thomo1978

7 hours ago, eisfeld said:

That's also wrong ???? One is supposed to be able to renew it up to 3 months before expiry date though I can't find that written down anywhere right now. What they supposedly told you would mean they force people to either drive with an expired license or get a taxi/bus to the dlt after expiry.

Well I can assure you that is what they told me (I actually went out there with all the paperwork only to be turned away.  I was with a Thai speaker so no language barrier either).  I went back the day after my license expired and of course got stopped on Hang Dong Rd outside Tesco on the normal police stop, luckily the police officer understood my ranting and waving about paperwork so I didn't get a fine. 

Maybe because my previous license was not issued in CM?  Who knows how their systems work here?

56 minutes ago, swissbie said:

Up to one year after the expiry date is only for the 5-year licence, the 2-year licence can't be renewed after the expiry date (except corona regulations just now).

Very wrong!!  In fact last time I had to renew my 2 year licence in Chiang Mai they told me I had to wait until it had expired before I could renew!! 

On 4/30/2020 at 7:15 AM, PETERTHEEATER said:

Travelled up from Hua Hin to Surin yesterday in private car. Hwy 9 to BKK, East Ring Road up to Hwy 1 then to Saraburi, Hwy 2 to Hwy 24 to Prasart then Surin. Departed 0630 Arrived 1700. Total five check points only one manned, waved through, they were pulling trucks and pickups and speeders. I was surprised at heavy car traffic on Hwy 1 and 2. Traffic on Hwy 24 very light no BIB. Ate at a gas ration restaurant serving spaced tables and again at rural restaurant. Almost all folks masked. Staying at our usual hotel in Surin. Their restaurant is closed and occupancy few. Travelled ONLY to transact a property sale before return to UK.

 

So you traveled through Buriram on Hwy24?  I need to do something similar and heard reports they were very strict in Buriram.  Also, if you don't mind, what hotel did you stay at in Surin?  My regular in Prasat doesn't want foreigners!!!

17 hours ago, losworld said:

Here is the best mod you can do for the Aerox before replacing the rear shocks is to stiffen up the front forks by adding some extra oil.  Any good shop can do it.  The aerox front forks are WAY too soft I don;t know what Yamaha was thinking.  The weak front shocks make the bike drop too much making the seat uncomfortable as you are sliding forward (I am 85 kilo) and stiffening them up made a difference.  Secondly it took away a lot of the extra motion from the back end as it was moving like a saw horse over the bumps the back would go down and the front up.  Now this is gone and is debatable to change the rear shocks.  Thirdly the ride over rough roads is much improved and the bike more stable and confidence inspiring.  Give it a try.

Agreed. Did this as well as mine bottomed out when under hard braking especially if I hit small bumps in the road.  An easy and cheap mod.

8 hours ago, Agusts said:

I put a colour copy of tax disk on the bike,  still carry original in pocket,  in case

Great idea...I will be following suit once my 25 baht replacement arrives!  Maybe a copy on the bike in the holder and the original (or another copy) under the seat.

My tax is up to date but the whole tax disc holder broke off my scooter recently without me noticing.  Of course the friendly police checkpoint did notice and gave me a ticket - 200b at the police station.  I think my fine was for not displaying the tax rather than not having the tax, but not sure if the fine varies or not.

On 3/2/2019 at 7:06 PM, EricTh said:

Is there a service charge for using Line Pay?

 

If there is, then why not use monthly auto-deduct from bank ?

10 baht.  How easy is it to set up/cancel auto deduct given I am renting and the bill is not in my name and I tend to move yearly?  Normally I just scan on K plus app and pay that way with no fee - Line Pay only good if overseas or away and will miss the deadline for paying the bill.

I scanned the barcode of my February PEA bill in the K Plus app and paid it.  Very simple. Just use the scan function on the main screen

You can also pay it online through Line Pay.  The benefit of doing it through Line Pay is that it remembers your account details, so you can actually do it without the copy of the bill - for example if you are overseas when the bill is due.

Go to this place

https://www.google.com/maps/place/แสงชัยพาณิชย์+อะไหล่+-+Sangchai+Panich+Chiangmai/@18.7960601,99.0065348,19z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x30da254ad7a1bc51:0x8be5dec373b0a2be!8m2!3d18.7961017!4d99.0061022

I have found the easiest way is if you find a pdf parts list online and write down the parts numbers before you go.  Just hand the list to one of the operators inside.  Very easy and exceptionally cheap!  This is where the bike shops buy their parts.  Once you have the parts can either fit yourself (very easy on a wave) or any somchai side of the road motorbike shop will be able to do for peanuts.

Just rode up the 107 through Fang, on to Thaton, and spent the night in Maesalong.  So much burning going on I had to resort to wearing a mask on the motorbike.  Arrived back in Chiang Mai and my clothes smelt of smoke.  Doesn't bode well for the upcoming smoky season.

I arrived at CNX early December and looked at booking a Grab to Santitham.  Was about 176 baht!  So I just booked one of the airport taxis instead for 150 which was quick and easy.

I'm doing a trip up that way between Christmas and New Year.  I'm planning on taking the 107 through Fang instead, but would be interested to know the current status of the 118 as well.

