kamalabob2

The OP would save money if he had access to PEA at the road. He would save money for a HOUSE to build and live in if he had dependable PWA water at his road. However, all too often people have land a bit farther from PWA water pipes, and a bit farther than a good voltage supply of PEA electric. EVERY town has several shops that will sell the OP a submersible DC brushless well pump to be connected to solar panels. VERY COMMON, even Thaiwatsadu | Global House | Do Home, not to mention Mom and Pop stores. Not rare, not hard, and not expensive to buy DC brushless 4" submersible well pump and solar panels and controllers. It will be less money when the OP is ready to drill than it is today.  Getting power "off grid" and the batteries is also sold in EVERY town.  The OP can see a well documented installation, on this non commercial blog written by a UK expat.   https://ecohousethailand.com/    The Op can see actual costs in Surin Province on that blog. He can check REFERENCES before he spends a single baht. He can ask to see the REPAIR department of where he is thinking of buying solar pumps.  If he can not see the repair department he might think twice about that supplier., EVERYTHING breaks over time in Isaan, and who can and WILL fix things does matter in my 15 years of living in Buriram Province. The OP can see the posted prices at his local PEA office and if he is lucky at his local PWA water office. There is not trick on the prices for service or per unit of water or unit of electricity if he goes in person to the office. They post prices on the wall. 

Global House does a fine job of sourcing low cost electrical items from Vietnam and China. There is a market for cheap electrical goods in Thailand. Thai Watsadu | Do Home | Home Hub also sources cheap dubious electrical products from brands you never heard of. "Same same" is what the employee in the isle will say. Or worse the "product consultant" or PC who pushes a particular brand.  For something as crucial as a load center anyone is well advised to spend the money on Schneider | Panasonic | Siemens | ABB.  Sure home owners insurance covers electrical fires, but it is not worth the risk to take a chance. Buying a crummy no name copy Chinese mobile phone off Lazada is one thing, but a proper load center is a one time purchase if you buy the right brand (and sizes of breakers).  The off brand electric cables sold along side real brands such as Bangkok Cable or Yazaki are not of the same quality.  The crummy off brands (or licensed out to a Chinese company brands) of electric switches and sockets might be attractive colors when new, but they fail in the field and fade color so fast. Panasonic | Schneider | Clipsal are the only three brands of sockets or switches I would ever recommend. Clipsal has some down market series which may not be the best long term solution. People bring back the "same same" brands of sockets or switches to replace and upgrade to real brands. Less money in the long run to buy better brands the first and only time in my observation. I live in a home with 82 Panasonic sockets and none have failed since they day they were installed. No Panasonic light switches have failed in this home.    

There is in fact a "probate" system in Thailand. The NOTARIZED will in Thailand makes things much smoother for the executor to proceed. The NOTORIZED will is a significant factor in obtaining funds from a USA bank account, I know from personal experience in 2020 when a friend passed away in Surin Province. He had a will drawn up by a lawyer in Thailand, but it was not notarized in Thailand. With Covid delays, probate of a small estate in Thailand, with no objectors, can still take 6 months or longer. The USA embassy has very experienced staff who will contact the widow by phone, and will help the executor with some paperwork. If one dies with "no family" and "few friends" and "no written will" and "no list of bank accounts" it is a rough go. 

Thousands of people, Thai and non Thai get vaccinated 6 days every week at the Buriram Sports Stadium. The vaccination process moved several weeks ago from the Chang Raceway.  Any resident of Buriram who has valid ID, passport, and/or Thai ID can sign up on line, can sign up in person at their local hospital, can sign up at the Buriram MAIN Government Hospital by the railroad tracks. I am not sure if "walk in" are accepted. I had a friend go on Saturday who had made an appointment via his local Village health volunteer and he said it was very organized at the sports stadium.  I have no knowledge of what vaccines are currently available in Buriram. Your age, and Specific MEDICAL CONDITIONS on THAI MEDICAL DOCUMENTS, may determine if you are eligible for Pfizer.  You could be "lucky". One never knows in Thailand. I believe Monday is the day of rest for the medical workers. Bring your smart phone, bring your Passport when you get vaccinated so they can input an app with proof of vaccination that will show your passport number. 

