Aquanaut

It's not often I feel I can recommend a local company for great service and a job well done, so this is rather refreshing.

I needed to have a stronger tow bar made and fitted on my truck than the one I had. After a lot of asking around, I found a small workshop which I felt confident to trust with the job and I'm most pleased with the result and the price charged.The tow bar was made completely from scratch and my requests were followed to the letter - I wanted a sturdy bar that I could quickly adapt from hitch ball, to drop-pin (the more commonly used type on boat trailers here) I advised them I needed to safely tow to 2.5 tonnes. The guys went beyond that and I reckon I can now tow up to 5 ton without failure LOL

They can be found near the airport; heading from Krabi Town on the 4 road to Trang, turn left at the traffic lights just after the Susco gas station, about before 1 km before the airport. Their small workshop is the first building, around 20 meters on the right. The owner is named Lek and although he doesn't speak English (take the wife, or friend if you don't speak reasonable Thai), he is friendly, professional and above all, fair - prices are the same for foreigners as they are for local folks. What impressed me most was his level of care towards his work (I know, rare indeed here!). He measured twice and cut once; heck, he even used a set square before welding!! They also do modifications/repairs to cars/trucks including exhausts. I had my catalytic convertor cleaned out whilst I was there, which after 70'000kms was completely clogged. No more jumpy pull-aways from a standing start

Btw, I'm not married to his sister and have absolutely no connection with Lek, or his company. Just a delighted customer who paid a fair price for a good job and thought I would share my experience for others in Krabi.

Lek's phone number is 087 629 8771 for those that need it.

Thanks. Much appreciated

Thanks for your prompt reply, Joe.

I presently have an Ed. Visa (re-entry permit).
So, I can apply for retirement extension? at my local Immigration Office (IO), in the last few weeks before my current visa expires? I was initially told by an officer there that I would need to exit Thailand and obtain a non-O, then apply for an extension at the local IO. A few days ago, another officer said to come see him nearer the time of my visa expiration and he would "sort it out for me;" this may require a gratuity!

It's all new for me, so would appreciate clear clarification. Many thanks

Good morning,

I'm hoping some learned soul can clarify the situation for me.

I'm presently on an Education Visa which expires in a couple of months and would like to remain in Thailand thereafter, on a retirement basis (I turn 50 next month). However, I've been given mixed information regarding the application process from Ed. Visa to retirement. I'd be very grateful for the correct procedure/requirements from those that know.

I've had the required 800'000 B in my Thai bank account for the past 6 weeks.

Many thanks in advance.

"These references seem to go on forever."

As do these...

Coral reef diving is an all-time favorite to most scuba divers. But like it or not, scuba divers are causing substantial damage to the world’s coral reefs. Scientific evidence shows that divers are directly and/or indirectly responsible for damaging the reef life with some of their thoughtless behaviors.

Not to say that all divers are harming reef life intentionally. But due to some divers’ lack of proper training, it is done unknowingly at times.

Coral reef diving possesses some unique challenges compared to other methods of diving. A diver needs to have a passion and affection for nature when diving on a coral reef. Coral reefs are not solely beautiful colored rocks in the sea. They are living organisms that need extreme care and attention.

On reefs all over the world, divers kick, grab, and break corals,and bang them silly by dragging high-tech consoles that hang belowthem as they swim."  With the steadily increasing popularity ofscuba diving and the increasing accessibility of recreationaldiving to remote, caribbean locations, concerns for the well-beingof the living coral have been expressed.  Poor diver etiquette,including inexperience at controlling buoyancy, improperly securedgear, photography flashes, and blasts from fin kicks, is the maincause of diver induced damage to coral reefs.http://www1.american.edu/ted/scuba.htmThe influx of tourists to previously pristine and untouched locations is greatly affected by a modern age where travel has become increasingly more affordable and accessible even to remote parts of the world. Most recreational sport divers pride themselves on being responsible ambassadors of the underwater world, but sadly damage is still being inflicted on fragile reefs and marine life throughout the world'soceans in places where standards go unchecked and the sheer volume of people visiting a specific location inadvertently leaves a trail of devastation.http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-impact-of-dive-tourism-on-marine-ecosystems

