galoubet

As if by some miracle 4 filling stations (3 Ptt + 1 Caltex) at the Sai Yok end of the main drag in Kanchanaburi have just started selling Benzine95. Brand new bright yellow label too!

I managed to get my bike to one station on an almost empty tank this morning and filled up with 600 baht (at around 46.25/l).

I guess everywhere will be the same soon enough. Wonder why they've discontinued benzine91 and replaced it with benzine95? Can't be the price, there's only 2B in it. Anyway, I'm happy and so is my bike.

I've heard that Benzine may still be available in the 95 version. Is this possible? I drive a 30 year old Toyota Corolla that I suspect will be harmed if I put gasohol in it.

Urban myth...no harm will come to it. Check out my recent posts and posted video on this topic.

Back in the 1960s and 1970s a fuel called National Benzole was available in the UK. It's selling point was it had 10% ethanol for a "cleaner engine". I used to put it in my old 1961 Triumph 350cc motorbike. Ran fine. Never had any problems

Having said that I have just had to have my BMW 1200C here repaired because something has turned all the fuel pipes in my tank to jelly blocking up the fuel filter. I used to put gasohol95 in it. After the repair I reverted to benzine91 (if only I could get benzine95 in Kan) but that has now all but dried up. So I am back with gasohol95 with my fingers crossed.

I have no idea what a "home made gun" looks like or how it works, assuming it shoots regular bullets Its seems highly unlikely that it's home made, perhaps home modified in the way that a sawn-off is home made.

It could be a smooth bored steel tube of the approximate size of the cartridge with some kind of firing mechanism. Easy to make especially if you have access to a lathe, though that's by no means essential. The problem with these weapons is the lack of rifling so unless your target is just a few feet away the bullet could go anywhere and tumble to boot causing horrific injuries if it hit someone.

As one of your replies indicated Nationwide is very "trigger happy". I've been in Thailand for 3 weeks this trip. I informed Nationwide of my trip in advance. They know where I stay in Thailand. They know where I use my credit card, ie. Tesco Lotus and that's about it. So I go shopping in Tesco two weeks ago for 7000 odd baht and my credit card was declined. "Please contact your bank!"

Annoyed isn't quite the word and embarrassed too as I had insufficient cash on me to meet the bill and had to find an instant ATM. So I wrote to Nationwide and told them what I think of them. "We've unblocked your card now!". Thanks a lot, rather late in the day. What's the point of having a credit card if it doesn't work when you need it? ie. when you've got no cash!

I've told them straight, any more problems and I'm ditching their card which I have had for yonks. But they don't care do they?

This comes exactly a year on from another incident when Nationwide wanted to upgrade my credit card to their platinum one. This of course meant cancelling my current card whilst I was still in Thailand. What wonderful service! And they were not open to any delay in issuing the new card. So I told them to stuff the new card (and all it's wonderful benefits) and carried on with my old card. Which doesn't work too well either now!

Hopeless. Couldn't organise the proverbial pi** up in a brewery. Anyone suggest a reliable UK credit card for use in Thailand?

Happy days.

Head out of town west on the main road. At the big crossroads with traffic lights turn left towards Sai Yok. Office is about 2-300 metres on the right.

Spot on. Tambon Kaeng Sian. (It's quite handy as I live nearby) Close to the government offices are several "MOT" centres who will check your vehicle over. Usually it's just to see if the brakes work! They will give (sorry, "sell") you a chit for the road tax renewal. You will need this chit to renew your road tax. The MOT centres also sell insurance.

Not sure if you'll read this as I'm a bit late of the mark. (The newsletter was sent to my spam folder by mistake)

Welcome to Kan! Great place to live. Clean air and plenty of great scenery. Nice friendly locals. Lots of markets. I moved my family from Sriracha last year although I've had a holiday home in Kan for a few years. No regrets. Good schools. Good roads with smooth surfaces and little traffic, perfect for motorbiking.