Only GENUINE tools, genuine water pumps sold on this Lazada storefront. They really ship 7 days a week. If you order by 2pm they ship the very same day. 

Ruangsangthai

5647 Followers

99% Positive Seller Ratings     You can chat in advance with native English speakers at Ruangsangthai. Mr. Les is a native of London. Mr. Moses a native of Los Angeles. They have a Thai woman, Miss Daw,  who is fluent in German who can chat or you can chat on Lazada or phone direct. No need to buy fake tools in Thailand. There are several great tool sellers on Lazada that have been mentioned in this thread. Buy from a Thailand based seller who will help you with spare parts, will help you with warranty repairs should the tool be defective, or help you with parts when a tool breaks due to wear and tear. Northing lasts forever in Thailand. You can avoid the "runaround" and "excuses" I sometimes get at some big box retailers in Buriram.

https://www.lazada.co.th/shop/ruangsangthai/

The OP is going to get plenty of "break time" if he buys a drill in 2021 with an 18 volt 2.0 ah battery.  In 2014 that might have seemed OK, but genuine DeWALT have certainly passed that battery size in Thailand. Lazada is full of fake JBL speakers, fake almost name brand phones, and a slew of crappy worthless fake power tools. There is no recourse when a seller on Lazada sells <deleted>. However, there are reputable local companies selling on Lazada. Check the reviews. The "location" listed on lazada is often very fake. Google the company name and look at street view. You can chat in English on Lazada chat box, to responsible Thailand tool sellers and they can answer in English, BEFORE you spend your hard earned money. Do not be afraid to print out an "offer" on Lazada and take it to your local real tool shop.  Little tough in these times, but if you have an authorized seller of DeWALT, who is authorized to SERVICE DeWALT, it may be worthwhile to give them a chance to meet or beat the price on lazada. The photos I attached are 4 and 5  years old. These two photos are in Buriram. That same store has a "storefront" on Lazada and they ship genuine DeWALT tools 7 days a week to customers all over Thailand. 

Good on KhunBenQ for making that payment and reservation. 

It has served me well to spend that 900 baht in the village on a cold water kitchen faucet that can last over 15 years. It is my experience to buy better name brand plumbing products in Thailand saves you frustration and really is less costly in the long run. Teka and VRH are the brands of mixer taps I have in Satuk. VRH is the brand of cold water only kitchen faucets I have in village houses. Global House, Thai Watsadu and better stores sell VRH.  There are "copies" of that brand sold at some stores. The paper backing is the warranty for the VRH brand. "Cheap" or "off brand" plumbing fixtures can fail at unfortunate times.  Teka is the other brand of Mixer taps and faucets I have received many years of faultless service.   https://www.buriramhome.com/buriram-home-custom-kitchens/

DeWALT DWE7470 tablesaw in Buriram at Buriram Builders Merchants Store. Worth comparing table saws in person. 

Very possible the OP bought a genuine DeWALT DWE7470 table saw. I've sold a dozen or so. I sure tried to get folks to compare that table saw to the two Bosch table saws sold in Thailand the past six years. Money impacts many purchase choices, but the customer satisfaction from the Bosch table saw buyers was FAR higher than DeWALT. The Stanley table saw sold in Thailand is not even close to the DeWALT, but it is significantly less money. I believe a good team setting up a tablesaw makes the purchase go better for any end user. If budget was a concern I would show people scheppach Table saw. Both brands had a PC in the store and spare parts were not a challenge. 

