ChiangMaiFun

Good news! but hold them ACCOUNTABLE - set objectives and have appraisals based on merit not backhanders!

Any decent computer sales man or technician would never recommend a Dell. They are a marketing company selling cheapo computer that "look good"

That is total crap najman, you obviously know nothing about what you are talking about and must be on commission from Asus.

Dell quality has improved considerably over the last 5 years and I would put them on a par with (if not better than) nearly all other models/brands out there now. If you've used as many pc's/apple's as I have over the years you'd know which ones are good and which aren't and a simple poll of my friends who have laptops puts Dell on top hands down over HP, Toshiba, Acer, Asus, Samsung or any other brand you care to name.

As far as I am concerned, right now Dell beats everyone on quality, value for money and reliability.

Dell looked great to me - i shall find out - I'm getting one because my Toshiba died on me - it has been rubbish from the start and my small BenQ hangs constantly

The Dell had superior spec to the Asus

I went for the Dell XPS i7

nVidia 2gb

4gb RAM

640 gb HD

USB 3

15.6 inch

It won over the Asus as had 1gb more memory on graphic card and a bigger screen (1.6 inches) and a better i7.

All at 37,000 and the IT experts at the Plaza recommended it over the Asus - not better quality - same they say - but better spec for same money

You can get any Dell model here, if it's not a 'home' model then they will special order for you.

From what the OP says I guess he needs something like this:

http://www.dell.com/...are-m17x&~ck=mn

looks perfect - are they available? price? I'll go look today

Who came to Bangkok claiming to stage a peaceful demonstration? Who then commandeered much of downtown Bkk with barricades and hired 'black shirts' toting weapons? Who lobbed grenades? Who stormed the hospital? This doesn't necessarily justifying shootings by government agents, but the whole mess needs to be looked at within the perspective of what transpired over those many weeks. If there were extra-judicial injuries and deaths (caused by either side) then there should be prosecutions within the framework of the law. Innocent 'til proven guilty.

From my perspective, from watching events unfold during March April and May 2010, one strong impression (among many) was the police doing as little as possible, and the army showing restraint and professionalism - in general.

'restraint and professionalism'? you're taking the season of goodwill to extremes - talk about naive

PM Abhisit probably said 'clear up the area with as limited injuries as humanly possible'. In gunfire exchange with unarmed protesters that's a wee bit difficult. Like vanderGrift on the 19th, together with some soldiers getting a grenade lopped on them.

In a close-to war-zone with militants, burning buildings, innocents will get harmed. The fault of the government? Should they have rolled over and submit to terrorists? Grow up.

Abhisit probably had nothing to do with it or very little input over what the troops actually did. Where did I say it was the fault of the government? No, they shouldn't have rolled over. They had a right to clear the area, but it doesn't follow from that that all the army's use of force was justified... I mean this is an extreme case, but in policing operations in Europe, protesters often get out of hand and try to occupy areas which the state would rather they didn't occupy. Does it follow that the state has a right to kill them? Obviously not. There are measures which are considered reasonable and measures that are not. Sometimes measures & orders are reasonable but actions of individuals operating on behalf of the state are not reasonable. It remains to be determined in this case what the orders and actions were. But in the specific case of the wat, I'd question why orders were given to fire? Surely, even if there were militants, it would've been better to withdraw and let the militants disappear rather than risking the lives of innocents?

PM Abhisit would know once he gave to order to clean-up, he should leave the army to it. That's delegation, no need for a boss to watch his troop's every move. not all the army violence might be fully justified, but that's hindsight. At the time the main goal was 'clean-up with minimal casualties'. With gunfire exchange and troops getting grenades lobbed on them, troop may have thought 'better safe than sorry'. Anyone having been in combat situations will probably confirm this.

In Europe the situation would never have been allowed to evolve as it did here. In Europe we also have functioning police forces. In Europe protesters tend to be really unarmed. All this makes a comparison difficult to the point of not adding any value.

As for the situation around the wat, see my first paragraph. Very regrettable, but under circumstances somewhat understandable. Remember by that time CentralWorld and ZEN were truly ablaze, lots of smoke and a need to clean-up before sunset.

