Solditallandmovedhere

These types of things are an unwanted part of all of our lives as expats here and most certainly attributes to the growth of our white hair. Visa runs come to mind. Its a truly sad situation that Thailand is 2nd in the world as far as traffic danger and yet the government is so backed up with its own corruption that the safety and lives of everyone inside the boarders of Thailand comes 2nd as well. I don't get it! In the states we have patrol cars posted everywhere... patrolling. Everywhere! Maybe if they had cops out patrolling the roads and turning on their Cherries and Berries (blue and red roof mounted lights) actually pulling over people for traffic violations, all of us could rest easier at night. Then the back-handers might have a better chance of being phased out because the cops that hit better quotas for writing tickets each month out on the road curtailing dangerous driving and general NONSENSE on the road, they would make better salaries and maybe even get royal cash bonuses from HM himself for protecting Thailand and Thai people. It's just a matter of implementation. That's the real ball buster. It would so easy to establish this as a rule and norm!

Well as long as you're doing market research for your new venture, I like a tuna patty with chopped ginger and a slice of turnip.

Has the Turkish lad selling kebabs from his foodcart been arrested and locked up again for doing so without a Work Permit, or is he still out all night so he can make his 1000b a day?

Oh yeah! Tuna, ginger, turnip! Yes please. As for the Kebab guy(s). Who knows? It will be nice to have a better option though. I wish I would have asked them what time is "late". They said they would be open late. I hope late enough to get one before my long drive back home one the weekend.

I was just talking to a fellow and his Thai wife at a pub in the old city the other night, and they showed me some plans for what looks to be a well thought out and uniquely designed food cart to be added to the streets of Chiang Mai. They were there doing "market research" and tasting the local burgers. Rumor has it that there will be an American style burger cart opening up sometime in the next year here in CM; and it will be open late! I love myself a dripping, cheese filled, chunk of beef when I get on the piss! Helps avoid the hangover.

What are some things we longtime residents of CM would like to see from this new establishment, as we have been stuck with some rather poor excuses for burgers for quite sometime now. I must admit, I am happy to hear that there is an American involved. They are the ones that truly know what a burger should be.

Please only discuss things relevant to Foodie topics. I don't care if there are other food carts serving what some call burgers. I want to talk about real beef burgers! I don't care if you prefer BK. Then I just think your're foolish. I want to talk about real food and what we would like to see from this new establishment.

It's nice to see that the Admin cleaned up the whole thread. Now it's three pages and not five. Thank you. I just wish people would leave rude comments in their head. Yeah I guess I became tense but it can be very upsettng when people are down right rude for no reason on here. People are just seeking info, not tying to have a battle. Thanks Admin for doing the right thing in this matter. I guess I will stick around for a while.

Do we really have to go through this nonsense again?

I am a long term critic of the whole rationale behind this "Elite Card" nonsense - to me, a very clear Ponzi Scam from day one - and those who initiated and continued to promote it ........... but surely – enough is enough.

Who in this life has not made a dumb Investment decision now and again?

So some people with money to spare decided that the Elite Card program offered them potentially significant benefits and so invested what was – relative to their financial situation – trivial Funds.

However like many Investment vehicles the reality turned out to be somewhat different to expectations.

So they move on.

To my mind there is far too much a sense of gloating - and jealously - in many Posts on this subject.

Patrick

I have to tell you, this isreally funny stuff! A bunch of rich bloated self-righteous egotists having apissing contest to prove that despite the fact that their “I am more importantthan you” membership has been revoked, they will be fine and, at the end of theday, they are still better than you regardless. Sad really! Really sad! Serves all you card holders right. We are in Thailand;don’t you know that is called Karma?

Financing thru a bank in thailand if you are an expat is next to impossible, unless you have a Thai partner to sign for the loan in their name and decent credit. The loan will be in the Thai's name and they will take your income into consideration to qualirfy the Thai partner for a loan.

If you cannot afford to pay 165,000 Baht cash for a vehicle then you cannot afford to be an expat living outside your own country. Many many things, beyond your control, are much more expensive than that and can happen to you suddenly.

