bizader

My son just joined Year 1 at an international school. As he has dual nationality, the school offered us 2 options at registration - (1) register him in school as a foreign child (2) register him as Thai. The difference between the 2 was that if I registered him as a foreigner, he will only have 2 Thai lessons per week, but if he is registered as a Thai, he is required to have Thai lessons every day for 2 hrs/day, 5 days a week.

We chose to register him as a Thai, but the school did tell us that their Thai curriculum is a toned down version of that in Thai schools.

Hello

I have a bedroom wall on the 2nd floor that is exposed to the sun for 6 hours in the afternoon. This makes the wall and the bedroom really hot in the evening. The wall is the pre-cast type and it retains heat.

Due to the small size of the bedroom, I have no choice but to put the bed against that wall and the heat is simply unbearable.

Does any one has any ideas on how to insulate the wall interior to reduce the heat and what products to use?

Thanks for your suggestions.

Try Ban Mee Rak Nursery in Kathu, next to the Phuket Villa housing project - They charge approximately THB 5000/month, including breakfast, lunch & snacks. They teach English (2 days), Thai (2 days) and Chinese (1 day). They accept kids from 2yr to 5 years. All the teachers are thai, so don't expect international standards, but for kids in this age group, it is decent.

I am also looking at the Forester as a family SUV. Dealer is offering THB 200k discount from the showroom price of THB 1.47m for the eyesight model.

Have also looked at the new Ford Everest Sport (2wd) at 1.524m with the safety pack.

I cant decide between the 2!

Hello

I am looking for a school in Phuket for primary education for my kids. Darasamuth English Program is one of the options and it looks more affordable than the International Schools.
 

I like to hear feedback from any parents whose kids are or have been to this school and would you recommend it.

Many thanks for you replies.

It is a great car, but the family has now outgrown the car. I need to change to a bigger car soon. The price is negotiable too..

Feb 2016 Honda Jazz, Automatic, 30,000KM, Excellent Condition, No accident, single owner, full service history from Honda. Location - Kathu, Phuket. Price THB 450,000

Thanks Eezergood. But KIS is approx THB 20k/month, and that's steep for pre-school. I will consider KIS or HeadStart for primary onwards.

I am looking for a smaller pre-school. Wouldn't mind outside Kathu as well.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Hi

Can anyone kindly recommend a good pre-school / kindergarten in Kathu area (or close by)?

BISP is too expensive, so any other recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Just read about the launch of the new Ford Puma to be launched in European market end of this year. Does any one know if this will be available in Thailand?

Thanks for all the replies. Guess Focus is now out of the picture due to Ford’s decision to stop selling them here in the future. Its a shame - for 990k, it is a great buy! Also, I personally think that all cars made in Thailand are of the same standard - the japanese cars u get here are not of the same quality as you will get in Japan, Europe or US. I had 2 Fords in Thailand in the past 5 years - a Fiesta and the 2016 Everest. Never had any issues with them and loved how they drive drive and they felt solid on the road. I am now driving a Jazz, and while it is very spacious, i find it boring to drive. I guess I will have to look at other options - may be HRV or CHR?

I am looking to buy a new car. I like the ford focus as it is a better drive, with good safety equipment and is value for money compared to the Civic RS. I have however heard a rumor that Ford Thailand will stop selling the fiesta and focus and sell only pick ups and suvs in Thai market, same as what Chevrolet did. Is anyone with reliable sources able to confirm this? Thanks

On 6/4/2018 at 2:47 PM, BobBKK said:

Well 'nice to have' but I'm not an 'off-roader' and cars I've had 4WD in I never used so it's not top of my list. What is important to me is SIZE I really don't like large vehicles (used to own a Vitara and regret selling it) and Rav 4 would be perfect but can't get them here. 

 

I think the Ecosport 1.5 engine is a bit under powered so was excited to learn of the 2.0 Storm version IF it goes on sale here. I'm tending to the ZS now but, again,  engine size?  I must say I think the ZS looks nicer than the Ecosport and the Toyota still looks like a larger Nissan Juke to me but, and this is a HUGE plus, Toyota's are so easy to fix and are ubiquitous.  