I agree with your points about Abhisit.

"Very regrettable, but under circumstances somewhat understandable" How so? Much of the shooting happened after sunset. What did it have to do with CTW? You're right in Europe it wouldn't have happened, and neither would the military refusing to obey orders from the PM in 2008, and in fact maneuvering against him.

"In Europe protesters tend to be really unarmed." They often use what most of the red shirts used, molotovs, rocks and so fourth. But I would agree that because there were men amongst them armed with high powered rifles and grenades that the army's use of live bullets was justified. My point is, it doesn't follow that they were always justified in using that level of force.

Shooting into Temples, whatever the circumstances, is abhorent and sinful

The op wants a high end 1080p gaming machine. I didn't think any Dell in Thailand's market even came close. Overseas maybe.

any preference? I notice the Asus is only 14 inch

First you will have to 'up' your budget to 40k - you are not going to get a good machine for 30k.

Asus is the only way to go here in Thailand (and elsewhere) due to their reliability and service/backup

No sense in going for a large screen - just more to carry around/heavier - a 14" is sufficient - then when you want to play games plug in a large monitor although I have no problem with 14"

I have an Asus N82J which ticks all your boxes. Has Blu-ray and the new(?) Nvidia 'Optimus' switchable graphics card - save power.

One requirement you did missed out is USB 3 - this is now a must and 2011 will see all the new hardware come with USB 3

Hi - thanks - it's made where? what about the graphics card? 1gb? how much did you pay? I want to play Call of Duty Black Ops on it + normal surfing - yes I could link it to my 55 inch LED I guess - thanks - it is a i7??? cheers

Bring it on... but get international mods in or it will lack credibility

Not possible! The government said it wasn't them but the "men in black." The Thai government would never lie

Indeed... maybe they are colour blind? looks like some of those guys 'in green' were 'black' - surprise, surprise

i7

500gb HD

4gb RAM

16/17 inch screen (1080+)

1gb Nvidia

2.6 GHz +

DVD RW (possibly blue ray)

about 30,000? (Apple too expensive) - gaming/internet use

Again I noted my personal experiences AND my personal bias .... That other people have different opinions are to be expected. I didn't quote "houses", I quoted houses and condos and apartments that April listed. (Who needs ... ahhhh why bother?) So, you are in the real estate biz here in Chiang Mai? You are recommending agents?

Please note that my opinion seems to be shared by others.

I am bored clashing swords with someone who obviously knows everything about everything! I do own several properties here and I sell/buy frequently - I use agents (obviously) as they know the market much better than I) trying to 'go alone' and hope you find a great property is one strategy, I guess, but not a very intelligenmt one unless you are very, very fortunate and know someone who is selling or renting privately. I can honestly say, amongst the 30 or so agents and developers I know, there are none that try and go alone - they may have their own web site of course - but they cannot invest in offices, staff and web sites like the agents can. That's been my experience - take it or leave it.

This is nonsense of course - the owners pay the commission and there is NO difference in price to the buyer. It's standard 3% on sales and one months rent for a one year contract - so there are no 'highest commissions'.

April is ok but she deals with 'lower end' properties around the 3,000 to 6,000 level - chiang mai properties are one of the best for higher end (7,000 to 40,000) - both charge the standard commissions.

In your dreams it might be the way that you suggest, however negotiating directly with the owner cuts out the commissions (and yes they are frequently more than you suggest.) I have gotten the same property offered by an agent at significantly less than the offer through the agency. While my assertion is of course anecdotal it is also .... taadaaah ..... true In a renter's market such as we have in Chiang Mai with so many properties sitting vacant owners will often offer more to agents (and up the price to do so.)

Just glancing through citylife online ads right now ...

April -- studio 7500

April -- condo (1br i think) 16k-17k

April --- 2br/2ba rowhouse 7k-10k

April --- 3br single story partly furnished 10k

April -- 2br 10k

April --- 2story 3br 18k

April -- 33m2 studio 7.5k

Next entry not april

Next entry not April

next entry not april

Now that is just the first 10 listings on that site --- none in the 3-6k range -- etc ...

