mrsouza

HI

My PC comes up with virus warning when i enter www.phuketgazette.com

what about yours?

Same here. I guess their hosting company had the servers compromised with a virus. Not the Gazette's fault though, but they should review how their hosting company is dealing with software updates and security measures. Someone using Windows visiting the website could unknowingly get a virus or trojan installed on their PC if they haven't updated their software recently.

Remember that if any of your credit cards has been lost, stolen or retained by an ATM or if you suspect you have been the victim of fraud, contact your card issuer immediately.

In cancelling your card or putting a hold on your account, you will be liable for all transactions made before notifying the bank.

I've said it already, but it can not be overstated. If you have a Thai credit card with these conditions attached you are setting yourself up for a big hit. I gladly pay overseas transaction fees on my CC's. Someone in Thailand charged $3000.00 on my credit card for air tickets purchased in Hong Kong. My bank caught the bogus transaction in advance and corrected my balance without charge. I had no way of knowing these charges were made and according to the article in the Nation if I had used a Thai credit card I would have been owned. Has anyone every successfully reversed a fraudulent charge on a Thai CC that occured before you notified the bank of posssible fraud?

Sure. It has nothing to do with Thai banks, they are only the issuers. Visa/MC/Amex regulations clearly states that if there is no authentic signature or other proof of card present, then the charge can be annulled by the card owner. I have been contacted twice by my bank and offered a replacement card because they discovered my card was compromised, without my knowledge.

If the bank tries to leverage the fraudelent charge on you, contact the card association (Visa/MC/Amex) and present your case. The banks are bound by agreements that are same for all countries in Asia-pacific. This also applies to surcharges if you pay with a credit card, which is normal in Thailand. If the merchant charge you 2-3% extra because you pay with a credit card, you can get that amount back from the issuing bank. Well, you should. Could be a hassle around here sometimes.

Try http://www.lemonsurf.com/.

Talk to Franco. He might not be the cheapest, but at least you know what you get.

I assumed the OP was talking about a garden playpool.. Not a installed pool.

Correct, I missed that in the OP. However, I spoke to him over PM and in this case they used tap water for the playpool and she most probably just got a skin reaction due to the rust levels in the water. No harm done. But the problem with pool maintenance for installed pools remains around here.

Last Saturday my 2 year old daughter spent the morning playing with her friend in the playpool at my friend's house in Phuket town. That night she started to show signs of a very high temperature and had a rash all over her torso. I thought this may have been measles but also thought it surprising as she has had all her injections. The next day, her small friend was taken to hospital presenting with the identical symptoms, plus a sore throat (It appears he drank a lot of the water which my daughter did not). The diagnosis was an allergy to chemicals present in the water, mainly Chlorine! They both still have the rash but the temps have gone down. Further investigation amongst the locals indicates that the local water authority gives the pipes a "hot shot" of chemicals once per month. So - Beware if you have small children and I also think that there may be adverse effects to adults as well. TIT!

Capex,

The symptoms you describe sounds like your daughter has been exposed to an excess amount of TriChlo or Trichloro-cyanuric Acid. TriChlo is used to extend the efficiency of chlorine. TriChlo must only be used ONCE and never exceed 100 ppm. The only reason for adding more TriChlo is if the pool is drained, naturally.

The problem in Thailand is that some pool companies and pool cleaners here seem to use TriChlo acid instead of chlorine because its cheaper, or just add some more at each chlorine fill-up because they think it should be added. TriChlo poses a very high cancer hazard at levels above 100 ppm. This only from external contact, if someone digest TriChlo, as you mentioned your daughter's friend did, cancer in the abdominal area is unavoidable.

Before you panic, there are a few things you should do first, as this could just be an allergic reaction to the chlorine. Try to get a test kit for "Cyanuric Acid". I am not sure if these are sold in Phuket, but you can find them on internet such as here.

A friend of mine, who is an expert on water treatment, did a test of some pools in Phuket and several of them had way over 1,000 ppm. I would recommend anyone to get one of these testing kits and check for yourself before you throw yourself or your loved ones in a public or private pool in Phuket.

If anybody knows a shop that sell these test kits in Phuket, please post that information here.

If you find out that the pool in question is contaminated with TriChlo (higher than 100 ppm) let me know by a PM and I can suggest proper treatment for your daughter and her friend.

More information about TriChlo here.

For you other guys who cook your rice, food etc in tap water. Don't. The tap water in Phuket is only good for external use. Boiling it will NOT purify it as there are metals and other chemicals in the tap water here that does not disappear from boiling it.

Mammas & Pappas on Sai Yuan Road (opposite Don's Mall further down the road) always had a Friday AYCE BBQ I know. Always crowded.

I am not sure if they're still doing it, but I guess they do. 150 baht if I am not wrong.

