gkinbkk

HAve been using a DTAC micro sim in iPad for about 6 weeks now. When I first got it I really thought the product was pretty good but in the last couple of weeks it has been absolute <deleted>.

My work email times out while trying to contact the server constantly and for about 1 week I cannot get on facebook using the DTAC network. Everything else is fine, wireless at home, Starhub 3G in Singapore all worked brilliantly.

Anyone else have a similar experience? Is True any better? Are there some settings I have configured incorrectly? (not that I imagine what they'd be, the iPad is a very simple device!)

Just arrived in TH and looking for a bank. Have been recommended BKK Bank. No so much worried about the products but more about service. If I have to call the call centre what sort of response will I get? Will they be able to resolve my problems without going into a branch? Should I be looking somewhere else for decent customer service?

Any DTAC shop. Unlimited data, 30 days for 1000b

No coaching suggestions but I did stare at the screen for ten minutes incredulous that True could broadcast this live with Thai commentary while not managing to show one other bit of rugby for the last 5 years!

the rugby is still on in the second half now!!!!

You must have been watching Australia Network which was delayed by an hour or so.

I just watched the rugby in a bar that was showing on a satellite from PNG.....no commentary! (but at least I saw the game)

European clubs will never release their players long enough to fit another team in 6 nations. SA needs to pull its head in and learn to get along with its SANZAR partners, this is all about getting another team in Super Rugby which, since it became S14, has been less than super.....

Being an optimist I decided to try the normal package first then if I had problems I could upgrade to the premium service.

So far, at all times of the day, I've been getting close to 8mbps for both local and international traffic as advertised. Actually I am pleasantly surprised, the product (as opposed to the service) has been kick ass.

Now lemme tell ya 'bout the service....... 'can't come raining' 'cant come too much traffic' 'maybe come next sunday, no traffic' ' maybe get BB internet easier for you because no change of number' 'building management giving me trouble too difficult to install'.....no wonder they aint making any money.

The primary concern of the telcos right at this point is the impending launch of number portability and being ready for that. Cant see them rushing out widespread 3G coverage anytime soon....

Signed up for an 8mbps package today, found the guy serving me to be quite knowledgeable and helpful. Anyway, he swore to me there is absolutely no difference in download speeds between premium and normal...called it a farang charge, no magical international 'my connection is faster than yours' premium download speeds. Only difference is in upload speed.

I remain skeptical.

Does anyone have any experience with the 2 packages and can comment?

I have an AIS one with 50 free hours a month for 6 months, and a DTAC internet sim in my iPad which is 999 unlimited permonth.

Drove from BKK to Ubon listening to rugby league on internet radio all the way using DTAC. AIS was hit and miss and got so bad that I couldnt use it for 2 days. OK in the city when I'm working but upcountry I thought it was rubbish. All my Thai colleagues have had the same experience too...

Wendys have just (re) opened a bunch of restaurants in SIngapore, some of them in Burger King premises...... there is always hope for Thailand

I shouldnt be surprised but TV7 (free) has the english commentary and True (2000b a month) does not......

*sigh*

Its funded by the Australian government and is free to all. No one has any interest in getting it from True because they're all getting it through other means! Its in every hotel in Thailand <deleted>.....

Beware if you're a rugby fan and paying the 16k to get a box to watch rugby next year as the rights have all gone to Setanta for Asia who are 'looking for a broadcast partner'....... which also explains why Australia Network have been ramping up the coverage of Australia's most watched sport (NRL) ...haha

After 3 games I'd be surprised if its anything but a dead rubber and really not worth the money to go......

You'll be able to buy it direct from Apple, they are on the Thai store now but no price as of yet. In Singapore they are $748 direct from Apple or around 17.5k baht

I reckon 8gb is more than enough for a phone and I'll be getting one for sure when I'm in Sg next week

If anyone is interested I am coming from the States to Bangkok for a bit of vacation time. I currently sell Apple products here in the States and will be bringing my iPad with me on my trip. If anyone is interested in buying it I'd be willing to part with it once I get to Bangkok and will just get another one when I come back home.

Just let me know if anyone is interested. I could also bring a new iPad to someone if they wish but I would have to have payment before hand. Figured I would make the offer since the iPad is still very hard to come by right now.

Very hard to come by?!...nah MBK is full of the things right now, cant walk in the door without tripping over them.......you would have to deal on price alone because they are being sold at a premium.