That is how it was explained to me. I did not take apart identical models in the repair department. Right now I am outing the "Official DeWALT" store on lazada. They are not Stanley Black & Decker, rather they are a smart retailer who jumped through hoops to become the "official" or "Flagship" seller of brand. But those Lazada official places OFTEN have no spare parts, and they are just a sharp retailer working on a business plan. I know since I bought a LG front load from the Flagship store and it was just an appliance shop in Bangkok.  In 2017, or 2018 I attended a huge meeting of the successful Makita dealers of Thailand, at a ballroom connected to Impact. Bottom line, the inspirational speaker urged each Makita dealer to go on line and sell on line in 2017. He knew the future of retail and was paid to urge dealers to sell on line. I was the token Farang.  

They are being rebrand to MT Makita. The #1 distributor (they sell 60% of all Makita Tools in Thailand to stores, large and small) is KTW.  Their website is up to date and shows MT Makita. Nothing wrong with buying Maktec, and parts will be around. But MT by Makita is the new name, and has been for several month. 

https://www.ktw.co.th/mtseries?gclid=CjwKCAjwq7aGBhADEiwA6uGZpy9u6qjkv5RkBBqV0mhxQ8PKwP7XvL1yGkMrPbMWAPKDJs7L_1KkwxoCOq0QAvD_BwE

On 6/19/2021 at 5:03 PM, sometimewoodworker said:

I’m not so sure about it being a discontinued brand. Makita Thailand doesn’t seem to think so or their website is out of date  Makita Thailand Macktec 

I am 100% sure.  There certainly could be real products branded MAKTEC in warehouses. I'll respectfully wager no new Maktec are coming off any real assembly line. Makita MT is the new branding. 

Maktec is a discontinued brand of Makita. Now in the stores it might be labeled MT by Makita. There certainly are genuine Maktec OLD STOCK in stores and on line.  Maktec 100% made only in Makita Tool assembly plants. Just less robust components, but same factory, same QC, and same staff. I have been inside one of the 10 Makita assembly plants twice. It was shown to me and explained in English about Maktec (in 2014, 2017 when I toured the plant in Thailand) being assembled in several of the Makita assembly plants. Shorter warranty period.   DeWALT are made all over the world. Stanley Black & Decker even have a small measuring tapes plant in Thailand. Some sellers on Lazada are legit, some are not. The DeWALT WEBSITE lists the on line seller in Thailand of DeWALT.  ANY hardware store that has a "storefront" on Lazada can legally sell DeWALT tools. Check prices and DO NOT assume the "Flagship" store has the lowest prices. Where I used to work, we sold hundreds of DeWALT tools on Lazada each month. We GLADLY would match other legit prices on lazada if it was from a real DeWALT dealer. NEVER believe the "list" or "normal" price on Lazada. Pure fantasy prices, much the same as how the SALE signs are in some retailers.   May I point out that as a tool "buyer" think long term on who is going to support YOU THE END USER, with spare parts and a prompt repair experience, in the warranty period and AFTER the warranty period.  There are 10,000 power tool factories in China. How many do YOU think make quality tools?  Stick to real brands, from real dealers (on line or in person) and you will be happier. Crazy when guys spend dumb money to import a new tool, (shipping fees, taxes)  and then bitch about spare parts not being in Thailand for a specific model never imported into Thailand. However if I was moving to Thailand and had previously bought and already owned quality name brand tools, certainly worth to bring those used tools to Thailand. You all know how LITTLE people offer at a "garage sale" for perfectly good power tools when you are moving from your country to Thailand!!

There are two large tents at the front entrance to the "new" building at the Buriram Government Hospital. It might go better if any foreigner has papers such as a BURIRAM Government Hospital card, a yellow house book  showing your address in Buriram, a pink id card, or a work permit. Bring a translator unless you are fluent in Thai. Bring paperwork or documents. It may go better. Do NOT go directly to the racetrack, as you most likely will not make it past the security point. I personally viewed Thai people under the age of 50 show up and present ID and get appointment slips on Wednesday at the tent in front of the Buriram Government hospital. I have many expat friends who had success, and some who did NOT have success getting an appointment for the jabs.  WOZZA is spot on, as your experience can vary. I will add that "papers matter" when dealing with anyone in a uniform in Thailand. There may be similar "tents" at other Government hospitals. They are clearly marked "Covid-19".   I have had both of my Sinovac vaccinations, but I realize I was "lucky" in how I obtained my first vaccination with no appointment. It was NOT the norm to show up without an appointment. 

