mario299

You need to tell the laptop to use the external monitor... e.g. on an IBM laptop you press Fn+F5 to get a list of display options...

With my old laptop, the Graphics Card wasn't fast enough to run the laptop screen and the TV screen at the same time, so I had to close the laptop screen down once the movie started...

Turn off your screen saver/sleep mode first as well, otherwise you need to keep moving the mouse to stop the screen going blank...

Cheers,

Daewoo

Thanks Daewoo, but I guess it wasn't so simple for me, still can't find how to get to external monitor on my Dell Latitude D600. Anyone know what I need to do? I have asked neighborhood children, so luck there either, would very much like to watch movies instead of soap operas. Help anyone??

thanks...mario299

2010-05-26 09[/url]:41:27' post='3643207']

You need to tell the laptop to use the external monitor... e.g. on an IBM laptop you press Fn+F5 to get a list of display options...

With my old laptop, the Graphics Card wasn't fast enough to run the laptop screen and the TV screen at the same time, so I had to close the laptop screen down once the movie started...

Turn off your screen saver/sleep mode first as well, otherwise you need to keep moving the mouse to stop the screen going blank...

Cheers,

Daewoo

Thanks Daewoo, I figured it had to be something simple. Mine is a Dell but I'll figure it out.

mario299

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Hello. I'm certainly no whiz at geek-type stuff, so I need some help on how to connect my laptop to my Sony Bravia so I can watch movies I have stored on my portable hard drive memory. I have purchased and connected (properly, I hope) the proper RGB cable and audio cable from laptop to TV, but menu on TV screen under external hook-ups PC says no signal. What am I not doing to get a signal to the TV?

Any help on something this "basic" is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

mario299

My opinion only, but absolutely yes it would be better to have a companion for your one already rescued pet, and would also benefit another dog in an unpleasant situation as well.

This forum is full of very experienced pet owners, so hopefully you will get replies from "more expert" pet owner than I am, but I seriously think your dog is simply lonely when you leave. Good Luck !!

mario299

This is of course only my personal experience and should not be interpreted to be a universal truth.

Dark skinned ladies are usually farmers, right?

Light skinned girls are usually not farmers, still with me?

Farm ladies are close to the earth. I think they may rightly be called earthy.

On three separate occasions I visited different agricultural regions of Thailand with a Thai lady native to that region. The women in question did not know the extent of my Thai vocabulary. So I was able to listen as a fly on the wall as they chatted about food and relatives and the normal things country women talk about.

The ladies living in the rural communities had little or no exposure to foreign people. They were quite curious about the foreign male.

They asked questions that were similar to the questions one would ask when buying a stud horse. In fact identical to questions I have heard on stud farms in Kentucky. I was slightly surprised they didn't ask about manners, or wealth or my political leanings. They never mentioned if I liked craft projects or put the lid down on the toilet (of course they don't have toilet lids so perhaps this is a superfluous point). They didn't ask if I liked cats or children. They just kept talking about those horse questions and slapping their legs and laughing loudly. Saying, "jing law.(really)" over and over again.

I have also met light skinned women and have visited their homes in suburban areas or their shops and/or businesses. The women also gathered to talk about food and family but I never heard the horse questions mentioned.

I have come to the conclusion that men who have a problem being evaluated like livestock would prefer to be with a light skinned Thai/Chinese woman.

And that men who are used to being referred to as a horse like the darker skinned women.

They didn't ask if I liked cats or children. They just kept talking about those horse questions and slapping their legs and laughing loudly. Saying, "jing law.(really)" over and over again.

I have tears running down my cheeks and I can't stop laughing. Thanks for some great insight, and finally solving the "question" of Thai-Chinese girls.

mario299

Nothing about closure on their website http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/

It would be wise to make an on-line appointment anyway if travelling a long distance.

Would the consulate in CM be easier?

It looks to me like the OP is out of Prasat which is about 1000km from Chiang Mai and Bangkok is about 400km.

