Cost of living...

[sandman67]

think you just hit the nail on the head there Randy

good fillosify.

[Dianachris]

DM: Ayam baked beans (you can buy them in most supermarkets here). 28 Baht for a big tin/20 baht for a little one. They come from Malaysia and (I'm really particular about my baked beans) they're on par, if not better, than Heinz. What's more they have a ring pull thingy, so you don't need a tin opener!

We lashed out and bought an expensive wall mounted opener when we were in the UK. It lasted about a year or so... Buy the cheapy ones - life expectancy about a year, throw it away, buy another one.

As for the fork thing; you've just gotta spend the dosh. Most of the cutlery you buy here is a spoon and fork combo (it's actually more difficult to find decent knives). From what I've observed the spoon is used to 'cut' larger pieces of meat - the fork is just used to push things onto/into the spoon. Central do some really nice cutlery. Bought ours about ten years ago and it'll probably outlast us.

VS

[margaretcarnes]

Hi Diananchris - Central is a shopping mecca in Bangkok. Someone else will need to step in with directions I'm afraid! But the cutlery referred to by VS is probably similar to some I've seen in the shopping plaza on Sukhumvit Rd, opposite Robinsons dept store (again in Bangkok.) Beautiful heavy crafted pieces. Not cheap - but lovely.

[Dianachris]

Ah yes OK we know Central in Bangkok,I thought it was something in Hua Hin.We have been on the forum recently picking peoples brains for info regarding kitting out our new condo,using the shops in Hua Hin.Thanx .

[charlesh]

He is also masquerading as my grandson who will be 2 in September. Boy is he a wiz with Baked beans and yesterday I was informed that his supernatural powers have stretched to dismantling the heavy duty mop!
Charles H

[Guess]

I have a theory because, like you, I've had the same experience with electrical things. It's the power supply. It goes up and down like a yo-yo. Sometimes its trickling through - hardly enough to light a bulb. If you have anything electrical plugged in they're really going to suffer. In the West they cut off the supply if it's below a certain level - here it's on full whack or maybe half-whack, or trickle whack. It can burn out motors in fans and fridges and really mess up other stuff.

The other little tell-tale sign that will signify if what you buy will outlast the warranty is the 'Made in...' bit. Try to avoid anything made in the Land of Mai Pen Rai.

VS

Corrections need here. Low voltages do not cause any problems with electrical goods even light bulbs that feed directly. Most appliances have some kind of electronic circuitry that will detect power fluctuations and switch themselves off when necessary. Have you ever noticed when the lights go dim or flicker and the fans slow down. Some things switch off completely while others continue to run. All electronic goods have voltage regulators and stabilisers in them to protect them from voltage fluctuation. A lowering of voltage will never "burn out motors" in fridges or fans. The motors are protected from that.

What can cause problems is spikes (brief high voltage periods). If these are a major problem in your house and you really are loosing fridges or TVs on a weekly basis then it is worth your while using PSUs (power supply units), which guarantee a clean sine wave and steady 240 voltage even for brief outages. These are essential on a PCs in Thailand.

Don't buy "Made in Thailand" goods. RUBBISH. Thailand make quality goods such as motor cars, high quality cutlery, pots and pans and Hi Tech electronic goods. This, not tourism or ex-pats have caused the rapid economic growth in Thailand over the last decade.

All the bendy spoons and forks, no name CD player, and light bulbs that only last a few days are the product of the aspiring super power known as China. An estimated (the Economist) 70% of all the world's disposable junk products come from China. Don't buy it. You are just helping them build up their arsenal of WMDs.

most people deem the cost of living as calculated in terms of monetary items, but as we all know (or should do by now) living here has enriched our lives in so many other ways, hopefully extending it a few years...

Yes spot on Randy. To add to this they don't know how to make the financial comparison anyway. I keep hearing people comparison English Strawberries with Thai Rambutans (metaphor).

It is very magnanimous of you make that comment while living in Isan. I hope you retain your values when your sentence is complete.

[ste860]

if you want good knives and forks,get yourself in to kfc.they have superb knifes really strong .
ps im not condoning pilfering in any way

[Guess]

if you want good knives and forks,get yourself in to kfc.they have superb knifes really strong .
ps im not condoning pilfering in any way

Yes I noticed, they have "Made in Thailand" engraved on them.