Ping

Good luck Bill. I have to say that when you opened up your shop, I thought you'd struggle at that particular location, but you certainly tried hard to make it work. As for Phuket, yes, many things have gone downhill, but people seem to forget the old days of open drains everywhere (stench), the mosquito problem (every bar burned mosquito coils), lack of infrastructure (the only department store was Ocean on the circle near Immigration in Phuket Town; international calls were prohibitively expensive and in Patong, could only be made from one or two places where you had to queue) and countless other issues. I would prefer to put up with things as they are here now rather than as they were years ago. There is always something to complain about wherever you go. (But you're leaving here to go to Pattaya???)

^^^ I wouldn't recommend that 2nd-hand m/cycle place in Jung Ceylon - prices are red hot.

They start early. In many households of former soviet bloc-type nations, a traditional breakfast includes a glass of spirit.

Between Patong and Laguna is Kamala. There are about 50 bars in Kamala with the usual diversions. Three of the biggest are the Beer Garden, the Aussi Pub and the Sport Bar all located on the main drag through town. All have sports on multiple TVs and plenty of girls. I recommend a pub crawl. Fun won't be hard to find. Kamala is a far more personable place than Patong and less expensive.

Fifty?! I would have thought around ten or perhaps fifteen tops...

There is also the Mountain View (obviously the one closest to the Patong-side hill). Good to hear the KBG has re-opened. The Aussie Pub is just that - a pub. There are a few bars on the road nearest and parallel to the beach (and adjoining sois) that would probably be what he's looking for.

^^ The Iceman beat me to it...

Yes, Kasikorn Bank (for one). Some previous threads on this issue:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/260738-opening-a-new-bank-account-in-thailand/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/154359-you-can-open-a-bank-account/

Can't really help with recommendations, but a bloke was telling me recently about wanting a therapeutic-style massage and the person doing the work was obviously not as qualified as she said she was - he ended up in hospital as a result of it. Wouldn't you be better off getting recommendations from a health car professional?

^Yes, that's rather a good question! I suppose that there are wear and tear factors and economy issues, but they are not really a major consideration for me. I just happen to prefer the option of engaging 4WD when I think it would be needed/helpful. I used to do quite a bit of 4WD around the island, and that is why I like the option. Having said that, since I've had the PJS (two years) I've have never yet had cause to engage 4WD/low ratio. Go figure...

Re Fortuner v PJS, the seats in the Fortuner seem to be more comfortable than the PJS, but the biggest disadvantage of the Fortuner (as far as I'm concerned) is that it is constant 4WD. If they made it selectable, I may be persuaded to change brands (only may).

All Fortuners are not constant 4WD. only those speced as AWD

Yes - the only option is either AWD or 2WD. There is no option for selectable 2WD/4WD, which is the point I was trying to make. Perhaps I assumed too much in thinking my point was obvious...

I'm smithing for a beer...

(But it's okay, I know where I can find one.)

Adding to others, it may sound strange but take into account your driving habits. If you drive very little after dark, then a stronger tint can be the way to go (and vice versa). I have 3M 80% side and rear, and 50% front on my PJS. No problem with the windscreen day or night - actually reduces glare in night driving - but I find that during night driving, particularly when raining, at congestive intersections (like many of the ones in Patong - does not apply so much with large intersections) I have to lower the passenger front window slightly to have safe vision. Not a problem with electric windows, of course, but just a nuisance factor. However, the added shade of 80% around is terrific for daytime driving. All things considered, for my next car, I will keep the same formula, however you may prefer 50% all around. Avoid cheap film - make sure you specify your brand. Genuine 3M film has small embossing stamps. These are non intrusive, but can be easily removed with rubbing alcohol if you should so desire.

Re Fortuner v PJS, the seats in the Fortuner seem to be more comfortable than the PJS, but the biggest disadvantage of the Fortuner (as far as I'm concerned) is that it is constant 4WD. If they made it selectable, I may be persuaded to change brands (only may).

^Saw him yesterday for the first time in quite a few months - thought he must have gone home during high season. Had a dog with him on this occasion.

As to the OP, the missus says that it depends upon hair length and quality of product used. Apparently, you need to speak with the hairdresser and specify 'good quality' dye. It also often depends upon race, apparently - the missus says farang will usually pay (sometimes much) more. She says for good quality dye product with long hair, B1500 up (she thought B2000 was not unreasonable).

