TomBrown

If you live in East Pattaya, check out Banglamung Cable's cable internet service...B990 per month for 4 MBPS or B1490 for 10 MBPS.

Is that quoted speeds for within Thailand only or international as well?

I would try the second hand shop next to Carrefour. Not that they'll give you your stuff back or tell you who sold it to them.

Do you mean Cash Converters? They shut about a year ago and was replaced by a Kasikorn Bank branch?

Cash Converters at Carrefour only reduced the size of their shop, they are still there. Now located in between the new Kasikorn Bank (previously the entrance to Cash Converters) and the toilets.

There are many smaller second hand shops around the city, I'd guess that a thief wouldn't trade stolen equipment at a place where there are several security cameras around, but you never know.

I do like Thailand and where I live. Here are just some things that I personally think would be nice to see in future, whether possibly or not.

A park, like you see dotted all around Bangkok and other cities. Location adjacent to Beach road would be great. I've always thought a sizeable park within the city is something that is missing from Pattaya and there does appear to be waste ground that could be fit for purpose between Beach Road and Second Road.

Transport & vehicle pollution – either rekindle the monorail idea that was talked about some time ago, or an alternative being replace the 'pick-up truck Baht taxis' with electric powered vehicles, maybe something in between the current Baht taxi size and a golf buggy type vehicle for cleaner air. Could also introduce a large car park on the outskirts of the city to reduce the traffic in the main city area.

At road junctions with existing traffic lights, make traffic lights for all directions have a pause/stop time of 30 seconds with a red light in each cycle, allowing a pedestrian crossing for people to cross the road more safely, instead of the current situation of negotiating the best time to cross in between (or sometimes in front of) moving traffic.

It would be nicer on the eyes (and possibly safer too) if those numerous electric and telephone cables on poles at road side were rerouted underground out of sight. At least for the six major roads in Pattaya.

More litter bins dotted around the city. Seems such an obvious thing to have, yet are very hard to find in Pattaya when walking around holding onto rubbish.

Computer kiosks with tourist information in various languages at main road junctions within the tourist areas of Pattaya.

Shuttle rail link running from Pattaya to the link at the Suwannabhumi Airport to increase people traffic. Of course would have stations in between.

Replacement of the existing over head bridge like sign / display on North Road from one side of the road (at City Hall) to the other side of the road (at Tesco Lotus) with an actual pedestrian bridge. Many people cross this at this location.

I Googled it and found this on a Thai forum (possibly correct date and information);

Pattaya International Music Festival 2010 (19 - 21 March 2010). Bands from Korea, China, Philippines, Laos, Malaysia, etc.

The thing I liked about this annual event is that the whole of Beach Road is closed to traffic and is packed full of different things to see and listen to. In 2009's event there were tents and stalls stretching the entire length of Beach Road, 4 music stages (the one at the bottom of Pattaya Klang at the fountain being the main stage and very crowded, the others at top end of Beach Road, Central, and Royal Garden). Large variety of foods and drinks, and things to buy, demonstrations like the cars with the big sound systems and neon lights, even Walking Street were doing their own thing. Lots to see and do, but if it wasn't to your liking you could head on to more familiar entertainment in Walking Street.

Regarding seating, limited of course, main stage there wasn't any seating, the other stages there were. Also a various sections along Beach Road there were beer and food tents where you could sit.

To give you an idea of 2009's event, here's some photos I took, all from Beach Road with the exception of one from Walking Street. As you can see, lots of people, the majority being Thai of course.

Edited to add the following: Forgot to mention that there was also another stage at Balihai Pier, but can't remember visiting that one in 2009.

Vientienne Laos may issue a 90 day Non Imm O Visa because of your Thai Son. Take proof.

They will issue a Tourist Visa good for 60 days and can be extended for a further 30 days at Immigration.

They will also issue a Double Entry Tourist Visa if you want.

Just the Thai Birth Certificate with my name on it then?

Any idea on cost?

Still confused... Going to Loas, can I get a Non-O 60 day visa (based only on child) or only a Tourist 60 day visa?

