dddave

Not unusual. Reservoirs take a long time to fill and trees left standing help control erosion. I suspect that like old wrecks in the ocean, old, standing trees may provide breeding grounds for some fish species. I lived near a major reservoir in the US and during droughts it was not unusual to see treetops coming out. In one particularly dry year, the foundations of an abandoned town appeared.

Interesting note about old trees and water. In New England for hundreds of years, rivers were used to float millions of trees to the sawmills. Over the years, many of those trees sank to the bottom of these rivers.

About 30 years ago, when there was a housing construction boom and the price of lumber, especially wide planks skyrocketed, entrepreneurs began pulling those 100+ year old logs up from the riverbed. They were in amazingly good condition and were sawn for lumber. A lot of them were from species that have become rare and very expensive so some of these guys made a bundle. Eventually the states began restricting it because it was causing a lot of muck to be released, polluting the rivers and disturbing spawning areas for fish.

I always laugh when I read somebody ranting about 20 minute lines at Suvarnabhumi.....20 minutes at a US airport??..., that's on a very good day!.

I encountered something unusual late last year. I was flying Bangkok to Detroit via Doha, Bahrain. To my surprise, US CBP had an immigration checkpoint at Doha, set up like any in the US. I filled out the usual immigration form, passed through both Immigration and Customs inspection and boarded the flight. When we arrived in Detroit, we walked directly into arrivals; no further checkpoints or screening.

I fly to the US a lot as a courier and that is the first and only time I have experienced C&I at a foreign departure point. Has anybody else experienced this at any other airport?

In 14 years living here in Bangkok and using taxis frequently, I can count less than 10 bad experiences with Taxi drivers.

A friends experience a few days ago shows the other side of the coin for taxi drivers.

My friend flew to Bangkok to visit me for a few days. At Don Muang, she shared a taxi with a friend going to a Condo on Suk soi 4. This was close to midnight. They dropped the friend on Suk.-4, got stuck in a lot of Soi-4 traffic but were ble to finally make the right turn onto Sukhumvit to head for my place in Phra Khanong. As soon as they made the turn, the taxi was stopped at a police checkpoint. The cops were really nasty to the driver. He did not have a regulation shirt on so they threatened to impound his taxi unless he paid them B500. They told my friend to get out of the taxi and get another one. She got pissed-off at the cops and asked them why they were giving the driver who had a perfectly clean taxi and had used the meter without question such a hard time. The driver never really had a choice and paid the B500. The final fare was about B350. She gave him a B100 tip to cut his losses but he still lost a whole bunch of working time.

Here is a case of a driver doing everything right except for a uniform shirt and they bust his balls and demand a bribe. It's no wonder some of them become hard cases.

One of the reasons for building into hillsides, using the earth as part of the structure is the huge insulation advantage as deep ground temperatures tend to stay stable at 50 to 60 degrees f as little as 2 feet down. If more than 3 or 4 people are sharing a space, then well designed but not necessarily expensive heat exchanges can easily keep a tight structure fairly warm..in the 55 to 65 degree range which is certainly livable with proper clothing.

The infinity has pretty good specs but these days in the B6000 ($200) range there are a lot of good selections with similar specs. For over the counter purchase in Thailand, the extensive line of Asus Zenphone-2 models offers a lot of value.

I've had very good luck buying from Gearbest.com and really like the Xiaomi Redmi Note-2 I bought from them several months ago...terrific phone for $125 but it is 2gb ram & 16 rom. If you want 3gb ram, the Xiaomi Redmi Note-3 has great specs, a full metal case and a beautiful display. Many reviews on YouTube.

Gearbest orders always seem to arrive within 10 days.

Read it again

He won't be released onto the streets...he'll be turned over to Immigration police and deported back to Russia.

B2S sell Kindle in their shops and on-line

http://kindle-thailand.in.th/en/category/kindle/

No mention of the Oasis yet though.

Do you know if you can get Kindle Paperwhite batteries changed here?

On the website it mentions accessories, but unless I have missed something, there is nothing about

replacement batteries.

