kdf

Bumrungrad just told me that "the government" has told them to register only Thai nationals.

 

Jomtien and Bangkok Pattaya Hospital told me they have no information about when they can sign up anyone.

 

TITS

Never seen a donkey?

I guess we go to different bars.

Thanks for the information on CFL bulbs.

 

As an aside, I bought some 5 watt LED, warm white bulbs and I like them much better than the CFL's I replaced.  I will be doing so as more pop.

 

thanks again.

I have two questions regarding CFL bulbs.

First, the Thai man who does maintenance at my home says that some CFL bulbs will work in a Torchiere light fixture, with the base of the bulb facing down, but will not work in a ceiling can light with the base of the bulb facing up. Sounds like bull to me, but does the bulb's orientation have any relationship to its functioning? I think he is also saying that some are designed differently for these different uses, although I have never heard of such a thing or seen mention on any bulb packaging.

Second, this same man has told me that as these bulbs age and get a dark spot near the base, that they should be thrown away as they will fail within hours or a most a day or two. Again, I find this dubious, but am seeking a more informed opinion to help me work with this person.

Thanks

Hi Mobi,

A cheap easy idea is to check your speaker wire.

Long runs of thin wire create resistance and the bass is the first to go. We are not talking high end sound here, just pleasant sounds for the customers. You can get thicker gauge cable and run that to your speakers and see if that helps. It would be great if this was all you need. This is an often overlooked problem when people start running longer wire lengths, which you may have done. Amorn in the basement of Tucom will have some wire, but stay away from spendy stuff for this older system. If the cables do not seem sufficiently thick and they are cheap, try a double run. You can even use the same wire, Romex like stuff, used in the walls for electricity. Again, not high end sound, but may get enough clean juice to your speakers to let them work for you a while longer.

Good luck

"Need a fuel hose guy to swag my banjos"

That is a new one, I thought I had heard it all living in Pattaya for quite a while.

I seldom log on here anymore, using the forum more as just info.

However, Thomas deserves my praise as the best by far place in Thailand to order from online. He is very knowledgeable and has that rare for Thailand talent to say he does not know something, then he researches it. I do him a disservice by saying best in Thailand, his business would rank highly anywhere.

Why does there seem to be a preponderance of flying Dutchmen, or other expats, in Pattaya? Not just Dutchmen, but all expats seem to be in grave danger on balconies. RIP, good gentleman, but dad gum if I am going out on a balcony in a Pattaya hotel. Is there just a wish to report every such incident, regardless of nationality, that happens in Pattaya or is there really an epidemic of falling farangs in my neighborhood? What do you good folk think, are these poor suicidal gents, murder victims, or are Pattaya Hotel balconies just inordinately slippery? Inquiring minds want to know!

kdf

No one yet appears to have mentioned the biggest problem posed by gun ownership.

A loaded weapon grants an enormous power to its holder.

Power requires responsiblity in a sane world. A gun is too easy a path to a certain kind of power and the training and understanding necessary to use such a tool responsibly are very rare. I have the training and used to own and enjoy guns. I do not believe everyone capable of obtaining a weapon should be allowed to do so. No one unwilling to get and maintain proper firearm training should have one. However that is such a small part of the problem. Impossible to control is that the reponsibility and knowlege of when to chose to use deadly force is beyond most people's abilities. A quick look at this forum will show that a lot of folks can not even use words responsibly. I am not immune to making a poor choice in what I say either, but the consequencies are obviously different with a weapon. It is a dilemma and I do not know the answer. I have seen first hand evidence of the truth, and irony, behind the catch phrase "outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns".

I do not own a gun here in Thailand, but when I hear of a neighbor having beed burgaled for the fourth time in a year and the Royal Thai police force's level of assistance... I do think about it. That neighbor also lives a life that invites all kinds of risk. So what do I do with my dillemma, no gun, try not to act like a target, do what I can to increase my personal and family's safety, and then get on with living.

Thanks for the info lopburi3. I will check this out when back from my Songkran escape.

kdf

Hello gang,

OK I did not know I was supposed to test the elcb or whatever it is button periodically. Now what exactly is that, some sort of circuit breaker? Any suggestions on how to test how good my new ground is, at the ground rod and/or at the distribution box or other?

One more time for the slow, I have a "safety cut" which I think is something akin to the GFI's I had installed in the US, but works on all circuits run through it. I now have 2 circuit boards, unfortunately with a mix of brands of circuit breakers. One panel has everything go through the safety cut, the other not. All things should be, but I don't know, grounded. After the farang spark master declared our job done, I found several outlets left ungrounded and after getting a shock from an air con compressor unit, got them back to do the rest of the grounding they avoided after beeing paid for the job.

