Boxter

Dark Knight: I don't get you. Good luck with what, getting my kids out of Thailand for a well rounded internationally accepted education? Look if you aspire to be a bus driver or for your kids to be then go for it, as you say we need them and if the government gets its way then more train drivers will be needed too. As "engaged" parents you're probably engaging Thai Rail to get yourself truly engaged.

Nugget of wisdom?? I haven't even been involved in this thread until now (let alone 8 months ago!) but if people like you populate it then perhaps it's been for a good reason.

Yep, they are getting awesome write-ups in the UK. Perfect for Thailand. Here's an idea, I've been planning a drive from the UK to Thailand. We could both purchase our vehicles in the UK, plan our route (which will be the hardest part) to Thailand and get the vehicles through the boarder with the correct contacts in place. Job done!

My kids are 3 and 1 but not in a million years will they do their high school or university years here. What are you guys thinking, get your kids out of Thailand for a decent education unless you need them to be HOD of Tescos!

Trailblazers out, check out the new Jeep Cheroke. That's my ride shortly just as soon as I figure out how to get it here.

My 3 yo daughter has been in for 6 months now. It seems okay but it's pretty nazi getting to see what they're actually doing. She is happy though and her english has not suffered so all good.

The Trailblazer 2.8l is rated at 132kW I put my Trailblazer on a dyno the other day with my chip and I'm getting 148kW. Don't know about the 2.5 apart from the fact I wouldn't have one.

Actually I never considered a total fork swap-out. Is it worth it though on a heavy entry level bike? I think I'd just rather change the bike now.

I've done 1200k on mine and the left seal blew out big time. Honda in Korat didn't want to know about it. I wouldn't let any of the Honda monkeys loose on my bikes anyway. (burnt too many times now) I've since replaced the seal but I do have a question:

My left fork was the one without the spring, I fitted an aftermarket spring from the US and deducted the same volume in oil. The beginning thread said the right fork with the spring as standard ought to have 658cm cubed which is 0.658l. Would this now be the same for the left fork which has a spring fitted?

Boxter

Ha ha, or;

Is NOT far.

I got a really good one today from an Englishman. (long time here) "It's on the road to Bangkok" Yeah right. And what really cracked me up was his Thai wife came up to me straight after and said, "yes he right, on road to Bangkok, on the sai..."

So here I am on the side of the road....

Thanks for the last thread. I perhaps ought to have been more precise in my first post. So far when I have ASKED for directions pretty much anywhere here my wife (Thai) and I have been totally befuddled to the point of going back to the original direction giver whereby we are still in the same boat. 500m is the same is 5km. If the direction giver is sitting in the car with you then that's a different kettle of fish.

I've learn't in the supermarket to actually get the sales person to take me personally to the place they say the stock is at. Guess what, most of the time it's not there surprise surprise.

I'm not criticising just observing that mostly when myself of my wife ask for directions here, what we get is woefully short of the mark. And not only in Thailand, all over the place.

I drive 164km/day so about the same as you. I have GPS in my car, its okay but only an aid as all GPS devices are. I love paper maps especially topo ones.

That's such a crap marketing strategy/mentality. Imagine if they actually lead instead of followed.

Hey what is it with Thais and maps/directions? My experience so far has shown me that Thais at all levels have very under-developed spacial awareness. Is this a product of their schooling or does it run deeper than this? I have not been in Thailand long (7 years) but it seems there are some major fundamental gaps in their thinking process. I wonder if this is intentional from the policy makers?

Totally agree. It's also just about impossible to get hold of any of the Chevy managers here. I have many things to say to them. <deleted>! In NZ the TB meets International safety standards with side airbags etc why not here? Our our lives not worth as much? In NZ and Ozi the TB has the rear view camera in the rear view mirror as standard. Why not here, do the Thai's not reverse?

Well I'm at the head waters of the Mun river (Chok Chai Korat) which flows right down to BKK. We've had some big storms and rains here the last couple of weeks, my road floods but I can still drive everywhere. You guys down stream get hit hard by the sounds of things. I feel for you. Get high!

BTW all you TB owners. I have fitted padded (real) leather to all the door arm rests and the centre consul. (total cost excluding the leather THB 800)The best mod I've ever done. It is so comfortable now and looks great. I also don't get static electricity build up from the rubbing on the hard plastic. It really has made a huge difference to my driving pleasure.

