mild7even

Thanks for the replies. The broken iPad screen was handled at iCare at Airport Plaza. iPad was purchased from the online Apple Store Thailand, together with AppleCare+. Covered under the accidental damage terms of AppleCare+, with co-pay of around 1600 baht. Sent away for around a week and received it back.

I know there are Apple stores in Bangkok, but are there any Apple authorized service centers in Chiang Mai that can do repairs under AppleCare+? Or do people rely on parcel service to get it to Apple? Thanks.

Will be out Chiang Mai way this December and looking for potential locations for (legal) stunt driving or racing, using a car (not motorcycle). Looking to do and film maneuvers such as j turns, emergency lane changes, emergency braking, demonstrations of vehicle dynamics, advanced vehicle handling techniques, etc. No vehicle to vehicle (or other) impacts. Need a large, flat, paved area that can be closed off. Bonus if area is suitable for aerial drone filming. Any vehicle clubs or such that have an area available?

And of course I anticipate many answers about how driving on Chiang Mai roads includes all of the above. But no, looking for a controlled/closable area for safety reasons.

Thanks. The Delta website has an unaccompanied minor form, as well as other documentation requirements.

But no other info on Thai immigration requirements? Just want to make sure everything will be fine there too.

Thanks again!

Hi--I've search the forums and found some partial and dated information.

I would like to have my 12 year old son depart Chiang Mai airport and fly to the US, probably on a Delta Airlines ticket. The flight from Chiang Mai would be with Korean, but code shared with Delta. His mother (Thai) will see him off at the airport. He is a dual US/Thai citizen.

What kind of paperwork does he need to clear immigration? I have heard about a notarized statement from the parents. Is there a standard format? Anything else he requires?

I understand he will also need paperwork for Delta Airlines, and I can work with them on those requirements. But any recent experience anyone has on these kinds of issues is appreciated.

Thanks!

Apparently Jerusalem Falafel is now the Blue Mango, and the supposed new location south of it is not open. Is there another branch?

Seen any (good or decent) baclava in Chiang Mai?

Didn't feel like dealing with the crowds at Central Airport on a Sunday so went to PAE games as someone else here recommended. Googled it for an address and did a Google maps recon, found it straight away. A call ahead of time confirmed they had a dual voltage adapter for 750 baht and they let me test it in the shop (brought the Wii with me). Everything worked fine and I didn't feel like shopping around to see if I could save a few bucks so I bought it. The Wii is up and running now. Of course it is not the original Nintendo charger, but an after market. A search on the net reveals that dual voltage chargers like this can be had for about half the price, not including shipping to Thailand. And like I said, I didn't comparison shop in Chiang Mai, but the price seems reasonable.

If anybody else is searching for this topic because your Wii power adapter seems not to be working, try unplugging it from the Wii and the electricity for two minutes (another post I read said 30 min) and then try it again. The adapter may just need to reset. Mine was really dead even after this troubleshooting so I was happy to find it at PAE.

Thanks all for the replies. Pantip didn't have any but will try other shops.

FYI MrBrad, my adapter says '110 V", and therefore didn't plug it so it's not destroyed....

Ever find a place that sells the adapters? I have a 220V adapter (after market) that seems to have failed and need to replace it.

I am flying from Frankfurt to Bangkok, then connecting to Chiang Mai, all on Thai Air. My luggage should be booked all the way to Chiang Mai. It has been awhile since I did this but if memory serves... on getting off the plane, I should go to the international baggage claim, rather than domestic, to collect the bags and clear customs, yes?

Any recent experiences would be helpful--again, been awhile since I've flown into this airport and just want to make sure the people meeting me are at the right exit.

Thanks in advance!

Ok, I looked at the Thai embassy site and found a page of links of documents relating to passports. However, they are all in Thai. It has been years since I really studied--can anyone look at the attached form and see if that is the parental consent form?

Thanks!

child-pp.pdf

Suggest you contact the amphur, they can certify the signature also.

The passport should be enough, as that also carries the national ID-number. But might look strange as one must have an ID-card. If it is the non-Thai parent, the passport is certainly good enough as there is no Thai-ID card.

Yes, I think if I could go to the amphur, they would have a format ready for me to sign. However, I am not in Thailand and won't be back any time soon. I am prepared to sign the statement and have it notarized, but just need to know what the format is for the parental letter of consent. Any ideas? Anyone have a copy?

Thanks!