I remain unclear as to what the different values on the safety cut (6,10,20,30 and red) mean to our safety. We were told by the head spark to leave it set at 6, which worked with occasional tripping. Now we must set it at 20 to keep the juice flowing. Assuming I can learn how to test the quality of my ground, what levels are considered safe. I have a digital multimeter, but know how to use only a few features.

We have progressed mightily from the small shocks from metal appliances to fairly frequent safety cut and circuit breaker tripping.

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Kdf

Oh George,

Thanks for such a succinct summary of the bar girl/farangs relationship. Seen it happen many times, but loved your over the top, but too true letter. Also we miss seeing you, but think of you and your properly skewed sense of humor.

Thanks

kdf and swrws

Hello all,

Thanks to some Crossy info I now have an RCD and a much improved ground. I did not do the work myself and we had to get the sparks back several times when we found circuits that were not attached to ground. We are unsure how to test or check items like our hot water heaters for ground, any suggestions? Also our RCD is set at 6, as per Crossy suggestion, but we kept having the switch trip when turning on various items, usually in seemingly random combinations. We have reset the RCD to 30 and it has nearly eliminated the switch offs. How bad is it to run at 30 and any suggestions where to go from here since the respected farangs run company is no longer responding to us?

Thanks

Kdf

My 3BB internet is still working, im in Jomtien.

No problem until 3am when I quit!

Speeds vary and drops are frequent, but no more than the usual 3G excellence in service.

9am back on no problem still good speed, for Thailand, and drops that take resetting the router, but that is every day.

Hope you are soon, if not already, back on.

Kdf

I am in Jomtien also as Phil knows good luck!

Well raro is correct, my burger recipe does require some rather intricate dance moves and a virgin sacrifice, but it can be modified for the realities of Pattaya.

Good burger starts and pretty much ends and middles with good meat, beef of course. One should pick a good cut of beef and grind it yourself just prior to cooking. Those who add bread, cornflakes, hamburger helper, or other fillers are making (at least according to the laws of the Great Republic of Texas) meat loaf, even if shaped like a burger. Second to meat comes the bun, not too squishy and correctly proportioned to the meat. Onion buns and sesame seeds are allowed, but little else, and they are not required. Buns should be grilled or toasted to better stand up to the juices of a properly prepared burger patty and to the addition, by some, of ketchup, mustard, or Bar B que sauce. No mayo or beetroot or mushy peas or other such regional abominations should be allowed. Lettuce is allowed, but not recommended. Onions, fresh not fried in grease, are appreciated, but not necessary. Another major ingredient is heat. Heat is best applied to the meat by means of charcoal fire. Wood coals, sufficiently quiescent, are also OK. The meat should be turned once and the cook should know enough to get excellent and healthy beef so no burger is ruined by cooking more than medium, or better stated as warm pink center. Medium rare is best, but medium should never be exceeded. Spices should not stray far from salt and freshly ground pepper, Tillacherry (sp) or Cambodian Highland highly preferred. Please remember that what we are making here should taste like beef. Cheese is a somewhat frowned upon addition and should not be used with Bar B que sauced burgers. Cheddar or blue cheeses can be used, but you run the danger of missing out on the meat. You are warned.

I could offer more details, but I am tired and somewhat secretive about the rest.

I go now to eat some of swrws's burritos.

kdf

From personal experience RUN do not walk away from LMG.

They will easily and quickly pay small claims, but run you through the ringer on anything substantial.

They found a high triglyceride level in my records that the doc at the time put in my chart was likely a lab error since I had many previous and subsequent normal values. They use such items to deny claims and to make the insurance so limited for renewal as to make a joke out of their guaranteed renewal policy. Hyperlipidemia medication is treatment for a condition and they will likely deny anything even remotely related fromm peripheral vascular disease, through stroke, to heart attack on this basis. I am not alone in having good response for cheap claims and HORRIBLE dishonest service for anything substantial.

Do a search on Thai Visa for a horror story with LMG and and an auto accident.

Stay away

kdf

I miss tennis also. No cable for me. Perhaps if a few of us got together for a match or 2 we could get a pub or bar owner to turn the good matches on. Tuf during world succer cup, more rather watch that. So if 4-6 of us march into a place, Bert's comes to mind, we might have a shot.

Any takers? Any ideas?

kdf

"Zopiclone, (brand name Imovane in Canada, and Zimovane in the UK) is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent used in the treatment of insomnia. In the United States, zopiclone is not commercially available[1], although its active stereoisomer, eszopiclone, is sold under the names Lunesta (see History). Zopiclone is a controlled substance in the United States, Canada, Japan, Brazil and some European countries, and may be illegal to possess without a prescription.

