sandyf

I've heard from my wife that they put formalin in the ice to keep it last longer.

Can't vouch for it, but if it is true, I have many doubts if they can control the quantity they put in.

Again don't know if that can poison you.

I have been using this ice for years now and nothing ever happened to me.

But again.......we are all different.

I heard a similar rumor about it being in Singha over 15 years ago. Still checking it out but no conclusive results.

I take your point loopy but I've been ingesting local ice and cleaning my teeth with the tap water here for 6 months without issue. No whole peanuts at any stage of the evening, although I'm sure there were some in the Pad Siew I had a lunchtime - it's hardly a case for CSI, but my suspicion still centers on the ice.

It is something to very careful of. A friend of my sister in law actually died from the ice in a thai kitchen. It is common practice for a youngster to bring steel cups with ice when you sit down. The conclusion was that she took ice from a box of bottles that were being chilled by ice. The cause of death was identified as bacteria originating from rats and this was the only plausible explanation.

Something like that could go on for some time without anyone realizing.

The Sonata is now under 800k baht new? Are you sure about that? The CKD Malaysian assembled Elantra Sport starts at 749k baht so don't see how the Sonata is a similar price.

Haven't seen prices for the Sonata sedan but the Sport 2.0 are pricey.

Capture.JPG

Not sure if the Sonata saloon is still available. Appears to have been discontinued in the UK in 2010 and superseded by the i40.

name difference in different Countries..

Here the Minibus is called H-1, in UK is named i800

The Elantra Sport here is the i30 in UK

The i40 in UK is the named here Sonata

May be the same body shell but not the same car. The i40 is only available as a 1.7 diesel. I would have thought that would be quite popular in Thailand.

The Sonata is now under 800k baht new? Are you sure about that? The CKD Malaysian assembled Elantra Sport starts at 749k baht so don't see how the Sonata is a similar price.

Haven't seen prices for the Sonata sedan but the Sport 2.0 are pricey.

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Not sure if the Sonata saloon is still available. Appears to have been discontinued in the UK in 2010 and superseded by the i40.

2015 Sonata - at least for me I think it looks quite nice. That US price for the SE is less then 700,000 Baht. But with a 2.4L engine, would be a large tax on it in Thailand. Even the Sport 2.0T is around 900,000 Baht in the US but approaching double that here.

That is the US website. Hyundai Thailand only shows the 2 Sonata Sport models and the UK site does not show a Sonata at all. The only saloon is the i40 which looks like a Sonata with a different engine.

Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions.

I believe it is the flow switch, but I'm not prepared to wait a week for that to come. So in the end I bought a new Mitsubishi pump. Seems like every store at the moment are trying to push Hitachi pumps, hope I made the right choice with Mitsu.

What I'll do with the old one I'm not sure. Unlikely to keep it, so does anyone know of someone who will buy for parts?

Luck of the draw with Mitsubishi, mine lasted about 18 months before the studwelds holding the pump corroded and started leaking. Had it repaired with a stainless steel tank.

I would also suggest you have the old one repaired and hold as spare. Repairs are normally quite cheap.

The Sonata is now under 800k baht new? Are you sure about that? The CKD Malaysian assembled Elantra Sport starts at 749k baht so don't see how the Sonata is a similar price.

Haven't seen prices for the Sonata sedan but the Sport 2.0 are pricey.

Capture.JPG

Not sure if the Sonata saloon is still available. Appears to have been discontinued in the UK in 2010 and superseded by the i40.

Chonburi buffalo races at full speed

CHONBURI, 8 October 2014: Scores of Thai farmers ditched their paddy fields for the race course Tuesday to sprint across a dusty track on the backs of prized water buffalo, vying for glory in a decades-old racing contest.

The race is the highlight of the annual buffalo festival in Chonburi town, around 80 kilometres (50 miles) east of the capital Bangkok, with bareback riders competing for the top prize of 10,000 baht (USD300) across several categories.

