sidelines

Thanks for the update, Hullupullo. Can you tell me what package you are on, Gold? And apart from RTL/CBS entertainment what other "new channels" are availalble?

Hullupullo...first I had read/heard about registration. I have a Gold Package and after the upgrade do not have RTL/CBS entertainment on channel 143? I phoned Truevisions and they could not explain why. Nor could they inform me what other new channels were online and when the "future" channels would come onstream. I was told that a "new company" - TVG Group - were taking over management of the HD channels and that was the reason existing customers were being asked to register. The only registration document I can find is in Thai and don't want to commit myself without reading the small print. And before people ask why I am sticking with Truevisions, I paid for a year's subscription.

Thanks, but it is a different model number - samsung hd-s200s user guide.

Irregularly, and probably stupidly, I took my Truevisions HD set top box with me to Chiang Rai when I moved (there was a True dish on the roof so set up was simple). I never registered the move with True for various reasons.

For more than a year now, I have paid the bill at True in Central Department store, Chiang Rai, no questions asked.

But then the remote packed in and the people at True in Chiang Rai would not exchange it or let me buy a replacement and told me I had to get a new one in Bangkok.

Don't want to get into another anti-True rant - waste of effort - but would like some advice.

I bought a universal remote at Power Buy (the only one they had in stock) in hope, more than expectation, that it would work.

The HD box is manufactured by Samsung and the universal remote is stamped RM 411 (a cheapo, yes, but only one they had)

I have tried all the combinations I can think of with no luck and automatic code search also fruitless

Long shot but anybody out there know the four-number code I should be using?

John G....they don't.

S Package, an extra 290 baht

M Package, an extra 580 baht.

The free package is Thai terrestrial TV stations and other programming in Thai.

Many thanks, that is what I suspected - will get on to TOT and follow your advice about asking for them to send a technician.

Looking for a bit of guidance as I am getting nowhere with TOT call center.

Recently, I was "upgraded" from a 7Mbps package to a 10Mbps/512Kbps package and the change is reflected in my bill. However, the data on my TOT TP link has not changed.

Here are the numbers...do they look correct for a 10Mbps/512Kbps package. Thanks.

Downstream Upstream

SNR Margin 23.5 26.0 db

Line Attenuation 7.5 6.5 db

Data Rate 7168 512 kbps

Max Rate 12400 1216 kbps

POWER 17.5 12.0 dbm

CRC 0 5

A very poor argument.

If I forked out an extra 45 baht a week for everything my daughter would like in life, everything my wife would like in life and everything i would like in life, I would be penniless.

My daughter watches cartoons - including Disney material - on TV, on DVD, on youtube, you name it. Disney Thailand, free, would be a good add on but no I am not paying for it. Same as I am not paying extra for the BBC package etc.

The whole point of the post was the ordinariness of Truevisions service especially at a time when many of their customers must be looking elsewhere, with the loss of the EPL. The debate seems to have turned into my perceived stinginess, which I should have seen coming.

You miss the point, Alfredo. Truevisions advertised in April, and still claim on their website, that Disney Thailand would be available to Gold Package subscribers on July 1. Why, in that case, should I fork out 180 baht when I was told it was going to be free in two months. Also 180 baht is a big deal over and above the 1750 + baht I pay already.

Sigh.

You would think that Truevisions would have upped their game to hold onto what customers they have after losing the EPL football, but no.

They announced via an English press release in April that they were introducing 11 new standard definition channels, including "Disney (Thailand) Channel in July", for Gold Package subscribers.

At the time I was considering whether or not to stick with them, given the loss of the English football, and with young children thought I may as well wait the few months to see what the Disney (Thailand) Channel lineup was like.

I was informed that "in July" was actually July 1 but that date came and went and zip.

So today I phoned and was told that the introduction of Disney Channel "has been delayed by contractual problems" until September.

When I told the rep on the phone that the lineup for the Gold Package on their website included Disney Channel she gayly told me that it was available "technically".

On passing on the news to my five-year-old who was hoping beyond hope to watch "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" which is airing on Disney Channel as I write this, she summed up TrueVisions far better that I could..."Daddy, they are evil."

Actually, 'most' a bit of an exaggeration as no Fox Sports, Star Sports or the main film channels. But kid happy with Cartoon Network which is the main thing.

Not a huge fan of Truevisions and still deciding whether or not to drop them or downgrade from my Gold package when EPL season finishes but they are making a bit of an effort (mainly, it has to be said, because they have lost the EPL rights).

I tried unsuccessfully to register for TV Anywhere a few weeks back via True 3G H but the system was re-launched today with those with Platinum and Gold packages receiving a one year's "free trial".

Anyway, Truevisions customer service contacted me today and invited me to register for the new service.