As an active free diver, I am concerned if a spear fisherman is taking a protected species, or hunting in a protected area. But, I believe in this case, he was doing neither. If he was selling the fish illegally and there is evidence to prove this, then report him to the relevant authorities, otherwise this example should not be used to attack spearfishing in general. It is unfair and unwise to tar all scuba divers/operators with the same brush and the same applies to all spear fishermen too.
There are far worse practices occurring off Phuket which are having a devastating effect on our local seas (such as long-lining, setting of box nets on coral reefs, targetting shark only for their fins and we have all encountered a beautiful reef completely covered by a lost net), but I never hear a call for banning, or regulatory control on these practices by those who claim they care. These have a far greater impact on marine life than one, or two spear fishers selectively taking a couple of fish for dinner, which in my experience is what a conscientious and responsible hunter does.

ASAIK, spearfishing does not produce any by-catch. It does not leave neither nets, nor broken mono line and hooks in the seas.

Just my 2cts

More Illogical and emotional raving by uneducated "conservationists" all these fools carrying on wanting to ban spearfishing because 1 spearfisherman speared a shark which was legal to take in an are that it was legal to do so.

Many,many more sharks are killed daily by other methods and don't get this publicity.

I saw a link to Greenfins Thailand they want to stop all spearfishing claiming it kills the larger and slower fish- what a load of tripe.

Spearfishing is The Most Selective and environmentally friendly way to harvest fish. End of story.

If certain species are vulnerable to spearfishing -which is true then put bag and size limits or total bans on the taking of these species and Fine or otherwise punish those who break these rules, but not ban spearfishing.

Anyone serious about conservation of fish would ban Netting, Dynamite fishing, set line fishing, fish traps, fish pens which are not isolated from the environment and can spread desease throughout wild poplations and any other types of fishing before thinking of banning spearfishing.

I don't know where these people get their hair brained ideas from.

We get our hair-brained ideas from tireless research and a bit of common sense. I am glad you agree with the conservationists on wanting to ban those other things too.

I would like to know how any rational person can not be a conservationist. Why would you be for extinguishing species, polluting the environment etc. (I know why..money, and at times an irrational, arrogant sense of entitlement.)

This guy is catching game fish, including locally rare sharks, which only lack protection due to political apathy, and selling them for couple thousand baht. If there is a more selfish act, I am unaware of it.

BTW,dynamite fishing is banned, as is setting nets on reefs, fish traps on reefs, and commercial fishing of any kind in many parts of Thai waters. There are laws, but we need more and the ones that exist need to be better enforced.

Joe,

Do you have some links for this "tireless research" detailing how spearfishing is not a sustainable means of catching fish? I would very much like to read up on that?

Thanks

Although you don't mention the size of the bite, it's quite likely to have been a sea krait. They can control the amount of venom released, I guess according to their perceived threat level. In something like 70% of cases, they don't release any venom whatsoever; only making exploratory 'nips.' By the sounds of it, with only minor numbness, you received a low level dose and any toxins have now passed through. As others have said, at this stage, more than likely nothing to worry about. But if you're still feeling any discomfort, get it checked out. However, be prepared to pay substantial fees for tests and many doctors who won't admit to their lack of specialist knowledge, and results which will most likely prove negative. This has been my experience with a rather rare infection (mycobacterium marinum).

Only 10% of the remaining 30% that are aware of being bitten, suffering mild numbness to excrutiating pain, die from krait bites. If you had a severe bite, believe me, again I speak from experience, that you would already know about it!