Songphol Kongprasert, a local farmer who won top spot in a race last year, has been competing for more than a decade.

“These buffalos are part of my family, I ride for them,” said the 31-year-old, adding he felt no fear tearing across the dusty track in races where injuries are common.

Jockeys as young as nine years old were cheered on by two packed seating areas filled with residents as well as tourists drawn to the provincial coastal town for the festival’s 143rd year.

But the event has also attracted criticism from animal rights campaigners who accuse competitors of mistreating the beasts.

Chonburi town mayor, Dacho Kongchayasukawat, argued the races instead helped to preserve water buffalos, once an iconic part of Thailand’s rural landscape.

“If there is no racing, Thai buffalo will no longer exist because they wouldn’t be used by their owners. But if we preserve them, we can use them for ploughing, trading and also for racing,” he said.

For centuries Thais relied on water buffalo to plough their rice paddies, provide transportation and even defend villages during war, but with mechanised farming the animals have seen their importance diminish.

The week-long festival, ending Friday, also has other opportunities for farmers to showcase their animals’ talents.

Nearly 800 buffalos participate in other ways including a parade through Chonburi town and a beauty contest which sees the animals decked out in patterned fabrics and plastic flowers.

© 1994-2014 Agence France-Presse

stupid torture of animals......OK harmless in compare to others but still nonsense....

That would mean that anything that involves winning would be considered nonsense. Like everything else in this life it is all about prestige.

As far as the buffalo are concerned, most appeared quite happy to take part and I would doubt if they are being fed steroids. The rider sits at the back above the hind legs with just a piece of string to old on to, no saddles or bits between the teeth.

Before the actual racing there was a fair amount of practice runs. Quite often the buffalo would take off on its own and fly down the track to the other end without any prompting.

I didn't know it was on, is it just a one day event?

Yes it is, in October every year. Drove past this afternoon and it had all been cleared away. It is not well advertised, I live here and have not seen anything, it was only because the family know about it.

Had a run into Chonburi yesterday to have a look at the buffalo racing, first opportunity since I came here. Quite entertaining but appeared to be very dangerous. When they get to the finish line, the driver jumps off and a few people run in front of the buffalo to bring it to a halt. Not the easiest way to earn a few baht. There were only a few buffalo in each race so if the leader fell off there was the chance to escape being trampled, falling off was quite regular.

Obviously very popular as there was quite a crowd,noticed quite a few foreigners in the stands including a few tourists. Apparently it is the only buffalo racing venue in the world.

The main reason that would prevent me from buying most Hyundais is the styling - that example you show is proof that the cars are just plain ugly!

That said, that people mover van thingy is kinda nice . . .

Thais do buy imported cars of course, take a look at how many expensive Euro cars ride the streets of BKK, damn things are everywhere.

Maybe Hyundai should lift their prices in Thailand.

Have you even looked at the Hyundai lineup before you make such a silly statement? Have a look at some of their model here and still stick by the remark that they make ugly cars. https://www.hyundaiusa.com/genesis/comparison.aspx and here https://www.hyundaiusa.com/sonata/comparison.aspx

I've seen a couple of Sonata's on the road in Chiang Mai and it certainly had a wow factor for me and had me starring and once followed one to be sure I was seeing Hyundai badge on it. I would probably got one if they had US prices on it here ($25k). But with it in the same price range as Accord, Camry, etc. I would have to evaluate my thoughts on it a bit. Saw that the Thailand Hyundai site shows neither the Sonata or Genesis series available so assume the ones I saw were either grey import or special order.

I have seen them on display in Central at Chonburi. Quite impressive and appear good value for money, about 1.2M if I remember right.

PS Mister Fixit - I used a photo shop in Chalong, Phuket for the photos with no issues. I had with me the guidelines for sizes etc printed from the UK passport website.

Big Steve - I have had passport photos taken at the same shop in Nonthaburi in the past with no problems.

