SurfRider

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Goodbye Songkran 2014 สวัสดีครับ

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Road death toll in Thailand among highest in the world

According to Wikipedia, Thailand averages 38.1 deaths per 100,000 people annually (another source places the figure a 19.9 per 100,000). With an estimated 2014 population of 67,790,616, simple calculations put the normal average weekly death toll at around 497 deaths per week.

If the published stats of 321 deaths in last years Songkran are correct, Songkran week has considerably less than the normal average weekly death rate of 497 people. I find these calculations extremely difficult to believe - given all the hype that goes into media reporting of the savage death toll on the highways of Thailand during Songkran.

According to the 2011 World Road Statistics, Thailand was one of the top five countries with the highest number of motorcycle-related deaths. One source reports: Of those killed, up to 70 or 80 per cent are motorcyclists or their passengers. Key causes for the deaths were speeding, drunk driving or the failure to wear safety belts or crash helmets. Last year, a survey showed that only about 28% of teenage motorcyclists and about 49% of adults wore helmets. Bangkok had the highest number, or 80% of helmet wearers, while only 20% of motorcyclists in Beung Kan, Lamphun, Chaiyaphum, Narathiwat and Nakhon Phanom were found wearing helmets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-related_death_rate
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A Little More Random Mayhem

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More Pattaya Mayhem - Past and Present

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The Land of Songkran Smiles - Faces in the Crowd - Are we having fun yet?

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More Mayhem, Past and Present - Pattaya Songkran

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Random Mayhem from Past Pattaya Songkrans . . .

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"the postman doesn't feel like lugging them about ... I become suspicious about where/when they were sourced especially when the package insert is in Hindi or Burmese"

The Bangkok pharmacy sells only legitimate meds, sourced from the same wholesalers as Fascino or any quality pharmacy. Their shop is much larger than anything you'll find in Pattaya. Myself and other friends who use this pharmacy have never had any problems with them or their products. The meds are sent via EMS (Thailand's Express Mail Service). Your local postman is NOT in the loop. Deliveries are via motor courier, same as EMS all over Thailand.

You shouldn't randomly bash something that you obviously know nothing about.
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"Fascino is still 20-30% more expensive than the Chinese Wholesale Pharmacies in Bangkok"

Check with S.C. Pharmacy in Silom. You can order via eMail or via the "LINE" app on your phone.

Ask for "Mai". Phone: 022-330-223 - eMail: [email protected] - Pay via Bank Transfer

Prices considerably cheaper than anything I've found in Pattaya. Overall, I save about 12K Baht per year. They will ship via EMS - two day delivery to your residence.

http://www.farangfriendly.com/s-c-drugstore-silom-road
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Must be the type of Safe you have. Mine is electronic and he wanted 500. I offered 400 (lot noi dai mai) and he agreed. He also replaced the manual lock for another 400. I thought it was a good deal, especially since he arrived only 30 minutes after I called.
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My Sophon modem runs a bit warm to the touch, but the power supply does not. I've never had a problem with either in 3 years. Sounds like you should replace the modem. They will give you a swap for free. You should also have your modem power supply running off of a UPS to avoid the famous local power surges.

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It it's still there, there is a business - something like "Pattaya Key and Safe" on the Soi off of Second Rd. that runs in back of the large school yard on the south-east corner of Pattaya Tai and 2nd Rd. He charges around 500 Baht,. Last phone number I had for him is 089-252-9830 - his English if pretty good.
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I notice this supplement has been discussed quite a bit on ThaiVisa. Anyone know of a source in Pattaya / Jomtien?

http://thaifoodandtravel.com/blog/moringa-marum/
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"Why is there no technology to warn bus and lorry drivers when they are about to fall asleep?"

There are many such devices, but I guess 300 Baht is just too much to spend . . .

http://www.amazon.com/Alert-Safety-Driver-Alarm-Awake/sim/B003NXS79W/2

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Has anyone seen a device of this type in Thailand? Is there any source of same or similar product in Asia?

ChiliPad is a mattress pad with a cooling and heating temperature control system. It regulates the surface temperature of your mattress by actively circulating water through a network of micro tubes.

"I also read about the same time that PB had changed it's URL due to major browser's agreeing to block it"

Any of these should access PB

http://thepiratebay.org

http://thepiratebay.se

http://194.71.107.27

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You might want to try installing this HOSTS file if you're running a PC (don't know if they have the same for MAC). I've used it for years and wouldn't be without it.

It blocks MANY unwanted gremlins. I use PB daily and see no pop-ups or static ads. You may need to edit the HOSTS file if it blocks something that you don't want blocked.

http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

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Left and Right Driving Countries

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For people who want to be assured of identifying themselves as a local Expat, you can get a life-time membership card at the Pattaya Expats Club for 600 Baht - It's good for discounts at many businesses, hospitals, and restaurants around town - ranging from 10% to 20%.  I paid for mine in less than a year of discounts.  A list of many of the businesses granting discounts is on their website.

Here's the info from their website: 

  
Life Membership is just 600 Baht and only by personal application at any meeting of the Club.  This one-time joining fee provides a Photo-ID Card – no renewals needed, and offers many member services,entry to our weekly lucky draw, discounts from area businesses as well.  Bring two very small photos and your card will be prepared and laminated right away by our club staff. Our membership table is open from 1030am until 1130am. Have you lost your PEC Life Member Card?  We can trace records in our database and via paper application forms, to re-issue a card, for a service fee of 100 Baht.

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Google will do that.

https://support.google.com/chat/answer/106015?hl=en

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I use this Internet faxing service - Free to the USA for three pages or less daily - reasonable rates for International.

http://www.gotfreefax.com/

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Did he say if he also makes non-leather type shoes, like running or walking shoes?

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"head towards the fish market/ Lan Pho"

Thanks, but I don't know anything about Naklua.

I seem to remember a tree somewhere in the middle of the road - is it before or after that? Any other landmarks?

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