Thanks for all the correct info, and yes, gotlost, both I and "party in question" are from Prasat area, so BKK closer than CM. Appreciate all the good replies, as always

mario299

Call them, you tight git!

Yup, like I said, I could call them...then my wife tells her friend I called, then her friend tells him I called, then my desire for "arms length distance" becomes shorter.

Anybody with some knowledge, or more humor?

mario299

Hi, a Thai lady friend of my wife has been anxiously encouraging her American husband to get some affairs handled at the American Citizen Services at the Embassy on Wireless Road, but he has been telling her that he cannot make the trip (they live in Issan) yet because the Embassy has been closed due to the Red Shirt situation.

This is news to me, I haven't heard that this is the situation, and yes...I could call the Embassy and ask but I thought some of you folks would know the correct answer. I also am trying to stay at least an arms length distance from this, and this lady's husband has been known to enhance the truth on occasion. None of my business, but I am at least curious if this (or any of the embassies on Wireless) are/were closed.

Thanks for any info.

mario299

travelling 1000 - Is this just for Taxi ect, if so, your looking at 500 THB a month in Issan, maybe a lot less

food 16000 - way over budget, maybe 5-8 K a month for a good shop at tesco

electric 2000 (air con) - in issan, maybe 1 K

water 1000 - looking at 200 - 300 THB a month

eating out 5000 ( once/twice a week) - in issan, where a meal is 30 THB each, cut this to 2000 THB Max

rent 5000 a month - about right

clothes/toiletries 5000 - again , cut to 2500 THB

extras 5000 - what extras? its issan !

We live in Issan, family of three (teenage daughter, though, eats like two children), maybe some of these figures will help. We budget 11,500 baht/month for our expenses but own our home and truck and motorcycles so no additional payments needed there.

transportation: You can hire a truck/driver for 200 baht/day around here, so 6000 baht/month drives you every day of the month. We budget 1200/month for fuel/insurance/maintenance and it works pretty well unless we make a long trip (that falls under vacation)

Food: We go to Big C once a month and spend 3500

Electric: Paid last one yesterday, 1600 baht, but usually 1000 or so. We've been using A/C at night for the last couple weeks.

Water: 200 baht max, drinking water usually less than 100

Eating Out: I agree with 2000 max, and you'll be eating well.

daily expense for daughter in school (snacks, etc): 1200

school bus truck: 400

miscellaneous" 1000 plus (whatever's left over)

My beer: a lot

Hope this helps

mario299

Hi

I recently shipped same type of items from West Coast America (Portland, Oregon) to Thailand, and the freight forwarder in Bangkok was:

MAC-NELS Shipping (Thailand) Ltd

729/92 Ratchadapisek Rd

Bangpongpang, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120

(662)295-2071-2

(662)295-4942-3

Maybe they can help you doing reverse process, hope this is useful

mario299

I'm at the point where discussing this is just pointless... anyone else?

Yes, dito

I don't always agree with either Loz or neverdie, but this time I'm all in...let's just have a beer, relax, stay outta everyone's way and enjoy a pretty nice life here in LOS. A previous post noted that it's too hot for a shirt anyway, now mine's off. No regrets. Live long and prosper. Mario299

I use a 1-2-Call SIM in my Edge USB modem, deal is 999 THB plus 70 THB VAT for 30 days of unlimited usage. There are lots of packages offering fixed monthly hours for less money from various providers here in Thailand.

Hi

I also use the 1-2-call AIS SIM card, it's a little slow (460 kbs), can't make SKYPE work on it, but for checking email and browsing its fine. I have heard that they dropped the monthly price down to 600 baht from 999, I think was confirmed in one of the TV postings. If you don't need one month service, can also do 100 baht for 20 hours, plus VAT. Hope this helps.

mario299

Hi

I don't think you will find any gold that pure. Try Googling Thai baht gold for the percentages and karat amounts, you'll probably find Thai gold to be 22 karat...still very pretty, though!

