is close to Maprachan Res. Pattaya, so I would think that other people would experience the same problem. My friend who lives close by says he has this problem with his tiles, but as I saw for myself yesterday, the windscreen on his car is unaffected. It looks as though my only solution is more "cillit" and a lot of e/grease, not sure how this will work on car though. If anyone can think of a better, safer way of removing this lime scale, please let me know. BTW I also tried some of the b/room cream cleaner from the UK and it failed to clean the tiles.

Re: bathroom

How about starting from the source and get rid of using bar soap? The animal fat in it sticks to glass/tiles.

Try using liquid soap and you will find it at least halves the cleanup work.

Cheers BO

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We nearly always use liquid soap ( Boots own )

As for the shower, I can usually clean the perspex doors with something called Cillit - lime and rust remover, with plenty of e/grease. But this stuff doesn't seem to work on the tiles. Have tried a few propietry brands, not sure if we've tried Tesco pink, will have a look next time shopping. Don't fancy using "sand" but will certainly try more vinegar.

My car is parked under the carport when at home with no trees or sap around. The screen was replaced only 6 mths ago, so not had time to build up. When I wash the car myself, I always leather the screen off first so water doesn't have chance to dry on it, but it always looks like there's been rain on it and dried. Thanks for all the tips though, I've noticed my wife has just got a big bottle of Windex so I'll be trying that as well.

Does anyone else get water marks or even a film on b/room tiles etc.

How do you get rid of it??

We have tried all the regular cleaners and even neat bleach but nothing really works. If I was using neat bleach in the UK it would take the skin off my hands unless I wore rubber gloves, but here I don't wear any protection and my hands are untouched. Meaning the bleach is so diluted it's almost not worth the effort.

The windscreen on my car is just the same. When I'm driving after dark the oncoming lights from other vehicles turns my screen into a star burst.

What does anyone else use??

We hadn't been to Koh Larn in 6 years, until last Friday. I was a bit reluctant because the beach we went to 6 yrs ago was dirty, rocky and lacked amenities. Anyway, we caught the ferry on Friday, 45 mins we were on Koh Larn and got a baht bus to Samae beach. 4 adults & 2 kids - 120 bt. Beautiful. Clean sand and sea. The kids were OK as the sea only slopes gently and no-one was using the jet-skis. The beach wasn't crowded and there were plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas. Toilets and showers on beach. Food & drink, but only Heineken or Singha. A good day, we will be going again soon.

Marstons brewery is in Burton on Trent ( Staffs )

You can't beat a good pint of Marstons Pedigree.

hi everyone, i have enjoyed reading on this site recently and thought it was about time i seeked some specific advice.

i am staying at the dusit for 12 nights on hneymoon at start of june and would like some advice on best bars reataurants etc, also i am size 2/3xl and are there any problems buying shits tshirts.

looking forward to reponse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi grogdog,

First thing clothes, go where you can try them on. The size on the ticket doesn't always match the item eg. I have some shirts XXL that are smaller than some XL and also smaller than an L that I bought at Marks & Sparks years ago. Mikes is a good place, check out their sale items on ground floor then look on 1st fl. you can pick up really decent shirts for under 300 baht. As for T-shirts, the difference in price from really cheap to good quality isn't so much, but you will soon see the difference when they are washed!

There are a lot of good restaurants that you don't hear too much about. If you can get to Jomtien, try L'Olivers ( hope I've spelt it correct ) it's down the road from View Talay on opposite side of road, can't remember the name of exact location, but no. is -060552573 and I don't have any connection with it. If you fancy English food, try the Pig & Whistle on soi 7. Go down to 2nd rd. across from soi Post-office and you've got Casa Pascal and also Alhoe. Then after you can walk across the road and spend a couple of hours in the Malibu. One of Pattayas best places for family entertainment. Catch Tina Turner & Elvis.

Hope that helps!!

Crime Suppression Division policewomen — Photo: PAT PONG

The fat one in red doesn't look as bad as the "guy" at the front with the moustache, and rollers in his hair!!

I think it's called "Telesavers". The no from the UK is :-

08448 615 615.....00 66 Thai no. miss out the "0" end no. with #

Hope that's clear. Should cost 1p per min.

You get what you pay for.

Enjoy your flight on Kazakstan Airways.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Looks like they're only doing what all Thai coach drivers do to help keep the engine cool!! LOL

The BBC has just broadcast an item saying 'Scientists researching the earthquake that caused the Asian Tsunami, have reported that there is a high chance of another quake'

This was just popped in at the end of the bulletin.

