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JBChiangRai

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Everything posted by JBChiangRai

  1. The big companies all have credible underwriters with massive funds. There are a couple of insurance companies who don’t exist in Thailand (escape the Thai regulator) but sell here through agents. They appear to both be registered in Nevis and one of them in London as a broker. I think they are Ponzi schemes. One of the bad reviews on Trustpilot points out that 6 of the 5* reviews are made by officers or associates of the company. The contract been insured and insurer is based on integrity. Clearly, when the CEO and officers of the company have none on Trustpilot, that is a big red flag for me.
  2. The OP has been exceptionally foolish. AMLO kicks in at GBP 10,000 or unusual activity. He should have discussed with a bank branch manager first and got approval to do it. Now the bank will want to see where and when he bought it. HMRC will also want their cut, I think it’s CGT but I’m not sure.
  3. Another tip is check your insurance company on Trustpilot especially the bad reviews, at least one insurance company operating in Thailand appears to have paid a review agency to boost their ratings, with obvious errors like praising the wrong product.
  4. What is a business broker? Who froze your funds? You may need to provide bank statements showing when you purchased your crypto and what you paid. If you're a UK citizen, they will probably want to tax your gains too.
  5. There is another advantage to holidaying in Vietnam. I pay for everything using my UK debit card, so no tax liability in Thailand.
  6. We used to holiday in Phuket (KataThani) or Khao Lak (JW Marriot) several times a year, now we go to Vietnam, I'm back to the Dusit Princess on Phu Quoc in 5 weeks, my 4th Visit since November.
  7. Interesting comparison of the BYD Shark 6 vs the Ford Ranger Raptor 3 litre. The BYD is faster off the line. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AQtzjnMb5/
  8. I remember finding that bottle in the kitchen cupboard when I was 5 years old and asking my mother what it was, she told me it was what people could get to drink when there was rationing and I wouldn’t like it.
  9. My coffee is completely straight.
  10. I would ask for the General Manager's email address and ask him if there is a power socket at the hotel where you can park your car and plug it in (the GM will be a foreigner). The JW Marriot at Khao Lak offered this.
  11. I don’t have neighbors. I think a 2nd sub is overkill, I think any sub is overkill with good speakers. My system is 13.1.2 but it’s wired up 15.1.2 as Auro 3D uses different speaker positions and a relay in the amp changes which 13 speakers it uses. I think anything over 5.1 is overkill. I use my system less than 6 times a year, mostly I watch a TV in my kitchen/diner/family room with stereo speakers or a Dolby Atmos 7.1 system on the sofa in my bedroom. The projector is where I think you need to spend your money.
  12. Aircon does reduce the humidity, but usually the air still remains saturated to about 40%. The kind of humidifier you are talking about is called a diffuser, I have 2 of them too for the fragrance. They smell nice but what essential oils are they helping with? The essential oils you add to the diffuser aren't present in the human body.
  13. Here you go, update 5 Polk bookshelf’s and 3 Polk ceiling speakers.
  14. There is a well-known police scam where they come around, asking for money for an entertainment license, because you don’t have one, and then they give you some bull<deleted> sticker that they’ve invented
  15. Moving Palestinians against their will is illegal. If you don't forcibly move them, I would rather see America than Isreal occupy Gaza. Americans don't hate Arabs, Israeli's do.
  16. My living room doubles as a home cinema, one wall is painted in the recommended screen paint, there is an Appotronics D30 ultra short throw laser projector with 4000 Ansi lumens and a 150" picture. It's bright enough to watch in daylight (2 of my walls are floor to ceiling glass). Denon X-8500HA 13.2 Receiver, 2 Wharfedale EVO 4.4 as front floor speakers, 4 tower Polk speakers 7 Polk bookshelf speakers wall mounted high, a Polk Ceiling VoG speaker (Voice of God) and 2 of 15" Klipsch subwoofers and a Polk center speaker rounds it off. I particularly like music in Auro 3D which needs the VoG speaker. If anyone wants to see photos, let me know and I'll post them.
  17. I see the Dolphin as smaller than the MG4 and the Atto 3 larger than the MG4, perhaps the Atto 2 is a direct competitor to the MG4?
  18. Elon does not prefer Hydrogen, that is fake news. He calls the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car a Fool Cell. If you scroll up you will see why Hydrogen cars are not going to happen. Batteries are expected to last the life of the vehicle and at least one manufacturer warrants them for life. Do some proper research, your local bar is not research.
  19. I too was a sceptic, but I did my research in great detail and it was clear to me that BEV's were the way forward and all the other NEV's (New Energy Vehicles) were nothing more than "noise" in the market. I was then prepared to invest my money in a BEV. Even so, I bought a PHEV first, and much preferred the silent EV experience, but I was disappointed with the range (19km) and poor EV only experience (120hp). You have a nice day too.
