paulward75

Not sure if this is the right place to post this.

I was wondering if anyone can recommend someone who can "set up" some guitars for me in the Rayong or Pattaya area.

I have two new guitars direct from the factory and would like to get them professionally set up.

Set the action and the intonation and replace the strings initially.

Possibly I would like to replace the tuning keys and replace the pickups making them a little higher end.

I would be grateful to hear any recommendations. I don't really want the bother of fiddling around with them myself or having to buy a whole lot of tools and then making a balls up and having to go to a professional anyway. I'd rather just pay to get it done. 

Many thanks

The Chinese Plague strikes again.

Should read "Can Thailand learn from Egypt"

There are too many of these stupid satellite channels in Thailand.

I am all for a bit of competition but this is madness. If you buy the box every time a new channel wins the rights for a major spotting event then the house would be full of them.

There are some good things about this great country but the media is not one of them. It just ends up screwing the people.

Give it a try! Why not ? Just make sure u keep enough saved for the flight back if it all goes wrong. In my experience wherever you are in the world - what you earn is what you spend! I guess it's a balancing of quality of life versus budget! Just don't be one of those who come to Thailand and are so tight with money they forget to enjoy life. In this country it's probably a good thing not to have too much money though - over indulgence is the downfall for many expats. All the best and I hope it works out great for you!

Samet is fine!

You don't drink the fuxxing sea water when you go swimming do you!

And even then you'd have to drink several thousand litres to have an effect.

Less tourists going there is probably a good thing. It used to be lovely and quiet.

Every ocean in the world are polluted to some level. In Europe there's all sorts of crap in the sea.

So to all the idiots that think they are going to die from swimming near Samet just shut up and stay away!

It stinks alright, please do not file law suits because it takes a long time to get your money??? Essentially what this says is you can have 10% of what you deserve now if you shut up and go away!

Well done to you both. Don't worry about what people say. This way you get to find out who your real friends are.

Whatever these fisherman receive by way of compensation will not enough in my opinion. Why can't we support them rather talking about greed. Surely the greedy one here is the filthy petroleum company. Why not support the underdog and stop being so cynical. This is their livelihoods, their business and their families lives being affected. Why not support them, I know if it were me I want the support of the people. Point taken there are greedy people everywhere and in every country but I'm not sure a few mangos in your garden equates to the livelihoods of these people. Popular support is all they have right now. Lets give it to them.

A thousand baht a day does not even cover the fuel charges for the boat. Which ironically they probably buy from PTT anyway. A company that made 650,000 Million last year should be made to pay for their mistakes. The fisherman's reputation and livelyhood has been stained even if they have cleaned up the sea. The value of their catch goes down so they have to catch more and more. Also affecting the sustainability of the fishing industry in Rayong. PTT should have to pay more damages and for a longer period than 30 days. It's a clear case of trying to shirk responsibility and the power of the big company versus the ordinary man. Not to mention that the politicians having a vested interest in PTT rather than protecting the people they represent.

In his defence the waves yesterday were very very choppy. I also came on the speed boat and it was very bumpy. This is the normal way to land on the beach by the speed boat when the waves a big because you cannot bring the boat all the way to the shore without damaging it. He is in Koh Samet and drawing attention to the problem, after that boat ride trust me there are easier ways to get self promoting PR than coming to Samet when the waves are bad.

Incidentally, I am told that the PM will arrive this evening on the island. It has been planned for some days that she would come to Samet straight from the airport when her plane arrives from Africa. It will be interesting to see if she arrives on Ao Prao the same way. Now she is one, I imagine really wouldn't enjoy the journey by speed boat and by the looks of it the waves are bigger today. Maybe she will get a huge navy boat all to herself! Maybe she won't mind getting her feet wet!

Thank god this was caused by a PLC, it's in their best interest to tidy up. If a government was in charge then we'd be waiting for months before they even decide to start!

Now that there is nothing to bitch about the oil spill in Samet they start to dig old news to get there kicks or fix! Sad really! Top ten slicks! Sorry top 9 - you couldn't even manage 10. Try reporting the news you sad people!

PTT should have to pay for and implement coral generation schemes ASAP.

