Gsxrnz

I rode for years in Indonesia and no way would I have stopped in the centre of the road waiting to turn right. That would be like waiting to die! I have seen a car; passing a minivan; which was passing a bus; which was passing a truck. This on a divided highway with no median!

The safest if not the correct way would be either to accelerate to the right side and while maintaining the same speed as the rest of the traffic and when a gap appeared turn across the oncoming lane either onto the verge or into a side street, then turnaround and go back. Or if the road is a single lane narrow road, continue until a left hand opportunity presented itself and turn left. Then execute a conventional right turn back to the shop. If you are stopped or going slower than the traffic you are destined for the 72 virgins awaiting you in heaven.(Only applies to Indonesia:-))

Excellent advice.

And I'm glad you put in the qualification about the 72 virgins. It could have lead to serious confusion in Thailand.

OP, you should be given a medal for 1) getting rid of one of those disgusting animals, or 2) coming up with one of the best troll posts on TV to get by the mods in quite a while.

Either way, a hearty Well Done!

He was bagged at post #41 as a troll, but the mods have let it run on. Yep, well done to the OP, an excellent troll post.

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I believe that sleeping dogs should be left to sleep under the bridge in the hot midday sun ...

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David, I hadn't considered that option. But yes I suspect you have a point - first time poster and an extremely trite little story. Add the fact that a soi dog can dodge a formula one car from a standing start, and it all does lead to a certain bridge.

Just quietly, the OP has 36 posts credited to him.

Joined 6 days ago.

A quick search reveals only 9 remain visible ... all from this thread.

First thing I do when reading something such as this is to check the posting history ...

The Wheat and the Chaff are soon separated.

That said, I have been wrong before, and given my number of posts ... sure to be again.

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Wonder who he really is?. The writing style looks familiar but I can't quite place it.

You're obviously pleased with this innovative solution.

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I believe that sleeping dogs should be left to sleep under the bridge in the hot midday sun ...

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David, I hadn't considered that option. But yes I suspect you have a point - first time poster and an extremely trite little story. Add the fact that a soi dog can dodge a formula one car from a standing start, and it all does lead to a certain bridge.

Concrete is less grippy, especially when wet. That's physics. Use good quality tyres and keep them correctly inflated.

Sand/Cracks/paint on the road. That's also physics. Avoid them.

Traction - if in the dry on a good surface, you'll be lucky to outride your tyres (if in good condition). In the wet or sand on the road, adjust speed and lean angle as appropriate. You'll know you've low sided when you're sliding down the road - best to avoid that. Sometimes you get a warning feeling, but if you're pushing the envelope on sand or in the wet, it won't give much time to react. Be conscious of the wet and sand when braking. Use different braking techniques for different surfaces. A bit more rear brake in wet/sand, a lot more front brake on good dry surfaces.

If the engine sounds like it's struggling because you're using too high a gear, then it's struggling. If you have to over twist, the engine is labouring, consuming excessive fuel, and generally being put under pressure. Use the gears (that's what they're their for) to ease the load on the engine and get the performance it's designed to give.

If you want to corner better, learn about apexes and the general physics of cornering. Try the slow in, less lean, fast out theory as a starting point. Late apex on good surfaces with clear vision, early apex with a wide exit (less lean) and poor surface.

Why do you want to ride with the clutch disengaged? If you think it's saving gas, it's not. It's generally an unsafe practice unless you're coming to a halt, or changing down and wanting to skip one gear.

Paid one cop 200 baht for travelling in the wrong lane. Tea money.

Paid 3 actual fines before I figured out it's cheaper and more convenient to pay the tea money rather than the fine.

Told a cop demanding 2,000 for allegedly speeding/wrong lane/not indicating, that 200 is the going rate, take it or leave it - he took it.

Been involved in 2 car crashes (one minor, one major). BIB decided not my fault on both occasions and fined one of the Thai drivers 400 baht.

