Johnlkuk

Sorry, I'm not quoting again but I can't seem to delete this. Anyway, some progress. No need to go out shopping as my tv cabinet had a bulb and holder etc hiding away at the back of a shelf. Not sure on wattage as its unclear, but success with earthing: 1st picture using L and N from socket: 2nd and 3rd pictures using L from socket and rebar for E/N:

I stand corrected, thank you. I wholeheartedly trust what my friend tells me, I just maybe got it slightly wrong 🙄

When he was here, my mate said he had some spare plastic CUs back home that he wouldn't be using as they only fit metal now. Pretty sure he suggested a main RCD switch, then individual RCBOs for each circuit. When I've looked here it seems the main switch is RCBO and the other smaller ones, not. If there was any other issue with the electrics here in my condo, the concern would be the whole lot would trip leaving me with nothing, rather than individual circuits, which could be investigated further. Even if the set up he suggested could be bought here, he won't be here to help, and I have limited time to do much on this trip.

OK, thanks again, and bear with me as I'll keep it safe and pick up a lamp holder and some other bits beforehand. I will report back.

Yes sorry, I've got both (not that I know my way around the MM too well). But no lamp/holder etc.

Yes, I did wonder if I had been a bit hasty throwing it out and it was quite a modern looking Samsung model. It was plugged into an old looking socket in the kitchen, which after the heavy rain a few weeks back, popped the main breaker with an almighty bang. I had heard popping prior to this but didn't pinpoint where it was coming from. It turns out all (3 I believe) circuits from the kitchen, are joined up in the CU and coming from the main breaker. I've replaced the 2 connected kitchen sockets since and connected them away from any damp.

Bear with me on this, I have limited tools and equipment, even a lamp and holder, but I will test and report back soon

My mate had a "tingle" from the metal casing of the microwave when it was first plugged in. The plug was pulled and it was ditched straight away. This alerted us there was no earthing anywhere. The balcony balustrades are stone, so not even a possibility of a temporary earth there.

Luckily I have the hideous suspended tiled ceilings in the bathroom and kitchen. Not much I can see in the bathroom, which is nearer to the CU, but I found this in the kitchen. That is if you mean exposed rebar, as it is concrete/block construction.

This is the closest to an earth in the whole condo.

As the title says: is it even possible to create an earth on the 12th floor of a condo block? I recently purchased the condo in an older block (1992 build) and have found issues with the electrics. Apart from there being no earth, there's several circuits that are joined together and protected just by the main breaker. Photo attached An electrician friend of mine was here for a few weeks and the outcome of an assessment was to change the consumer unit, and to fit the new with individual RCBOs. The idea is to buy what I need back in the UK and to bring it all over next time. Without my friend here to ask right now, I am wondering again about the lack of an earth. Is it possible to find an earth up here on the 12th floor (all plastic pipework as far as I can see), is it even super-important to have one, or is there another option (I read on this forum about combining the neutral and earth, if that's the right term).

Went there yesterday, plenty of choice, and a great store which seemed to cover everything. Mate got everything he needed and I bought something too. Thanks again.

Excellent, thank you. I just looked them up and they have some good stuff. I'll take him along there tomorrow.

My mate is over for a holiday and is looking for a shop to buy some snorkeling equipment. Not the cheap plastic stuff you find in the touristy shops, but silicone mask that moulds better to your face. Flippers, snorkel and mask etc. Not for scubaing, just for leisure snorkeling. He's tried a few diving shops along Beach Road but says there wasn't anything suitable. Does anyone know of anywhere they can recommend?

Thanks for all the ideas. This won't be for a rental property so condition does need to be half-decent. I don't mind any slight flaws and/or grubbiness, as this can be cleaned up with some elbow grease. Like a lot are saying though, if the price is similar to new then might as well go new. I didn't realise there was IKEA here, but I'm presuming in BKK? I'll check out their website. And yesterday I took a trip south to Collingbourne auction house. They had a nice looking sofa/bed advertised, but it had been sold the day before. The other auction place mentioned to the north could be worth a look too, especially as it's near LamaLand which comes up on Google as another giant 2nd hand store. As far as online 2nd hand private sales though, FB Marketplace seems top, then BahtSold, then Craigslist. Unless anyone knows any more?

I visited there previously but only went in the part that's on the east of the soi. I went back yesterday and found that it's the same shop on the opposite side of the road. There was a lot more sofas, all a bit pricey, but delivery could be arranged, even to a 12th floor condo. Had a quick look on Craigslist, but only one sofa came up, luckily in my area, but some awful colour and for 18k. It didn't impress me much, I think even BahtSold had 8 or 9 and and you could specify in what area to search.

I think we are talking about the same shop.

Sorry, yes I'm in Pattaya too. I tried the largish one on Soi Khopai, but the others I found online were just a lot smaller and with little choice. The Khopai shop had one sofa that looked half-decent but like you say priced as if new. Funny because the shop is listed on Google as some kind of charity shop. First thing I'm really after is a sofa that will convert to a bed.

Thanks, Craig's List I hadn't thought of, but I did have a look on FB Marketplace. I don't know JJ Market, I'm guessing BKK?

Years back BahtSold seemed to be a good source for buying and selling here in Thailand, but now when searching, tumbleweed rolls across my screen. I'm particularly after some furniture, 2nd hand is fine but just need to know the best places to look online. I've done the legwork, shops selling new, and 2nd hand shops, but just wondered if buying privately would give me more options. At some point I'll be looking at posting some ads too.

I can't see the info on any SMS, but does this answer you? It was option 4 I chose by the way.

Very handy info, thank you.

Just to wrap this thread up can I say thanks to everyone for their input. For info purposes: The sim arrived and the instructions were to add the seller to Line. Once there the seller answered me in English and gave me an account number at Kasikorn bank. I was to transfer 320 baht, then send him a copy of the bank receipt, a pic of my passport, a pic of the barcode on the sim packaging and to notify which package I wanted. Once I did this, and within minutes, he had worked his magic and the sim was loaded and working. No short codes, or visit to a True shop. He said I can do the same for as long as I need it, so next month will be sorted too, and as long as I can keep extending the validity whilst not in Thailand, it should be valid for next trip too. So, other sellers may use different methods, but this works well for me, 320 baht (plus 35 baht bank fee) for 30 days of reliable internet at home or out and about.

For anyone else finding this and with the same problem.... I saw a similar awning while out and about and with a phone number on it (089-0443358). A Thai speaker called them up for me and he came this afternoon and fixed it. 1 and a half hours of work, supply of some new rope and a pulley wheel, and job done. 2k baht which I thought was a bit heavy, but at least I've got fresh air and light back in my condo.

Thanks, I think. So, surely all sim cards have to be registered, like when you have to show your passport when buying a simcard in a shop? It sounds a bit too easy and open to abuse from those who don't want to be traced. Looking at the translation below, I think option 4 would better suit me, especially as it says it won't auto-renew. A month to month deal rather than 3 months with auto-renewal. I guess there would be different short codes for the different options?