DualSportBiker

There are no right answers - it's up to the rider and their level of comfort. To answer your question though, the main point is safety.

A larger bike offers more options to get out of a tricky situation. Better brakes and more power. Even simple things like brighter lights, louder horn and bigger presence to deter on-comers from stealing your lane. Finally, being able to ride at the same speed, or slightly faster than the majority of road users means less concern for what is coming up behind. All the above make for a less stressed ride.

For those of us based in Bkk like I am and who want to ride the MHS loop over the weekend,  need to get to CM on a Friday afternoon... That would be an epic struggle on a 125! And few would want to mount up again the next day, and the day after that...

OP, Regardless of what you ride, enjoy! That part of Thailand is a blast. I rode CR to Nan along the border last time I was there. If you have more time, that would also be a fun ride...

3 hours ago, abhaya said:

"125 is really underpowered for that kind of distance. Also, uncomfortable in terms of vibration in the hands and not much of a wind block. Really recommend a 500, or at least a 250/300 for that. Anyone considering that kind of distance and Thai highways on a 125 hasn't tried it before, and won't do it again!"

 

When I first started riding bikes in Thailand I would usually rent bigger bikes ,(30 years ago) now I wouldn't consider anything bigger than a Honda 125. Unless you intend to set some sort of land speed record what is the point? I am 5'10' and 200 lbs and I have no problem at all, I can pack all my gear in in "dry bag" strap it on the back. It can be a bit slow going over some the mountain passes but what's the rush? Also to consider is availability of parts and mechanics should you have a breakdown enroute, everywhere you go you can find someone who can work on small bikes.

 

Some folks ride for the excitement, I ride to relax so I guess it is apples versus oranges. Personally I like the flexibility smaller bikes give you like going through traffic when passing through the cities as well as getting off road and riding on paddy field embankments. Anyway just wanted to say you'll be fine on a 125cc.

I popped into the forestry department office at the south side of Thung Naraesuwan last year. I asked how I can ride to Umphang and their response was "You can't." I have seen a vid of a rider and guide going through the Burmese side, but the same end-points... Hope you confirm it is possible in some form or other...

15 hours ago, kannot said:

must  be  the  only  sign  in Thailand

Well, it ain't. Perhaps you are not observant... They are everywhere - happy hunting.

Hi, forum rules mean I can't post a useful URL here... you can search for tlaw0140_5.pdf and you should be taken to a link on a thai law web site. The file is the entire act...

10 hours ago, bluesofa said:

Very slighly OT here, is there somewhere (hopefully online) that has the Thai traffic laws in English? (Same idea as the UK Highway code)
For example, you mention the "perception of road users (that bikes Must use the left-most lane)". I really would like to read about the regulations regarding the 101 uses of that left-most lane .

There are several provisions in Thai traffic law that are overlooked. 

1: vehicles must get into the turning lane or signal 25 yards or more from the turn. We can't be sure, but the abrupt braking of the car with the camera suggest that is not the case here.

2: vehicles are not permitted to stop in a lane and block traffic. The car driver did this while waiting for the first bike to pass.

3: any vehicle that leaves the scene is considered the party at fault, regardless of the events of the accident.

As for the status of the inner-most lane, we can't speculate. All those blaming the riders 100% are assuming too much and ignoring both the perception of road users (that bikes Must use the left-most lane), and the 3 clauses above that apportion part, if not all the blame on the driver.

I see those "Bike lane for bikes" signs everywhere. If you don't see them, that means nothing. Maybe your not observant. Maybe you zone out because you're in a cage and it does not apply. My wife had never consciously scene a Series Land Rover until I bought one. Then she saw them everywhere. It's a function of the pattern recognition model in our noggins. I suspect some deniers who saw the pic posted will see a bagful of them in the next few days...

49 minutes ago, Anthony5 said:

 

OK, I believe you, though I have never seen such a sign.

 

As for the video in the OP, I see at least 10 of bikes all in the left and even the right lane of the road, and only 2 bikes on the hard shoulder.

 

 

 

It is also obvious that they didn't move there to avoid the car, because then they would have hit the car at an angle.

It is not a question of what any of us know or have seen though is it. It is a matter of fact that the vast majority of Thai scooter riders will answer 'bike lane' or 'left-most' when asked where they are supposed to ride. There are signs telling them to do so everywhere and cops telling them regardless of the signage. I have this discussion with Thai riders often, and the police on occasion. I spent 30 minutes discussing it among other issues with the chief of police for Chiang Rai province a couple of years back...

