captainjackS

23 hours ago, Prubangboy said:

I live around the corner from this place, working hard towards getting their Michelin star.

 

N.Thai food is the most meat-heavy thai food, so I don't eat it a lot. But twice a year, we will wait on line here (there's always a line).

 

 

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.

21 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

My bank apps need my fingerprint. I guess that is standard for all of them.

So, they need not only my phone but also the (correct) finger.

Maybe I am mistaken, but as far as I know it is not easy to hack the fingerprint sensor without having a fingerprint from that person.

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.

44 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  What about the self check-out in Tops supermarket ?

Just empty all your coins in there and the machine counts the money for you 

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.

29 minutes ago, Sigma6 said:

I see the box will come with the required rectifier/transformer.

 

For me I'd used 24VDC solenoids - -this is the standard in industry.

 

How far from the control box will the solenoids be?

 

24VDC is safe, no risk of shock - I wouldnt want unnecessary runs of mains power.

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".

12 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

And some will be proud to be labelled bogan, their choice of course. 

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?

I've been through a similar search process for uninstrut and channel nuts.  super expensive at RS.     C channel is available at most electrical supply shops in 2 depths, and sometimes hot dip galvanized.  However i have not yet found convenient slotted version, so it requires drilling holes. 

About the "basket".  If i understand correctly what you are referring to, there are variatey of cable ladders, trays, and wire way available from KJL Thailand - popular brand in stock and by order from local electrical suppliers

https://www.kjl.co.th/product/our-product/kjl-products-cable-tray-systems

Channel nuts though ...  let me know if you find them!

I'm interested what this list would look like if normalized by average salary in that country -- to give a sense of how hard or long one has to work in order to afford a certain amount of electricity.  This list shows USA at 0.178 and Thailand at 0.133.  So, US electric is 1.33 times more expensive than Thailand ... but salaries are 5-10x higher in the US for the same job. so likely easier to afford the same amount of kWh if working in US 

I have the Milwaukee M12/M18 combo charger (purchased in Thailand), and it has the 2 round pin plug.  (attached photo) I'm interested what the label on the UK charger looks like for comparison20231008_174903.heic

15 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I understand your frustration.

It is the same here on Samui but it is not just the Thais. It is everyone.

I ride a scooter because it is usually quicker with the traffic and crazy tourists here. (Thai and foreign tourists.)

Most days it is 'dicing with death'.

I warn all guests that want to rent scooters - assume that everyone on the roads is trying to kill you.

And if you are a learner - do not rent a scooter. Samui is the most dangerous place in the world per capita.

Still, it is what it is.

As the man said as he fell of the Empire State Building and passed the 50th floor "so far, so good".

Last time I went to Samui, I rented a scooter. I think the rental shop was trying to kill me by providing me with such a poorly maintained bike.  Tires flat, brakes gone, wheels out of alignment.  I can only imag8ne being an inexperienced rider and "learning" on a garbage bike while on vacation.  poor maintenance of rentals likely contributes to many road accidents.

On 9/16/2023 at 6:57 AM, BritManToo said:

And many things are more expensive.

Usually nowhere to rent so you have to buy/build in someone elses name.

exactly.   woman+house can make a huge difference compared to renting a condo / apartment in the city.

3 hours ago, connda said:

When you live in Chiang Mai, you don't have to consult your Android or Apple Poop-Map before walking down the street like you do in San Francisco.

Thanks connda for the reminder.  I almost forgot about poop maps!  For those of you who have not been to San Francisco -- poop maps is a real thing.  crowd-sourced data linked to city public works tickets to deal with human waste in public areas of the city.  Only the best for residents of one of the most expensive cities in the world.

I'm grateful to live in a place with low crime.  Living in Chiang Mai for over 5 years now. Between the city and Northern suburbs / rural areas.  Not once have I been personally affected by local crime.   Before Thailand, I lived in USA (Atlanta and San Francisco).  Have to be a lot more careful and consume mental energy every day to avoid various types of crime that are so common.

I have never measured the conductors, but I have a preference of wire brands for other non-scientific / non-quantitative reasons related to insulation of THW and VAF-G.  I prefer Bangkok Cable and Phelps Dodge (purchased locally in Thailand). The insulation on these 2 brands appears to resist damage from bending and scratches better than some other cheaper brands.   Phelps Dodge THW is more slippery and easier to pull in conduit.  For VAF-G (not in conduit), I prefer the appearance of BCC because it is not as shiny as Phelps Dodge.

My interpretation of the thai document:

item 1:

1 phase + 1 neutral (2 wires total) from the meter to the panel in the house.  size = 1x50 sq. mm. type IEC01 (THW copper).  includes fastening and routing in conduit as necessary.

item 2:

replace one of your existing panels with a new 12 slot panel.  The new panel will include a 100A  2-pole, main breaker, a 32A single pole breaker, and 5 more single pole breakers with unspecified current rating. 

(my comment) If they want to replace some of your existing equipment, they might plan to re use some of your old breakers in the new panel.

item 3:

new earth rod.  5/8 inch × 8 foot long. New wire from panel to earth rod. 16 sq.mm type IEC 01 (THW copper) routed in conduit. 

(my comment) Likely reason to add the new earth rod and wire is to guarantee that it is sized appropriately for the new meter service.   I don't remember all the numbers from memory, but there is a table provided by PEA and the Thai EIT standards book that lists the required sizes.  I have the book at home.  I can post a picture of the table on Wednesday.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1AqcAckc2g4jvgoL6

Ruamchok Chemical has a surprisingly large inventory  of various liquid and powder chemicals.  They might have a barrel of whatever you need.

Recently I bought some "Sony" NiMH AAA batteries from Lazada from a shop with good reviews.  Not sure if they were counterfeit or authentic, but it doesn't matter because they were dead on arrival.   Went on to buy my trusted brand EBL from Amazon US website.  There was extra shipping and tax to Thailand, but it was worth it in my opinion.  My last batch of EBL AA and AAA still work well after 5 years.

The only unfortunate thing is that the USB-C input port on the new charger (has USB-C and Micro USB) doesnt work with my Samsung Galaxy fast charger - but it works with a USB-C port on my laptop or Dell monitor hub port.

Toro Clothing แม่กวง
089 556 2880
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kJj1zGiQ19nQhGX98

This place is open and going strong.  The sign shows they get imports from US and japan. might be worth a try if the location is not too far out of town for you.

8 hours ago, bbas3008 said:

Finding out how to get it right is the big question for when I travel inter province in the future. At the moment it seems that once I return to CM I download and fill out a TM 30 and take it to a CM Immigration counter for registration? My landlord has nominated her Real Estate agent to deal with it which has proved to be not helpful.

I agree that getting it "right" is the right thing to do for peace of mind and understanding the procedures for future travel without confusion.  I made the comment about potential fines because sometimes we are in a time crunch.  Anyhow, last time I updated my tm30 at chiang mai for moving my "long term" address in CM, it took only about 15 minutes and a simple form.  This was 6 months ago. Fortunately, they have a special office for tm30 around back next to the print shop.  So you don't have to go through the multiple levels of queues that are required for other services in the main building.