Upcountry

Er, I'm not sure which planet you've been on (one of the 4400 possibly)...

Canarsie, where we all sound the same.

- Zappa, Shut up and Play your Guitar

... but the UK stopped using DC in about 1920.

I stand corrected.

I'm a little confused about the notion that the global warming "warners' are perpetrating a hoax, and that these hoaxers are people in the power elite "that want increase taxation, etc.

A reading of current events shows that those in government and big business are the ones that have been least in support of global warming evidence. I'm not clear on where this memory comes from, but it seems to me that, if anything, research in support of global warming theories has actually been suppressed by governments such as we have under G. Bush, etc. The main reason that 'global warming' has become more of a topic of daily discussion is that Gore's book and movie made a big impact.

The best thing about all this is that we are talking about it, at least. A few year ago this wasn't the case.

An ironic boon is that Murdoch finally told his puppets at Fox, etc., to start "talking green". I haven't felt like tuning in to verify this, but it is true, I haven't heard that he bought stock in any renewable energy business. Maybe he did, and that's why! All for the good.

Hydrocarbon use has major environmental benefits. A great deal of research has shown that increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide accelerate the growth rates of plants and also permit plants to grow in drier regions. Animal life, which depends upon plants, also increases.Standing timber in the United States has already increased by 30% since 1950. There are now 60 tons of timber for every American. Tree-ring studies further confirm this spectacular increase in tree growth rates. It has also been found that mature Amazonian rain forests are increasing in biomass at about two tons per acre per year. A composite of 279 research studies predicts that overall plant growth rates will ultimately double as carbon dioxide increases.

What mankind is doing is moving hydrocarbons from below ground and turning them into living things. We are living in an increasingly lush environment of plants and animals as a result of the carbon dioxide increase. Our children will enjoy an Earth with twice as much plant and animal life as that with which we now are blessed. This is a wonderful and unexpected gift from the industrial revolution.

Check this out:

Amazon burning

Vicious cycle of droughts and fires is depleting rain forest; scientists warn of serious consequences for global climate

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/health_sc...amazon_burning/

Amazon Fire Wars Exacerbate Global Warming

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...toryId=16018097

The environmental crisis (and it is a crisis for us, whether we are just victims or perpetrators) is much more complicated than most of us realize.

Over the past 3,000 years, there have been five extended periods that were distinctly warmer than today. One of the two coldest periods, known as the Little Ice Age, occurred around 300 years ago. Atmospheric temperatures have been rising from that low for the past 300 years, but still remain below the 3,000-year average.

Okey dokey, chloe,

Please be a real woman and show the scientific charts the proof the recent rapid increase in temperatures is in line with the trends you lean on to believe that mankind cannot impact the environment for good or bad with its huge population of consumers/polluters.

Seriously, point taken that the Earth has gone through major fluctuations over the eons, but it is a clear trigger to state so unequivocally that mankind's use of resources and output of garbage is inconsequential. We're all in this together so it really isn't about all or nothing (turn out the lights!), it's about being responsible for our energy decisions and at least starting to make responsible choices.

I'm thinking about an extension to the house, and I hope to make it as energy efficient as I can, using insulation and maybe even installing solar panels.

I'm not sure if it is true for all those who bristle at the global warming concerns popping up everywhere, but I think a lot of it is a reaction to being told yet one more thing that the should or should not do, like a smoker being told there is one more place he or she can't light up. Even if we don't care about what will happen 20 years from now for ourselves, what about the next generation?

They'll be asking us how we could live the way we did.

