Ping

Had the same problem with the wife's Nouvo. Lack of use, fuel deposits gum up the carb (it is actually mentioned in the user manual, which you can D/L in English online). The first time I took it to a mech, he charged B1500 (!) and only changed the air filter and spark plug. Wife didn't use it for a few days and then again couldn't start it. Took it to a different mechanic, he cleaned the carb and it hasn't missed a beat since (B200). Make sure you ask the mechanic to clean the carb - otherwise you may be paying more than one visit. (Tried to attach the manual, but it wouldn't upload.)

Re the screen problem, we use PA Cable (Patong), which I believe may be sourced from KPP Cable (did they ever catch him?). Many of the channels on PA are now being broadcast in a squeeze format as a poor man's method of creating properly proportioned wide screen, so TVs have to be set to 6x9/widescreen for these channels, as opposed to magnify or other non-standard settings, in order to provide the correct picture.

Thanks for all the tips folks - very helpful indeed.

(^Ken - yes, green & furry is the hiso look I'm after!)

Update (in case others are having the same problem). After the replacement spark plug and air filter, it refused to start again a few days later. Ultimately took it to a different shop and asked them to clean the carby. Bingo. Problem solved - now starts first time even after a week of not having been started.

Specifically, I'm after a large (leather) modular lounge suite. So far, I've only found one place that does them, but I have concerns about that particular business. (Not far from Heroine's, but I'd rather not mention the name in case I'm wrong.) So there must be others - any information would be greatly appreciated. Anywhere in Phuket (only).

Thanks - Ping

Did mine at Patong last week. TM47 definitely not required - they type your inf into computer and it spits out a pre-filled TM47 and they clip the bottom to insert in the back of your PP. At Patong, you only need take your PP - nothing else.

GOM, yes it's certainly quieter, but another reason for reduced traffic on Ratuthit is because 'Third' Road has become more navigable of late and a heck of a lot of traffic has taken to it, relieving Ratuthit and Nanai to some extent.

There are supposed to be quite a few advantages, Bags, but the main one for me is that it takes the place of anything for which you would otherwise need a residency certificate - only need to take a photocopy of the yellow book.

Having read through various threads on this process prior to applying for my own house book, it became clear that the process varies significantly between provinces. Some provinces put you through endless hoops, while in others the process is almost walk in-walk out. Having just obtained my yellow book in Patong, I would believe that the process would be similar throughout the island, but it always pays to ask first at your local tessaban. I found that for Patong, the level of difficulty for the process could best be described as something less than mid-range.

This is the process for Patong:

Go to Phuket Immigration with -

- An 'Application Form for Residence Certificate in Thailand' (supplied at Immigration or download the attachment) requesting the 'reason' for the application as 'other' and inserting 'For yellow house book/Tabien Bahn'

- Copy of all pages of your passport

- Copy of blue Tabien Bahn (owner's house book)

- Copy of identification card of owner of the blue Tabien Bahn

- Copy of sales contract for house

- Copy of all pages of Chanote

- One passport sized photo

Certificate: B300.

Take a copy of your passport main page for certified translation into Thai. Your tessaban will advise who can perform this service. In Patong, it is the Patong Gate Language School, 77 Phisitkaranee Road, Patong (from Nanai travelling towards the wat, c400 metres on the right side). Also write down the names of your father and mother (for translation and inclusion on the certificate). Attach a passport sized photo in place provided. Note that if you are on the chanote, your name as spelled on this certificate must contain identical spelling (in Thai). So it is also best to provide the translator a copy of the last page of your chanote.

Certificate: B500.

Take to tessaban -

- Residence Certificate

- Certified translation of passport

- Copy of passsport main page and visa and latest extension

- Copy of identification card of house owner

- Copy of pages of blue house book (Tabien Bahn)

- Copy of sales contract for house

- Copy of all pages of the Chanote (take to print shop and have reduced from its A3 to A4 size)

- Copy of marriage certificate (where applicable)

- Copy of work permit (where applicable)

The house owner must accompany you to the tessaban and you will both be asked a few simple questions about your identity and verifying that you are making a legitimate application. Your yellow book should be provided within a few days and should be free of cost.