I recall a shop selling Kindles somewhere in Fortune Tower but I do not recall just where. I do remember that the mark-up was significant for new Kindles so I assume they would charge a premium price for battery replacement as well if they even do it.

If you are at all handy, they do sell the batteries on AliExpress and Ebay. There are a number of instructional videos on You Tube. I helped a friend change a battery in an earlier generation Kindle and is wasn't that hard a job. It does require a set of very small screwdrivers. I've seen them in some of the accessory stores in Fortune.

BTW...Are you positive the battery needs replacement? Maybe a reset needed? Google it.

If you only want the MP-3 and not the video:

Open YT, select the music you want to copy, highlight and "copy" the URL (right click)

Open a new tab in your browser and go to Google

Enter "YouTube to MP-3", Select the top option "YouTube to MP-3.org"

On the top of the web page, under where YOUTUBE-MP3 is written in blue, there is a URL box. Clear it.

"Paste" the copied URL and then select the "Convert Video" box just below. Wait a few seconds

A new box will appear: click the blue "Download" link. It will take about 5-10 seconds to download.

That's it.

dddave,

Just tried that - and it does as you say, meaning the conversion's actually done BEFORE the download which might help people on slow connections.

So thank you.

A couple of observations if I may:

1 A slightly shorter procedure would be:

Open YT, select the music you want to copy, highlight and "copy" the URL (right click)

Open a new tab in your browser and go to http://www.youtube-mp3.org/

On the top of the web page, under where YOUTUBE-MP3 is written in blue, there is a URL box.

"Paste" the copied URL over any existing content in the box and then select the "Convert Video" box just below.

It just cuts out a couple of steps and if you do it a lot, then you can save http://www.youtube-mp3.org/ as a Favourite or Bookmark.

2 A negative point is that the files i tried it with all downloaded at 128kbps. Other methods allow you to choose higher bit rates (less compression, higher quality) but I will admit, it won't worry a lot of people.

I posted this method because while it may not be the best option out there, it is one of the simplest once you've done it a few times. I agree with your modified steps and that is what I normally do...I just wanted to leave no guesswork for a users first time.

Interesting experiences posted here. You've convinced me that I may be doing my ears no service by doing it myself. I'll check out my local hospital.

""There was about 20 of us offloaded because the flight to Manchester was overbooked.""

Did they compensate you for rescheduling due to overbooking? Coupons for free flights or discounts?

I always used to keep my ears open for gate agents asking for volunteers to take another flight...got some amazing deals at times.

One time, flying Boston to San Francisco, round-trip economy, I took a "bump" going both directions. Ended up getting 1st class both ways on the substituted flights along with more than $1200 worth of flight coupons good for a year. Not bad on a flight that originally cost $300

I purchased an inexpensive kit which included a bulb syringe and a bottle of solution for about B100 at my local pharmacy. I use it about once a month and it works very well.

There are some used book stores around Koh Sarn Rd. and also near Tammasart Univ. that sell used textbooks. Might be worth a try but I wouldn't expect much.

If you only want the MP-3 and not the video:

Open YT, select the music you want to copy, highlight and "copy" the URL (right click)

Open a new tab in your browser and go to Google

Enter "YouTube to MP-3", Select the top option "YouTube to MP-3.org"

On the top of the web page, under where YOUTUBE-MP3 is written in blue, there is a URL box. Clear it.

"Paste" the copied URL and then select the "Convert Video" box just below. Wait a few seconds

A new box will appear: click the blue "Download" link. It will take about 5-10 seconds to download.

That's it.

When my GF's family came to visit me for several weeks in Bangkok a few months ago, I had no Thai TV. We went to BigC and bought a B500 Sherman DR-2 DV3 TV box and a small B200 antennae usable indoors/outdoors. My building maintenance guy showed me that I did not need to run a cable outside. I am on the ninth floor of an old apartment building and the signal came in bright and clear with the antennae mounted high on a nearby, inside wall, quite unobtrusive really. We plugged it into an HDMI port on my 42" TV and the picture was very clear. Cables to use an older RCA TV port were also included as well as a remote control. We got about a dozen Thai TV channels.