Again, using an agent in Thailand just isn't the way to go.

Wrong again! I actually am in real estate and know the market very, very well - the commissions are standard and never have I heard different than I quote - I don't increase my prices because of commissions. Agents are the ONLY way to go (unless you are very, very fortunate) - they know all of the market and will hear of properties in a persons price range that you will never hear about. April does do a lot of 'free' ads in CityLife but has no web site, no office and no staff and usually concentrates on the 'lower' end - good for her and good luck to her - you quote houses we were discussing condos - you need to read more carefully (as usual).

<avoiding the agents like "April"> Correct.

April took me and another couple that was staying at the same B&B to a few places. She was prompt, courteous and professional. Though I rented a place by responding to an ad, not one of the ones she showed me, I will call her the next time I'm here to see what she has. In short, I'd recommend her as an agent.. At least she promptly returned calls and showed up on time, unlike ;Century 21 and two other "professional" rental agents that I left messages with.

The only reason I mentioned April was that she's an agent. While I understand that for some people agents seem to be an easy way out, they do increase the costs involved. It is strictly a personal bias against paying people that tend to show you what they want to move (highest commissions etc)

This is nonsense of course - the owners pay the commission and there is NO difference in price to the buyer. It's standard 3% on sales and one months rent for a one year contract - so there are no 'highest commissions'.

April is ok but she deals with 'lower end' properties around the 3,000 to 6,000 level - chiang mai properties are one of the best for higher end (7,000 to 40,000) - both charge the standard commissions.

It is basically one of the dilemmas of Chiang Mai and its development. The actual residents of the city mostly don't like the noise and the disruption it causes. For the itinerants, Chiang Mai is seen as a place to have a good time and earn a living etc.

You have to remember that development has come fairly quickly for a lot of people here, and hence loudness, brashness, biggest, fanciest etc tend to come in the superlative.

Its a little like the culture of one painkiller relieves you so the whole bottle should give you the best of health.

fair comment - and thanks for stating the obvious - most don't like the noise - it's a no-brainer

Anyone that thinks they can pigeon-hole 90% of the expats into a group that are here for the girls etc ...... oi vey! That number wouldn't even work for the percentage of single men that are expats here, much less the married folks, the women, etc.

I mean really .... cost of living? there are cheaper places. women? exist in every country! laid back atmosphere? If it has you complaining about the locals it must not be very "laid back"!

I used to think that I knew why most people moved to Thailand. Then I actually got out and met many of the people that moved here (not a small part of those meetings were because of TVF.) I realized that expats in Thailand are a quite diverse group of people! You just can't attach any label to them that hits the majority of them other than "expat."

It would make an interesting survey! but, for the majority, take away the girls, cheapness and 'do anything' culture and Thailand would lose the vast majority of expats - that's the truth but most would not want to admit it - I include many of those who may well be married - mostly to girls 20 years younger - I rest my case.

Now as OP can I suggest we get back onto the topic? - this 'why people come here' is very interesting but should really be a thread of it's own (an interesting one at that - especially if there was a poll - although I don't think TVF members are 'typical').

These concerts have been goingon for the 20 years I have been here. It is part of Thai culture to have fun,,noisy fun,, whether you like it or not ! There are plenty of quiet locations in CM, so as others have said - perhaps you should move. The concerts will not.

Hello - I do wish people would read my little posts :jap: I have already said that the festival is short - and apologised - and will travel next year to avoid the ear-bashing from that ridiculous music. But as you mention it - it is not a great part of Thai culture to have loud music - many, many Thais are contemplative and don't like it - the more educated ones that is. It is the youth, primarily, who think destoying ones ear drums 'sanuk' (same in the West but it's done - mostly - within closed walls).

Hmmm am I "pseudo-Thai" ? I am not here for the "girls " (or in my particular case the "boys"), I have taken the time to learn to read Thai, there are cheaper places to live that would not have been so challenging in language acquisition etc. I have an eight year relationship. I eat both western and Thai, have a western salary (but before didn't work for almost 6 years), etc... I wouldn't be happier if there were fewer westerners here.

