Pash

Here's another...

WRT120N - Product Support and Services

Exceellent. Keep on posting & helping

Wireless range is very fickle. Depends on many things not the least the brand of the modem/router.

Some high priced units have trouble over 10m with walls others vary up to 20m.

Its not worth it in this case but he could also fit high gain antennaes and range expanders. I have used them at 50 - 60m but of

course still suffer from foreign objects and they do cost money.

If all the fixes suggested dont get you anywhere why not measure the actual distance (add 10%) and get one of the shops in the Rai

to make you up a cable. Seriously, some Cat 5 cable and 2 RJ45 connectors are not expensive and there are contractors

in town who can supply and terminate. Should only take 10 mins maximum.

Generally yes you will pay tax and courier services ike the big 3 have an agreement in a lot of countries, Thailand is no exception, to collect. so they can be real mongrels. Have fought them in Thailand and a few western countries.

if you can prove you bought it here you can claim an exemption. Alternatively if your girlfriend is Thai and has been out of the country for 12 months or more youcan claim certain exmptions based on resident return. And before the usual crowd say anything we have done it. Recently.

Nuff Said.

As an ex scaff I have never seen a scaffold in Thailand that I would put my name to. The best scaffolders in the world are the Brits. In the UK you need to be trained to a high standard before you can erect a scaffold. An advanced scaffolder can erect a scaffold to any height. it is only when you start to sheet it in that it needs to be designed by an engineer. Scaffolds tend to collapse as a result of the load bearing design of the scaffold being exceeded. The load bearing of the scaffold is the distance between the upright standards and check fittings etc. Scaffolds tend to topple due to the lack of anchors attaching the scaffold to the building. A picture of the scaffold would also tell a lot.

In the UK the person who built and signed off the scaffold is legally responsible for it. it would also have a tag telling people the maximum loading and any other restrictions and inspected regularly and signed off.

Will anybody here be held responsible for the collapse ? I doubt it

RIP the guys who died

Sorry Dunc but without prejudice the 2 largest scaffolding companies in the world are European If the job is big enough and this one was an Engineer (the type with a degree not just a spanner in their hand) would have to sign off the assembly plan .

If anyone has passed the site: What was the colour of the scaffolding?? All the manufacturers have signature colours.

I'm not in the least surprised, Only last week I had to lend our scaffolder a spanner to tighten nuts on fixings as he just hung on them after hand tightening them to check if safe enough !!! Also same week took my sons bicycle to a reputable (god only knows how) bicycle repair shop for two new tyres to be fitted. It was returned with painted white 'Direction of travel' markings facing backwards and a nut missing.

They were really jostling with the Laotians and Nigerians at the back of the queue when God handed out brains weren't they.

Wanted to reply to that but saw your handle name as UKfool.

Same as you but his "handle" says it all. Still dont see what his sons bicycle tyres has to do with scaffolding erection.

Assuming the $30 / day is US (so we can calculate a common ground = 900 baht / day then:

Why not incorporate a few of the answers and stay in smaller places like Chiang Rai. Udon, etc. for varying periods. Smaller towns can offer rooms as you described for 3 - 400 baht / day. Use the bus service or train and see a lot of Thailand and get all the sights & experiences plus the fresh food / fruit for the same cost when factoring in the transport??

The guy near the public hospital installed a dodgy version of Windows when he fixed my laptop.

I never noticed (all it seems to do is hassle you about sending money to Micro$oft) until I had downloaded and reinstalled all my other programs so I found a little program that made it work just like a bought one.

Good on you.

If anyone chooses to use illegitmate or such software then that is their problem. Not the Forum police.

For the OP and part of the thread: Please where and what is Jimmy's?

You can import it as spares no problem but then you will have big problems registering it legitimately as you would not have the neccessary import/customs papers.

A guy I know imported a Mercedes this way and got into enough trouble that he considered it a good idea to leave the country for a while.

Yes, good point!

With no purchase papers how can one register the bike!

Can a backhander settle this at the motor department?

I found a lovely 1300 Superfour for 200k in Kanchanaburi. It only had invoice papers.

My wifes friend at the local Dept of Land & Transport said that it would be impossible to register locally.

Another friend told me that for 100k it would be possible to get a proper green book in Bangkok. I know for a fact he has done this for several big bikes but his did come with all the proper import documents.

No chance to make this bike pass todays Euro, Calif or LOS emision tests. So no chance to make it legally. Possible to pay to pass, and you might get away with it for years.

The only valid or applicable tests are the LoS. The others have no bearing. As the bike is being assembled here there is no necessity to for emission tests unless one tries to

then legitimise the bike 100%.

