gomangosteen

Another pic, this from Thairath

I'd be interested in how you get on; the thought of rebuilding my latest bike by buying individual components would I'd say be far in excess of buying a complete bike from a store. Pays to monitor the websites - example, there's no Probike here in Chanthaburi but there are two independent shops who deal direct with them and could offer the same sale prices as Probike. Trek had a national sale last month over Songkran which had a range of bikes discounted 20-28% (I know because I bought one on 28% discount) plus free lights and garage stand, plus offered further discount on any accessories, I got a carrier + day bag, pump at well below normal retail. Only thing i couldn't change unless I paid was to replace the tyres it came fitted with, I'll wait till I've worn them out before changing. 2013 I had a bike 'built' here, but all at one shop - mainly due to them not carrying an XL frame in stock so I started from scratch; bought a Giant ATX Pro XL frame and selected the wheels and components within my price range, they assembled and offered a guarantee (not required, but I was covered if anything had gone wrong). And my thought for the day - some local road signs state "Beware of the Cyclist" Be aware? Happy cycling!

My current policy covers me for up to 200cc as rider or pillion. Exclusions: Riding a moped or motorcycle (whether as driver or passenger) in any of the following circumstances: a. where the engine capacity is more than 200cc; or b. without a helmet; or c. without a valid driver’s licence as required in the country you are in. With many scooter-style bikes now in excess of 200cc, and even being a pillion on a 200+, some thought/caution required.

Re my earlier post, partner's company bought a Neta V in December, to date it's been faultless, more kms than your average domestic vehicle as it's in use six days a week by engineers visiting work sites within Chanthaburi province and up to Rayong and south to Trat, often 150-200km per day plus around town for office staff. Left on charger overnight and away again in the morning. https://aseannow.com/topic/1257405-electric-vehicles-in-thailand/?do=findComment&comment=17817235

That was considered, about 2014, same time as two other old Thai navy ships were towed out and sunk off Koh Chang. Then the idea of dragging it inshore similar to the one I pictured further up the coast at Prasae and fitting the interior as a local naval museum. Unfortunately now it has the river flowing through holes in the hull and is well-embedded in the riverbed (about 4km inland on the Chanthaburi River), would be a massive cost to refloat and from what I've seen at waterline, wonder if the hull would hold up, or break up. I have been following progress/non-progress for ten years now, he area is a nice place to visit on a cycle ride and in that time become much more tourist-oriented, later this year or early next year the huge Kiing Rama IX mangrove conservation area opens nearby and the KT shrine gets very busy on weekends/holidays. A potentially good idea gone wrong - located in the historic King Taksin's Shipyard area, fast becoming an eyesore to the small local community. Samet Ngam from above; across the river is the village port of Tha Chalaep which has the offices and research vessel of the Marine Archaeology Dept, the National Maritime Museum is a further 6km away inside the walls of the Noen Wong fortress (1834). Paknam Laem Sing is about 4km away - top left of this photo. Under the bridge and out into the Gulf of Thailand.

Revisited 18 May 2023 Cycled to Samet Ngam, a new route relying on Google Maps to get through quiet little rural roads, 43km return. HTMS Phosamton looking even more 'settled' into the riverbed - noticeable from the ladder angle getting nearer horizontal.

Chatrium Golf Resort - we're not golfers, we take family holidays there, hiking, cycling and swimming pool, head away from the coast into the hills near Soi Dao. Beautiful area for a weekend escape. The peak of Khao Soi Dao Nua is 1,556 meters above sea level, change of climate. Aware there's elephants around, but haven't seen any yet, apart from their droppings on the cycle trails.

Swap sugar for beer. Given the bloated state of the average farang, this is a rather critical audience. As ot 2022 64% of UK males were overweight/obese it appears that would be an understatement based on the average one that's moved here.

The drift current south-north isn't what I'd have expected having snorkeled and kayaked often in this area I'd have predicted N-S. The body drifted almost 15km in 48hrs, and relatively close to the shore. Anyhow, pleased the body has been recovered for family/friends.