Spangled snapper - Plaa huay kheean (if you can find it anywhere) is one of the tastiest fish you can eat in Thailand; steamed with lime, spring onions and chilli (plaa nung manao), fried (pat prik), or in a soup (tom yum plaa, or geng som if you like it spicy) Whichever way you cook it, it's delicious; white flaky meat rather like cod

Spanish mackerel (plaa in-see), mullet (plaa grabock), any of the trevallies (plaa mong) and cobia (plaa chon talay) are also good.

A few things to consider: FRESH fish are much healthier to eat and tastier too - after more than a day of being caught, the meat loses much of it's 'sweetness.' Often the Thai fishing boats go out for 3/4 days, so the earliest catches are kept on ice on the boat and are often treated with formaline to preserve and keep the colour (if you dont know, check the properties/uses of this chemical). These fishes usually end up in markets and restaurants until they are sold. You can normally assess the freshness by checking the clarity of the eyes and colour of the gill rakers: red means fresh, light pink or even white signifies an unfresh fish.

Furthermore, Thailand seems to have no fishing regulations, nor catch quotas. Most fish are caught by netting which often results in injured/lost sharks, turtles and other marine life, not to mention the nets often become snagged on the precious coral reefs. If you want to eat fresh fish and/or chose not to support such an unsustainable industry, it's better to catch your own!

I have snorkelled/freedived around the Phi Phi islands many times and I too have been terrified. After the second (very) close call with a inattentive/careless boat driver, I decided never again and now find less busy locations in Krabi Province (Phi Phi is NOT in Phuket, but MANY speedboat tours operate from there for day trips to these islands) to spend time on/in the water.

<p>If you do visit and want to spend some time snorkelling, follow Catweazle's good advice and stick close to the rocks, reefs and/or the boat that brought you. But, even then the longtails often come too uncomfortably close. The very design of the longtails and speedboats do little to offer the drivers good forward vision. Keep your ears open; engine noise travels far underwater and if snorkelling, lift your head often, look and be aware of any approaching vessels. As previously mentioned, training, responsibility and consideration towards safety are sadly lacking in Thailand. If you are in a group or with you family, consider renting your own longtail for the day (often costing no more p/p than joining one of the wood framed speedboat (tours) overloaded with passengers - incidentally, at least one of these boats sink annually!) and ask the driver to take you to quiter snorkelling spots with less boat traffic (hard to find, I know). Try to take all necessary measures to ensure your own safety and if you feel the risk is too high, don't take partake in that activity.

Marker bouys and flags are generally ineffective; I use them all the time and still too often they go unnoticed by careless boat drivers. I dont think designated safety areas would work either, due to the layout of the islands, the choice of spots to dive and snorkel and the sheer number of boats whizzing around here, there and everywhere. Speed limits within say 1 km of Phi Phi islands, together with a requirement to have a lookout person at the bow of all boats when within this radius would work, if it was anywhere else but Thailand. Who would enforce such restrictions here and how?

My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

Does anyone know how I can go about getting a 1 year Non-Imm. O or B visa in Thailand? I've been told it's possible to do (in an under-the table way) by sending your passport to the 'right' person/people and then having it returned within Thailand, with an exit stamp and new visa, to then go to a nearby land border to officially re-enter Thailand.

Any advice would be appreciated... maybe by PM would be better.

Cheers,

Aquanaut

Correct me if I'm wrong, but riding a motorcycle without a crash helmut is against the law in Thailand

So is prostitution!

I would wager 5000 baht (if gambling wasn't illegal too) that most of the 'holier than thou' subscribers here have indulged in one or the other, or both.

Ahhhhhhh, the hypocracy!

Try Marine Fishes of South-East Asia (a field guide for anglers and divers) by Gerry Allen, published by Periplus. Available at most good book stores, priced at circa 1000 baht. The drawn illustrations (no photos) are awesome and there's even a star rated guide for the edible fish and warnings for those that aren't (P for Poisonous)