coops

Go to the online Apple store, check the price.

Deduct 7% for Vat, and that'll be it... if you find the model you actually want at the duty free.

 

Or... take your passport to a shop, buy the macbook and get / fill in the vat refund paperwork and claim at the airport.

Finally a friend showed us a really good place for your early morning post-skylane-ride breakfast...

It's not too far away, and is time better spent than in the early morning traffic back into town.. near the Bangkok Airways office and close to access to Bang Na expressway - about 10 minutes or less from the skylane.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bike+Terminal+%26+Cafe+(ไบค์เทอร์มินอลแอนด์คาเฟ่)/@13.645149,100.7422023,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x311d5daff7471cd9:0x8ae8bc343fb973a0!8m2!3d13.645149!4d100.744391

or See their contact info for map details below:-

http://bike-terminal.com/website/

 

Bike shop and Cafe - very good coffee and food... and if you go cycling in evening, they have beer too - Hitachino and others, so well worth seeking out.

They also stock Schwalbe Pro One Tubeless tyres.... quite a rarity - although I didn't see any tubeless sealant in the shoppe ( the bike shop on Ekkamai road next to soi 12, has  or had the CaffeLatex sealant).

as noted n the other thread mentined there are several good coffee machine and supplies on and offline - but you won't find any coffee makers from them with a built in grinder 'on top' becuase they tend to only stock good/better machines and not the, quite frankly, junk that is the built in grinder type...

For those you can go to Emporium, Paragon maybe Verasu - Boncafe would be a good option if you really want to go that route....

An Aeropress for 25 bucks i think, a Porlex grinder for 50 and you'd be set also - as long as you already have a kettle. The hand grinding is quite therapeutic ;-)

I am not supporting or condoning Starbucks Coffee but I have noticed SBUX-Thailand has a very different espresso wuality than its US counterpart.

Its not as heavily roasted in Thailand and could actually be a different variety of beans (but I have no evidence of a different bean).

Stateside, I use a Nespresso machine and I am quite happy with the quality.

Ofcourse, SBUX is quite cost-prohibitive everywhere and I don't know the availability of Nespresso canisters here in Thailand.

Cheers

I agree - and thnk it's reasonable to assume it's due to saving money by using thai beans which are actually much better due to freshness for instance than the usual second rate stuff starbucks would use...

if you really want to experience the worst Starbucks, go to the UK. Abysmal.

Another hand grinder option is a Porlex - japanese made, stainless steel body with ceramic burrs, extremely portable ( body fits in the Aeropress, which is my at work offshore coffee setup.. with the bluekoff a5 beans)

about 50 dollars and delivers to bangkok

https://www.amazon.com/Porlex-JP-30-Stainless-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0002JZCF2

The price is certainly right on this one. Have you used it personally? Can it grind fine enough for an espresso machine?

EDIT: Bad reading comprehension on my part - looks like you have used it personally. And the Amazon reviews seem to indicate that it works fine for espresso.

The Porlx grinds as fine as you want it - and the ceramic burrs will last more or less forever... you will have to stop every so often while grindng to reposition the handle, but it really is a great little thing.

The Gaggia needed repairs under warranty, so lives down to the worst of Italian build reputations - but the worse aspect is because its portafilter has a prssure insert and it is designed to take those pods. capsules, the pressure is set much. hgher than it 'should be' ie if you upgrade to a better portafilter and vst basket then the excessive pressure screws things up... there's been some hacks/mods to try to change the pressue setting...but it's all in order to fix a problem which has been built in to the machine.

interestng dddave - may pop in for a looksee...

our Gaggia Baby twin ( not recommmended) is looking like it's on its way out...

the Profitec 700 gets extremely good reviews and is at espressofriend in bangkok.... oh, the price ;-). mind you, a quick google shows it costng the same in the US from whollattelove.com... so maybe i need to persuade/kid myself it's good value for thai prices... and check out the slayer and la marzoco's at espressofriend to make the profitec look cheap... mercy.

Another hand grinder option is a Porlex - japanese made, stainless steel body with ceramic burrs, extremely portable ( body fits in the Aeropress, which is my at work offshore coffee setup.. with the bluekoff a5 beans)

about 50 dollars and delivers to bangkok

https://www.amazon.com/Porlex-JP-30-Stainless-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0002JZCF2

Pretty sure i've seen Gaggia MDF grinder at Emporium, maybe the Rancilio also...

but you can get a very good Baratza Vario (Malkhonig) here:-

http://www.espressofriend.com/เครื่องบดกาแฟ?product_id=80

google baratza vario for reviews - note the new model now comes with a solid steel backplate/portafilter holder ( older models like mine is could be upgraded easily by buying the kit)

I'll repeat about Bluekoff beng a really good 'base' standard thai coffee to compare any other - just be sure to get the A5 roast rather than the lighter and worse roast which currently fashionable.

