DualSportBiker

13 hours ago, soalbundy said:

These days you can even catch it over the internet????

Snowcrash - hope you read it. You'll have plenty of time if they close 'everything'...

16 hours ago, glennb6 said:

what comes next? limit discussion on the WuFlu terror? make it illegal to contradict the party line? armed soldiers on the streets? (wait, they already did that before). censorship of the internet? an increase in VAT to cover the losses of govt revenues from shutting everything down?

 

If they keep playing this game and the economy tanks because of it, I would not be surprised at all when there is a revolt against the current regime. Killing peoples livelyhoods and income comes with high risk of consequences. Wait a few months and see.

Economies are tanking now. Do you think any country can be properly shielded from it by taking action? The economy will tank here because its customers and suppliers are tanking; Chinese industrial output is down 13% and retail spending is down 20%. US stock markets are basically back to when cheeto-jesus took charge. Thailand is a link in a chain with heavy dependence on its up and down-stream markets for both manufacturing and tourism.

The singular goal of all restrictive actions around the world are to 'flatten the curve'. The number of people who will be infected will not change in total, but with a lower and longer curve, resources will not run out as the number of concurrent patients will be lower. It's a simple goal often complicated by the combination of the ignorance and obstinacy of the unwashed masses and conspiracy theory nuts.

26 minutes ago, fittobethaied said:

Contrary to popular belief, we don't choose God, but God chooses us; therefore, there is no such thing with God as a "false conversion".

Can you provide any evidence? How about some double-blind trials? No? There's a surprise. Have you ever wondered why god only works across family lines or in close geographic proximity? Obviously conversion by the sword could be seen as an exception. Viruses used to spread the same way until science and industry brought flight to the masses.

Quoting one of the world's most immoral books that has been used to justify immoral acts does not wash with the educated or the sceptical. You need to work on children as they are susceptible to stories without evidence.

40 minutes ago, micmichd said:

I'm far from defending the Catholic or any other Western churches or religions. Except of course unless you call medical science a religion. But in this case you would now contradict yourself, since your posts are obviously also based on medicine. 

I am sorry, I should have quoted the post you were responding to... My bad.

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I doubt I have anything they don't have.

Anyway, better to risk my life than risk my immortal soul..

what immortal soul are you talking about? You'd consider risking someone else's health over the unproven existence of a soul and some deity that cares what you do? 

You would do well worrying about your immoral life over untruths and excuses.

11 minutes ago, micmichd said:

My post is about medicine, with no advice how to behave. No advice whatsoever. 

Your posts were justifying irresponsibility based on the teachings of a cult of blood sacrifice and death.

13 hours ago, Sujo said:

Ive been living with a muslim girl for 4 years. She eats bacon, drinks, and she went and bought a dog.

 

Im raised catholic, i would have no problem changing religiin as it means nothing to me.

 

Im not an atheist though. Atheists must be so intelligent, they know for certain there is no god, but others only believe.

Not accepting the stories of gods is not the same and knowing for certain there are no gods. I've never seen an argument for the existence of a god that made even remote sense - they all reflect the societies in which they were spawned. Nothing extra-societal is embedded in any religious text - no hints of superhuman intelligence. There are stories of miracles, but they invite little credence.

There is however almost infinite evidence to counter each component of a religious argument. The birth of the universe, our solar system and this planet are pretty well understood. Evolution is better documented than any other scientific theory. We don't understand abiogenesis at its earliest stages. It's a big hole, but given we only found other galaxies in 1923, we are on a steep learning curve that can only steepen now we have serious computing power to throw behind the problem.

Oh, and yes, some atheists are so very intelligent whereas religious faith is dishonest. "Religious faith can be defined as having a firm conviction without and in spite of reason, separate from evidence." Aran Ra.

10 hours ago, Sametboy2019 said:

I think they just believe there is no god!

Actually, it's a described as a lack of belief in gods, or a rejection of the proposition of a god. If someone says, "god x exists", and atheist response equals "I don't agree."

All monotheists don't accept the propositions of other religions, even within religions different sects vehemently disagree with each other. Atheists go just one more and reject the proposition of all gods.

Just now, micmichd said:

There's a medicine to prevent you from getting HIV (Prep), and all other STDs are curable. 

Well that's alright then - spread them like the word of god 'cause nothing displays the love of a demonic master than infecting those around you.

