MartinBKK

"I presume Simon Burrowes won't be swearing at any more immigration officials if he ever comes back to Thailand."

I think the point is - Simon and the millions of people who have read about these incidents around the world won't be coming back to Thailand.

Tourists arent interested in the police/immigration and their "face saving" egos. They come here to relax and enjoy a trouble free vacation.

I am fuming with True.

Let me give a bit of background first. In december i got the PVR service and paid 9999 Baht (because i was Platinum subscriber) and was told there was NO monthly service fee (usually 300 baht) for the first year.

Anyway , my first bill arrives and i see i am paying a discounted service fee of 199 baht (from 300). I was a little annoyed about this because it wasnt what i had been told but i figured ok its only 199 baht i can live with it. Recently True have announced BBC entertainment is leaving and basically like many of you this is the only reason i have platinum so today i called up to switch to the gold package.

I was told if i switch to Gold my PVR service fee will go from the current 199 Baht to the regular 300. So i explained that when i bought the box i was told there was NO fee for 12 months. No that isnt correct the lady said. So i thought for a minute and then said ok i am a bit annoyed about this and havent really been using the PVR service. I told her i was planning to sell the PVR box and go back to a regular one. "CANNOT" she said. "CANNOT transfer to someone else, only you can use". Basically my 10k PVR box is now worthless. Anyone who leaves the country and doesnt need it anymore cannot sell it. "WORTHLESS".

This is so ridiculous and im so angry about it ive decided to cancel my whole UBC subscription. I have been a member for 4 years but they clearly have no interest in looking after their customers. They just want to sell the PVR boxes themselves and have now ripped me off for 10k baht. BEWARE.

To cancel i have to go to the agent here in chiang mai and produce my passport. I didnt need to do this to sign up. They seem to do whatever is necessary to make it as difficult as possible.

I am very disappointed and will be making other arrangements for my tv system.

They will never use a meter to my house in Maejo from CNX. It is a flat rate of 300 baht unless you arrive late at night at which time you must negotiate with the driver. Certainly no possibility of a meter being used.

I lived in BKK for 2 years and this same journey would be between 120 - 150 baht on the meter.

Taxis are a complete rip off in chiang mai.

I had TOT cybergold for 6 months when i moved to Chiang Mai. I had nothing but problems with my service constantly going off about 5 times per day.

Changed to KSC - now i have no problems, the service is stable and reliable (on TOT phone line). It's twice the price though.

I live in sansai and had TOT for 6 months. Complete joke of a service it was. On and off about 5 times a day.

Switched to KSC - no problems at all. A lot more expensive but you get what you pay for.

I don't think its unreasonable to answer a mobile phone in a pub/bar. It is an entertainment venue after all not a library. Mobile phones are here to stay im afraid so the establishment may as well get used to them sooner rather than later.

I have only ever been to the pub once around a year ago. I had no problem with the staff but did find the food extremely overpriced.

I have just seen a similar thread posted a few days ago - sorry for starting a new one

I am looking to certify/notorize my passport for a new bank account application. I have been to sunbelt but they want 1500 baht to certify my passport. Seems a bit pricey to me i used to do it in BKK for 500 baht.

Does anyone know where i can get this done cheaply?

Thanks in advance.

Hello again.

Sorry fo my lack of clarity - i have a 7.5ft moveable dish.

I understand the Astro signal (Malaysian equivilent of UBC) is NOT free to air but pretending it was would it be possible to view it in Chiang Mai? We are 700kms from BKK (where it is possible to receive it) and i think we are on the border of the footprint in CM. If anyone could offer me some help i would be very grateful.

Cheers

I have heard mixed things about this. Some people have told me its not possible to receive the ASTRO signal as far North as Chiang Mai.

I would like to hear if anyone is able to receive it and if so what equipment they are using.

Cheers.

I'm bored outta my mind today.

Where is a good spot to go and get a cheap beer and some entertainment during the afternoon ?

Scooter's warmed up, rain is done and I'm ready to go....

