Asiantravel

One of these testers is a good and cheap way to check for grounding. You should be able to pick one up at any hardware store.

how do they work?

does one of those three red levers flick up if ground is not working properly ?

Pattaya has a lot going for it but its let down by poor policing and aesthetics. Who would want to go to a place where you could be ripped off, beaten or stabbed by locals or expats. Where it stinks of sewerage, floods when it rains and public safety is a minor consideration. I spent my holidays in Nha Trang, that has Pattaya beat in price, cleanliness, aesthetics and service.

there are so many placesin neighbouring countries that are more aesthetically pleasing

Phnom Penh is starting to look amazingly smart following some recent work by the government

( old unsightly vacant land near the river has been landscaped ) and even Sihanoukville looks tidy

Laos has some beautiful French architecture

you have already named Vietnam as having the same qualities

even Malaysia seems to have better appreciation of architecture and planning

Burma despite its economic difficulties is aesthetically pleasing

something that I was wondering about just today after seeing recently that the mayor was bragging about his accomplishments is whether there are any statistics on the number of pedestrian tourists that have been injured ( or even worse ) as a result of a diabolical lack of pedestrian safety zones? They can't even get the lights on Beach Road

to work properly. I bet the mayor wouldn't like to discuss this issue?

I don't care what I pay quite frankly because there is so little worth going to see

I do wish we could get some decent movies instead of all this

sensational crap

I too wonder and worry about all the newly completed, those under construction, and others in the planning stage condos and how Pattaya's infrastructure if even half of them are ever completed AND occupied. I don't mind planned growth and development if there are provisions made for infrastructure improvements in tandem, particularly more road surface, which is the most difficult to do. I wonder what living in Pattaya will be like in 5-10 years...if it will be more livable because of the increased population, and the increase in shopping and restaurants of if it will be one big traffic jam ala Bangkok. If it is, I could definitely see myself moving either elsewhere in Thailad (Chiang Mai and Phuket beckon) on just move on the show to Phnom Penh

sorry to tell you but Chiang Mai is no better.

And Phnom Penh is gettin that way also.

Now i can tell you there are almost no cars in Pyongyang !

What's your opinion given the apparent lack of planning for infrastructure such as traffic control and so on?

The lack of infrastructure is not a problem. Few of the new condos have more than a token handful of parking spaces anyway.

Darrel, infrastructure includes the size and condition of the roads. If the roads lack parking space, which they certainly do; and the condos are not providing adequate parking areas for the cars of the occupants; where will the added vehicles park? What do you think happens to the traffic? Not a problem?

they couldn't plan their way out of paper bag

Some great posts, funny but true. Not to mention any business names, but the large hardware store's employees next to Big C are amazing to behold. Last week there must have been 200 employees lazing, standing around chatting, oblivious to customers and superiors. Seems to be the same shtick every time I'm there. How do places like this make any money? I haven't a clue.

When I was a teenager I used to love to actually work at my drugstore or hardware store job, made the time go by faster.

there is no need for me to mention any names either because you have already done so for me

in your post above ( clue-third letter of the alphabet )but I have to say the shop assistants in this establishment

are some of the rudest and most apathetic people I have ever come across in a retail environment

" 68 per cent planning to look for another position in the next year "

it's expensive to keep up with the latest iPhone's, new motorbikes

and souped up Mitsubishi's with tinted windows, spoilers

and the best music system money can buy...

we don't know all the circumstances here but I do notice just how many motorcyclists

come tearing along a slip road or even a junction with the presumption that everything will be clear for them

instead of slowing down with the presumption that something is coming

and if the road is clear that is a pleasant surprise.

I really believe Thai motorcyclists think completely diametrically to me

You have summed up my feelings exquisitely. They just shoot out from any road without looking who/what's coming. I'd be very happy to witness those careless drivers getting splattered. If we could buy land, I'd buy a seat on the most dangerous intersection in town just to watch careless Thai drivers and topless foreigners eating pavement.

we don't know all the circumstances here but I do notice just how many motorcyclists

come tearing along a slip road or even a junction with the presumption that everything will be clear for them

instead of slowing down with the presumption that something is coming

and if the road is clear that is a pleasant surprise.

