richard_smith237

Not sure what you mean, because bikes don't have brake cables anymore for the past few decades. They are hydraulic. The hydraulic line then - same thing basically... Cut it and the brake is ineffective. Best steps: 1) theft insurance 2) Bike Chain and heavy duty padlock (which may also extend to something solid) 3) Visual deterrent (brake like as you have) If thrives are 'opportunistic' they'll leave anything that looks like hassle and move onto the next one. If a thief is intent on steeling your bike - you can only slow them down. Ultimately, if thieves have time and are intent on taking your bike, they will - thats where insurance comes in.

awwww...... sawryyyyy... was more than two lines too much for you ??

Not really, not at all... it would be extremely easy to catch out the taxi driver not using the meter - there's a big light that turns off at the front of the taxi when the meter is in use. Just send policemen (not in uniform) to take any taxi in the Sukhumvit area after 9pm... they'd get a very high hit rate. They don't bother and thats why Taxi drivers get away with this behavior. The same would occur for the dash-cams, the BiB simply wouldn't bother with it. The sam occurs already when *everyone knows that many taxi's carry weapons. Regarding dash-cams - it would be easy for taxi's to have the cam on, without an SD card etc - very quickly the scammers would fine away around the issue and get away with it because the BiB can't be bothered. I like what they do in China - they could do the same thing here - check for Meters, check for weapons - there is nothing stopping the BiB from doing this - Perhaps other than the fact that the taxi drivers would start crying that they are being targeted unfairly etc... (*no LL, I don't have a link to prove that).

Someone has managed to get hold of your credit card details and is trying to use it. Its just that simple... and its not uncommon at all - we use our card for most transactions (from Lazada, to Airlines, shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants etc).. Invariably we'll get stung once a year. Wife calls up CitiBank (now UOB) and tell the transaction is fraudulent - they'll cancel it and issue another card (different number) and thats it. Usually the scam 'transaction' attempt is a smaller amount at first - to see if the card is working, they they'll attempt something larger which will flag. I've had this happen to my UK and Thai Cards - scammers are everywhere and its just par for the course now. The only explanation I can see: You've used your card somewhere and the info has leaked.

Well, that's two extreme sides. Both obviously not boring for the right people. Agreed... there's clearly a 'huge middle ground' of activities... But... kite surfing even in strong conditions is perhaps less dangerous than riding a motorcycle in Thailand, so putting this into perspective, people may be passing judgement on the 'danger' of this activity, while not thinking twice about riding a motorcycle while half pished up... The red flags indicate conditions were extreme - but it used to be that this was an indication the conditions were good. With hindsight, I think I misunderstood the 'flags' as I figured they were specific to swimmers and not those surfing or windsurfing.

When windsurfing, I used to go out under 'red flag' all the time - that was when conditions were the best. The golden rule though, was never be 'out there' on your own. As far as skiing is concerned - the 'out of bounds' area simply means the area is not patrolled. Regulations vary from area to area, but if you are out of bounds, the insurance that comes with your 'lift pass' will cover the costs of recovery should you get injured. There are also some area's that are 'roped' off, for expert skiers only, and they are still patrolled area's. Avalanches in these area's are always part of the risk - either knowing exactly what you are doing, or taking a guide is obviously key.... I wont go 'back or side country' in a new area without a guide, those days are past me now anyway... which takes me on to my next point in response to the comment below. I'm not sure, conditions change, he may have been doing what he always does, but this time got caught out. As we age we loose strength and fitness - I can't do what I did at 20 years old, but sometimes it takes a while to realise that. I can't play football 3x per week anymore, 2x a week is a big ask. I can't swim as hard, as fast or as far.... I can't ski as aggressively anymore (also injuries have prevented that too). Thus; I'm doubt he was doing anything to impress anyone, people who do these sports do them for themselves, their own thrill and enjoyment - its seems he simply became caught out by the conditions and became trapped (its happend to me in the past, luckily only with equipment damage). Indeed... horrible for them - someone living life to the full and this happens. Life is fleeting.