This doesn't hit all your criteria, but is probably what I'd do;

I noticed a shop in the computer mall Pantip Plaza (Bangkok) that had a stock of used Dell desktop computer units only (in what seemed new/very good condition), with DVD drives, 40 or 60 GB hard drives, Intel Pentium 4 CPU (I think). The cost was about ฿4,500. These desktop units were not too big, and even though it still had the Windows XP license sticker on the side of each unit (but not legally allowed to use it I was told), the computer came with no actual Windows operating system, just blank. You could still get Windows XP installed and would be under the ฿10,000 mark, but it does mean someone would have to install the software. I'd guess that if you did get that computer, a local computer shop or internet cafe might help out with the software install and still be within the ฿10,000 price range.

I was actually thinking of getting one of these units to use as a media PC connected to my TV.

Edited to add another point:

As it is a Dell computer, anyone can visit the Dell Support web site, type in the computer's serial number and the web site will take you directly to your computer's software / device drivers download page to get the latest drivers. I like that idea, instead of having to hunt for computer model numbers that might not be listed in the main web site areas over time.

On the day we went to immigration, we entered the building, on the left side was the counter with the two uniformed guys who answered question and hand out numbered tickets after checking forms that are filled in. Although in our case they didn't check anything other than my passport. I did ask for a 60 day extension based on my child, but they said only 7 days extension, they also spoke the same in Thai to my partner, claiming if married then possible. They didn't confirm or deny the existence of a 60 day extension to visit family, just said your visa finished you can only have 7 days.

Seems like this counter is positioned so that the other staff are not bothered (and probably don't want to be bothered) by foreigner visa questions.

The visited immigration was at Soi 5 Jomtien with son and fiancé. Took house book, birth certificate with my name on, they didn't even look at any documentation, just said that my Non-O visa had expired in November'09, so could only get 7 days.

No luck with immigration.

I went to immigration this morning, asked for a 60 day extension based on my child, but was told they could only give me 7 days.

Am I correct in saying that I could arrive at Nong Khai early morning, get a visa for Laos at the border, cross at the Friendship Bridge, submit passport for new visa (where exactly?) and collect passport that afternoon (or next day?) and enter Thailand again with a 60 day visa?

If I do have to stay over night, can anyone recommend a hotel to stay at?

My non-Immigrant O visa expired back in November, I'm now coming to the end of my stay period (off the Non-O; 15 months) and am unsure what visa I can get and where I should get it from. 2 month tourist visa the only option?

I have a Thai fiancé and son here, but if I remember correctly I can't get another Non-O from the neighbouring countries of Thailand.

We plan a visit to the UK at some point this year to get married there, so don't necessarily need a 1 year (probably not an option anyway).

Any advice please?

From the BBC News web site;

Toyota's defective accelerator pedal explained

Forgot to mention in my previous post that many of the devices on the market have (or had when we looked at it) similar features and it was really down to the type of screen used and number of gray scale shades it could display being the main deciding point, being that the screen is the main component used of these devices. Second to that was the software features and document compatibility, and then other features.

Regarding the device software, if you find a device you like but the software is restrictive in one way or another, there is the very young but working OpenInkpot project who are developing their own ebook reader software that works on many devices on the market today that might offer features you do like, but if it interests you then do your research first. As I said though, its still very young. Details at http://openinkpot.org/

As RCR said, mobileread website has loads of information on most of the ebook readers.

My neighbour considered a Sony, but the model he was after (PRS-700?) was discontinued before he could get one, due to the issue of a hard to read touch screen in bright light conditions. After much searching, including looking at the Kindle and others, he decided to go with the Astak EZ Reader.

Details found at www.theezreader.com and here at www.astak.com/category.asp?id=8

He liked that the device supported many different document formats, instead of being held to just one or two formats, and that it had the reflow feature for PDF documents, details found here http://www.adobe.com/ap/epaper/tips/acr5reflow/index.html

The one thing he did notice was that although the device did have a built-in speaker and technically was able to play MP3 files and text-to-speech, only the button clicks seemed to use the built-in speaker, MP3 and TTS had to use the earphones. Not a big issue for him as he only uses it to read, apparently he uses the reader every day.

In my opinion, particularly with beginners, it's best to take a friend along with you, even if they too have never tried a martial art before. The reason I say this is that students can be at different skill levels and might not want to be stuck with a beginner all the way through a session. Really depends on the martial art and how the class is run of course. In most cases everyone tries to help each other.

Anyone know where to get the Alum Crystal deodorant sticks locally?