This bike importation methid has been done by many people for many years. It is possible. That was the answer to the original post question.

Read the formula for the duty payable on importation and you will see it is financially worth it using the OP's import strategy and you could then bring in the motor / frame seperately but legitimately if that appealed..

It gets worse when they use 'Mr' plus their first name. "Hello, Mr Bob speaking." Or ask Thais to "Go and talk to Mr John."

At least Khun + first name is vaguely Thai whereas the above is far more tosser-ish. Which isnt surprisign as these are the type of expats who speak to other expats in Tonto English. "I go pub, watch football. You come eat farang food"

Right on. Well said.

The OP definitely has a too much tme issue but the Tonto English guys have a greater problem. I note that as the time I post this the OP has disappeared back to the fundamental orifice he/ she / they first appeared from without responding to any of the comments even to clarify. SO i ask "why bother in the first place?" unless to set this in motion.

In many countries I would us the Khun or Mr (even Ms) honorifica as a sign of respect or sometimes intentionally applied as disrespect.

As to answering the phone. 99% of Thais I know use hello even though they cannot speak English. They might not be (and I really hope they are not) your acquaintances but it seems to have caught on. A new Thinglish word?

Thanks for your help everyone. A consolidated shipment sounds the way to go, the next challenge is to find any carbon based lifeform here who can agree a tariff rate and stick to it.

I have used a company in Bangkok a number of times..

They have business partners in the US and most countries

Talk to Khun Charles. Very switched on.

http://www.pioneer.co.th/f_suggest.htm

This story has been ongoing for over a year now...it is sad, mainly because as reported, the workers often pay [borrow] up to B 200,000 to "job brokers" up in Issan to even get these supposed "jobs" to begin with. Wouldn't suprise me if the Swedish fella was in cahoots with these Thai brokers all along and that they split up the "fees" for these "jobs."

Surprising that these labour abuses are allowed to go basically unchecked in that socialist workers' paradise of Sweden, however.

This appears to be one man, with a Finnish name, although he could be a Swede.

I have worked for major Swedish contractors. At one time we tried to set up our own recruiting agency in Thailand as the Thai agencies were ripping off the workers they sent to us.

But impossible - Thai law would not allow it.

So we had to keep paying the scummy Thai agents and find ways round the conditions imposed so that the families of our workers received a fair portion of what these guys earned.

It cost us money at the start, but I had Thai workers following me from job-to-job for a dozen years or more, because they knew they would get fair treatment and their families would see more money. That is the basic Swedish approach to employees, fair and reasonable.

This guy deserves whatever's coming to him.

Hunphrey

Slightly off base but what you are referring to happens in every Asian and some none Asian country including your home Oz. You can employ direct you just cannot form your own agency.

This guy is one of many across the Middle East and Asia doing the same thing. Lots of Westerners get caught the same way. It is not a new story. back to "buyer beware" in an alternative format.

I am not surprised about the poster UKinbkk who whinges about everything. The first 3 letters of his "name" says it all. Just beats me why they stay here.

My past experience ... not an expert in this

The problem you have is you will get caught with so many different fees

(1) Australia bank charges for transfer

(2) Thai bank charge for accpeting transfer ... and

(3) conversion rate

So the amount must be reasonable to get percentage cost down.

(a) I transfered to BBL (paid Aus fees) in AUD into Bangkok Bank.

( Bangkok Bank used to charge me THB600 ... this may have changed

© Bangkok Bank made the conversion. I found the conversion rate is a hel_l lot better than what you can get in Aus. That is why I sent money as AUD and not THB.

If you are in Aus, I would suggest that you are better of taking cash (up tp AUD 10,000) and change at the bank here. :jap:

The fees are a minefield but it depends on the amount you want to transfer. I found Oz banks tobe very ruthless incharging me. So I no longer do so.

Exchange rates can change by the minute and each bank is different. Sometimes I have walked around comparing before settling on the better one.

Banks are better than money transfer operators.

One of the best in Oz is First 24 7. Look it up. I use it regularly, They also are restricted by daily exchange rates.

To qualify the above you can bring up to $A10,000 per person in cash without notice or much much more with prior notice. Or dont declare it. Your choice.

Yep:

If your not happy go home. Anyone who has been to Paris loves the place hates the people. That includes the Non Parisian French. Says a lot about you.

Good luck and don't bother writing.

We are happy and we stay. It is our chocie just as yours is to leave.

Personally I have no time for quitters.

At 200,000 baht that is 1,000 days or about 3 years at 7 days a week labour for one man to cut the grass.

