GreenSnapper

Love it.

DTAC sells a 3G card which cannot be used with DTAC 3G.

This is Thailand.

I have crappy power in BKK, goes off every week.

But never lost any device so far. Computer is attached to an UPS, but chargers and other devices are unprotected.

Does anybody here seriously suggest a 50 years old man should have a girlfriend of similar age?

You should get some clue how nature works.

Men age like wine.

Women age like milk.

Try a soapy am sure you will like that massage Haha

What's a soapy?

A variant you cannot have at Wat Po.

Set up a smartphone as wifi hotspot. Most phones can do that nowadays.

Then you tether the iPad to the phone and have internet.

Internet packages are cheap in Thailand. But if in Buriram, there is a good chance that 3G is not available. Then you are out of luck with Skype. Email and slow browsing is still possible.

Regardless, Nokia's maps, especially in navigation is miles ahead. I've downloaded most of the android map apps and nothing comes close on navigation.

So if your priority is maps and navigation get Nokia.

If your not fan of Symbian for some reason then get the new Nokia Lumia with Windows Phone. They have separated the map and navi apps which is nice. As standard you get Maps which i believe is based on Microsoft Bing maps? and you also get Nokia Maps which is the good quality Nokia maps done by Navteq? And last you get Nokia Drive which is navigation app designed for use in the car with clear large controls to be used when driving.

Nothing I've seen on Android or iPhone comes close.

A while ago, Nokia bought Navteq and Nokia Maps are based on Navteq maps and software.

It cannot be compared to the free solutions based on google. I used Nokia Maps in Thailand an Malaysia, and recently in Europe. A proper navigation system which alone justifies the price of your mobile phone.

In Europe, you also get free traffic information and routing. So when there is a traffic jam, it will automatically change the routing.

The most important phone service I need, phone calls, my 1000 baht Nokia provides. Surfing the internet and posting pictures and videos right after I take them would be fun but isn't essential to my lifestyle. The only smartphone capability I'd really like is GPS with a user-friendly map feature.

Then get a Nokia. All of the newer Smartphones come with free *offline* navigation. Maps from many countries in the world (including Thailand) come free too and get regular updates.

Mapping on Android is either a costly add-on or use the free google maps which cannot compare (online connection needed).

Anyway, don't make your decision on what people say is "cool", but on your requirements.

I believe all models of iPhone, from the original right up to iPhone4S are quad-band: 850 900 1800 1900 MHz. The only thing that might be "crippled" is 3G+ (HSPA?) in that the hardware on iPhones (except 4S) are limited to 7.2Mbps.

iPhone 4 has the following 3G bands: 850, 900, 1900, 2100

And is fully compatible with present and future Thai providers. As within most of Asia.

The iPhone is one of the rare devices which support modern 3G connectivity. When you buy a phone, always make sure it supports quad-band or penta-band 3G.

Tgfone may be easier to umderstand. Official mall prices.

http://www.tgfone.com/main.php

The problem is, it's hard to know what horses to bet on, in terms of choosing a service provider...

I'm thinking of switching back to just a base calling plan with either AIS or True, and then using one of their 99 baht or 100 baht unlimited wifi add-ons.... But there are still areas where you might not get a wifi connection from your chosen provider... So having at least some Edge or 3G still is an issue.

I used to be quite a "wifi man". In the past, you could use TRUE hotspots for free if you are a ADSL customer. That seems to be abolished, though.

Now I'm glad to have DTAC as a 3G solution at least in BKK. It is so much easier and comfortable than wifi. I tested it up the north to Chaeng Wattana, and south/east to Bearing. Coverage is quite good from my experience, speed too.

If you are still in an Edge-only area, you shall consider Opera Mini as your browser, as it compresses your data and speeds up the browsing experience.

It is still quite a mess here in Thailand. It is still a long way that the big companies offer country-wide 3G.

You call research 1 condo?

great job.

<deleted> would want to live in Singapore or tokyo ?

I'm giving you some examples.

But with your lack of any experience about Europe, Singapore or Tokyo, it is better to stop this fruitless discussion.

The only one I like is the head/shoulder..or a massage from my GF just on the back

I wouldn't call it "back" , but other than that, you are right.

I don't like their massage.

And as most things Thai, I have severe doubts about their professionality considering there is a massaaaa shop every 10 meter or so.

I'm paying for my own True DSL and True Cable Internet services at home in BKK, plus running my own home wifi network. So I really don't need or use great volumes of 3G data most of the time. I just want to have SOME reasonable, usable data service when I'm away from home on travel or other things. I'm not looking for 3G to become my main data provider.

Exactly my setup here in BKK too.

I use 20 hours DTAC-3G for 100 Bt/month. Use it only when outside the home and the phone drops connection when I internet is not needed. Perfect and cheap for me.

Of course, outside of BKK I'm in the 3G-jungle again.

DTAC, however, offers excellent 3G packages for prepaid customers. I've gotten uninterrupted 3G all over Bangkok so there is really no reason to even switch to the more unsecure wifi other than let's say streaming and torrents.

You definition of BKK is pretty limited...... Go no further North than victory monument and ur in no mans land.

Nonsense. Perfect 3G with DTAC even at chaeng wattana.

Thai has no problem with 'Sub prime', more with 'sub standard'.

30 years in a condo and you will have a minuscule portion of the land when it collapses (i mean when it is demolished).

This is exactly the point.