I'll try and find the link!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

These "Scientists" are from an "Irish" university so think what you will!!

Although flashing the headlights is used in the UK to let people go before you, it is actually wrong. The flashing of headlights is a WARNING signal, so Thai people use this correctly. One of the few things they do right on the roads! Please don't encourage them to use flashing in the wrong way as we will be waiting at road juctions for weeks so they can make up their minds if it is being used as a warning or not. It's bad enough now having to wait while some-one turns right because they want to cut the corner and there's some-one on that corner also waiting to turn right.

Hi,

When I came out about 2 1/2 years ago there were some things I wanted to bring, personal items eg. photos, books, a hi-fi, video etc. I was able to get them into a wooden box ( or at least the shipping co. was ) about 1 1/2 cubic metres. They took them away, boxed them up and put them on the ship. The cost of this inc. making the box and insurance came to 405 GBP. I put the ownership as myThai wife and the addressee as her sister in Bangkok. They told me the name of the ship and when it was due in Bangkok, about one month after dispatch.

I left the UK on a 6 month double entry tourist visa. A friend of my wife called the port in Bangkok when the box was due to arrive, to confirm it's arrival. Then we went to collect. We were shunted about from office to office getting paperwork signed and stamped. This took about 6 hrs., probably because we refused to pay any "tea money" But eventually we got the box from the customs without having to pay any tax. The box had been damaged, but not the contents. We wanted to take everything out of the box and put into our pick-up, but they said that as only one box came in, only one box could go out. So we had to pay for a fork lift to put our broken box on one of their trucks, take outside the gates and transfer to our pick-up. About 200 baht.

So maybe the answer is to put everything into someone elses name.

The Speckled Hen is only available in the Bull's Head & the Barbican until next month when it should gradually start to reach other places. And it is FRESH & well within its 6 month life.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Although Old Speckled Hen wasn't my usual tipple when I lived in the UK ( I was a Pedigree drinker ) a good pint of English ale is one of the few things I'm missing out here. So tell me, where do I find the Bull's Head & the Barbican and how much is it per pint?

I have been using the post shop at carrefours to send letters home..

Stamp price is 17 baht but they have added 5 baht for service...very fair and convenient.

Yesterday I went to post a letter....29 baht ,he said

The price has now increased...still 17b for a stamp...

I refuse to be ripped off and took my letter back..

Does anyone know if there are outlets that sell stamps?or have a reasonably priced service?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I regularly use the post shops in Tesco North & Tops and the price for AIRMAIL to UK for a small letter is 29 baht. More when the letter is heavier. This as been the same for about 2 years now and when you consider the price for the same size letter from the UK to Thailand is 68p I don't think this is a bad price.

For anyone's information, there is now a post shop in Tipp's Plaza on 2nd rd., just north of Mikes.

There is a university bookshop around the back of Siam Square that stocks a good range of English language computer books. That's where I suggest you try first. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the shop, but I'm sure that someone from this forum can tell you.

 

i need some computer books so i can update my skillset before i start teaching computer skills to kids.... i seem to remember seeing some in a shop in pantip, but i don't recall them being in english. can anyone suggest a place with a decent amount of stock? just basics like Word, Excel, HTML... so i can make sure i know all the details.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is a good bookshop within the World Trade Centre ( old name ) I can't remember the name of shop but it's big and should be quite easy to find. Opposite end from Sukhumvit Rd. They stock a good range of English language computer books.

Yes you can Astral,

The UBC agents don't know or don't want to sell but you can get the card seperately.

I have one !!!!

3900 Baht one time fee plus whatever package you want. (Gold/Silver/Platinum)

http://www.satthai.net/th/mcard.htm

Same in Pattaya, KSR Electronics(South Pattaya Road) is NOT a UBC dealer, but they can install a satellite system from whatever brand you fancy and then arrange a UBC smartcard!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,

Thanks for your info guys, I've decided to wait until later this week when the UBC relocation starts before making a move. Then I think I will be trying KSR Electronics or similar to see if they can set up my decoder with the new locations. My smart card is OK, when I took the decoder to the UBC shop on Pattaya Klang during last years Olympics, ( I couldn't receive the temp. program on my decoder ) they tried it in one of their genuine boxes and everything worked. So really the only problem with my decoder is the fact it doesn't update automatically. The first decoder I got when my system was installed was just the same, ie. when the History Channel first came on I couldn't get it, but a visit to the UBC shop sorted it. My gripe with UBC was not that I wanted a new decoder, it was that because I had been sold a fake through their organisation they should update it for me free of charge. They were only too ready to do this for a price.

