On 3/6/2025 at 5:09 PM, Mike_Hunt said:

 

let's see you cowardly handle a war.  FU. 

what, 

you mean like an American ?

you need more cowards ?

remind me how many you left behind each time and how many you ran away from ?

On 3/4/2025 at 7:25 PM, Purdey said:

Europeans would be better off by being able to defend itself.

yup

would be better than watching the yanks running away from the rice farmers and goat herders every time 

On 12/12/2024 at 4:42 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

File picture for reference only.

 

Raja Ferry Public Company Limited, the leading ferry operator servicing Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, is considering introducing a special ferry route exclusively for electric vehicles (EVs). The move comes as the company works to address fire safety concerns associated with EV batteries, which led to the temporary suspension of EV transportation on its ferries.

 

The announcement has sparked both support and criticism. While some commend the precautionary measure prioritising passenger safety, others, including EV owners and tourists planning year-end trips to Koh Samui, have expressed frustration over the inconvenience. The suspension has raised concerns, especially with the Christmas and New Year holiday season approaching, when travel demand peaks.

 

Mr. Puttapong Wimolpan, Deputy Managing Director of Port Operations at Raja Ferry, explained that the decision to temporarily halt EV transportation stemmed from potential risks of battery overheating, which could lead to fires. To mitigate these risks, the company is actively procuring advanced fire suppression equipment, including car fire blanket and extinguishing agents, tailored to combat EV battery fires.

 

 

Additionally, Raja Ferry is preparing to train its crew in handling EV-related fire emergencies, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to ensure passenger safety.

 

“We understand the concerns of EV users who rely on our services and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused. Safety is our utmost priority, and we are taking proactive steps to address the issue,” said Mr. Puttapong.

 

To accommodate EV owners during this transition period, Raja Ferry is exploring the possibility of launching a dedicated ferry route specifically for electric vehicles. This special service would be equipped with enhanced fire safety measures to ensure a secure environment for both passengers and vehicles.

 

“Our management is actively discussing solutions to minimize disruptions for EV users. We are working to implement safety measures as quickly as possible, including the potential launch of EV-only ferry services,” added Mr. Puttapong.

The company’s temporary suspension of EV transportation underscores the challenges of integrating electric vehicles into existing infrastructure. While the situation has inconvenienced some travelers, Raja Ferry’s commitment to improving safety standards reflects the growing importance of adapting to the demands of sustainable transportation.

 

Raja Ferry has reassured the public that they are expediting the necessary upgrades and training to resume EV services safely in the near future. Further updates on the special EV-only ferry service are expected as the company finalises its plans.

 

Original story here:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1345785-ev-owners-frustrated-as-samui-ferries-restrict-ev-transport-over-new-year-period/

 

-- 2024-12-12

 

 

wow, never seen a Raja ferry looking like that

only seen rustbuckets covered in oil and smoke 

On 2/13/2025 at 2:15 PM, thaisail said:

I want to drive my EV to from Phuket to Koh Phangan. I called Raja Ferry and they told me I can book only on Tuesday and Saturday. But I have to go on Thursday with a return on Sunday. 

 

I then called Sea Trans Ferry and they told me that I could not make a booking but had to wait in the queue. They also said I had to sign a form taking full responsibility for and damage caused by a battery fire. 

 

Does anyone have any other solution for this issue? Sea Trans is offering parking for 150 baht per day as an alternative to taking the EV on the ferry. 

 

Raja Ferry does not recommend parking my EV for 3 days at the pier. Does anyone on this forum know anything that might be helpful for this issue?

catch a bus ??

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

AFAIK the agent opens an account in the foreigner's name for a nominal balance, then tips in 800K baht before getting the visa or extension. The 800K is then withdrawn a day or so afterwards.

 

The corrupt IO gets a substantial bribe to overlook the fact the money has none of the seasoning requirements, I am guessing 10-15K baht.

and what about the  people who already have an existing account for their agent to use ?

is this just for new accounts or ALL accounts ?

On 2/10/2025 at 7:42 AM, steve2112 said:

i need to go surat, can i do a visa extension there instead of samui which i detest. thx

just go to the immigration offices on the island, they deal with them there 

but can be busy so get there early if possible 

1 hour ago, phetphet said:

Please can anyone advise what the score is on taking a PCX scooter  on Seatran ferry Nathon - Donsak?

 

Can I  just turn up? Or need to book because it's high season? I looked on the website and it says  "Large motorbike  and rider."  Nothing about scooters.

