Crossy

All extensions cost 1900 Baht irrespective of length.

The 7 day extension of a 30 day visa exemption will probably only be given if you can show your flight out within the 7 day period.

When I asked the condo management in our building about grounding, they looked at me like I had three heads.

I ran a wire to the the "utility closet" outside of our condo and clamped it to the steel water pipe, figuring that the heavy steel pipe would eventually reach the ground outside where it enters the building.

Is this a decent / workable solution, or am I deluding myself?

It's not ideal, but it's far better than nothing. If you have a Saf-T-Cut / ELCB / GFI / RCD it will certainly do the job of dropping the trip in the event of a line-ground fault (I wouldn't recommend this grounding scheme if you don't), it will also stop you getting that tingle off your PC that so annoying and potentially damaging.

Since we're talking about grounding and apartments, have a look here :- http://www.crossy.co.uk/wiring/2pin.html

The only really correct way to ground your system is via the mains plug, the internal ground connections inside the PC case really aren't up to it and may not exist.

Watch out for fake 3 pin power boards and adaptors.

I'm about to extend my Non Imm type O at Suan Phlu. I heard rumour that a map showing residence location is now required, can anyone advise on this.

Thanks

If you are extending an "O" visa, (not a marriage visa), you DO NOT need a map. If you are extending a marriage visa, then there is a possibility that you MIGHT need a map, and photos.

What you DO need, to extend a non imm type "O" visa, is a photo, a letter from your Thai bank, copies of the pages of your bankbook, your passport and copies of the pertinent pages of your passport, a completed form TM-7, and 800,000 baht in the Thai bank for at least three months before your application for extension, or 65,000 baht a month income, and a letter from the Embassy to confirm it.....or.....a combination of the two, (monthly income times twelve, plus bank account, to equal annual 800,000 baht).

My monthly income is from Social Security and pensions from past employment, and, although they have never asked me to prove it, I can if need be. Hope this helps.....good luck, ErnieK

Actually it causes confusion

You are referring to extension of a type O-A (retirement visa), a type O (on the grounds or marriage) is what I believe our OP is referring to

I'm in search of enlightenment (or maybe just thick), <deleted> is an "LV Handbag"?

We married in the UK (before the restrictions on getting married on a tourist visa) if I were to do it again it would definately be in Thailand, slightly more paperwork but considerably less expense.

Why do you believe you should not pay?

You overstayed your 90 day Schengen visa exemption (you entered the Schengen region by entering Norway not Ireland, incidentally, Norway is not in the EU) http://www.immihelp.com/visas/schengenvisa...exemptions.html , I'm frankly amazed that they let you leave without paying your dues (I'm also surprised that the Norwegian stamp doesn't have an expiry date).

As to whether the data is on record, I suspect that it is not (at least not region wide, maybe Greece only), better make sure you have the funds in your pocket before again trying to enter a Schengen country http://www.eurovisa.info/SchengenCountries.htm.

NOTE The Schengen region is NOT the EU (possibly this is where your confusion started), you'll be just fine entering the UK, Switzerland and other EU non-Schengen countries.

NOTE2. I know it's too late now, but if you're entering a non-Schengen country it's always wise to ask that they stamp your passport (they don't always) in order to prevent this happening to you.

Part 2 is here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=155537

It looks like this chap hired a jetski which broke down and then sank, catalogue of disaster

Look here:- http://www.crossy.co.uk/wiring/plugs.html for useful infomation

Thanks for that explanation and depiction of the Schuko plug, Crossy. My TV, microwave and washing machine all have one.

My condo electrical circuits are currently UNgrounded, but it's good to know that if/when I find a way to run an earth wire down to terra firma that I can ground my TV, microwave and washing machine.

This page may be useful http://www.crossy.co.uk/wiring/2pin.html

Be aware that the 30 day visa exemption requires that you have onward air travel within 30 days of arrival.

Without the onward ticket or a visa you may have difficulties boarding your flight in the first place

Thanks I'll be leaving ASAP.

Will the overstay affect my third application for a tourist visa?

It shouldn't, I don't remember seeing any reports to this effect

Try not to make a habit of it, whilst Thailand is very liberal with overstayers, a gread red 'overstay' stamp may affect your applications for visas to other countries.

Agree ^^^, I'm not smarter per-se, I am however considerably better and quicker informed.

Not that many years back my job description actually included 'reading scientific and technical journals', unfortunately I've not managed to get 'surfing the internet' into a job description (yet!). I still read the technical journals though, starting at the back like all true engineers do (that's where the 'appointments' ads are).

I do fail miserably the 'smarter than 10 year old' test. That said, kids today get a far broader and more rounded education than we did xxx years back.

Yep^^^

And please note that Lop says to exit by AIR. It is not wise to attempt a land crossing whilst on overstay, buses get stopped (and people removed) and at least one crossing won't allow persons into the other country if they have an overstay stamp

And then there is the single phase 120/240 volt system 120v line to neutral 240v between the the two phases neutral is earthed. see also 240/480 50hz used on SWER systems in Australia. Neutral is earthed.

Shouldn't we really call these bi-phase systems as the two 120V lines are actually out of phase by 180^o (not 120^o as the IT lines are). Not that it really matters to the average chaps getting confused by all this And it's not related to Thai standards anyway.

This oughta be good...