Sure, it gets hot around March and April, 40C+ but it can get quite cool at night in the winter. If you live away from Kan town like I do there's lots of friendly and not so friendly wildlife. We are currently plagued by snakes, rats, wasps and ticks but that's mostly to do with the current spell of wet weather.

Can't tell you about nightlife as that doesn't interest me. Let me know if you want any more info.

I've put gasohol 95 in my BMW R1200C for years now without problems. Before I did so (when gasohol first came out) I wrote to BMW to ask if it was ok. I did the same with my old Suzuki Vitara car. Both are fuel injected. I think there can be some problems with gasohol with older carburettor engines. Mind you, many years ago (in the 60's and 70's) in the UK there was a fuel called National Benzole. It's selling point was that it had added alcohol (5 or 10%) that cleaned up the cylinders. I always used it on my old Triumph 350. Never had any problems with it.

I come to Thailand each winter for 4 months. I shop around for insurance each year as the prices change wildly. Last winter I got 1-stop Travel Insurance (AXA) for £102. I have a few medical issues and I'm in my 60's. The policy insures me for bike riding on public roads for any size of bike providing I have a UK licence covering that size of bike. Seems a common requirement. I ride a 1200cc BMW both in the UK and in Thailand. I wish you luck if you are thinking of taking a bike test in the UK. I passed my test in 1965. It was dead easy then!

Don't rely on Thai helmets if you want to be safe. They are cheap and mostly rubbish. They may satisfy the insurance requirements to wear a safety helmet but that's no consolation if your head is stoved in. I bring my BMW helmet out with me each trip (along with my boots, jacket, trousers and gloves). My Thai neighbours always have a laugh as I climb on my bike dressed like a spaceman but as even a low speed tumble can mean seriously grazed limbs and the potential for some nasty infections, it's just not worth the risk.

These two creatures are friends but they often have prolonged and often seemingly violent fights. They belong to my neighbour who has a smallholding behind my place in Kanchanaburi. I filmed it a few weeks ago but I have only recently returned to the UK and a fast internet connection.

Dog & Duck

More Dog & Duck

1. It seems that most of the contributurs on the forum are not exactly fans of this Thaksin character.

He's a Marmite sort of guy

I have been visiting Thailand on and off for the past 26 years, and I've been living here for the past 5 years. I've grown tired of their (both sides) constant bickering. I'm leaving on Dec 7th. I very much doubt that I'll ever return. I can't see a peaceful resolution to their problems. It's all very sad, really.

Sad indeed. Leaving just when the weather is perfect. Where do you propose to live now? America, Europe, Syria, Burma perhaps. Difficult to find paradise anywhere. I hope you change your mind.

Shinawatra is Thailand

Thailand is Shinawatra

Same same.

Is that you Thaksin? Hello?

EVA has been randomly cancelling midweek flights between London and Bangkok during the low season for the best part of two years. Quite frustrating if you are affected.

I've been flying from London to Bangkok with EVA since they started the service and have never had a cancelled flight. But I mostly fly at weekends which could explain things. Might also explain why my flights are always jammed packed! Shall be flying again on Saturday week.

can the person giving the pardons say "No"?

Yes he can.

That would be a fitting conclusion. However, would all the other pardons be ditched too? Could one say no to one and not to all? This is something our old friend could do without at the moment. The PM was selfish in her actions. (Sorry, nothing to do with her of course. She wasn't there.)

Go to Samut Songkram and take the 326 via Damnoen Saduek. It comes out on Petchkasem close to the road to Kanchanaburi.

Absolutely spot on. Out of Bangkok on Rama II Road (head for Dao Khanong at the highway junction) and then Route 35 all the way through to Samut Sakhon. Keep on through heading towards Samut Songkhram and just before take right turn on the 325 road towards Amphawa. This road will then take you all the way up to Route 4 and then follow signs to Kanchanaburi.

AVOID NAKHON PATHOM..!!

