anon210

Paying 50 k THB bribe above the price for an ordinary pickup? And on top of it, one that cannot Wade through water and has butter thin panels... Some people must be having more money than common sense.

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The rule is don't come early for renewal. When it's a one year license, come one week after it's expired. Bring some proof of residence, work permit, tabien baan, letter from immigration or embassy, they should issue a "permanent" license, valid for 5 years + your birthday. If you have only a tourist visa they may give you another temporary license (green one) for a year.

As for me, I went there before the expiry of my temporary 1 year license and got through fine. I think the law allows renewing before expiration.

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Disastrous English... but she is just at the level of her own people. I guess they deserve this PM!

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Well, my boss works in the Thonglor area, near JAvenue. In that area, there is a shop of the chain of authorized resellers.

He was told that they were instructed to sell Iphones 5 S only to Thais. I was so astonished that I went there myself to get that confirmed. The reseller told me that they had corporate instructions from their headquarters to sell only to Thai customers at least until January, as there are limited stocks.

It is the first time, I see such a blatantly racist policy in sales of a product of a US great brand. Anybody else encountered this explanation and national preference?

To be completely fair, I had received an invitation to buy one via AIS, but as I am not interested in Apple stuff, I did not pursue it.

As of a month ago, Mazda TH had already taken over 1000 bookings for the new CX-5, so if you had any dreams of getting your hands on the first 300, I hope you got in early..

If you book now, chances are you'll be waiting until Songkhran to take delivery. If you book at the motor show, you likely won't get it until H2 2014.

Just sayin'

We have booked our white 2.2 L Diesel some months ago. Last week, we were lucky to see the first show models which arrived at our Mazda dealer.

Our car will be delivered 7.11. - so I can get the first ride, soon...!

wow that cx-5 doesn't look much higher that that mazda 3. I wonder what the wading height is?

I guess that is the same reaction as mine when I saw for first the "real" Subaru XV. Too small, too low for me, for the roads of Thailand (+ impact position in case of accident is not much better than a sedan or hatchback).

Hi and TGIF

As I marvel at this wonderful place Thailand I have become increasingly aware that western society has been brainwashed into someone view of conformity.

Case in point, I have always been told that toilet paper is for the toilet, primarily to clean oneself after No 2...Maybe the occasional use for blowing ones nose but generally for the toilet

This is not the case in Thailand where toilet paper is just seen as tissue, to be used for a range of functions. Sitting on the beach at Cha -Am eating wonderful fresh crab and prawns you see little old ladies walking around selling toilet paper rolls to be used as hand tissue when eating.

I think most of us would have a similar story and would be interested to hear about them

Cheers

This is brain washing?

I look forward to you marvelling at the locals ability to use both directions of a one way street. These Thais. Genius.

Conformity? And you have to quote the use of toilet paper as the example of conformity? LOL

I think you have been brainwashed with too much admiration of Thailand.

Two oldies at Sempran Riverside hotel...

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to try AXA and see where that leads.

Bear in mind the limitations on weight! Not over 1 ton for the roadside assistance...

When it comes to doing publicity and trying to sell you their cars, they are very apt to propose an English version of their web site. Not so, when it comes to advising you of important matters (namely a recall?). Where is the logic, then?

Was at Ramkamhaeng dealership this morning to have the issue fixed. An English-speaking lady was there to handle. Nevertheless, when I asked them to check that front tire which seems having a silent puncture (always five PSI below the others), they told me they could not do it and that I had to go to a "tire shop"! They just pumped it back up. I thought that letting anyone but the authorized dealer fix anything related to your car was voiding your warranty?

Again, this is a very professional service center, but I am seriously let down with the incoherence and this lack of service mind which seems to affect Mitsu in Thailand.

More seriously...

Here are my stats on PJS 2.5: http://www.fuelly.com/driver/blackpjs/pajero-sport

On good traffic in the city, it would be mostly around 9 kpl in Bangkok. On highway, it can jump up to 14 kpl. I think I observed recently that I could get to 100 kph with the revs at 1900 rpm. To be checked.

Update on the situation. After a lot of calling around, finally, called the dealership at Ramkamhaeng, where an English-speaking lady took my details and said she would ask Mitsu call center to get in touch with me. There, finally an "officer" took my call (the first lady could not understand the terms "fix" or "repair") and arranged for me to go that dealership for having my car fixed.

