metice

The water in white opaque bottles is pretty bad. Tried it once and that was the end of that. Not sure how safe but the water tastes terrible. I don't take any chances. I buy H2O brand. It is more expensive (45B/18.9L) but safer. It's filtered, reverse osmosis, UV and ozone treated. The quality is consistent and they deliver weekly like clockwork.

Whereabouts are you? Do you need to phone them and order?

Well .... that was an interesting article ---> http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/over-half-of-water-vending-machines-in-bangkok-unsafe-to-drink

Personally I use the big opaque bottles for boiling(coffee and veg), and 6 pack from Makro for drinking (about 45 baht)

I used the vending machines when living in Bangkok. I don't remember being sick but it makes you wonder about the long term effects and build up of harmful substances.

The taste from some of the opaque bottles over the last few months has been so bad I couldn't even use it for coffee. Would like to know what causes it!

I guess you get your water from The Green Water Company in Kata. And yes, the water quality can wary quite a bit depending on the filtering quality control.

I suggest you find one of these coin operated water vending machines. You need to take your own plastic bottles. Works by osmosis technique, quite safe to drink.

Do you mean the vending machines that you often see in apartment blocks? I remember reading an article a few weeks back that over 90% that were tested in Bangkok failed water quality tests. 30% also had rusty valves!

Are there other companies that deliver? I've heard that Seahorse and SPA are better, albeit a little more expensive. Not sure if they are in this area, though.

I've been using the large opaque bottles that get delivered on a pickup, but recently the taste has been alarmingly bad. I guess for 10 Baht you can't complain too much, but I wonder what long term harm it might be doing. I'm not sure how it's produced but there are definitely some quality issues. I was wondering what other options might be available in the area? I'd rather avoid the over-priced bottled water from the shops if possible.

Kata beach has recently been cleaned. Yesterday it was looking as good as it has done during the whole monsoon. Pictures to prove your point otherwise I think you're off the mark with your observation

 

And before it was ?
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It had the aroma of pidgeon/rat shit. Somehow they imported that smell to every mini supercheap.

 

They didn't have to import them for my local store. The rat I saw running around inside the shop was probably local bred

Anyone know where I can buy mustard seeds in Phuket? I've looked in Makro (Chalong) and Villa (they did have some but outrageous price)

Can anyone recommend a good camera shop that can service and clean an old (but valuable) Leica lens? I think it needs taking apart as there appears to be dirt inside. Not sure how difficult this is.

No news here; just putting a positive spin on the findings. What the author should also consider is the rise/fall in ranking. The highest ranking Thai unis are always just outside the top 200

I saw an article in the Phuket News saying there are going to be changes to the non-immigrant visas that volunteers have if working for a foundation or charity. This would involve applying for an extension every 90 days (and paying the 1,900 Baht fee). Any truth in this? I haven't been able to find out anything else.

I've just ordered one on ebay. Very cheap (albeit from China). No import tax if less thean 1000 Baht. Free shipping. If it's no good, throw it away. Cost is less than 200 Baht

Howabout setting up a group using meetup.com. I'm surprised there aren't any active groups in the Phuket area; Bangkok has many and they appear to be very successful. From sports to photography to computer games! Who wants to try one here?

"Mr Tum was rescued by beach lifeguards after getting into difficulty, and was taken unconscious to Patong Hospital"

Unfortunately, he wasn't rescued otherwise he may well still be alive. How can this happen at the busiest section of the beach where there are more lifeguards than anywhere else? Apparently he was dead when he was pulled from the water. Another needless drowning. RIP

Food labelling won't change anything. Just look at the health-related diet problems in America. It's about education and choice. If you want to avoid an excess of sugar and salt, don't eat processed foods and learn to cook!

There's an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables available throughout the country. The biggest concern is the pesticides that are used liberally. Thais use chemicals that are banned in other countries food for export has to meet higher safety standards. Organic produce is still hard to find and too expensive.

I was also searching for RC hobby shops in Phuket for a Phantom but found none. The best options I could find were in Bangkok, or a couple of established Chinese companies that seem quite reliable. Where did you buy yours? Do you use it for photography?

I did think about Ebay but I worry about the greedy customs officials and how much they would charge. Any experience with this?

I'm trying to get hold of a Canon 50D - it's about 5 years old so I don't think any of the normal camera shops will stock it new. I haven't been able to find anyting on classifieds. I was wondering if there were any shops in Phuket that might sell it secondhand?

My question is - is the monsoon always like this in Phuket??

I recently moved form Bangkok. Two last rainy seasons there were most of the time...nice and sunny. A rain or two a day and that's it. But what I see in Phuket for the last few days is depressing.

cheers!

It's exactly the same paperwork and cost for Thai and Farang.

1. Paperwork is copy of Thai ID and copy of Tabian Baan

2. Yes, riding test on the track.

3. I paid for the use of a motor bike taxi waiting at the licence center gate. 100 baht.

4. Cost same as a farang, can't remember, something like 200 baht for just the m/bike licence.

Is there anything I need to learn about beforehand?

Thanks for that. I originally thought the figures you had quoted earlier were for an aerated pond because they seem densly stocked.

I was also wondering for a set up like this (or a smaller version), if you need a water change during the growing cycle or between cycles?

50% water change when water is foul during growing cycle, usually twice.

Thanks for that. I originally thought the figures you had quoted earlier were for an aerated pond because they seem densly stocked.

I was also wondering for a set up like this (or a smaller version), if you need a water change during the growing cycle or between cycles?