kaizoku

Everything went nice. We couldn't acces any beaches though. All access was locked by the military even if everybody was allowed to pass but farang on motorbikes. Because of the military there is no much to do in Sattahip, this is a same because I found it very nice and beautiful, much more pleasant than Pattaya.

On the way back we went on the 331 and turned left at the Silverlake Vineyards and the Buddha Mountain.

About the Vineyard I'm not sure what to think, on one side they tried to make it look nice building in a French style but in an other side this is a pale copy. Far behind what is a real French vineyards. About the wine it's not that bad too expensive if to compare with other country but for Thailand this is not so bad. At the end I would say this is not good but also not bad.

To conclude the trip to Sattahip is a good experience, so I would recommend to go as this is easy to do in one day.

Thank to you two for your help.

I'll give a try on the memorial and the vineyard.

I'll go tomorow with the motorbike to discover the area. I'm planning to go along the beach (sukumvit) and I'll try the countryside at the way back.

What will you recommand to see/do on the way from Pattaya to Sattahip.

Is there a nice and beautiful beach around there ? (not a ugly and polluated one like in pattaya and Jomtien ).

I live out in the countryside and this is my water bill for last month.

It came to 68 baht at 2 baht per litre.

I noticed that you don't have the same bill format as mine.

I thought it was the same all around the country. Your bill look more like a hand receipt.

Actually I started to be interested about it because my water bill rise up from 300% as the previous month it was only beetween 80/90 Baht.

300 Baht this is still very cheap, but I just wonder why such a difference as we didn't use more water than usual. There is maybe a leak hiding somewhere.

It would be nice to know the price of a unit. Should be something like 230/18 = 12.8 baht.

To answer you MJCM, I think you are in the good direction about grren 3 and red 2 and these number are the same than on the previous bill.

Green 1 : Number of the bill.

Green 2 : Number of the water meter.

Green 3 : ???

Red 1 : Day of delivery of the bill.

Red 2 : ???

Orange 1 : Name of the owner of the house.

Orange 2 : My adress.

Blue 1 : Total number of units used (From day 1)

Blue 2 : Number of units (this month) in Liters.

Purple :

* 30 THB is a standard Maintenance Fee for your water Meter

* 18.15 THB is VAT

* The 0 and 0.00 (in the Purple area) would be filled in if you forgot to pay last months Bill (where the 0 would become how many months you not have payed and the 0.00 would be the total amount)

Grey : The Red writing in Grey = Time Period when you can pay the bill (So from the 10th until the 16th) the second date is the day when (if you didn't pay) they can come and take your Meter away.

By curiosity I try to understand my water bill.

I don't know if there is anything confidential here, I hide my adress as this is almost the only field I understand.

Green 1 : ???

Green 2 : ???

Green 3 : ???

Red 1 : Day of delivery of the bill.

Red 2 : ???

Orange 1 : ???

Orange 2 : My adress

Blue 1 : ???

Blue 2 : ???

Purple : What I have to pay, but I don't understand the detail.

Grey : Something about delay to pay the bill ?

When you say manual do you mean full manual?

as in having a clutch lever?

Because if so your pretty much looking at the CBR or ER etc.

You're right, we need clarification here.

I'm use to full manual, I never tried semi-manual.

I like to ERn but not in my budget range for now.

About CBR, my wife doesn't like it.

Let's include into manual the clutch-less gear changes so there is more options.

My usage of the bike will be prety much for daily use, short ride in a dense urban environment (very dense rush hour).

Go for small grocery (2/3 plastic bags), pick up my wife at work ...

I will use the bike several times per day.

I also plan to buy a cheap 2nd hand car for bigger grocery and to take the dog out (vet, beach ...)

But I don't want to use the car most of the time (too much traffic).

I have 2 helmet middle range price (1500 baht) but shining new, so I can't let them on the motorbike.

Automatic :

1) PCX (77 k)

2) Yamaha Nouvo SX 2013 (price ??)

3)

Manual & semi manual :

1) Wave125i (?? k)

2)

3)

Thank you all for your advice,

From what was said above, we can conclude that the PCX is what people advise me.

This is unfortunately what I thought. I have an a priori negative on the PCX, but to be objective, I will rent one to get an idea.

To sumarize so far :

Automatic :

1) PCX (77 k)

2) Yamaha Nouvo SX 2013 (price ??)

3)

Manual :

1)

2)

3)

I have the motorbike for daily use, but I need a car for going out with the dog or when I'm going to the shop.

Also I think it will allow me to discover a bit further the area.

I don't want to use the car everyday, I just need one sometime so I want a cheap and reliable one.

Thank you Naboo for the advice.

What car would you advice for 100,000 Baht ?

- Reliable

- Manual transmition

- No air con is OK.

- Open roof would be a nice but optional.

I think I will be very happy with something small like a suzuki caribean but I didn't find it under 150 000 baht

I also like the Jeep (like CJ-7) but it's a bit too expensive

Is there a similar model that would match my price range ?