Any swedes (or anyone else) knowing of any place that import and sell swedish style candy (lösgodis) in the Chalong/Rawai area?

Try these guys:

http://www.scansnax.nu/

They don't carry "lösgodis", but they some of the other goodies that you probably like, and the shop is in Kathu.

Given the tone of the opening post, I can honestly say that I’d have more fun trying to pick a fight with the tuk-tuk drivers in Patong than hanging out with the type of people who want to be seen at this type of function. Enjoy kissing each others <deleted> all night chaps (especially the “special” people that are due to attend, hope that works out for you!).

Now you know why you are not invited. 5 baht on the tuk-tuk drivers.

you cannot post an event offering a FREE BAR and not invite us Brits

Oh well we know the location... i feel fancy dress coming on and a sweedish accent.... i shall also dig out my socks and sandels to blend in like a pro

If we invited you, we would have to slaughter you all like we did back in 700 AD.

There is actually a possibility to purchase a ticket for 500 baht at the entrance to participate if you are not on the guest list, but since we looted you on all your assets, I guess thats out of the question.

Post changed to English in order to keep the mods calm.

Please note that this invitation is for Scandinavian entrepreneurs and company owners that operate in and around Phuket only.

The Swedish magazine Phuket Gajden will hold a traditional Viking celebration with a smörgåsbord of stunning Swedish food and drinks. Besides meatballs (of course!) we will serve a multitude of fine food from restaurants such as Harry’s, 2Gether Guesthouse & Restaurant, Sandy’s Corner, Green Mango and more. The Swedish Consul as well as the Superintendent at Phuket Immigration will attend the party.

Why? This will be a great opportunity to meet up with Scandinavian entrepreneurs in Phuket. All Scandinavian business owners are invited to join the top “minglers” of all nationalities – foreign and Thai.

Details:

Place: Scandinavian Lagoon Resort in Chalong.

Date: Saturday, March 29, 2008

Time: 6:30 pm onwards (the free bar closes at 8.30 pm, but we might invade the bar and force it to stay open longer. We’re Vikings, after all.)

Bring: Your name card/credit card/passport/driver’s licence/police record to enter in the lucky draw.

R.S.V.P.

We need you to reply to this message or send an email to [email protected] with the names of the people attending (be reasonable – don’t bring ALL the relatives from Isarn). The free bar is limited to 150 people, so your reply will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis. As the poet nearly said, he/she who hesitates is thirsty.

Please reply before Wednesday 26th March. Remember, if you are not on the guest list you will not be able to join.

This is disturbing.

Friends of mine, a Swedish couple, was brutally robbed early Wednesday morning in Patong (Feb 27). They've been to Safari and went to a nearby ATM to take out some money. After the money was withdrawn, 2 Thai males approached them and asked them to hand over the cash. At first they refused, then another 5 Thai males joined in. One pulled up a shotgun and pointed it at the Swedish couple. Another guy pulled out a knife and held it close against the Swedish man's stomach.

The robbers got away with all the money, wallets and watches. Then they started to beat up the Swedish male. The couple panicked and started to run. Luckily they got away unharmed (other than a few bruises from the beating).

The Swedish couple called the Tourist Police (1155), but to no avail. Seemed liked the police did not understand the seriousness of the situation, or they simply did not understand English. The choice is yours.

This is the first time I ever heard of a stickup robbery in Patong after living in Phuket for 13 years. Except, of course, for a few katoeys ripping gold chains from each other and other minor stuff. I have pushed the couple to contact the media regarding this, I am not sure they want the hassle.

Been having problems with my back and it has led to some pain in my hip region.

It's actually a pain in my butt (Ping too but that's another matter, and Ping, yes, I plugged this into the search, with no results).

Does anyone know of a good Holistic Chinese Acupuncturist here in Phuket?

A friend in BKK had similar problems and said an acupuncturist there, fixed him right up.

Any descriptions of who and where is much appreciated.

Cheers,

HB

Try this one: http://www.chiropractic-phuket.com/

American guy, he has a Ph.D. in alternative medicine including acupuncture. He did wonders for my back.

A lot cheaper than what they charge at the hospitals here.

Maybe the kids in Kajonkiet are more advanced in the subject of mathematics than those in Montessori?

Wasn't there a post from someone that said Montessori is weak in Maths and Sciences?

I think they are more advanced in terms of going faster ahead at Kajonkiet. This might be fine for some kids. In my case it did not work out good.

At the age of 8, I am not worried if they are wizards in algebra or not as long as they are keen to learn.

I am sure there are an equal amount of horror stories about any school in Phuket. Overall the options are way too limited. There is room for more quality schools at lower prices than whats available today. So if anyone is looking for an investment opportunity in Phuket, start a proper school.

My daughter used to go to Kajonkiet earlier. I decided to pull her out of there when the teachers told me she is behind in math.

