richard_smith237

12 minutes ago, ajarnmarc said:

I was in Malay, scheduled an Uber ride for 11:15 am. Uber states they arrived @ 11:05 am. Asked where am I ? So I walk outside my hotel, text the driver, what the plate number of the car, since it didn't show up on the app, when I scheduled the ride in advance. Driver text back that the ride has been canceled due to waiting more than 5 minutes for me to appear. I try to order up another ride, this time from Grab. Uber driver text back that I owe the driver 5rm for the canceled ride. Grab ride shows up, and I text back the driver, that my scheduled ride was for 11:15, and only now am I in another ride going to the Thai Consulate, hoping to make it there before they close the gates @ 11:30am. I text that I asked for the license plate, as I did show up once I was notified the driver arrived, even though it was before my scheduled time. Driver states "Sorry", but I still owe 5rm for a 7rm ride to the Thai Consulate. 

Get to the Thai Consulate @ 11:37am gate closed, security won't let me in. Told have to wait for the following day to submit the paper work, which would in effect cancel my return flight home, that was scheduled already. Driver continues to state I need to give the next ride I use with Uber, the 5rm to pay back the canceled ride.... Like I want to hear that, when I now have more issues with what I came to Malay for in the first place. 

Not the best experience, that's for sure with Uber, and will not use again, even if I had a choice, since now I'm most likely blocked for not paying the 5rm for the canceled ride, which I'm not about to be stupid enough to do. 

When you pre-book an UBER you are provided with a 'Window'... Thus, if you booked an UBER for 11:15am UBER will have provided you with a 15 minute 'Window' (anything from 11:00-11:15 to 11:15-11:30am)

UBER show up in that 15 minute Window and wait 5 mins before cancelling the ride if you are a no show or uncontactable after 5 mins. 

In this case it seems that the driver was dead set on getting out of their quickly.

The no-number plate is a new one for me, in any country the number-plate always shows once a ride has been confirmed. 

I'm also surprised you couldn't check your drives arrival progress on the App which always shows the drivers location once a ride has been accepted. 

With regards to arriving at the Thai Embassy late - If the doors for applications close at 11:30am and you aimed to leave your hotel at 11:15am you are clearly leaving it too late and only have yourself to hold responsible for not planning in a little contingency time. 

As far as UBERs claim of 5RM... you can file a complaint with them of an unfair charge, you can tell them you were waiting for the UBER to turn up and the driver never contacted you and you couldn't locate him or find his license number on the App.

I have been late a couple of times and the driver has left already - I can understand this otherwise people would be expecting the drivers to wait much longer and ultimately start taking liberties with the service. 

Equally so, I've cancelled drivers and been charged 50 baht, contested the charge and had it removed. Contesting the charge in the app is a very simple process and UBER always seem to remove it without question. 

9 minutes ago, mike324 said:

If you know you live far away, why not offer additional 100 baht or so for them to take you. You are getting a better car than taxi, and if its UberX its normally cheaper too. So it doesn't hurt. I always offer driver extra on top knowing that they may cancel when I travel to further destinations. Or I would call ahead once driver accepts and talk to him before he cancels.

 

It is what it is, you have to find ways around it if you want good service. Given that many Uber driver car fills up with normal petrol vs taxi using lpg/cng, they are not making that much more money as well.

Its incredible isn't it ???... A service which works seamlessly in other countries can at times become corrupted by the lazy and entitled mindset of a few. It is a shame that we have to jump through these extra hoops and 'negotiate' for a standard service !!!...  That said, UBER & GrabCar are still far more reliable, safe and polite than regular taxi's... 

To be honest, the only frequent issue I have is a driver accepting the fare who is too far away. the App will suggest they are 7mins away, but knowing Bangkok they are closer to 30 mins away stuck in traffic. 

I've used UBER all over and only ever encountered one issue outside of Thailand in London with a  Nigerian driver who got clearly upset after thinking he was taking me to Gatwick Airport only to discover I'd written Gatwick Express and not Gatwick Airport !!!

IMO its quite simple: 

1) The Dog is owned, with a Collar and and must be on a leash whenever in a public area - the Owner is fully responsible. 

2) The Dog is 'un-owned' has no collar, is considered a 'Soi-Dog' - The City / Authorities are fully responsible for their failure to make the street clear of stray dogs. 

It really is that simple. However, add a little laziness, lashings of 'can't give a t0$$' and a massive dollop of avoiding responsibility and accountability and we have children getting attached and everyone avoiding the root issues. 