It was pretty expensive in the US too, except during the holidays when the markets put it on sale at a lower price as a 'loss leader'.

http://256.com/gray/recipes/eggnog/

Raw eggs: People ask about the raw eggs in the eggnog. My grandfather always said that the alcohol "cures" the eggs although I'm not sure that's true. I tried pasteurized eggs in 2004 and they do not work. They didn't separate well and the whites did not froth up at all. The FDA says that in unpasteurized eggs, one in 20,000 contain bad bacteria. I have made (and drunk) at least 100 batches and have never felt ill or had one of my guests feel bad. I usually buy the eggs just before I made the eggnog and keep them well refrigerated. In 2005 I made a batch with some organic eggs laid the day before and I've never had such yolks or foam. Yummy! I try to smell the egg when I crack it open and although I have never gotten a bad egg over the years -- I did get some bad cream. You can also try gently lowering the eggs into a container of water. Bad eggs should float because of a build up of gases, old eggs should sink slowly, while good eggs should sink nicely to the bottom of the container.

There is not a shred of persuasive evidence that humans have been responsible for increasing global temperatures.

More proof that people should have to pass a test to get a license to live!

Take your thumb drive to copy centers and ask them if they can print the PDF's. You'll want to choose whether to print on both sides (for a book-like result) or on separate pages.

Flat-earth, indeed, Wilko. Gore's book/movie was the most inspired title I've heard of in years. "An Inconvenient Truth" - so true!

Why wait until we're fat and dying to realize we could have cut back just a little at each meal, etc. Applying the notion that the simplest explanation is often correct, look at the massive increase in human population and the increase in man-made poison we spew into the atmosphere and oceans. Yeah, the earth is big by human standards, but we clearly are a huge and pernicious parasite on Mother Earth. If she finds a way to get rid of us, all the better for her. At least smart parasites know how to keep the host alive!

Rich or not, it's a challenge to change life style. I forget to take energy saving actions all the time (often say "Sorry, Al" when I do. ). But anyone who says "there's nothing I can do" on this forum is either being trollish, non-serious or is simply jai dam. Choosing energy saving light bulbs, installing insulation, choosing to walk more (far part of the parking lot at least) are just small things we can do. If everyone does just a little to save energy, the sum savings will be greater than the whole.

It's clear that new power plants can be avoided if power demand drops just a little for each user.

I think another aspect of personal responsibility is being educated about things like the causes of global warming and energy efficiency. Again, the shear population and increasing demand with affluence makes this a necessity.

I recently learned that gasohol is not the "clean" alternative that it is often sold to be. In fact, scientific studies have shown that gasohol is marginally more polluting and carcinogenic than regular old gasoline. Not only that, but it's in the news all the time now (yet seemingly being ignored by policy makers) that using food crops to create gasohol is actually raising the cost of food! How stupid is that?

It's actually feasible now to create gasohol with non-food sources. They call it cellulosic ethanol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulosic_ethanol

It is less energy intensive to create and doesn't cut into the food supply, makes use of waste materials, so as individuals we can be brow beating our policy makers to develop that system instead of going down the deadly dead end we started with food-based ethanol. This important whether you believe in global warming or not.

Those who like to believe that there is nothing they can do should consider the math of automobile mileage. Every mile per gallon saved means a lot over the course of a year, etc., not to mention "fleet-wide". Small actions, savings, add up. If you can, consider a hybrid for your next car. Or, here in Thailand, pester policy makers to promote them.

I admit that I often behave hypocritically. I talk a good game, but I constantly realize that I forgot to turn something off, or that I've chosen to waste electricity for comfort or some project that may not be worth the energy I'm using. I hit the gas to hard when I drive sometimes. Al has shown that these choices have consequences.

I'm just aware that we can get away with today we may not be able to do in a few years. At some point, one crisis or another will force us to ration water, electricity, and so on. Small steps now may help avoid those big steps later!

Spew away!

That is an exceptional story - never heard of a cabbie setting the meter back. I saw a Postbag (BP) letter describing a very thoughtful police officer the other day.

I'd guess that good police and cabbies probably outnumber the bad ones here and in most places. We've all heard stories of rip-off cabbies and corrupt/cruel cops in the US, etc., but I've dealt with plenty of decent ones. They certainly run the gamut.

Since there are so many stories about the bad ones, it really is nice to hear stories like yours, AA1. Cabbies are people too!