Very informative post thank you a good start to my re-education.

Rather disappointed TRSC don't give some idea of prices.

Here's the thing......I am unable to travel much myself but would like to give the wife every opportunity to see the world.

So if the procedure abroad at a qualified clinic was cheap enough it paid for a foreign trip for her it might even be preferable.

If it can be found in Thailand at a really good price (as suggested by a post above mentioning 22k) though that would be best the saving can be put toward a trip sometime.

You can email or phone TRSC for idea on prices - I would estimate the price you quote around 85,000 baht would probably cover the Relex procedure and Lasik cheaper.

It's important to remember the follow up check ups that will be needed ( you can possibly arrange that locally but then you'd have to pay for those, whereas TRSC, Rutnin etc include all follow up in the price - and usually any 'touch up' ie redo if necessary...

(I had PRK done 20++ years ago in bristol UK, and had one eye redone by PRK a couple of years ago in Bangkok at TRSC.)

Most good, modern Lasik places will now use two lasers - one to create the flap, and one to correct the eye. This improves the flap reliability - but it is the creation of this flap that is blamed/assumed to be the main cause of some people suffering from dry eyes after Lasik surgery.

Rutnin Eye hospital and TRSC (www.lasikthai.com), Bangkok General and the other major hospitals can do Lasik.

There IS an alternative which is also laser correction. In this procedure a flap is NOT created - the laser creates a disc that is removed from a small 'slot' that a laser creates to the side.

Google 'Relex Smile' for more inormation.

TRSC is as far as I know the only place that does this procedure in Thailand :-

http://www.lasikthai.com/cms.php?ref=do:read/id:62&lang_id=2

IF I was going to have my first laser eye corrective surgery done now - I'd opt for the Relex over Lasik, even though it is more expensive.

(And I'll just add, even though when I did the PRK they only did on eye at a time and recovery was painful and took a week, and a 6 month wait before treating the other eye... it was still the best 'thing' I've ver spent money on.)

First of all, understand that you are NOT long sighted (from what you describe) - what you have is presbyopia.

Now you know what you actually have, you can google it for more information.

https://nei.nih.gov/health/errors/presbyopia

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/presbyopia.htm

If your long distance vision is still ok, then a cheap pair of reading glasses for out of the house may be all you need, with a 'proper' pair (ie lenses made to your prescription) for when you want to sit down and read for a length of time.

If your vision needs correction for distance as well as for the presbyopia, then the usual thing nowadays is varifocal aka progressive lenses where (to put it simply) the reading correction is the lower part of the lens, intermediate in the middle and distance vision on the higher section of the lens.

If you like or have good hifi - bring it with you. If you're considering a really high end hifi - buy it and use it in the states so it's 'used' and bring it with you ( check but it should be dual voltage)

High end bicycle? Same deal - bring it, used and some mud/dirt on it.

Like Espresso? Bring your own good machine and grinder ( again dual voltage ). Profitec 700 or the like etc.

An offshore bank account.

I'll just mention another VPN provider I use and am happy with.

Google "hide.me"

Looks like they have a free trial and all the rest...

works fine on laptop, ipad and also Synology NAS drive.

And yes it does or can "effectively" speed up your internet in Thailand in many cases due to hopeless ISP setup or DNS or censorship and who knows what else and on and on in Thailand. (I don't bother having it 'on' all the time when browsing, but have had many occasions where the True cable connection seems very very slow even to this site... turn on VPN and all is 'fine' and normal response - occasional other sites can get bogged down without VPN and are as instant as normal with VPN on...)

Yup, acyclovir is readily available and stunningly cheap... and if you/patient is used to that drug/dosage there is no point whatsoever in paying (quite a bit) more for a newer 'flashier' alternative (as acyclovir works so well).

I regularly buy it before my occasional returns to the uk - have a niece who gets occasional severe cold sore attacks. Despite her being able to tell when an attack is coming, being in the UK she cannot just go and get a dose of acyclovir to prevent it... oh, no. Waste a doctor's time and hers to get the prescription to then go and get the drug by which time it also too late to prevent the attack.

If you''re in a similar situation, stock up before you leave Thailand,

Bike Station on Phattanakan road in Bangkok is friendly and wide range of bikes to get a feel for things.