I went along last time (early July), and it was a different guy who seemed pretty unsure of himself, and was not confident. I had the UK regulations/guidelines for photos with me, explained them all in Thai, but he still got it wrong, it seems.

I do now remember when I had my previous passport renewed in 2008, I used a place in the UK. I think the Thai photos regs are not as stringent as the UK ones which have become even more so in recent years.

I think this is to do with the automatic gates at immigration. The gate takes your photo and compares it to your passport, slightest discrepancy and you are locked in and someone has to come and let you out. It will not let me through unless I take my glasses off.

anyone remember that MANDY RICE everyone wanted some of that.

testing the grey cells now, about 63 I think with Christine Keeler.

Don't forget Dr Stephen Ward and the Minister of War, Jon Profumo.

Looked it up and found this.

At the height of the Profumo scandal, the first prime minister of independent Malaya (now Malaysia) Tunku Abdul Rahmanarrived in London for a visit. At a reception at Heathrow Airport when asked what he wanted to do first, he replied "I want Mandi" which shocked the reception party because they did not know that "Mandi" means "take a bath" in Malay.

As I said, I originally had a 250 pump. The guy who fitted it told me that with 1/2 inch pipe it was too much. I put it in anyway and the pressure was weak as the pumped just short cycled. I took it back and got the 155 and the pressure was actually marginally better with no short cycling. Am I missing something - maybe a pump setting? I would get a new pump today if I thought it would give me what I want. The pipes are the problem and short of ripping them all out (which is not an option right now) I am looking for any help I can get. Looks like the first thing is to replace any exposed pipe with 1 inch. Maybe that increased capacity would make a bigger pump viable??

You may have some restriction in the pipe. I fitted a hose point to our deep well pump which is a 300 pump. The hose connection is the push on type which is even smaller than a half inch pipe. When using the hose the pump cycles, not enough flow to bring the pressure down for very long, but the jet from the 30m hose goes about 30/40 feet.

Have you checked your water outlets, they often have a small filter fitted that can clog up and reduce the outlet pressure. It may mean removing the tap and blowing through in the reverse direction, I often have to do this with the garden taps.

If you have an electric shower unit, the filter will be in the inlet connection.

anyone remember that MANDY RICE everyone wanted some of that.

testing the grey cells now, about 63 I think with Christine Keeler.

Quality. The Chinese know the difference from one rice to another. They love Jasmine rice.

Maybe, but they do not dish it up on the streets. I was there for the holiday this time last year and what you get is like quick set cement.

Thanks wayned for your feedback. Answer / clarification to your points;

1. I think I correctly(?) shorted out the side contacts on the pressure switch, but not the wires. Like indicated in this picture I found. There is no way to short out the wires unless cutting them first.

2. I don't think the motor or bearings are bad. They turn smoothly with pretty much no noise.

3. I can replace the capacitor. The only electronic parts shop I know of is in Thepprasit Road near the petrol station. Not sure if they are open today, I suspect not. Do you know?

If I can get the capicitor component today, then I'll replace that first. If not, I might just get a new pump, reluctantly.

If you are in Pattaya, the best source of electrical parts is the Amorn shop, in the bottom of Tuk Com on south Pattaya road.

I have a 155 pump and would say the same, about adequate. It is 3/4 inch from the pump to the house, about 15m, and then splits down to 1/2 inch for 2 bathrooms and kitchen. The first bathroom is just over the 15m from the pump and has the best pressure.

My sister in law has a 255 pump and she has a tap in the garden, used to wash the vehicles, and that is over 100m from the pump and fed by 1/2 inch pipe, the pressure from the hose would knock you over.

An increase in pump size will be much more effective than changing pipes.

Because Thailand has a vast stockpile (thanks to the absurd minimum-price scheme for rice producers) that it cant use and must get rid of before it rots.

So China picks it up on the cheap.

Right ok thanks

So it would be cheaper for china to buy the stockpile rather than producing this amount themselves? Why would they buy cheap rice, obviously for a profit but coming back to the buying country being China , surely they have enough...? Or would they export it in smaller amounts to other countries..?