I use a kruang tatya and do it my self for an hour or so a day 4 days a week unless I take a day off and that is for more that 2 rai.

Not to mention that I get some exercise in as well.

Who cares?

The question was in relation to obtaining a ride on mower not the habits or preferences of the readers.

Under the right circumstances you can purchase overseas and import for less than 200K (baht)

I did and that gives the OP an idea relative to the question

When I researched it for myself a few years back the only sure way is lipo. Plus it was indicated that it is hereditary as well as lifestyle.

Suvarnabhumi as it stands now, is never going to feature in any of those unless they do a special show about the World's Best Duty Free Cash Cows.

The insanely long queues, at the end of which you face a surly old fart who doesn't know how to operate his computer and can't speak a word of English (and can't actually speak in any language but can only shout and bark orders), makes a really poor welcome to the country.

After walking through an airport which just reeks of low quality and poor planning -- non-functioning wireless, out-of-order and impossible-to-find toilets, signs that looks like they were made in the 1950s), the only gates in use always being the farthest ones from the terminal -- the last thing people want is to stand around for an hour and then get yelled at because they aren't standing in the magic spot that the $2 webcam can see.

Someone missed their happy pill today?

Never had any of the problems you are alluding to. Average of 4 times a year. Pricing is typical airport.

This topic is 24 minute to clear immigration. Does not specify entry or exit but some of us assume exit (the country).

if you have been there when the queue gets to the immigration door you can appreciate the effort being made.

As to the previous mention of China! I would take Suv any day. Chinese tour groups jumping queues because 1 person is already in the line. Every time.

Lately I have seen the duty people (BKK) sending off the morons who do not or cannot fill out their exit forms. Makes a change from when they (and some countries still allow) e.g. Malaysia - people to fill their forms out while we wait in the queue.

This is progress and should be applauded.

Maybe I am just getting old and cynical, but a government guy from the other end of the country, cold calling to buy land? No I dont think so... I would be seriously cautious of this guy. Tell him nothing and take him nowhere. One to two Lan tip would get most Thais into agent mode. But would you ring a complete stranger and ask them to help you spend 140 to 200 Million Baht?

Mate, cant remember which Python film is was but when confronted with the enemy the command given was "FLEE"

Isaanaussie

Monty Python & the Holy Grail

Runaway, runaway

It's only a rabitt.

But it has big sharp teeth & claws

Big deal! A lot of those people need to cover their expenses at home even if they get a free ride to Bangkok and a few free meals while they are there.

Thats not the point genius. They are being paid to pretend to be genuine protestors.

If you believe in a cause the money becomes secondary though I grant you in my mind always important

As someone who has been through this process, I can give you a few pointers.

Starting a company will cost money (about 80-100k/year) that you can't afford, best do it in the wife's name as sole trader unless you need a WP / job to get non-O or business extension

Setting up a coffee shop that sells decent (e.g. CoffeeWorld) coffee is not that cheap. We did not do a franchise, which would cost more but they might package up the equipment needed better, so not sure which is best. But consider (for a 40m2 shop):

- Espresso machine (150,000-400,000 for a new one)

- Fitting out the shop with basic counter etc (150k - the specialist coffee shop builders were quoting more than 200k)

- Paper/Plastic Cups, spoons etc (minimum order 20k if you don't buy from a franchisee)

- Air con, fridge, cake display, till (near 100k)

- Furniture, plants etc (nearly 100k)

- Staff at 5-7k per month each, and you need to train them to use the machines etc

- misc kitchen equipement, coffee grinder etc (40k)

Location, as people have said previously is critical, I would say it needs to be in a place where a lot of people work. We were located near a school and in a big apartment block, but did not get as much trade as we expected and it was not constant through the day.

Excluding amortization and rent/electric costs, it will cost between 15-20 baht to make a coffee, so to support a shop you really need to sell at 40 or more. On a good day we would take in 3000-4000 baht, but overall we were only just about breaking even (minus the initial investment!)

I think we might have been able to generate some profit with a bit of marketing and some better processes to stop 'revenue leakage', but in the end, the thing that killed the shop was that the staff would just quit. No warning, no notice, they just wouldn't turn up one day and that was it, meaning that my wife was trying to run it alone with 2 kids under 4! (at the time). (One of the staff who just left was a family member!)

Luckily it wasn't something we were doing for a living, just as a hobby to see where it went, and I was only around part of the time as my work was primarily overseas.

It would have been nice if the Coffee Shop had made money, but unless you are completely on top of it and generating revenue of 100k/month on >40 baht coffees, it's unlikely that you will.

Did any of you read the original post? Is it just a chance to be negative??

