Nayet

Thanks guys, sounds reassuring.

I am considering moving to Cambodia. My general impression is that the infrastructure, including the Internet, is generally not as reliable in Cambodia as it is in Thailand. Since I need reliable high speed Internet access for my work, I am wondering if moving to Phnom Penh might be a bad idea?

On a side note, why do they spell the party's name with a B? is pronounced "P".

Great work by the British legal team and France for accepting it's citizens religious right.

It's sad to see how only few limited shallow minded people passes racial comment over other religion. Let us learn to respect people and their religion. It's a matter if their faith and belief, we have no right to criticize their belief.

Yes, we absolutely do have that right, and while we should tolerate peaceful Muslims / adherents of other religions, by no means are we obligated to show them any particular respect for their deeply irrational beliefs.

Going back to Bangkok from Pattaya yesterday, I was trying to find a safe route where I could legally ride back to Bangkok via Samut Prakahn, and the next thing I knew I was on the expressway. Knowing that riding a motorbike on the expressway is illegal, I took the next exit but was asked by a toll booth attendant to pull over, and her colleague came over, jotted down my license plate number and then let me go.

I asked them why they had to write down my license place number, but I only understood the part where they said that motorbikes aren't allowed on the expressway. Has this ever happened to anyone of you guys? Do they just give the info to the police so they can track me down and fine me?

Thanks guys. I'll have to see if they have issued new parts then.

if it experiences the same symptoms hot or cold I would say the start clutch or drive belts are slipping, when the slip happens does the engine rpm rise? When you slow back down after taking a ride or stop at a light, does it re-occur at low speeds? You have some adjustment to these belts, but if they are done then they are replaceable. If you can be a little more specific then it makes it easier to give you a guide as to where to look and what to do. The devil is in the details.

Oz

Sorry for being unclear. It only happens at low speeds / starting from a standstill during the first few minutes before the thing gets warmed up. The problem goes away after a few minutes of operation. The rpm does not spike, because the jerking motions are so small that I wouldn't even call it slippage. It's actually more like the bike is shaking.

Judging by Paulchiangmai's comments, it is something I'll just have to live with. No big deal, but it was nice when it wasn't there. Oh well. Thanks anyway for for your input.

Usually it is dust in the clutch but as you had it at the dealers recently, there maybe a question. Do you ever run it at speed or do you ride around a lot in traffic? Give it a good run somewhere and see.

I ride mostly in city traffic, but even in Bangkok, I sometimes reach speeds of around 80 - 90 km/h. However, I don't quite understand what that is going to tell me?

pretty sure the culprit will be Auto trans (oil level low). Warming up the bike gets the flow going with the heat. there may be a blockage in there. Does it do the jerking even when starting hot?

Oz

Pardon my ignorance, but are you referring to the motor oil? Yes, it does not jerk when starting hot, but the dealer changed the oil recently, and things did not improve. Assuming it's blockage, how would I deal with that?

Fuel filter?

Since it's only jerking the first few seconds as it takes off from a standstill, I believe the transmission must be culprit. I believe the fuel filter would only affect how smoothly the actual engine operates?

I took my Click to the shop shortly after I bought it (used, a 2013 model) and told them about the problem, and when I got it back, it accelerated perfectly smoothly. I would have liked to ask what they did to it, but communication difficulties precluded that.

After about a week, it gradually started jerking again when accelerating from a standstill, and now - a couple months later - I still haven't had time to do anything about it. It gets smoother after a few minutes of operation, but it it would be nice to get rid of altogether.

Does anyone know what the problem is, and how to address it? Is this a common problem and just something I should try to ignore? I'd be prepared to change out some major parts if needed.

You could apply for the extension of stay (it is not a visa) now if you have the documents from the school. You can apply up to 30 days early (45 days at some offices).

Great, thanks!

My current extension of stay expires on July 17. I know the 90-report can be made 15 days prior to the date on the notification slip, but does the same margin apply to the actual visa? Or how soon can I get it extended?