Yes, Mario, I was referring to him (and her). If I'm not mistaken they have puppies now.

Thank you, Nienke, we have sent a PM to Ponti, wish us luck !!

Mario299

Not a good experience at all.

I believe there are good vet and dogs breeder out there.

if you are looking for a puppy again perhaps, take more time, check everthing.

In a further post someone (Nienke), refers to Ponti as a breeder of very nice german shepherd dogs. Is this you? My family and I are looking for a german shepherd puppy to give it a nice home in Surin area. We would appreciate any help you can give us in our search. We have no urgency except a desire to complete our family and home-life with a good pet. I am very leery of some of the dogs we have previously seen for sale, and am looking for someone that cares well for their dogs.

Please reply if you are the person referred to, perhaps you can help us in our search.

Thank you in advance.

mario299

I brought in a generator from the states so I could power my tools until I get a long term solution ironed out. Bonus is that my 110/220-60hz is portable.

Find a used one on ebay or craigslist, get a friend to check it out and deliver it to Rama (in LA or NYC), they'll crate it and ship it for relatively cheap. The trick is to find a generator that is close to a major port, I happened to be in Detroit when I got mine and the truck ride from detroit to new jersey (650 miles) cost the same amount as the boat ride from new jersey to bangkok!

Hi, and thanks

I actually did have a generator I intended to bring for this purpose, but changed my mind at the last minute and sold it, thinking it "should be" easy to get a transformer to step down power. I'll get it figured out, but I'm kicking myself a bit for not bringing the generator.

Mario299

You can readily get a transformer to go from 220V to 110V but it won't change the frequency. Pretty much any mom-and-pop electrical emporia will be able to supply in various sizes, make sure you get one of adequate rating.

Changing 50Hz to 60Hz (Hertz is the correct designation, using Cycles will confuse local techs) is considerably more difficult, you'll need a static or rotating inverter. Available but not going to be a cheap item (can't help with prices, I come from a 50Hz country).

Simple things like the chargers for your cordless tools will likely be happy on 110V 50Hz from a transformer, or you may be able to get 220V 50Hz chargers anyway if the tools are big-name.

Anything with mains motors may run slow and could overheat on 50Hz although at the low duty-cycle that most DIY tools experience there's likely to be little problem. Best idea would be to try the kit with a simple transformer of adequate rating and see how it goes before hunting down a 60Hz inverter.

Thanks, that's a good start for me

The cordless tools are high-end, and of great value to me here, so I'll figure out how to best handle the Hz difference. I will certainly keep my tools out of the neighbor's hands, already learned that having lived here 3 years so far. Already purchased many tools here...220V, but recently sold home in US and put what I really wanted on a slow boat to here.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Mario

T

Hi all

I'm no electrician, so need a little help. Have boat coming in about a month with many of my tools from America, such as cordless tools that need battery charge. Am currently building a work-shop and want to have part of electricity transformed from Thai 220W at 50 cycle to 110W/60 cycle so I can use my American tools, how and where do I get a transformer here, and approximate cost ?? (Surin area, but happy to travel if needed).

Anyone out there has done this already ?? Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks much

Mario

What is the maximum legal loan rate?

As far as I was told 15% p.a.

In the interest of accuracy only, from a very informed source....money loaned in the rural areas (Issan i.g.) yields 2% per month on the balance owed and generally borrowed to pay back the "rice bank" for monies previously borrowed, to enable future borrowing capabilities.

Money borrowed in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, etc yields 10% per month on the balance, and certainly doesn't require baseball bat ownership, just the borrowers ATM card for payday payment.

This fyi only, no idea how I know this.