This happened to a lady in my home town in the UK 20+ years ago - Poor safety procedures...

These 'mincers' are manufactured with guards which can be removed for cleaning. 

When the guard wasn't replaced and the operator becomes 'over confident' it took just one mistake, a finger snagged in the corkscrew, and pulled in her arm to the elbow - her screams could be heard down the hight street. 

An extremely horrific injury... 

The Guard and a 'plunger' take care of the main issues and a 'foot switch' takes care of the emergency stop....  

40 minutes ago, realenglish1 said:

First Tell the mother that it is your house and as suck you are writing the rules of the house down If they are not followed by the kids The will have privilege taken away such as TV or what not

 

Secondly by a car seat and tell the mother and the kid that if they want to come in the car they must sit in the car seat otherwise then cannot go

Agreed - The Car seat is a primary concern here as it is potentially life and death. 

To be honest I am unable to comprehend how an intelligent person managed to allow kids in your car without a car seat unless it was an unexpected one off with no alternatives. 

In its simplest terms - no car seat, no ride !... the children will adapt very quickly. 

It sounds like you are in a really tricky situation. The lady in question sounds really nice, in fact too nice, too nice for her own children. 

As you well mention the difficulty you face is that you are not the father and people don't like being told how to handle their kids.

Gulfsailor in post 7 makes some very simple and easy to follow points - this is as easy as parenting gets and with consistency the points mentioned take care of the majority of parenting issues in bringing up a well balanced child. 

How serious are you with this lady. If you can't see marriage etc down the line then you may have greater issues as you'll never really want any form of control over the children. However, if you are ready to settle and marry this lady and take on a 'parental' roll as primary care giver it can be understood that for any chance of a normal family life you would need to take some control.

I would recommend sitting down with your partner and asking if greater control is something she can handle and would be prepared to accept. Explain that in disciplining the children you are helping prepare them for life to come and that this simply will not work unless you both put forwards a united front. 

Children are extremely adaptable, they are also extremely clever and potentially manipulative - they learn to play their parents very well !...  Ultimately it is purely up to this lady how much control you have over the development and discipline of the kids, but if they are living in your house there must be rules, there must be respect and surely there must be some steps taken in the right directly before you loose your sanity !!....

Regardless of the service zones no driver should be dumping any one after accepting the ride, much less a young girl.

Your nieces account will have a record - make a complaint to UBER.

I have also encountered difficulties, it seems the systems are not infallible and subject to a little 'Thainess'. In the past I have ordered an UBER from Ram Intra, it became clear the driver did not want to take me after several drive by's pretending he couldn't find my location, which is extremely easy to located, especially after speaking on the phone with me. The driver then parked up a few km away but kept the ride open so I had to either cancel or wait him out !!!  However, I quickly realized what the driver was up to and was already home (after calling a GrabTaxi) by the time the UBER driver cancelled on me 1 hr later !... I took screenshots of my phone to show UBER what the driver had been up to but UBER's showed no interest in them. I guess large companies such as UBER have numerous complaints and they handle them as efficiently as possible. 

I like both UBER and Grab because of the recourse for complaint if things do not go so well, but the systems are also a little imperfect if you are in an area the drivers do not like to go to or from. 

I also have the AllThaiTaxi app but have never been successful in ordering one, I guess there are just not enough around.

Three contributing issues here... 

1) Riding carelessly (too close to parked vehicles)

2) Driver opened his door carelessly

3) Rider didn't wear a helmet, careless of her safety

Three issues which could be readily taken care here with correct driver / rider education... it really is a shame how we (ThaiVisa members) and most other visitors can easily see how and where improvements to road safety can and should be made yet nothing is ever done for those in positions of decision making power seem not to care at all. 

12 minutes ago, bazza73 said:

My understanding is that sin sod is a custom observed only in the more rural parts of Thailand, and it is only applicable if the female in question is a virgin. Just say you have no money. As for the village gossip, ignore it. They have nothing better to do with their lives anyway.

This is incorrect... Sin Sod is a custom throughout Thailand and thoughout the socio-economic spectrum. Sometimes its returned, sometimes it isn't.

It may not be so common if the lady in question was previously married, otherwise its universally paid as part of the marriage formalities. 

With regards to the specific issue at hand - it would appear that the Grandmother is attempting to use her influence as the family senior to pull a fast one. 

