007 RED

What's that old saying? ..... "Beware of those bearing gifts" If the specification for this boot is correct, in so far that that "It offers an effective protection against mines containing up to 50 g (0.11 lbs) of explosive".... Then it is useless if someone steps on a PMN2 type mine that has been allegedly laid by the Cambodians. The PMN2 is an early version of the Russian made PMN family of anti-personnel mines, and contains twice the amount of explosive e.g. 100 g. I would regard this gift as providing a false cense of security for the poor young foot soldier.

Your absolutely correct, but just a couple of things to bear in mind: The Solar Farms which you have quoted are massive, and I mean massive. The owners of these Farms no doubt added sufficient extra panels during the design to cover any potential loss of efficiency resulting from the high temperatures. What is not known, in reality, is how long the panels will last and give good quality output under those high temperature. OK, the manufacturers quotes 25 years, but how long did they actually test the panels?

I think that your estimate of 50oC of the temperature of solar panels on a sunny day is a tad on the low side. A couple of years ago during another topic covering a similar subject, I climbed up onto my carport roof where my solar panels are located, at mid day, on a good sunny January day, and took a temperature reading of the panels with a thermal gun. Admittedly it's not the most scientific device, but gives a reasonable indication as to how hot the panels were. Given that the panel's output is quoted from tests which have been conducted under laboratory conditions at 25oC, they are then quoted to lose 0.X% for every 1oC above that temperature (25oC). The 0.X% depending upon the make/model of the panel, but normally quoted in the range 0.3 to 0.5%. Hence, as shown above my panel temperature reading was 63oC. Therefore, my panels were 38oC above the standard laboratory test figure (25oC) which could mean a 19% reduction in panel efficiency (if taken at 0.5%/+1oC). It must be remembered that the temperature of the solar panels is just one potential cause of the loss of solar system efficiency. There are a number of other factors which can also affect the systems efficiency.

As I indicated in my original post (Friday), I went to BBL HQ earlier in the week (Tuesday) and ordered my 12 month statement, as they quoted 3/4 working days for delivery. I returned early Friday morning to pick up the statement and get the certificate, before heading off to Immigration to do my renewal. I am aware from numerous reports on the forum that members have been quoted a week plus for a 12 month statement by their local BBL branch. My local branch said a week, but advised it could be 2 weeks. Hence two trips into BKK on the electric bus (40THB return each time - the joys of retirement). As far as I'm aware, BBL HQ and branches can only give 6 month statements on the spot, and that longer statements have to be ordered by the branch from HQ. Its really strange that they (BBL) are only able to give 6 month statements on the spot. HSBC can produce my account statements going back to 2021 instantly. FYI... When I did my extension of stay renewal (retirement) based upon 800K funds in the bank on Friday, I enquired of the IO if they would accept either of the following statements: 2 x 6 months statements - as these can be obtained 'on the spot', or Can I order the statement online and print it myself. The answer was a categoric NO! Must be on bank paper and must be one continuous statement. Hope that clarifies.

Thanks for your comment. FYI...... The 'branch' happened to BBL HQ on Silom Road in BKK, and the employee was actually a manager, so one would hope that she had some reasonable knowledge as to the reason(s) why the bank's policy regarding issuing of certificates have changed recently. In fairness, I hardly expected her to provide chapter and verse as to the reason(s) why BBL have changed their policy, but she provided sufficient information in order to be able to put two-and-two together, to make four. I'm not sure how this revised policy would stop 'rouge' branch managers and staff allowing unqualified Chinese (or any other nationals for that matter) from opening accounts, as a bank certificate is not required to open an account as far as I can remember.

As per my post earlier on, I went to Nakhon Pathom Immigration office this afternoon to apply for my extension of permission to stay, based upon retirement and using 800K in the bank (BBL). As we all know, each office, and in some cases individual officers, has their own interpretation as to what documentation they require. In the case of Nakhon Pathom, they require me to provide the following financial information to support my application: A 12 month bank produced statement (2 x 6 month statements or online statements are not acceptable). A letter from the bank certifying that I am the holder of the account. The letter must have my full name, the account number and the balance at the date the certificate is issued. The bank book which must be updated on the day that I make the application for the extension of stay e.g. having put in 100THB before requesting the certificate. A copy of each page of the bank book, from the date of my previous application last year. For some unknown reason I forgot to double check the certificate this morning. It was missing the balance of the account at the time the certificate was produced. Thankfully the senior who picked this up used her discretion and approved my application and politely reminded me to ensure that the amount is on next years certificate. All good fun.