They stressed her so much about this that she lost interest in school, at only 8 years of age. They are pushing the kids so hard there that a state school in Singapore seem like a Sunday brunch.

Said and done, I took her to Montessori. Within just a week she loved school again. And guess what, she was one of the best in her class in math after a month. This proves that everyone is unique and need different ways of learning. It worked out great for my daughter.

She is now very keen and independent in her studies. But then again, the way kids interact with others and how they are thinking are more the result of their parents, not the school itself.

On the downside, the facilities are a little too "pittoresque" for my liking, but the area and the view is beautiful. I never noticed any mosquito bites on my daughter, but I know the parking lot next to the school is full of them bloodsuckers.

Someone mentioned that the "farang" teachers are not native English speakers, as far as I know, they all are even they are Indians or of other nationalities.

Well, thats my 5 cents.

HI

Any know where to buy HTC phones here in Phuket, did try Big C, no luck.

Thx.

Some shops in Central have them. Forgot the name of the shops, but look around on second floor.

yeah but the dirt underneath is Thai made

Things are definitely heating up in the Rawai/Chalong area.

Another thing that hasn't been reported is the shooting in Chalong this weekend. I was on my way home on the night between Friday/Saturday and stopped to buy smokes at the minimart close to the Chalong circle on the way to Green Man. I noticed there was a lot of cops outside the Karaoke bar next door that is always open to 5 am. When I walked out of the car I saw a Thai guy lying on the ground, obviously he has been shot. Another bar brawl I guess.

The police really have to step up security in this area as it will be full of visitors in a few weeks.

dirty pricks. how anyone can justify that sort of treatment over a mere car space is beyond me.

is max hungry, gerd? let him at em i say!

That's what I'm thinking Donna.

Gerd

Way to go Gerd, don't feed Max for a week...then sick 'em.

This is great, another fantastic issue well worth the read.

Thanks George

Thanks. Please give us more feedback, good or bad. We are only at the second issue, but we have added 8 more pages compared to the previous issue.

Now packed with 56 pages of insansity.

Where is this insane city....!

Hehe. If you live here, you should know.

You live around Rawai, right? It is nice round that way. The wife and I managed an evening out without the kids last week and went for a coupla drinks at Nikitas. I had not been there for years. Friendly, not overpriced, right by the water and they sell Beer Lao!

Chalong and Rawai have seen a big upswing in tourists during the last year. I guess it's not only us locals that appreciate the more relaxed atmosphere these places offer. But don't tell anyone, we don't want too many visitors spoiling it.

TIP! Have a look at the latest issue of My Phuket. We list all the scammers, skimmers and pests in and around Phuket.

I missed The BP Hospital in your list!

Listed all of the scammers ? you are joking of course

Some of the biggest scammers are farang - hey just ask Steven L & Chantal, they

can express it far better than I ever can as too the scamming that is going on

( and by the way not by THEM )

Could you elaborate a little bit more what you are referring to?

Farangs in general or any specific scam?

i believe that you are a travel writer , i hope and trust that you are already penning a suitable column to inform your readers of your experiences.

preaching to the converted on a web forum like this may help to let off some steam , but will not help to address the problems in the big resorts that so many people complain about , but never get mentioned in the travel press.

thailand , and especially the tourist industry , is very sensitive to the perception of its image abroad , yet all we seem to read about is the smiles , the wonderful sights , the seafood and the spas.

the taxi mafias , double pricing , the poor safety standards , the vagaries of the laws , the useless police , the hordes of aggressive street vendors and the take it or leave it attitude of businesses and some hoteliers never seems to make it into the press.

TIP! Have a look at the latest issue of My Phuket. We list all the scammers, skimmers and pests in and around Phuket.

I'm bringing a tourist friend to the Phuket Veg Fest for a couple days and he's bringing quite a bit of expensive camera equipment with him, so he'd like to stay someplace that has 24 hour reliable hotel security.

I'd prefer someplace close to the fest in Phuket Town and, the cheaper the better, but the priority is security.

I know, I know, I can use Google or call around on my own, but just thought I'd check here first for personal reccomendations, if anyone has them.

Thanks!

If security is your biggest concern, I would recommend Royal Phuket City. It's in the middle of town and has good facilities.

Tried to find the First Edition last month as I would have liked to see a hard copy, but could not find one.

Pity really.

Kan Win

Edit// to wish you all Good Luck with your Mag

We had some problems with the first issue because we did not get the barcode in time. Most major outlets require that nowadays. For this issue we finally got the barcode and it should be a lot easier to find in the book stores and mini marts.

You can always drop by our office and pick up a free copy if you are around the Chalong area.

Do paper copies exist of this magazine? As a contributor, I was hoping to get hold of a few copies. I checked various outlets at Central Festival and Phuket town but couldn’t find any.

The paper version arrives on Friday. It should be out in the book shops the following Monday.