I really believe Thai motorcyclists think completely diametrically to me

it would be nice to understand all the aspects of the law regarding motorcyclists

and today I noticed on Beach Road there were four policeman pulling over motorcyclists

even though they were wearing helmets.What else are they checking for?

I also noticed a foreigner riding one of those four-wheel motorcycles and even though he was also

wearing a helmet they pulled him over and gave him a hard time for some reason?

" which is currently under construction although final plans for the entire route are yet to be confirmed "

where exactly is this construction taking place?

" even though the British economy is not wonderfull ,the consensus seems to be that the pound is not a bad bet and should strengthen a bit this year"

but based on what economic fundamentals?

An element of fiscal discipline, seen elsewhere on the planet only in Germany would be my guess. Markets quite like the coalition`s resolve and the general sign-up by the public (or is it resignation?).

well in that case someone should tell George Osborne to keep quiet

George Osborne: UK has run out of money

The Government 'has run out of money' and cannot afford debt-fuelled tax cuts or extra spending, George Osborne has admitted.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9107485/George-Osborne-UK-has-run-out-of-money.html

Anyone know where to buy decent mountain bikes from? I really need to start getting some exersise so maybe cycling 3km each way for my beer each night will help a bit!!!

i bought mine at this shop and i was very happy with the after sales service

LA Bike Shop – Pattaya

300/31-32 Moo 12 Thepparasit Road

T. Nong Prue A. Bang Lamung

20150

Tel. 038-300-606, 038-300-953, 081-915-9909

But here is a list of other shops if you want to loom around

http://bicyclethaila...om/bike-stores/

By far the best bike shop is :

S.V. Bike Shop, 62/1-3 Thepparasit Road (on corner of Soi 8 and Thepparasit Rd.)

T. Nong Prue A. Banglamung 20150

Tel. 038-300-378, 087-486-1242

Here they offer quality bike from 7900 baht upwards...if you want a great TREK, GIANT or similar bike, with everything on, then look at 16,000 baht.

If you want to use to get fit, then dont buy 'cheap', buy something that can take the work!

The owners sons compete around Asia, so they know what they are doing and don't sell certain rubbish, ie Chinese etc!

race

GIANT is Chinese and unless you buy a top end bike ( $15,000 US )for the professionals

even a TREK it is likely to have been made in their factory in China

Of course, the business model is a quasi-scam...why anyone would want to be associated with such a business is beyond me.

It all comes down to the workout. The quality of my workout is more important than any concerns over shady business practices, which are probably going on in all gyms here anyway.

It's not like we have dozens of high quality gyms to choose from here in Pattaya, is it? When it comes to well equipped, air-conditioned gyms the choice is even more limited, in fact California Wow is the only choice.

If you are really concerned about business practices, Thailand isn't your place.

you can be fully aware that business practices in Thailand are questionable

and still enjoy the place. It just means not being silly enough to indulge

Anyone know where to buy decent mountain bikes from? I really need to start getting some exersise so maybe cycling 3km each way for my beer each night will help a bit!!!

i bought mine at this shop and i was very happy with the after sales service

LA Bike Shop – Pattaya

300/31-32 Moo 12 Thepparasit Road

T. Nong Prue A. Bang Lamung

20150

Tel. 038-300-606, 038-300-953, 081-915-9909

But here is a list of other shops if you want to loom around

http://bicyclethaila...om/bike-stores/

I walked past their branch at Ekkamai yesterday and there were staff members clearly

trying to sign up new members.

are they allowed to do this under the circumstances and is it moral/ethical for them to do this

bearing in mind some people might lose all they pay to them?

How are they supposed to get out of bankruptcy but by signing up more suckers...oh I mean "life-time" members.