In my home country, I can buy new condos at good location for similar prices as in lower Suk. But these are of high quality and will be properly maintained. 20 years later, these condos will still have considerable value.

where do you live, Albania?

certainly not in any of the worlds capitols.

Asia is booming with real estate growth whilst the west crumbles. I pity all those that recommended buying property outside of Thailand in 2007. I hope those guys bought in the states only to see their wealth disappear overnight, but they dont post here anymore.

You may do some research about condo prices in Northern Europe and Thailand. And not only about prices, but also about built quality.

Nobody stops you to pay the price of a BMW for a Lada. But most people would prefer the BMW.

Last time I checked a condo in BKK, it was 15 Million Baht, 100 sqm, toilet stinking due to faulty plumming and the cheapest kitchen you can think of.

Who buys such crap?

1. Wealthy Thais with no clues.

2. Wealthy farangs with no clues.

3. Wealthy Chinese with no clues.

There is a high demand for condos in BKK. But not for first world prices and third world standards. 90% of the people here can afford 5000 Baht for rent or payment.

That's why the market here is doomed. If you want to invest in Asia, buy in Tokyo or Singapore. In both cities the average population can afford an average condo.

is it padlike? or phone like? or a hybrid and not good for either?

Or is it simply the best of both worlds.

It looks a bit weird phoning with such a brick.

But then I see people taking photos with an iPad - that is really weird!

If you want to be flexible with 3G abroad and the different carriers in Thailand, you need at least a quadband, better pentaband, 3G phone.

This means, you either get a top model Android, which will be around 18-20K Baht, a iPhone, or a newer Nokia model.

Forget about all those midrange Androids, they look nice on the surface, but have lots of limitations especially when it comes to carriers and/or connectivity.

If the smallish display (3.5") is no problem for you, the Nokia 701 for around 11K Baht is still the best deal available here. Best connectivity and all 3G bands you need in TH or US.

"The LG Optimus Chic E720b is powered by a 600Mhz processor with 150MB of internal memory, and comes preloaded with Android 2.2 Froyo. This device is compatible with dual band HSPA 850/1900, and quad band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 frequencies."

This seems to be a modified device. The 3G bands are only 850/1900, the rest are GSM bands which are fine with speech and slow edge internet.

This phone will work with DTAC and TRUE 3G, but 3G will not work with AIS/TOT or in Malaysia and other Asian countries.

Anyway, for approx 2000 Baht it is still a very good deal you cannot get here in Thailand.

Thai has no problem with 'Sub prime', more with 'sub standard'.

30 years in a condo and you will have a minuscule portion of the land when it collapses (i mean when it is demolished).

This is exactly the point.

In my home country, I can buy new condos at good location for similar prices as in lower Suk. But these are of high quality and will be properly maintained. 20 years later, these condos will still have considerable value.

Different in Bangkok. New condos are built by uneducated Burmese workers. Even the plumbing is often faulty, despite the high prices. 20 years later, these will be just trash - or slums for the lower classes.

I have seen formerly luxury condos in Bangkok which are trash after only 10 years.

So when you calculate the income you may gain from buying a condo, do not just calculate rents, but also calculate loss of value. No Thai would buy an older condo in slum-state, when he can buy a new one. You basically cannot sell it after it is run down, or only for great budget prices.

more than 20% more expensive than in Europe.

But Thailand seems to be a COMMUNIST country with fixed prices and no price-competition at all, all shops charge same standard price.

luckily I still travel to my European home country once or twice per yer, where I can get all those Gadgets at reasonable rates and not pay over the top as I would have to in Thailand (as well as Malaysia, SG, Indonesia......)

Actually most mobile phones here are similar or cheaper priced than in Europe.

But it is true, there is a monopoly which imposes fixed prices almost everywhere.

You can get some discounts in trash shops as in MBK, but then often these are returned wares or grey imports from Hongkong. I would not buy there to save 1000 Baht or so - warranty issues an dealers suddenly cannot speak English if you have problems.

I ended up purchasing a new LG Optimus Chic online here in Canada. It was going for a good price, the equivalent of 1875 baht including taxes. Once it gets delivered I can then get it unlocked through ebay for about 90 baht. When my wife travels back to Thailand next year to see her parents for a few weeks, she'll now have her own phone, without having to borrow from relatives, and I have a way of contacting her by phone. Will have to add Skype to the new phone. Another plus, anywhere she can find a free wi-fi hotspot in Thailand, she'll now have access to e-mail, without having to go out and find an internet cafe. Once she purchases a new sim card in Thailand she'll have

850/900/1800/1900 bandwidths for 3G, so she'll be able to access DTAC and True on 850 MHZ or AIS on the 900 MHZ band.

3G frequencies are only 900/2100, thus cannot be used with True or DTAC.

Great price though.

http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_optimus_chic_e720-3494.php

Interest was paid in this morning

Here too.

Enough for today's dinner.

They are all routing, and that is good so.

Cheapest devices from Dlink, around 900B. Port forwarding no problem if you know how it is done. Otherwise ask an expert.

Sorry to keep this one alive.

I was in BKK recently, and could NOT have Gin Tonic in several bars, due to no more Tonic water.

Seems like bars with a big stock (or good replenishment system) survive.

Villa was full of Tonic yesterday.

Sorry but 50 sqm and 2 bedrooms

With family and kids no thanks.

Actually, in the new IKEA they have a model apartment, 2BR/50 sqm. Full with IKEA furnitures as a demonstration, how to fit 4 people into such a crammed space.

Nothing I would consider for a second, but interesting: "that's how many Thais live".