lizardofoz

the fridge being full causing more power used is not correct. A fridge is more efficient when full. Items inside get cold and hold their cold when the door is opened. Air spaces inside do not hold over cold. Its lost the minute the fridge is opened. I have 5 x 6L water bottles in the bottom of my freezer to take up space and also to provide holdover if there are power shortages.  A lot of people would be cooking on gas at home so no effect on electricity. Many Thais eat out by habit so I do not see a huge change there. Aircon and other extra power used at home is possible. Hours spent at home more than normal may have a effect. It would be interesting to see by what percentage / usage it went up. When I lost income I cut back on power usage and stopped using aircon, turned lights off, did not have computers and other items running on standby. If I cooked something in the electric oven I added more dishes to make better use of the power. My bill went from 1800-2100 down to 900-800B per month. 

I am glad the document was not lost in translation as some are, and they didn't write prophylactic ????

Would be even handier is they could raise the IQ first  from under  90 and then to 120 before they raise the speed limit.

1 hour ago, Old Croc said:

It's telling that the only news about an arrest of suspects comes from a news source in Australia.

When is the government here going to inform the people?

They need to find the right Burmese suspects like they did before in Koh Phangan.

I have a company phone and there is no name allocated against it so they would not know if a Thai is using it or a Farang. If I were a tourist and did not like my privacy interfered with I would carry two phones. One with my foreign SIM card in it and a second cheap phone with the Thai required card in it. Leave the Thai phone at the hotel plugged in and on.

There is also the choice not to bring a phone on holidays and just relay on internet for all communications and conversations - Skype etc.

People have become to reliant on phones - really not needed that much when travelling.

Sorry battery gone flat so you do not know where I am.

Sorry flying so had to turn it off.

Sorry did not bring a phone with me this time.

Lots of ways to keep big brother away.

The system will only work for honest people - crooks will always cheat so whats the point?

problems cannot be solved by by personal.

stay objective and let positivity guide us to move forward.

until anyone has been proven to be "stealing" electricity it is

not fair to point a finger at any one.

the picture posted by bill gates does show the mess of power lines.

that is a problem to be address, not only for aesthetics but for efficient

delivery of power supply.

Here is how they sort the wiring - from proper plans

"This was the fourth speedboat accident in the area since the start of the year that has left 1 dead and ten injured."

It looks as the speedboat Captains are doing their best to promote Koh Phi Phi to tourists.

"Come to Thailand and leave in wheelchair."

They are not captains.

They are minimum wage earning boat drivers. Mostly young lads who like the "status" and the fun.

In this case the one in charge is, aged 20, Naradon Tongdee. 35 passengers in his care and he brings them from Phuket with storm warnings in the Andaman Sea.

Unbelievable.

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Your right about not captains. I would bet most of them get their licenses in a packet I think. Buy the Cornflakes and get the license inside for free

Wasn't TAT quoting only a month ago that they would meet or exceed 2.2 billion tourist dollars? With such a drastic loss in tourist dollars compared to previous years, can they really claim they now have their quality tourists. I guess all of those Chinese tourists just aren't spending what TAT expected.

I am in the tourism business with charter yachts and I have had to go with the flow which is Chinese and Korean tourists. The Chinese seem to be holding the tourism market together as the Russians have dropped out due their currency value dropping and other tourists are reducing due to deck chairs being removed from beaches in Phuket and other reasons. If it were not for the Chinese I personally would have problems. Regular bookings for yacht charters has dropped a lot. Chinese day trips are now soaking up nearly all the catamarans in Phuket and more are being bought to enter that day trip market

How do you just cancel the residency? What country works like this?

Good question. This can not be possible on this planet. Surely we are missing something. By residency, maybe he means he lost his apartment or home? How do you lose your country?

Exactly. You don't decide if you are a non resident, the government does.

So, I am not sure what Naam is talking about.

I cancelled my residency in Australia over 20 years ago when I left for Thailand. I am now what they call a Non Resident but I am still a citizen. I have no tax obligations, no superanuation requirement to pay and received whatever super I had at the time refunded. I fill my last tax return in stating I would be not doing any more tax returns. This is the procedure in Australia and it is initiated by the person not the government. I have no tax or income obligations to report to Australia and I still have a bank account there and a mailing address. Any interest in the Australian account is tax at 100% with no threshold allowance as I am a non resident. That is not a issue as I have very little there and use it as a working account. I have a mailing address there at my sisters. I do not get medicare. I can come back and become a resident at any time but it probably takes 1 year to qualify for medicare and other benefits. To get a pension I have to be back there 2 years before applying at the age 66. Depending on when you are born and work they work out the pension based on this - from the age of 16-60 how many years have you been in Australia if it is the full 25 you get a full pension. If its less you get a percentage. This is all Australia related regulations. I think they worked out the start age of 16 as when people can start work. I stared at 14! so they got two years of extra tax out of me.