The village gossips are just that, but they can make life a little embarrassing for the folks. Perhaps a small wedding party wouldn't hurt with a small amount of Sin-Sod for 'show' which can be returned to the Op - of course, this is all down to his negotiation skills with the parents. Or, if he simply doesn't care then there is no reason to entertain such options.

Sickening..... A better, more reliable, more honest service is available and in the face of competition the Taxi-Thugs who themselves have operated illegally (no meter etc) are supported by the Authorities after they have further proven their propensity for illegal actions in escalating to violence. 

All that has happened here is to provide the Taxi-thugs with a greater sense of entitlement for them to continue doing what they do best, ripping of customers, but now do so with a greater sense that they can do whatever they want and get away with it....

On the subject of horn-honking...  The horn in my car is loud and obnoxious, its very difficult to give a quick toot-toot to someone who's clearly on their phone or not paying attention and drifting in to your lane...   there are a handful of extremely fragile ego's who respond, but for the most part I find Bangkok drivers incredibly patient in the face out outright 'f%<kwittedness', downright self-centeredness and at times idiotic dangerousness....

-------

Last week I was the passenger in an UBER... all cars had stopped in slow moving traffic to allow a young lady to cross at a marked pedestrian crossing.... All cars except the UBER I was in who edged forwards and nearly hit the lady before blasting his horn at her...  What an antisocial a-hole!. The woman ignored the driver in a flash of what I can only describe as remarkable self restraint for had I been the pedestrian I may well have found myself jumping on the bonnet of the ignorant UBER drivers car !...  

From inside the car I got annoyed with him but I got the genuine impression he really didn't care.

5 minutes ago, sustanon said:

 

i am not going to pay a fine for an expired driving licence since i am not gonna be able to extend that legally in pattaya.

i will be in ubon by the end of next month. i will ask them if they can issue a new driving licence.

all this years of vast experience but you cant give an answer to a simple question.  

Oh dear...

I read this thread, saw your attitude and was reluctant to reply as I'm sure others have been. 

People don't like to help idiotic twits, calm down a little, attempt a little humility and life may go your way a little more often. 

A true comparison would be on a per-capita basis... 

i.e. how many Australian Tourists visited Thailand last year... 50 of whom were murdered - calculate to a Murder rate per 100,000 people. 

Compare that figure to how many murders per 100,000 people in Australia.

We can then fully evaluate how much greater the risk of visiting Thailand is. 

For those who suggest its down to those who behave badly, it is likely these 'sorts' also behave poorly at home where they are surely also at risk of a violent demise. 

When the Police confiscated your license, you will have been given a receipt. 

On that receipt will be information of the issuing station, go there, pay the fine and have your Bike license returned. 

It seem you don't want to be helped with any of the 'other' issues you are facing because you 'know how things work here'...  but so do the guys with years of vast experience here who have learnt how to avoid most issues and have offered you advice...

The majority of guys who drive these vans are for the most part as dumb as it gets - Harsh, but true. 

Think of the most stupid people in your class when you were back at school. Its frightening to consider these idiots are now driving, but at least they are driving in a country with better law enforcement. Now consider that the same people have no education and are driving in a country who's law enforcement is absent - That thought is frightening. 

Heading to work I was overtaken by a crew-change minivan on a small private lane going to work. The idiot driving the van driver didn't consider that those who were in cars driving to work were likely to be the supervisors. 

The driver was called in to our office and threaten to dismissal. 

At a similar period a pickup skidded off the small road and over turned.

The speed limit we'd set on the private road was 20 kmh !!!!!! and to be honest, it was in such poor condition (just a temporary dirt track) that 20 kmh was the fastest that could be achieved with any degree of safety - but that didn't prevent the idiot driving a van with 12 passenger from speeding and overtaking his boss !!! - the mind boggles !

I have had the same issue, one evening last week and again last night with no access to ThaiVisa.com at all and the same error message provided. 

I switched to my phone hotspot and the issue persisted (both internet and phone are with True).

2 minutes ago, moe666 said:

You are over your head with that statement, you probably never had children of your own and have not a clue what it takes to raise one. Stop making a fool of yourself

Happy Grumpy's opinions make sense... It does seem crazy that parents would take their child on a motorcycle in a country with the worst road fatalities in the world (or 2nd worst according to some stats).

