dinga

5 hours ago, 007 RED said:

No problem....  My small scale solar system was a DIY job from beginning to end, with a lot of support from various forum members.

 

Location:  Approximately 25K west of Bangkok.

 

Panels = 4 off x Sunpal 415W mono half-cut panels.  Cost at time of purchase was 4K THB each (inc delivery), but better half managed to negotiate a discount which brought price down to 3.8K THB each.  Purchased from local shop.  FYI... according to recent reports on this forum the cost of solar panels has gone up quite considerably for some unknown reason.

 

Inverter = 1 off x Sofar 2200TL-G3 (Note: this is a GTI).  Cost 10K THB (inc delivery).  Purchased online directly with shop who included a CT (FOC) as it's not supplied with the inverter.

 

Mounting brackets:  20 off, 1.2mm thick stainless steel made by local 'tinsmith' from off cuts @ 50 THB each.

 

Ancillaries:  Isolator boxes (appropriate circuit breaker + surge arrestor), cable, MC4 plugs all ordered online via Shoppe.

 

Total cost = approximately 28K THB.

 

Based upon the past 3 months, the system is producing approximately 7 units per day and is achieving my original 'goal' of reducing my electricity bill by 75%.  All being well at this rate it should 'pay back' in about 3 years.

 

Hope this helps.

Great - thanks RED - certainly does help.  My aims are likewise modest - a similar setup will be the go for me.

Thanks again!

On 12/1/2021 at 2:13 PM, 007 RED said:

 

My 4 panel system has now been running on our car port roof for just over a month and has managed to produce 157kWh during November, despite rain and clouds most days during the month.   Nice to see the disc going clockwise occasionally, so I'm happy with this and looking forward to seeing a reduction in our bill on or about the 16th.

 

G'day Red  -  very interesting indeed.  Appreciate details of:

*  what is the output/wattage of each panel?

*  what was the total cost for your system - and the individual costs for (a) each of the solar panels; (b) each inverter (how many and what size each); (c) sundries?

*  was it a DIY job or did you have it installed?  If the latter, what was the cost?

*  did you buy the major items locally, or via the likes of Lazada?

*  where are you located

Thanks!

4 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

Charged with negligent driving? What does that even mean here?

A slap on the wrist and then told to not do it again?

 

R.I.P the the deceased.

Nah - Ordination here he comes (1 week'll do it)

On 11/1/2021 at 11:05 AM, dinga said:

Thanks so much Sheryl.  I have had quite a few of them at those earlier intervals, but sounds like I'd better move the next one forward pronto (in fact the last one was done 6 years ago).

 

 

Thanks again Sheryl - done & dusted; results in = piece of mind for another 5 years

On 12/3/2021 at 7:02 PM, Kiwithl said:

Get around don't you...

Maybe not.....(no ferry schedule yet for January...)

14 hours ago, malathione said:

Sounds like a great trip and I hope you'll post whatever information you find here, as well. I'll certainly follow it. The ferry might be touch and go, hard to tell for now. 

Indeed - figure it's better to go early on the ferry lest it has a limited lifespan....

As threatened, I'm now planning my next trip on the Mighty Enfield for a week or so in early January - this time to the South on a one-way ride, and return on the Songkla---Sattahip Ferry.

All suggestions / recommendations on routes, sights, accommodation, places to eat (etc) greatfully received.

Thanks!

Thanks again all for the great suggestions.  I arrived back home yesterday after 6 days and +2,200 Kms.  Great trip with the highlights being:

*. the ride along the Mekong from Sangkhom and passed Chiang Khan (and catching up with Kiwithi for a couple of beers)

* Khao Khao and Phu That Buek (simply stunning)

* winding roads through forests and National Parks

*. Being cold for the first couple of hours in the morning

Couple of perplexing things:

*. Wanted to see the Wat that was recommended (with photo) - Wat Pa Phu Are.  My GPS took me to a tiny and isolated Wat by that name.  Appreciate confirmation of the name for next time (not Wat Pa Phu Kon????)

* At various times the GPS indicated I was riding in the middle of the Mighty Kong...,.(thankfully not so)

Now looking to plan the next trip - no doubt I'll be seeking more advice from you guys.

best regards

Thanks so much for all the suggestions & comments (I've been somewhat silenced due to a still karked PC).

Anyhow, am off on Sunday on this pencilled-in itinerary:

*  Day 1:  Rayong Home --> Si Khio O/N  (bypassing Korat)  -  400 Kms

*  Day 2:  Si Khio -->  Chaiyaphum/Nam Nho NP/Tat Kloi/Phu Luang O/N  -  375 Kms

*  Day 3:  Phu Luang -->  Wat Pa Phu Ae/Tha Bo/ Sangkhom  O/N  -  300 Kms

*  Days 4 & 5:  Sangkhom -->  Chiang Khan/Huai Tio/ Khao Kho/Phu Thap Buek  -  420 Kms

*  Day 6:  Phu Thap Buek -->  Petchabun/Korat  -  360 Kms

*  Day 7:  Korat -->  Rayong Home  -  340 Kms

Some 2,200 Kms (but it's always longer than planned),  Should be great - starting to feel a bit excited

On 11/3/2021 at 11:48 PM, Ashokan said:

I also received quotes from AA for ACS and April, April also being a French company with a presence in Thailand. Looking at Cigna as well as they are similarly priced. The ACS experiences above from Mark and phetphet are quite helpful. 

 

Anyone have experiences to share with April or Cigna, good or bad?