I would like to go down the path that waldwolf suggested, but I think it would prove to be expensive and frustrating. UBC said more or less in one of their emails to me that it's their agent who supplied the set and so I must get redress from their agent. It would be different if I was in the UK trying to fight this one ( or would it? )

Anyway, thanks again for your help, I'll let you know if I get it working.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, switched on this morning to find ( Surprise Surprise!!) no channels execpt Thai. So I took my fake decoder to a certain shop ( not fair to name it as the guy tried his best ) and over an hour later - no luck. So my wife says we go to UBC shop and rent new set which I was very reluctant to do. We go into UBC shop on Pattaya Klang and there's a couple of farang guys with the same decoders I have. When I get into conversation, one seems to know his stuff, and A-presto, I have all the channels working on my set. ( FOR NOW anyway ) I can't thank this guy enough, but even though I now have BBC Prime etc. apparently these are only on for 30 days with the Gold package. I'm just hoping that after the 30 day period UBC don't &lt;deleted&gt; up the whole set-up again. It also proves that I'm not the only person in Pattaya with one of these fake decoders. Still haven't got UBC Mag. yet, but MonsHappy is OK for Now.

Just tried my Yahoo email at 23.13 and it seems OK.

Yes you can Astral,

The UBC agents don't know or don't want to sell but you can get the card seperately.

I have one !!!!

3900 Baht one time fee plus whatever package you want. (Gold/Silver/Platinum)

http://www.satthai.net/th/mcard.htm

Same in Pattaya, KSR Electronics(South Pattaya Road) is NOT a UBC dealer, but they can install a satellite system from whatever brand you fancy and then arrange a UBC smartcard!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,

Thanks for your info guys, I've decided to wait until later this week when the UBC relocation starts before making a move. Then I think I will be trying KSR Electronics or similar to see if they can set up my decoder with the new locations. My smart card is OK, when I took the decoder to the UBC shop on Pattaya Klang during last years Olympics, ( I couldn't receive the temp. program on my decoder ) they tried it in one of their genuine boxes and everything worked. So really the only problem with my decoder is the fact it doesn't update automatically. The first decoder I got when my system was installed was just the same, ie. when the History Channel first came on I couldn't get it, but a visit to the UBC shop sorted it. My gripe with UBC was not that I wanted a new decoder, it was that because I had been sold a fake through their organisation they should update it for me free of charge. They were only too ready to do this for a price.

I would like to go down the path that waldwolf suggested, but I think it would prove to be expensive and frustrating. UBC said more or less in one of their emails to me that it's their agent who supplied the set and so I must get redress from their agent. It would be different if I was in the UK trying to fight this one ( or would it? )

Anyway, thanks again for your help, I'll let you know if I get it working.

I don't see how the decoder box can be "fake".

If it worked previously it must be a real decoder.

The first ones were made by PACE, the latest are "Sun Moon and Stars"

a Taiwanese company.

As far as I know there has never been a mass change of decoders.

Mine have been changed at various times, but only when I have had minor problems

The thing that has changed in the last 2 years is the smart cards.

Did UBC change yours?

There was change in the encryption codes and that was why a new card was needed.

Call UBC again and ask to speak to the supervisor.  The kids who answer the phones only know the "off pat" answers.

Otherwise you might try talking to a lawyer............

I assume you have the receipts from UBC for the decoder?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've just been looking for the instruction book that came with the first decoder we had, to get the name, pretty sure it wasn't one of the ones UBC was officially using. I can't find it, but the decoder that it was changed to is a Technosat IR-7000 made in China by Infosat Co., Ltd. Apart from the problems we had in the first few months, which nearly everybody I spoke to at the time was getting, and which were put right when we took the decoder back to the shop on Sukhumvit Rd., everything seemed in order. We paid our monthly payment at the said shop and they always fixed the problem we had with the decoder. It was after we got the set changed that there were rumours of corruption at this shop ( surely no corruption at UBC!! ) and it was closed down. We then had problems trying to get someone to take our payments, but eventually got some bankslips from UBC and have since paid our monthly installment through the bank. As far as I know, the smart card is the same one we had when we got UBC installed unless it was changed any time without our knowledge.