According to the MoFA site at http://www.mfa.go.th/web/473.php?id=3167, in order to get a Thai passport for a child, "A parental consent letter and a certified copy of the parent’s Citizenship I.D. Card of non-appearing parent".

Does anyone have an example of the parental consent letter? Is it a standard format that is required, or just a statement drafted out on any letterhead?

Also, for the "Citizenship ID Card", does a passport suffice?

I did a search of the forums and saw some discussion, but could not find the specific format for this letter. I am not in Thailand at the moment so any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

I might ad that the mall hours are 11:00 in the morning until 9:00 at night. I do not believe you can get in any earlier than that.

On the weekends it opens at 10:00.

You can get in earlier than that. The gym opens at 8 a.m., I think; and you can enter via the service door and elevator. There is a guard but you just say "California Wow" and he will let you pass.

Donate online to The Red Cross, they're a good organisation and you can specify the Tsunami relief.

I was thinking more along the lines of material items. i.e. cloths, toiletries, canned foods etc.

Money will be utilised much quicker.

And donations to the American Red Cross can often be matched by companies, doubling the amount you are giving.

http://dealnews.com/dealnews-Will-Match-Up-to-25-000-in-donations-for-Japan-Relief-updated-/443459.html

Okay, maybe an X-Centre staff is reading this or maybe somebody else knows.

I made a reservation via their website, and got no response; then tried calling their landline and mobile listed on the site and got no answer. They go out of business already? Or just taking a vacation around the new year? Or just not answering the phone?

This is a shot in the dark I know, but if anybody knows the scoop, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

7even

Ohh..strange. Hope you get some feedback on that.

I made the reservation for the 930 pick up this morning; and after assuming it was a no go due to no phone call, eventually got a phone call at around 950. Guy on the phone said he had just noticed my reservation in the system. Anyway, rescheduled for 1 pm pick up. Van showed up around 130.

Did the buggies on the trails, drifter carts, paintball, and zorb ball. Expensive but fun. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Watched someone else bungy jump and he looked like he had a good time. Drifter carts were the coolest.

7even

Okay, maybe an X-Centre staff is reading this or maybe somebody else knows.

I made a reservation via their website, and got no response; then tried calling their landline and mobile listed on the site and got no answer. They go out of business already? Or just taking a vacation around the new year? Or just not answering the phone?

This is a shot in the dark I know, but if anybody knows the scoop, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

7even

Respectfully disagree about Asian countries not doing coffee well. I speak only for Japan and Thailand, though. Japanese take most things seriously and coffee is no exception--have had some great cups there.

But as for Thailand... the scene is much better than in the mid- to late-90's. It used to be difficult to find a "fresh coffee", no matter the place. If you asked for coffee, you would get a cup of instant. You had to ask for "cafae sot" or fresh coffee to get fresh brewed. Now I think it is the other way around--ask for coffee, and generally you will get fresh brewed.

There are plenty of good cups here in Chiang Mai. As someone else mentioned, Perfect Blend is outstanding--I think they use good quality water, as well as beans and technique. And cheap, as well. Hopf (across from Irish Pub) I think also uses good water, not sure what kind of beans, but always get a good cup there. On the cheaper side as well. Both of these places have free WiFi too.

Yes, Starbucks can make a fine cup, if you know how to order.

Libernard is well known for coffee (look at a recent thread on overcharging); yes, their coffee is really good, though I wouldn't say the best in Thailand. The food items are good (green curry among the best), but it does take a long, long time to get your food.

Wawee makes a fine cup.

I always order an americano--it ensures the coffee was just brewed, and not sitting around.

The salesman would have had to switch the prices to screw up, in which case its not your fault. You agreed on that item at that price.

Yes of course. You could simply hold on to the device, and rest well in the knowledge that you relieved a lowly paid sales person of 2000 Baht. Great feeling, right?

Today you, tomorrow me... read this great story http://www.reddit.co...chhiker/c18z0z2

Awesome story!

Home or Premium is not more "robust" than Starter. They just have more features (that most home users don't need).

Laptops and PC's always come with a driver disk with the necessary drivers for the unit. There is no "tighter" functionality in an OEM version. OEM just means it comes without a glitzy box (and is cheaper).

Installing an OS on a Laptop or PC is a non-issue these days. If you're technologically challenged ask the vendor to install your OS for you. They should be happy to do it for free (+ the cost of a licensed OS if so required).

More features that most home users don't need--like using more than 2GB of RAM? The documentation I found says Starter can only use 2GB of RAM--so a computer with 4GB of RAM comes with an OS that only allows the use of 2GB? Sounds like Home and Professional are more "robust" on this account alone.