They apologized about the communication in Thai only, and said they would try to improve service to customers for next time. So, in the end, the moral of the story is this one: when you are a customer, complain and be vocal! It always pays off and you will be (hopefully!) pave the way for better service in the future.

Well, been trying since yesterday to get in touch with Mitsu Thailand to book an appointment for the recall. Unfortunately, it would seem the whole company has only one person capable of speaking a reasonable English, and that person is too busy to get back to me.

Confirms my poor opinion of the after-sales service of Mitsu Thailand. Beyond being thai-centric (promotions etc are mostly oriented towards Thai citizens see below), they never responded to my online contacts.

Honestly, while the service centers are of a variable quality, the corporate offices are just plain disastrous. For starters, they send out a recall letter in Thai alone (good luck to figure out what it could be if you don't speak or read the bloody language). They invite you to call a number to book an appointment, but cannot serve you when you call them! If someone recalls, my complaint about someone smoking in my car before it was delivered never got solved.

Finally, my pet peeve... It seems they do organize competitions and/or prizes, but reserved to Thais only. Apparently earlier this year there was something around traveling to Japan... but from the results page, it would appear that it was only reserved to thais (id card and house registration required). I don't really care about that, but the fact that a private company discriminates against foreigners irritates me formidably.

At this point that I have definitely decided never to buy Mitsu again. Very happy with the car, but I get irritated that the Japanese let their racist and nationalist Thai underlings carry out their 'Thai only' policies.

The only appropriate response is not to give your money to such idiots.

Rest in peace, or a next destination to the devout holy man.

I just received a text from The Nation saying police have

'asked all entertainment to shut down from Oct 25th to Nov 8th.

A total of 15 days. This means without advance warning all those people,

working in 'Entertainment' will be out of work. A half month.

I some how doubt they will get back pay or lost wages.

Or had adequately prepared nest eggs for this eventuality.

This edict obviously goes for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

No disrespect to the Patriach intended, he deserves full respect.

But this seems excessive to put all these people out of their livelihoods

for so long without much advance notice.

Either that a Police windfall in Teamoney to look the other way...

That is very sad and a overeaction by the authorities - a lot if people live hand to mouth and day to day in Thailand and this will really hurt them. I hope if true they reverse this - life goes on and people have to eat.

Another sign Thailand is veering towards a theocracy. State and religion work hand in hand to perpetuate control of the masses, with no respect whatsoever for the life of the people.

In general, some insurances (Axa) offer roadside assistance. Several platinum credit cards offer that too. There is a catch though, when you read the fine print: in general it excludes vehicles with a weight above 1 ton... which would exclude most SUV or trucks.

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I am very interested in seeing what types of vehicles were towed. Wonder if there were luxury class cars (Benz, Porche, Audi, Jags, etc.) in that list? Or would it show cars driven by persons who are struggling to make a living? But towing illegally parked taxis is a good thing - I have to admit.

Well, one of the cars fined was a Lexus...And the owner was vainly trying to plead with the policeman writing the ticket.

Last Saturday, I actually saw police putting the wheel locks on cars illegally parked on Sukhumvit, just after soi 55. That was a refreshing sight, as there are always cars clogging that area to go and eat at the restaurants there. Sunday, for the first time, I saw my soi free of all the cars parked illegally there at the entrance of the soi! I could for once get in without having to contort my car between the cars parked and the oncoming traffic.

I would wish this policy to be enforced radically and across the board. Then maybe Thais will learn a bit of discipline in their anarchic parking habits.

The question is... Does Thailand get to partake?

Found some videos of the new PJS sport, and it looks pretty much more in line with the rest of the lineup of Mitsubishi (Outlander anyone?). Not sure what other modifications

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbfd_cO6nXY

At least in Russia, they get stability control... http://allcars2014.com/2014-mitsubishi-pajero-sport-facelift-and-price/

I guess I should prepare for a further loss of value of my current PJS (2012 model).

I think you can find Rain-X at Central Department Store. It is just that I always forget to put it on the windows.