Ali dead but Thai TV makes "The Greatest" howler yet

Manager: Online

BANGKOK: -- Thai TV reporting the death of boxing legend Muhammad Ali showed a picture of Will Smith instead.

The picture of Hollywood star Will Smith appeared as a graphic on Channel 3 and 3 HD with the caption underneath: "Muhammad Ali Dead".

As presenter Kitti Singhapat gravely intoned the sad news on Saturday Thai time about the death in America of the legend known as "The Greatest", the image of Will Smith appeared. It was a still from the movie "Ali" (2001) in which Smith played the boxer in a biopic depicting ten years of his epic career from 1964 to 1974 reported Manager Online.

Anchor Kitti said in a rambling explanation on Twitter that sometimes stills were taken from video by his production team and no mistake like this had been made in the previous eight years on his show (Khaw Miti 3D - 3D News). However he added: "As the man ultimately responsible I am very sorry this happened and I will take care to see that it does not happen again".

Despite being nearly 35 years since Ali retired his face was still one of the most recognizable images on the planet and his death has dominated the news for days.

In April 2013 TV Channel 5 executives had to make a groveling apology after an image of Hollywood actress Meryl Streep from the movie "The Iron Lady" (2011) was used after legendary British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had died.

Source: Manager Online

-- 2016-06-07

The ignorance of these people is truly appalling.

It could be worse - look a the American News channel reporting on the Asiana Airline crash some time back and the names of the pilots Someone at government aviation - supposedly a " intern" gave these names to the channel. They had to apologize.

The two headed Gecko wouldnt be on holidays from Tasmania - Australia by any chance. Hitched a ride in some passengers baggage to explore the world. It might even have 6 fingers like the Tasmanians do and a few scars!

Well, it's low season now. What's a poor Thai guy going to do to get some dosh these days?

'Night, 'night, sleep tight everyone. And don't forget to lock up.

SOME UPDATES / CORRECTIONS. There were two robbers armed with knives, the police were the ones that shot at the robbers. The robbers didnt have a gun. In the chaos in the dark it was hard to tell who was who with a dinghy with the robbers, the dinghy with Davinci crew in it and Bruce on his own in the Sunseeker. The robbers could have been rammed but for skipper Bruce's decision not to as he didnt want to drown/kill them he just wanted the caught. The press release was done as good as possible with the facts as they were understood at the time at 1.00 in the morning so the report could get out as soon as possible. once it hits the hard copy newspaper I expect it will be more acurate. Following their capture thay made a unsucessfull attempt to escapre from custody on their way to court the next day - inclusive of cutting a officer with a broken bottle. They have been charged wth armed robery for the Davinci incident and further investigations are underway re the French yachty attack a few night earlier. They were Phuket born 2 x 21 year olds coming from a squatters village at the north end of Chalong Bay. They ripped the alarm system off the wall along with the wires but it was still transmitting info by its internal battery . 3 or more Thai TV channels were out their filming so the news has well and truly gotten to the Thai community in Phuket and elsewhere. Police did a bloody good job. It was a very good result considering - 2 less robbers out there on the water. These sort of things are not common in Chalong. They happen very spasmotically usually at the beginning of the low season. I have lived and have had a boat in ChalongBay for 18 years and have had nothing stolen - first 8 years lived aboard - last 10 years not lived aboard and now have two yachts out there both with zip back doors easy to get into. Yet nothing stolen. A 44 foot yacht was stolen about three weeks ago - name Cockatoo 2 and Roberts Offshore 44 well equipped and in pristine condition. One can assume a foreigner stole that one and headed to sea probably Africa to change its identity etc. Not a Thai. That is the first time I recall a yacht being stolen in the 18 years I have been here. Thats progress - Thailand is catching up with the way first world countries are - increase in theft, robbery and such - real pity as I do not believe that to be the Buddist way. I do believe its the western way.

Big Yellow sign makes it easier to spot the crooks. Airport meter cabs cost 400- 500B max to Chalong from the airport. No one is mention the meter cabs great deals. They are a bit high for short trips but still under the so called Legal Cabs. No mention of the bain of Phuket the Tuk Tuks who will continue to make the fare up on the spot depending of time of day/night and how stupid/desperate the customer looks.

One small step for Phuket and a even smaller one for Tourists!