Been stopped numerous times for checking licence - never had a problem. Even had a few salutes and lots of Kap Pohm's.

Provided it isn't nicked, run over by a concrete mixer, or driven into a brick wall, it will last forever with the correct maintenance.

3,000klm is fine for an oil change. Change the plug once a year/10,000klm or so. Change the air filter at the same time.

Do the brakes and clutch as necessary. A rear wheel ,lock up on a click is no drama at 60klm/h, (try a RD400 at 160klm/h) but easy to have it examined and replaced after an inspection.

Often a steering head bearing/balls wear and make for an uncomfortable ride (especially when braking) but many don't recognise the symptoms - a few hundred baht to replace so worth doing.

Also the suspension will have started to wear now, so may be worthwhile getting the seals and oil changed.

After the rainy season, get the drive assembly cleaned out and lubricated - the constant water is a bugger on the belt, bearings and clutch. If you hear a growl it's probably the clutch bearing - do the whole clutch assembly if that's the case.

Been watching out for them at Rimping and Tops (CNX) for several weeks but haven't spotted any yet.

You're right about the Prices....they were exorbitant at both places the last couple of years.

As you're talking Chiang Mai, I saw them at the tiny Rim Ping at Mae Hia market. Not many so may be gone now. Price around 400 baht IIRC, but don't quote me on that.

EDIT: As with so many traditional Western foods, it would be an interesting project to make yourself.. And likely a lot cheaper.

I've never been able to find suet here (nor sixpences).

Obviously from an elite family. Threepenny bits was all I was ever allowed to break my teeth on.

I work on the following philosophy.

"No Money, No Honey".

I thought about making it into a T-Shirt motto, but not sure if it would sell.

I just can't see where you are coming from here the family spent quite a few thousand baht on myself. Petrol.national park fees.food.beer the list goes on 5000 was a good will gesture on my part which my girlfriend refused twice before I slipped it in the window of the car when we left to head Into the airport.

Mate, you did the right thing. If I stayed at a friends house (as I do when I go home) for a week or two at a time, I would not feel comfortable unless I bought them a gift of some substantial value, or took them out for at least several high cost meals. They save me $1,000 a week in accommodation and car costs - if I spend $400 on them I'm still winning. Arguably the cost to them is negligible, but that is definitely a moot point.

So why should it be any different here. The difference is, what do you buy a poor family from Isaan to show your gratitude? A nice artwork to hang on the wall, tickets to the latest show and a night on the town in BKK, a gift voucher at Central Festival? Yeah right, they could really use all of those couldn't they.

Giving cash was the best solution - they refused as they are bound to do, you insisted as you were socially obliged to do....regardless of what country you're in. They showed you tremendous hospitality and you repaid them in the most practical sense - a cash gift. The amount was IMHO appropriate. 5k is not loose change for a Falang, and it's not a huge fortune for a Thai farmer.

As to the future etc.....well it hasn't happened yet. You'll have to wait and see what it brings and how you handle each and every situation. Try your best to make sure the outcome/s are what you want and are happy with. No doubt you will be tested, as you would be tested in any relationship with in-laws in your own country.

Arm yourself with as much information as you can (good and bad opinions should all be welcomed), put them through the grinder and form your own conclusions. As different things happen, refine your thinking and reform your opinion, ad infinitum. It ain't all good, and it ain't all bad either. Learn from your mistakes, don't make the same mistake twice, remain in control.

$1000 dollars a week in Esaan ? Are you kidding ? This is 32,000 Baths, please explain how you can spend that in rural Thailand in a week. You can stay more than two months in an hotel in Khorat for that money.

Oh Brother!!!

Read the post again. But put your thinking cap on first.

To be fair to the OP this thread title shouldn't have the words TV in it cos not only do forummers here behave like this here they do that in other places too in fact all forums with heavy traffic have ppl that behave exactly like that it's just human nature.