However, this opinion fits in a convenient polar world of only 'right and wrong', it avoids the socio-economic factors where necessity does not fit conveniently within the safety spectrum according to Western Standards. In other threads parents have been criticized for leaving young children at home while they work or do their shopping, in other threads parents are criticized for leaving their children 'up country' in the hands of grandparents who can offer them little beyond loving attention.

This is a multifaceted issue where there is no absolute 'right and wrong', rather, there are degrees of risk taking, for any of us who take a child in a car or taxi etc also face a more elevated level of risk here than many of us would in our home countries - the Road Fatality Statistics here in Thailand outline this. We could then expand the issues to other areas of safety and risk when living in Thailand.

Ultimately wherever we are there will always be an element of risk, we evaluate this risk and hopefully make the most informed decision we can, but these decisions will never fall within the realms of 'perfect safety', instead they fall within a 'spectrum'. For each of us our risk profile differs and is based on our education and experience. 

Threads such as this ultimately help us understand each others varying risk profile to some degree and it can be safely assumed that as peoples needs vary so does the degree to which they are prepared to take risk - hence we have children on motorcycles in some cases out of pure convenience, in other cases because there are few, little or no alternatives.

I agree with Happy Grumpy that a parent who has fully evaluated the risks would have to be stupid / idiotic to take a child on a motorcycle when there are alternatives, however, we also have a cultural aspect where in Thailand the motorcycle for many (the majority?) is the sole means of transport for the family. At times a motorcycle is not the sole means of transport and this is where Happy Grumpy suggest the parents are lazy, perhaps they are but they have grown up in a culture where this is the norm, primarily out of convenience for at times a 30 minute trip into town or to school could otherwise take significantly longer and have greater knock on effects to the well being of the family - in short, the risk is some how evaluated even if it is done so subconsciously. 

2 minutes ago, moe666 said:

You are over your head with that statement, you probably never had children of your own and have not a clue what it takes to raise one. Stop making a fool of yourself

Happy Grumpy's opinions make sense... It does seem crazy that parents would take their child on a motorcycle in a country with the worst road fatalities in the world (or 2nd worst according to some stats).

However, this opinion fits in a convenient polar world of only 'right and wrong', it avoids the socio-economic factors where necessity does not fit conveniently within the safety spectrum according to Western Standards. In other threads parents have been criticized for leaving young children at home while they work or do their shopping, in other threads parents are criticized for leaving their children 'up country' in the hands of grandparents who can offer them little beyond loving attention.

This is a multifaceted issue where there is no absolute 'right and wrong', rather, there are degrees of risk taking, for any of us who take a child in a car or taxi etc also face a more elevated level of risk here than many of us would in our home countries - the Road Fatality Statistics here in Thailand outline this. We could then expand the issues to other areas of safety and risk when living in Thailand.

Ultimately wherever we are there will always be an element of risk, we evaluate this risk and hopefully make the most informed decision we can, but these decisions will never fall within the realms of 'perfect safety', instead they fall within a 'spectrum'. For each of us our risk profile differs and is based on our education and experience. 

Threads such as this ultimately help us understand each others varying risk profile to some degree and it can be safely assumed that as peoples needs vary so does the degree to which they are prepared to take risk - hence we have children on motorcycles in some cases out of pure convenience, in other cases because there are few, little or no alternatives.

I agree with Happy Grumpy that a parent who has fully evaluated the risks would have to be stupid / idiotic to take a child on a motorcycle when there are alternatives, however, we also have a cultural aspect where in Thailand the motorcycle for many (the majority?) is the sole means of transport for the family. At times a motorcycle is not the sole means of transport and this is where Happy Grumpy suggest the parents are lazy, perhaps they are but they have grown up in a culture where this is the norm, primarily out of convenience for at times a 30 minute trip into town or to school could otherwise take significantly longer and have greater knock on effects to the well being of the family - in short, the risk is some how evaluated even if it is done so subconsciously. 

Just now, Happy Grumpy said:

There are always alternatives.

 

Bicycle.

Walk.

 

These are more effort and less convenient. 

But also healthier.

 

So it's little wonder that idiots choose the lazier, more convenient method. 

A motorcycle was impacted by a Vehicle who's driver fell asleep at the wheel... pedestrians and cyclists are equally at risk. 

A large solid vehicle is perhaps one of the limited options which may have saved them, perhaps something not at all available to these poor victims.

Additionally, the distances which need to be covered may not be achievable by walking or cycling. 

I would also argue that Cycling here is significantly more risky than motorcycling, especially with a Child.