Currently 33k for the 64gb wifi 3G with a screen protector. Case is kind of expensive at 2300 but necessary.

DTAC micro sim kind of expensive in the prepaid version 500bht for 300 mins but a very good product.

Most carriers you need to activate the SIM first which means putting it in a phone before cutting it up and putting it in the iPad. Not sure how you will recharge the credit when the time comes. Guess its the same for AIS. I have an aircard with an AIS SIM in it for my notebook. Had to activate it by putting it in a phone and dialling *120. Then when I connected it to the notebook it installed an AIS connection manager and I can only connect through that.

Would be very interested in finding out about peoples experiences with the various data plans for iPad.....

I wonder if they will identify the 150b international transaction ATM fee as being unfair?!...somehow I think not!

After staying in serviced apartments the last few years while working in Bangkok I am finally relocating on a more permanent basis and looking at apartments on the web. To be honest they seem kind of expensive and more reflective of Singapore prices than what I expect from Thailand.

So, how overpriced are the apartments advertised on the english language sites and in negotiating a rental price where should I start? So for example on an apartment advertised at 100k a month then what should I be offering?

I'm sure there are lots of agents on this forum that will be a little loose with the truth but I hope someone can help.......

Good pub, great bands, good place to watch sports. 2 gripes:

1. The food is crap and the menu poor. There have been occasions when a big group of us have gone elsewhere to watch a rugby game because the food isn't up to it.

2. Nine times out of ten there are no tables. I see in the pics they have removed the other bar? that might make it a little better but I have a feeling that it will make it even more of a squeeze to see some of the TV screens because there used to be about 4 flatscreens there that often I ended up watching because there was no space to see any other screens. Also the bar was a good room separator when there was a rugby league game on at the same time as a rugby game so you could have 2 crowds going at the same time.

Anyway, havent been there for about 3 months because of the space issue. Too many times we took a taxi there for a rugby game and ended up doing a mad run somewhere else because there were no tables or even places to stand...those booths down the end are a huge waste of space.

Search on Takamine not Takamini

Dealer in Central World and Siam Paragon (probably Nakon Kasem as well), Capital Music I think they are called.

If you go to the one in Siam Paragon, almost directly opposite is another shop that has some great small body Taylors and/or the baby Taylor which are in a different league altogether IMO

The bad smell was gone in a few weeks, apparently coming from years of unmaintained and uncleaned pipes under the bar.....not surprising really.

The menu at O'Reillys has been very ordinary for a very long time and if he can sort that out as well, at least they'll have a decent product to sell.

Clean pipes and decent food works for me...yeah the Thai manager has been doing a hel_l of a job.....

MY first post too.....

Have been to the Aussie pub 3 times now for dinner and a few beers. Food every time was top notch, steaks were great and I particularly liked the potato salad that came with it. Wife had lamb chops, a little on the small side, and kids had fish and chips which were quite ok. For me the steaks are worth returning for.

Just in case I thought it was a honeymoon period I had the same meal at Tenderloins a few nights later....Australian pub kicked ass, a fact which was made evident by the girl walking around Tenderloins asking how they could make the meal better and the empty seats.

Always found the staff were good at Aussie pub and absolutely superb with our kids...for that single point alone we will return.

The bad?

I thought the band were ok but truly awful playing the Australian stuff....I wished I never requested Cold Chisel and wanted to run for the door when they attempted Khe Sahn...it wasn't good. I am new to BKK from Singapore and if this band is 'promising' then I am in for a disappointing stay. We are lucky enough in SG to have a very good band made up of expats that can really play that stuff well and do all those kind of functions/aussie pub etc...maybe I should bring em to the BKK Aussie pub to do a 1 or 2 night run!

The manager didnt seem to be that friendly.....he obviously knows a few of his regulars and keeps to talking to them but I didnt see him doing any 'business development' as such.

The <deleted> quota is very high in this pub. A lot of loud Aussie tourists and total wanke_rs in there. I was in for the rugby a few weeks back and some guy at the bar kept yelling f&^ing C&^t at the top of his voice every time the All Blacks dropped the ball. Most of the dickheads are outside in the smoking section though.

No big screen/sports volume inside so if you want to watch the big games it has to be outside with the smokers/dickheads in a small space.

A little on the pricey side but not for the types of people who will frequent this place.

Overall though, I like it for an early evening dinner with the family and a few relaxing beers while the cricket is on.......