Five minutes ago this Thursday morning a Dutch expat received his 2nd injection of Sinovac at the Chang International Circuit Racetrack. I believe it is important for those expats or Thai people who wish to register for their first  Covid 19 vaccination in Buriram to  register with their local village (or community) health department volunteers. The "Ao Sor Mor".

fdsa:  Good call. It stunk to high heaven as being a scam. KerryD: Funny how those google maps of so called office locations are so important. Great work. 

How hard is it to contact the largest Government Hospital in your province and have a bi-lingual, native Thai speaker find out what you need and where you go to sign up? I realize Buriram has made it easy for expats, but instead of guessing you can contact your local Government Hospital. I'll give you a clue., Vaccines and other crucial drugs to not get moved by Kerry or Flash or DHL. There are real procedures in place to move significant numbers of does later this week in Thailand. It is highly organized to transport vaccines. It is highly organized to move any prescription medicine to a hospital in Thailand. June 7th is real. It might only be AstraZeneca at the Government Hospitals for a first shot on June 7th, but you can double check. Last Wednesday, when I received my first shot of Sinovac in Buriram at the Chang International Circuit Racetrack (administered and controlled by the Buriram Provincial Government Hospital Staff) there was never any doubt they had only Sinovac that day. Before I filled out a single form they said "Sinovac". I said OK. 

I personally know six people in Buriram who have received BOTH courses of the Sinovac as of today with no side effects. You make your choice, but do NOT sell short the rollout and availability on June 7th of the vaccine to those people who have signed up. I am an exception to just walk in early in the day, (but not the only exception that day) last week and receive the vaccine shot the same day due to only my patience and luck. Not my good looks or charm.   Next week I know AstraZeneca will be a choice in Buriram for first shot patients. This is a nationwide distribution with hundreds of trucks rolling this weekend. Be safe, but please do not complain on line. We are all adults who somehow made it on a flight to Thailand and out of the airport. 

No one is being "forced" to obtain or even register for a Covid 19 vaccine in Buriram. There are Government reps walking door to door to check on if people want the vaccine. That is to help the medical authorities obtain the vaccine in the right quantity.  My wife is willing to stay home, go nowhere, and wait for Moderna at the Buriram private hospital in MAYBE October. I "pick my battles" in marriage.

Yes I file income taxes as a US citizen. I also collect Social security payments via direct deposit. The US Embassy comped me an important document to be able to legally adopt my wife's daughter. I've paid plenty for documents at the US embassy, but maybe less than some other expats pay at the respective UK or Australian embassy or consulate. Gee do I want to take a bus or flight to Bangkok twice to get a vaccine that is darn easy to obtain in Buriram? The FRENCH however, they might have a chance at their embassy sooner than later in Bangkok.  

I GUESS that in the near future in Buriram, that restaurant, hotel and dental office employees must have proof of both vaccinations prior to fully opening. It is a hunch, not an open bet or fact. Just my opinion.  You need not be vaccinated, but you have no right to interact with the general public.  That is my opinion. 

Jack71:  "Should I get tested for sleep apnea? Whats involved with this testing?"   They hook a dozen or more devices on all parts of your body and head, yet none hurt in any way. You care "wired up" but there is an easy way to go to the restroom, when the nurse is summoned. It looks goofy, but seems a fair way to test things. There are at least one camera pointed to the bed, in the "hotel setting" room. It is not a typical hospital bed. It is very professional at Bangkok Hospital in Korat. My body hair played a role in why I had to return a 2nd time. The 2nd nurse was more aggressive in how she attached the suction cups on my body. Nothing hurt.