App for Resident's Cert.doc

New spark plug and air filter - now okay

Unusual for scheduled outage to be all of Patong - usually just certain areas?

E:T

Thanks for the responses. Arby, that was quite a project - but far beyond the limits of my patience and perseverance. I was more looking at the approach of simply organising someone to do the job to my basic specifications. The kitchen is on the small side, so I'd like to maximise space with overhead cupboards etc. Currently, the kitchen is one of those cemented in and tiled jobs, which I'll get dug out. I suppose that essentially, I'm after a good tradesman. Perhaps Eezer's guy may be able to suggest someone? The actual design would follow the design principles of the place we are moving out of (rented) and converted to fit into our own place, so plenty of photographs can be provided.

Patong area. We are looking at installing a new timber kitchen (floor and wall cupboards/benches, sink, electric oven, gas hot plate, extractor fan). Has anyone experience of designing their own and having it built/installed? Is it better to do this or to buy the pre-made kits at places like Homepro? (I'm thinking it couldn't b any dearer to do your own.)Does anyone have recommendations for someone to do this type of work?

As for buying furniture generally, I know there are some old threads in this sub-forum, but the search engine only seems to go back about 18 months. So, where to buy good furniture at a reasonable price?

Thanks - Ping

Prabaramee, south side, half way between the Wat and Third Road. Heading east on Prabaramee, look for the big Patong Loft Condominium sign on your right. 3BB is about 20 meters west of there.

Edit: Sorry, I read your location as Patong - where in Phuket are you?

Thanks for the advice gents.

We have been renting and will be moving into our own home in the next week or so. Since I won't have a rental agreement and the house will be in the wife's name, can someone please advise me how I notify Immig of my change of address (documents required and when need to be done). I note that there is a TM28, but this does not seem to be the right form. I also note that it mentions about reporting change of address to local police station within 24 hours - since I've never reported my address to police, I take it that this is incorrect? Also, can I wait to advise change of address to Immig until I do my next 90 day report or should I do it straight away?

Thanks - Ping

Correction to my prior post - it was in the feeds of the one we can't mention. Haven't seen it yet in PG feeds.

Late notification to bars by police is nothing new, so it wouldn't surprise me. I'll simply go an hour early just in case - home by 6 instead of my usual 7. No problem (but yes, of course, there are always plenty of other options for those who like a tipple later in the evening...).

Update: There's a bit in the Phuket Gazette feeds about it - this weekend 6 pm tonight to midnight tomorrow and also next weekend.

^555 - It's a pool/darts bar/restaurant. (I go there with the wife.)

My wife's 3 year old Nuovo (3,500 k) starts straight away but within a few seconds slowly dies. This will happen repeatedly until finally, it won't kick over at all. This only seems to occur when it hasn't been ridden for several days. Ultimately, I can usually get it started with persistent trying. Just wondering if anyone has had this problem with a Nuovo and can identify the cause. It seems to be something like a fuel blockage - but is it easy to remedy?

There was a bunch of them working along Nanai Rd last evening at about 6pm. Only seemed to be approaching Thais though and not the French and Russians that were in the guest house bar I was sitting in.

They wandered past the Ting Tong bar (Nanai) and a couple of them came in soliciting alms (but left empty handed). The have improved their act, though - one had a trumpet and they had various other instruments.

So you are paying = B875/month. Where I am (Patong), B500 per month - non-gated. For rubbish and estate cleaning and lighting. Where I may be moving to (also Patong), B700 per month. Gated. For security, rubbish and estate cleaning and lighting. You price seems a little on the high side, though not exorbitant. It is common for Thais to refuse to pay these fees. I'm told that many estates will place a lien on the property for the fees, so that you will not be able to sell until all back fees owed have been paid (don't know about interest). I've heard this from a number of sources, but have no personal knowledge of it. It may pay you to make some discreet enquiries but, for my 2 satang's worth, you are better off paying - you are talking less than $400 per year and you are not paying council rates.

^Somtam's selective citation should earn him some sort of journalism award - but a good chuckle nonetheless

I think he probably plucked it out of Wiki in ref to the Pajero - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pajero

I don't know about 'buzzing' - on the roads, a lot of idling is the term I'd use. But yes, it's busy - a tourist's haven (and an expat's nightmare). I'm sure you'll have a great time...