Low tide at Paknam Khaem Nu, Chanthaburi, allows for shellfish collecting off the sandbar Eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat

Can't shoot an elephant. Thairath news says shots were fired into the ground, also that in December 2022 a person was killed by an elephant in the same area.

Don't knock it. Huge for the local Chanthaburi economy, and in terms of Thailand's exports, durian value exceeds those of rice and rubber. Durian 187 billion baht, compared to 100 billion baht for rice exports and 90 billion baht for rubber.

Not limited to Bangkok. Partner and colleagues all refer to pickups as 'farm cars', quite a class distinction.

You could have checked. Theerasak Longji, 26, was executed by lethal injection on 18 June 2018. Before this, the last executions to take place in Thailand were of two drug traffickers in August 2009, after a period of no executions since 2003, according to Amnesty International. Amnesty International in their annual report released May 2023 noted that Thailand continued to commute death sentences.

There have only been three executions in Thailand (by lethal injection) since 2003. Two in 2009, one in 2018. With a death row in excess of 500 sentenced prisoners, whatever some may wish for, a death sentence seems less likely to be carried out.

At 88 the stairs going up may have worn him out. His choice and we'll never know the final reasons.

If you read the link he has already had four operations and requires two more. An earlier thread April 10 on this forum was appealing for blood donations, as he was at risk of losing his leg and two operations were required.

The two I knew well, one English and one Australian, definitely did not have an autopsy, I was involved with both families through the process up to cremation. Both had been undergoing cancer treatment, neither of them died in a hospital. Perhaps their medical records were sufficient to confirm cause of death; there was certainly no autopsy in either death. The Australian Embassy site states: If the death occurs outside of hospital or by accident, the police officer in charge will conduct any necessary investigations and may request an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Ms Mango is an accountant for a civil engineering company, 155 staff. Gave me the example of their recent straight from uni engineering graduate who commenced on exactly 20,000 per month. But - he/she gets a 2000b meal allowance, iPhone and contract, fuel allowance, apartment rent paid, medical/dental scheme, superannuation contribution (last two items applicable to all permanent employees). Private companies have the opportunity to balance salary with tax-free allowances. Annual reviews, and bonus after qualifying period of years. This July will be her tenth anniversary there, up a step in terms of bonus eligibility; equally, gets to the point where can employee can't leave as would be starting over with a new company in terms of bonus progression.

Daughter #1 worked at 7-11 throughout her uni studies, part-time, plus fulltime on semester breaks, she enjoyed it, never complained, and gave her some independence/spending money; in her last year she was a shift supervisor which paid a little more - but best thing was she liked working there and took all available extra hours. Second daughter starts at same 7-11 as soon as she turns 18 later this year.

From Chao Lao pier, 25 April 2023 Eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat

Agree. Around 500 inmates on death row Thailand last carried out an execution in June 2018, this was the first execution in the country since two men were executed by lethal injection in August 2009, which followed a period of no executions since 2003.

Just to clarify - he was not a police officer but worked in IT/computers and had been suspended since 2021 pending his trial, so the dismissal would not be a surprise as they waited till he was convicted to finalise his employment.

Sunday 23rd was our five years anniversary in this house, one of eleven houses all built 2018/9. All still have the original owners, five occupied by retirees, one other couple with two children younger than our two. There's three cats, two Chihuahua-size dogs, a talking parrot and old Brownie an aged golden Labrador. No through traffic, quiet, have never worried about additional security, a lock on the gate is enough. We'd lived nearby for seven years before building here, have never been aware of any household theft / burglary in that time. Long may it last. Fifteen years ago we were robbed on our last day in Chalong / Phuket - everything packed and ready to go we went out with a friend, returned to find all the small electronics - cameras, laptop etc gone. Person was later caught (by a neighbour) but none of our items recovered.

An increase - 214 units, 897 baht.for latest account to 16 April, some air con, and daughter home from high school Previous six months' units were: 140, 142, 132, 170, 188, 166