Problem with TVs. Picture and sound is rarely the same in any two countries.

In another thread, someone said you might get a good picture, but no audio, or vice versa. Channel and audio frequencies and ranges differ.

Do a search on the internet for UK / Thailand television channel and TV compatibility. I think there are websites that compare various countries.

Selling may be your only option.

As for the vacuums, can a motorized device that works on UK DC electricity work on Thai 220/50 AC in Thailand? Is there any such thing as cycles in direct current? I don't know, but vacuum motors, power tools, etc., are likely to time their motor speed to the electric cycles for the country in which they are designed to work. So, for instance, while I can use my food processor from 110/60 US working with a step down transformer, I can't use it for too long at any one time or it will burn up on 50 cycles. It also runs slower.

Many printers are designed to work universally (check to see if it works on 220/50). If not, it may still work with a step down transformer.

Good luck.

I agree with Mobi.

I've seen my share of amateurish foolishness from supposedly official organizations, job offer with the salary lowered after it was first offered, etc. etc. Things just don't work here they way they may 'back home'.

As soon as you realize you've stepped into some sh$tty quicksand it's time to extricate yourself and move on.... You'll only be hurting yourself more to mess around with trying to turn them in to officials that may in fact be on the take themselves.

They best revenge is to live well.

But, that said, getting the word out here on TV, and other expat forums, etc. (maybe Monster.com forums too), about the 'company', or whatever, would help other potential victims avoid the same trap.

Have you compared the cost of wrapping it up it in a box and shipping it by sea? I'd certainly take the drives out and bring those with me on the plane, but it seems to me that replacing things like case and power supply in OZ would negate any savings you get from not shipping the entire computer. Power supplies aren't all that cheap.

Of course you'd have to wait a few weeks.

But if I was returning home (US) I'd take the drives, and look for a new laptop when I got there. That would get me by until my desktop arrived. Or just set up your old laptop for daily use for the interim.

Edit: I should add that I shipped a few computers here from the US by boat a few years ago (as part of all our stuff) and they arrived in perfect condition.

It helps if you know the fare already.

Hence, this thread!

Just get in close the door and tell him where you are going. Watch the meter and if it does not go on say "meter krap" no problems.

I got into a "Taxi Mai-Meter" the other morning and explained, with a map, where I wanted to go. Then I pointed to the meter, saying "meter, krap". The driver said "200 Baht". I jumped out (should have left the door open). The next cab I got took me to my destination for B55.

I agree that speaking Thai is probably key, as well as knowing the price ahead of time. But having a farang face definitely is a disadvantage!

And in the beginning of my soi the motorbike taxi guys have a stand there, they have a sign clearly stating the (fixed!) fare to various locations such as the nearest BTS station etc. They even have a helmet for their passengers

I was shown the fixed price sign at the Mo Chit BTS station, when I asked about getting to the Northern Bus Terminal. I noticed the B50 item, and it looked too high to me! I didn't even check to see if that was for my trip. So, I took a taxi-metre instead. B65, almost 8 kilometers of loop-de-loop and time. Maybe the motorbike deal was better and certainly faster!

Bendix,

Yes, I think the vests and licenses (for motorcycle or auto taxis) are limited.

UC

Phantip to Ratchatewi? I always thought Phantip was in Ratchatewi or is it classed as Pathumwan? Not sure.

Sorry, I meant the Ratchatewi BTS station.

I've used motorcycle taxi's a few times lately when I have been in a hurry to get from A to B.

But it's very annoying to have to dicker with them to get to the right price. Recently I got a lower price but the driver only got me to the corner near the sky train, not to the sky train itself. When I complained, he "snided" that I should have paid 5 baht more.

So I'm looking for advice and anecdotes about price. What's the reasonable base price, for instance, for a short ride (say from Big C near Central World to Phantip, or from Phantip to Ratchatewi(sp?)?