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Swapped the O.E Badyear Eagles for Mitch Pilots, before delivery Mich are generally quieter, and the Civic needs all the help it can get on front end road noise. Also, I like Tyre Plus service, they stock all the Mich Range. As for Hi Ride Trucks as they all bleat here the Visibility is better than a Car. I fully agree. You can see into the Ravine before you Roll Into it !!.. I scrub out the Fronts rather fast, living in the Mountains, N/s Front goes first. Not much else to do these days. Car Wash, Mom n Pops n Leo..

Good tire choice going with the Michelins! I was just reading where someone was asking about 'DeeStone' brand tires - only in Thailand (and related markets)!

That mountain life is (can be) good living! Are you sure you wouldn't enjoy it more while riding the roads in a nice (SUV) Fortuner?

Been doing a fair share of mountain roads towards Mae Sot, Boklua, etc. Honestly, those are moments, you do not really appreciate being in a SUV. For example, being chased into a curve by a truck breathing into your neck at 1 meter and 65-70 kph, on a tight road. Those were moments where I wished I was in a smaller sports car.

This being said, all is in the driver's skills.

For my side, I am seething that my country does not impose as draconian measures as the 90-day report to the local Thai immigrants.

Thailand thought me that far-right views such as "national preference" are not so far fetched.

Only Europe believes that we must give handouts to every miserable foreigner who comes in to beg.

And when I see their hypocrite religion and the way they want to make it a state religion, I would wish Europeans had the backbone to claim a bit more respect for the Christian traditions of Europe.

Nothing but an habitual pervert monk story in Thailand. And the most disgusting is the silence of the parents in this case. Now we know why the monks roam between temples...

Interesting laws... Soon, you will not be able to say that the monks are thieving parasites going to buy gadgets at Pantip with the money of "donations". Let alone post pics of the same guys enjoying the pleasures of buying a large LCD tv or playing with an Iphone 5.

Since "offense to religion" is included now, can someone tell me what differentiates Thailand from a theocratic Islamic republic?

BTW, "religion" in the singular, seems to indicate that there is a State religion? I did not see that in the thai constitution...

This prepared draft Constitution contains the significant principles in maintaining mutual interest of the Thai people in securing of independence and security of the nation, upholding all religions

http://www.asianlii.org/th/legis/const/2007/1.html

I know of a Thai who has a BMW series 5, bought 13 years ago. It is back in garage about every 2 weeks.

Comparatively, the CRV bought at the same time is still pretty worry-free even though maintenance is only carried out irregularly.

I would not vouch for the same reliability of a current-day CRV, though, seeing how their panels fold with a single finger...

Kudos to the company's Quality Control department being on their toes and catching the faulty weld - a mal-functioning welding unit? - and contacting the affected customers!

Actually, the letter I received is only for the power seats. Not for the faulty weld. I guess my car is not concerned, the defect being proper to cars manufactured between 2009 and 2012.

But yeah, was positively surprised by the letter to one exception... It is totally in Thai!

Hello, I just received a letter from Mitsubishi Thailand, inviting me to go to the dealership to have the electric seats of my car checked.

i guess it is linked to this recall from Mitsu Philippines:

• Weld condition of the front suspension lower arm - The welding bead dimension of the front lower arm is suspected to be insufficient that may result to breakage while vehicle is in use. The inspection procedure is estimate to take 1.7 hours at the most and when needed, replacement of both front lower arms is estimated at 6.3 hours. Coverage of this safety inspection is 11,403 Montero Sport (2WD and 4WD) and 4,050 Strada (2WD and 4WD) units sold from 2011 to 2012.

• Weld condition of the front propeller shaft for four wheel drive models - The width of the welding bead between the tube and stub shaft is suspected to be insufficient in some units that may result to breakage while vehicle is in use. The inspection procedure is estimated to take 12 minutes at the most and when needed, replacement is estimated at 36 minutes. Coverage are 66 Montero Sport 4WD and 13 Strada 4WD units sold in 2012.

• Power assisted reclining switch for the driver’s seat on Montero GLS SE and GT-V models - The power assisted reclining switch may get stuck during usage and may result to power seat motor overheating. Replacement of the reclining switch is estimated at 18 minutes and when needed power seat motor replacement, should require a total of 2.5 hours. Coverage of this safety inspection are 8,059 Montero Sport four wheel drive models (GLS SE and GT-V) units sold from 2009 up to present.

http://www.mmpc.ph/latestnews/mmpc-montero-sport-and-strada-safety-inspection-campaign.html