I drive 164km/day on the school run so you get to know all the faults with comfort. A big one still is the non telescoping steering wheel. I'm too far from the wheel which makes for tired arms. What was GM thinking?

Hi Giletto

I've got the LTZ1 (yeah pang I know) and I really need to ditch my 18" wheels, don't like them at all but I'm struggling to find anything I like. Most of the SUV wheels here have the centre piece missing which looks really naf. The wheel shop guy will try and tell you this is the racing style which is a complete load of <deleted>. I've just got back from my home country of NZ and there is awesome choice of proper mag wheels for the Trailblazer. Can you post a photo of your ride? I'm interested to see your wheel set.

Cheers

Boxy

Henly, are you getting the message? Man up, bring your balls into action. You're the cash cow. Make sure you stamp out the disrespect ASAP. This has been an interesting topic, please give us some closing news.

Hi Angiud

That's a very good question. For the same reason I chipped my CRF 250 and modified every car I have owned. It's a personnel thing but I have a hankering to get the best performance from any internal combustion engine. It's great that car manufacturers over-engineer their engines so we (I) can improve them.

I've lived here for 7 years and people I don't even know in my village call out my name, PETER!

I'm married to a Thai, have two kids and I know about 50 Thai words which is ***k all. That they call you"Farang" is like slapping you in the face. In my village if that happened you would be well within your rights to give the proponent of this behavior a good bunch of FIVES! Not what we'd do in our own community but we're not there are we. Make sure you do this publicly and you will receive the respect you deserve.

Hello

I have a CRF 250L and ride a lot of trails up here in Chok Chai. I'm interested in other owner's views on the bike and I would like to share stories and information.

Cheers

Jitar, Thanks for your comments. I agree with you on the tall gear ratio for 6th and this is not helping on the dead spot issue. The tuning chip has helped but it's not completely gone. To note, the chip I have is fully programmable, I'm in discussions with the manufacturer and we may have a software upload to further refine it's performance, after all the Duramax is a new engine.

I am getting better fuel economy though, averaging 11.2km/l round town, sitting in traffic and idling at the grocery store etc. On a highway trip I get 12.5 or better.

Raffo77, my chip was GBP 500 that's US $765, I couldn't find anything more expensive or any better. Let me know if you can.

That woud be like admitting their engine was less than acceptable. As you all know, diesel engines like to be under load, max if possible. If you're not changing the hair drier or the compression ratio, there is no way a new ECU will damage the engine. Chev would have a hard time in court proving a re-map caused engine failure. Anyway I don't really give a monkey's. I've got just over 200 Bhp and better fuel economy than stock. I hated the dead spot around 1800-2200 rpm in 6th which has gone now.

And yes as far as upper market SUV's goes the Trail Blazer is pretty junky in may areas but there's nothing else here around the same price which is any better, in fact worse. I'm looking forward to sneaks of the new Fortuner, if it's called that.

My first choice would have been the V8 Diesel Land Cruiser but at 8 mill vs 1.5 I went for the latter. Sounds like you need the former option.

The new ECU comes from a company in the UK. Very easy to fit and remove if you have to. The company claim it cannot effect the OEM warranty because it is not operating the engine outside it's designed parameters. Anyway it's easy to remove if that was ever going to be an issue. I drove down to BKK and put my rig on a dyno, over 200BHP with the unit on and only 160 odd with it off. I plan to ask Chev why they claim 180??????

Fiited some X member roof rails which are coming in mighty handy but they have made them curved which is no good for Thule racks etc. very strange. Also fitted a tow bar (with wiring) which I use all the time with my trailer. Have the benefits of a long deck pick up with the comfort of an SUV.

Also found some awesome 4x4 country so if anyone is keen to join me?? I live in Korat.

Hello

Does anyone have any information about this new bilingual school in Korat? I am thinking of starting my toddler there but from what I have seen it seems pretty regimented, for-profit oriented, inflexible especially in offering trial periods and long hours for young kids. I'm not sure what it's religious bias is but I suspect Catholic?? These are the negatives but I'm keen to get some positive info as well if anyone has some. Of course if not then this makes my decision easier.

My other choice would be Plookpanya however this is not a bilingual school.

Cheers in advance

Boxter

PS In the brochure all the trees are photoshopped in, can't blame them I guess, no landscaping yet.