I'm told by a Thai friend who's in the business that it's actually officially 3% - but also that there are so many wrinkles and conditions that can be brought into play to make effective higher rates "legal" that this figure is pretty well meaningless. Not to mention the usual factor of payments to BiB etc so that higher rates will be "OK"; as usual, I assume that these Phuket "culprits" were mainly guilty of neglecting that aspect of their business arrangements.

I basically agree with surangw's comment and disagree with TAWP if he's suggesting that all the unofficial lenders are simply of the "loan shark" variety. From what I understand many of the gold shops are in the business of money-lending (as well as many neighbourhood phu yai) - and there's simply too much competition in the business for it to work like that as universally as he suggests. Likewise, many Thai - while they may have some kind of bank account - are just not into/equipped for lining up collateral for bank loans.......... too much hassle and paperwork compared to dealing with the neighbourhood moneylenders for a short-term loan.

An update (with apologies for my earlier inaccuracy). Seeing today's Bangkok Post article (similar in The Nation, I think) about government action on private lending (i.e. the loan shark style of business) referring to an accepted maximum of 15% per annum, I quizzed the Thai friend again and he now explains that the 3% figure he gave me previously was per month. How that can work out to 15% p.a. is beyond my understanding - but I'm only the son of an accountant and not one myself.......

While I'm here, I'll take the opportunity to respond to TAWP's later post. While I agree in principle with the general sentiment of "People taking short-term loans are in most regards not the kind that should be borrowing money from anyone", in practice there are many for whom "must" trumps "shouldn't" when they absolutely need the money but simply haven't got it. While I'm sure there are many wrinkles yet to be ironed out, the new scheme announced by the government is at least a good start and should help to deal with some of the excesses - usually from long-term loans at rates that compound ruinously. That said, as I know from more than just my present neighbourhood, there are moderate and accepted versions of the private lending business (usually very short-term loans) that have nothing whatever to do with baseball bats and the like. Yes, it's "A nice niche to sell in" (and highly profitable for the lender) - but that niche is people with short-term but urgent financial needs to be met. Is the recommended alternative to just say "tough"?

Sweet,

can't wait to check it out. do a lot of the Cambodian people speak Thai? I realise there is a bit of tension as the Thai-Cambodian border as well, if I go with my Thai wife would this be a concern?

They speak Khmer, same as northeastern Thais near Cambodian border (Prasat, Surin, etc.) Your wife will probably be understood but nothing is for certain in Kamphucha. If you fly, be prepared to spend at least $50 USD in and out for you and your wife, and make sure it is USD because that's what they really like.

If you enjoy being highly pressured by the locals then the bus is the way to go to Sihanookville. SIX HOUR RIDE !! The bus station will be an experience leading to what will later come. Do not expect to find a reasonably priced taxi when you arrive, or even a taxi at all. My Thai wife and I stayed a few days there two years ago. and will never go back. We were promised a taxi to the bus in the morning, didn't happen. Many other things promised...didn't happen.

The beaches, however, were excellent and I highly recommend this part of Cambodia, but caution about what it takes to get there. Our hotel stay in Phnom Phen was nice, but getting there is a story I will tell my grandchildren...not pleasant or fun.

Good luck! If you are an experienced traveler then none of this will come as a surprise. If not, keep your wits about you and good luck.

mario299

I've had a Thai gf since April. About two weeks ago (mid-Sept) I returned to the US for a short-term work engagement. We had planned for her to come out to visit for a week at end of October. We followed all of the documentation requirements but found they weren't even needed. read on to see why. She went for the interview this morning. What transpired took about one minute before she was flatly denied.

The interviewer asked my girlfriend four questions:

1. "How long have you been dating?" "Six months."

2. "How old is your boyfriend?" "37 years old."

3. "How old are you?" "21 years old." And she asked again, "You are 21 but your boyfriend is 37?"

4. "When will you graduate?" "Next year."

After that the interviewer said she was sorry that the application was refused and she didn't require my girlfriend to furnish ANY of the documentation we prepared (including financial statements, her father's governor card, my sponsorship letter, everything out of the "rulebook" etc. etc.)

