cheshiremusicman

18 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

As I understand the HH office is located in the Blueport shopping mall?

Plenty of ATMs.

Office squeezed between SCB and Krungsri bank.

 

Thanks, but I was interested in the main IMO not the one in Bluport.

I was just wondering if anybody knows if there is an ATM machine at the Hua Hin immigration office?

This is in reference to the question about 'the difference between inside and outside air qualities'

It doesn't. I did some research with a friend and the strange thing was that we found evidence that the air quality inside your property was normally much worse than outside. I know this sounds very strange, but it seems to be true based on the fact that there is less air circulation inside than outside. The smallest particulates 'pm2.5' are the most injurious to health in the long-term as they get trapped in your lungs and lodge there. Only a HEPA filter will trap these very small particulates. I understand that 3M sell a certified HEPA facemask that one can buy.

 I wonder if Immigration will accept an ATM printout made on the same day that you are applying for your 12 month visa that shows that you have  withdrawn say 1,000 just prior to you arriving at the IM office along with a letter issued by your bank made the previous day. This is impossible to fake and  proves that you still have the money as of yesterday minus the 1,000 you've draw that morning. Just a thought for those people that live a long way from the bank and immigration offices.

1 hour ago, Classic Ray said:

How do you test the quality of the “evidence” if you don’t hold hearings to question witnesses?

It says it all! 'We' will do whatever we want to stop anybody getting in 'Our' way for as long as it takes. The Thai people love the Monarchy, but that shouldn't stop them from trying to change the way that a 'True Democracy' should work. The two of them should be as one and work together in harmony - not difficult to achieve if the 'Truth' be known; which it very rarely is in Thailand. Let's hope that this bodes well for the future of the Thai people in the years to come. I wish the future Forward party all the very best for the coming years.

58 minutes ago, Classic Ray said:

I am curious why the Thai media does not employ staff as “researchers” and publish controversial articles under foreign nominees or nom de plumes to avoid this liability?

Bloody good idea. It would keep the rats off their backs.

16 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Watch the video more closely and listen. You can here the high winds and see the rough seas. And check out the flag on the stern of the ship. It's flapping strongly in the wind.

 

Quite apart from that, even a light wind can have a big effect on such a large vessel.

I would expect to see a flag located high up on the stern to be 'Flapping' in the wind and the 'noise' from the wind is typical of that recorded by a video camera or smartphone microphone out in the open. Yes, there are waves; but they don't look out of the ordinary and nothing more than a competent Captain would have to deal with in normal circumstances with such a huge vessel, plus the fact that these ships 'dock' regularly at these locations and know the ropes. Captain or helmsman removed to an 'inactive post' if of Thai origin?

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

Your price is quite reasonable, I was about the same.

Some people get hung up on "proper" stainless. What they are referring to is the difference between 304 and 430 stainless, any easy check is with a magnet, it will not stick to 304 but it will to 430 because of a ferritic content. It doesn't matter which grade has been used the tank will last a lot longer than the moving parts on top.

Thanks for the very good tip re the differences in various grades of stainless and how to check for them.

On 12/7/2019 at 4:28 PM, bermondburi said:

What does fretted too high mean? 

 

Probably going more towards acoustic because quieter, but why are electric easier? 

 

Don't  think size will matter as they're 12+13 and quite big. 

Fretted 'Too high' means that the strings are high above the frets and therefore require more pressure from the fingers to play the note selected 'cleanly without buzzing'. This is referred to as the 'Action' of the guitar and can be altered by a few things such as the 'Nut' and the 'Saddle'. 

The choice of guitars is enormous and so are the prices. I have played (or attempted to play) classical guitar for over 55 years and have taught a lot of people to play. The guitar is not an easy instrument to learn to play and I would hazard a guess that some 90%+ give up within the first three months. If you stick with the lessons you can get a great deal of pleasure out of the guitar, but it does require an awful lot of dedication to achieve a reasonable standard.

Types of guitars range from the nylon stringed classical, sometimes referred to as the 'Spanish Guitar', The 'Acoustic' which in most cases is steel stringed and the 'Electric' which is also steel stringed and normally requires an amplifier.

I would suggest that you take a look at a second hand classical to start with and if your children have small hands try and find a 3/4 Junior model. If you need any guidance on lessons and suitable sources just PM me and I will be more than happy to help.

Remember, like all things in this world, you get what you pay for. Also, if you can find a teacher in your area I would advise you to do so and let your children learn from a person who is going to give them the correct basic training.