If not what kind of car would you take ? I'm asking you this because I have a poor knowlege of thai 2nd hand market.

I need help to choose my motorbike.

This is now more than 3 month that I keep renting mine because I can't make a decision.

Important criteria :

1) Safety !!! I want to feel safe, good break, tires (big wheel better than small ?). what else ?

2) Confortable for the passenger.

3) Handy to drive in city (90% of my driving).

4) Reliable (no chiness lifan ...)

5) Good resell value.

6) Somathing to put/lock one (or two better) helmet as I have a real helmet and not the cheap one.

What I tried :

* I was going to buy a Honda phantom, but after few test drive I understood that I don't like it, this is too heavy and not handy in traffic jam.

* Then I tried the Honda CBR, but my wife is really not happy on the back.

* I'm renting a Honda click for few month, this is accetable but not fantastic. I would really prefer to have gear.

So I start to think that there is no motorbike in my budget range (let say up to 80 000).

I will rent the pcx for a test drive, I don't like the look but maybe this is a good compromise.

What would you advice ?

On my first message I'm talking about "RING" but I just understand that this no meaning anything in English. I think the correct translation would be working dog that I think include agility, obedience ...

What breed of dog is it?

My dog is a Beauceron also known as Berger de Beauce (sheepdog from Beauce) or Bas Rouge (red-stockings).

Anyways, check Border Jack Resort out, been there several times for the dogpark and the doghotel, have also some training facilities and socialisation with other dogs.

Its a pitty you cant walk your dogs like in Europe and the States with all the soi dogs but this is a good alternative.

Thank you Juliusk for your comment, I went Border Jack Resort's website, it look nice event if this is pretty far I had trouble to locate it on the map. Maybe one day I'll try to go there.

I agree with you soi dogs is a real problem, there is really too much of them. Day time this is more or less OK but night time it's difficult.

However I went last day to the beach and all was OK.

Have a look at the Plants/Pets....Forum. There is a pinned toplc on training with a wealth of posts with some very practical tips.

There is a lot to read through but it is well worth it.

Thank for the advice I'll have a look.

I hesitated a lot between the two section for my post.

I just receive my puppy and I would like to continue the brilliant education that the breeder has started to give him.

After some research I found on internet K9 Kennel Club. I went there ​​to get an opignon but I'm very disapointed of what I've found. This place is a veritable pound, it smell death, this is awful !! I very happy I haven't take my dog there. Unfortunatly there was nobody to help me, so they call someone that tell me it will cost 10 000 baht to teach my dog how to sit ... What he already knows how.

So I'm looking for a club or an association where I can train my dog near Pattaya. I'm not interested in circus tricks, I only want to exercise and socialise him. I heard about ring, I'm interested to know more about it. Moreover I think this is me that need to be teached about how to give good education to a dog.

Thank you Chinnotes for your precice answer.

This potter wasp is really big so I'm glad to ear they are not agressive. However this nest is really near my entrance door so I need to move it.

do you think it would be possible to relocated?

Is that this wasp can help in the fight against pests such as flies, mosquitoes, hornets ..

I found this on my garden, is anyone know the name of it ?

Is it dangerous ? Can I take this nest and throw it by myself ?

I don't understand people saying that Thonglor is the best veterinary clinic. These are the same people who think that the more you pay the better you get. This is easy thinking. I went once there and I won't go again I was totally disappointed. Overpriced, unfriendly, no profesionel, I absolutely not recommend it.

I've been few times to the one street Chayapruek (south Jomtien), price are correct, staff speak english and are nice. So far for small thing like vaccin, cleaning small wound or food supply I'm satisfied. Now I don't know for more serious matter.

The last clinic I know is on Sukumvit soy 53 (in front pattaya klang) beetween soi 4 and 6. The price there is really good. There is several doctor speaking english. I went for a kitten i found on the street cruch by a motorbike, xray + medecine cost me 300 bath. I would recomand to go there if you have little money moreover they are open 24/7 (need to be confirmed).

I don't know what is the best clinic, but here is my personal experience, I hope it can help someone.

All manufactured goods that are not made in Thaïland are usually more expensive than in other country.

What make the difference here is the cost of labour, so services are (usually) cheaper (massage, house cleaning, house keeper, builders ...)

Now what I would buy more if cheaper : wine, cheese, liquor, good beer.

What I'm very happy about price : fruits at the local market (and sometimes also in supermarket), local restaurant, 7/11, rent motorbike, gym.

I had the same Tiger/W side car and even in same color. Yes its road legal, the sidecar is in the green book, but I had a lot of problems with it. 1st, the brakes was crap (I think the brakes are slightly bigger now but are not sure). 2nd, conically electric problems, this not working and then this. In the end I was so feed up with it that we sold it.

If you live on the country side the brake problem is not a big issue, but we were driving around Pattaya on it and you really had to "read" the traffic in front of you so you can start braking, or boom. If I was riding alone the brakes was okay'ish as I could lock up the rear wheel and stop fairly quickly, but with my wife in the sidecar, a nightmare. Front brake useless.