Only one beach, Ao Phrao has been effected by the oil. Hat Saikeaw beach and all the other beaches in Samet remain unaffected. This true because I am here now to see it. Ao Phrao beach remains closed for cleaning and the oil spill isolated to this area in order to stop it spreading. They will open this beach and publicize the re-opening when it is safe and clean. Tourists can still visit the island and enjoy the sea and the beach. Much of the media have stated that there was a mass exodus of tourists. Many of the tourists I have spoken to are completely unaware of the situation on Ao Prao beach, they are more concerned about the weather and hoping the sun will shine tomorrow. My advice would be for tourists to come to Samet as normal and stay on Saikeaw beach or one of the bays on the eastern side and let them get on with the clean up. My advice to the media is stop over sensationalizing the story and instead state the current facts. The media talk about the effect on tourism and in fact they are the ones who are likely to have the biggest affect. I additionally urge members of thai Visa to stop making rediculous statements when they do not have current information or here to see what is actually happening.

LONG LIVE SAMET! Attached photo of Saikeaw Beach today

you accuse the media of over sensationalizing the story but equally, some could interpret your contribution as an attempt to to downplay the seriousness of the situation?

Does anyone believe no harmful chemicals whatsoever have been used in this cleanup exercise? Personally, I would have more belief in unicorns

" However, PTTGC has insisted that the chemical it is using to disperse the oil spreading over the Gulf of Thailand is safe for the environment and complied with the Pollution Control Department regulations.

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name "

I assure I am not trying to downplay the situation on Ao Prao. It is devasting. I am only trying to point out that the majority of Samet island is unaffected. The other point I am making is that the media continue to show those terrible pictures on the first day when they refer to the disaster rather than showing the progress that has been achieved so far. The media seem to need to continue with a shocking headline and a shocking picture. Seems bad news sells rather than the facts and the progress actually being made. The reporting of most of the media seems to be recycling the story from the first couple of days.

There is lots of contradictory information about the chemicals being used. I agree they are dangerous, they are bound to be, but surely it's the lesser of two evils. I hink everyone agrees that the number one think is to clean it up. They are just using the methods that have been used in previous disasters. Those that are recommended by the experts. There will always be people who have differing opinions. Surely good reporting is about telling the facts and balancing opinions from both sides.

And you are right it is just my opinion being here.

all I can say is if we have at least learnt something from recent environmental disasters- it is -don't believe what the officials are telling you

One Thai academic believes the leak could up to twice the size of that admitted by PTT Global Chemical.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/31/world/asia/thailand-oil-spill-beach

Absolutely the officials are usually clueless and merely promoting their own agenda. But right now the scientists and experts are the ones doing the clean up not the media or the officials.

We are making the same point i think - don't believe them when they tell you something. Take a look with your own eyes and read between the lines. But I am sure we also agree that the best thing is to clean it up as quickly as possible with the least amount of impact on the environment and the local community, no matter what the financial cost is to those PTT shareholders!

Only one beach, Ao Phrao has been effected by the oil. Hat Saikeaw beach and all the other beaches in Samet remain unaffected. This true because I am here now to see it. Ao Phrao beach remains closed for cleaning and the oil spill isolated to this area in order to stop it spreading. They will open this beach and publicize the re-opening when it is safe and clean. Tourists can still visit the island and enjoy the sea and the beach. Much of the media have stated that there was a mass exodus of tourists. Many of the tourists I have spoken to are completely unaware of the situation on Ao Prao beach, they are more concerned about the weather and hoping the sun will shine tomorrow. My advice would be for tourists to come to Samet as normal and stay on Saikeaw beach or one of the bays on the eastern side and let them get on with the clean up. My advice to the media is stop over sensationalizing the story and instead state the current facts. The media talk about the effect on tourism and in fact they are the ones who are likely to have the biggest affect. I additionally urge members of thai Visa to stop making rediculous statements when they do not have current information or here to see what is actually happening.

LONG LIVE SAMET! Attached photo of Saikeaw Beach today

you accuse the media of over sensationalizing the story but equally, some could interpret your contribution as an attempt to to downplay the seriousness of the situation?

Does anyone believe no harmful chemicals whatsoever have been used in this cleanup exercise? Personally, I would have more belief in unicorns

" However, PTTGC has insisted that the chemical it is using to disperse the oil spreading over the Gulf of Thailand is safe for the environment and complied with the Pollution Control Department regulations.

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name "

I assure I am not trying to downplay the situation on Ao Prao. It is devasting. I am only trying to point out that the majority of Samet island is unaffected. The other point I am making is that the media continue to show those terrible pictures on the first day when they refer to the disaster rather than showing the progress that has been achieved so far. The media seem to need to continue with a shocking headline and a shocking picture. Seems bad news sells rather than the facts and the progress actually being made. The reporting of most of the media seems to be recycling the story from the first couple of days.