Dead is no fun either But life without some risk is outrageously boring.... avoiding all risk and doing nothing, YAWN.... We each have different risk profiles... Having Windsurfed, Wakeboarded, Ski'd... most of my life, injuries are part of the deal... This guy make a tragic mistake, perhaps underestimating the conditions or his ability for the conditions - either way, he was 'living life' until his tragic end and not someone propping up a bar to scared to do some of the more adventurous things.

I'm not suggesting anything, simply stating i know this area and driving habits, you clearly don't. Riding a bike for 40+ years. Fair enough - you have plenty of riding experience (more than I) and seem to know this area better than I. But... you are certainly suggesting that any motorcyclist on that road will always get forced onto the 'shoulder' by the other cars. The google maps photos below show two things: 1) Motorcycles riding down the centre (not getting pushed off the road - contradicting your statement). and... something more of note to the topic. 2) Cars using the 'left shoulder' as a full lane.

Sure mate. Just come on down to this road so you can see this situation. It seems you are suggesting that the road users on this specific road are different from any other road in Thailand. Nope - I don't buy into that at all - this road is no different than any other in Thailand. IF a motorcyclist is travelling at the same speed as the other traffic they won't get 'forced off to the shoulder'... But, if a rider is travelling slower than the traffic, then yes, I can see that they would get bullied out of the way. Do you ride a motorcycle ? its seems you have guessed and are now doubling down on that guess. I've been riding here for 10 years now and I have never been 'forced off' the road as you suggest happens. Whenever I'm riding, I'm in left or right lane (of a two lane road), or Left, middle or right (of a 3 lane road) - this is mainly in Bangkok, where traffic is heavy and fairly aggressive - but its not really in the Thai psyche to bully motorcyclists out of their way unless the motorcyclist is slowing them.

If he would have been riding on the main road he would have been forced off by cars. Bikes there ride on the hard shoulder. No he wouldn't... not if he was riding at the same speed as the traffic. I've been riding 'here' for a couple of decades, a car has never forced me off the road onto the shoulder.

Yep... If someone is 'pottering along' at 1/3rd the speed limit - then I'd agree, out of the way to the left is safer. In this case - the rider had plenty of options - But, he chose to ride quickly undertaking at speed on the 'shoulder'. While that accident itself is clearly not his fault - in riding this way he has placed himself in greater danger. If wishing to 'lane split' he should be riding between the two 'driving lanes'... and not passing when two cars are 'next to each other.... But, the situation in this incident is not one where lane splitting is necessary, the traffic is already moving at 45 kmh which is a reasonable speed for 'town driving'. In 'gridlocked traffic' if there is no other option to lane split and passing on the shoulder is the only remaining option, then I believe doing so is ok, but not at speed. Ignoring the Hyundai drivers actions - the motorcyclist is riding in a very dangerous manner travelling at speed, had he been more defensive and cautious, he'd have been able to react.

You were treated unfairly - this is one of those 'legacy' rules where low level policemen are taught regulations passed down by their peers which the then enforce... Yours is a perfect example of the 'officious' stupidity that presents itself on Thai roads.

If married, settled, happy, comfortable... Why are people worried about looking older ??? ... I get it if guys are trying to look younger to chase some tail - but they are pulling the wool over their own eyes too... I've seen some guys die their hair and it looks comical. Age with grace - a beard can look distinguished, respectful, classy... or it can look an unkempt mess and make a person look like a slob... Its not about the beard itself, but the 'package' - how well put together 'everything' is, from fitness, to hair style, clothes etc and how well kept a beard is. I haven't shaved for 4 weeks and now have a full beard... I've no idea if the Wife likes it or not. I've no idea if it makes me look older or not (it probably does)... will I have a beard next week ? - I've no idea, if I feel like shaving it off and going 'clean faced' I will (but I don't like shaving daily anyway). I'm in the office at the moment, so dressed smart casual, have tidy styled hair, trimmed beard - I think it looks smart, somewhat distinguished. Come Sunday, I'll not have styled my hair, I'll be wearing scruffs (at home), I'll look somewhat of a 'mess' and thats primarily contributed to by the beard. As mentioned - its how you wear it.

Thats rather contradictory, if you are worried about looking older your self esteem must be brought into question.

