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Cool. I had no idea that DVD players would have USB ports to play my downloaded .avi files!

Okay, I'll bite. Where *should* I buy an HDMI cable? Surely you're not saying to buy the TV/DVD player at Carrefour and the cable at Tesco Lotus?

I saw an encouraging sign today on a Sony TV at Power Buy: the component jacks were labeled "Y, Pb/Cb and Pr/Cr."

Would that be the case on all TVs, or is it something unique to that particular model?

[edited to correct significant typo...]

I'm in the market to replace the TV in my bedroom. I went shopping today in Pattaya at PowerBuy, Samsung, Carrefour and Tesco Lotus. I'm looking at 26" and 32" displays, and think either would suffice.

I noticed that a generic brand "TCL" product line at Carrefour has USB ports on both its 26" & 32" models. I found a Thailand TCL product brochure online and it says: "Enables you to use multimedia player, enjoy JPEG ppicture viewing and save MP3/RM files." Do you think it would play .AVI files from a USB thumb drive? I'm not sure what they consider "multimedia player" to be.

The only other TV with USB I saw that's in my price range is a Samsung 32" (LA32B550K1R) full-HD (1920x1080) which has a USB port for B19,900. The owners manual downloaded from the Samsung web site indicates that its USB port is only for JPG and MP3 files.

The only use I would have for USB would be to play downloaded videos on the TV via a thumb drive. Other than that, a USB port for me would be nothing worth having. Other than having a USB port, the TCL brand is comparable, including pricewise, to Sony, Samsung, and LG models, and I'd probably opt for a better known brand.

Since I'm suddenly in the market for a new TV, I'm wondering if I should upgrade my DVD player. It's four years old and currently is connected to my (now defunct) TV via a "YCbCr" connection.

I see TV specs offering a YPbPr component connection. Is that the same as/would that work with my current DVD player with YCbCr component connection?

One Samsung TV at Tesco comes with a free DVD player thrown in, but the only video output jack is what they call "Coaxial digital" -- a single jack for video. Would that be a lower quality signal/connection that the YCbCr/YPbPr connection?

There's nothing wrong with my current DVD player, but I'm not sure if it would connect with a newer TV given the output jacks it has. Would I be better off looking for a DVD player with HDMI? Would HDMI be a better way to connect?

After all that, I was peacefully watching TV last night and pfffft! the TV turned itself off. Only a slight smell of electric smoke, but the TV is toast. Maybe it's "only" the power supply, but after the speakers and now this, what's next? (The power button which is normally red when the set is off, and blue when the set is turned on, went off and stays off now.)

I don't even know where to take the TV for repairs ... New Zen brand bought four years ago at Carrefour Pattaya.

So, now I'm in the market for a new TV. <sigh>

I try to do regular walks for exercise and on the stretch between Chaiyapruek and the end of Jomtien Beach Road, there always seem to be plenty of baht buses, although that's a very unscientific survey. Maybe they're not ones that participate in the taxi queue originating at Pattaya Tai?

What would be the proper fare if I jumped on a baht bus mid-way, say around Metro Jomtien condo, and rode to Pattaya Tai or the new Central shopping mall on Second Road?

That's right up there with:

Went for a medical check-up and the nurse said I'd have to stop masturbating.

"Why?" I ask.

"Because I'm trying to take your blood pressure," she says.

Not to mention, what's up with all those sideway pictures?

I thought the nationwide law was bars closed at 1:00am?

Once they do that, you are usually talking 100 baht to go further, or you can just get off at that point.

OUCH!

From the replies above, it appears that the B10 fare will take you from Pattaya Tai as far as Chaiyapruek. What is the fare if the bus continues farther? Say, if going to Metro Jomtien Condo, or all the way to the end of Jomtien Beach Road?

Artisi: Thanks for that graphic. I was having problems visualizing just how that system would work, and now it's perfectly clear.

Based on the appearance of the walls in the pics in post #60, it looks like the walls have yet to received their final coat(s) of paint. i.e. It looks like there are sanded patches still visible.

If that is the case, why has the nice wood molding already been installed at the wall/ceiling joint? I would want the wood to be installed *last,* so that any paint transfer would be minimal.

Last year (August) when I got a retirement extension, Pattaya Immigrations was already taking a digital photo with their computer.