On a more serious note, it is perfectly normal for businesses to operate while in bankruptcy. (American Airlines is in bankruptcy right now and continues to operate; as of course did General Motors.) The purpose of bankruptcy is to examine the debts and business prospects of a company to see if they are viable (the prospects to pay back the debt), The debt/business can either be re-organized under the current ownership, a new operator may come in and buy parts/all of the company, or the business can be liquidated and shut down. There are some peculiarities in the Thai bankruptcy proceedings but that's the general outcomes and it can take years to sort it all out.

but with American Airlines you only risk a short time before the contract is fulfilled

and you have taken your flight and with General Motors you would have had your car

whereas this involves providing a service stretched over a long period of time after paying

a lump sum in advance. I don't think they should be allowed to do that

I walked past their branch at Ekkamai yesterday and there were staff members clearly

trying to sign up new members.

are they allowed to do this under the circumstances and is it moral/ethical for them to do this

bearing in mind some people might lose all they pay to them?

Man jailed for stealing cup of soda from McDonald’s

Have you ever asked for a free cup of water at a fast-food restaurant, then filled it with soda? At one Florida McDonald’s, that could get you arrested.

Customer Mark Abaire faces felony charges for failing to pay $1 for a cup of soda.

Employees caught him using a water cup to get soda, and when asked to pay up, police say he refused and cursed at the manager,

http://blog.seattlepi.com/hottopics/2012/04/24/man-jailed-for-stealing-cup-of-soda-from-mcdonald%E2%80%99s/

Surprised the Chevrenots [sp] (one of the richest Thai-Chinese families and primary shareholders of Bangkok Bank) fell for the WOW scheme; that Levine must be a real slick operator.

there were also some supposedly astute investors on the Bernie Madoff list

It's not looking good for my lifetime membership in Pattaya. We've always been concerned about their liquidity, but this confirms it.

I'm sorry but in this day and age I don't have faith by any organisation whatsoever who promise they will provide their services for my " lifetime "

there simply too much financial instability and turbulence in the world

Please - I'm not naive enough to believe a gym will stay open for my lifetime - unless I have a tragic accident or something - it's a gamble going in. So far California has cost me 3300 per year - can't complain about that.

That's about what it's worth so nothing to brag about. And as I said, most people (but certainly not you) believe the "lifetime" in question refers to theirs.

maybe the use of the word " lifetime " is how he was able to con a Thai bank to give him 75 million baht ?

" even though the British economy is not wonderfull ,the consensus seems to be that the pound is not a bad bet and should strengthen a bit this year"

but based on what economic fundamentals?

my guess is she probably did not realize how hot the water was for the baby skin. she brought him to the hospital didn't she? at any rate, this sort of child abuse, whether intentional or not, is very common among underclass in the US, especially single young black mothers, so why is this case making the news? Hope she'll get a long prison term.

oh pleeeeeze....

I mentioned that in post 2 but it has never been directly answered - not only a three pin outlet but the electrician must verify a ground connection. If he does not know how to do this (and I did have to show an electrician how) a multi meter voltage check can be made in normal hot/neutral getting xxx voltage and between hot/ground the same and neutral/ground 0 volts (or very close). A multi meter only costs about 200 baht and electrician should have - but if only assistant he may not.

I'm trying to help out the OP with my electrician. Unfortunately, he only speaks Thai, but is a great electrician!!

I am hoping my Thai lessons at Pro language will come in useful in this instance!

I mentioned that in post 2 but it has never been directly answered - not only a three pin outlet but the electrician must verify a ground connection. If he does not know how to do this (and I did have to show an electrician how) a multi meter voltage check can be made in normal hot/neutral getting xxx voltage and between hot/ground the same and neutral/ground 0 volts (or very close). A multi meter only costs about 200 baht and electrician should have - but if only assistant he may not.

sorry I didn't answer that. Yes I have 3 pin outlets