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kbb

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  1. Even if this wasn't poisonous - Here's an easy precaution for next time. Buy a "snake stick". Less than 300 baht. Looks like one of those grippers you use to get things on - off of high shelves. So you can more safely grab the snake before either tossing or whacking it. We live in a typical rural town up north. Have had several cobras in the yard. (One dog was spit in the eye and also bit on the face. Lived, but almost did not survive -- She just won't learn). Respect them - these things are dangerous. When confronting one of these, it's very easy to make a mistake as the adrenaline pushes common sense aside. And don't forget - Even decapitated, the head can still give a lethal bite as a reflex ...
  2. I've wrestled with this problem for years - Have tinnitus & so have major problems with dialogue. It's gotten so bad, that I rarely watch anything without subtitles anymore. Over the years, I've tried soundbar & 3-5 channel systems. Have also tried "TV Ears", which use proprietary technology for voices. From my experience, I'd warn against using headphones too often as they can actually cause more damage over time if not used carefully. For a few years, I've used BT speakers that I set near where I watch TV. The volume is adjustable, so I don't drive my partner crazy (er). If you want to amplify voices, it can be a challenge to find speakers that concentrate more on the higher frequencies, rather than the booming Bass. The rechargeable (non replaceable) batteries on my old unit just died, and so im looking to replace it. Ironically, cheaper sets may be better, since they skimp on the Bass. Expect to spend way less than 6000 baht. Note the other challenge here is how well they connect with BT. Some models disconnect frequently, and then reconnect with an annoyingly loud "BONG". So some trial and error may be needed. good luck ...
  3. We live up in Phu Phaman. About 2 hours west of Khon Kaen. It's a pretty typical small town. I used to take long walks during the day. I stopped, after a few people who saw me out wandering around warned my wife that I was in danger of getting my throat cut for my wallet by teenagers on drugz. As unlikely as that is, I can't totally discount the idea. I now limit my long walks to the Temple grounds just across the street. As for night-time, we rarely find ourselves driving the 30 to 60 minutes it would take to find restaurants or markets. Just not worth challenging the nighttime traffic adventures -seems that every night is New Years Eve out there.
  4. kbb

    Elder care at home

    (I searched various forums here, and came up empty)My wife and I are hitting our 50's /60's. I recently had a major covid scare, featuring a week in a coma - semi coma. This led to discussions about what to do when/if we need long term elder care. I know there are Assisted Living types of services, but my wife is dead set against that option. She wants me at home. Unfortunately, I have experience with Alzheimer's and DementiaWhen the time comes that we need help, she'd rather have people here in the house helping out - We do have an extra room for people to stay. It may be early for such discussions, but makes sense to have even half a plan. In the "old days" here, you might expect that the young take care of the old. I believe that Society has started to move away from that ideal (Not unfairly). We do have some family here, including a few I would describe as "extended". I have lingering doubts that we'd hire family , and not strangers. The idea is that we'd have 1 or 2 who we'd pay a salary to come live with us and help.My concern is that so much of Thai society & culture is Transactional (even among families), is that we'd need to find a decent way to use a type of Golden Handcuffs to maintain a long term relationship. Does anyone out there ha personal experience with this type of thing? And if so, did you rely on a handshake, or try to use a lawyer to form some sort of contract?Comments of Salaries would be welcome, but I recognize that they'd likely vary widely, depending on many factors. Thanks in advance - Pakwan
  5. The market looks interesting. We have a car in Jomtien, but really did not want to drive through that mess. The songthaews are the big question. Not sure how often they run to & from the beach end of Thepprasit road. (When we lived off of South Pattaya Road, the bloody songthaews were often useless , as they would not leave the 1st stop until full - Thus locking out anyone in the middle of the route). Any hints?
  6. Two years ago, I bought a Johnson Horizon Comfort R. Through Lazada. (I had tried to buy a different brand, but it felt like the sales guy was selling some sort of slightly used - open box as new). Good points - Bike seat is comfortable and adjustable. Bad - Screen - control design is awful. - Uses old WIFI tech. So connecting for those features is basically impossible. - The screen is not backlight (Which they acknowledge). Makes it very very hard ro read unless you're seat is in the perfect position. - The speaker is less than useless. No volume. Need to use an external speaker. Showed the Tech - He shrugged. - The speed sensor failed just a month or two before the warranty expired. Even after arguing with the repair Tech that is was likely a sensor and not the computer, we waited months for the repair part. Turned out they were wrong - It was the wheel sensor. Bottom line, I really wish I had bought something else ...
  7. We live up North In Phu Paman. We don't travel much thanks to Mr Happy Virus, but we do have to make the 2 hour trip into Khon Kaen once every few months on Highway 12. In May, we received a Speed Camera ticket. I usually save everything - This time I forgot, so no details here. I think it was 500 baht. We paid at the local Post Office. (They've always treated us well - No problem. Took a minute). One bit of confusion was that my wife got a phone call about the ticket before the letter arrived. I was suspicious of a scam. We asked a cop at a road checkpoint, and he didn't know about any phone calls. So, exercise typical <deleted> caution with these calls, Now that we got nailed, we have noticed more and more speed camera signs along the various roads. Not that we can tell which are decoys and which are real. Last point - Some of these speed limits through town are 50 to 60 kph. One one have, you want to try and obey the law. On the other, feels likely to get rear ended as no one but tuk-tuks and/or buffalo move that slow.
  8. Schumacher Cargo Logistics Used for move from San Francisco to Northern Thailand late 2020. Wasn't cheapest, but am still so happy we have many items that are hard to get here in Thailand - Such as really nice leather sofa, artwork and various pieces of furniture. https://www.schumachercargo.com/testimonials.html https://www.google.com/search?q=Schumacher+Cargo+Logistics,+1027+Newark+Ave,+Elizabeth,+NJ+07208&amp;ludocid=11902040123540501701#lrd=0x89c252b875936267:0xa52c8a6ec213f4c5,1
  9. For years, I was able to shop and pay on Lazada with our US credit card. Then, about a month ago, they flagged me as some sort of security risk. Nothing about our account changed. (None of my CC companies reported any blocks or issues). When I complained to Lazada, they asked for detailed passport and CC info. They fixed it - for one purchase. I still get flagged with multiple credit cards or ATM Cards. Now, am back to having to use bank transfers, which are a pain. Shopee has similar issues. Also requires bank transfers. Have tried to sign for Lazada Wallet & Shoppee Pay. No luck. Anyone out there been able to get through with these?
  10. Long sad story - Had to abandon HIFI speakers in Pattaya, thanks to the Virus. Now up near Chumphae. I'm looking to get a decent HIFI system. Don't need WIFI or bluetooth. Would like to emphasize vocals. Choices seem to be Lazada, or Tesco. Was hoping someone could direct me to a local shop that may, for some odd reason, have a selection of HIFI?
  11. kbb