We brought some heavy duty Todd step-down transformers to use 110 devices in 220 land here. Some items, like coffee grinders or food processors will run slower on the 50 cycle power but will otherwise work okay as long as they are not overused. Our units were designed for 110/60 electricity.

But I'd think that power tools would tend to burn out if they are not designed to work on 50 cycles. At best they'd run slower, which might mean they won't work well enough for your needs.

Electrical devices without moving parts tied to the cycles should work fine with a step-down transformer.

UC

If you live upcountry you can have a look at tohome.com, they have few models for which you should be able to find online reviews.

Thanks, yeti, just saw your post.

I went to tohome but all I see are DVD players. I guess in this country CD players are only sold as part of VCD or DVD units. Makes sense for the majority of buyers here.

Do Thai authorities scan or search (randomly, perhaps) suitcases on arrival, or is it up to you to decide to declare? IE, any customs issues at all? I don't think so, but maybe I don't remember correctly. There may be a form to fill out.

I use USAA (https://www.usaa.com/inet/ent_utils/McStaticPages?key=products_services_main). I do everything online with them. Some transactions may require a fax (at least during account setup. etc.).

Bangkok Bank has a NY office, so I can make electronic transfers from USAA to BB. The only fees I pay are BB's for transfer.

I live in Phitsanulok, as you know Garro. I agree with John2 that there isn't much to do here, unless, and perhaps even, if you are Thai.

But crime seems to be lower here than many other cities. Traffic isn't too bad for now.

As Garro knows, we have some major stores here (Big C, Lotus, Makro, Home Pro and now the Index Living Mall).

We don't have kids, so aside from convenience, the thing I'd probably miss the most if I lived in a village is a decent internet connection. Ok, still don't have that, but at least it is MaxNet ADSL.

Garro, with your child, I think the most important consideration would be access to a good pediatrician for general health care and for emergencies. One of my relatives had an accident last night, and it was good to be able to get her to a hospital fairly quickly.

The longer term education question definitely needs to be considered. The commute to a school in town, assuming that you could get your child into the one you want, would get old pretty fast. It might be a good idea to find out how long you have to live in a certain area for a school to accept a child. Things like cost/scholarships, etc., might depend on home address.

UC

rgs2001uk, I'm with you about source being the biggest factor.

In old hi-fi speak, they used to say the stylus made the difference relative to the speakers, etc.

My main source right now is UBC/cable. Bad as it is, the variety is better than the iffy DVD's in the marketplace here.

At some point we'll be able to get content over the Internet (for a price).

For my next TV, I'm holding out for OLED (organic LED).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLED

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/sonys-1...inch-oled-hdtv/

http://www.ledsmagazine.com/news/4/10/6

Sony just released some smaller models, but it won't be long before larger screens are available.

The overall lifespan may be shsorter, but energy consumption will be less and last I heard it will beat LED and Plasma for quality (contrast, etc.). As far as lifespan, things are changing so fast that with e-ink and other stuff we'll be painting our walls with TV in a few years anyway.

Meanwhile, my 32" does okay with UBC. I've been thinking of setting up a projector and screen for DVD's.

Another thing to think about with your TV is inputs. Can it take computer input? Personally, I'll be hooking up a computer interface for visual data (album covers etc.) and control of digital music via the surround sound unit at some point. With FLAC, APE, AIF and (gag, mp3) we can keep most of our music available via a menu instead of popping CD's in and out in the entertainment space. Same for movies.

Good luck with your research and choices!

I won't have much time to look the next time I'm in BKK, but I need the following center weight to deal with some warped vinyl records.

If you have seen this somewhere (Fortune, E-Squared?) please let me know.

KAB USA RECORD HOLDING DEVICE

http://www.kabusa.com/usagrip.htm

http://www.needledoctor.com/KAB-USA-Record...34Pa38Ta38PbNn0

Thanks!

We have a small foot pedal powered rubbish bin in the kitchen that is just the right size for Big C bags. Saves us from using the bags we buy for it.