Bit of a hassle as I had to download the TV Anywhere App from the Thailand Itunes store which I was not registered with. But did this and after entering my True ID (which I created last week during my first aborted attempt to register to the system) and smart card number, most of the non HD Gold package channels were available to me on my Ipad via WiFi or 3G.

Bit of a boon if you are travelling but not sure if it is enough incentive to stay with True.

Word of caution, some of the instructions in the set up are in Thai.

Well, maybe it's an issue for Asia's first Major champion judging by this tweet.

“@betweenputts: @Y_E_Yang And the air far more smokey, pack a face mask.”observation of the week

Well, I watched some of the first round on television (True Sports 4) and nary a word about the smog although it was obvious from the pictures that Alpine Golf Resort was affected. One of the commentators even had the temerity to say that it was "a glorious day here in Chiang Mai". Ok a strongish wind in the afternoon did blow away some of the smoke clouds but "glorious", hardly. No surprise that the commentators did not mention it, as it would not be good for business and the coverage was by Asian Tour Productions. Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand is leading after the first round on -7 and there was not a mention in commentary (that I heard) that he is bang in form having won the Thailand Open just two weeks ago. Thought that would have been relevant but the Asian Tour and the television commentators seem to be adopting the attitude of a three-year-old who shuts his eyes and pretends the bogey man is not there. The Thailand Open, for those who don't follow golf, features on a rival tour.

Publicity for the tournament is centered around a handful of players - Els, Yang, Campbell and Thongchai - all of whom will be getting appearance money, totalling around US500,000. They have already been pictured at temples and come out with the usual sound bytes about how wonderful it is to be in Chiang Mai. The whole affair is stage managed so don't expect any of the big names to mention the smog, that's not good for business. And the media just use the press releases issued by the organisers.

Smog or not, golf's Asian Tour still promoting the hell out of next week's Chiangmai Classic. http://tinyurl.com/byalbhx

Silly question, maybe, but I was thinking of travelling to Chiang Mai next week for the Chiangmai Classic golf at Alpine...Ernie Els is playing. Is it advisable? Surely the Asian Tour would not be holding the event - which is meant to promote tourism - if the air is hazardous to players' and spectators' health?

You can't make this stuff up.

In celebration of burning season, the TAT should initiate a photo contest for the best "Smokescape" in the 'Rai. An early entry...

A melody (of sorts)..

The hills are alight with the sound of...crackling fires.

All I want for Christmas is...a stop to the burning.

On the first day of Christmas, my neighbor gave to me...a smoke filled house.

Yesterday all the smog seemed so far away, now it's here to stay...until April I guess.

Non Je ne regrette rien?...about moving here so suppose it is time...J'ai allure le feu.

As Dingdong says the pool at Rimkok Resort is spacious and the water quality good but the broken tiles a constant danger. I have been there several times with the family and any enjoyment tempered by constant reminders to "look out for broken tiles."

Don't think True will ever win a "Company of the year" award but recent dealings with them have been positive.

I have a Gold package and subscribed to HD more than a year ago, primarily for the football.

In April, my HD bill was zero and when I asked why the customer service rep told me "free trial, three months" which I thought was odd but did not push the matter further. Near the end of the three months I phoned and asked the status of my HD subscription and was told it was free for another nine months.

Lo and behold, just days before the big switch over last Sunday, two of the three HD channels were blocked. I phoned and asked True why and was told the three month trial had finished. I explained, a bit tetchily, that I had previously subscribed to HD but had not received a bill since the free trial period ended. She checked and within five minutes my HD access was restored. I now have 17 HD channels for six months and access to some Platinum channels. I am impressed by the picture quality and range of HD channels...True may have retained at least one customer through the move.

As a country-living and pet-keeping newbie, I expected a few lessons. One of the first was a tough one.

The afternoon school run was interrupted by a phone call to the wife enquiring whether "she had seen the kittens".

"The kittens!" We had forgotten to check all three kittens were accounted for before driving off and now two of them were missing.

Presumably, they were sleeping in the engine compartment and had not been roused by its revving.

A check of the compartment found it empty and there was no sign of them (a black kitten and a ginger one, both females) in the area where we had stopped or on the road between Mae Yao and Rimkok Resort.

Three days, filled with hope that the improbable stories about cats finding their way home from many miles away might prove true in this case, have passed and still no sign.

The remaining kitten, whose "sister" is missing, has been pining while we have been wondering how, newbies or not, we could have been so stupid especially after religiously checking on the kittens whereabouts before putting car in gear four times a day for a month.

Flame away, we deserve it, but if nothing else writing this has been cathartic and just might save another kitten from a similar fate.

Done. Thanks for the advice.