Hmmm, a deep and insightful reply

Yes, I do use it although mainly in private and associated with the word 'stupid' when one has just stepped out without looking and come close to becoming a new hood ornament. Funny how people road sense takes a holiday at the same time they do, may have something to do with the distraction that's usually hooked on one (or two?) arm

Slightly off the original topic but, personally, I don't find it offensive (I've been called far worse), it's just a label like 'gweilo' in China and 'mi-guk' in Korea (although I'm actually 'yong-guk'), been called both never felt remotely offended. In fact our Chinese workers referred to us as 'fat gweilo', 'gweilo with beard' and 'fat gweilo with beard' never hurt and we always knew who they referred to as opposed to the local attempts at our names

Try Norway --- I believe it is ( or was ) the only country to use the IT system with a protective device in both conductors.

Could well be, I also remember our place in Rome having double-pole MCBs (no they weren't ELCBs) although I never looked into the supply arrangements. I came across an IT system for the first time in the Philippines a couple of years back.

All this might be rather difficult bl00dy impossible to find out.

I think Elkangorito found some useful stuff, but I can't find his posts refering to it

Just to add to the fun, consider countries like the Philippines and several mainland European countries where there is no neutral provided to the home, both poles of the outlets are live (supply is phase-phase not phase-neutral).

which european country Crossy?

555, if I could remember I would have said

I DO remember another member being confused by our continual reference to the neutral as his electrical training in his home country didn't use it. I THINK he was from Finland or one of the Scandinavian countries but I could be wrong

The TT system is the one that is used by the majority of countries in the world and is the one used in Thailand. Some countries use both the TN-C-S and the TT systems.

Manly true in rural areas, however the Thai standards now call for a TN-C-S (MEN or PME) system, new buildings SHOULD be wired this way, so Thailand is one of the 'some' countries

TN-C-S is becoming more of a global standard in developed countries as it is very safe whilst keeping the amount of 'redundant' (not actually transmitting power) copper to a minimum.

Just to add to the fun, consider countries like the Philippines and several mainland European countries where there is no neutral provided to the home, both poles of the outlets are live (supply is phase-phase not phase-neutral).

All exposed metal work that may be come alive (indirect contact) must be earthed. That means all electrical appliances eg rice cooker, iron etc except those marked with the double insulated symbol must be connected by a 3 core flex to a 3 pin plugtop and compatable socket -- the earth contacts must mate between the plug and socket

Warning-- some plugs and sockets do not comply in this regard.

Most definately!

For some (currently unknown) reason most major domestic appliances (fridge, washer, microwave, kettle etc) come with a 'Euro' or 'Schuko' style plug. This LOOKS like a two pin but in reality is not and requires the correct socket to be safe. The correct socket is not normally found in Thai installations and these plugs are invariably rammed into the two-pin outlet leaving the ground to fend for itself

Look here:- http://www.crossy.co.uk/wiring/plugs.html for useful infomation

I don't have exactly your model, but my Dell Inspiron allows me to disable the touch pad and 'blue nipple' in the BIOS settings.

To enter the BIOS you have to press F1 or F2 (it usually says on the screen 'press F1 to enter setup' or a similar message) during the power on checks (before Windows starts).

Some family-friendly ones here http://www.leonardsworlds.com/country/thailand.htm

I seem to remember there were some Bangkok traffic-cams online at one point, can't find the URL now

Not even remotely drastic, outlets in bathrooms are illegal in the UK for a reason.

People with 'common sense' die all the time, "I'll just dry my hair whilst sitting on the bath", only takes a dribble of water from your hand into the switch of the dryer and you're toast!

Couldn't care less about English regs. In fact, in the UK I found it quite irritating not having electrical outlets in the bathroom, which is where I preferred to shave (electric) rather than in the bedroom.

As for people drying their hair while sitting in the bath - a pretty ridiculous example of "common sense".

I think that it's a good idea to not have any power outlets in these areas but then again, people will be people & end up using extension leads anyway...which introduces even more dangerous links to an already dangerous chain.

And that is why in one of my rented houses I had a trailing lead into the bathroom, up the wall to a 3 way outlet.

Exactly, one example, leave shower head hanging or drop it by mistake and the pressure is strong enough to make it shoot out water at a few feet distance in any direction. PZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!

Nothing is important enough to necessitate outlets in a washroom. Even wall mounted water heaters claim their share.

My showers have a curtain to stop water coming out.

Next silly example please?

It is of course ENTIRELY UP TO YOU what you do in your own home.

Shaving is possible even in the UK by installing a safety isolated 'shaver point' which won't zap you. Of course, like my dad, you can have a (IMHO better) wet shave

Thanks guys, looks like a roll of yellow/green cable in the suit case when I head back to LOS shortly.

555, contrary to popular belief (and observation) green cable is available from specialist stores. You'll find it at the back under the empty rice sacks and expired MaMa noodles

Question for the electricians / electronics guys -- not the "pretenders and experts" -- the wall mounted water heaters available (or most anyway) in Thailand have ELCB fitted, is it still necessary to have grounding on these units.

Yes.

ELCB / RCD / GFI or whatever you want to call them (they are just different names for the same device [if we ignore the old fashoned voltage-operated ELCBs]) are all electonic / electromechanical devices which can and do fail. Additionally they can get fried by electrical transients caused by lightning. When was the last time you pressed the 'test' button on yours?

Having a proper ground will give you protection in the event that the ELCB does not, it's also likely that the trip will drop out before the 10mA trip current goes through you (and that 10mA will hurt).

IMPO (that's professional opinion) the ELCB is SECONDARY protection and is a back-up to a proper earth as opposed to a replacement, it will give additional safety in the event of certain faults that a ground cannot, such as you getting hold of a live wire when you chop the flex of your lawn mower.