The interviewer returned a document that said: "I have not been able to demonstrate sufficiently strong family, social or economic ties to a country outside the U.S. that would compel you to leave the United States after a temporary stay."

What the hel_l does that mean? I could go on and on about our credibility, but that's not even the point here. The interviewer asked about our ages and then made a completely unreasonable assumption.

Do we have any options to appeal? This does not appear to be the process we are due. We are both very insulted.

Thanks for your guidance and support.

It's brutal isn't it? They play god with those visa's. It may not be the best option but it's easier to just get married. I am 42 and my thai wife is 24. We are awesome together but the first tourist visa for her to get to australia took a month of BS and I think we only got it in the end because we were married. She is now getting a second tourist visa as we are not interested in the spouse visa - its just too much of an intrusion and for someone like me who has lived in many countries, its just way too much hassle. I had a friend who met a girl in the Philippines and tried twice to get a tourist visa for her - both times refused. They have all the power at the embassy and they don't treat the girls very nicely when they apply, more like they are criminals. Good luck with it but in the end your options will be go there to live for a while or get married and then they have to take the application a bit more seriously.

My experience with dealing with the American Embassy

I was able to get a visitor visa for my wife, we are officially married under Thai Law, to see America in March, 2007, but when we tried to get a visitor visa for my step-daughter to be a part of our American wedding in October, 2007 they flatly turned us down. The VERY RUDE embassy official gave us the same reply you got...unable to guarantee that our daughter had sufficient family ties to guarantee return to Thailand...and suggested that "maybe it would be easier if she had a job to return to"..SHE IS 12 YEARS OLD.

We had our American wedding without our daughter, which will remain in my thoughts forever, and we have subsequently obtained visas to immigrate to America, if we choose. (K-3, K-4), but I honestly do not think we will choose this option after our humiliating and embarrassing ordeal in front of the American Embassy gods.

Good luck and we wish you the best.

mario299

I agree that the biggest problem about this particular flu is the media attention. The gentleman from America (as I am from) stated correctly that the actual "damage done" is relatively small, and we are right next door to Mexico. Sure, travel make the spread easier, but the real bottom line is the media. They have a job...make money to stay in business. How better to stay in business than to have people listen to you and buy your advertising products, since that's what pays your bills anyway.

How best to make people listen to you? Be sensational, repeat SENSATIONAL...big problems, no solutions, the sky is falling. Oh, and by the way please buy my toilet paper.

God love you all, this is a great forum but please keep in mind that ordinary sanitary habits are, and have always been, the best methods of preventing problems like these. Take these precautions, stay away from people in crowds with bad sanitary habits, wash your hands all the time for crying out loud, and stop listening to the media's alarms with hidden agendas.

Best to you all, and thank you for this forum.

Here is what I do to cut all that crap out. You can do this if you have a Thai bank account. I have a Siam Commercial Bank account. I setup a Paypal account noting the country as Thailand during the setup. I added my Siam Commercial Bank account to it. It was listed as a bank in the drop down. I also have an American Paypal so what I do is transfer money from my Paypal American account to my Paypal Thailand account. If i do over 5000 baht there is no fee otherwise it's 50 baht. It takes about 7 days to transfer the money but I pay NOTHING. Even when I paypal myself to the Thailand Paypal, they take nothing. Then the money hits my SCB account. I know it might seem like a lot of steps but honestly it takes me 1 minute to do the transfer and I just wait. This is how I pay my rent and get my money here in Thailand because Wells Fargo in America charges a ATM fee, International Currency Fee and some other crap. So, i don't get charged all the fees. The only drawback could be the exchange rate on the baht but it's fairly decent right now.

Good for you, and that's what we all should be doing...look for a better way instead of complaining about the bad way. For the time it takes to whine about how much you have to oay in fees, you could research how to get your money with less fees. ALL WAYS try to improve !!

mario299