Longwood50

35 minutes ago, Eaglekott said:

I would think technology has improved a lot in 20-25 years

Absolutely,

However the fact that technology has improved does not change the fact that Lasik surgery changes the shape of the cornea. 

If you correct for being far sighted, you become near sighted.  You can do mono vision with Lasik where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for reading. 

However if and when the person's vision changes as they age, contact lenses do not fit properly because of the altered cornea  This is not such a problem with single vision contacts but almost rules out multi-focal contacts.   

Finally, most people will eventually get cataracts.  Those who have had Lasik it will "complicate" the selection of the correct lens to use.  That won't change if it is old lasik or new lasik.  Your cornea has been altered.  

They now use very sophiticated IOL mapping instruments to caluclate the correct lens.  Perhaps the precision will improve in the future but for now, you stand a greater change of having less than an accurate IOL lens selected for your cataract surgery.  It virtually eliminates for now the prospect of a multi-focal lens beacuse of the additional complication. 

If I had it to do over again, I would opt for the IOL lens to be implanted in the eye.  The lens can be replaced in the future if your vision changes or eventually when you require cataract surgery. 

https://eandv.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40662-018-0110-5

17 hours ago, Walker88 said:

It is nigh on impossible to compare banking in the US to Thailand

I totally agree,

Now as to "fiddling" with loan losses that might be a bit of an overstatement.  A bank is required to have a systematic formula to determine the default risk of its loan portfolio and add to reserves based on that.  The riskier percentage of loans deemed risky the higher the reserve. 

A bank that deems it has a riskier portfolio can add to reserves but that lowers reported Earning Per Share.  If it has excess in reserve and does not add as much, it does increase earnings, but the financial reporting would show a balance sheet with a lower reserve making the bank more risky. 

The point is, that at least in the USA financial reporting gives a reasonably accurate picture of the health of the banks.  They also are required to pass a stress test to determine their financial resiliance. 

I am not familiar with the requirements of Thailand.  However if what you say is accurate and they are booking "imputed income" that is truly COOKING THE BOOKS.  The same would be true if they are still carrying non-performing loans at their book value and not reflecting the depreciated value of collateral that when sold will bring only a fraction of what is owed. 

As I mentioned, a bank is a mirror image of the overall economy.  When times are good, businesses and people borrow in larger volume.  They pay those loans back, and people have extra money to place in the bank as deposits.  When times are tough, loan volume shrinks, loans don't get repaid, and deposits shrink.  

Given the situation with Covid and the lack of tourism, my take is that the banks have to under some stress.  Homes, businesses, and cars repossessed.  Allowing "forebearance" by banks to not repossess the properties may help the borrower but it sure does not help the bank.  It forces them to hold on to non-performing loans and properties longer only increasing their loss.  That would only not be true if somehow the borrower through delaying foreclosure/repossession recovered and was able to bring their loans up to date in the future.  That is a roll of the dice. 

58 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Also source of income was not asked for? 

For example evidence of pension etc

I provided it, my social security statement so I don't know if he saw it, and just moved on.  Once he saw the bank letter with the 12 monthly transfers, he skimmed through the remaining papers. 

23 hours ago, Harry2 said:

 I went to Bkk Bank HQ to get confirmation of transfers - I got a copy of each monthly FX transfer & a letter that set out the total paid over the period, ie not handily divided into monthly payments as per your letter. (CW is happy with this but maybe not Jomtien?)

Mine was at Jomtien.  Last year they looked closely at the bank book and monthly statement from Bangkok bank checking off each transfer.  This year with Bangkok Bank printing the second letter that listed each monthly transfer, he didn't even bother to look at my bank books, copies of them, or the annual statement. 

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Maybe Rutnin has something Bkk Hospital does not?

I "think" it is that Bangkok Hospital has the Zeiss IOL Master that eliminated the need for the original mapping.  

The opthamologist said that even if they had the mapping pre lasik,  they would not be able to use that to determine what the IOL power should be. 

I don't know if that was because they lacked the machine or because they were not familiar with the formula used to calculate the IOL from the pre-lasik mapping. 