Nope, I am not even close to being Thai. I don't have PR, I don't have citizenship, I see things far differently than my Thai friends quite often etc. I am just not crusading to CHANGE Thailand. I accept it for what it is (warts and all) just like I do my partner. (And since becoming an adult, have done so with every relationship.) People who tend to adjust well here are those that don't fight the reality of what Thailand is. In my home, it is an English speaking bastion of retreat for me. My partner is fluent in English, we like many of the same things regarding food, TV, music, culture etc. When I leave my home, I know what I am doing. I am walking out into the real world. Sometimes the real world even enters my personal space. (Like waiting on Cable TV installers etc --- the same in the West as in Thailand)

Adaptability is the key to living in Thailand without going nuts. I am adaptable. I don't have to qualify most of my statements. I like Thai people. I like Thailand. I like living here. I find living here challenging and exciting. There is something new every day. If I were to be making negative statements they would be far more general, such as: I don't like some people. (nationality isn't the issue), I don't like some things. (loud crowded places exist everywhere!) I generally don't like shopping (tech gadgets being the exception to the rule.)

Be happy where you live! If you aren't happy with where you live find another place! You are responsible for your own happiness!

maybe, maybe - but that is not the 90% plus I refer too - if you are happy in your little world that's great! we all seek happiness in our own ways.

You are missing my point by a significant margin (again) - most Thai's hate the noise too! it's not that it is just disturbing little old me! it's disturbing the majority of Thais too! but as the Festival is short I have little complaint and if you read the thread I actually apologised as I had not realised it was a shortish festival and I stated that next year I would probably travel somewhere to be out of earshot.

My comments, generally, on Thai selfishness stand - it's my experience (and others too) that, generally, Thais don't care (about other people, animals or the environment). It doesn't make me want to leave, of course, as 90% of Thai living I like. I, too, do not want a 'Nanny State' but a little more law and order and consideration would be welcomed by the vast majority here.

If most Thais hated noise ---- Thailand would be quieter. Most Thais (imho) hardly notice the noise and many associate noise with fun and interesting things. Then again I try pretty hard not to stereotype people with negative associations.

Pardon me for quoting myself quoting you but I find your statements quite telling about how you appear to view Thai people.

Your posts in this thread are showing a propensity to blame and and make blanket statements such as "Thais don't care", "a consideration that wouldn't even cross the most Thai's minds", " and displays a 'I dont give a **** for anyone else attitude' from the Thai's". "Typical Thai: mai pen rai = we don't care ".

with the additions of "There are many decent Thais who hate the noise as much as I do." and "and before you say it - no I didn't come here because I love Thais "

It begs the question .... Why did you come here? I moved here simply because I enjoy Thai culture, Thai people, the escape from the "rat-race" and nanny states of the West etc. So yeah, Thai people were a significant reason I moved here years ago and a significant reason why I stay. Thai people and Thai culture are part and parcel with Thailand and to have what appears to be such a negative attitude towards them seems like you are just letting yourself in for a world full of discomfort and painful awakenings on a regular basis.

This has been discussed before many times - and the answer is always the same for 90% of farangs (I'm being very generous and it's probably a lot more) - take away the cheap living, girls and easy going life and farangs would leave in droves. Keep those few who are psedo-Thai (like your goodself) and there would be few farangs around (which could possibly make you happy).

I make no bones about it - I do like much of Thai culture and some Thai people - but not all and the bits I don't like are not overwhelming enough to make me want to leave - this is a debating forum and I merely begged the question about the noise levels.

The desibel levels at the open air fair on the canal road are sky high.

I mean whats the purpose of playing music so loud? It doesn't sound any clearer or better, it just destroys ears and causes tinnitus.

Hearing loss can not be reversed. It's very sad that so many people in Thailand have hearing problems.

I hope Thailand catches up to Western countries in this regard.