Thanks for being the posterboy for the ugliness of religion.

23 hours ago, SoonOh said:

displaying stone studded cross and on the same chain about the same size Buddha amulet

I spend too much time on this topic in spaces like Quora and such. However, I've seen several enlightened christians state that as a non-religion, Buddhism is an acceptable addendum to their faith and makes them better christians.

However, in answer to the OP, changing religion requires a change in belief. Acceptance that old-belief was misfounded or wrong and that new-belief is correct. To do so for a partner is simple parsley on top of the dish as the Thais say, a perfunctory change.

You can see something appear on the road at the position of the rear left wheel just as it veers off right. Not sure what you "he was asleep" complainers are drinking/smoking, but the evidence is right in front of you.

The observers of the video can clearly be heard saying that the black pick up was turning in to a side street. That is why it was traveling slowly. It is permissible to slow down for a turning. Had he not slowed down and overshot the corner, you'd all slam him for driving too fast.

The white pick up was driving too fast, braked too late and being a pick up, ended up pear-shaped. Blaming the driver of the white pick up is not correct.

On 11/30/2019 at 7:45 PM, torturedsole said:

Too true.  The Thai tortoises are just as dangerous as they randomly slow down to nothing for no obvious reason or they arrive at a junction and eventually proceed in fits and starts.  Very dangerous and even more mind-boggling as to what the intention actually is.  I always tell my wife to give them a wide berth and try to not get stressed, though appreciate that it's not that easy.  

On 11/30/2019 at 7:38 PM, unamazedloso said:

pickup was speeding and thebone in front being a typical thai tortoise which is so dangerous in itself but hit the brakes in a pathetic rear drum, no weight in the back ute and this is exactly what happens. 

Anyone speaking of amulets should be shot in the head. That thinking is far more serious of an issue.

On 12/1/2019 at 11:35 AM, AussieBob18 said:

Maybe wrong - but if you watch closely after the accident you will see a dog run across the road.  I dont think the speeding truck was avoiding it, but I think the one in front (the tortoise) may have slowed down because of the dog, and the person in the truck reacted way too late - and then slammed on the brakes causing lose of control.  As we all know, in Thailand there is very little maintenance of vehicles and the trucks suspension and brakes and tyres were probably all in bad shape. 

 

The lesson for all is to own a big car/truck/mercedes - or buy an amulet ????

 

 

18 hours ago, Creasy said:

Do you know who I am ?

Best response to that question ever:
 

The employee he asked got straight on the PA system "Can anyone help. We have a man here who does not know who he is. Seems relatively normal, must be having a turn or something - oh, now he is flushed. Maybe a Dr. also?"

As always Monsieur Joe, a speedy and concise answer. Many thanks.

My Cat O Visa runs out in September. I plan to apply for a new visa in Savannakhet for the fourth consecutive year. 

I returned to Thailand in June and no TM 30 has been presented. I live in a house in Nonthaburi rented by my company from a Thai, a Khun Ying who is rather busy, but surprisingly down to earth and pleasant. 

Is the lack of a TM 30 for my return to the house a barrier to my application next month? Do I need to take any additional paperwork, even as a precautionary measure, with my application? And finally, is the 400K proof waiver still in effect at Savannakhet?

So you propose letting all discretions slide? That is a race to the bottom - no standards, just chaos.

It is harder to stop a motorist from using their phone or making them stop at a crossing. Bikes on the sidewalks are low-hanging fruit, as is parking enforcement. Start easy and work up. Doing nothing is not an option.

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I wonder how many of the people who complain about motorcycle drivers follow all the laws all the time.

Do you ever use a mobile phone (not hands free) while you are driving?

Do you always make sure that you don't stop in the middle of a junction you want to drive through?

Do you always stop at zebra crossings?

Do you always strictly follow no parking laws?

How many people follow all the laws all the time? I bet very few people do that - especially in Thailand.

On 8/13/2019 at 12:49 PM, Just Weird said:

"There are too many cabs - not enough fares each to make a reasonable wage".

If that were the case, and clearly it isn't, why are there so many taxis on the road, you think that the drivers are doing it to making a loss?

 

"Add to that that buying a cab means paying 8% interest where normal cars are sold on 0% finance".

No difference.  There's no such thing as "0% finance", the dealer pays the interest charges to the finance company and then factors it into the price that the buyer pays him for the vehicle.