Count me in for Phuket x 1 maybe 2

I was in Penang for a "B" 12 month visa having previously been given a 3 "B" month to obtain my work permit which I did.

First time in November ( 3 month) they didn't need to see me and the fee was 20B by the agent. Second time 15th Jan the agent emailed me that they wanted to see me. I was in Langakawi at the time at the Langkawi Regatta. I caught a ferry down Thursday evening - handed my application in Friday morning and headed back to Langkawi for the regatta and back to Penang Sunday collecting my new visa at 9.00 Monday morning. They were pleasent both times. They had already confirmed all my papers were in order before I went. I had a business meeting in KL at 3.00 Monday and told them / asked them if I could collect my visa early on Monday. It was ready as soon as I got to the window at the consulate.

I noticed the dress code and I was only wearing sandals - rest was OK plus I am 55 so they may have given me some leeway at the counter.

Found them efficient and polite with little said.

How many more times does robsamui have to say it.

Even people turning up in person are getting hassle.

So this affecting everyone

Is that a lot? 35 tonnes?? Sounds like it.

Was Nicolas Cage aboard??

There's a need some basic geography lessons.

How does an earthquake 50km off Padang Sumatra propagate a wave that could come anywhere near the coast of Thailand?

The last Indonesian earthquake was on that side of Sumatra and still swept around the corner. Yes it can happen as it displaces water that has to go somewhere. Last time it made it to Indian Thailand Malaysia ( upper in Langkawi), and even got to Africa.

Its a displacement of water that turns into a big wave when it gets to the shallows near land.

I was on the beach for the last one - where we you??

Whos to say the wave can only be produced in one direction??

Hi,

Do you know if there is any place where to cross the border to Malaysia near Satun ?

As you can see on the map Satun is very close to Malaysia, so maybe it's not useful to go to HAT YAI to take a van or taxi to cross the border to Malaysia ?

http://www.asianbiketour.com/images/map.21_BEACHES_RS.GIF

Thanks for information.

You can also leave your car in Saturn at the ferry terminal and take a ferry to Langkawi ( abbout 1.15Mins ride each way). Spend part of the day in Langkawi and get duty free. Its about 5 hours drive to Satun from Phuket with a good bypass of Trang and good highway and country roads all the way from Phuket. Two basic hotels in satun for around 600B each - Thai and western food avialable in the town.

I have been thru the small border crossing near Satun in 1997 no problems. Its a bit hard to spot if your driving yourself - maybe that has changed.

Did anyone notice the comment lower in the Post article that the employee would get fired after he had stolen gear from bags 3 times!!??

A fine example of Thailand ignoring its own laws until it has enough flies in the web, then sudden enforcement .

It's time to say ....Sayanaro to foreign investment

Maybe a good time to start marrying Katoeys or blokes!!

May as well as per this guys statement you are taking it up the arse anyway.

Do they allow same sex or nearly the same sex marriages ( Katoeys depending on the chop and how well the plastic surgery went??!!! )

They only seem to pick on the Thai wife situation never the Thai male marrying a foreign wife who has money!!

Seems like a case of another idiot trying to make a name for himself and impressing the Thai onlookers and leaving the local province to deal with the backlash while he sits in his Bangkok office.

the wonders of pattaya

wonder if she enhoyed her german sausage

The two quarreled while having sex so she bit him and he called friends to send him to the hospital.

very bad move

Something else to think about………..

2007 - Chinese year of the Chicken - Bird Flu Pandemic devastates parts of Asia

2008 - Chinese year of the Horse - Equine Influenza decimates Australian racing

2009 - Chinese year of the Pig - Swine Flu Pandemic kills hundreds of pigs around the globe.

It gets worse........next year......

2010 - Chinese year of the Cock - what could possibly go wrong?

This guy is a year early!!! Ouch!!

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A British man sailing with his wife off the coast of southern Thailand was allegedly beaten to death and thrown overboard by men trying to steal their dinghy, Thai police said Tuesday.

Police arrested three migrant workers from neighbouring Myanmar whom they accused of attacking Malcolm Robertson and his wife, Linda, Monday on their yacht anchored off the coast of Satun, a southern province bordering Malaysia.

"They tried to steal the dinghy and beat Mr. Robertson with their fists and hammers until he died," Police Colonel Virat Ohn-song, chief of the La-ngoo district police station, told Reuters.