Good info, thank you (even if the road numbers get changed a little ). Particularly helpful about the roadworks on 3097. I keep changing my GPS mapping for my route from Chonburi to Kan and it's getting longer each time. 43km diversion now.

Btw I'm from Hackney

Another absurd rule is that foreigners cannot buy any land, that is not really beneficial to the economy either. The Royalists are probably afraid that Thai-land is stolen. Those elitist own of course plenty of land abroad, but that is an entirely different story. Maybe in a few years when the old guard is sleeping forever, Thailand can be modernized and dragged out of the dark ages.

It's a difficult one to call. I've bought a couple of houses in Thailand although legally I don't own them. And I haven't spent more money than I can afford to lose. So for me it's money written off. My most recent purchase was a small house in Kanchanaburi that had been for sale (or rent) for years without success till I came along. So I've helped a Thai family with their cash flow and they can now invest in their business. Thai banks rarely (if ever) lend money to buy anything other than brand new properties which leaves many Thais stuck where they bought the house and can only move if they rent out their house and rent another where they want to go. Farangs are used to buying older properties (my home in the UK was built in 1877) and their cash would stimulate the Thai housing market and the wider economy no end.

But I do see a down side with Thais being priced out of the housing altogether. Definitely a difficult call.

Incidentally there are many other "developed" countries that restrict foreign land purchases. I was in Denmark last summer. Beach houses (not beach huts!) are strictly for Danes only.

id increase that as well to 300 baht bloody tight fisted lot moaning about 3 gbp If you dont like it and live here just transfer via TT transfer a decent amount to live for say 6 months. If you dont have that you should not be here

Many Thais (and maybe some ex-pats too) are still under the misconception that all farangs are rolling rich. That's not my experience. Lots of farangs retire in Thailand because they get a better standard of living on their meagre pensions than they would back home. They can't just transfer large sums which they haven't got to tide them over for 6 months or so. Maybe, like me, they like to spend the cold winters back home somewhere warm and sunny.

Charging large sums to withdraw cash from an atm (irrespective of the actual amount drawn) does nothing to help the Thai economy or the Thai people. It just puts money into the pockets of bankers and we all know what a lovely bunch of unselfish fellows they are. This 150 baht (or 300 as you seem to prefer) charge is money that will not be spent in the Thai economy and for farangs living on the edge who often have young Thai families to support it can mean a lot.

Thai governments have encouraged farangs to come (and to live) and spend their dollars, pounds and euros for good reason. It seems a shame that banks are restricting this flow of cash by their own greed. 150 (or 300) baht may not sound a lot but it's clearly a good earner or the banks wouldn't impose it.

galoubet I use one of the foreign exchange companies in UK, They have a hidden charge of £20 so if I send £1,000 to them they actually exchange £980 but even after that I still get a better exchange rate than I used to do from the banks and on top of that the UK bank charged £25, BKK bank charged as well. I pay now 200B to BKK for receipt in the account. Makes a big difference if you do monthly transfers. And very easy to set up on;line. Maybe this is what you were referring to.

Using UK cards in ATMs is I think a mugs game, charges both sides and an even worse exchange rate and that's before you take into account all the charges.

Hi. The advantage of the SWIFT system to me is I can send the money direct from my own bank, online, from wherever I am in the world. No third parties involved. There's a one off £25 fee (was only £20 till a few months ago). AFAIAA my SCB bank in Bangkok does not charge for receiving the money. The exchange rate I get is close to the commercial rate for wire transfers but the rate drops quite a bit if I send just £500 rather than £2500.

Taking £2500 out of an atm in Thailand would cost me £88 (9 x withdrawals @ 150B/£3 each = £27; 2% UK charge = £50; 9 x £1 UK atm fee = £9).

But I often have to send smaller amounts like £400 when I am based in the UK which is not so cost effective. But if I sent a large amount it would be quickly spent by the Thai recipient so I would be no better off. I despair how Thais never seem to manage money. If they see it they spend it. Putting money aside for a "rainy day" never enters their heads.