Never thought of that. You might be right there.m

It's not just internet forums, it's about human interaction. The study of styles of debate and argument styles are well defined and documented.

On a side note, I thought I'd made a mistake once, but I was wrong.

There's a classic No.3 that posts regularly. If his responses/denials/accusations have less than three irrelevant questions in every post, I feel kind of cheated.

Check the settings on your TV audio. You will have a range of audio options that set to cinema, dynamic, sound equalising etc etc. Play with these to find the best listening option.

There will still be some variation between the odd channel, but you should find that the foreground/background sounds should be better matched if you use an appropriate setting on your TV.

It's a tad embarrassing being paraded around with your little sticky rice container and your sash on like some sort of trophy. I would have beaten Barry hands down though.

Ironically, Barry from England didn't seem to understand too much Tinglish, which I thought was actually pretty clearly spoken by the Thai compare.

never golfed in Thailand so this is a bit new to me. i have a couple questions if you would be so kind. (sincerely)

1) do you need to have a caddy in all courses in Thailand?

2) i notice the word "she" a few times but never "he." are they always female?

3) if yes to questions 2, do they actually advise or are they just there to pull you clubs (no pun intended) and something to stare at.

Sorry if number 3 is a bit sexist, but most women I know dont really know much about golf, and its an all female thing then it sounds a bit like knowledge of the games is not the primary concern.

1. If there are caddies at the course, a Falang must use one. Some courses (small rural or navy) don't have them, you can drag your own trolley which they supply.

2. Yes there are some males, but reasonably rare. Usually on the bigger pro courses.

3. My girl caddy is excellent. She pulls clubs, advises me, tells me to calm down and play safe, reminds me of the wind and that I better use the 7 and not the 8, can pick a really good putting line and is tuned in to my pace of putting, cleans my shoes, cleans the heads every week with water and a brush, puts the bag in the truck, organises other caddies for the group, makes sure we jump the queue if she can get away with it, sells me new balls really cheap.....she can actually play a fair game of golf herself. If she was half way decent looking I'd marry her, but she's got a face only a mother could love.

My mates have found that you're best to try a few caddies and pick one you like as a regular. The better they know you, the more fun they are, the better job they do, the more they want to retain you as a regular customer, the more they are tuned into your game, the more help they can give you. They're not going to help you fix your slice, but a good one can make a difference to your game.

The guys that go for the prettiest one, or the cutest body, and change caddies every week are usually not satisfied with them as caddies and get no real help with their game.

Put my golf clubs on the back of the truck. Too heavy for the mere-baan to lift.

She can drag them off when I get home though.

Pattaya, my group, friends and myself: 200 if I am really unhappy. 250 the norm. 300 for a very good caddie, doesnt happen often. Never had any problems, I wonder that so many ppl tip 300 as standard.

Had a mate that tipped 200 for his semi-regular caddy. He wondered why he couldn't get her every time. Obviously if she had a choice of getting a customer before he arrived that she knew would tip 300, she'd take that customer instead of him.

If I were her, I'd do the same.

Yes, I also consider them as useless.

Can you please elaborate on your opinion?

I tip 300 in Pattaya and play 3 times a week. . Have a regular caddy that I sms in the morning and she organises the caddies for the group that are playing. She knows all our regulars and keeps them in line for us. I might tip an extra 100 if she is able to use her Julius Marlow wedge without being seen .

She always buys me a Birthday present. This year it was a polo shirt and a cap. She also gets me brand new Srixon balls for 150B a dozen, still in the box. Not sure which truck they fell off, don't really care.

I reckon caddies make the day more fun, even if you're playing serious golf. They're always up for a laugh.

We occasionally get a "trolley dragger" if one of our regulars is away or sick. After two holes, if it's evident they're lazy or not willing to participate, we just tell my caddy (she's sort of the camp leader) that this particular caddy is no good so please send her back and get a replacement. This has happened twice with no problems and no hard feelings.