julesandmartin

Just had a TOT reconnection today of an existing line in Taling Ngam, no ADSL or Internet light, engineer blamed faulty modem and disappears, no wiring continuity trace or checking of dodgy insulating tape joints or water bottle storm shield. Plug and pray.........................

Great advice as always from SJ to which I would add this snippet found on t'internet about the different versions of Magnesium Sulphate from medical sources:

Why garden fertilizer grade and not medical? Any magnesium that is food or pharmaceutical grade will be refined, heated, mixed with sulfuric acid, extracted etc. so that it is "pure". If you want an all-natural source of magnesium fresh from the rocks it came from with all its companion and trace minerals, you will have to get something that is not made for or intended as food. A little "extra added bonus" you will get from garden fertilizer epsom salts/magnesium sulfate is, because sulfur and selenium are very closely related and usually found together in nature, it is very likely that your garden grade epsom salts will contain some of this vital mineral that is frequently depleted in our soil and food.

Finding and identifying natural soil-based Epsom salts.
Synthesized and natural Epsom salts look alike and there is no legal requirement that the label must say if the Epsom salts are from natural or synthesized sources. In some countries there may be a requirement that certain "contaminants" (the companion minerals) are listed on the label. If a "contaminant" (such as magnesium oxide) is declared on the label, this would likely be an indicator that the Epsom salts are direct from the ground and have not been "purified". Garden fertilizer grade is most likely natural salts with its full array of companion minerals. This can be purchased from garden supply stores, possibly only in the Autumn when soils need to be fertilized with magnesium.

Heavy metals as trace elements
Any natural magnesium mined from the soil will contain trace elements such as lead, as does soil  The only lead-free source of magnesium will be artificially manufactured in the lab. The presence of lead in magnesium is mostly made an issue of by people selling processed magnesium. Lead is most likely a trace element that we need in minute amounts from an organic source and is only toxic when it is taken in in large amounts from inorganic sources.

Thank you for your comments and apologies if any offence caused which was not the intention of my post.

A wider debate would of course include the Thai attitude to environmental issues however I would suggest that the superior  education us ex-pats have been afforded would hopefully lead us not to abort social responsibility simply 'because they do'. The vehicles and people you speak of are hardly the indiginous Thai's of Samui but mainly  the bussed in construction and tourism related workers and  families all here to earn in some way from serving the requirements of the 'foreign visitor'. Without such visitors these people or vehicles would not be required and neither would their mess. You selectively interpret my rape comments as a slant against the Farang when you failed to read the word 'inspired by' which within this context is correct.

Having walked the interior many times the reality is not one of beltching trucks and litter. The sight and sounds of an occassional smiling farmer on his moped up there is not one I or anyone should seek to remove however the encouragement of the hiring of high powered off road dirt bikes to seek personal thrill at the expense of all others is unneccesary and selfish.

What about a deal, I wont encourage my visitors to hire Jetskis to bugger up your swimming, diving or fishing enjoyment and environment if you leave mine alone   
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I would beg Dunc that now you know the beauty of the interior you dont glorify or encourage ruining its peace and tranquility by the use of motobikes.

These machines that seem to be deprived of exhaust pipes are a thundering noise pollution threat to the tranquility of the only remaining area of Samui currently safe from the farang tourist inspired rape of a beautiful Island.

Please take the opportunity to improve your fitness and reduce your stress levels by talking your wife on a lovely walk up there, with a picnic and a few cold one's it is a beautful way to truly appreciate the fragility of nature and not one that needs to be shared with a machine.

Looks like they even weighed in the steel rebar as scrap before pouring