Zopiclone is known colloquially as a "Z-drug". Other Z-drugs include zaleplon (Sonata) and zolpidem (Ambien and AmbienCR) and were initially thought to be less addictive and/or habit-forming than benzodiazepines. However, this appraisal has shifted somewhat in the last few years as cases of addiction and habituation have been presented. It is recommended that zopiclone be taken on an "as needed" basis. Daily or continuous use of the drug is not usually advised.[2] While it acts on the same benzodiazepine receptors as the benzodiazepine family of drugs it is not classed as a benzodiazepine (with which it shares a number of characteristics and effects) due to its differing molecular structure." source wiki

Stilnox/ambien is a good sleeping med, however no sleeping med should be used long term. Rohypnol is also known in the US as the date rape drug for its sedative main effect and amnesiac side effects.

Not to sound preachy, but sleeping meds can hide problems that should be addressed. Unless I missed that you are using this drug for long haul flights and therefor not regularly, then just be aware that bizarre sleep walking behavior is sometimes seen with Ambien and similar "new" sleeping meds.

kdf

"Zopiclone, (brand name Imovane in Canada, and Zimovane in the UK) is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent used in the treatment of insomnia. In the United States, zopiclone is not commercially available[1], although its active stereoisomer, eszopiclone, is sold under the names Lunesta (see History). Zopiclone is a controlled substance in the United States, Canada, Japan, Brazil and some European countries, and may be illegal to possess without a prescription.

Zopiclone is known colloquially as a "Z-drug". Other Z-drugs include zaleplon (Sonata) and zolpidem (Ambien and AmbienCR) and were initially thought to be less addictive and/or habit-forming than benzodiazepines. However, this appraisal has shifted somewhat in the last few years as cases of addiction and habituation have been presented. It is recommended that zopiclone be taken on an "as needed" basis. Daily or continuous use of the drug is not usually advised.[2] While it acts on the same benzodiazepine receptors as the benzodiazepine family of drugs it is not classed as a benzodiazepine (with which it shares a number of characteristics and effects) due to its differing molecular structure." source wiki

Stilnox/ambien is a good sleeping med, however no sleeping med should be used long term. Rohypnol is also known in the US as the date rape drug for its sedative main effect and amnesiac side effects.

Not to sound preachy, but sleeping meds can hide problems that should be addressed. Unless I missed that you are using this drug for long haul flights and therefor not regularly, then just be aware that bizarre sleep walking behavior is sometimes seen with Ambien and similar "new" sleeping meds.

kdf

Is There A Tool Hire Place In Pattaya? I need to drill a hole

Egad, with a lead in like that this is what we get? Either TV is going PC on me or the moderators are working over time. Or is it just too easy?

Wait am I still in Pattaya?

kdf

Still probable easier to hire a man with a drill, (as long as you are not working to close tolerances)

Finally thank you Basil B

Hey honey I just found out we are still in Pattaya

kdf

Foodmart has the little critters now also.

kdf

Is There A Tool Hire Place In Pattaya? I need to drill a hole

Egad, with a lead in like that this is what we get? Either TV is going PC on me or the moderators are working over time. Or is it just too easy?

Wait am I still in Pattaya?

kdf

Thanks to and all - it was a good night. Nice to put faces to the names! Bert - as usual a great host - even when the bell fell on your head!!

kdf - thank you for the "afters" - remind me to start sober when I start drinking with you - I hope we can do it again. I promise I won't smoke , couldn't stand another lecture!!!!

thanks one and all

aussiechick

What is sober? I hear this word from time to time. Is it Thai?

kdf

A Great Night! I appreciated it being back at Bert's.

Thank you George, thank you Bert, thank you Raro, etc.

Bert and his gang did their regular appreciated excellence in service. Of course all I needed until the food came out was one bottle and one glass, but they sure handled that well!

Loved the Pork Fat Boy sausage, although I am still not sure the name was a not so veiled comment towards my physique.

The after party crawl did me in. More JD, Beer Lao, and yes much more JD. AAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHH.

Great to meet new folks, hope to see ya out and about. Good to see folks I've seen before, even those whose names escape me.

Any promises I made are of course now null and void, except one search for a cousin's story.

I apologize to all of you who I upset or insulted whether by acts of commission or omission, except of course the insults I meant.

Forkinhades, my comments might have made more since if you realized I thought your handle started with a P not an F, I live and hopefully learn. Also thank you for the heartfelt words about Lee that helped me fill in some of the blanks.

Sorry some did not make it too the after and sorry some who did disappeared. More TVers came up after those disappeared and I found my self faced with a strange orange glow as I crawled home, sunrise is its name.

The after brought two old friends back in to my life if even just for an evening, one an oft banned TVer and good friend, and another one of those rarities a beautiful Thai woman who has turned her life around and didn't need a faranag or man to do it for her, all power and best wishes to her.

Again thanks to all and to my good lady wife for being her.

kdf

Yipeee, back at Bert's.

Count me +1 if we get rid of Cambodian belly dance.

I will also be one who crawls,or staggers to further later spotted spots.

kdf+1