The bikes were in the leftmost lane before the rear of the car with the dashcam. That is the only observation one can make. Where they were before is impossible to guess. They could have been in that lane for days, or could have changed lane behind the vehicle with the dashcam. Only they know. Their line we saw them take was straight along the lane, but that only suggests they were in the lane for a minimum of 5 or 10 meters at the speed we saw them to ride at. We don't know how many cars were behind the car with the dashcam and therefore can't guess how long a line of slower cars there was, and therefore where they might have moved left to avoid those cars further back. It is all conjecture.

The riders failed to slow enough - sure. Approaching a junction even in the left 'normal' lane is dangerous, slow cars in the left lane is a warning signal that they failed to read properly. The car driver was at an angle that he ought to have seen the riders had he looked properly and if his mirrors were set correctly. He paused before cutting in to let one bike pass which shows he used his mirror sufficiently to see that one bike.

Anyhow, IMO the riders were not faultless, but the cager hold the majority of the responsibility.

For your viewing pleasure. Now, go ride a scooter in the left lane near a cop and see what happens. The law, and the enforcement of the law are two different things. If everyone knows that you get busted for riding in the proper lane, then the hard should becomes the bike lane. When signs like this are interpreted as 'bike lane' what do you think riders will do?

12 minutes ago, Anthony5 said:

 

A motorbike lane in Thailand? Was that just invented last night?

There are significant stretches of Thai roads where signage states bicycles and motorbikes are required to use the hard shoulder. We need to know if that is the case here before passing judgement. As for speed, those bikes were not speeding. IMO, they impacted at under 30 km/h. Nobody can assume when they started braking and how fast they were going and in which lane when they saw the vehicle.

Use of indicators is so inconsistent that road users do not trust signals given by other road users.

You are so quick to bitch about bikes on the hard shoulder. Consider this - the police often 'fine' riders for using proper lanes, there are signs all over the country forcing riders onto the hard shoulder. Oncoming vehicles force cars and more often bikes onto the hard shoulder... Cars also use the hard shoulder to undertake - the police in Bangkok have enforced the mentality that the hard shoulder is not just a viable lane, but a requirement to use during rush hour. You can't solely blame riders for habits that are universal. 

There are more bikes than cars - they are a problem. Discipline and skills are low, but when an accident happens through combined fault, you cagers just blame the 'others'... I'd love to see you all bitch when just 10% of riders decided to drive a cage for a change. You'd be stuck in gridlock

58 minutes ago, Anthony5 said:

 

Where they were before has nothing to do with this accident, at the time of the impact they were on the hard shoulder, where they are not allowed at any time.

 

If they moved to the hard shoulder at the last second means they were driving too fast or didn't pay attention to traffic ahead.

 

Motorbikes are by law required to keep in the left lane, but are of course allowed to pass slower vehicles from the right side as well as go to the right lane when have to make a right turn, they are not allowed to pass slower vehicles from the left side however.

2 hours ago, seahorse said:

In my opinion the two motorcyclists are at fault for travelling too fast and overtaking on the wrong side.

2 hours ago, garywim said:

Again, my pet peeve, no helmets worn by either motorbike and they are undertaking on the left side and I presume the car driver isn't using mirrors or he should have seen the bikes (no excuse)

I have a collection of clips like this from my helmet cam. I encounter similar several times a day when riding on long trips. This is such standard behaviour, questioning the driver as to why will only produce confusion. Those who drive like that honestly believe that they only did what was normal and justify it by the resulting lack of accident.

That's what I thought! Pillocks[emoji24]

Can anyone confirm if the Suvannakhet consulate is open on Monday? Thank you.

Paranoid question... My marriage to my Thai wife was in HK. We have certified docs, stamped et al by the Thai embassy in HK... Changes nothing in Savannakhet right?

I am 47.

2 hours ago, OJAS said:

 

Could you not extend your stay on the basis of retirement instead of marriage? Or are you under 50 and/or don't have the required financials?

Many thanks. Does the board need to be fully/majority local?

2 minutes ago, lubfishin said:

You better have a board that you can really trust. Otherwise they can simply vote you out. Even if you were the one to initially found the organisation and funded it, they can get rid of you in a heartbeat.

Thanks guys. The org would do road safety workshops leveraging a motocross team based here to deliver demonstrations and discussions on road safety. Outreach at schools, taking kids to races, making sure they hear the message that racing is for the course, not the road...

I am drafting the charter and will see how lawyers react to it...

Cheers.

2 hours ago, Fithman said:

 

What 'hoops' does the lady think she has to dance through?   Her role, for all practical purposes is limited to accompanying you to the immigration office if/when you apply for an extension of stay.