After I had the under correction of the first eye, they took the measurements from the Zeiss IOL Master and applied different algorithims to estimate the correct IOL power.  The different algorithims came up with different powers.  The lowest being 22 and the highest 23  

The doctor also manually entered into the computer while I was sitting with him my measurements into a program to calulate the IOL power.   The IOL Master machine at Bangok Hospital mapped out my eyes and provided the doctor with the various measurements.  He entered those and the program used came out at a 22.5 IOL. 

I did a little research there are 13 different formula's for determining IOL.  So the same eye measurements "may" come up with different results based on which formula(s) were used. 

Perhaps Rutin has a formula that is used for pre-lasik measurements and calculates the IOL power.  I don't know if that is better, or if it is now not relevant with the advancement of the IOL measurement devices. 

One way or another, I have spoken to three different opthamologists and they all said the same thing.  1. Lasik complicates the process of IOL selection. 2. Stay with Monofocal Lenses that the Multi-Focal lenses often did not have good results even in patients without lasik and they were even more challenging for patients who did have lasik. 

Now if I wanted to, I could have my eye "touched up" with lasik to adjust.  However if I did that, I would suddenly be chained to reading glasses which I now enjoy not having to wear any glasses at all. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32522789/

Thailand slides down the happiness index

Does this mean Thailand will now be known as the Land of "a hint of a smile"

I don't know about car wrapping except for advertising purposes.  If the wrap is clear perhaps it is ok.  If it has a pattern to it, I would be concerned about fading over time and if in an accident having to replace the entire wrap on the car because replacing only the damaged portion would likely show shading differences. 

4 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Would be careful with resetting a fiber optic router to factory default!

I have 3bb and had a router problem connecting to my wireless printer.  I hit the reset and re-established the router settings but with a laptop connected to the router via a lan.  

Not a big deal.  Just typed in the http://192.168.1.1/login.html URL and it has a menu driven set up.  Most of the settings are automatic.  

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

In your case it sounds like the second procedure fully or almost fully corrected the left eye so that you no longer had monovision.  Hence the need for reading glasses.

Yes that is correct.  My distance vision in my left eye deteriorated as I aged.  I should have been "smarter" since I was already using monovision by leaving the left eye uncorrected to have them not fully correct the left eye. 

I used one contact in the right eye for some years and then went and had the Lasik performed on the right eye only.  I used the monovision for several years until the left eye distance vision got worse. 

I asked my Opthamologist about the need for the mapping of the eye prior to Lasik before I proceded with the cataract surgery.   He stated at one time that was mandatory.  Now, the machine at Bangkok Hospital the Zeiss IOL Master calculates the lens without the need for original mapping. 

I saw the printout and it gives multiple options for lenses from different manufacturers and lens powers both with and without Toric correction for astigmatism.  The printout shows the expected vision for the various power of IOL and how close that gets to perfect vision.  

Now here is the complicating factor.  There are 3 main algorithms used to determine the power of lens to use.  

With my right eye, they used only one algorithm.  After the experience of the undercorrection they ran the machine again on my left and right eyes and used 4 different formulas.  There was a variation in the lens suggested from 22 power to 23 power.  They had implanted the 22 power in my right eye but the other algorithms suggested it should have been 22.5 or even 23.   The doctor used the mean between the 4 algorithms for my left eye which was 22.5 and that appears to be near perfect. 

So I ended up with what I wanted monovision only with my right dominant eye being the one slightly myopic.

I asked the doctor before the surgery if I got my mapping prior to Lasik if it would be helpful.  He said, no.  They did not have the methodology to input the original mapping and have it calculate a reccomended IOL power. 

If you can see other networks on your phone but not yours, then it means your router is not working properly.  If you see your network but can not connect then your connection settings are not correct. 

If you don't see your network you can try to reset your router to factory settings.  There is a pinhole somewhere on the router that is a reset button.  You will need a toothpick or some other small pointed object like a bent paper clip to put in the hole and press the button to reset. 

You would then need to connect to the router and set it up.  I have only done that on a laptop connecting to the router with a lan.  Apparently you can do it with a phone.  This is what they said you can do. 