Scheduled to renew my permission to stay based upon retirement, this afternoon at Nakhon Pathom Immigration, using 800K in bank method. Earlier this week I ordered a 12 month bank statement at BKK HQ as they can supply it within 3 or 4 days – my local branch quoted 2 weeks. At the crack of dawn, this morning, I was waiting at the doors of the bank, and dead on 8:30am I was allowed to enter the bank, collected my queue ticket and proceeded to counter 31 which deals with statements/certificates. Having handed over my receipt for the ordered statement, I was given the statement. After checking it, I asked the clerk for a certificate certifying the account in my name as required by Immigration. I was asked to sign a simple form (in Thai) requesting the certificate and asked to pay 100THB. A few minutes later the clerk gave me the certificate duly signed and stamped. During my transaction there was no mention of having to signing any affidavit allowing the bank to freeze any funds in my account. I advised the clerk that I had heard rumours that BKK had recently introduced a policy requiring foreigners who requested a certificate for Immigration to sign an affidavit which allows the bank to effectively freeze funds in their account for 4 months after the certificate has been issued. The clerk confirmed that BKK has recently introduced a new policy regarding the issuance of a certificate for Immigration. She stated that if the account shows that the funds (400K or 800K, depending upon permission to stay) were deposited 4 months prior to requesting the certificate, then the the bank will issue a certificate with no requirement for any funds to be frozen. On the other hand, if the account does not show that the necessary funds (400K or 800K) were deposited 4 months prior to requesting the certificate, the bank will request the account owner to sign an affidavit allowing the bank to freeze the funds (400K or 800K) for 4 months from the date the certificate is issued. No signature = no certificate. I asked the clerk why the bank had implemented this policy. She advised it was because the bank has been heavily criticised for allowing people to open new accounts, deposit the necessary funds (400K of 800K), obtain a certificate and then withdraw the funds, all in basically one transaction. When asked, who was doing this and where, she would not say. I leave it to you to guess, but to me it rings of what some agents might be doing for expats who do not have the necessary funds deposited in a Thai bank and this is a way the bank is attempting to close this loophole. Hope this clarifies the situation… But, and it’s a big but, as always much depends upon the BKK branch, or the individual employee’s, interpretation of the policy. Good luck. Must close now as I need to drive to Nakhon Pathom Immigration to renew my permission to stay.

A very crafty move, appointing herself as Culture Minister. Why ? Because if the Constitutional Court decides that there is a case to answer regarding her phone call to Hun Sen, and they decide to temporarily remove her as PM, she can still cling onto her post in the cabinet.

Yep, its possible but dependent upon how much solar you install, and if using an ESS, or not. I installed a small scale grid tied system during the Covid era, and it paid for itself in 2.25 years. I subsequently added a couple more panels so that I could run the system without feeding back to the grid and on average the system provides us with 75% of our electrical needs. Our PEA bills are about 200 THB/month. which accounts for our night time use.

Not me this time, but a warning about ensuring that your carport (or roof) can take the weight of your solar system. https://youtu.be/Ck7c4w9slXU OUCH !!!!!!

I bet that someone will be wishing that they had purchased F16s now instead of Saab Gripens. In fact, had they opted for the F18 they may have been eligible for a rebate

Thanks... I thought that would be the answer. Not a problem. As much as l would like to have more panels, the space on the washroom roof will only allow 4 panels. I might up the size though.

Lesson learned... The hard way 🤕

Current System: Sofar 3kW grid tied inverter connected in series to 6 x 415W panels which are facing South on the carport roof. Historical daily use is approximately 10 units per day, comprising 7 units during the day and 3 units at night. System provides 85% (plus) of our electricity needs during the day when in export mode, and approximately 40% during the day when in no export mode. The system logs clearly indicate that we tend to use most units during the early part of the morning particularly when my better half does the washing (or at least the machine does). Proposal: Add a second system comprising a 2kW grid tied inverter connected in series to 4 x 415W solar panels which will be mounted on top of the washing room roof which faces East and gets good sunlight during the early part of the morning. Both inverters will be located quite some distance apart from each other. My hope is to have the two GTI systems, both constantly in no export mode (so that the meter never runs backwards), and provides sufficient power to meet our daytime needs, particularly during the early part of the morning when the washing machine is working. Questions: The existing GTI is connected to a CT which is located on the incoming Live supply from the pole to the house. A simple on/off light switch connected in series between the CT and the inverter allows me to switch between export and no export modes, as required. Q1. Do I need a separate CT for the second GTI, or can I connect the existing CT to both inverters? Q2. If the answer to the above is that I need a separate CT for each GTI, can they be located next to one another, or do they have to be physical separated from each other in order to avoid any undue influence from each other?

02 Aug 25 @ 17:00 Just topped up my Elder card at Lak Song. Cashier took my THB and loaded my card. No mention that card is only for Thais or any other restrictions.