Be warned, however, that my missus was once in the chair for 11 hours (though this included extensions) - finished just after 1 in the morning. They kept getting the colouring wrong and had to redo it several times. She says it did a lot of damage to her hair. She has tried a few other hairdressers since then, and it seems to be very much luck of the draw. It seems that the best advice is to find a hairdresser who is well experienced with this type of work and knows precisely what she is doing. How? Speak with someone you see who has had her hair dyed and ask her where she got it done. Unlike your home country (probably), most Thai strangers are very approachable, although you may need to try more than once to find someone who you can communicate with.

All else failing, you can try the hairdresser opposite the (now closed) Gunner's Bar in Nanai. One lady there has apparently been on staff for many, many years. Alternatively, the hairdresser in Nanai 2 directly behind where the Offshore Bar used to be are quite good as well. (From Nanai, find Soi Nanai 2 and as you enter it, 20 metres down on the right.)

E: Ask for L'Oreal dye product

I went out for a while yesterday and had a reasonable time (wish they'd stop icing the water, though). As per usual, they've got Nanai blocked off in some areas and elsewhere are still throwing buckets of water on people passing on m/cycles. Dangerous - nothing's changed - I can hear them out there again today. So much for the areas set aside for water play...

Out of mere curiosity, are any of the bars in Bangla selling grog?

Two days ago, a large area of Patong was off (elec) for between 1 and 2 hours from around 3 pm, but whether it was related to this or some other problem I don't know...

Right - thanks to the OP for this thread. I'm off Nanai. No water yesterday (Thu morning). I thought the water pump must be on the fritz again, so got the bloke in and he told me my tank was empty. I noticed it started to fill again early last night. A problem for water cart refill because my tank is in the back yard and inaccessible (unless they've got a 40 metre hose and can run it through the middle of my house).

Terribly bad luck. I think with most of us that such things happen so suddenly that there is an instinctive reaction to swerve. In many cases, there just isn't time to think things through. Could be a toddler.

I'm beginning to think that those who say it is still up are talking about a different forum. The one we are talking about here is (the late) Nicke's forum - phuket-info. I've checked it on websitedown and it is definitely not online. Those who say it is online are probably looking at a different forum/website.

Some Feedback...

Went to B-Quik yesterday. Bloke came over, took off one of the cell covers (where the acid is poured in) and promptly said the battery is good. I told him it was no good, and he then tested it with a piece of equipment and neither agreed nor disagreed. I then told him I wanted a Boliden battery - they only have Yuasa batteries. Okay, I want a 95 amp jobby. No, I only need an 85 amp battery he tells me. I show him the current battery (95 amp). He says that the original battery that came with the car tells porky pies and is really only 85 amp. No, I insist on a 95 amp battery. He tells me he would have to rewire the car to install it. I still want a 95 amp battery. Of course, then he decides to tell me that they don't have that size in stock. He then takes me over to a rack of batteries sitting outside the shop, all covered in grime and looking like they had been getting wheeled in and out of the shop since the shop opened. He then points to a 75 amp battery (having cleared the muck off the top label) and I point out that it is 75 amp, not 85 amp (let alone 95 amp). It also has helpfully printed on the front 'For Conventional Cars'. I then ask if he knows where else I can buy a battery. 'Phuket Town' he says. 'Bye', I say...

B-Quik are probably good for servicing and the like - but I would caution anyone needing a new battery. The fact that they don't even bother to keep them clean and at least looking new says quite a bit.

The place near Esso is still there and operating but was closed yesterday (being Sunday).

Thanks for that folks - will try B-quik. (Tried to send you a PM re this LiK, but my PM doesn't work in either IE10 or Chrome.)

I read in the motoring forum that Boliden are supposed to be a good car battery. My current one has all but died after 22 months (got run down frequently - not a lot of use). Does anyone have a suggestion where I could buy one in or near Patong at a fair price? Alternatively, suggestions for a quality car battery and where to buy/cost? For a Pajero Sport.

Thanks - Ping

One of the posters above said he had to have his bank letter dated the same day as his application for extension. I've always got mine the day before. I understood it only had to be issued within 7 days prior to the application. Has something changed (I'm due for another extension next month)?

I think that gold is roughly the same everywhere in LoS, so I suspect that diamonds would be much the same (ie the savings might not be worth the travel unless you are talking about a seriously significant size of diamond). No expert on the subject, just applying logic - I could be wrong. I don't know about the prices in neighbouring countries though - might be worth exploring.