Quoted: "We are thinking just a small booth or a corner booth to start with"

Also the guy who set up in Melbourne ( and should have checked out Sydney) should be able to tell you that there are lots of the booth style coffee places that survive. And that is in a saturated market.

Whether it works in Bangkok is up in the air but the poster says he is willing to gamble.

He is looking for ideas not coffins

I dont think any airline accepts debit cards for online bookings. I have used my Visa cards regularly with air asia with excellant service on line.

Garbage.

I use an international (non Thai) debit card for all my flights. Multiple airlines.

Air Asia accepts my Thai visa debit. Air AsiaX does not and will not. I have tried most of them and spoken to the call centre staff. The interent process about registering is misleading.

I think you misunderstood. He asked for tips. I gave them. I didn't say 'I just figured this out yesterday'. ใจเย็นๆนะครับ

There are many other ways/words to be informal/rude than just adding ending particles. Pronoun selection, for example.

And lastly, I realize everyone understands central dialect, even Laotians. But it'd be silly to go to Isaan and expect them to speak central to me

What sparked this post was my last trip to Chiang Mai . . . I hadn't been there in 5 years, and this time I noticed the dialect. It sounded all funny like, almost a constant bouncing of rising and falling tones. Then came the weird words . . .

me: กี่บาทอ่ะครับ?

the seller: ซาวบาท

me: ???

Apparently it means 20 baht . . .

My very limited understanding of southern dialect is that they like to cut words in half . . . for example:

นุกม๊ะ? = สนุกไหม?

So I'm basically looking for a book so I'm not all งง all the time when outside of BKK . . .

You should try travelling around Thailand, Go far north. Real north not Isaan. Past CM. There is even lesser co-relation between the 2 dialects. And as Tod -daniels (time of death??) correctly reported all students are taught central Thai.

When my father in law comes to Bangkok no one can understand him. I love it, as at home (far north) it is my turn to be misunderstood.

About time , not that obese people are not wonderful human beings , it just sucks to have to sit next to a sweaty heavy breathing pig.

Jimmy, it amazes me to no end how morons like yourself take the time out of your day to show the rest of the world that people like you are living next to the rest of us. What a pity indeed.

Now aint that the truth. If only we could only bring home this reality to the rest of the rocket scientists:= what a relief.

Weight does not decide obesity. Except in later years. What about a 160kG athlete??

How about people with shoulders wider than 43cm?? Mine are and my fat is on my gut protruding forward not sideways.

Work it out for yourself poindexter(s)!

Some of the post on the thread are the exact reason I love the village having a masters degree from an US university, having held political office, having been employed in the DVA system, I have no need to discuss what time it is in New York or anything else going on in the world, Been there,Done that.

Life in the village is not for everyone, If you need someone else ( from the West) to help complete your meaning for life by all means go back to Pattaya, if you can make happiness for yourself out of your own element, by all means come back to the village.

If anyone can claim that life in Bangkok, Pattaya or Chiang Mai is less polluted and quieter than the village,

It makes me question other points in their post.

When in the village one dose not knock on someones door and aggressively complain about motor bikes speeding around at night, confrontation only lead to more confrontation. If one has a problem, have your wife talk to the village headman about it and if he see your complaint has merit ,he will talk to the neighbors.

One thing you need to understand you as a falang do not own your house your wife dose, no matter who she brought it from. So action that work in the West are not the actions one is to use in the village.

Cheers:

Out of curiosity and off topic: Was english part of your masters?? It was mine!

Love to see what this forum got to say now .

seem like the cry wolf had been caught and of cos he is a tourist and a 1000b fine is ok and he can go ..

what happen to yesterday .. big words about how we should punish the Tuk tuk driver .. what about the tourist , how about he go to jail .

This is really a Farang experience -

what is new

and all this cos of 50b

Exactly. And this forum already had the Tuk Tuk driver convicted and hung

Not defending the actions of the driver by any means but didn't the guy agree to 150 then offer 100. Probably not a good idea in any foreign country over 50 baht.

I'd have to agree here. Anwar and the driver agreed to 150 baht for the ride, and then after services were rendered, Anwar wanted to offer less. And if it's true that he escalated the situation further by being rude and kicking the driver, then I'm not surprised at the eventual outcome.

I'm sort of happy that people like Anwar won't be returning to Thailand for their holidays.

I agree 100%. We dont need them here. A contract was struck and this guy has reneged. Whether it was fair or not is irrelevant. It was a verbal contract.

Plus: You notice that most of the forum replies are anti the Tuk Tuk driver. Guilty unless proven innocent. Unless you (or I) were there we cannot say who threw the first "punch or kicK'