jimmi

I fly BKK-LAX-BKK alot. In the past Thai Airlines was SH-T. The flights for the route are now GREAT. Thai Air now flys the new A340 vs the old 747's. The inflight entertainment is great, even in economy. The service was very good. Best of all, the flights are now NON-STOP. Going from BKK to LAX you get the tail wind. Total flight duration was an incredable 12 hours 55 minutes. I'll take 13 hours in a plane over 18 hours anyday. In the past I would avoid Thai air like the plague, now I will fly them over all the rest for the BKK-LAX-BKK route.

Sylvafern,

If you find a breeder, please post the info here. I too have been looking for a breeder with no luck. If I have any luck I will post the info as well.

Thanks

NO,NO

You guys have it all wrong or you just haven't learned the secret to night driving. The secret is, you get the proper Buddha and put it on the dashboard. Then you relax and have fun driving. After all, What could POSSIBLY happen with the proper Buddha!!?

I learned that from one Thai friends years ago. (The one I don't ride with anymore )

Ray,

That is such a nice thing to do. How did you set that up? Did you just contact the director of the orphange? My wife has talked about doing something like that, but does not know how to go about doing it.

Hi guys,

An update from my house. The work is done. Two electricians and myself completed the work in two days. All wires/cables were replaced. My house is now properly grounded. I replaced both hot water heaters with new Toshiba units with their own (built in) ELCB and on their own circuit. I am very pleased with the work the electricians did. There were a couple things they started to do that I had them do different. For example, When they tied two or more wires together they would simplely twist the two wires together and tape it. I stoped that and made them use wire nuts and then tape the wire nut to the wire. When the breaker box was finally wired I watched very close. They did NOT install the MEN link. I again showed them the drawing from this thread and the instructions from the Safe-T-Cut. The Safe-T-Cut instructions piont out the MEN link. The MEN link was then installed. The Safe-T-Cut has 5 settings to it. They are Direct (protection turned off), 30mA, 20mA, 10mA, and 5mA. I have it set to 5mA. Everything is now properly earthed including my computer, washing machines, and water pump.

Thanks guys for all your help as. My house was a death trap waiting to happen. Not anymore.

Jimmi

Cros,

I looked closely at your split service connection. I see what you tring to do with this. I think I like about 50% of it. If I get trips with the whole system/correct wiring diagram, I want to know why, I'm getting the trips, so I can repair/replace the circuit/item that is causing the trip. If I have an item that is "electrically Leaky" I want to know so that item can be replaced.

Of Coarse, my first and foremost concern is safety. From only a SAFETY point of view, is there a reason why the split service connection is better than the whole system/correct wiring diagram?

I looked at the construction of the square D box. I think the split connection system might be hard to do due to the design of the box (the location of the neutral bar/bus). I downloaded a copy of the diagram for the split connection and will talk to my electrician about it and see what he thinks. I of coarse would rather hear form you or lop3 or elkangorito about this. Just so you know, I am more concerned with safety then money. What do you think guys?

Thanks,

Jimmi

Thanks Cros.

I think I should be fine as my aircon is 7.4 amps. I showed him the diagram and specifically pointed out and ask about the MEN link. He said he understands and can do it (let's hope so). The wire we are going to use for the main earth bar in my distribution board to the earth stake is PVC 750v 70c 10mm.

I still don't know, can you tell me what the numbers on my outside meter means? The amp rating is 15/45. What does that mean?

The washing machines I have are typical Thai machines. I have two. The big one is a single drum Samsung 11kg and the plate says it uses 3 amps. The smaller one is a LG single drum at 5.5kg. could not read the amps on this one as something blocks my view. I would have to move the machine but I don't want to do this as it is currently level. I am sure it uses less amps than my bigger machine.

Thanks Crossy and Lop your help and anyone else is very welcome.

Jimmi

Thanks Lopburi3,

I went out to my meter to make sure what it is. The meter does say 15/45. Not exactly sure what that means. I thought the 32 was a little too much and asked about the 20 amp. He and the guy at home pro said this is what they use in Thailand. I still have the reciept for the breakers. Would you recommend I take them back and replace the 32 amp for 20 amp?

I am not 100% sure what you are saying about the Safe-T Cut. Just so I am clear about how this thing gets wired, does this get wired directly to the main wires coming in from the street before the main circuit breaker for the house?

Is there any thing esle that I may be missing? The wire/cable he is going to use is 300v PVC/PVC 70C VAF-GRD 2x4/2.5 black, green, white. The earthing rod it 1.5cm x 2.5 meters.

Thanks again as you guys are truely life savers with this thread.

Jimmi

Thanks guys for the heads up on such an important topic. I went through my house here in Isaan and looked at my electical system with what little experience I have. I have no earthed circuits in my house. Understanding how dangerous this was, I found an electrician that looks like he knows what he's doing. I showed him the drawings and information from this thread and he understands what I want. I am going to have my electrical system in this house replaced. Fortunately all the electrical cables are on the outside of the wall were we can get to them. We went down to the electical shop to get the items he needed. Work will not start for two days though while he finishes another job. What bothers me are the circuit breakers he got. I have a 15 amp meter for this house. I know, it's not alot . I got a Square D box with Square D circuit breakers. The main breaker is 63 amp. The individual breakers are; four breakers at 32 amps, two breakers at 20 amps, and two at 16 amps. The 32s are for the hot water heaters, the air conditioning and the washing machine and water pump. The others are for lighting and electical plugs. Are the amps for the breakers sound right to you, or are the amp ratings too high ? Also he got a (one) Safe-T-Cut Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This thing is rated at 63 amps. Should this be wired to all the circuits , or just ones involving water like hot water heater, washing machine and water pump. Or should I have more than one?