I test drove the MG ZS. The engine (1.5L) is a let down and it only comes with a 4 speed automatic, which does not help at all. It lacks power. It's a shame as it offers a lot of functions for the money..if only it had a better engine with a better gearbox!

I watched a couple of reviews on youtube that claim that the chr has a noisy cabin than the HRV. anyone who test drove the car can confirm this?

1 hour ago, kokesaat said:

I spent a few hours at Toyota Udon today.......thinking I was going to replace my 10 year old VIGO with a REVO.  But was disappointed with the lack of newer technology safety features even in the top of the line truck.  On my way out, I spotted the CHR for the first time (we've been out of country for a few months).  I was pretty impressed with the gas-only version (mid), but then saw a sign that advertised the hybrid features.....10 year warranty on battery, free labor on all work for 10 years, 5 year vehicle warranty vs. 3 year.  So, I asked to see the hybrid.......and it has all the bells and whistles that I've been looking for......auto lights, auto wipers, loads of air bags, brake assist in the event of front collision, lane departure warning, among other things.  

Granted, I haven't looked at other hybrids......but have to say, Toyota will get another look, this time with my wife in tow.

Did you test drive the car? If yes, can you share your feedback on the power delivery, comfort level

2 hours ago, Hummin said:

City or longdistance driving or mix? 

 

Im going for the Hybrid if I buy a new car. Still on hold for awhile, but are 99% sure. 

We will be doing mix driving. Weekdays in the city and weekends on long drive. Is the Hybrid less powerful than the petrol version?

Has anyone bought a CHR yet? Any thoughts on the car, and any recommendation on which one to get - the 1.8 mid or the Hybrid mid? Thinking of buying one, not sure which one to get!

Can anyone recommend a place that does genuine leather upholstery for cars in Phuket? Thank you

I own a 2.2T Everest, bought it 18 month ago, before the price increase and when they still had the interior in beige color. Upgraded the 18" wheels to the original ford 20" wheels. It did not affect the comfort level and the car felt more planted to the road. The car now has 24,000 KM on the clock and I have done 2 major road trips with it in the past 18 months (Phuket - Ayuthaya - Udon - Nongkhai - Chiang Khan - Phuket) and (Phuket - Kanchanaburi - Sukhothai - Chiang Mai - Phetchabun - Phuket). I didn't have any problems with the car, good fuel economy, felt that the engine had enough power for these long trips, even going up the hills in Chiang Mai. Very happy with the car so far.

There was a similar "motiveless" attack reported by TV on the same day against an elderly Australian man in Pattaya..could be true what the couple is saying.

If you are looking for practicality over driving dynamics, go for the HRV. Very good interior space, not bad to drive (test drove one before) and will be easier to resell due to its brand name and popularitiy.

There is also the new version of the Ford ecosport which should be out this year..you can try to enquire with Ford on the new engine options that will be available for this new version..

When I first bought the car i also experienced the symptoms (jerkiness, non smooth gear changes, etc) that are mentioned by many fiesta owners and in those class actions..however after reading about how powershift transmission, i understood that this transmission is designed to give you the same feel as driving a manual transmission..it all depends on how you accelerate/ pressure you apply on the pedal at low speed and once i got used to the acceleration, i found the car very exciting to drive..i think ford issued a number of statements trying to teach owners about the powershift transmission, but it is not completely successful for them as nowadays there are number of new drivers who have never driven a manual transmission..if the transmission was really faulty i do not think Ford would have extended the warranty on these transmission to 10 years..this is just my opinion after owning a fiesta and learning how to drive it..i know others may have has other experiences and i respect their opinions..

The Phuket - Langkawi trip via Satun sounds interesting..is it safe to leave the car at Satun ferry terminal for a few days?

I am planning to get away from Phuket and i am thinking of a road trip for a week in March. I have already been to Khao Lak, Khao Sok, Ao Nang, Koh Samui and I want to skip those places. Any recommendations on other places that are worth visiting in southern Thailand? Thanks