submaniac

Okay folks,  I am getting a new phone and wanted some opinions and advice.

I am in the States now. I currently have a blackberry storm 1 (junk) and it has been two years since I got it so I am eligible with my carrier (Verizon) for an upgrade phone at a discount.  I can either get a brand new iphone 4 8gb for $49 (which would bring the total to around $99 with tax) or I can get a  new16gb iphone 4s for $193 (or around $250 with tax, they tax the prediscount rate).  

I don't care about all the little features and applications and whatnot about the iphone.  I just want to do one thing: tether it to my laptop so I can have 3g internet access on my laptop.  I signed up for my dataplan when it was unlimited data, and verizon changed its policy (no more unlimited), but I am grandfathered into unlimited data.  My carrier charges $30 a month to add a hotspot feature to the phone, and it is only limited to something like 2gigs a month.   I was going to use itether or datapilot to avoid the fee and limit (since I have unlimited data).  

It appears that either the iphone 4 or iphone 4s are both capable of what I want and are 3g (the blackberry isn't 3g).   The advantage of the 4s is the dual core processor and the dual antennas. What I would *like* is to be able to use the phone in Thailand whenever I go. But it appears that the iphone 4 is a single antenna and I have to get a new sim card when I go to Thailand, whereas the iphone 4s also has the gsm capability.   If it wasn't so much more, I would just ge the 4s, but the thing is like over 100% the cost of the iphone 4.  

I guess the second big issue for me is whether or not I can use it in Thailand.  Would love opinions, thank you.

Does anyone know of websites that allow the download of Thai language television shows or movies (like the Thai soaps that air on television) in a format like MP4, so that it can be saved and viewed later?  (And moderators I am not inquiring about illegal pirated stuff.)

My mom just had leg surgery and has been imobilized.  Since she can't move I set up my old laptop to work streaming live Thai television onto her TV to keep her entertained.  The problem is that the time difference in the USA is that when she is awake is when everyone in Thailand is asleep and alot of times its just commercials playing.  I would like to download some programs so she could watch something when the regular Thai TV stations go to commercial/informercial mode.  There's a place in Thaitown (L.A.) that makes and sells CD's with the Thai soap/television shows.  I think they just downloaded them off the internet and burned them onto CD's.  I would like to cut out the middleman (cause I don't want to drive all the way down to Hollywood) and download them directly myself if possible.

Thank you.

I was going to take one or two relatively small LED flat screen televisions in the 22" to 32" inch size. It would fit in baggage.  But would Thai customs try to either confiscate them or make me pay duty on them? Anyone brought TV's or computer equipment through the airport?  Did they let it slide? Thanks.

I was think about what Thai area/Thai city that would "get big" with the influxes of foreigners and expats.  I mean the British and the Germans used to have Pattaya...and it seems that they are moving towards Hua Hin. The Russians have taken over Pattaya, and Phuket. Bangkok..has always been big.  Chiang Mai seems to be taken over by the Americans.

I was just wondering what the next big town/area to "boom" with expats moving in would be.  I would throw out Hat Yai in the South.  Perfect actually.  It has a direct rail line from BKK, and is close enough to do visa runs to Malaysia.  Also relatively close to Ko Phangnan and the full moon party. Prices are cheap and the beaches are beautiful (though not as nice as Phuket).

Any thoughts, or any other areas that will be the next destination in the great Falang migration within Thailand?

I came across this news article:

http://www.windycity...boys/36917.html

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) wrote a letter to the Thai government requesting investigations into the deaths of 15 lesbians.  Frankly this is the first time I have heard of any anti-gay violence or killings in Thailand.  Thailand has a general reputation for tolerance so I was kind of shocked to read about it.  I myself don't know what to make of it; I don't know if the killings identified in the letter/article were based upon sexual preference or if it was a crime that happened to be against someone who was a lesbian.  I mean, gay or straight, people may rub someone the wrong way regardless of sexuality, and may be a victim of a crime.  Just thought people on this forum may be interested so I am sharing.