Thanks for all your help,

Jimmi

Thanks mraitchison,

This is exactly what I needed. I found a picture of the Majesty on the net. That is the motorcycle that I saw. Can you tell me, where is Red Baron in BKK? I don't live in BKK, but I would be willing to go there to buy this motorcycle.

Thanks for your help.

The other day I was in Bangkok and saw a Yamaha Motorcycle that looked like a Mio or Nuovo, but was a lot bigger. It had on it 400cc. The guy left before I could ask what it was. I went down to my local motorcycle dealer, not in Bangkok, to find out what it was and to possibly buy one. This is what I have been looking for. An automatic motorcycle but larger than the Mio or Nuovo . The dealer looked at me like I was crazy . He had no idea what it was or what I was talking about. I know I saw this thing. Does anyone know what this Yamaha was or know the name. Does anyone know if Yamaha has an automatic motorcycle say about 200cc? If not the 400cc will do.

Thanks,

Jimmi

I will soon be traveling to Udoni Thani from Bangkok. I have never traveled by train, so this time I want to try it. Once a fellow told me he perfers to travel 2nd class. I don't remember why he perfers 2nd class (too much beer). Are there any benefits to traveling 2nd class Vs 1st class (money not being an issue). Any train travelers out there? Which class do you recommend?

Thanks

Thanks Steve,

I will look for that book. That's a great idea about the book in Thai, so I can show the builder what I'm talking about. About your book, I'd like to hear more about it and yes I'd love to read it. Is it a phrase book with buiding terms, or a how to build in Thailand? I won't be back in Thailand until about the 12th or 13th of May.

Thanks,

Jim

I plan on starting to build my house in about a year. I definitely plan to install a Sensitive Equipment AC to AC Isolation Transformer in my house. I live and will be building my house in Isaan. The voltage in this area is full of niose, spikes and surges. I have not priced the tranformers in Thailand yet, but in America they run about $800 for a 25KVA, up to about $1300 for a 25KVA constaant voltage model. I will also put in a step down or auto transformer so I can have some 110VAC outlets in my house. Putting this in during constuction is the best time to install it. If you can afford it, I say go for it.

Wow mgnewman,

I have heard of material similar to this stuff in the U.S. I have been looking for something like this in Thailand. Thanks for the link. It does make a great building material. I plan on building in about a year. I plan on doing a year of research on building and finding the right people. I am going to go to this company and buy several blocks of this so I can evaluate the blocks.

Thanks, you made my day!!!

Does anyone out there know of any cat breeders in Thailand? I am looking for cat breeder. Looking for a Burmese, Korat, Tonkinese, or Singapura. Any help would greatly be appriciated.

It looks like Thailand has a new Hub. Yep, It's offical, Thailand is the new Mosquito Hub!

I read on a post a while back (don't remember were) about reading up on construction books prior to starting to building. Since I plan to be on site to supervise all areas of construction, I think this is a great idea. Since I don't know too much about construction of houses, can someone recommend some books to get? I definitely need books on electrical systems, plumbing, cement work,everything. I will soon be flying to the U.S. to visit family. I was thinking of getting some books there. Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

No problem.

I have lots of dvd's I bought in the U.S. They play just fine in both my Thai bought players.

I think he had a great idea. If I could find someone with a thousand rai willing to sell it to me for 100 baht down and 100 baht per month I'd go for it. LOL!

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Sounds good. I'll go in with you

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Count me in too ! But only if it has a bridge .

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Hey guys,

I have a 1000 rai to sell ya, here in Isaan. It doesn't have a bridge, but it is ALL beach front property.

Thanks for the shower and fan tips Jeff1. I had considered the fans but I might have overlooked the shower. I don't like doing the limbo ether, like I have had to do in some hotels. As for the hot water, I think I am going to go with the electric on demand heaters. Instead of having it in the shower, I will have it maybe under the sink and have it piped to the sink and the shower/bath. I will do this to all the bathrooms and kitchen. This way if one goes out I will still have hot water in another bathroom.

Still would like to hear your story on your gas hot water heater.

Thanks

Miminem,

Sounds like you did really well, enjoy. I am doing research to build my house. Trying to read everything I can find concerning Thai construction. Can you tell me, what did you use for your outside walls? Did you use the small red bricks, the regular cement blocks (5kilograms), or the heavy bigger cement blocks (13 kilograms)?

Jeff1,

I too am thinking on useing granit countertops. Can you give me an idea on cost?

Any suggestions you two or anyone else may have concerning construction, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all,

Cheers

Right on Thai3. I have had the same thing happen to me. I very recently tried to up grade to first class(never have flown first class before). They told first class was full. During the flight I walked up there and looked. I counted 6 empty seats. The flight in general was not very full. Now, I am a gold card member, and I have 230,103 miles in my account. Just checked. I have never been upgraded to first class (try as I might). My Thai friends have been upgraded from economy to first a couple of times. They have no gold card, silver card, no card what so ever. I for one have had enough of Thai Air. Good bye Thai, Hello EVA. They get my business now.

I Agree, your dog is lonely. I have some friends in Sakon Nakhon that will take care of your dog for you while you're gone.