captainjackS

my experience with whistle-blowing security guards / parking attendants looks like they are trying to be helpful when I am backing into a parking space. However, I find it more of a distraction than a help -- especially when the car has mirrors, a reverse camera with parking guideline overlays, and sensors that make sounds when near collision. I just try to ignore it.

The only time I use the word is when I refer to an inflated price as "farang price" at places where Thai people sell things to farangs

I think I know the place. Haven't been there since nearly 10 years ago. I remember a farm fertilizer shop behind. And the lady who runs the shop is into scuba diving - so I'm not surprised if she opened a scuba shop. I'll stop by on my way. Thanks for the rec!

Which shop? I know the area and plan to drive through there at the end of this month.

In Chiang Mai, many of the "good" sidewalks have been blocked by electric / telecom utility boxes, advertising signs, road signs, and big holes with sketchy panels covering them. It keeps the motorbikes from speeding through while pedestrians climb through the obstacle course.

I had a friend once that recommended a more simple system that we followed for fun when out and about. 1 or 2. 2 means you would have sex with her if the opportunity presented itself. 1 means not interested.

same here. large diameter Panasonic is quiet. Mine is wired on a separate switch so it can be controlled independently from the light.

I had a similar situation a few years ago. 2,000฿ fine and an extra 15 min wait at chiang mai immigration when i renewed my visa.

the fastest impatient drivers i see on the road are often in expensive "wealthy people" cars. The second fastest and impatient group are teenage boys on modified motorbikes.

Looking to pressure wash the flat concrete rooftop of a shophouse building. Accessible by stairwell all the way up from ground floor to 3rd. Location is Ton Pao (between Saraphi and San Kamphaeng). Hoping to find someone who will make it look nice and not create any new problems while doing the job. Let me know of you can recommend someone!

I think I have seen them at King of Gym or Magnus Fitness on San Kamphaeng new road in the past. things have changed at both gyms, so I'm not sure of the current setup. I might go to King next week. i'll share again if i find one

.. back to the OP. I have had similar experience in touristy areas in the south. I spend most of my time in Chiang Mai non-tourist areas where native speakers understand my spoken Thai. I don't know how good or bad it sounds to them, but I get by. Last time i went to Krabi and Samui tourist area hotels, i just spoke English. it was easier. I think the trick like others have mentioned is to sneak a phrase in that makes the listener "click" and catch on that they should interpret your words as Thai instead of English. I have been on the other side too. After international travel opened following a few years of COVID, I flew into Chicago airport after being mostly in Thailand for 5 years. I sat there eating a disappointing burger watching people of all ethnicities walking past and speaking so many languages, including various dialects of English. It was quite a mental readjustment to hear all those voices and try to tune my brain to listen for a specific language.

I have an interesting experience about this. There is a Japanese lady who used to live in my neighborhood and we occasionally crossed paths at a local bar. Her skill in Thai language was better than her English. My skill in Japanese is zero, and i'm conversationally comfortable in Thai. So we spoke Thai together at the bar along with all of the native speakers. Good fun.

In my experience buying wire in Thailand, i've seen the durability of insulation to be a problem on low cost wire too. Always had good experience with Bangkok Cable and Phelps Dodge (more slippery for pulling though conduit). Datasheets available online with all the details too. A few years ago, I tried some cheap brand wires from local electric shops, and found it too easy to damage the insulation.

which part of chiang mai? For such a small project amd keeping the cost low, you will likely have to find someone local.

I have been to this restaurant, and it was good. but I didnot enjoy waiting with the crowds. I have a few preferred Northern restaurants in Mae Rim

Thai and Northern Thai food more than 90% of the time. Either out and about town, or whatever the good lady puts in front of me (except stinky crab / shrimp / fish items). I go out to eat "farang food" once or twice a week. Usually on days where I'm craving big protein after exercise.

I agree that finger print sensor is secure in many ways ... but I still use long annoying passwords for everything on my phone and change screen lock pin frequently because : If I am sleeping, drunk, or both, I believe someone could "borrow" my finger to unlock things.

Thanks for the recommendation! I will try next week. I usually go to Tops Chotana (chang phuak / khuang singh). Do you know if that Tops has the coin acceptor machine?

I havent found automatic coin counting machines in CM, so my routine is: keep a few small ziploc plastic bags in a bowl for each type of coin. all the copper satangs go moxed together. - use 10฿ for laundry - use 5฿ for coffee. local shop at the corner always wants 5฿ coins - 2฿, 1฿, and satangs all go back to buy things 7 eleven where they came from (in organized small bags) Most other shops, I use mobile payment which is not accepted at 7-11. So, most of my coins come from change on cash transactions there anyway.

Thank you all for your responses. Looks like 24 VAC is the winner based on safety, widespread compatibility, price, and one fewer part (no rectifier) to potentially fail.

2-3 meters along the wall. not across anything.

I'm in the process of upgrading garden sprinkler control to use some automation and looking for recommendations about "good" solenoid valves and reasoning to select among the options of 12 VDC, 24 VDC, 24 VAC, 220 VAC. Now, the system works with manual Sanwa ball valves and blue 1/2" PVC pipe. No need to change all the sprinklers and pipe. Just replace the 4 valves with something smarter. I have in mind a 4-zone solenoid valve controller with manual set timers (located in the control box). I don't want a Wifi control unit. The best looking control box I have found online is this: https://ttscontrol.com/product/ตู้คอนโทรลตู้ควบคุมโซล-2/ . They offer options for compatibility with 12 VDC, 24 VDC, 24 VAC, 220 VAC solenoid valves. I appreciate any recommendations on "good" solenoid valves and reasoning for selection of a particular electrical configuration for the valve control. Thanks in advance!

I'm just getting over one now. 7 days all in. Mine started after being mostly outdoors in 35 deg C hot weather for 3-4 days. I wish we had a better common name for this virus than "a cold".

I have never been to Aus or NZ, so I learned the word "bogan" from this forum. That said, I'm interested if bogans call themselves and friends "bogans" or is it only used by self-proclaimed non-bogans to describe other people?