My friend told that the Chiang Mai Housewive's Association is a good place for a cheap beer and other forms of cheap entertainment.

A most sensible suggestion.

I just don't understand getting bored in Chiang Mai, but if I need a change of faces, there is the direct bus to the beach at Pattaya and lots of good cheap hotels and a few days stopover in Bangkok on the way home.

When i made inquiries about a bus to Pattaya i was told it goes to BKK first and takes 15hrs.

Was i told incorrectly?

I live in Maejo and used TOT goldcyber for 8 months - had nothing but problems.

Recently changed to KSC - its 3 times the price but have had NO problems.

I think you know what you need to do.

How much is membership of the Amari?

Do they have steam and sauna also?

Thanks for the reply - unfortunately i cant receive Astro.

Maybe it will be useful for some other people though.

Cheers

Anyone know which channel is showing the game tonight?

I have a move system with multichoice and UBC neither of which are broadcasting it. I can receive free channels from a lot of other satellites. If someone knows a free to air channel that is showing the game i would be extremely grateful if they could post it here.

Thanks

Just sat down to watch the advertised Community Shield football match between Manchester United and Portsmouth. Scheduled in the magazine to be on Star Sports - guess what its not on and with no explanation either.

What a joke.

9 months ago Mikes was excellent - used to go frequently and then suddenly the burgers decreased in size and quality.

I was told Mike had sold up and it was now run by a new owner. I never go to Mikes anymore. A clear example of how to ruin a good business overnight.

Apparently KSC is the only other company that can provide service to my area.

Anyone using KSC care to share their experience?

I have been screaming at TOT for months. Like Dustoff - extremely variable, from instand page loads to cook-a-meal times. My in country speeds are consistently high. Get streaming full screen Thai TV no problem - International is a three legged, rheumatoid geriatric sloth in speed terms.

Yes, it ultimately depending on the size of the "pipe" (locally, regionally, nationally, and so on)! In the meantime, internet hogs should eat less. But then the porno collectors would probably not hear of it! [Please, no plays on words intended! Lay off!!]

TOT CYBERGOLD - SANSAI (1000Baht per month)

Unsusable for the past week - signal drops out constantly. Tired of talking to the clowns in the service centre. Seeing i need the internet for work i am very serious about relocating elsewhere.

Does anybody use TOT phone co.? I can't seem to get U-Tube on my PC system. Whatever I try to play just comes up 'sorry, video no longer available...' It's definitely not my PC, everything else is working perfectly. It occurred to me that TOT might be blocking U-Tube for some reason. I'd appreciate some advice...

Btlion

Same here - TOT is a joke imo.

Thanks for the responses.

Think i will give AUA a try.

I am looking to do a Thai speaking course (beginner) in chiang mai.

I was going to enrol at CMU but the class starts at 9am which is not convenient. I am looking for afternoon or evening classes.

I would be grateful if someone could recommend a suitable place.

Thanks

UPDATE

Many thanks for the contributions.

This morning i filled up my bike with a full tank of fuel. After a while once the old fuel was completely out of the system the bike started to improve almost instantly. I suddenly had power at 60KPH and could run it easily up to 100KPH. I was all set to take it for a thorough servicing at the garage but im not sure i need to now. I dont know what fuel was in the tank before but i am almost certain that was the problem. The bike seems to be running fine now and i am feeling quite relieved.

Thanks again for all the help - much appreciated.

Hope it tanks.

I for one wouldnt mind seeing 50 Baht to the dollar

I think you have a problem unless you weigh 200kg's!

Wifeys Mio does just over 100k's with her and me onboard no problem.

Check your brakes aren't binding by spinning the wheels first.

I weigh 80kgs. It runs really well from 0-60 and then just wont go any faster. It feels like its limited somehow. I just bought it today and didnt test it over 60kph.

Bought it from the ruam chok market in chiang mai - not sure what to do now i guess ill have to take it to a garage.

Thanks for the responses - appreciated.