He said police were searching for the body.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/domesticNews...E52N36R20090324

Lana,

This is from close friends on another yacht stationed in Phuket. Names lef tout to protect their privacy

It is in a state of grief and disbelief we write this account of the recent tragic event which culminated in Malc's murder, to inform mutual cruising friends as well as others sailing these waters. Some of you may have read media reports but this is a succinct version of Lindie's own story :-

On Tues 24th March Mr Bean was lying to a buoy off the SE side of Koh Adang in the Butang Group (20nm NW of Telaga, Langkawi). At around 00.30 three teenage, illegal immigrants from Myanmar swam out and climbed aboard, where they attacked Malc in the bow incapacitating him, then Lindie in the aft cabin. She was trussed with rope. Malc subsequently came round and challenged them, telling them to get off the boat. Lindie heard a scream then nothing more.

They eventually came to get her to assist in starting the engine. As she went through the saloon she realised that the sticky substance beneath her feet was a large quantity of thick blood. She was returned to the forepeak. They stormed off at full throttle for around six hours probably heading east around the north of Koh Tarutoa before anchoring in a bay on a small island about 1nm off the Thai mainland near Langu. There they trashed the boat before leaving at around 10am in the dinghy with an unreliable 2HP engine. Lindie managed to escape, start the engine and get up the anchor before they could paddle back to Mr Bean.

She went to a nearby fishing fleet to get help and when the Taratoa Park Rangers and police arrived they took-off and quickly arrested the attackers. Lindie was detained in hospital, very distraught and bruised by hammer blows and bindings. We think Malc's body was thrown overboard within an hour of the boat setting off and it has not as yet been found. The hammer an knife used in the attack were both from Mr Bean.

This we believe may be a one-off in special circumstances where the three Myanmar culprits escaped from a Thai fishing boat where they were been treated as slaves. How what they claimed was a raid to get food went so terribly wrong we will never know. They were all in their teens, the youngest being 15. Perhaps a return to the Caribbean tactic of locking yourself in at night when in remote anchorages should be considered.

Words cannot discribe the exceptional support that Lindie has received from the British Embassy, Royal Thai Police, Hospital and Tourist Authority. There have been countless expressions of kindness from every quarter.

We were involved when, along with the family, Lindie told the embassy staff of Dave & Di on Amoenitas in Phuket. The local Honourary Consul traced us to the hardstand at the Royal Phuket where the teak decks are being replaced. We took-off in a car on a seven hour drive to be with her for the day before their four children arrive.

This is a very brief description of a long and harrowing experience during which Lindie spent the whole night pleading for her life. There is much, much more to tell but not in this format.

Hi,

Am thinking of driving to Satun over Songkran and spending a five days on Langkawi, catching the ferry from Satun pier. Will have family in tow, so prefer to do it in my car than a tail gating minivan over that period!

Anyway, does anyone know if there is a long term car park at the port there? From what I can glean from the internet, there isn't much at the port there, which has been concerned about leaving my car there.

The alternative seems to take the car into Malaysia, and park it at one of the ports there (or even take it over).

Any recent experiences on either of the approaches would be much appricated.

Parked there for over a week in Januuary while I was over in Langkawi for the regatta. Have done that many times. So do the boys from Lee Marine and a lot of other people.

Have never had a problem and I have a new car Fortuner Smart.

Go for it.

** Cheaper to hire a car over there than to go to malaysia and put it on the ferry. You have to take a passenger ferry then stuff around waiting for your car on the car ferry.

Quote from lizard of oz.

You might be interested to know that most of the pirates in that book were mostly British prisoners of war. One group of prisoners against the other in the end. They were running out of food. The book is based around a true story from World War two.

I bet you are the same person that tells people the ending of films to !!

I didnt give away the plot. It isnt a very well written book. I bought it years ago.

I try not to tell people the ending of films.

Cheers

With respect to the deceased, i too think they were naive to sail alone in Satun, which has always been known as a hot spot, it certainly looked like a beautiful yacht, maybe we will learn more about the couple soon

You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Satun isnt a hot spot. it is one of the questest freindliest towns in the south - on the west coast. I have Thai friends that live down there that run a sucessful slipway that handles heaps of expat boats and has a expat comunity of workers at the yard. Also they rebuilt a classic 1996 British yacht there that was owned by Lord Dunraven - call Cariad - look up the website.

I have sailed these waters including Satun which is near Langkawi Island Malaysia. Lots of expats leave their cars at Satun jetty parking lot for a week when they drive down from Phuket to Saturn to cat the ferry to Langkawi.

This is a isolated incident and the first I have heard of in the area - and I have been sailing here for nearly 14 years a lot of time on my own and have been into Satun plenty of times and along that coast.

Where did you get your information to substanciate " always been known as a hot spot" out of a Corn Flakes packet.