I had my first visit to the new (old) immigration today to do a 30 day extension for a tourist visa - TM 7.  I arrived at 11.45 knowing they closed at 12 for lunch, my plan was to get a number then go to airport plaza for lunch and come back at 1pm.  The students at the info desk just to the left and outside the main door checked the docs, took my money and gave me a queue number and told me to come back after 1.

I arrived back about 1.15pm, 2 numbers to go before my queue, and was out by 1.30.  Same old faces, and pretty easy to navigate with the clear screens and loud speaker calling the numbers and indicating which desk to go to.

Overall it gets the thumbs up for tourist visa extension.  It was worrying to see many people crowded outside filling in forms, and not enough seats inside.  Obviously no plan for future growth, or even to make current demand comfortable!

53 minutes ago, jrmaanda said:

If you don't mind going out of the city, there's an extraordinary place called The Chiangmai Cream Tea House out in the middle of nowhere, but only one km. from Tiger Kingdom.  It sells English breakfasts that taste exactly like the best ones you can find in England, as well as other yummies like cream teas (as the name suggests!). It's a real find. Pictures here https://www.facebook.com/TheChiangmaiCreamTeaHouse/

I had seen this place pop up on Facebook earlier in the year but nothing since.  On further investigation it seems they opened on 2 February, then closed down "for the season" on 18 March!!  Reopening "in October".  Seems like a solid business plan!!  Just in case anyone makes a special trip out there.

Hangdong Rd location is the only one for drivers licence.

I go to Watket location for motorbike change of ownership (Green book), yearly registration and govt insurance.

I believe the Hangdong Rd location is the go to for car change of ownership (bluebook) but I have never done that.

I have booked many times on the greenbus website as mentioned above, and also on their android app.  Pay by credit card or counter pay at 7/11.  Just make sure you keep the receipt or print out the ticket if paying by credit card....they want to see something printed out when on the bus.

Website and app is great as well you can choose your seat.

29 minutes ago, Loaded said:

drove around the moat and Tha Pae Gate this afternoon and didn't see a closed hotel.

Walked through some of the sois in the old city last night (moonmuang soi 7 area) and saw probably a dozen guesthouses closed.  With my thai gf so she could read many of the signs which were in thai language only.

well there is a KFC on the northern side of the moat (manee Nopparat Rd) by Icon Computer Plaza

KFC in the Big C on hwy 11 would be closer to the train station, or continuing the fast food theme McDonalds at Star Avenue beside Arcade bus station.

17 hours ago, bluweyze said:

I just collected a certificate last week. It took 14 days. I was required to copy every single page of the passport and a girl who did not had to go and get it done at the copy shop. There is no charge but there was a timed collection. I am not sure what happens if you miss the collection time. It is 1,000 Baht with an agent but it takes one day. CM immigration stays corrupt.

Wow, amazing the different experiences in the space of a few weeks.  I only had to copy the normal passport pages (photo page, visa page, latest stamp and TM6).  They have either refined the process or a whole lot less people are now applying for it to reduce from 14 days down to 6 days (weekend included) in the space of a month.

Just to confirm the old fella who did the 500b residence certificates is gone...I double checked room 7 by the photocopy shop and it is indeed 1000b.

Instead i went upstairs and waited in line in the same office they process the TM30's.  About 30 minute wait, then the pleasant girl checked my docs were in order, and gave me a slip of paper to return on 24 May, a 4 working day turnaround.  I am happy to save 1000b and wait 4 days, after all both options require 2 trips out to Promenada anyway.

1 hour ago, Dante99 said:

3500 is for a Mercedes Benz about 3 years old.  Quiet, smooth and comfortable.  Quite a fair price.  Ride in an old rattling bouncing Toyota with Red Ride if you choose.

was neither old, rattling, bouncy nor a Toyota!!  In fact the driver was one of the best, smoothest and most courteous I have had in Thailand.  But I'm sure the Mercedes was comfy too.

3 hours ago, Ape1983 said:

I went two weeks ago, private taxi 3500 return. Very easy border crossing less than 10 mins. 

Red Ride offers a private car and driver....return trip 2200 baht.  Can stop at White Temple or whatever you would like on the way home as well.  Would be mad to pay 3500!!!

7 hours ago, properperson said:

Decided my 2015 PCX 150 needed replacng.....

 

Went to my local Honda Scooter dealers, and gobsmacked to find they wanted 90,000 Baht for a new PCX, plus that gawdy orange plastic put me off too....

 

Bought an Aeorox Sport in blue for 66,000b out the door....

 

3 months on....

 

Smaller and easier round town that the PCX, more stylish (imho)...wider wheels / tyres make it more sure footed (the 140 rear tyre same size to most 250cc geared bikes).... The wide seat more comfy than the PCX....The gas shocks help smooth out the bumps...The Yamaha's engine smoother than the Honda's....

 

The Aerox's tank is small compared to the PCX's is about the only downside i can think of...

66k out the door for the R model?  Well done.  Location?

On 6/9/2017 at 11:32 AM, Eli1 said:

Thats not bad price and when you say out the door is that including the registration? 

 

yes. Rego, green book, plates, insurance.