VTR1000

Just drink faster, put yourself into oblivion and Bob's yer father's brother! No worries.

The first time I have heard of such an incident,

which is surprising in the 25 years of the Expressways.

25 years? Don't think so. I watched them being built and it certainly wasn't 25years ago.

Unfortunately, there seems to be quite a lot of spare wheels going missing from pickups. Anyway, there is such a huge market in after market wheels that I'm pretty sure any big wheel/tyre shop will have a set or more of original Vigo wheels/tyres that have been taken in as part exchange. Not sure if they'd sell just the one or not, but ask around. Wouldn't be a long trek IMO.

In this day and age the airplane is the favoured way of traveling but what about the sea? Not that long ago if you wanted to go to another continent, you had to go on a ship.

My question is: Has anyone gone from South East Asia to Europe as a passenger on a cargo ship and if so:

What was it like?

Where did you go?

Costs etc?

Sure, it will take much longer timewise but you'd be getting away from it all for a while and it would be an experience too.

Anyone?

In this day and age the airplane is the favoured way of traveling but what about the sea? Not that long ago if you wanted to go to another continent, you had to go on a ship.

My question is: Has anyone gone from South East Asia to Europe as a passenger on a cargo ship and if so:

What was it like?

Where did you go?

Costs etc?

Sure, it will take much longer timewise but you'd be getting away from it all for a while and it would be an experience too.

Have a think about Langkawi. Ferries from Satun and it's a nice little island too.

I have to go with Berty. I have a 3.0L 4x4 Vigo (2yrs) and only time I had a problem was toeing it out of a little roundabout when the back end came out a few feet. My fault totally. Standard fitting seems fine to me. Fitted Munroes on a Tiger a while ago with very little difference. They are pick ups after all and with such a light back end, they are not going to, nor were they designed to act like a saloon car.

Why not?

I and my sister were brought up in Southern Africa but had to attend boarding schools in Britain. From the age of 9, I traveled from Scotland via London and then Jo'burg before catching a flight to my final destination (3 return journeys a year). We would have someone meet us in London to make sure we got through there ok but the rest of the time we were on our own. We managed it then (early 70s+), so I don't see why a 16 year old should have problems nowadays ... the only difference being the increase in the number of idiots out there. If they are sensible and experienced, as you say your niece is, I don't see any problems at all.

I would have gone to the wedding, but no-one invited me.

My mum doesn't cook any food so I don't eat.

I left the moobahn and nothing happened.

I've been to Singapore and that was boring too. It all looks the same and the people are dull.

So is Rock 99. And the people are dull.

You sound like a barrel of laughs - probably why you didn't get an invite.

Hey,

Im arriving at Nakhon Si Thammarat airport at 11am on the 23rd of november possibly on route to Koh Phangan. Just wondering is it possible to get to Koh Phangan via Don Sak from Nakhon Si Thammarat? If so what routes/times/intervals do buses leave?

thanks

Faz

Yes, minibuses leave regularly (hourly at least) from the north end of Rajadamnern Road to DonSak. Ferry from there to Koh Phangngan. Easy.

Tha Pattaya Mail reports today of another foreign tourist dying in an accident on beach road Pattaya on Aug 31.

The man believed to be from the middle east died trying to pull a wheelie in front of some beer bars and hit a post at the side of the road.

At present you can show your passport and rent any superbike you like with no proof of a motorcycle licence, and l think the large majority of people renting don't have one. This guy was drunk so having a licence or not would not have affected the outcome, but l think something has to be done.

I have noticed a lot of Arabs racing around Pattaya on large motrobikes recently - cant say i feel any sympathy. Just glad he didnt kill any innocent people

Without being racist have to say l think the arabs are the worst for this, quite a number have died over the last few years, shame really some proper training might have saved a few of them.

Most of the accidents l've seen involve R1's this is way to much power for a novice with no experience.

No! Young guys from all over the world travel/go to Pattaya for its obvious reasons. I remember a few (quite a few) years ago two young Brits were there. They both hired big bikes, got pissed and to cut a long story short, one of them avoided hitting a little kid wrecking his bike and himself and his friend, 'racing' behind him also came off. First guy had one smashed up big rental bike and a load of broken bones and his mate pretty much the same. No insurance at all so their three week holiday turned into a one week nightmare.

Big bikes, alchohol, people (from what ever country), in a foreign country are a lethal mix!

Each year one province is host to the 'National (school/youth) Games'. A few years ago I lived in Phangnga Town and they hosted the games there. Now, for anyone who knows Phangnga Town, it's not exactly a big place and the only difference I noticed was that a couple of the hotels were busier than usual but the majority of competitors/trainers and families/spectators slept dorm style in local government buildings. Events are held in many different venues and to be honest, I don't think you'll see much difference at all. In fact I'd say most of the people coming to Nakhon will be more interested in the Jatukarms than the sports!

Just another day!

Was in the local Toyota dealer on Saturday getting a service. I had a chat with the manager whom I've known for a long time and he said nothing major coming out within the next three years. As for the jump doors, he didn't know anything about those, adding that if there are to be any changes with the Vigo, they would be cosmetic only.

Please reserve us your best table, with your finest linen and tableware... and have some of the best vintage (2007) of Bia Leo chilled and ready.

Ohm Motorcycles on the Chaweng bypass has probably the best selection. Samui though, is not the best place for riding big bikes .... just make sure your customer has good insurance, more so if he is just on holiday!

Haha Flaky, the link still works and 'kettle, black' me thinks, coming from you!

Jeez ..... go to google, type in the search box 'satun ferries'. The very first link has all the information you need, times, fares, office addresses and even telephone numbers.

Here's a link for ya: Ferry information

Google 'Satun Ferries' and you'll find your answers .... or do you want someone to do that for you too?

Those wheels and the arches certainly make a difference! Where can you get them?

Very nice format indeed. One thing though - you have the price at 100Bath. Shouldn't it be Baht?

Good luck for the future with this publication too.

Why not go to the Andaman Club? No hassles. 8kms north of Ranong. Haven't been there for a few years though but can't see it changing much. And they take Baht too.

Where you are matters too. Sometimes easier and quicker to go to Dan Nok, Sadao.

really ! i just sold my vigo, thought id have a change ,bought a navara, i hate it, its been an expensive lesson,i have a fortuner smart on order,

Why? You got a problem with mikethenavaraman?

That'll pass for a Thai surname.

Haha, Somchai Mikethenavaraman does have a local tint about it.

^ Totally agree!

The internet has to take a lot of blame in 'ruining', if that's the right word, a lot of very nice places.

In Nakohnsithammarat, if you're standing outside Robinsons, KFC end, there's a dentist in that row of shops on the right. She speaks English and her surgery is next door to Top Charoen, the opticians. I've used her before and she was ok.

My 2 Bahts worth - Lanta is best just before and just after the high season which is from what I have seen is mid Nov to Feb. Between April and October it resembles a deserted ghost town with the majority of businesses closed for the quiet season. Each to their own but the low season really is the low season. Having said that, it is a nice place and the further south you go, the nicer it becones in my eyes if a little more rustic (excluding Pomalai(sp?) et al.)