Cheap money to keep them all entertained and out of my hair.

Tall Guy,

It might help you to know that TCL's are sold in the USA under several legacy brand names such a Sylvania, Poloroid and RCA, usually in discount department stores. You can probably Google them and find corresponding models to what you have and maybe get better user information.

Earlier in this long thread, there was some discussion about how difficult it is to get clear info out of sales staff in stores such as Power Buy, Power Mall and others. It is important to understand that here in Thailand, each manufacturer in those stores operates as a concession, inventorying their own merchandise and subsidizing their salespeople. A Sony salesperson is not allowed to sell or even demonstrate a rival's merchandise. Even though a salesperson may have "Power Buy" on the back of his shirt, he is essentially an employee of the manufacturer he is representing. He is neither trained or encouraged to provide any information on a competitors product. If you ask a Sony salesperson about a Panasonic device, he can only take you to find a Panasonic salesperson.

As far as salesfloor media content, naturally the manufacturers want to show their product at it's best; thus the endless loops of highly colorful and visually striking video images. Consider how difficult and expensive it would be to install and then maintain the number of live cable feeds of similar quality content. There is also the factor of not wanting people, including staff more interested in watching whatever is on TV rather than working.

One final note: for what it's worth I have had a 32" low priced LG flatscreen for ten years and a 42" for five years (B13,000) and have never had a problem with either. No dead scanlines, no flicker. I switch cables on the HDMI ports fairly regularly and have never had a malfunction. I would not hesitate to purchase an LG TV again.

Of course, now having said that, both will probably fizzle out tomorrow.

I've had ILikeHD for close to a month and it's been generally OK. I'm in Bangkok with True ADSL on a rather dirty line.

I sometimes get a little buffering but not too much. I also frequently have to watch in 360P but it's acceptable.

Late last night, I watched 2, 1 hour long episodes of a series without a problem and was half way through a 3rd when the picture suddenly froze and stayed that way; no buffering notice. I tried to wait it out, then tried closing and reloading the episode...it didn't open. I then tried closing and reopening ILikeHD and it would not load...time out error (Chrome)

I tried a computer restart and then, even Google wouldn't load. Tried cycling my router..no joy; gave up and went to bed.

This AM, everything was working fine.

Can somebody explain what was probably going on?

Here is a special hint to those of you booked economy on a 380...don't tell anybody I told you.

Many airlines flying the 380 have a small economy section, usually about 10 rows or less tucked into the rear of the upper deck, usually marked somewhere around row 60 to 80 on seat charts. The seat charts often don't make it obvious it's upper deck.

Usually more leg room than lower deck and often 2-3-2 rather than 3-4-3. Also, far fewer other passengers to deal with walking up and down the aisle bumping you and no toilet line. Downside is rear of aircraft not good for people prone to motion sickness as plane movements are more pronounced, also a bit more engine noise though not that much on 380.

Frequent flyers are catching on to this so try to book the seat asap as they go quickly now.

2 hour+ waits at Chicago ORD last week, more than 300 American Airlines passengers missed their flights. TSA had actually reduced their workforce coming into peak summer travel season...duh.

What really annoys the hell out of me are the always present boneheads who during the long wait, don't do anything to prepare in advance for the inspection, instead waiting until they at the bins to suddenly start fumbling around, emptying their pockets, digging for their laptop, removing their belt, untying their shoes and end up going through the detector two or three times before they finally clear. Meanwhile, the line stalls behind them.

I always put my wallet, phone watch and change into my carry-on long before I get to the head of the line. I make it a point to wear easy off-easy on shoes and choose clothing with no metal buttons. If people would just think a little bit as they wait instead of putting their brains in neutral, things would go a lot more smoothly.

Why can't you people let the kids and their families have their services and give the Thai authorities a chance to prove that they are capable of determining what caused this tragedy.

