tso310

Has anyone done used any mains purifaction devices in Thailand. I certainly use them to good effect in the UK especially using propriatry mains cabling.

All this talk of Krells reminds me of when the KSA-50 first hit the UK circa 85. There was talk that whenever one was switched on all the lights in the streets would dim such was the power surge. Still one of the best systems I have ever heard Goldmund T/T Koetsu cartridge, Krell amps and those killer 1amp impedance Apogee speakers.

There is potential for international flights from the Udon/Khon Kaen area but I can't see happening except with a low cost operator and to where ? Possibly a twice a week service to Singapore for migrant workers or Hong Kong for onward travel to Japan for the migrant work force there. A couple of my wife's family are in both of those countries but I don't if there are enough workers still in these countries.

The developement of international, and to some extent domestic, airports in Thailand has been driven by tourism. I can't see what the Isaan area offers in the way of sustainable demand for either business or tourism from overseas. Mind you looking at Ryanair and Easyjet where there is a will......

I must admit to being a bit of an aviation anorak. I hadn't heard of UK charters into Chiang Mai but it may well have happened in the past.

Back to Surin Airport, Bangkok Airways did have plans back in the late 80s or early 90s, to build a new airport and I do remember seeing a timetable with the route to Surin dotted in. I understand the current airport at Surin is now closed. When I'm next in los I'll try and pop up from Phrakhon Chai as I have a brother in law who lives near the southern(?) end of the runway.

At one time the new Buriram airport was proposed to be north of PhraKhon Chai but then someone of importance had some land they wanted to sell near Satuk. They should have built it at Krasang.

Thai Air has for too long been a job for the ex RTAF boys. These guys do not know how to run an airline. Too slow to react to changes in demand and competiveness. Look at the state of the IFE on the B747/B777 fleet. The aircraft procurment plans are also too slow. Well down the order for the A380 and what about A300 replacements. Some of those birds are 20 years old and there's no sign of an order as far as I am aware. The MD11 are going to cargo one day and then they are to be kept for passenger work because they can't replace them, currently back to cargo I think. Hand over the domestic routes to Nok who have a better business profile the domestic market. Get some proper business men in, from overseas if necessary.

. The next developement will be Chiang Mai to Europe

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I thought you could already fly UK to Chang Mai.

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There are no direct flight. All scheduled Thailand-UK flights are to/from Bangkok. Indeed there are no flights which are through coded to Chiang Mai, unlike say Franfurt-Bangkok-Phuket. Direct flights from Chiang Mai to potential destinations in Europe were discussed in the Thai Airways investors presentation back in April. A direct Chiang Mai London flight would give you a saving of about 4 hours against the current fastest connection journey.

Thailand already has a good number of true international airports, Bangkok, U-Tapao (Russian charters like TransAero, Sibr and Domodedovo), Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Samui. Thats better than Malaysia, Indonesia or India. Ubon used to have a twice (?) weekly service to Danang with PB Air but it didn't pay. The next developement will be Chiang Mai to Europe which Thai are talking about around 2008/9 once the A380s arrive and that frees up aircraft. Its a question of demand and Isaan does not have the levels of business or tourism to gererate the demand needed for internatinal flights.

If I had to guess where the next airport to have international flights would be I would say either Surat or if you can get the RTAF to agree Prachuab Kirikhan.

Thanks tso, will check out all of those links.  3am now and if I continue with hi-fi research it'll soon be daylight I know it!

I don't see a problem with your Mags...I'd be more worried about them being bashed around (they're not so sturdy) and of whether the Thai customs man is in a good mood or not.  Do you have them driven with a nice valve amp?

Carl

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A 1963 Leak Stereo 20 (12w Brit amp) all components upgarded, to high spec, paper-in-oil caps, Holco resistors etc but still the original transformers. Unfortunately no Black Gate caps. Drives the Maggies beautifully and great on rock. I can't see how I can go back to box speakers.

Local speaker and SE EL34 amp manufacturer

http://www.norh.com/

and more on the valve (tube) front here

http://www.sacthailand.com/

or perhaps kits from Hong Kong

http://www.diyhifisupply.com/ this supplier has been well featured in the UK mag HiFi World.

When I eventually retire to los I hope to bring over my Magneplanar SMGa speakers, will the humidity be a problem ?

