Firefan

Hi Briley!

Thanks for that. I will see what the building electricians say. I still would want some Western type/standard electrician to come check it all, but they do not seem to reply to my emails (2 different ones now).

Cheers!

I'd say do check the Condo wiring first.

I stopped one owner who was running a thick copper wire down 9 floors to install his own earth at some expense to himself. I pointed out that the building did have an earth wired to a star whatever that went through all the electric rooms. But few owners had their unit connected to the earth.

For the cost of a good Choc block and a few metres of wiring we now have another happy camper.

Hi! I have happily used many of the coupon options in Ensogo (Thailand). Today got email from them with latest promotions - and surprised that they state, that from some April date - the deal page will only be in Thai... Living social purchase changing the rules?

(I will work around it with Google Chrome translate but still weird....).

Cheers!

Crossy and Deke; thanks for the replies. I DO have (several) RCCBs so that's at least a comfort when comes to safety. Deke; yes, that is another reason I would like an expert to come and check/advise, because I am clueless

I doubt that grounding via my water pipes will work as seen quite a bit of plastic tubing the few times I have had a chance to peak behind the walls (during repairs/leaks Etc.).

Grounding via the balcony railing sounds like an idea I wonder how well that would work and how to actually test that a true grounding is taking place?

Oh; and btw there might actually be other health benefits (besides avoiding being chocked to death!) in arranging some grounding of even ones bed/other items based on this: http://www.groundology.com/about_grounding.php

Cheers!

Hi!

I own a condo BKK on the 20th floor in an older building with no electrical grounding as we often see here in Thailand.

I wish to reduce the sparks, as well as risk especially to PCs and other sensitive electronics, as well as water heater Etc.

I have seen people discussing the subject in the Do It Yourself forum - but that would mean certain death for this retard!

Anybody knows whether:

1. can anything be done to arrange for grounding in an condo (a 60 m cable over the balcony seems unlikely!)

2. if potentially possible to do SOMETHING, who can come and give a quote/check for options? Guessing some Western style/managed service that does not just do a half ass solution).

I tried to contact the thailandguru.com guy, Mark, - as he seems knowledgeable on this but have yet to get a reply.

Cheers!

Hi Tom. I have only found organic coconut oil here - no other organic coconut products like milk Etc. Do you have a source for organic coconut milk? Cheers!

Yeah, that motivation pill would be a best seller!

And the constant exposure to fast food/processed foods marketing is another stumbling block - always amazed to see how well those places fill up at lunch time near my office. Thai and farang alike. I am often tempted too, but avoid it most times...

Cheers!

again I fully agree with Missesgrin here!

How/what you eat is WAY more important than the exercise part when it comes to weight loss. Do not get me wrong; exercise is important part of overall health (not just talking weight loss) for sure - but also there; what you eat is more important.

Also the old "calories in/calories out" and "all calories are the same" is really way too simplified when wanting to discuss weight loss.

One example; Filling yourself with artificial sweeteners, high fructose glucose syrups, hydrogenated fats, MSG and so forth - creates havoc in your body(despite some of them being low calorie) - Including your fat burning processes, as your body have no idea how to handle these non-natural products. In addition many of these "foods" are addictive. Also:your body realize it did not get the needed nutrition (vitamins/ENZYMES Etc.) and will crave more food.

Instead good fats, vegetables, non-hormone/organic meats/eggs and so forth - might reach same calorie count - but will actually help you burn more fat.

So in short; sure; hit the gym, but what you eat is even more important!

Cheers!

I think the main learning points from this thread is to reduce limits on ones cards.

In addition make a debit card with a Point Of Sale limit set at zero (I.e. can only be used at ATMs). I have done that with Bangkok Bank and I only carry that card (normally). When living in Bangkok - the city of ATMs - it is not an issue to go to an ATM - and yes; go to the most "legitimately placed ones (BTS/Banks/MRT Etc.). It can however be harder elsewhere I could imagine - but then a little cash planning is the solution.

When talking debit cards one could also dedicate a separate account to same - and transfer (smaller) amounts over online/via ATM when needed.

The rest of the discussion about Visa rules and policies is interesting - but for actionable things learned from this thread; the above methods is what I do to at least reduce the risk of fraud.

Cheers!

Vit B never worked for me - still taking it for other reasons.

If the standard citronella sprays don't work, and you prefer natural, try to add mint, lime, tea tree essential oils to the spray.

Works for me. Cheers!

Brilliant advise from Missesgrin. One does not have to do it all in 1 go - or if one can't get (or afford) organic, then buy the normal stuff.

Just cutting out most simple sugers/white carbs will make a huge difference. Eating more fresh veggies/fresh veg juices/smoothies is a gigantic next step. Those 2 alone means (healthy) weight loss for pretty much anybody I have helped with losing weight.

Cheers!

Expatj; the underlying ETF (GLD) which currently is 93% of the fund do not pay any dividends - the remaining 7% of the fund is there in cash/cash like instruments like very short term bonds to have cash to pay people that want redemption's and to pay fund fees, hedging fees and trading fees.

I.e. there is nothing in your fund that EARNS a dividend! Your "dividends" are in reality just some gold being sold and handed to you and your unit price dropping accordingly.

Another proof; look at the link I send you. The graph compare the total fund return (include dividends of course) with the gold price. They are pretty similar but if you were right it should do 5% BETTER that the gold price.

All said; not a bad fund as such - extra layer of fees and hedging costs a bit high, also the "dividends" gets taxed, and not 100% in gold as previously covered - but safer place to park some cash(or bet on gold) rather than having pockets full of gold bars! (unless we get into financial collapse zombie scenario - then bullets and canned food probably better).

Cheers!

