Thaipwriter

How much is it for 9 one way train tickets to Sakon Nakhon these days?

Hi all,

When I first installed Windows XP in my laptop, I was asked if I wanted to save my files in CD using a new feature that Windows XP included (I am afraid I cannot remember the name now). I did so, which resulted to be a pain in the ass since I discovered later that many computers would not read the CDs saved in my laptop. Cds would appear as blank for other users.

Several months later, I had to reinstall Windows XP again, and when I got to the same question, I decided not to activate that feature, and I had no problem in maken my Cds compatible for other users too.

Problem is, now my own laptop cannot read the CDs I previously saved using such a useful new feature. Anybody could help me in retrieving those files without going through the pain of reistalling everything again??

Thanks guys. You have been of great help to me in the past. Hope you can get me out of this one too 

Bull

Hi, why not take the unreadable CD's to an internet shop and try and open them on 10 different machines. if you cant access the data on any of them, the CD's are foobarred!. Re-installing XP to enable this function(which i am not familiar with) would be of little benefit to you after the internet cafe experiment.

I cant think of anything else to say on this one, it seems very odd!!!!!

Thank you Thaipwriter i will look into --------, you live Udon ? first time for me

i read lots on Udon,but i learn nothing !!

No worries, I live in Khon Kaen, I go to Udon sometimes for a weekends mischief though!!!

This is a very interesting point - and not just from the pension point of view. I'm 55 and also thinking about if the worst should happen and I needed to return to the UK for extensive NHS treatment. Would I just be able to arrive and expect to get treatment irrespective of my NI contributions, residence abroad etc? Is there a cut-off point or threshold for these UK citizen entitlements?

Would really appreciate informed comments from those in the know.

The same answer applies to you steve!

There is a form called CF83 that i submitted, I think many people should have done this and did not?

do a google search for "inland revenue CF83"

or goto:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/osc.htm

Dont worry about the NHS, at 55 i think you have sent them enough money over the years! and any case they would treat you first and ask questions later...by then you'll be back in Thailand!!

It begs the question whether you have adequate private healthcare here in Thailand???? you do dont you????

http://www.bupathailand.com/personal.asp#

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum. As a UK citizen if i was to live in thailand (at aged 50), not working but living off savings etc, not intending on returning to UK but who knows what may happen would it be advisable to continue paying voluntary NI contributions just in case I return to Uk at some later point and may want to draw pension etc? I think this is one of the legal type questions i will have to get sorted here before any final decision is taken but I just wondered if anyone does this?

This is a very good question, it was one that I asked myself before i came the LOS earlier this year, I'm only 36 though!!!

The feedback i got was very good from the inland revenue, they told me if i become a non resident ( and as such agree only to come back to UK for say 2x2 week holidays a year) i can pay Class 2 voluntary payments in arrears. In my case that equates to 109 GBP each year! payable at the end of each april. I was told that these payments will make each year "count" towards the total years i have paid.

Give them a call and discuss your circumstances they are very very helpful and do not come across as typical Tax Officers!!

Inland Revenue

Centre for non residents

Benton Park View

Newcastle

NE98 1ZZ

0191 203 7010

Hope this helps

Richard

Just a simple question from a lowly carpenter with a small pot of gold and without a rich father. Is a guesthouse feasible in an Isaan village? Any other options?

I'm not sure if it is a simple question? simple questions ten to have simple answers and i dont think there is one in this case

Given the circumstances you mention I would put that small pot of gold in an offshore account at 6%. If the amount is enough to give you 5000 baht a month then you have enough to survive in Isaan. the locals can do it, so can a farang.

Forget about the guesthouse, it's a cute idea but destined to see you with empty pockets. Best case is to stick to what you know, as a carpenter you have a craft.

The key to making money in Isaan is selling a service or a skill to another farang, do everything you can to network yourself amongst farangs, there's not a single house in Thailand that does not have warped door's, termite damaged woodwork. windows that are hanging off hinges. Farangs will pay a small premium to get the job done right first time. There are plenty of raw materials, beautiful teak wood is available, what about crafting some designer coffee tables? exterior decking, I live in Khon Kaen and i wanted to buy some nice darkwood furniture all i could find was garbage from Index so thats what i bought. I would happily have given the 100,000 baht for some unique hand made stuff. I got MDF! maybe you would only make a small amount of money to start with, but compared to the guesthouse that will never earn a single penny profit, you'd be on your way!

Well thats my 50 satang spent. good luck anyway!!!

Richard

A couple o f questions:

What is the going rate per month for an apartment in Khon Kaen?

Does anyone know the name a apartment/mansion overlooking the lake in Khon Kaen? Might seem a strange question but a guy who lives out near the dam told me about and now I have lost his email.

All help thanked in advance

rates vary, 1500 will get you something pretty bleak!

2500 per month for small condo at KKUnivertsity or you can buy one for 380,000 baht!

6000 for nice condo with free adsl at KKuni. jam packed with students at the moment though.

The place overlooking the lake might be the Piman Condo Building, it wont be finshed until January 2006 though. Not sure if this is the one you mean.

see www.khonkaenlrealestate.com for more info, maybe i can help you?

Richard

Hi am looking for a house/flat in Udon from 15 oct - 22 oct,reasonable (cheap)

rent.with kitchen (gf wants to cook for me & me for her)western type wc,

A/C & tv (soaps).

Man i wish i knew about the Thai food festival in London too late now & it's

p11s1ng down here !!

Speak to Preben at www.udonrealestate.com he should be able to help

hi there  ,

we are looking for a good and not too expensive internet service provider (isp) in khon kaen (north-eastern thailand [isaan]). is there anybody who can give us any suggestions ?

we have heared about the new promotions of the isp KSC. are there any experiences yet about it or about the KSC itself ?

thanks in advance.

bigboss 

Hi Boss

I assume your looking for ADSL? you will need a phone line already to get this.

If you have a line already from say, TOT you need to get ADSL from them.

I have just moved into a new home and did not have a phone line so i had TT&T come and do the install. 4,000 baht all in. TT&T's office is facing Mitaphap Rd in the same building as tesco lotus. a good reliable package to go for is the 2mb link for 1000 plus vat per month. avoid cheappromotions like maxnet, these are garbage and the subject of much grumbling elsewhere on TVFORUM.

If you just want dial up, i have no idea!

generally it's better to have the most expensive package you can afford, as in the poor Isaan region there wont be too many thai subscribers. They are heavy users of e-donkey and similar progs that chew up bandwidth.

Hope this helps !!!

Just looking around the net and found these condo's in Khon Kaen, hope the owners in Bkk dont see them, they'll be crying when they see how cheap they are

    http://www.isaanproperty.com/condo.html

Check em out am having a couple

The building has stood empty since 1996. It's being fitted out to a high standard and the price for the smallest unit is expected to be pushing 2 million Baht.

All condo's will have access to wireless LAN with some interesting feature's like sms remote control air con. touted. Interesting stuff...more at

http://www.khonkaenrealestate.com

I just had the maxnet 512 package installed with a new phone line, three days ago. I only had the phone line to get the ADSL.....install cost 6000 Baht.

Fortunatley i paid for my modem and will be dropping the "service" after the month is finished. At best i have had 110.90kbps download. it disconnects itself every 10 mins.

May as well have dial up. can anybody recommend a reliable, economical alternative to Maxnet?