There is lots of contradictory information about the chemicals being used. I agree they are dangerous, they are bound to be, but surely it's the lesser of two evils. I hink everyone agrees that the number one think is to clean it up. They are just using the methods that have been used in previous disasters. Those that are recommended by the experts. There will always be people who have differing opinions. Surely good reporting is about telling the facts and balancing opinions from both sides.

And you are right it is just my opinion being here.

I'm on samet at the moment, the east coast is all fine. Doubt you'll be able to get over to ao prao as they're keeping tourists out of that area. Can't bring a truck over as there's no car ferry just a regular boat or speed boat. Samed villa is a great place to stay and can get a lovely bungalow for less than 3k, also pretty easy to hire a kayak

Sent from my HTC Desire using Thaivisa Connect App

I agree Samed Villa is also a nice option. Just get to Samet and check out a few places!

Any problems getting the truck out to the Island? I don't really need the truck, but it's a convenient way to carry the kayaks.

There is no public car ferry to Samet. When they take vehicles across they put them on a boat with a crane etc and very expensive. If you really want to bring kayaks then you have to unload on the pier opposite 7 11 and bring them across on the ferry. Someone will help but you have to pay extra. It would be cheaper to hire the kayaks in Saikeaw beach. Saikeaw beach resort have them as do Sin Samut resort. The latter being cheaper to hire. As this sounds like your first trip I would just get there and do a reccy. Bear in mind the this time of year there a big waves and rip currents so don't go out far from the beach if you decide to go kayaking. All the best.

Serious request,

If I wanted to spend this weekend on Samet looking around at the mess (and supporting the local economy), what's the best < 3000 Baht hotel to book?

They are not asking for volunteers because you need specialist equipment and expertise. Primarily for safety reasons. I asked them about this already.

However you can look at Ao Prao beach and see the progress. I think you will be surprised to see what they have achieved in just 5 days! Then you can spread the news that it's not all gloom and doom!

Just want to look around. At 55+ years old, they'd have to assign 2-3 guys to watch for me passing out from the heat. Not a great help.

Full disclosure: I am in the offshore oil business so don't believe anything I post. Another reason I'd want to be completely anonymous if I do go.

Hotel suggestions?

You don't need to book anything because it is low season anyway. Suggest heading to Saikeaw beach and take your pick of hotels. Cheaper that way - can negotiate the price you want to pay. Saikeaw beach resort is at the upper end of the spectrum pricewise and also owned by the group that own Ao Prao resort so they will have upto date info. Might be doing them a favour too. If you want budget then moss man house in the village, is comfortable and 5 times cheaper. Can be found next to 7 11 near park entrance only 2 mins from Saikeaw beach. Have a great time ! Just remember it's rainy season! So u will get some rain at some point! Cheers

Serious request,

If I wanted to spend this weekend on Samet looking around at the mess (and supporting the local economy), what's the best < 3000 Baht hotel to book?

They are not asking for volunteers because you need specialist equipment and expertise. Primarily for safety reasons. I asked them about this already.

However you can look at Ao Prao beach and see the progress. I think you will be surprised to see what they have achieved in just 5 days! Then you can spread the news that it's not all gloom and doom!

Only one beach, Ao Phrao has been effected by the oil. Hat Saikeaw beach and all the other beaches in Samet remain unaffected. This true because I am here now to see it. Ao Phrao beach remains closed for cleaning and the oil spill isolated to this area in order to stop it spreading. They will open this beach and publicize the re-opening when it is safe and clean. Tourists can still visit the island and enjoy the sea and the beach. Much of the media have stated that there was a mass exodus of tourists. Many of the tourists I have spoken to are completely unaware of the situation on Ao Prao beach, they are more concerned about the weather and hoping the sun will shine tomorrow. My advice would be for tourists to come to Samet as normal and stay on Saikeaw beach or one of the bays on the eastern side and let them get on with the clean up. My advice to the media is stop over sensationalizing the story and instead state the current facts. The media talk about the effect on tourism and in fact they are the ones who are likely to have the biggest affect. I additionally urge members of thai Visa to stop making rediculous statements when they do not have current information or here to see what is actually happening.

LONG LIVE SAMET! Attached photo of Saikeaw Beach today