Well thanks for your 2 cents.However it is obvious that you have just read a few posts and not the whole feed.I never mentioned that I was financing 165000 baht! Yes, youcannot afford to be an expat living outside your own country if youcannot afford 165000 Baht cash for a car. I agree with this. I just wonder whyit was needed in the first place. The only thing I can assume is that you reada few posts and wanted someone to hear what you had to say. Heard! I have founda car. It costs 165000 Baht. I am paying cash. There really isn’t anything else to say honestly. The financingoption that was addressed was the consideration of going to a new car dealer w/165000 Baht deposit and getting a new car like the Nissan March. Lannarebirthis right about the wholefinancing issue as well. It is next to impossible unless to have what is calleda “Thai Guarantor”, and yes they must have good credit. That reminds me, if anyof you reading this are “Google”ing this info, keep in mind Credit here is notthe same kind of Credit as in the West. In the West they do not ask for adeposit in the amount of credit you wish to receive. In other words, if youwanted 20000 Baht of credit, you would have to give the bank 20000 Baht thatthey hold onto. That is your credit limit. You then can buy things the way mostof the rest of the world uses their credit cards and have 45 days to pay it back. It is more like a Check Card in the West really.See, there is another strange thing about banking here. A Check Card it prettymuch the same as the states but you are limited to how you can use it. Forexample, you would not have the ability to use it online to buy stuff. Thatwould be a "Credit Card" luxury. So you see this would mean that your ThaiGuarantor would have to be quite well off in the first place. So yes, it wouldbe very hard to find one with a decent amount of credit to help you. Besides,why would they? They would have to really trust you because at the end of theday, they are out –right responsible for the payments if you turn out to be anA** Hole and default. See, the OP has learned a few things since he fell offthe plane with his family!

OK now I am a little freaked out! How does everyone know things like the name of the guy that is selling it and the city it is in? I never mentioned these things. I checked in my links and still couldn't find that info available to the public. No, I haven't found a mechanic there yet. No idea how to either really!

When you go to your first link highlight and right click to google 1964 Volkswagen Beetle / VW Bug and it will take you to links and the first one is ThaiVisa classifieds. Click on that and hey presto your car advertised in Sukothai.

Then click on the shots you also took and it takes you to the sellers Picasa page, showing the sellers gallery name in blue.

I agree with lannabarinth, everything on a Beetle is fixable, but I'm not sure about parts. There are quite a few around, so I guess they are available from somewhere.

Enjoy, looks a stunner.

Ya know thats the funny thing! I am a Graphic Designer and can run circles with the Adobesuites but when it comes to navigating around the web I am still a greenhorn ina sense. Good to know though! I thought maybe someone on TV was theseller or something funny like that! As far as parts go I found this place inthe US that seems to have everything. Everything! (http://www.mtmfg.com/)Not sure what the import tax is but I was going to try and get around that buysending to my family in the US and then having them rewrap it brown paper andsend it over here labeled as “a gift”. That should work right?

The OP is in the house! This is what I went with for a car. Thanks for the help everyone.

http://tinyurl.com/28sdlxl (click on any picture to see full size and resolution)

I also took some art shots here:

http://tinyurl.com/2ef848a

Undercarriage: http://tinyurl.com/2uzrp7g

More Interior http://tinyurl.com/27s5ajm

Anyone want to wager on what it cost me?

11-4-1978 rotfl

Good lookin ride..... Glad you got it together....Now onward with the living in our lovely city.

Stop by when you can.....and do bring the car..... I had one very close to that year, once upon a time...

Now tell the truth....... Isn't that car older than you?????

Honestly now this is Thailand U Know.....

Gonzo

It was listed at 165,000 and I personally believe that this is a real steal. For a Classic Car enthusiast it is at least! It has obviously been taken care of really good.

Actually it looks really nice and I hope it serves you well in Chiang Mai.

Like Gonzo I too had a Beetle (no not one off the Third Reich assembly line) and it never let me down.

Did you manage to find a mechanic in Sukothai to check it out for you?

OK now I am a little freaked out! How does everyone know things like the name of the guy that is selling it and the city it is in? I never mentioned these things. I checked in my links and still couldn't find that info available to the public. No, I haven't found a mechanic there yet. No idea how to either really!

Anyone want to wager on what it cost me?

Why would anyone be interested in doing that?

Uhhh, Because guys like you have been extremelyopinionated and very hard on me about what I should and should not be doing inregards this situation. I thought people may be proud of themselves foractually helping someone down the right path, and dam_n it, I'm proud of myselffor doing a good job with finding my famliy a car! God, I am not braging, I just thought that if some people said 100,000 I would knowthat I was paying to much. Settle down uptheos!

This just highligts my belief that all people on this site should aspire tobe as cool as Gonzo. I have met him in person so I can assure you he really isa cool guy.

It was listed at 165,000 and I personally believe thatthis is a real steal. For a Classic Car enthusiast it is at least! It hasobviously been taken care of really good. The current owner seems to know hisstuff when it comes to cars. The guy selling it is a Farlang and seems like avery good guy so I am sure that I have made the right decision. Weplan to pick it up this weekend. Gonzo, ...dinner at your place is in our nearfuture as well. See you then. Oh yeah uptheos, look up the word "constructive'please!