Don't think it's a concern about being French (in relation to Allianz, I had a bad experience with it and it's partner David Shield/Passport Card when they decided to close down an affiliate named Hautevlle -  under UK rules - and "invited" existing customers to move to an EU-governed  policy.  Premiums skyrocketed a year or two thereafter.....).  I said adieu and have coverage now with April International

17 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

Not really. I am quite surprised by the 5-10 year recommendation for colonoscopy.

 

"Any patient who has had curative surgery for a polyp or colorectal cancer has approximately double the risk for developing new polyps. These patients need to have their first colonoscopies 1 year after surgery, a follow-up colonoscopy 3 years later, and subsequent colonoscopies at no less than 5-year intervals. If any new polyps or lesions are found, patient surveillance should be modified appropriately."

https://fascrs.org/patients/diseases-and-conditions/a-z/colon-and-rectal-cancer-follow-up-care-expanded-ve

Thanks so much Sheryl.  I have had quite a few of them at those earlier intervals, but sounds like I'd better move the next one forward pronto (in fact the last one was done 6 years ago).

On 10/29/2021 at 5:46 PM, Sheryl said:

 

Except for  PSA, absolutely not worthwhile - none of these tests are suitable for cancer screening. Many false negatives and also positives due to conditions other than cancer. Private hospitals love these tests as they lead to a lot of other, expensive (and often unnecessray) tests.Not a single public health authority in the world recommends AFP, CEA and CA-199 for mass screening.

Thanks Sheryl.  Appreciate some more general advice.  In 2005, I had bowel cancer which was excised, and I underwent radiation & chemo treatment - thus far as is good with no re-occurance.

Colonoscopies were recommended every 5-10 years (I'm now working on 7 years since the last one), and I check CEA levels every 6 months (I've dispensed with the annual specialist's visit to Bkk and finger up the coit).  Does that approach sound half reasonable?     

G'day

Now looking to undertake Trip 2 on my Enfield.  In the continued absence of Trip Reports in this Forum, appreciate any advice/recommendations including tourist spots and accommodation:

*  am thinking I will take my time (as usual). Can include extra days as timings are pretty flexible

*  Day 1:  Ride Rayong to Korat - O/N

*  Day 2:  Ride to Nong Khai - O/N

*  Day 3:  Ride along the Mekong to Chiang Khan (O/N there or Loei)

*  Day 4:  Ride to Pitsanulok - O/N

*  Day 5:  Ride to Petchabun - O/N there or somewhere another 150km or so closer to Rayong (any suggestions???)

*  Day 6:  Ride to home in Rayong 

Thanks (previous suggestions about my 1st trip were very helpful)

13 hours ago, Olmate said:

Says who

Oh dear, Sherlock

43 minutes ago, tonray said:

Oh dear.. The sky is falling once again on ThaiVisa...when will the misery end ?

Hardly -  it's reality.  Don't bother posting inane comments - just a waste of time to read them 

In answer to the OP's simple question:

*  Yes - I am a Non-Resident for tax purposes, and have maintained a number of bank (and TD) accounts over the years - main one being with CBA.  For all accounts, recorded as Non-Resident, with a Thai address and any interest is subject to deduction of final (withholding) tax

4 hours ago, LoeiI said:

I'm just looking at a quote from April international through AA, just a couple of questions, are April an International company (as the name suggests) or a Thai company and if you develop a condition during the term of the policy would this become a pre existing condition for the remainder of the policy term or upon renewal or both or neither ? I'm quite confused 

Thanks for any replies

Confirm with AA.  But as I (or rather Professor Google) understand it:

• April International is a an international insurance services group created in 1988 - the leader of french wholesale brokers with € 1,017.3 million in sales in 2019

I also understand that "pre-existing" means 'existing at the time you 1st enter into an insurance agreement with April Int'.  IT DOES NOT include any conditions that develop subsequently.  Apart from being illegal, just imagine how folks in the EU (and especially the French) would react if a company tried to pull that stunt.

13 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

As David Shield are the only insurer that I know of who will actually cover my pre-existing condition, I will stick with them as it's cost for the premium vs the outlay/benefit suites my situation thanks.

 

 

Of course - everyone's circumstance is different.  Coverage for pre-existing conditions (or not) are a major consideration.  In my case - after some dramas with very large proposed DS/Passport Card premium increases - April International offered not just very competitive premiums (both current and projected) as well as optional coverage for existing conditions at a 25% loading.  

In summary - see if options are available that meet your personal circumstances (there is no "one size fits all")  

On 10/14/2021 at 3:27 PM, 4MyEgo said:

David Shield through AA Insurance Brokers, I am heading out for a few hours now, if you would like the contact I deal with, PM me and I will provide the details to you, all done via email for me, no pressure, no sale pitches whereas the others were just contractors who said they worked for the companies, but did not, commission, commission, commission, which I don't mind, but one lie is enough for me to move on,  

Suggest you get AA to give you the Comparative Premium table, showing current premiums against Age Categories for a lot of Insurance Policies.  I had an unwelcome experience with David Shield/Passport Card premium increases when the underwriter, Allianz, closed its previous UK-based Affiliate and moved clients onto policies subject to EU requirements for its French-based Affiliate.  

On 9/28/2021 at 5:38 PM, dinga said:

Thanks everyone (especially Banana7).  I've ordered a replacement S/S tank via Lazada - hopefully that'll keep the pump operating for a few more

years.

Update:  Replacement S/S tank arrived in a couple of days, and has now been fitted and the pump reconnected.  Famous last words I know, but everything is performing perfectly (long may that continue).

Thanks again for saving me around 7k !!!!

Thanks everyone (especially Banana7).  I've ordered a replacement S/S tank via Lazada - hopefully that'll keep the pump operating for a few more

years.