Anyway, I bought an HP with 2.8 ghz i5, 4GB of RAM, two extra 2GB RAM sticks, and a non-OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium. Salesman wanted to sell me an OEM version, but I specifically requested a non-OEM so I can preserve the ability to transfer it to another computer in the future.

The computer did not come with a drivers disk. Salesman told me drivers could be obtained from the HP website.

The first shop I was in said they wouldn't install the system; the shop I bought it from made the offer. They also offered to install the extra RAM.

However, I felt better installing the RAM and the OS myself and that's what I did. The system is working fine, with all 8GB of RAM recognized. Required a driver update for the 1GB ATI video card and the HP 23 inch LCD monitor in order to get all screen resolutions, but that was rather painless.

Other computers I have purchased in the past with an OEM version OS installed have had "tight" integration such as all components have proper drivers and full functionality. One example is the keyboard that was included with this computer. The multimedia keys don't work--the volume control, navigation keys--and drivers apparently don't exist for Windows 7. There is a hack to make Vista drivers work, but I don't need the hassle and will roll with what I have. I guess that's what I mean by "tighter" functionality.

To confirm it wasn't a scam by the installers, the wife went to the see the original salesman. He was very relieved, very appreciative that she came in--turns out he was the one who made the mistake and he was on the hook for it.

The heater we purchased was the one we were shown; the one that was originally installed; and the one on the receipt. But the salesman apparently just screwed it up and quoted/wrote up the wrong price.

We allowed the installers to come and remove the unit and replace it with the inferior model. The difference is negligible enough that it still suits our purposes.

Our karma is in good condition, and we accept that it was an honest mistake rather than a scam.

However, as someone else pointed out, what are they going to do with the unit that was already installed and used? The packaging was already destroyed even if it was only used for a couple days.

I am in the market for a flat screen TV and was set on Siam TV before this. But considering the amount of additional time I spent on the issue, and the lingering doubts as to the condition of equipment sold as "new", I will have to reconsider.

Thanks all for the input.

7even

Siam TV salesman showed us a hot water heater discounted from around 7000 baht to 5000 baht. Looked like a fine deal so we bought it.

Technicians came and installed it; hot water works, should be end of story.

However, after a couple days we start getting phone calls from Siam TV that they installed the wrong water heater and would send some techs by to remove it, and install the actual water heater we bought.

Techs show up and the water heater they have is an inferior model; they tell us if we want to keep the installed model, we have to pay another 2000 baht.

If it wasn't Siam TV (many purchases in the past with no problem) I would immediately say a scam.

What would you do?

Thanks in advance for any perspective....

I've seen one on Charoen Prathet road just north of Montfort. Looked like some serious kit, though I probably wouldn't know the difference. Popular with the kids so best to go before school is out.

Looking for a new computer suitable for productivity and some gaming so decided on a desktop rather than laptop. Browsing at Panthip and other big retailers in Chiang Mai and only finding computers with Windows 7 Starter, rather than more robust Home or Professional. Salesmen recommend a copy of Professional for around 5500 baht.

Why no Home or Professional preinstalled?

I can only assume because most people will buy a pirated version and install it themselves.

The problem I see is losing the tight functionality of an OEM version. Maybe driver issues. Also probably lose the full restore option that often comes a preinstalled version.

I guess the issue I have is--given a non-OEM version of Windows, anybody have success or issues with buyng a desktop computer (like HP) and then installing Windows?

In particular, I'm looking at an HP tower with Core i5 2.8ghz, 4 gb RAM, 1 TB HD, ATI Radeon 1GB video card.

Any and all insight is helpful, and thanks in advance!

Go to Central Airport to True, DTAC, and AIS - they all sell the iPhone 4. Supplies might still be tight, but then again, they might not be.

If all of these fail, walk over to the iPhone import shops and get yourself a HK iPhone. These are the cheapest (new) and factory unlocked. Just don't under any circumstances buy a hacked US phone... The grey market has a big oversupply right now so the prices should be cheaper than the official prices from True.

And no, you don't need to sign up for a contract at True/AIS/DTAC. You can just go and buy the phone.

Thanks... I'll have a look when I arrive next month...

I'm on an iPhone 3G that I bought in the states on contract, then brought over and had jailbroken/hacked at Central, but would rather go with unlocked so I can upgrade the software when I want... so definitely will go with an HK gray market. I'm going to Italy later this month and will try to find one there, though they are more expensive than most countries.

But anyway, thanks again...