@ Warpspeed How did you know the guys name was John? Are you John? That would beironic and in good humor!

I have no idea why the spacing is all messed up here. On anunrelated note, what does everyone think is the best antivirus software whilebeing in Thailand? Think that’s the problem!

Anyone want to wager on what it cost me?

Why would anyone be interested in doing that?

Uhhh, Because guys like you have been extremelyopinionated and very hard on me about what I should and should not be doing inregards this situation. I thought people may be proud of themselves foractually helping someone down the right path, and dam_n it, I’m proud of myselffor doing a good job with finding my famliy a car! God, I am not braging, I just thought that if some people said 100,000 I would knowthat I was paying to much. Settle down uptheos!

This just highligts my belief that all people on this site should aspire tobe as cool as Gonzo. I have met him in person so I can assure you he really isa cool guy.

It was listed at 165,000 and I personally believe thatthis is a real steal. For a Classic Car enthusiast it is at least! It hasobviously been taken care of really good. The current owner seems to know hisstuff when it comes to cars. The guy selling it is a Farlang and seems like avery good guy so I am sure that I have made the right decision. Weplan to pick it up this weekend. Gonzo, ...dinner at your place is in our nearfuture as well. See you then. Oh yeah uptheos, look up the word “constructive‘please!

@ Warpspeed How did you know the guys name was John? Are you John? That would beironic and in good humor!

The OP is in the house! This is what I went with for a car. Thanks for the help everyone.

http://tinyurl.com/28sdlxl (click on any picture to see full size and resolution)

I also took some art shots here:

http://tinyurl.com/2ef848a

Undercarriage: http://tinyurl.com/2uzrp7g

More Interior http://tinyurl.com/27s5ajm

Anyone want to wager on what it cost me?

Maybe that you didn't try all the places as I know for a fact that I've posted information about this subject and the places mentioned DO have original games and they ARE in stock.

Try going through this topic and then for the online stuff try google, you may be suprised by what you find and how simple it is to get what you're looking for.

Yeah... went to those places. Like I said your information is out dated.

I admire your arrogance but as I was in PAE games yesterday and I saw their stock of original games maybe your knowledge needs updating.

PAE? Sorry must have missed that part of the post. Ok, but will they preorder things like Rage, LA Noire, Duke Nukem, Mass Effect 3 and Elder Scrolls:Skyrim, ...and did you see a copy of Assassins Creed Brotherhood? I cant find that one anywhere. My Live ID is BaBaBoBoFarang if you want a challenge at COD Black Ops. Any of them really. Just to warn ya, I'm an Enfeild guy that loves Claymores! Play Asia dot com? Cool, good on ya for that Northernmist! Thanks for the advice everyone. Maybe I will see you online.

Maybe that you didn't try all the places as I know for a fact that I've posted information about this subject and the places mentioned DO have original games and they ARE in stock.

Try going through this topic and then for the online stuff try google, you may be suprised by what you find and how simple it is to get what you're looking for.

Yeah... went to those places. Like I said your information is out dated.

... we shall see. Patience my young Padawans. All the posts have been somewhat helpful. Except the expats with attitudes. How am I to trust words that come with malice. Yes, they have scared me off a bit. I do not have time for others to surmise and slash. Is that really what this site is all about? I think this is just simply a sign of them having the same frustrations I have and taking them out on an audience that can do nothing to stop them. One poster siad it great when they stated that these people would never do this in person. I will update when the car is in my hands. All options are still open to me.

The other posts on TV failed to produce anything decent. Must be out dated or something. I went to all those places! Nothing. I need to find an oline source that will let me preorder games and also mails them to Thailand. I think Australia may have something out there. Not sure though! I need Asian formated games. Please, only original games are what I am interested in. I am a big online FPS guy. I have found all the places that sell copies. In case anyone is interested, Computer Plaza on the north side of the moat has hundreds of good copies. Real nice guys as well. Thanks!

Thanks for that Raindancer! That is what I am talking about. Some expats seem to really give to you on this website. Are we really all so different Electrified? Are you telling me that you had it all figured out? That, I truly doubt! @Gonzo Yes please let me know where your place is. You seem like a cool guy and I would love to get together and chat!

Thanks again everyone for the great advice. Now I can go to bed tonight feeling a little better about tomorrow!

