Bandersnatch

Climate change has ravaged India’s rice stock. Now its export ban could deepen a global food crisis https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/28/business-india/india-rice-ban-export-farmers-loss-intl-hnk-dst/index.html Rice markets could face further turmoil as Thailand urges farmers to plant less rice. Thailand, the world’s second largest exporter of rice, is encouraging its farmers to plant less of the crop in order to save water. The move follows India’s ban on non-basmati white rice to ensure “adequate availability” in its domestic markets. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/03/thailand-wants-its-farmers-to-plant-less-rice-to-save-water.html

Showing a couple of friends the MG4 D in Robinson today. They are both planning to get solar and were very impressed with the car and it’s value at ฿769k. I got talking to the sales girl and if I understood her Thai correctly she could supply me a wall charger but not installation. I am now seriously considering buying an MG4 D as a second EV before the government grant and MG discounts end. If I run down my house batteries charging my 2 EVs I can always use the MG4’s V2L to support the house load over night.

Criteria for choosing your next EV in Thailand. There are many factors to consider, probably too many and everyone’s situation is different, but we all have one thing in common, we will be driving in Thailand. I am not talking about a trip to Big C, just about any car would be fine for that. I am talking about longer trips. Yesterday after a full busy day in Bangkok I got into my car already tired for a 6 hour journey home. 6 hours of driving in heavy rain, in darkness and heavy traffic. Lights: Road lighting in Thailand is poor to non existent. I passed many cars driving slowly with tiny puddles of light in front of them. I was grateful to have LED lights with a great spread of light so I could see where I was going. Auto beam is useful as well as auto wipers. Torque and acceleration: Being stuck behind heavy trucks crawling up a mountain in all lanes, you have be able take your chances when they come and punch it. Adaptive cruise control makes a long drive less stressful. ABS Brakes and Regenerate braking: Thai driver don’t like to use their indicators in case you close the gap. As soon as you lift off the accelerator you are already breaking with regen before you even hit the brake pedal. Also regen is great for the way down the mountain. Handling: heavy batteries positioned low down in the car makes it feel well planted a sure footed in the corners. Conclusion: Want to know if your next car inspires confidence and is comfortable to drive for long distances? I suggest trying to rent one for a long, dark, wet drive, because your choice could well save your life.

Latest MG EV prices here in Surin, confirm discount on MG 4 and no wall box. sales guy said Government Grant finishes at the end of next month. Considered a rumor until I hear confirmation. Anybody heard anything?

Nice to see BYD e6 EV taxis at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday

Doesn’t own an EV or Solar but here to teach those of us that do all about them!

The extremely reasonable price (By BMW standards) of the iX3 is due to the fact that it’s imported from China - yes you can drive a Chinese car and nobody will know. I have posted previously about the iX1, but the problem with iX1 is that it’s built at BMW’s Regensburg plant and would incur 80% import duties. When I spoke to BMW staff at this year’s BKK motor show, they said that there were plans to assemble the iX1 in Asia, but details were a bit vague. BMW ix1 eDrive30 starts at 54,800 euros BMW ix1 eDrive20 starts at 47,900 euros

In fact the orange plastic brake caliper covers and some stitching is all that differentiates the MG4 and MG4X cosmetically

I hope you are right, but nothing yet on the official page https://www.byd.com/en-th Or the Thai Reseller’s FB https://www.facebook.com/BYDReverThailandOfficial

I bow to your greater knowledge of Tarts Handbags, but maybe if you had actually driven the MG4 you might have been able to make an informed decision. Turns out most motoring journalists don’t agree with you.

I saw that as well, but I have just posted the official price a few minutes ago. Remember seeing the same ฿100,000 price reduction posted on FB about Teslas a few months ago and it never happened.

Aion Y price announced in Thailand. FB anticipated price was ฿1m and ฿800k Don’t think they will sell many at that price when you could have car of the year for less

BYD Reseller in Thailand has changed their FB cover photo. Now that might not sound particularly newsworthy, but it does bring the Seal a step closer to Thailand IMHO https://www.facebook.com/BYDReverThailandOfficial

MG 4 has LFP batteries which I would prefer over Volvo’s NMC MG4 has V2L which would work great with my solar setup to keep me off grid Volvo nor any reviewer has mentioned V2L Performance and trim is a win for Volvo

Volvo EX30 opens at 1.59 million baht and tops at 1.89 million baht.

You are entitled to your opinions and in the the same spirit I am entitled to not have to waste my time reading them. Blocked!

Now that is an opinion and you are welcome to it. Scary video about burning BYD recently in Thailand Is not an opinion, it’s just not true

Scaremongering more like. The BYD Thailand incident was an electrical fault not a battery fire. The car is being repaired under warranty and returned to the owner. BYD hybrid fires in China is not relevant to Thailand as BYD doesn’t sell hybrids here. Please keep your personal (uninformed) opinions to yourself

BYD Seal Prices announced in Europe at the Munich motor show The BYD Seal is offered in two versions in Europe with starting prices of 44,900 euros ($48,210) ฿1.7m for the 82.5kW RWD and 50,990 euros ($51,675) ฿1.8m for the AWD performance. These prices should be lower in Thailand due cheaper shipping costs and Government incentives here. The BYD Seal is currently available in five versions in China with a starting price range of RMB 189,800 ($26,000) ฿926k for the 61.4kWh RWD to RMB 279,800 ($38,300) ฿1.36m for the AWD performance model Still no word of the official Thai price. https://cnevpost.com/2023/09/05/byd-presents-6-models-at-munich-auto-show/

I’m not comfortable posting negative comments about companies on a public forum, but will respond to a pm

I was on the building committee of a 300+ unit condominium in Pattaya for 5 years. We changed management companies several times. Optima Management Services is the only one I would recommend. Not the cheapest. Small company run by a Brit. We had many non payers when he arrived, he started taking them to court and they soon starting paying.

Did you sit inside? They are surprising roomy inside due to having wheels at each corner and a tiny electric powertrain. I thought the fit and finish was excellent considering the price.

Incorrect, the break pads are not involved in the power generation and neither is thermal energy. When I drive my electric car, I don’t touch my breaks, I just lift off the throttle and the same electric motor that was propelling the car forward now acts like a dynamo to charge the battery. Potential energy is involved as it powers the motors in reverse much like pumped hydro.