 

Here is my opinion - DONT

I had my right eye done about 25 years ago and the left eye done about 5 years later.  I was near sighted so leaving one eye untreated allowed me to read without glasses until my distance vision got bad enough I did the second one. 

In the beginning, great.  I was able to see at distances without glasses.  However what they don't tell you is that correcting your vision for distance means you are still chained to glasses for reading.  The second thing which is what they are now discovering is that people's vision change as they age.  There is a phenomena knows as "second sight" where the person's distance vision recovers as they age.  Mine did.  That meant I was over corrected and needed glasses to compensate.  Now because your cornea has been altered, contact lenses don't fit properly.  I could wear single vision, but not multi-focal lenses. 

Finally, at night as I have aged, the night glare has become significant.  The opthamologist explained a portion of that was very small cataracts but the majority of it due to the lasik that flattened the surface of the eye causing the light to disperse. 

I just had cataract surgery, not because I really needed it to see but do get rid of the night glare.  That procedure is complicated by Lasik because it is more difficult to accurately determine what lens to implant.  My right eye was done, and it was undercorrected.  I just had my left eye done, and they increased the power of the lens and it appears great.  I now have monovision which is great.  I can read without glasses and see clearly at distances.  However the night glare was not totally eliminated.  The opthamologist at Bangkok hospital stated that my previous lasik surgery meant that I would always have that light glare. 

Stick with glasses and if you are really wanting to rid yourself of glasses consider an Interocular lens replacement.  Those can be changed if need be or a second lens "piggy back" can be done if your vision changes.  Lasik can not.  

Finally, if you have more than one lasik procedure to "fine tune" your eyes you may find that the thinning of the cornea would make you ineligble for future lasik corrections 

In short, I wished I had not done it.  The few years of good vision were not worth the future complications. Particularly since the lasik gave me only distance vision, so I was still chained to glasses for reading and still needed glasses with clear lenses on the top and reading on the bottom to drive since you can not see the finer elements on the car dashboard controls without the reading assist. 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/-i2647423673-s9514562876.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.19.3f6f7ebdtEFccy&search=1

I bought one 5.5 litres and I am glad I bought one that large.  
I have used it for fish, hamburgers, and french fries.  All came out excellent. 

14 hours ago, webfact said:

Now, this may all sound fine and dandy, but a friend of mine who works on the oil rigs in South America and travels to Thailand regularly is not convinced it will encourage tourists

This is absolutely true.  Heck keeping the incoming PCR tests makes more sense than requiring one after coming to Thailand. 

If you tested positiive before the flight, at least you get to stay where you are, likely your home country.  If you arrive in Thailand and are tested positive you go into quarantine. 
 

Personally, I would covid test before I boarded.  Even then, I would worry that if somehow I got a positive PCR test in Thailand I would be placed in that 27 square meter confinement area for a good portion of my vacation, at my expense. 

The uncertainly alone will cause people not to come. 

This pointing at incoming tourists as the incubator for Covid is just plain stupid.  Tourism has gone downt a trickle and yet the Covid numbers are up.  So the virus is spreading domestically.

Thailand has far less to worry about from a double or triple vaxinated tourist then it does from the domestic population many of whom are either not vaccinated, or have been vaccinated with only Sinovac. 

On 3/18/2022 at 10:11 AM, TorquayFan said:

Howls of anguish in Moscow as Joe Biden makes the 'war criminal' comment

Well I am no fan of Putin or his aggression against Ukraine, however Biden pointing the finger is indeed the pot calling the kettle black.  

At least Putin has some reason to be in Ukraine.  It borders Russia and some of Ukraine are made up of predominately people of Russian heritage.  I contrast that to the U.S. involvement in both Iraq, and Afghanistan.  Neither country had anything to do with the 911 terrorist attack but rather became whipping boys. 

If Putin is called out for war atrocities, lets at least say he is not alone in the atrocities of war. 

 

18 hours ago, Jingthing said:

There is an item I want to buy but I can't find it on Lazada or Shopee but I did find it on Ali Express.

 

Any information on shopping with them from Thailand?

 

Possible?