  20. It doesn't matter how we look at it, it's very clear that BEV's are the ideal alternative for passenger cars. NMC battery cars are decreasing in popularity over their reduced number of charges and use of things like Cobalt. LFP batteries are gaining an increasing market share because they are safer, cheaper, have double the charge-discharge cycles and don't use any Cobalt. Battery technology will continue to improve and ultimately charging will take little more time than fueling a gasoline car, that will also bring challenges to charging stations and power grids, but they are not insurmountable, it simply requires infrastructure upgrades and I think we are looking at incremental progress over the next 20 years. Of all the technology you suggested, we WILL see Hydrogen vehicles, typically for freight and PSV's, but not passenger cars. It's been tried in a few countries already and failed in all of them. The Hydrogen producers know ths and have already stated it publicly (Plug Hydrogen and Shell).
  21. There is not widespread concern that EV's green credentials are far from proven. It's very clear that EV's with LFP batteries are exceptionally green over the course of their lifetime. The only concern is people who have not educated themselves in why EV's are greener, Let me take each of your proposed alternatives in turn and explain why they are not superior Ethanol Land Use: Growing crops for ethanol can lead to deforestation and habitat loss. Water Use: Ethanol production requires significant amounts of water, which can strain local water resources. Impact on Food Prices: Using food crops for fuel can drive up food prices and impact food security. Energy Balance: The energy required to produce ethanol can sometimes be close to or even exceed the energy it provides, depending on the production method. Reliability: Continuing to use an internal combustion engine is both complex by nature and inherently unreliable as they have around 100 times more moving parts than an EV. Hydrogen High Cost: Hydrogen cars are generally more expensive than traditional gasoline cars and even some electric vehicles. The cost of the fuel cell technology and the infrastructure needed to produce and store hydrogen contribute to this high price. Limited Refueling Stations: There are very few hydrogen refueling stations available, making it inconvenient for hydrogen car owners. This lack of infrastructure is a significant barrier to widespread adoption Expensive Fuel: Hydrogen fuel is currently more expensive than gasoline and even some alternative fuels. This cost can be prohibitive for many consumers. Compared to a Battery EV it is about 4 times less efficient. Safety Concerns: Hydrogen is highly flammable, and there are safety concerns related to storing and transporting it. While safety measures are in place, the risk remains a concern. Environmental Impact: Most hydrogen production currently relies on fossil fuels, which can negate the environmental benefits of using hydrogen as a fuel. Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, is more sustainable but not yet widely available. Complex Infrastructure: Integrating hydrogen fueling infrastructure into the existing gasoline infrastructure is challenging and costly. Supply Limitations: The supply of hydrogen is limited, and scaling up production to meet potential demand is a significant challenge Propane (aka LPG) Limited Availability: Propane refueling stations are not as widespread as gasoline stations, making it inconvenient for drivers. Higher Initial Cost: Converting a car to run on propane can be expensive, often costing thousands of dollars. Lower Energy Density: Propane has a lower energy density compared to gasoline, meaning you'll need more of it to travel the same distance. Frequent Refueling: Due to its lower energy content, propane cars may require more frequent refueling. Storage and Weight: Propane tanks are heavy and take up significant space in the vehicle, which can affect handling and performance. Temperature Sensitivity: Propane's performance can be affected by temperature changes, which might impact its efficiency in extreme weather conditions. Safety Concerns: While propane is generally safe, it is highly flammable, and proper handling and storage are crucial to avoid accidents Emissions: Propane cars emit about 88% of CO2 compared to gasoline cars, they emit about 80% of NOx compared to gasoline vehicles, they emit about 70% of the carbon monoxide CO compared to gasoline vehicles, they emit only 20% of the hydrocarbons compared to diesel vehicles. Reliability: Continuing to use an internal combustion engine is both complex by nature and inherently unreliable as they have around 100 times more moving parts than an EV. Methanol Lower Energy Density: Methanol has a lower energy density than gasoline, meaning methanol cars need more frequent refueling compared to EVs. Toxicity: Methanol is highly toxic if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, posing significant health and safety risks. Corrosive Nature: Methanol can be corrosive to certain materials used in engines and fuel systems, requiring special modifications and maintenance. Limited Infrastructure: The infrastructure for methanol refueling is not as developed as for gasoline or EV charging, making it less convenient. Higher Production Costs: Producing methanol, especially from renewable sources, can be more expensive than extracting and refining traditional fossil fuels. Environmental Impact: While methanol burns cleaner than gasoline, its production can still have negative environmental impacts, especially if it relies on fossil fuels. Smaller Range: Due to its lower energy content, methanol cars typically have a shorter driving range compared to EVs Reliability: Continuing to use an internal combustion engine is both complex by nature and inherently unreliable as they have around 100 times more moving parts than an EV. Emissions: Methanol cars still emit Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) but at much lower levels than gasoline cars, EV's emit Zero. Reliability: Continuing to use an internal combustion engine is both complex by nature and inherently unreliable as they have around 100 times more moving parts than an EV. Do you have any other ideas?
  22. Are we getting the Atto 2 in Thailand? I think it will do well.
  23. You don’t need a humidifier in Thailand, even at night with air con running. It will cause mould. Thailand is a very humid country and even with air con you’re unlikely to drop the humidity lower than 40%. Contrast that with some countries who are at 0%.
  24. Please pick what you think is the best of those and I will explain why it’s inferior to Battery Electric Vehicles in the next 10 to 20 years.
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