I tend to avoid large, crowded, loud places just because it makes me uncomfortable. While I would like to see some changes made in many areas of Thai society, I certainly hope Thailand never becomes a Nanny State. Much of what I love about Thailand is that it simply is NOT the West. Even small villages here have noise issues. The village PA system that plays the National anthem twice a day and makes random announcements (and in some villages plays the news etc all day long) bothers me more than the constant din of noise here. Why? I adjust to the background noise just like people do who choose to live near an airport. It took me about 3 months living in Kamala before I adjusted to the village PA system. After about 6 months they stopped using it and it took me a couple of months to adjust again

Life in Thailand is full of challenges both great and small on a daily basis. I love it for that! Other people want to see it become the "West" and that would send me packing for sure! Why? Simply put, because I enjoy life and new things. I take a slightly different approach to those that say "if you don't like it then leave!" in that I say "Why live some place that makes you unhappy?" I could choose to live almost anywhere, I choose here. It would be rather hypocritical for me to want the place I choose to change to fit my desires/needs.

You are missing my point by a significant margin (again) - most Thai's hate the noise too! it's not that it is just disturbing little old me! it's disturbing the majority of Thais too! but as the Festival is short I have little complaint and if you read the thread I actually apologised as I had not realised it was a shortish festival and I stated that next year I would probably travel somewhere to be out of earshot.

My comments, generally, on Thai selfishness stand - it's my experience (and others too) that, generally, Thais don't care (about other people, animals or the environment). It doesn't make me want to leave, of course, as 90% of Thai living I like. I, too, do not want a 'Nanny State' but a little more law and order and consideration would be welcomed by the vast majority here.

Live in the city, near a busy area that includes entertainment that MANY people enjoy, and then complain that the music should stop and call the people enjoying it "selfish"? I would think that the One person complaining about the MANY people enjoying themselves might more rightly earn the title selfish.

haha you can't resist it can you? dig,dig,dig - every thread, every topic - we know you of old as another poster rightly put it on a different thread which is why we largely ignore you.

Back ON TOPIC Many people around here are very disturbed by it and it's a general topic of conversation - it's 'noise pollution' and, yes, the Thai's don't care - it's in their nature be it driving, queuing or disturbing others. You would not get away with it in the heart of NY, London or Paris.

Wait until the young kids who are getting boozed up over at the festival reach 30+ then they will start wanting a bit more of a peaceful life too. The fact is noise is a pullutant - don't go telling me TIT - people use that as an excuse for bad behaviour and that everything should be accepted - corruption, prostitution and selfishness - and it's just not true. There are many decent Thais who hate the noise as much as I do.

Think the next concert is from the 26th Dec to the 2nd Jan.

oh joy... thanks - my little house will be delighted

It is the 3rd Annual Food Festival Sponsored By Chiang Beer.

The dates are 9th - 19th December 2010.

We have walked over there the past TWO nights.

We live basically at Huay Kaew Mall and we can hear it very well from our balcony.

Some decent food and games and of course BEER if you like that sort of thing.

I don't understand why the Thais LOVE the Music soooooo LOUD...

But it is the way it is... soooo we just go over and try to have some FUN.

Last night they had the MUSIC CARS and TRUCKS over there with HUGE SPEAKERS.

I like the Music Cars becasue they normally include almost naked girls dancing on top of them.

That's my wifes favorite part and the main reason she insists that we go over there almost

every night.

Sorry to tell you... the noise ain't stopping anytime soon my friend.

If it's the food festival and it's only ten days then I APOLOGISE as I have got it wrong - I can stand it if I know it's only ten nights and will get away for those nights maybe next year - 4 nights to go then PEACE *sigh*

veneer... veneer... vaneer

Is it the Chiang Mai Food Festival?

Hi - I don't think so - in fact tonight it's very quiet - it's much worse this year in my little home - but it's been very, very bad last few days - it's just pure selfishness - I don't miss much about my homeland but I do miss consideration for ones neighbors - a consideraion that would not even cross most Thai's minds. Love Thailand - hate the selfishness - bit like Love the sinner but hate the sin :jap: