chrissables

Allow native speaker retirees the right to work part time as teachers, put some of the tax towards claimed medical shortfalls....

None immigrant visitors on a retirement extension are retired and should not work or collect money locally during their stay in the Kingdom.

I know of people that are on retirement extensions and they teach English for free at their village home.

In regards of medical shortfalls, it is time that all visitors on a none immigrant visa must show proper medical/health insurance when applying for an extension of stay.

Why is it any of your business if people on a retirement visa have medical insurance or not?

Do you even consider that some people can't get insurance? Should they leave friends and family and go.......where?

Please think before writing such gibberish!

Was he wearing a helmet? Was the driving against traffic? VERY common here. I live further down on Second road. Seems as many drive against traffic as with it at times. Also looks like they copied US road plan without taking into account drive on other side of the road. And let's not forget times I've almost been rundown by idiots driving on sidewalks, often in same direction as traffic.

A helmet would have stopped the accident, if you presume he was not wearing one?
 

These motorcycle youth gangs are a complete cancer on Thailand.

 

Pattaya is top heavy with these sort of attacks.

 

Why do the police not stop and search anyone travelling on motorcycles in a large group? It seems they are all carrying weapons.

 

If they have done nothing wrong and have no weapons, then they have nothing to worry about.

 

Once you find one person in possession of ANYTHING illegal, then take every single motorcycle from every one of them, and put the lot in the crusher. That might stop these thugs carrying weapons if everyone 'in their pack' is punished.

 

End of.

Please tell me any other country in the world where that would happen and why you think it should?

If you were with a group of friends in a few cars on a trip to beach (for example) and one car was stopped and a weapon was found, would like to be thought of as guilty and have your car crushed? No, i think not!

Really people like you make me wonder how stupid people can get!

I think the people renting the bikes should be jailed if they are caught renting a big bike to anyone without proper qualification to ride one.A legal requirement to have fully comprehensive and life insurance cover in place.

 I think a proper bike licence ( not a joke Thai one ) plus proof you have ridden a big bike,( a photo of your big bike in your yard at home etc)would cut these deaths down massively,if not close to zero. Because a real bike rider just would not get on a bike without protection,pissed,at all hours in the morning and hurl the thing down the road.

The insurance wouldn't pay out if the paper work was not done correctly and diligence by the vender carried out .SO HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY ,THEN GO TO JAIL FOR MANSLAUGHTER.    These two things would stop this situation.   These people are making good profits on over inflated bike prices when things go wrong,and then a death is a payout ,without any problems for them. I would like more detailed information about A,the accident, B,the qualifications of the riders and C who are the dealers.    Who is making money out of this!!!!!     The dealers is the answer. does any dealer renting big bikes to young kids want to debate my thinking? 

So you would come on holiday with photo's of yourself on a "big" bike would you?

Even in UK you don't need comprehensive insurance, so why here?

So you are saying if the company renting the bike out was operating within the Thai law and the renter crashed, the company should be charged with manslaughter? What a completely foolish statement!

Who is making money? The manufacturer and the renting company. They are in business to do this!

I am sure the dealers would love to rip your pathetic argument apart. For one the man was 32!

Why do you think your opinion is of any value?

One of the major attractions of Nan is driving the backroads. Motorcyclists drive all the way from Bangkok and beyond to enjoy the twisty mountain roads and scenery. The 1169, 1081, 1080 loop and the 1148 to Chiang Kham are my favorite.

In April i rode from Nan to Chiang Khan, the road Nan to Mae Charim 1168, then 1243 to Ban Khok was very interesting! Especially at the Park rangers area of Sri Nan park. For a car impossible and a motorbike so difficult, But a great ride!

I think 15,000 baht is a fair amount (although 20,000 baht is now what I have been giving)

I live on 20k a month! No rent as i bought the house, but i live very well on that, in Issan or most places that is generous, but not needed.

If you have cataracts, DEFINITELY get them fixed..... a new lease on life and my nearsightedness went away and now I can admire women across the street.

I use reading glasses from Lotus for close work, but can read a newspaper with no aids.

I am one of those people who thinks my health comes absolutely first, so I have gone to only Bumrungrad in BKK for over ten years and, for me, that place has all my trust. I got both eyes done there, one at a time, single vision lenses, and no pain and fast healing. I am overjoyed and I really did not care what it cost because if I am blind, money not well spent is just silly.

Yes, get the surgery done, but check, check and check again. I lost my sight in one eye after a cataract operation went wrong, the INTERNATIONAL demanded more money to rectify the problems they made. (detached retina)

The photo was taken within an hour of being told "no problem" at another hospital!

Rutnin were the best at trying to resolve the problem. But unfortunately the damage was already done.

I own a Honda PCX 150 and it serves me very well in greater Chiang Mai.  If I had been buying now instead of 2 years ago, I would have gotten the Forza.  Same scooter design, but the single cylinder is twice the displacement at 280cc.  Very comfortable and a lot of storage room. Cost is about 180,000 Bhat.  

I have rode my PCX From Pattaya to Kanchanaburi, Mae Sot, Mai Sai, Chiang Rai, Nong Khai and many places in between, best bike i have ever had. For two people maybe Forza would be better, depends on luggage!
 

Anyone who doesn't wear a full face helmet and appropriate gear is mentally retarded or soon will be.

 

I survived a head on collision with a pick up at close to 200 Kph. Virtually without a scratch and just some bruises.

 

However I was wearing about 100k baht of gear. The longer you get away with not wearing gear the slimmer your chances become.

I survived not putting myself in a position to have a 200kph crash. If you had one you would be dead! A body can not sustain an impact like that, impossible you are writing the truth.
 

 

I advise riding with flip flops and shorts only.

Cool and good for vitamin D synthesis.

You must be in the medical profession. Running out of patients are we?

 

Suncream is a must!
 

I can't believe what I am reading from people who don't dress appropriately - accidents don't choose to happen for your convenience - on the open road when you're all kitted up for example.No no, an accident will get you when you are least prepared!

 

You know how your old boss always used to catch you talking? You never talked, but just that once . . . accidents have the same amount of savvy as your old boss.

 

 

What has it got to do with you how other people decide to ride?

My son in Australia recently came off his bike at relative slow speed after collision with a taxi which suddenly pulled out in front of him without indicating. His bike was a write off, but he was ok thanks to full protective gear including full face helmet. He hit the road on his back and head - helmet was a write off too but did its job as he has no head injury and only many bruises to his body.

 

He would have been dead or brain damaged without the helmet and its amazing to me that many Australians ride rented bikes in Thailand and Bali without a helmet, in keeping with the rest of their stupid behaviour.  In Australia helmet wearing is rigidly enforced with big financial penalties and points loss if caught and you definitely don't bribe a cop in Australia.  

 

I have finally convinced my Thai lady to wear a helmet when she rides a bike in her village - but she is the only one who does.

Even though they have never been proven to save lives?

 

Shouldn't be hard to track down who the driver was. Finding him could be a problem. The company who employed this nut job should be fined big time. Maybe they'll start vetting their drivers better after a multi-million Baht fine.

Assuming that the van company was not involved in any way with the accident, why should the van owner be punished for the driver's irresponsibility? How would the company vet an individual for a propensity to do a runner after a fatal road accident?

A company is always responsible for the actions of their employees, and customers in their care. One reason they carry big insurance policies. Or in the case of Thailand, operate shell companies they close when problems arise. No assets to go after and they just move on and open another one.

These companies don't vet their drivers very well. Hours are not controlled properly. Equipment is not maintained properly. Random drug tests are not administered. Drivers sometimes don't even have the proper licenses. (one comment edited by moderator)

A company maybe liable, but that does not always make it right. If they vetted the driver, ensured his license was real, instructed him/her to always drive within the law etc, what more can they do? How exactly can they sitting in the company office stop the driver from fleeing the accident for example. Governments make companies liable as it's easier for them to to prosecute and persecute companies than employees.

May be the following post belongs to Thai language forums but I will have a shot at it here. My knowledge of Thai is confined to what Pimsleur method has to offer. Having done all 30 lessons 6 times, I consider myself as having mastered that material. However, this is of course not enough and there is no second cd unfortunately. Pimsleur, in my opinion, is by far the best method in learning a language. (This is my true opinion, I do not try to promote anybody. I tried others, Rosetta stone, and many based on the same concept but after a while I came to a standstill. Only Pimsleur carried me seamlessly to the end. As I said, this is what I believe)

I need advise as to the availability of other courses, mimicking or based upon the philosophy of Pimsleur.

Those of you who might have something to suggest, I, in advance, thank very much.

regards

Mario

Take a look at high speed thai, for me by far the best course out there.

and not a single word about CRASH HELMETS ...... dont get me started ......

The wearing or not of helmets has no affect on the cause accidents at all. Or maybe if wearing a full face helmet for hours on end in Bangkok traffic it would addle the brain...........by any chance have you been doing that? It would answer why you write rubbish!

My mate is on an ED for Muay Thai, hope they test him

I thought the education visa covered many subjects! Thai cooking,maybe have to take a selection of dishes for them to sample!

Be VERY careful in choosing who does this op.

I had a terrible time and in the end the Rutnin Clinic did a great job of repairing the bad work of another hospital. Blind now in one eye!

This photo was taken less than an hour after i was told nothing was wrong.

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OMG! mate, that looks bloody shocking. This is why i would only go to the best for eye surgery. Only last year here there was a case where 4 people were blinded at the same hospital. Another reason to have only one done at a time.

Hope all is now well, you poor bugger, i feel for you.

The initial operation for a cataract and the cause of the detached retina where at a top international hospital. I had 5 general anesthetic operations in an attempt to repair the damage, i was boss eyed!

I then went to another international hospital when the pain was so bad, they said all ok and an hour later the photo was taken!

The Rutnin clinic did a very good job, corrected my boss eyed look but i had already lost the sight of my eye by that time.

Be VERY careful in choosing who does this op.

I had a terrible time and in the end the Rutnin Clinic did a great job of repairing the bad work of another hospital. Blind now in one eye!

This photo was taken less than an hour after i was told nothing was wrong.

"He decided to demonstrate his biking skills to his friends"

The guy is a pro and I bet his mates are still pissing themselves laughing.

They need to make it law that you can't hire a bike unless you have a motorcycle licence.

And you know he did not?

Some people in this world, including yours truly, are shy in the real world, and meeting a woman on the street and striking up a conversation is not a possibility. Does this mean that we are not allowed to explore other possibilities to meet women?

Internet dating worked well for me to overcome my shyness, and to lay a foundation for the first meeting, and at least I can express myself better in writing than in person. Its still awkward when I meet a woman for the first time after chatting online, but at least I will have told her a little bit about my self in my online profile, so I might feel a little bit more comfortable with me at our first meeting.

I know I must sound like an ad for internet dating, but it has worked well for me.

It doesn't matter if you are shy, the sex workers you are meeting online, on sites like Thaifriendly, know how to overcome these small difficulties.

The point is, you don't need to express yourself to these women, they don't care about you, or your online profile, they care about your money.

These girls would meet any foreign man who invited them, anywhere in Thailand, if you pay their ticket.

I don't have a problem with a man paying for sex. I do have a problem if he lies to me (or himself).

I have met many ladies on this site. Some were working girls for sure, most were not. Not one asked for money and paid their own way to Pattaya to meet with me. A few times i offered to pay, after meeting them, never before. I have never paid for sex with anyone online.

I am not lying to you or myself

For a two day trip, over the back of Map-pra-chan lake and join the 331 north towards Chachoensao, then 304 the Korat, back the following day and some nice riding on the 304, twisting hills etc.

I have not long returned from a 4774km ride, to Kanchanaburi, Mae Sot, Mae Hong Song, Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nan, Chiang Khan, Nong Khai and back, i did this on a Honda PCX 150cc and mainly kept off of major roads and it was a trip of a life time.