Cheers,

Feeling a Little Better Now

I have talked to the owner of that building at the back of Ruam Chok Market. I live just down Maejo so I thought it would be nice to buy local. Lol! He gave me a test "ride" in a truck and scared the hell out of me with his driving. He seems very "matter of fact". You know, no time to chit chat! I am not sure if I can trust him becuase of this. He is the one that has the cars there 24/7. Like I said, I think he owns the building. Does anyone know him? Has anyone ever bought from him? I was considering using him but I got a very strong feeling from him. You know the one, either he is a complet sleeze bag or he knows more about cars than Mr. Ford himself. Right now I think he is my best option. He told me about a grading level system here in Thailand that ranks cars from A-something like E. Anyone ever heard of that. He said the better cars need bigger down payments and less repairs in the long run. Thats the problem. He basically just admitted that he sells lemons but if you have the money he will get you something nice. I guess I would be dumb not to realize that anywhere in the world is prety much the same. I just want to get a gauge on him. Man, I wish my Thai was better! I am just trying to get a hold on the system they use here as to avoid lemons. Ya know?

Cheers,

Thanks to Everyone

Thanks everyone for responding so fast. These forums are pretty cool! I just wanted to clear up the whole "Gas Man" issue for Gonzo. I did not really tell him he was full of crap. I just enlightened him to the fact that I was savvy to the approximate going rate. I still think I paid 100 more than I should have. Boa pin yang. I do go about my day in the "Learning" and not "Teaching" mentality, but afetr 4 months the things I have learned have changed me in ways I never expected. I really feel strange in some sort of way and I have no idea how to get past it at this point. I am naturally a real happy guy, but the things I have seen and learned, ...well I cannot say I didn't expect it all, but so soon? I really want to give it a real go and plan to be here for the long, long haul, but I feel like something is missing. Say ...friends that I can trust and hangout with without worring about getting popped. There is nothing worth my interest back in the states, and all the farlang friends here that I have made seem to be the sort that could land me in jail. I am simply exhausted and do not know were to begain again. Now I am ranting. Look at me go! Anyway, these are my problems not yours. Thanks for all the advice and I will get a private mechanic to look at all the cars I am considering and start from there. I am sure if I walk into any decent shop and give a mechanic 500B he would be more than happy to help me out. You would think! TIT.

Cheers,

Thankful

P.S. Are there any real nice expat type of pubs that have cool people and not so many backpackers here for the fleeting jollies? I just want to find a place with quality food, fair prices, and great people. Some place to call home, if you will.

Are there any good websites for buying cars here in Thailand? I am willing to travel to any provience to get the car, but one from Chiang Mai would be great.

Cheers,

Motorbike isn't doing it!

We moved her because my wife is about to recieve her Masters in Education and we figured that it would be nice to be in the second highest income bracket right from the start while living in a tropical paradise. We did not move here with much. That is to say at this point because we have spent most, if not all by now. The learning curve here is a bitch! Don't get me wrong, we have jobs and a house, ect. The problem is that I want a car now and need to avoid being screwed like so many of us Farlang usually are. With a family, a car that turns out to be a lemon will send us packing back home. I am just about at my breaking point here! How can a Buddhist populace be so anti-saabi, so often? Over the last four months I believe that we have been screwed out of approximately 30000 Baht due to "miscommunications" of which of course were all my fault. The guy refilling my stove gas this very second just told me 500 B for a small tank. I told him he was full of shit and then he told me 300. The gaurd at our gate is getting a cut no doubt. Go figure. Ohhhh, we are white and that means we are all insanely rich I guess. Before anyone gets started with the whole "Well if you cannot hack it, then go home!" save your time and mine as well because I have no need for your childish acts of misplaced frustration. We all feel this way on a weekly, if not daily basis. We simply need to know exactally how to find a car/dealer that we can trust and what the exact process will entail here in Chiang Mai. We found this nice BMW (Understand that I owned two XJ6's back in the states so please do not try and sell me on a Toyota at this point.) for 265,000 and the place told me that all we need to do is provide a Work Permit, Passport, and 65,000 Baht. The bank would then come over to the dealer and work out the plan for the other 200,000 of which we would pay off month by month. The car looks clean; a lot better than others of the same model that Ihave seen selling for the same price. Songkron was great and all my friends but I am really furstrated with the whole being here right now. This forum seems to be the only thing I can trust at this point and I really need the help. What would happen if I brought 150,000 baht to a new car dealer here in CM (This is when I would consider a Toyota or other Asian cars), could I get a new car? What would the payments be per month. Any help would be emphatically appreciated!

Cheers,

Semi-Jaded but Clinging to the Positives