 

 

We read the process docs together and her hackles went up at the requirement for extra paperwork, photos and potential visits... No biggie. I get to ride to Mae Sot every 90 days, have Moei fish, see my buddies up there, take two days off work and keep my bike from getting bored with me...

Well Wow! Blown away!

Outstanding news - guess I don't look around here enough!

Thanks Joe!

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Skip getting your visa in Singapore and go to Savannakhet Laos to get it with no financial proof needed.

Elviajero, Thanks for your input. I am not applying for extension. My Mrs refuses to dance through those hoops for me... can't have everything I guess!

Cheers.

Hi Joe. Thanks for your super fast response, again...

I am married to a Thai, my visa is of the Cat O Non-Imm marriage variety.  I do my 90-day exits/entries on the last day, and my visa ran out 80 days ago. I am on the last days of my 90 entry stamp. The last time I mis-read my 90-day stamp, I arrived 2 days overstayed and was given 14 days on reentry. This is what leads me to believe I can repeat that process without the overstay (or surprise at my mistake).

Also I could just leave for 2 weeks, but I'd rather not stay in a hotel, or impose on friends, in Singapore for that long... I have sufficient funds in a Singapore account, but last year when I applied I was told "you need the funds in Thailand next time." I don't see anything new to support that on the embassy site, but don't want to risk it without definitive evidence. I will call them tomorrow to confirm/deny that.

Thanks again.

I am considering opening a charitable organisation here. I'd like to know anything and everything about that. Is it harder than a Co., Ltd? What are the/any onerous requirements. Are there any other undocumented steps that are different from forming a Co., Ltd? 

I've seen it can take up to a year to get approval. If donations are made before official formation, is there a grace period? 

Could we apply, take donations, operate, and account for the monies received and dispensed as 'to and on behalf of the charity'. Obviously initial donors will prefer to make tax-deductible payments.

Many thanks.

My annual Cat O expires soon. I had to make a major expense inside the 90 day window for funds, so there is a two week gap between expiry and fiduciary compliance.

I know I could just cross a border and get a 14 day stamp. Is there an option that does not require travel? Can I get the 'same' 14 days at my local immigration office? Or am I forced to physically cross a border?

Many thanks.

Are you sure you belong on this forum?? You read and understood the OP!

49 minutes ago, ballpoint said:

Why is that?  As long as the driver is sober the rest can be as drunk as they like.

I think it is meant to put a designated driver behind the wheel. My read of this is that the sober passengers need to persuade the driver to relinquish control and let one of the sober people drive. You can't prosecute a taxi driver for having drunk passengers, so why would that extend to private vehicles?

This is about peer pressure; getting the "I'm not drunk, I am fine to drive" idiots into a passenger seat. Pretty sure that is what is meant by "Passengers who travel in the same vehicle as a driver who is found to be under the influence..."

6 minutes ago, Dmaxdan said:

This could kill off restaurant trade if nobody in the vehicle can have a drink. There's going to be some very dry birthday celebrations in the future. Crazy.

I don't doubt you for a minute old boy, but it was not done using a magnetic strip that has no power source. Tracking a car or a bike is not difficult. Both have sufficient surplus power to run a device and communicate with a network of some kind. They can store data when off the grid and fill in the gaps when reconnected to a network. That is mature and robust technology.

I've worked with electronic mapping, GPS and networks from the early 90s, and although I am not in that field now... This would represent bridging a significant gap. I'm open minded, but highly sceptical.

2 minutes ago, damo said:

 

 

Sorry bud, I don't want to be a smart arse, I was having my driving behaviour successfully monitored within seconds from remote areas of Australia. It's happening already.

 

GPS compatible strips? That sounds dubious. GPS radio signals are very very weak, receivers need to fix several sources before a location can be computed by the receiving device. You can't send a signal to a GPS satellite, it's technically possible but you would need to own it or hack it... and without a power source in the license it gets harder and harder...  Does it record track data in a 10 minute loop? Unlikely to get the signal through a car, wallet and interference without a fair amount of antenna... "Is that a Thai license in your pocket or are you just please to see me?"

However, I like the idea in general. Forces passengers to implore reason from their drunk friends - might make for great tv!

BBJ raises a key point - are you planning to stay clean and dry on the roads or venture off to Adventure Bike Country? Up were you are is pretty much heaven for trails and overnight camping trips... Initial advice would be to commit to going off-road, then shortlist your choices...

It's good to want to spend clean money here, but in general we all use Thai Baht... Welcome, and enjoy your riding!