johng

Yes south Pattaya Road by the temple is after quite a few false starts now enforced quite strictly.

The red and white stripes on the kerb I think is a better idea than yellow lines as its much easier to see and last a lot longer without getting covered in dirt.

I don't know for sure but think that the police and city hall are separately funded ( albeit from the government )

so the police are not really interested in much of what city hall has to say or following any of city halls instructions.

Therefore for the opps suggestion to work city hall would need to hire a team of "traffic enforcers" which more than likely would meet with opposition from the police

so a catch 22 situation.

Why the police in Pattaya is only looking to give a fine to motorcycle drivers and no fines for wrong parked cars?

because its easy pickings and you can almost always tell how rich and connected a person is by whether they are driving a 20 year old Honda wave or a shiny Mercedes with

blacked out windows.

But why on earth can't they offer online payments and delivery ? Lots of other stores do.

If you go to some of the photocopying places directly outside the DLT gates

the people there will have an idea of how to use the "brown envelop " method ( maybe much more difficult than before )

There are also a couple of driving schools around Pattaya that can help with a "fast track" test. ( maybe brown envelope too )

Google earth still works for me using an old build on the "cretinous" or maybe Cretaceous XP service pack 3

Or buy one in Germany and drive it to Thailand?

No you can't do that that ! they charge silly amounts of tax on foreign vehicles and lots of hassles to get it registered...its just not worth it.

Unfortunately I think mtls2005 is spot on about what the current "government" intentions for "the digital economy"

When I went shortly after they opened there was a fitness ( something or other ) advertised as coming soon to the top floor

didn't go to the top floor on my last visit about a week ago so can't comment on whether the "fitness" place opened or not.

If it works and you don't like change then just keep using it...they didn't build in a self destruct timer it won't just stop working

...ok yes there are a few ever growing amount of programs that refuse to run on XP

and yes there will be those who say its a security risk from not getting updated bla bla bla........

Use it till it stops then maybe look at something "newer"

So having people using insecure operating systems and not updating is just bla bla bla?

For all you know he could be the one spewing out the spam and ransomware you try and protect yourself from.

Advice like this is simply cretinous.

Yes sorry for being so controversial but I think this must update to latest OS is just (mostly) marketing spiel.

Every OS still has 0 day exploits

Some vendors patch quicker than others.

The only way to be 100% sure is never to connect to the net.

If it works and you don't like change then just keep using it...they didn't build in a self destruct timer it won't just stop working

...ok yes there are a few ever growing amount of programs that refuse to run on XP

and yes there will be those who say its a security risk from not getting updated bla bla bla........

Use it till it stops then maybe look at something "newer"

Well I must say I'm very surprised to learn that a big western company like IKEA cant do "online" shopping

Susan I sympathise with you they have made getting a driving licence much more torturous than it used to be just a couple of years ago.

not that the tests are really much more difficult its just the bureaucratic hoops they make everyone jump through are worse now.

be aware that if you don't turn up at the right time or day they will turn you away and you'll have to wait for another appointment date. ( can be months )

There are always people willing to let you " borrow" their car for the driving test milling around the test center

but you have your own car just use it you'll be much more confident driving your own car than some one else's if your worried about driving without a licence you could ask a friend to drive you there ( in your car )

Given that you have to go there anyway for the purchase

I thought Ikea had a web site with online payment and could deliver just about anywhere in Thailand ( for a fee ) why do you have to physically go to the shop ?

Tops supermarkets often have products from Waitrose, I even saw some rich tea biscuits in there once but don't remember seeing Yorkshire tea anywhere other than "Friendship" supermarket in Pattaya..even they don't have a regular supply normally have very expensive PG tips and much more reasonably priced Typhoo.

Bought my HD (bike, not a car but same-same) in Pattaya. BKK plate since new. Lived all over, from Phuket to Chaing Mai, where I sold it. Still had BKK plate. Buyer was from Hua Hin, wanted plates from there to match all his other vehicles. DLT in Chaing Mai did all the paperwork, all he had to do was go with the BKK plate and get a Hua Hin plate. Easy.

Did you actually have your name in the green book ? if so how did you do it if not by going to the DLT in Bangkok maybe you used a "fixer" or "agent"

You need to check your TV set - most of those being sold recently have a tuner built in so you just have to connect the antenna (if within range of a transmitter). Instruction book should contain information - or provide full model number and people can check.

additional info to clarify for OP:

- digital TV is also distributed via standard coax TV cable

- many cable providers already distribute digital signals (for example TMN in Pattaya)

Yes they do provide digital signal via cable and you can receive it with a normal (digital) TV tuner or a stand alone set top box that the government gave out coupons for...or you can use the cable company's digital box.

But and its quite a big but you have to continually pay the cable company for providing the service.

If you set up a TV antenna on your roof you can get TV for " free"....yes a lot less channels than from the cable company and only 1 I've found so far that provides English "soundtrack" on a lot of its programs that channel is Mono29

Check for the nearest transmitter here

http://dtvservicearea.nbtc.go.th/webpeople/

Unless you are very near to a transmitter you will need an outdoor antenna on the roof.

If the new owner wants to keep Bangkok number plates they can got to Bangkok and do it there, there is no need for you to go too if you have given the new owner a power of attorney form,signed blue book ( possibly certificate of residence needed by seller but Bangkok might not need this ) copy of passport photo page and visa page etc

If you do it at your local office the new owner will have to make 2 or 3 trips as DLT ( Department of Land Transportation ) will want to change the number plate in any case you don't have to go with the buyer if you give them all the required documents.

I think we should wait to read what the EU actually said.

I put my honda NSR 150 2 stroke with green book,tax and insurance up for sale for 13,000 baht all I got where tyre kickers and offers of 7000 baht so I decided to keep the bike.

No mobiles but ok for the drivers to have a ciggie while the gas boy tops up his LPG tank.

The "Mythbusters" also tried very hard but failed to get a cigarette to ignite petrol...it needs to be a naked flame to cause ignition.

He should have just flashed his lights and everyone would have moved out of the way !

Excellent thanks Arjen

Only thing is a little concerning is that it says the contacts are only rated to 5amps I would have thought a whole house would normally draw a bit more current than 5 amps ?

Yup, low voltage is all too common an issue.

Is there some sort of low cost equipment that can automatically sense low voltage (say anything under 150 volts) and isolate the house until mains voltage returns to a more normal level ?

majority. of persons with tanks and guns or majority of voters in an election ?

What about all the laws to imprison those who spoke against, have they been rescinded?

NO! All the referendum laws are still firmly in place and still apply to everyone.

Everyone except the "good" people ?

The viruses and bacteria in rain are quite strong early in the season: getting caught in the rain it's very likely to catch a cold, IMO ( I know there are deniers).

I used to laugh at Thai people when they told me that..................not anymore

If there are viruses and bacteria in the environment why are they only ( or more so ) contagious when it rains ?

The dust storms that kick up just before the rain might be carrying lots of nasties into eyes and nose maybe ?

Why do Thai people with a cold go to the doctor and return with a bag full of antibiotics insisting they will cure their cold ?