The main Merida distributor also has a good shop in old town/chinatown ish area, can park opposite in an old mall - Merida are good and good value Taiwan brand and as the distributor will probably have your size in stock...

or if you do have a good idea of suitable size etc then second hand is a good first choice to get a feel for things and then see how far you want to take it and in what direction... all out racer type, more long distance relaxed style, etc etc.

I got a first bike from that Merida, a cyclo cross 300 which was fine for ~ 25,000 baht so well under $1000.. think the one up the model 500 with carbon frame would be more $1000 or more...

I'd say get something reasonable first - I've since sold that bike and got something lighter etc etc as I found I felt the need for speed...

Get an idea of what pedals you may want - tyres, and whether you may want disc brakes or rim etc then your next bike you'll be in a better position of what you want and like (and can carry over any pedals, saddles, or even new wheels you may invest in with the first 'beater').

ps you'll still see bikes sold with silly skinny 19mm tyres, despite 23mm being the 'new' sensible minimum and 25mm being even better if you can get those in stock - you'll probably want to change out any 'knobbly' tyres as they really slow you down, so more road tyres as stock if possible.

pps I am kind of assuming you won't be doing much if any town riding in traffic (in Bangkok) - either cycle tracks mainly or out of town etc... the bike track behind Seacon at Nong Bon lake is a pleasant 4kmish loop.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/340392/

it's an old article, so now it's a complete loop...

there's a newish road/overpass that allows you to avoid Sri Nakarin road - take Pattanakhan road 'all the way' and over the overpass, turn right at lights and the lake is down soi 43 ( and straight on at those lights and maybve half a mile on the left is a good cafe for breakfast after an earl ymorning ride - ' Lang Chang' )

Another recmmendation for Bluekoff - as you'd expect due to import taxes etc, local coffee is best value nad Bluekoff is very good... I'd recommend the A5 roast rather than the currently more fashionable lighter roast - order 12 packs of 250gm and it's delivere free in Bangkok,and if i remember it's around 120 baht for each bag of beans - which is far from ridiculously expensive.

If in a supermarket, then Boncafe is an easy option as it s also thai coffee and ok - the 'all day' blend beams are/were my choice rather than any other ( using an espresso machine - don't get the specific espresso boncafe blend, just the all day is ok)

If you're around Town in Town -

ร้าน แหล

94 Lat Phrao, Wang Thonglang, Khet Wang Thonglang, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10310

https://goo.gl/maps/u6BNnWot4MG2

Really good Thai restaurant - go in the main entrance to Town in Town past the Vet and at end of that main road is the restaurant.

Or around Maeng Jai, near the Cambodan Embassy is another good one 'Rabiang'

ระเบียงแซ่บ

Pracha Uthit Rd, Phlabphla, Wang Thonglang, Bangkok 10312

https://goo.gl/maps/UY1CBoJ79gN2

and along from there is Mr Ho's chinese - good for beer and dim sum after golf practice at All Star drivng range.

d@mn right pork fat is yummy... get the Kakuni Ramen at Bankara and try to deny it.

If it's the bandits at DHL you're dealing with - make sure they're not charging you 'storage fees' while they arse about for weeks getting something cleared through customs.

They've tried that laughable little number with me on my last imported item.

First - I had PRK laser correction well over 22+ years ago (!), in the UK, and had good vision until deciding on redoing one eye as there Astigmatism (and myopia) was quite poor in my right eye. This I had done at TRSC here in Bangkok - as my previous laser surgery was PRK this was recommended although Lasik would also work.

This corrected the astigmatism, but now I do need 'reading' correction - i.e. presbyopia. For me, I am happy using progressive glasses.

A friend has had the monovsion correction like you describe - i.e. ONE eye is deliberately corrected to be a bit short sighted, and the other eye is either left or corrected to zero. Note - she did have headaches and 'wonky' vision for a few weeks, which is quite normal while your brain learns to compensate... and she is now absolutely fine i.e. no need for reading glasses anymore - so it can work (with the only slight drawback of very slightly compromised long distance vision, as both your eyes are not now 'perfect').

She did this at Rutnin, and as far I'm aware it's well regarded, as is TRSC where I had my correction done.

If, as you say you have on eye that is close to perfect, then yes the option of monovison is well worth trying. And the bonus is, if your one eye is good and you only correct one to be a bit -ve (short sighted, but less so than currently) you can always redo it later - i.e. if you end up not liking mono vision then you could do a retouch up and have that eye corrected to zero... and then deal with presbyopia with reading glasses.

Lasik would be a good choice (the conductive methods there is some questions about how long the effect/treatment lasts... i.e. your eye could regress back to its untreated state), but ALSO

I'd recommend having a look at TRSC and a technique called 'Relex SMILE' - check it out on their website.