PB Air. Can't beat those Embraers.

Just curious as to why there were 200 people for a plane that can only seat 148.

The Fixx - Camphor

This looks too modern for my tastes. I highly recommend Imperieal Airways and their Handley Page HP42 service. A good tried and trusted British aircraft with an exempalary safety record. Plus with the added advantage of flying out of Croydon which isn't as crowded as Heathrow.

http://www.imperial-airways.com/Handley_page_hp42.html

For a full list of the awards go here

http://www.airlinequality.com/2005/bestofbest.htm

I've used the site for years and have added comments about airlines. As far as I'm aware they are independant.

As Kringle said, i would buy it to, this land is most likely out of the way, no road frontage  etc, thats why it is cheap, I have just bought another 22 rai in prackonchie, paid 20,000 per rai, that has road frontage, in a village, land will always go up in value, whereever it is, my wife and i now have over 100 rai, when we first started buying plots 10 years ago you could then pick them up really cheap, so if i was you i would snap this up.

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Thaicoon, was it that land thats been on the Kasikorn site for a few months ?

Check if fuel surcharges have been included.

As I said in a previous post, whenever the Thai National side has been in the UK they have played against Conference sides. Playing against European teams who are not match fit or acclimatised is no judge of what their level is. Years ago I saw them beat Russia in a friendly, slaughter Bangladesh in a WC qualifier and then with the press proclaiming that a new era was starting, came up against an Iranian side who didn't even break sweat in demolishing them.

Get the domestic game in order first. What has happened to the proposed merging of the Bangkok League with the Provincial League ?

The best guide I have ever used is from my local Campaign Fro Real Ale group, which I am not an active member.

http://www.aaa-camra.org.uk/locations.html

The principles of what they are doing are not too dissimilar from what you want to do and I think its a really easy guide to use, which we do during the summer. When you click on the post code it pulls up a map which you do need for some of the more remote pubs. Give it a look it might give you some ideas.

Quite a few of the phone companies have coverage maps.

I'll probably just start out with restaurants. Seems like I'll have my hands full with that.

Don't expect too many bells and whistles; just a simple list arranged up by either city or province.

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Don't forget a "How to get to" from the nearest town centre or such.

You can listen to Andy Kershaw's trip to North Korea here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/onl...orthkorea.shtml

There have been a couple of documentaries on UK TV this year on North Korea. Ben Anderson on the BBC was an excellent one and there was a fascinating one about the 1966 World Cup North Korea football team. If you ever get the chance to view them do so.

I wonder what the Dear Leader thought of Team America.

One-Two-Go adding two local destinations

..........the budget airline One-Two-Go is preparing to add two new routes to its network with daily flights from Bangkok to Surat Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

The scheduled services are to begin Aug 12. The airline has yet to announce the type of aircraft it will use on the segments...........

--Bangkok Post 2005-08-02

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Yet two more cities that won't be 'served.' Yet to announce the type of aircraft it will use?????

Yet to act like a real viable airline!

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4 MD-80s from Continental have been bought. 3 of them were at U-Tapau recently. They will be servicing the new routes.

Here we go again !

I've never enjoyed Xmas in non Christian cultures, it seems it bit contived. Celebrating the local festivals is much more fun but then I have no particular religeous leanings.

There is only one "Dear Leader" and its not little Kim. Sort him out Thaksin.

try this company their itinerie starts in Beijing.

http://www.regent-holidays.co.uk/N_SKoreaItineraries.htm

I hope Air Kyoro hasn't stopped flying I just love seeing those IL-62s at Don Muang, They are getting hard to see these days.

As my wife has lived for some 22 years in the UK, only 11 months younger than me, you get used to the nudge nudge wink wink. Actually I don't think its as bad as it used to be, mainly due to the huge number of Thais now married and living in the UK. In 1984 I remember someone at the Embassy saying there were about 4,00 Thais in London, now its over 10 times that. The problem of Thailands image is well documented. I know alot of Thais blame farangs but the sex trade had existed long before cheap flights from Europe started. There are plenty of local establishments out in the sticks. Too much money and thus power are now involved, sad really.

One thing I would like the Thai Government do is to change the name of Bangkok to Krung Thep. Its a start even if it is only a very small step. Too many people like to emphasise the second syllable.