 

TIA

 

 

 

 

no problem taking bikes on seatran. but book in advance if possible

ferries are in great demand and get full quickly

i had to wait 8 days to get my car back to Koh Phangan 

Thanks

need to stock up on bottles then, cos cans are awful

So closure of waste site then ? Wonder if this is the reason for the build up of rubbish all over the island now, unable to clear it fast enough 

anyone have the details on why these bottles have been banned and replaced by tinned beers ?

still see some bottles for sale, was told we had another couple of weeks to buy, then a couple of weeks to stop selling 

anyone know the facts on this 

thanks

40 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

So help people out and tell them where !! 

cheap Charlies  ?

maybe should carry a brick while crossing, let them see it 

no stop,then a brick through the windscreen, 555

hi there

anyone got information of how to renew my 5  year  driving licence on koh Phangan?

do i have to travel to Samui to do this?

i know i  need copies.etc but do i also need medical certificate? 

if so where do i get this as i assume it has to be the same day?

Do i need to do the online thing too before  going    ?

do i need to book an appointment or can i just turn up?

Thanks                                                          

On 5/20/2024 at 7:56 AM, freeworld said:

Quite funny this, loads of people are waiting on the shores of France and from around the world all wanting to move to the UK. Somehow the ones that succeed all manage to afford living in the UK.

yup, they can afford to live if they hold out the begging bowl for all the benefits

now tell me how a pensioner on state pension can afford to live while renting, without going begging fpr government handouts ?

yet a pensioner on state pension can live  reasonably  well in Thailand , if he doesn't drink all day and eat western food all the time and live in expensive condos

try getting an appointment at your doctors quickly, or getting to see a specialist at the hospital

look at the basic bills in the uk. Water, gas, electric, rates, cost of motoring, train fares, parking fees, etx, etc

yes food can be cheaper, as with beer, but that applies to Thailand too , if you eat local. Try eating in Thai restaurants and see how much a simple Pad Thai will cost you 

i have family in Uk, but neither want to, or afford to move back, just driving around is a nightmare of fines and restrictions, so much more easier and relaxing to live here in Thailand, apart from the visa problems, but that's only once a year anyway

On 5/20/2024 at 2:15 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

COVID is expected to rank 10th among causes of death in the U.S. for 2023 when the final counts are released later this year -- well ahead of the flu and pneumonia.

 

"Based on preliminary data, COVID-19 still ranks as the 10th most common cause of death in the U.S. for 2023, a drop from 3rd in 2020 and 2021 and 4th in 2022."

 

https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/changing-threat-covid-19.html

 

AND

Study: COVID Still Deadlier Than the Flu -- But the Gap Is Narrowing

"After adjusting for variables, the risk of death in people hospitalized for COVID-19 was 35% higher (adjusted HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.10-1.66), the authors detailed in a research letter in JAMA.

...

"...there were nearly twice as many hospitalizations for COVID-19 compared with the flu for the 2023-2024, according to CDC surveillance data."

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1327600-study-covid-still-deadlier-than-the-flu-but-the-gap-is-narrowing/

 

 

 

 

is this deaths of people  found to have covid after death by other causes, or healthy people dying because of covid only ?

Remember how they inflated the number of covid deaths, even from people with heart attack's, cancer, etc

where is this place ?

Lived in Nakhon Phanom for 6 years, never heard of it

Left 2 years ago, so a new place ?

Water Shortages ???

On Koh Phangan here we get water, if lucky. 1 hour every second day !

6 am till 7 am, 

my washer takes 56 minutes to do a load, so impossible to do it

been on the cold showers and water tubs for the toilets  for a while

3 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

If a house has been successfully built using materials not rated for the use does not provide any proof that it is the correct way to do it, nor does it give any confidence that the structure is sound.

 

That the walls are difficult to break down doesn’t prove anything but the glue bond is strong. 

 

You can build a house using cardboard if you want and if properly waterproofed and sized it could be good enough for a pump house but you would not get me using it, the same is true of your 100mm load bearing wall house, it will work for a time but isn’t rated for the use.

 

I have found an AAC block that is load bearing at 125mm but not all AAC blocks are equal and the standard blocks used in Thailand have a lower limit of 200mm for load bearing use

 

 

so where is the load bearing on a small 4x4 extension ?

Two side walls will be tied to the existing building , with only two corners to form the front wall 

the only load onto the new walls would be on the front wall, which would have a wll plate fixed to fasten the lightweight steel mono pitch roof to , with the high point of the roof fixed to the existing building, so no load on the side walls from the roof 

are you saying 100mm oe 125mm blocks are not strong enough to stnd up and the bonded corners are not sufficient ?

Surely the bonded corners ar as strong as the clip or nails the use to tie the blocks in with ?