    Cobra Anti Venom

    We took the dog (& the now dead snake) to the Vet University in KK. We checked on the way out - No local vets had AV available. She stayed overnight. The staff were great. Treatment relatively cheap. It's mostly dumb luck that the dog didn't either die or lose her sight in that eye. Worst part was the 8+ hours of driving & eye drops that didn't go down well.
  12. kbb

    Cobra Anti Venom

    We live up in Issarn - Two hours West of Khon Kaen. Live in a pretty small town (I call Walton's Mountain). We've had several Cobras on our property. Last year, one spit at one of our dogs & got her in the eye. We were lucky - But had another close call last month. ((In case you've never had the pleasure: Having one of these buggers sit up and hiss certainly gets your attention. Every cell in your body instinctively knows they'd rather be someplace else. )) I'm worried that the supply of Anit-Venom up here is not great. I've been looking at how to improve the supply. We have a clinic in town. Staffed by a dedicated Nurse Practitioner. Very limited hours. They don't keep the AV. (Haven't got proper storage). Chum Phai Public Hospital is an hour away. They do have the AV. There is a small 24 hour hospital 30 minutes away. They don't have the AV. I am trying to work out a deal, where we pay for AV to be kept at the local hospital. If it happens to get used, we'd resupply. Would keep doing this until/unless it becomes too expensive. Unfortunately, no one appears to be in much of a hurry. My wife is starting to give me the "You're being a Farang ... etc etc etc ". Meaning, I shouldn't push it too much. I figure that 30 mins could actually be the difference between life & death. Anyone out there have experience with Cobra Bites (and AV)?
  13. Two years ago, I shipped a partial container from California to Issarn. They delivered to the door. Yes - I did get hit with customs duty. We gambled on not getting insurance. I figured the insurance company would wiggle out of paying anyhow. If you only want to save $$, then bringing items over is probably not worth it. However - Even though it wasn't cheap, we're thrilled with how it ended up. The leather couch is something we would have had an impossible time finding here with similar quality. That, and the mattress, would have been very $$. Some smaller items (Bookshelves & smaller furniture) are nice to have. Other stuff, such as artwork and odds n ends would have been awful to pack and carry with luggage. Most of it would never have made it over. Perhaps if you're in Bangkok, you may have more choices - better luck shopping. (But with the Virus tripping up things - nothing it routine or easy these days). Good luck ...
  14. Elite vs Retirement - Family Different situations for everyone - No one size fits all. Not socks. I took the Elite because 1) My Retirement needed to be renewed. Thanks to problems with traveling and the Virus, I could not access some docs without risky travel. 2) I also had just taken the newly required insurance for the 1st time for retirement extension. Did a lot of research. The Insurance Company still pulled two bait - switch price increases right before I signed. (Used the insurance that 1st year - It's overpriced <deleted>. Better to be self insured. ) 3) We used to live walking distance to the Jomtien immigration office. Very convenient and efficiently run. Kohn Kaen office is over 2 hours from us. Makes annual extensions a PITA. Bit the bullet and went for the 20 year Elite for 1 Million Baht. Yes, it's a lot of money, and the Govt may change the rules. But, I'm still glad I did this. 1) No insurance requirement. No longer forced to spend min 30 to 40k baht for mostly useless coverage that would only increase every year. 2) No annual extensions (If you leave & return once a year). Otherwise, 1900 baht needed for renewal "entry" stamp. Thanks to the Virus, I did need to do this. The Elite staff helped get an appointment with local Immigration. Made it easier. 3) No re-entry permits or fees. Cons 1) Obviously, the 1 Million Baht price. I traded that for the 800k Baht retirement deposit. As I explained to my somewhat unhappy wife - Sorry Darling, but If I die way before the 20 years is up, the lost 800k baht is the least of my problems. 2) We don't live in Bangkok. So many of the benefits of the visa (Help with 90 day reporting) don't apply. 3) When we went to wire the fee, our bank took several hours calling around before they were convinced it wasn't a scam. Apparently, there aren't many people here in KK on the plan. Hint- Confusion when the bank called Immigration, they asked about a 20 year visa. Those don't technically exist. The Elite 20 is actually four - 5 year visas. (The people at the bank were trying to do the right thing - I did sent a letter to headquarters thanking them). When I've had questions, the Elite staff have responded quickly. So - again, am happy with the choice.
  15. For the past 2 weeks, it seems like comments are no longer running several pages - they often end after one page. I did not see any settings that would affect this. Is it my imagination?
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