I'm pretty sure it was also being done in July (2008) when I transferred my stamps over to a new passport, but not 100% sure.

I also recall, when walking behind the desk with the camera-taking computer, looking at the screen while they took someone's photo, and the chair where they sit is backlit from overhead lighting so the face is in shadow and the photo is so dark to be almost unrecognizable.

You must be American. Immigration do realise that The US Embassy do not require proof and sometimes ask for further evidence of income.

I was told by Immigration to get a lettter from the Consulate verifying my income. The joke is the letter is a form letter that you yourself fill out and swear is accurate. The Consulate does not even bother to verify the income. You then simply take it back to Immigration and show it to them.

This is the process at the US embassy only as far as I am aware and other embassies require full documentation

Other Embassies require documents but there is unlikely to be any check so it is essentially the same - your signature holds you responsible - in the case of the US it is done in the presence of an appointed official and notarized. Any false information could have consequences.

I was told in a post in another thread that the Australian Embassy in Bangkok also requires no supporting documentation. Is that incorrect?

Several (four?) years ago I had a colonoscopy performed as part of a B12,000 package at BNH in Bangkok. There was no anaesthesia or sedation of any sort during the procedure. I don't have a particularly high pain threshhold, and there was no pain involved. I wonder why so many people feel anaesthesia would be necessary? I was totally conscious, and actually watching the image on a monitor as they performed the procedure.

The most unpleasant part of the whole process was the laxative the preceding day.

FWIW, the hospital is now known as "Bangkok Hospital Pattaya". I think the are standardizing (have standardized?) the upcountry affiliate hospitals to be named "Bangkok Hospital xxxxx" where xxxxx is the location. Witness also: "Bangkok Hospital Phuket."

I was at HomePro yesterday looking for ceramic tile cleaner and epoxy grout sealant.

I found something called "grout colour" which the label says is "for (re)colouring of joints between glazed wall tiles." Do you suppose there is any reason why it can't be used for floors? I did notice on the instruction sheet inside that said the grout would be scrubbable *three weeks* after application(!), although it claimed that one-hour after application the grout was waterproof.

For ceramic tile cleaner, the only thing they had was "cement grout film remover" which said it was good for ceramic tiles as well. It was about B500. I wonder, though, if a bathroom cleaner like Vixol would work? ISTR commercials on TV where they show a grungy bathroom (with ceramic tiles) and after using Vixol the entire room (including the floor) is sparkling white. Vixol is a lot cheaper than the "cement grout film remover". Any thoughts?

I'm in no hurry, but will continue my search for "ceramic tile cleaner" and "epoxy grout sealant" at other stores, like HomeWorks, Kanyong and Boontavorn.

FWIW, I felt the quake in my condo in Jomtien. There were two distinct waves of tremors, about two minutes apart. The first was almost exactly 0300h, local time.

Twice in the last two minutes, my fifth floor condo in Jomtien shook/wobbled. Sitting in my computer chair, I wasn't sure, but I went to the other room and the chains hanging from the ceiling fan (which is off) were swaying.

There are two different scenarios, i.e. two different types of police. The run-of-the-mill (not meant derogatively) "BIB", and the "Immigrations Police."

The BIB are probably going to be satisfied with a Thai drivers license or a photocopy of your passport.

However, if for some reason you are stopped by the Immigrations Police, they will want to see your actual, bona fide passport and nothing short of it will be adequate. And, of course, your visa, entry card and 90-day reports (if applicable) must be in order for the Immigrations Police.

As the other poster said I haven't seen Sukhumvit at knee depth for quite some time now.. the flood waters rescind quite quickly compared to how it was...

Yeah, the have this cool new subway system to drain the waters.

I think B69,000 is the monthly rental income.

The trick is, how often is it rented out year-round?

Riddle me this - why would you do this in a closet and not on your bed?

Have you never heard of the 'wardrobe wank'?

^Uh please elaborate!!!

Please note: this is the General forum, not Bedlam.

Wasn't this coming Wednesday the original opening date?

Yes. And then it was rolled to His Majesty's birthday in December. Which is why I think they'd subsequently roll it forward to Her next birthday, rather than a random date in June.

Seems to me the Bangkok subway opened on Her Majesty's birthday as well, didn't it?