Expatj; As I read the fact sheet, it is simply payout of capital gain http://www.kasikornasset.com/EN/FundDocuments/Fund%20Fact/K-GOLD_Eng.pdf

I.e. you do not get the increase in gold price AND dividends. That dividend is simply some of your capital gains (if gold go up) - but now that they are paid out as dividends - you will get taxed on it....

On top of that; all they do is invest in a gold ETF abroad - and charge you an extra layer of fees for that. You are also paying an extra fee to hedge the gold price against the THB.

In addition; they seem to keep about 7% in cash/short bonds - so you will not even get the full upside (as "dividends" OR capital gains) when the ETF goes up.

In short; read your prospectus and fact sheet. I will charge you no fee for my services this time!

Cheers!

I do not think that this will affect condo prices positively as such. Both foreign/Thai investors/buyers should rush to flooded country/city to buy condos? Makes no sense.

House prices in some flood prone areas might drop though.

I live in (and own)a condo, but if the electricity(Incl. elevators) goes - I would have to leave(swim?) no matter what floor I am on, as the condo get too hot.

Time will show! Cheers!

Commodities are up so far today.

Flying; thanks for your explanations on the silver/gold ratio swap technique. Presume your 2 current markers are then 35 silver/gold ratio for going to gold, and 60 silver/gold ratio for going to silver?

Where do you easily buy/sell silver here? Is it coin form only?(having a larger mark up normally).

Cheers!

Tom; all due respect, but who cares about how many cars exactly there are at Swampy? Just read the "hundreds of thousand of cars" as "a lot of cars" and focus on what this thread is for.

I have been around Sathorn/Silom area today - and only place w. a bit of water was at the Saphan Thaksin BTS station. Lots of sand bags and new walls build though!

Cheers!

Hi Septeen,

Fine idea- but your main cost factor will not be the buying prices abroad (mainly US) as the many online discount shops there have already lowered the prices to rock bottom (in the US I noticed that brick and mortar health shops sell at about DOUBLE the price of online shops). The cost to worry about would be the import duties and shipping - which both tend to increase with the value/volume/weight anyway - I.e. no "bulk discount" at customs here

That said, a great "coop" plan would be to buy this deal; http://www.thaisupplements.com/th/pure-instantised-whey-protein-concentrate-20kg-p-45.html - and having 4-5 to share with get at 700 Baht/kilo. I have bought/shared from them before and they even gave an additional discount and samples when asked.

Cheers!

I see by this thread that there is much interest in whey in Thailand. A few people sending orders to the US independently. Would a whey/supplement coop be a good idea? Might yield better prices. - S.

Hi James,

It is because you are comparing a "bulk" supplement/protein powder with a 100%(or about 90% in reality) whey protein powder. Not apples to apples mate.

The bulk ones are closer to a meal replacement - and tries to boost overall calories per serving -in that it often will have some (healthy) fats and much more carbs(for energy/"bulking").

As generally easy to find easy, cheap healthy carbs here (bananas/fruits Etc.) to eat or dumb in my shakes, I prefer to just buy the 100% whey protein powders.

Cheers!

Just finished first container of musashi bulk chocolate. Loved the taste but 4 scoups to get 30 grams or so of protein is not cheap. I have a tub of utrapro at home that's whey isolate and says 1 scoop is equiv to the musashi?

I am a bit confused about the "meet up at MBK or Central Bangna to save shipping"? Do they have an actual shop or pick up point there - or will one have to know a secret handshake and password, arrive at a certain time, hand over the cash - and obtain 2 canisters of the "good stuff"?

The US (online) price is generally in the USD 40-50/5 lb (example: http://www.a1supplements.com/100-Whey-Protein-Gold-5-Lbs.-p-1655.html) so 1800 Baht is actually quite reasonable considering added hassle/shipping/import duties.

Cheers!

I bought from www.wheybkk.com , and took delivery on Sunday.

Very good price, and exactly what ordered. Will be using them again, for sure

Hi Wombat,

Seem to recall to have seen it alongside spa products Etc. in the basement of the huge Central on beach road. I MIGHT have it mixed up with Central in Phuket though.

They sold it in about 250 ml bottles. Was rather overpriced but it can last a long time.

Cheers!

I love the advise on the crocodiles! I feel safer already with my stick!

Cheers!

Great video! Thanks! Cheers!

Personally I transfer USD in now. So looking at my historical record of wires in, it makes sense to wait....

In the long run I believe that Asian currencies are still well undervalued. The THB will follow the Chinese Yuan and slowly strengthen accordingly towards most Western currencies.

Again; above is my beliefs wherefore it makes sense to do the exact opposite!

Cheers!

Spirulina (can buy bucket in powder from Changmai), nuts and seeds, sprouted beans and seeds (not soy - I agree that is crap unless naturally fermented)all seem to fit your request.

Green juices with a mix of plants - also end up with a decent amount of amino acids (5-6 grams in a glass depending on plant used) - so juice some kale/morning glory Etc. and add a table spoon of spirulina powder being close to 8-10 grams of very bio available protein. In fact, considered to be both complete, AND 5 times more bio available than meat.

Also; organic/free range/non hormone treated eggs are now sold here in most Western style super markets (Villa, Tops Etc.).

Hope helps.

Cheers!

No need to do further homework mate! By now your inbox should be flooded with various well meaning financial "advisors" - hoping to turn your money into fat trails and commissions for them! All of them will have financial licences from Malaysia, Indonesia, Cypress and other similar well established financial centers - and will have the right to do marketing here of lots of wonderful products like that arbitration fund mentioned - and much more!

Cheers!

I have not used them personally (yet) but friend has, and was pleased with the service and product. Cheers!