 

"The prices have been fixed for 25 years..."

Meter rates have not been fixed for 25 years!

Instead of coming to your own opinion, you might want to read the reports compiled by transportation consultants for the BMA that prescribe the 'optimal' number of taxis for Bangkok. The last report I read stated there are 118,000 cabs on the roads. 30,000 or thereabouts should have been retired, but are still running. How do you come to the conclusion that "clearly it isn't" the case there are too many cabs? Personal experience? Not acceptable.

Those people are working as cabbies because they can scrape by and have little other choice. I suggest you try talking to them, every one of them for several years as I have (since 1991) to understand what they think.

Taxis remain a more expensive option than many compact and mid-sized cars. You can spin the ticket price any way you want, the facts remain that taxis are disproportionately expensive and cab drivers are disadvantaged as a result.

You don't seem to understand all the meanings of fixed...

Of course they understand they get paid for driving passengers - don't be a muppet. What you seem to refuse to accept/understand is that a long trip to a suburb often results in no fare back. A long trip in heavy traffic with an empty return trip in heavy traffic is just not worth it for them; it's a conversation I've had a dozen times. Add to that that many cab drivers get ripped off by passengers who get out and run away in traffic, or disappear into an apartment block to 'get the money they need to pay' and never emerge again. Ask a cabbie how often he gets shafted for a fare.

On 8/9/2019 at 5:28 PM, Bangkok Barry said:

Well, no-one forced them to take the job. Jeez! And if they actually accepted passengers instead of shaking their head then those passengers would give them money. So many drivers don't appear to understand that basic concept. They would rather drive on, empty.

Makes sense. Application of logic - FAIL.

A guy I know sells world-class brakes; used in the top levels of 2 and four-wheel sports globally. He pressed the technical manager at the national Honda motocross team to try his pads and rotors. The response was just as logical: "Your brakes are too good, our riders will end up going too slowly."

That muppet is the chief engineering manager for a team that competes internationally. Admittedly they don't come close to the front outside of Thailand, but...

3 hours ago, otherstuff1957 said:

I have heard that some Thai people don't want their kids to learn to swim, because they will become comfortable near water and will drown more easily!

I spent time talking to a bunch of villagers who were constructing an illegal u-turn on the highway north of Suphanburi town. I'd been riding on back roads and rejoined the highway where they were working. The next official and sign-posted u-turn was under 2 clicks away.

I asked why. Their response was simply 'cost and time'. "Who will use it?" I asked, "Everyone" they responded. Then I told them to make sure you take responsibility for everyone who dies here. I tried to explain that drivers approaching this spot will not be looking for people crossing the road - there are barriers and no sign that says u-turn. Drivers will take longer to react and accidents will happen. 'Cost and time' was the response. I asked them to calculate the cost they would save and they obviously could not. So I did the maths for them using their base numbers; 2,000 meters to the real u-turn and whatever km/l they told me for their small bikes. I asked them how many trips saving 2 Baht were worth the life of their kids, grandkids or neighbours kids? They ran straight to fantasy - there will be no accidents, we are careful etc... The truth is they just don't ever consider the impact of their actions beyond their immediate needs - however pathetically petty those needs compute out to be.

So, there are u-turns everywhere, and not all have signs.

3 minutes ago, Isaanbiker said:

My biggest concern are always the U-turns. Whenever I ride over 140 km/h, i always slow down when I see a U turn. That has saved my life a couple of times. 

 

If I wouldn't do that, I'd be dead by now.

 

  

13 minutes ago, WeekendRaider said:

to me this is another situation where in Thailand an issue is viewed too simplistic.

while I don't see why anything bigger than a Yamaha 300 XMAX is ever needed, except for the police... I also at the same time believe 125 CC scooters, they way they are used in Thailand, are too small.   that's from the view that most of the time all of these bikes should never have more than one rider, normally.  or only used very locally only.

"I don't see why..." That's nice - thanks for sharing.

How do I get to Chiang Mai for lunch with my wife, clothes and a BBQ on a 300 cc scooter? How do I ride from Chiang Mai to Piang Luang off-road in the rainy season on a 300 scooter? You think it is OK for the limits of your imagination and desires to constrict what others do?

I don't oppose stricter tests, graduated licenses, heavy fines and confiscating bikes as methods to control quality of road users. I do oppose nanny state ideas limited by the fears and lack of imagination of arm-chair muppets.