I'll take a kilo !!!

No its not - that 'shoulder' is not actually part of the road - but, many motorcyclists here have 'adapted' and started using it as part of the road. IMO - the shoulder is the most dangerous place to be, and I'll never ride in that 'shoulder' with all the debris, sand and grit etc, foot carts, other vehicles nosing out etc.. The correct place to ride is on the main part of the road, travelling at the same speed as other traffic (within the speed limit of course). Agree... nothing wrong about the 'riders riding' even when predicting the worst idiocy the roads can throw at you, something like this can still happen - perhaps the rider could have been more observant and braked harder... But - this was extreme recklessness from the Hyundai driver - he nearly caused multiple accidents... one has to wonder what was going on in their mind to make such a manouvre.

They don't do that for the Meters either - so having such a rule for camera use to catch cheats and scammers is going to be ignored to an equal degree. The best solution to any of these issues is outlined below. And... this best solution, is also the best solution for so many of Thailands issues - ineffective and lazy policing has such an 'enabling' knock-on effect...

Life sentence for a woman who was likely used as a mule to collect a parcel she knew nothing about ? ... someone has very likely taken advantage of her desperation - she's a victim. Just because you're suffering a life sentence, it doesn't mean everyone else automatically should....

She can be arrested under Section 367 of the Thai Penal Code, creating a public disturbance. Section 137 of the Thai Penal Code, Giving False Statements to Officials. TBH - she sound like mouthy Ho.. he was pished up and hit a street cart !!.. I'm sure the vendor was milking the incident for all its worth - nevertheless, its seems the foreigner was drink driving - he doesn't have any basis for any defence.

Apologies - pigging backing on this thread... a repair shop could be the same. I need the handle on my North Face bag fixed - it just requires a hex-bolt and screw... But I'm not sure where can do this, though ideally, I'd just buy the screws and fix it myself. This thread brings up these options for a baggage repair. https://aseannow.com/topic/1306476-suitcase-repair-telescopic-handlebar-stuck/ This shop seems recommend (not cheap - but does the job apparently) https://www.bagfix.com/branch.php I'm wondering where I can get these sorts of screws from (and the blank bolt at the reverse side).

You never been to Bali Indonesia they do the same I've no interest in Bali - everything I've heard about the place over the past 20 years puts me off... It seems like just another Phuket - similar rip offs etc... (though I do like Nai Harn). It doesn't surprise me that this also happens in Bali... perhaps other area's were the 'beach boys' operate without health and safety constraints - this behavior alone is huge red flag to avoid these 'rides' in such areas.

nothing wrong with it as long as it is justified. I saw her video on a talk show. She did not seem so distressed and seemed quite happy all the attention she is getting. So what ???.. theres a video of the guy beating her - whether she's relieved to get justice or not has little bearing on the fact that the guy was beating her. She was smart and took evidence - perhaps she even refused to 'cook his noodles' knowing his response would be violent... If he was not a violent ayhole there would have been nothing to record !!.. Its strange how a couple of response on here lean towards victim blaming or at least attempt to paint the victim in a negative light.

Could have been the same guy... multiple times before !! I've no idea why they 'hang-on' like that and join the 'tourists' in a ride, when elsewhere the operators do not.

Oh.... In fact, I had been totally taken in by his story. You mean.... His account is not based on a true account? ... Based on as much truth as your Cowardian (Noël) theories of self-aggrandisement...

For Grab - the drivers 'star rating' is an average of the last 100 reviews (on a 5 star rating). There is a delay in updating the 'score' to protect the customer (I'm certain what the delay but have read somewhere that is 72 hours) If 100 customers gave a 5 star rating - obviously the driver would see an average 5* rating over past 100 rides. If the last customer gave a 1 star rating - the last 100 ratings would equal an average 4.96* rating So, if a driver took no more passengers over the next few days (~72 hours) the driver might see is rating drop and be able to work out who gave him the low rating. In GRAB customers cannot see their own rating - that is for the benefit of the drivers only. In BOLT we can see our own ratings. Bobs story about an angry driver returning because he received a low rating is 100% bull<deleted>... no surprises there.