7 hours ago, sirineou said:

If done properly 10cm AAC is load bearing,

having said that ,

I would not Recommend it  it.

The operative  phrase  here is "If done properly"  and the locals here are used to working with columns.

  In addition the slab would have to be reinforced which would negate the savings from  not using columns. Also you would have to pour a ring beam on top to attach the roof metal, and since the AAC block is soft it has little tension strength, (what makes it load bearing is it's compression straight).  So that would also eat on your savings from not run  columns.

If I was doing that I would also use galvanised straps to transfer the wind load from the roof to the slab. 

When in Rome do as the Romans do !!!

7.5 AAC costs 28.75   bht at Thaiwasadu , 10cm is special order and I found it at 43 bht  

So for almost the same price as a single  10 cm AAC  you can get 15 cm of AAC by using the double 7.5 s . Also you will get a cavity if you do wished (highly recommend it) and would hide your columns!!!! .

For your interior walls, single 7.5 is adequate for additional savings!!

Also since 10cm would have to be special order you will have to buy extra to compensate for waste.

7.5 is everywhere, probably 10 places have it in stock in your area. So you can get a little as you want and if you need more, drive to Thai wasady, or Do home and get some more. 

 

 

thanks

100mm is stock where i am, but could go to 125mm , just creates more problems around the door and window, which are 100mm 

not sure what you mean by ring beam for roof ? Its a mono pitch, fixed at the high point to the existing building, with the only light load being on the front wall, which would have a steel wall plate strapped down, which would spread the light weight on the full width

why the need or a concrete beam ?

where is the load bearing , apart from the front wall? which will have minimal load ? 

9 hours ago, Pogust said:

I have built several small house extensions using 100 mm AAC blocks. A pump-house and a kitchen. No need for any posts. But do get a lintel above door and window. Doors and windows mounted with polyurethane spray foam, no need for mechanical fasteners.

 

If you ever tried to break down a 100 mm AAC wall you realize how strong it is.....

thanks

putting lintols over openings is a given, standard practice 

used foam before with windows, due to fixing problems in the cheap concrete blocks

But rof will be a lightweight mono pitch steel roof, fixed to existing house wall, with steel wall plate at the other end+

its an extension rather than a separate building, tied two sides to existing building and one front wall with door and window +size is 4mx4m max, so not a large unit or large spans 

I have built a couple of dwarf walls using these blocks with 45 degree angles and surprised how strong the actually are when impacted 

3 hours ago, freeworld said:

Don't know your layout or how the roof is supported.

 

100mm wide block is quite narrow so may because of stability and the joints are quite thin.

 

Here is a video laying qcon blocks, they show concrete posts at the corners and these look 100mm wide.

 

 

100mm is standard bock size in many countries. especially the UK. So not sure why the need for a post on the corner when it would be cross bonded, which would be as strong, if not stronger then butting up to a post each side ? Ant the roof would be lightweight steel, mono pitch, bearing on to a steel wall plate, so spreading the light load ? No wind shear to factor in, wil be built between existing buildings, so sheltered from sun and wind 

Just now, sometimewoodworker said:

The blocks are not structural, so that could be a good reason.

they are reasonably solid, unlike the cheap concrete hollow blocks, and are bonded with adhesives rather than sand and cement 

Hi there

thinking of building a small 4m x 4m room using the lightweight blocks , 100mm thick , build off a concrete slab

Any reason why i need to use concrete posts on the corners, instead of just bonding the corners?

The roof will be a lightweight steel frame with steel sheets over, so no weight on the walls

Seems to be the norm to use either standard concrete posts, or to form reinforced posts on the corners and intermediates

Thanks

had quite a few speeding tickets over the years, had about 12 under my desk 

Told by Thais not to bother paying them so never did 

even the roadside stops, would argue no photo, no pay and again not paid one for years

have no problem taxing my motors , was taxed only last month 

but they are still registered to my old address, so not sure how many they get through the post now

where i am, there are no speed limits, no signs, no cameras and very few police, so no worries here , 

On 3/10/2024 at 6:37 PM, JimTripper said:

The city seems mostly for people that like to have sex a lot & drink cheap beer a lot. Looks like everybody is having a beer all the time.

 

I was just recently at a cafe having a smoothie. The guy next to me is on his second large bottle of leo beer.

 

I wonder why he has to drink that much beer in the heat and can't enjoy a fruit smoothie or a coffee in the afternoon?? Does he need to be wasted everywhere he goes??

 

 

maybe because its often cheaper to drink water than a smoothie or a coffee, plus it a nice cool, long drink ?