That been said, I never owned a bike that got so much attention as the Tiger/w sidecar, everywhere we went people was commenting on it, both Thais and foreigners.

Is Tiger selling the sidecar alone?

Should be possible,to attach it to a Honda Dream 125.

And with the brakes, I think, Honda brakes would work, to!

Anyway, the side car has brakes! Most 'home made' haven't!

I've read on this forum that the sidecar is legal only is it's sell with the retro. You cant put the sidecar on another motorbike. When I'll have time I'll try to find the post.

Another option is a tow behind trailer as in the pix. Unhitch and hitch up in seconds. Make a stake side extension on top to secure the dog and have storage underneath. Of course, if your having a conversation with the dog you will have to talk a bit louder!

Hello BSJ, where did you find this and how much it cost ? Also I don't really understand on the picture how do you tie it up to the motorbike.

Now considering the price of a second hand wave/dream (20/25k) + the sidecar (6.5k - 10k /w roof) this is more or less 26.5 to 35k

If to take the 35k option for 15k more you can get a new retro 110 + side that is an approved sidecar this is little bit more expensive but this is an option.

Thank martindavies, there is much better price event if it hard to understand, I send few email, I'm wainting for answer.

I spend the day in differents shop today and I couldn't find under 50k baht and the one in good condition were all above 60k.

Is someone know what was the price of a new honda phantom in shop , and when and why did they stop the production ?

I agree with what have been say here.

* You will have to get a Thai driving licence if you want to avoid fine (not so expensive 500/300 baht). Also I think there is something with the insurance if you don't have a thai licence so you better to do it.

I made it last week it cost :

* Residence certificat : 400 baht for 2 copies (+3 pictures)

* Heal certificat : 80/100 baht in a Thaï clinic.

* Driving licence : 155 baht

+ rent of the motorbike for the exam + price of the taxi to go there if you are going with your own motorbike.

This is something really interesting here, a perfect exemple law paradoxe in Thailand. To get your driving licence you need to go to the exam center (that it quite far from everything in Pattaya) with you're own bike/car. Maybe they are expecting that someone will take you there, but in really this mean that everybody is illegal in comming to the exam center.

Two good advices, first don't do like me, so don't ask a driving school to take you there, they will charge you 1500 baht for something that cost 155 baht. Then you can do both car and motorbike driving licence the SAME day ! It will save you to lost two days ... I wish I could know this before !

My last and more important advice, if you're not a good driver, you wont learn anything here so you better to learn in the UK how to drive properly. Don't listen to poeple that say you don't need it because Thai poeple don't know how to drive. This is exactly the opposite ! This is because Thai poeple don't know how to drive that you need to learn. Who can do more can do less, the opposite is not right. In UK learn how to drive, in Thailand then learn "street rules".

Thank you for your answers.

To summarize :

Phantom is a robust bike if to care about it and change the wear parts (cam tensioner, tires, rear sprockets ...)

Could run up to 130k km and more.

Good price for second hand around 40 000 km would be 30 000 Baht.

Here are the prices I found on internet for this month and Pattaya area :

on bathsold :

Phantom 2006 - 41 000 km : 75 000 baht !!!

Phantom 2003 - 48 000 km : 49 000 baht

coconut ads :

Phantom 2005 - 39 000 km : 60 000 baht ...

Phantom 2005 - 40 000 km : 70 000 baht ...

Thaï visa (not Pattaya area) :

Phantom 2006 - 50 000 km : 52 000 baht

Phantom ???? - 37 500 km : 59 000 baht

I stop the list here .

Maybe I'm not looking at the right spot, also I checked in a lot of shop on the road side but I never find the 40k (not talking about the 30k).

Now considering the alternatives

Kawasaki Boss

Lifan 250B

Keeway superlight 200.

Keeway dorado 200.

Lifan and keeway are chiness brand isn't it ? I hear this is not really reliable.

Are they still produce the kawasaki boss ?

I hear about a 2012 or 2013 new phantom model is it true or only rumors ?

The question is easy how many KM do you think can it go ?

What will be too much for a second hand ?

I see a lot of model in between 40/50k km and people ask often more than 50k baht do you think this is overpriced ?

I know it depend a lot of the owner and how much he cared of it, but admiting the average case what would be too much km for a second hand for you.

Bonus question : except the Boss, is there an alternative to the Honda Phantom (new/second hand) in the same category?

I have the feeling that the best for a sidecar will be a manual motorbike (probably with clutch as I don't feel confortable on the model without clutch but maybe this is just a question of time). In the end it all depends on how you are comfortable with the manual and the clutch.

But we all agree that sidecar are good at nothing except caring stuff and even in this area they are less efficient than a car but this is not the topic.

I'm now seriously thinking about buying a honda phantom and set up a sidecar on it. I will take a particular care that it is quickly and easily. removable. I'll use the phantom everyday, and put the sidecar on only when I want to make big shoping or to out with the dog.