 

Accept Thai debit cards?

I have purchased on Ali Express.  All I can say is buyer beware.  A couple of the purchases went through without a problem however on one the picture showed 4 of the items but when the confirmation came through via email is said I was receiving only 2.  I immediately cancelled but the merchants said it was too late that the package had already been shipped despite the fact that both Ali Express and my Credit Card company showed the payment as "pending"  

I refused the package, and am still dealing with this and that was a purchase in December. 

On Lazada and Shopee any problems with damaged, missing, or items not as described are quickly resolved. Ali Express won't even let you post a claim for weeks after the merchandise has arrived. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that he had not had time to get a leak in the oil pipe fixed. 

Well it looks like he will find the time now. But instead of a oil pipe with a different car. 

13 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

So what? It almost NEVER makes economic sense to buy a new car. 

You are absolutely correct.  This was a response to the OP who was attempting to make the case that you would "save money" by buying an EV.  There is no way you can spend 1 million baht or more and expect you recoup that through lower costs to operate the car.  

Taking the MG ZS as an example since it is one of the few cars that you can get both a ICE and an EV model in.  The EV model costs 48% more than the comparable ICE.  It is likely you can't even recoup the cost of the difference in price, let alone the full purchase price.  And that is not taking into account the higher insurance cost because of the more expensive vehicle, the extra expense for the charging station, and the depreciation on the EV. 

The resale value of EV in Thailand is still a bit of an unknown.  Here is what is said about the USA. 

4 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

Do you have a point? 

My only point has and continues to be that those that are purchasing EV and convincing themselves that "they are saving money" are excercising a "want in search of a need"  

The idea that you can pay $60,000 to $100,000 for EV vehicle and recoup it via fuel savings which amount to only about 20% of the operating cost of a vehicle are kidding themselves.  

They are focusing only on fuel and not the biggest expense of owning a car.  "depreciation"  With an EV you pay thousands more but it depreciates faster.   As to the engine replacement, that was about the comment that after 10 years you can replace the battery pack and get another 10 years.  You can do the same by replaceing the engine in an ICE.  Both of those ignore that the power train is not the only thing that deteriorates over time.  

15 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

US Dept of Energy ... seriously, think you give them a bit more credit than they deserve.

No I actually give you less credibility than a U.S. government agency and Forbes who said the same thing. I "think" you give yourself too much credit  

If I pay 320,000 baht more for an EV MG ZS and I lose $527,000 over the course of 10 years.  I have to save $527,000 baht over 10 years to "break even"  

The Bangkok Post lists that the MG ZS gets 15.1 KPL.  So that would mean I would burn 1,538 litres per year.  If I drove 24,000 KM each year.  At 38.8 baht per litre my total fuel cost would be 59,624.  The MG ZS EV has a 50.3 KW battery which would cost approximate 350 baht at 7 baht per KW and it would have a range of 403 KM.  So during a year I would have to fully charge it 59.55 times.  For a cost of 18,162 baht for a net savings of 41461.25 baht per year.  

So if I need to recover my extra expense just to purchase the car to say nothing of the additional insurance for the more expensive vehicle, or installation of a charging station, 527,000 baht / 41.461 equals 12.71 years 

If I drive less, the breakeven in years would be more.  If I drive more, the breakeven in years with be less.  If the price of electric goes up or conversely the price of petrol goes down it 

As I said, there "may" be reasons to own an EV but saving any money isn't one of them  Certainly if you were a taxi driver in Bangkok that might be different.  However the fewer KM per year you drive the less compelling the EV is because of the additional cost.  

Some assumptions that no one really knows the answer to is what is the residual value of a 10 year old MG ZS vs the MG ZS EV.   A portion of the additional expense of the EV "may" be recouped in 10 years with a higher resale value or alternatively the value may be zero if the cost of replacing the battery is excessive.  But we won't know that for 10 years. 

Obviously my thoughts are shared by many since buyers are not flocking to purchase electric vehicles but rather being enticed by government rebates to offset the higher costs or being forced into electric vehicles by banning ICE.  

If the case in favor of EV saving money was so compelling neither of those would be required.