Horrible fires happen everywhere, including your precious and perfect home countries yet you heap scorn on the investigation before they have even had a chance to begin.

Has anybody hired a pick-up with driver to take a small load from central Bangkok to Korat City or a similar distance? (260km according to Google) I'd like to know what it cost all in including fuel.

What good does it to download the kindle app to A normal tablet? I'm concerned to have too many Gadgets can't always there on one with me.

The Kindle app works fine on tablets and smartphones as well. The disadvantages to using a tablet are only that tablets have a display that cycles and is quite bright, thus making reading for much more than an hour or so tiring on the eyes. Tablets are also usually somewhat heavier than readers so more tiring to hold for longer periods.

B2S sell Kindle in their shops and on-line

http://kindle-thailand.in.th/en/category/kindle/

No mention of the Oasis yet though.

Not all the B2S stores sell Kindles on premises. I asked at the Ekkamai Gateway Mall B2S shop and they did not stock them. They directed me to Chit Lom but I did not ask which shopping center. The English speaking clerk knew nothing about the Oasis.

When my Sister & Brother in Law came from the US, not clearing the airport until close to midnight, the first thing was to get them into their hotel and allow them a good nights sleep and a fairly leisurely morning to acclimate. They had 3 days budgeted for Bangkok, then an overnight train to Chang Mai. After 3 days there, they took morning flight back to Bangkok, then onto Myanmar where they were meeting friends to continue their trip with.

In Bangkok, first we took the Skytrain to the river and took the reasonably priced tourist boat from Saphan Taksin. We could have taken the super cheap "River Express" boats to most of the same destinations but they are crowded and not comfortable where the tourist boat has abundant seats and good viewing and photo opportunities. Naturally, we visited Wat Arun, Wat Phra Keow and the palace. I had forgotten about the long pants rule so we had to use the free "baggies" they provide. Admission then, 2 years ago, was B400/pp.

By the time we got finished exploring the area, they were hot and tired so we took the boat back to Saphan Taksin and BTS back to their Asok area hotel. In retrospect, I wish I had directed them to one of the moderately priced riverfront hotels rather than Asok as they were not really nightlife people and were in bed shortly after finishing dinner at Cabbages & Condoms on Suk. 12, a big hit with them.

The next day, we returned to the river and spent B2000 to charter a "Longtail" to take us on a 2 hour tour of the back klongs and for them, that turned out to be the highlight of their time in Bangkok. We had a good driver in that he did not keep up a constant commentary and did not try to con us into the many canalside tourist shops. He also did not deduct the 30 minutes we had to wait to pass through the canal locks from our total time. The back klongs are a genuine window into Bangkok's past and the trip was fascinating, for me as well as them. Well worth it.

There last day was spent in my neighborhood of Phra Khanong which has a few little known attractions like a very authentic wet market, some ancient Chinese shophouses and it's own B20 "Longtail canal tour up the Phra Khanong Canal to Srinakarin, then return...about 2 hours and again, a fascinating window into a Bangkok we normally never see. Dinner later at a good seafood restaurant then onto Hualamphung to catch the train to Chang Mai. They stayed at a GH owned by a friend of mine and had a great time there, doing the usual touristy things; walking around the old city at night, Doi Sutep, a day trip into the hill tribe area and a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens which they really loved.

For the little time they had, they got a pretty good first dose of Thailand. They aren't beach people so southern beaches were not on the menu.

They liked what they saw enough that they returned the next year with 3 weeks to spend and saw a lot more.

I should have mentioned this in my initial post. I finally got smart (relatively) and using my mobile, took a couple of "selfies", front, side and rear when I did get a good haircut that looked the way I wanted it to. It really helps getting the stylist to understand what I want.

Even the expensive shopping mall salons seem to have a high turnover rate. I don't think I have ever had the same stylist 3 times in a row. It's always so nice when you find one who understands English and actually cuts your hair as you request but inevitably, the next time: "Go home village"

I actually found a few inexpensive neighborhood barber shops that were better at following my wishes than most salons.