I have to wonder whether you have thought about any of this before commenting. 

In the interests of offering a balanced discussion I do agree that for some taking a Motorcycle 500m down the road with 3 kids on the back is lazy and placing 5 kids on a motorcycle is perhaps stupid, however, this was a mother and child traveling safely on the road and the driver of another vehicle fell asleep and deviated into them killing them. 

This is a tragic event, one which could have been avoided through many alternative actions, but to call the majority of a nation stupid or lazy because they ride a motorcycle is perhaps the opinion of someone who refuses to accept the realities of life.....  it is on this point I have a question for you 'HG' - Do you think Motorcyclists in other countries (i.e. UK & US) equally lazy and stupid ? 

1 hour ago, Happy Grumpy said:

Of course no one made it to school in Thailand before scooters were invented! 

 

 

What a pitiful excuse for putting your child's life in such risk. 

 

 

Thailand has the most dangerous roads in the World. And people take their children on to them on scooters! 

 

You gotta laugh at the level of:

 

1) stupidity.

or

2) laziness.

 

I for one would never permit my child to go on a Motorbike with anyone, I also don't ride a motorbike. My child will not go in a car unless secured in a car seat - these are my rules for my family which I can make readily and conveniently because we have a nice safe car. 

Additionally, in Bangkok there are Taxi's, Busses, Skytrain, GrabTaxi, UBER... numerous transport options if you prefer to avoid motorbikes. 

However, in 'other' areas there are simply no alternatives. It is those in this position for whom I feel more sympathy and I feel I am unable to judge from my Ivory Tower with a safe car. I certainly wouldn't call them Stupid or Lazy, however, I would go as far and suggest someone who does judge them without understanding them lazy or even stupid in their assumptions that we all have the same options. 

On 10/2/2017 at 5:55 PM, kotsak said:

 

Yes, but a lot of times buyers themselves delay it in purpose until they can get the number they desire, due to superstitious and other voodoo reasons. 

Thats up to them... they could change the number again after the Dealership has issued the car.... 

As with many of these small minor issues in Thailand, they start will a little flexibility and turn into people feeling they are entitled.

Its very easy - My Wife and I bought our car on a Thursday, went to the DLT on a Friday, chose our number and gave the 'slip' to the dealership. We picked up our car on the Monday. 

6 hours ago, Happy Grumpy said:

 

There is always other forms of transport.

 

A motorcycle is never one's 'only form of transport'.

 

Unless they choose it to be out of convenience or laziness. 

They could be walking... would that have prevented them from being hit and killed by the 'sleeping driver' ?

They could have been on the back of a Songtaew - would that have prevented them from being hit and killed by the 'sleeping driver' ?

Your ideology is fundamentally flawed - Bicycles, Motorbikes and Walking pose various risks unless completely separated from 4 wheeled traffic...  but then we should all be in a Safe big car with a roll cage... how far do you have to take it ???

Life needs to be practical and convenient... and for some, there really are no alternatives unless you consider hitch-hiking an option. 

On 10/2/2017 at 12:53 PM, Thai Ron said:

 

It's hardly a harrowing experience.

I've been subjected to it several times and it's gone smoothly.

Been sent on my way in less than a minute

I'm inclined to both agree and disagree... Its hardly harrowing experience in that its not the end of the world, however, that doesn't mean that these encounters should be dismissed as they are extremely invasive. 

My biggest issue would be that I am unable to pee on command like, we may be waiting a while - quite inconvenient. 

Can you pee on command Thai Ron ? 

In the past we have ordered through Tesco's online (usually the big packs of water). 

The delivery arrives and its nearly always missing something... sometimes its missing all the water. I'm not sure we have ever had a complete delivery. 

The Ops understanding of the issue may be a language issue or a failure of the delivery guy to try to explain - they simply didn't have enough water in Stock and sent out what they could. 

For this reason alone, when we order online we pay on delivery otherwise Tesco's subtracts from your card, then takes one month to refund if an item is missing / unavailable !!!

Equally so, in the past we've ordered 'stuff' i.e. 6 Packs of water and toothpaste ! (thats it)... they turn up with just the Toothpaste and no water (which is out of Stock) - So we are expected to pay the delivery charge for a single tube of toothpaste - we too send the whole delivery back !!!!...  They could / should be calling us ahead of time to inform us of the incomplete delivery and to find out if we still want it. 

That said: delivery makes life much easier, but its not without its flaws.