To say that the curfew is having a bigger impact than the tsunami of 2004 definitely seems like hyperbole, but how much politically motivated violence do you really see in Patong? Does it really make sense to make the curfew nationwide?

Yeah, it's hilarious when people get their hearts carved out of their chest and lose their life savings in the process. It's also funny when children get cancer.

I already found my answer, post deleted.

Mmm wonder who has the hang up here - these guys for telling you how long they have lived here, or you for being bothered by it (kind of sounds like penis envy - big guys like to talk about it, small guys with a hang-up get offended, everyone else couldn't are less).

Yeah, but if I tell you how big my penis is when you didn't ask, who is the guy with the hangup?

If it was dangerous, they would not leave it up to passengers to ensure that no cell phones are switched on.

This has been one of the funniest comments I have seen on any post

I just about liked every comment that has been said. Shit this was funny!

The first post was too much for me "Jesus wept" that's said it all in 2 words!

I wish I could write like you guys I just don't have that quick wit !

I was just thinking this has to be just a wind up has the OP answered to any of this.

I have been laughing so much and loving it, I didn't notice if has replied to anything

normally they are that in love the fight to justify everything and backing up there story.

I think it's been a windup

Just so you know, some of TV's distinguished members may not understand the irony.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I actually haven't even bought the motorbike yet but will get one as soon as I have time. Knowing that getting up to Khao Yai this way is being done by others have given me more incentive to do the trip. I can't wait.

If you haven't bought a bike yet why don't you rent one first. All bikes are not created equal and if you really like it I can assure you that you will want something a bit more powerful to stay ahead of the traffic.

As I indicated in my update, I have purchased a Honda Click already. I realize a scooter is not most people's vehicle of choice for touring the Thai countryside, but I had no problem making it up to Khao Yai. Also, 99% of the time I use it on the congested sois and thoroughfares of Bangkok, and for that it is pretty much ideal. And I liked the price too.

I finally got around to making the pilgrimage up to Khao Yai on motorbike about a month ago on my new used Honda Click 125. Took Sukhumvit 71 out to Minburi and continued on the route VocalNeal suggested, which overall went swimmingly, so thanks for that. I did initially miss the right turn onto the 33 in Nakhon Nayok, because even though there was a sign showing which way to go, coming from the 305 you are making what seemingly amounts to a U-turn, which was counter-intuitive, and since I saw the mountains on the left, I figured I'd go straight instead. Stupid, and the mistake probably cost me about 30 - 40 minutes.

The roads out of Bangkok are not great, but once you get to the 305 it's smooth sailing for the most part, and for long stretches I managed to keep the speed above 80 km/h. A great trip which I will surely repeat in the near future.

There is an easy way to get the divorce rate down to 0%: abolish the institution of marriage. Humans are not monogamous by nature. If two people happen to want to spend their entire lives together, there is nothing that prevents them from doing that even if they are not married.

What actually is the point of your topic?

I think the OP is trying to show either sports bikes (or their riders) are inherently more dangerous than cruisers.

But I think some better research is needed, instead just speaking to a few guys at a bike week.

Yes, that's what we call anecdotal evidence - does not generalize.

Killing a baby is a very sensitive topic.

why should she want to kill a baby..

Let's dispense with the highly charged terms, shall we?. The OP's GF is about 5 weeks along. It's a collection of cells, not a baby.

As to the OP's situation, IMO he should make his position on the matter clear and then come to terms with the reality that she is going to do whatever she wants to do.

It's the beginning of a NEW LIFE, of a human being.

It is a living creature - like a dung beetle or an ant - but it is only a potential human being. A five-week-old fetus does not feel pain, let alone the full range of human experience.

Also, if the OP's religious convictions preclude abortion, I would like to know how his lady got pregnant in the first place. I don't know of any religions that endorse pre/extra-marital sex but condemns abortion.