Essentially, one laser creates a disc of material which is removed through a very small incision in the side - so rather then a 300 degree flap like Lasik (which is usually blamed for the most common side affect to problem of dry eye) the Relex method only incises a much, much narrower 'slot' where the disc is removed... so even less post surgery discomfort and far less risk of dry eye. I've read that it is somewhat less 'accurate' then Lasik as the modern lasik lasers can do custom wave and more accurate correction... but if I was back in my 20's now and loving at laser eye surgery I'd be looking at Relex over Lasik... probably. (When I had my PRK they would only do on eye at a time, and you waited 6 months until doing the other... now 20 years later my brother and sister have had Lasik done on both eyes on the same visit without problem in the UK).

ps as you age the presbyopia will gradually worsen, and so need more 'add', more correction - so just be aware that any laser treatment of presbyopia will not necessarily be enough correction for say in 10 or 15 years time.

INSTANT ! coffee under the title of "coffee loves" ?

Are you joking

One of the more disappointing look into a thread today.

Was hoping for a tip on real(!) coffee.

I too was sucked in to this thread... to read about someone who loves instant coffee.

Well each to their own and all that but....

I thought MOST Vietnamese coffee is of the cheapest, nastiest robusta variety, exported to bulk up the more expensive arabica in various instant coffee brands... but, yes you can get excellent coffee also in Vietnam - just as you can in Thailand as very good coffee is grown in the north.

I recommend Bluekoff coffee...

http://www.bluekoff.com

particularly the A5 roast - great for espresso and aeropress etc.

I order a dozen 250gm packs at a time and get free delivery and discount, so price comes down to around 120 pr 125 baht a pack for the beans.

I tape over the small vent hole and put in the freezer - NOTE take out of freezer the night before you open it, so it can warm up to room temperature, otherwise condensation will be very bad news indeed on the beans.

An easier reasonable alternative from Foodland and other supermarkets is Boncafe 'All Day' blend - better than their other blends and ok but not up,to the Bluekoff quality.

A good hospital optical department should give you a decent eye test - Top Charoen NO as it's probably just a teenager with no qualifications, just an ability to press go on the electronic auto tester... a good optician with optometrist would be fine.

You have started to get Presbyopia - this is not 'long sight' as commonly mislabeled, but a natural part of getting older for most people. Google it, but essentially your lens is getting less flexible with age which results in you being less able to 'accomodate' ie focus at shorter distances, while your far distance vision is fine,

I also have short sight & some astigmatism as well as the presbyopia, so for me glasses with progressive lenses work well and allow good vision at far, medium and near distances...

For you - as you seem to have 20/20 for distance, you ONLY need 'reading glasses'.. commonly this will be told to you by the optician as how much 'add' you need for near distance reading.

You can even get away with a cheapo fit yourself pair with +0.5 , +1 etce etc labelled on them - you simply try them on and see which feels best for you - for general use.

But for best comfort reading, see an optician and get a pair of reading glasses.

Or you could get Lasik 'Monovision done' - BUT this usually would be done to someone with short sight as well as presbyopia. This method intentionally leaves one eye short sighted (say around -0.5 ) and the other corrected to zero. So one eye is good for ditance and the other for reading - sounds odd, but after a few weeks your brain learns to cope and does it without you worrying about it. A friend has had this, and is now happy with it - but as can happen, initially she did get headaches and poor vision as her brain learnt to cope with it.

Since you don't have short sight, it isn't a terribly good idea to intentionally make one of your eyes vision worse ie short sighted... so you're left with reading glasses really (which are way more simple and cheaper than progressive lenses).

Another lesson learned about living in a 3rd world country...

You mean America?

http://www.arbiternews.com/2014/03/23/hospital-chargemasters-how-to-charge-19-for-an-aspirin-and-get-away-with-it/

Or are you so naive you think it only happens in Thailand?

Definitely EVA Business class

1. Star Alliance member, handy if you're a Thai member already since....
2. EVA business is noticeably cheaper than Thai Air - and both are direct Bangkok-London
3. and EVA business is better than Thai.

It would have to be a good chunk cheaper to deal with the faff of a connection - and massively, humongously cheaper to fly Air India.

For something cold, sugar free and so on (uncarbonated but refreshing) - an alternative I like is Japanese Barley tea, such as you often get in a Ramen shop. Not sure if you could find it around Pattaya, though - obviously easily found in Fuji supermarket in Bangkok as a box of large 'tea bag' sachets - fill up a large water jug with cold water drop a bag in and leave in the fridge.