When the ASEAN conference was on, UBC put out some travel programs on a channel that wasn't used for anything else. My friend told me about these but I couldn't get them on my set. I think at the time I asked UBC and got the usual couldn't care less answer and as the new program only lasted a couple of weeks it wasn't worth following it up. Then came the Olympics and again I couldn't get the tempory program so I started sending emails to UBC service centre. The last one I got back was to say someone from their Chon Buri agents would come out to look at the problem. Needless to say no-one came. As the set is still working I've not bothered too much about it, I can't get the new channels 28 & 29 but as they're only football I'm not worried. But now we have this major channel relocation and I know I'm going to have problems.

I told UBC that we bought the package from the shop on Sukhumvit Rd. and we have receipts on UBC headed paper, the sat. dish has UBC on it and it was all installed by men in UBC uniforms and a UBC vehicle. They just don't want to know. As for seeing a lawyer, it might be cheaper and less frustrating to just cancel the package we have now and sign up for a new rental agreement. Or see the guy who Monty ( thanks ) as suggested.

PS. I was once in the shop on Sukhumvit before it closed and I was talking to a guy from Jomtien who had been sold the same decoder box and was having the same trouble. So there are others who might now be getting the same problems. In fact there have been at least 2 people in my village ( only just learned about these ) who were sold fake boxes. They just cut their losses and took out rental contracts, too long ago to do anything. UBC puts it down to the fact that these shops are run by agents, the shop on Sukhumvit was in fact a subsidary of the agents at Chon Buri and leaves you to sort it out with these agents. After 2 years, do you think it's worth persuing??

Hi,

Got my UBC package 2 years ago when the shop was on Sukhumvit - Pattaya. For some reason, can't remember now, it seemed like a good idea to purchase instead of rent. Paid 20000 bt. for decoder, dish and installation which was delivered and carrried out by UBC personnel. We had a lot of problems but were put right by UBC. Then I realised that my decoder was different from neighbours so when I asked in UBC shop, was told that this was because I bought and they rented. After some more problems they exchanged the decoder box free of charge. This shop on Sukhumvit then closed. Now although we get UBC programs OK, whenever they put out an extra channel, eg. for the Olympics, we don't get it. I emailed the service centre and was told to take the box to the newly opened UBC shop opposite Car4 on Pattaya Klang. There they told me that I had been supplied a fake decoder box. Quite a few emails were exchanged with UBC service centre, but eventually they just stopped answering me with nothing being done on their part. Now I wondering what will happen when the channel relocation moves all my channels around. Anyone have the same problem or know of anyone who can work on these decoders??

Try Nakhorn Phanom. Nice view of the karst mountains in Laos.

There're two hotels within walking distance with similar sounding names.

One is something like "The Maekhong River Grand View Hotel" and I think the other is "River Maekhong view Hotel". This latter one is newer and both are on the road that leads to That Phanom. The latter being the one closest to That Phanom.

I stayed here about 2 years ago and was good for the 900b per night.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We stayed in the one furthest from Nakorn Phanon, thought it was just called "River View". Anyway, can definitly recommend it although wouldn't exactly call it higher-end. We stayed there about 1 year ago and paid 900 baht per night, the superior rooms were 1800 baht per night but our room was spot on. Rear of hotel overlooking pool, Mekong and Laos. Good restaurant, although a/b was the plasticy type you get everywhere. The night we stayed they had a really good singer in the lounge. Only one problem, not much to do in that area.

Same experience,the copy of the old statement from the embassy this year was deemed sufficient;not sure that next time they will accept it,though!TiT.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's s*ds law that if you don't get a new copy of certification of your pension from the embassy you will be asked by immigration for one. As I posted before, 2 people I know have been told at Pattaya soi 8 that lasts years letter will be good for this year. When I produced my letter last Nov. and asked if I could use the same one next Nov. they told me no! I would have to get a new one.

Hi Simbo,

I got my first letter last Nov. Same as you I had previously had 800k in bank. I took with me the original letter from my company to say I was getting a pension ( 2 years old ) Some pay statements, I don't get one every month, so just 2 or 3. P60 from last April. Bank statement - internet copy, shows pension paid into UK bank. This is all that was needed. I don't yet get Gov. pension.

I got to the embassy early ( 9.00am ) don't forget to take ticket for your turn in queue. They told me to pick up letter next day after 9.00am. If you are in hurry, get there earlier as there may be a queue.

I'm pretty sure I paid 1600 baht. but have read someone paying more, so don't know if price as gone up. Best of luck, I also live in Chon Buri. MonsH.

does that mean if you are married to a thai but want to stay on a retirement visa you need only show 400k  , as opposed to 800k for a single man on retirement ???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They will also want to see some new money coming in each year or a letter from your embassy to verify how much pension you are receiving. 40,000 baht per month is I think the minimum.