China cannot grow enough, they have always been an importer of rice. The 3 main exporters are Vietnam, Thailand and the US, and for obvious reasons Vietnam has been the main supplier. The Thai stockpile has been a major concern to Vietnam for some time with the potential to bring down market prices.

applied for trv for canada august 8th, received multy entry visa in her passport august 22nd. relatively easy for us i think. biggest hurdle is to prove to immigration officials that. she will return home at the end of her allowed time. sometimes easier said then done. being married and able to support the other spouse is not actually in your favor, sometimes.

she was stamped into canada no problem for 6 months providing her acces to the United States during her stay. Make sure your application is complete and tell the truth. number one is starting with a letter of invitation indicating why she is travelling. a solid travel itinerary, compelling reasons for her to return back to thailand, and possibly a letter from your brother offering accommodations for her/you and as a contact in canada would be helpful.

good luck

Thanks for that. Can you clarify the bit about the US. Been reading up on the visas and had come to the conclusion that the US may just be too much hassle. Think you are right about the letter from my brother, had crossed my mind, but the letter of invitation would that be separate?

My wife has had 3 visas to the UK which were never a problem as she had quite a good job but she retired in February and I am well aware it could now be a completely different ball game.

Licence requirements vary between offices and even within offices.

I went to Chonburi and they were not very interested in the national licence, just the IDP. In fact I was told that I needed a legalised translation but my wife challenged that and the manager said it was not necessary.

A friend of mine went to Pattaya and because he did not have the paper part of his UK licence he had to do an actual driving test. He hit a cone and failed the first attempt but they let him do it again in the afternoon and passed ok.

Never expect anything to be straightforward.

Why does everyone keep referring to "girls" or "she"? We all know that the A-Rabs demonstrate an unusually strong proclivity toward, shall we say, "the love that dare not speak its name" (just to ensure that no-one is the least bit offended). I suspect that this proclivity is not only common to A-Rabs, but also a Muslim trait, given the religious barriers to the normal expressions of sexual desire. So I would like to know just how many young boys in Rotherham, not girls, are victims of this twisted gang? And why does none mention these boys? Why is it just the girls attract expressions of sympathy? Does no-one care for the boys who have been raped and sexually abused by these monsters?

Because the vast majority were girls in Rotherham, and the perps were not Arabs.

Quite right, the majority of Muslims in the area are Asian Muslims.

I was back in Sheffield when this story broke and saw many TV reports on the subject. Many of the people interviewed, police, social workers etc, admitted that they had turned a bind eye rather than get caught up in a race relations dispute.

When the Race Relations Act was reformed in 1976, many said at the time that it went too far and would in due course kick us in the teeth.

Those interviewed that were active in the investigations implied that Rotherham was just the tip of the iceberg and that reports on the larger cities in the area such as Sheffield and Bradford would show much greater figures.

This thread highlights the variation that can occur between immigration offices, Something that gets overlooked by many.

I have recently removed a Chinese visa from 2010 in my passport as it was taking a full page up

I do keep it at hand but don't really think anyone other than China will be interested.

Its not been picked up on by Thai, Malay and Singapore immigration

Sorry soihok, I am not trying to be the thought police but I read on this forum sometime ago that a British Passport "remains the property of HM Government and be withdrawn at any time.. It should not be tampered with or passed to an unauthorised person"

I suspect that nobody is really interested except for UK passport officials.

I had a Cambodian visa come out of my passport, adhesive just gave up. There were a few others just hanging on so I mentioned it to the immigration officer at Heathrow. He said it was not a problem, they had no interest in expired visas.

When I went for my extension the first IO was going to put the under consideration stamp where the visa had become detached, the visa was still there loose between the pages. The senior IO however overruled and they squeezed it into a corner where it was overlapping other stamps.

There is obviously conflicting views on this topic and is probably a bit of an unknown. Any situation would probably be at the discretion of those involved at the time.