samtam

I'm planning on buying a new HP laptop 15 3/4" screen. Any recommendation of model. What are the key elements I should be looking for, (for speed and memory sizes)? Please excuse the virginal questions.

Also, I use the nlink True router which is a pain in the derriere, (cuts out, and sometimes reloads with True's on web page, which makes me lose info I've had on the last page etc). Any recommended router models, (to run three computers) by wifi.

Thanks.

In the paper that cannot be quoted there is an opinion piece about the latest set of inflation figures published by the government, showing April's inflation rate at 2.47%, which seems to belie the general belief that inflation is rising rapidly and has the potential for getting out of control.

The Commerce Minister insisted that their figures were correct and based them on two food items which they said had actually fallen. He then invited reporters to accompany him to the market to prove the point. Unfortunately the reverse was the case; the food items were more than the examples he used in his basket of items. Apparently the reporters omitted to disclose that. Do any financial services companies publish more realistic inflation figures for Thailand?

Yesterday when I arrived at Bangkok, I had completed my Arrival Card and put in my "Extension of Stay" number in the "Visa No" box. The Immigration officer asked me to change it to the Re-Entry Permit number. My partner did the same, but was not asked to change his number. Which is the correst number they require, as it seems to vary?

Yesterday evening I returned from a trip to HK, and having cleared customs was walking towards my limo pick up point near Gate 4. A guy dressed in a black uniform with gold epaulettes came up to me as I was wheeling my trolly and asked me to move over to the side. He then asked to see inside my duty free bag. I duly opened it, and he said "OK", and moved away. I was travelling with my partner who looks Thai, and as I was stopped he too stopped to see what the "customs" guy wanted, which may have had the effect of scaring him off. As it happened I had two bottles of champagne, which would have been over the allowance, except they were for the two of us.

I only thought afterwards that the customs guy was probably some con artist looking to scam some fine out of me. I think I may have read about this on the forum before, but has anyone else had a similar experience? The guy did not appear to have any ID, but whereas the temptation was to tell the guy to get stuffed, you never really know who you're dealing with.

As a by the by, I had a Premium Lane card for Immigration and was glad I did - we overheard a Japanese guy saying that he waited over 1 hour in the normal queue.

I am feeling thoroughly miserable and am just inquiring whether there are many others or others you may have heard of who are suffering from 'flu. My symptoms - aches in the joints, headaches, hot with a temperature of 37.8C, started on Wednesday night and have been with me since. During the night I sweated quite a lot, so I thought I might be on the mend, but this morning I have an "attractive" dose of spots and a rash on my face. I'm just lying low and drinking plenty of water. Taking nurofen occasionally. Rather hoping I'm getting to the end of it - it leaving me, rather than me leaving the planet!