I think Big C stock Brut 33 antiperspirant sticks.

Smells great.

not sure of the price.

Ha! Good one, I see the online Urban Dictionary has a less favorable description for Brut 33

Previously I've tried the Rexona, Nivea and such like deodorants found in 7/11 or Big C, and they just don't seem to stay effective for long or last long, for me anyway.

Sotsira; why use a drystick? Well I've never really been keen on the sprays, so prefer the dry stick method. Actually I hadn't considered Talcum powder, I might get a small bottle to try out, or just pinch some from my toddler to try out first.

Onnut, I'm intrigued about that 'lumin rock' thing, but couldn't find any information about it using Google. Correctly spelt name? Could you, Raro or anyone else who knows post more information and where to get them?

William, ฿940 was a guesstimate, I usually go to Siam Paragon and get the discount for foreigners, just because its convenient.

Brut 33 antiperspirant sticks and the Gillette Gel Stick deodorant/antiperspirant both sound like possible options also. I wrongly assumed that it was just local brands or Rexona or Nivea on store shelves.

For some time now I've been reasonably happy with Chanel dry stick deodorant, albeit I have to go to Bangkok to get it, however I am thinking that I would like something similarly effective but doesn't cost the ฿940 I pay for the Chanel.

Anyone know of an alternative dry stick that works well without the high cost?

The only places that you have a chance of a refund on purchased goods in Thailand are the large chain superstores like Big C, Carrefour, Tesco, Central, Robinsons, etc etc.

All the privately owned shops, no chance!

So buyers beware when purchasing from such places.

Big C is definitely the best regarding refund or replacement of goods in Pattaya.

I have had problems at both Carrefour and Tesco on more than one occasion.

Depends what you mean by best regarding refund. I recently bought some electrical goods at Big C only to discover that it was missing the power adapter. Only 30 minutes later I was back at Big C asking for the power adapter. When they couldn't find it they had no choice but to give a refund as it was the last of that product available. I had paid with credit card, so it would be easy to refund, you would think, but according to the service counter the refund would be done in 30 days time. Obviously a small argument discussion about how they were quick enough to take my money for incomplete goods but not so quick to put it back, that it wasn't my fault their product was incomplete, and that it would be their fault I'd be charged a late fee on my credit card for something that has been returned within the hour, did they get a lady from accounts to come down and perform the refund, which was quick and pretty easy to do. It really shouldn't have got to that stage. You could argue that the money would have been refunded eventually, but you can see there is a reluctance. If I'm thinking bad, they might have thought I was a tourist and that they wouldn't have refunded my money, and I'd be in an awkward situation to get the money back once home, if I were thinking bad.

As for the electrical product missing the power adapter, I seen it the following day back on the shelf, ready for sale.

Pretty much looking like a double failure.

Any suggestions anyone?

A failed job advert on ThaiVisa.com has made me think that I could find two or three Thai students who study videography at a college or university to do short term work. Can anyone please suggest such a place in Bangkok where I could either request to place an advert or to ask the university teachers for recommended students.

The original advert is here;

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Video-Camera...ed-t310307.html

Video Camera Operator

Brief description: Responsible and reliable video camera operator required for short term work, which may continue with ongoing ad hoc work.

Nationality: Thai preferable

Location: Bangkok

Duration: Approximately 8 Days

Starting: Near the end of November 2009

Communication: Must be able to speak at least some English.

Work: To film mainly from a fixed point with camera mounted on a tripod.

Number Required: 3 camera operators required.

Successful applicants; Must be responsible and reliable. Have some experience with Mini-DV camera equipment. Be able to work unsupervised. None smoker preferable.

Serious applicants only please, can send me a private message.

.

UPDATE: Mini-DV experience not required. Basic and easy operation of camera only (just point camera and follow the people to be filmed from fixed location).

I got the Holux M-1000B. Haven't really used it much yet, but it seems to work, albeit the coordinates appear to be slight out from where I actually am. Got it in MBK in Bangkok for ฿2,000, which seems to be a reasonable local price.

Thanks for everyone's input.

I was going to advertise for some Thais regarding media work, but have no company for this at present, so am curious if it is still possible / legal?

It is a very short term project, about 1 week.

Also, any ideas on how to gauge a reliable Thai?