As 65 year old Australian Farangs we would stay for longer with a decent length free visa, now its simpler just to stay 30 days and go to Malaysia when we have worn out our welcome.

I'm not so worried about the "free" bit of the visa. Alongside the other costs of coming to Thailand like flights and (UK) air passenger duty the visa fees don't amount to much. What annoys me is I have to leave the country after 2 months. I come on a double entry visa for 4 months and like you I go to Malaysia in between. Why can't I just go to an immigration office and "cash in" my unusued visa entry for further 60 days' stay without having to leave the country? It's crazy. If I want to extend my visa for 30 days I can do that at the immigation office. It would be so simple.

Also would be a good idea to get rid of the racket of charging Bht150 for using a foreign ATM card

I agree. That's a killer particularly with the poor exchange rate as I can only withdraw the equivalent of 300 UKP per day. And now banks in the UK have put up their charges for using cards in foreign atms.

I get round it by sending a large sum to a "friendly" bank account in Thailand by SWIFT bank transfer. A one off 25 UKP fee for however much I want to send and the exchange rate is a lot better too. All done on the internet too boot.

Metrobank dont charge for foreign withdrawls (£300 a day ) their SWIFT rate is £17.50. I believe halifax rate for SWIFT is £9.50. Every little hepls,

That's useful info for many readers of this forum I'm sure. But not for me (but thanks anyway ). I'm not going to change my very reliable online banking to save a few quid especially when I'm sending £5000 to Thailand. SWIFT transfers to Thailand now only take one working day. Not long ago it took almost 2 weeks. A few years ago I bought a house in Thailand from money withdrawn from atms. Cost and arm & leg in 150 baht fees! But the house was cheap so I reckoned it was worth it. At that time I couldn't do SWIFT transfers online and I was already in Thailand.

Also would be a good idea to get rid of the racket of charging Bht150 for using a foreign ATM card

I agree. That's a killer particularly with the poor exchange rate as I can only withdraw the equivalent of 300 UKP per day. And now banks in the UK have put up their charges for using cards in foreign atms.

I get round it by sending a large sum to a "friendly" bank account in Thailand by SWIFT bank transfer. A one off 25 UKP fee for however much I want to send and the exchange rate is a lot better too. All done on the internet too boot.

Reading through here it seems there is some improvement in the flooding in parts of Bangkok.

I am due to fly out in just over 2 weeks for my annual 6 month stay, ( I live in the Rama 4 Road area) I still have not made my mind up.

(Apologies for being a little off-topic) I'm flying out in just over 2 weeks' too for my annual 4 month stay. Perhaps I'll see you on the plane!

My concern is getting from Chonburi to Kanchanaburi. Phetkasem (route 4) appears flooded so at present the best route is a 23km diversion south via Rama ll. But as that route may also soon be flooded I may have to go on a similar 23km diversion via routes 9, 340 & 346 if they get drained as promised.

What is the state of Phetkasem? Any news?

Galoubet

Kan is a great place to stay. I have a house there and spend most of the cool season riding my bike on the excellent uncrowded tree lined roads. Wonderful scenery. Obviously the centre of Kan is rather crowded with tourists but just a few kilometres out of town and you are in the hills and fields. Best place in all Thailand imho. Sure there there are two big rivers which join together in Kan town but the run off from the north usually passes to the east and Nakon Pathom. All you have to do is get there, as I do. And with Phetkasem flooding that's a bit of a problem. Good luck!

I am flying in on the 20th, (at the moment if swampy still has it`s head above water) IF the hotels have some good deals on I will hang around for a few days maybe, otherwise just the 1 night and gone like a dog shot in the ring

My sister-in-law is also flying in on 20 November. She's naturally concerned about the flooding. She emailed her hotel (across the river from Wat Arun) to ask how things were and they replied there was water in the lobby! Sounds good, eh?