I just took a map and clothing, stopped when tired and rode from between 200km too 630 in a day. I would say make sure you are comfortable on whatever bike you ride.

I can give you some of the routes if you are interested

Some photo;s, not clear due to hazy weather at flickr.com "chris sables"

Chris good on ya..did the Pattaya trip to Kanchanburi to get away from Songkran, then north. Erawan falls and national parks..great stuff, thou recomend a Thai lady to help if you get stranded. Yes a good GPS is esential ...I am debating either Google maps or Tom Tom Asia edition...Garmin..well reviews so so..not sure the app Tom Tom for Iphone Can be readable on small screen.

Give you credit on your PCX on traveling...I do have a PCX but would find it a little under power with two people..thou one would be ok..guess. Have you ever driven a Forza..if not give it a try, the extra torque is nearly double that of the PCX...great Hi-way bike, coming back from Kanchanburi and points north, decided to go through BKK..crazy stuff, thou I do ride a lot here in Canada, where Canada is pretty easy..so battle on road and kinda like the battle, keeps one awake and focused on driving. I am in Canada now till end of Sept and looking forward to some travels..with you? or group so lets keep in touch...will see what GPS go for in the good old USA...Keep well Ron

Hi Ron, i actually did the trip alone and with no GPS, good for trying out my Thai when lost and a bit frustrating when tired at the end of the day and trying to find a cheap room for the night, but that was part of the fun of the trip!

When i left Nan my was to follow the Lao border as much as possible and nearly came unstuck. The 1168 goes to Mae Charim becomes 1243 and there about 15km of bad road turning into tracks that are so bad a heavier bike maybe would not have been able to get through. Sure no cars! Eventually the road comes to Sri Nan Park station and soon the road improves. At the Park station they were so surprised they came out to take my photograph! The road is being updated but anyone wanting some exciting riding i can say give it a go!

Sure when you are back here we should meet and arrange some riding together.

Call me cynical and callous, but I have little sympathy for idiots who SHOULD know better, who are dumb enough to get on a motorbike without a helmet.

If a bus runs over you a helmet would help?

How about finding the cause of the accident before posting stupid dumb remarks such as yours!

And yours about the bus, is not stupid and dumb ???

Helmet use has never been proven to work. The USA has many states that can't / won't enforce the wear due to the fact it is unproven.

And if a bus, truck or a car runs over you when on a motorbike, i hope you survive to question my points.

I stand by my thoughts of stopping the CAUSE of accidents.

"For a two day trip, over the back of Map-pra-chan lake and join the 331 north towards Chachoensao, then 304 the Korat, back the following day and some nice riding on the 304, twisting hills etc."

I would certainly concur with this, albeit we do it in a car when visiting my wife's family. Best to leave at first light as traffic is very light. A pleasant 4 hour(ish) journey to Korat, stop for brunch / lunch in 'The Mall', central Korat, then carry on to Khon Kaen or a myriad of other places from there. Roads in very reasonable condition and as soon as you leave the Pattaya / Chonburi area the stupid, crazy drivers seem to disappear.

Good luck

Yes! Leave at daybreak, and a nice pleasant ride or drive!

RIP and People unless your Portugese wear a DAMN helmet

Show me the evidence that he was not wearing a helmet. No news report claims he was not wearing a helmet.

going from Old Croc's post he was wearing a " helmet " .

I know those " things" they sell at 150 Baht everywhere and which are used by 99% of bike riders foreign and Thai are called helmets, and are accepted by Thai law, and are as effective as a colander with a string.

I beg to differ! I never go on my scooter with out first putting my helmet on. This friday, my common sense paid off. I was knocked off my scooter by a Thai doing a 'U' turn , no broken bones, but my head hit the road with a resounding 'bang' no head injury, but i am positive that had i no helmet on,i would be in a very bad way right now if still alive. In my opinion, anyone not wearing a helmet or saying that it is a waste of time, are Idiots.

Actually if the driver had not hit you, you would not need a helmet. If people concentrated on stopping the causes the country would be far better!