I hope this helps  

15 hours ago, dcnx said:

OP - Thailand is a never ending circus of jumping through hoops. Go somewhere else unless you want to waste money on the elite. For the same amount or a little more you can buy residency in a good handful of other places.

Please tell us where these 'handful of places' are in the world.

57 minutes ago, shackleton said:

when you think it cant get any worse or more stupid 

it does 

 not the artist but the clown who paid for it

Very Rich and Very Thick!

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

A friend of mine teaches ESL to Chinese students online. He says the seriousness, that both the students, and the parents bring to the table is astonishing. They really care and they really make an effort. There is a pathetic apathy towards education here, that casts a grey pall over the entire nation. It starts at the top, where you have an administration, that despite the constant proclamations to the contrary, is doing little to nothing to improve a completely broken educational system. Then it continues with an incredibly mediocre teaching staff, that often does not even know the material in their own class studies, especially when it comes to english classes. Add in math, science and history, and you have the perfect storm. Then you have face. When you have an entire nation that is discouraged from asking questions, and going a step further and challenging the teachers on their false premises, and inaccurate materials, and you have system that not only fails to educate, but stifles curiosity within the youth. 

 

Thailand is headed down a very dark path, if they do not step up, man up, and make some big improvements. I do believe the youth are the only hope this nation has to progress. It is very obvious we are not going to see progress from their apathetic, conventional and very conservative parents. So, give the youth a chance. 

 

Of course, there could be one answer as to why all of this is happening. And that is the administration does not want the youth to succeed. Certainly not the masses, that attend public schools. And if that is the case, the extreme myopia that causes them to protect the elite at all costs, and prevent an emerging class with talent, brains, and knowledge of the world, would reveal a diabolical scheme that is so dark, and so hopeless, that it is difficult to ponder.

I think you have summarised the problems exquisitely. I have a golfing friend who has taught in many countries for years and when he took a teaching job in Thailand (at a very respected Thai school) he was requested to attend the heads office on his first day. The 'Head' told him to 'Just teach the bare minimum'. My friend thought that he was joking and laughed, but the head took one more look at him and said 'Just do what your told'. My friend handed in his notice immediately. If this doesn't say it all then I don't know what does!

7 hours ago, MaxYakov said:

And HERE is the X-Rates USD graph showing around 30.30 on December 4th. Where can I get 30.30/USD? I can't get that at Bangkok Bank, that's for sure (because their profit/cut on the transaction).

 

Why not try 'TransferWise', they give exceptional rates and VERY quick transfers. The last time I used them (a few weeks ago) I received my money (in Thai Baht) in less than 24 hours, with a guaranteed rate for 24 hours, plus I got an apology for the DELAY in the transfer time - amazing service! 

19 hours ago, oobar said:

Even for those of us who dearly love Thailand, wometimes we are forced to wonder how moronic will it finally get here.

It probably won't be long before they will fine you for laughing in public. If you didn't see and hear it with your own eyes and ears it would be impossible for anybody with an IQ over 50 to believe you.

You want to move to Hua-Hin, it's been lovely here for weeks.

Here in Hua-Hin we have had blue skies and temps around 29c for the past four days, lovely weather with low humidity around 60% and no wind.

I've always bought my fresh chicken breasts from Makro in Pranburi. I freeze them if not using immediately and have had no problems with the meat being tough or stringy. I cook the chicken breast in many ways ; whole in the frying pan or use them diced for curries etc. It always amazes me that the Thai's never seem to buy the breasts, but buy the chicken feet and wings which are more expensive.    

20 hours ago, dcnx said:

I stopped recommending Thailand a few years ago. There are so many better places to go for a holiday. Between the locals and the hordes of Chinese, I’m not sure who ruined things more but it’s incredibly difficult to actually relax here now unless you go somewhere during the off season or luck out. I can’t even grab a coffee at a cafe anymore without contemplating snapping the neck of at least one Chinese tourist who is either yelling across the room, trying to cut in line, or allowing their kids to use every chair as a their own personal jungle gym.

 

I didn’t think I’d ever despise a group of people as much as I’ve come to despise Chinese tourists. They are a plague upon the earth.

Maybe, just maybe, we will see signs like the one's that I saw in Malaysia a few years ago when I was on a self drive touring golfing holiday. Many of the golf courses that I was lucky enough to play on had signs that said 'No Koreans', they were so loathed for their very bad manners, both on and off the golf course. I doubt that the Thai's will do this as money is their master and I think always will be.