Aj Mick

Phuket entertainment venues "agreed" to keep closed.......? Methinks they had no choice but to agree.

On 4/1/2021 at 8:50 PM, Pinot said:

My PCX Hybrid has ticked up to 46.7 KPL. You're confirming that the Hybrid does very little to improve mileage. It's really a failure as a fuel savings vehicle. The regular PCX is a highly efficient vehicle to begin with, however. The PCX Hybrid is a lot of fun to drive and 10k baht is not that more to pay for the fun factor the Hybrid provides.

 

The new PCX does offer ABS, which is the way I'd go if I decide to replace the Hybrid.    

Yup, seemed to me the hybrid system added weight, with a loss of space in the undersea storage, and weight with some increase in performance for a bike that already performs adequately in a typical town and around environment. No net gain in practicality from my point of view, but each to their own.

I feel that the PCX chassis would work OK in all electric form. Strip out the fuel tank and engine, and there would be plenty of space for batteries mounted low and central in the scoot - ideal! Honda showed a prototype electric PCX at an exhibition a couple of years back...... When battery power density, thus range improves (as is happening), if it can be produced at a reasonable price it could be the way of the future. I'd certainly be up for one, but not a hybrid.

As to ABS brakes...... Mine, with the disc front / drum rear, has ABS on the front. I was surprised at how little feel I got from the front brake. Only when I used the back brake could I feel significant braking. When the sensor rotor on the front wheel got damaged (by a flying stone) the ABS stopped functioning. With none in stock in NZ at the time, it would take several weeks to get a new one. To stop the warning light flashing I pulled the fuses, thus disabling the ABS altogether. Now I have much more feel (and better performance, I guess) from the front brake, and am inclined to leave it as is, unless repair is required to pass inspection when the time comes.

I don't know if it is true of ABS on all bikes, but I have seen reviews of the PSX where the reviewer has noted the lack of feel from the front brake. I feel ABS is a no-brainer on cars. Can see some merit with ABS on bikes in some situations, I am yet to be convinced overall. Technology is certainly no substitute for awareness (first) and riding skills (second).

For context..... 62 years a cyclist (since I was seven) and 58 years since I first swung my leg over the CT 90 variant of the Super Cub we had on the farm, I have done over 500,000 km on motorcycles in over a dozen countries (including nearly 20 years in Thailand), accident free on the road since 1976. Have always owned a motorcycle since my teens, but just 8 different machines over the years. Only two had disc brakes at the front, and the PCX is the first bike I have ridden with ABS. Given the way regulations are going, for better or worse, looks like it won't be the last.

On 3/24/2021 at 5:46 AM, scubascuba3 said:

they look stupid

Don't just look stupid..... Car tyres on a motorcycle are stupid and downright dangerous for anything other than travelling in a straight line. If you cannot afford to buy motorcycle tyres for a big bike, then get a smaller, less expensive motorcycle which uses cheaper tyres.

Adequate tyres for the sub 150cc bikes most common in Thailand are so cheap that there is no reason to even consider other options. 

On 3/4/2021 at 4:19 AM, tifino said:

that weird L/100km is a real headache to get through the brain...   if say you have a 7 litre tank, then for example it was getting 46KML; it is easy to work out the Range as approx 46*7km. Using L/100km as a base to determine your effective range, really only works easy in your brain if your Tank is 10L, 1L, or 100L - otherwise you'd have to get the Calculator out all the time!  - to perform multiple steps of calculations... Same goes for cars, as the tank sizes are all over the place too; where one can encounter tanks of 45, 50, 60, 70L etc

  Using KPL is great as it is then a straight forward conversion between KPL and MPG

(conversion factor 2.825 where 10KPL = 28.25MPG) 

 

Nothing weird about l/100 km when you get used to it. 

Here in NZ my 2019 PCX has averaged about 2.3 l/100 km (42.5 km/litre, 100 miles / US gallon, 120 miles / UK gallon) over about 37,000 km I have done on it. Mostly riding at 75 - 85 km/hr on open roads, with some town riding. Staying below 75 km/hr yields better than 45 km/litre, and pushing it above 90 - 100 km/hr for long spells results in a drop to well below 40 km/litre.

• After 15 years employed as a teacher in a tertiary institution my base pay has gone up by about 40%. However allowances have not increased in many years, and they are now taxed. My net pay has increased by about 18%..... the old give 2 and take one back. 
•  
• Add to that a 50% in teaching hours..... and with increased class sizes, 60 - 80% increase in rolls. An increased documentation required.
•  
• Meanwhile the cost of living has about doubled.
•  

Relationships with the diverse, common Thai folk in daily life has improved immensely as they come form familiar with and open to the ways of different cultures…… Shock, horror is the reaction of the self appointed powers that be and the so called elite, the arbiters of "Thainess", who have become more entrenched in their xenophobic attitudes and red tape.

Worked three stints, the first being the early 1980's. In all, about lived and worked in Thailand 16 of the past 35 years, plus the odd short visit when working elsewhere. None the less, I never have, and never would call Thailand "home".

Beer Lao, if I can get it. Otherwise Tiger, Singha or Heineken are OK most time. Guinness or some other imported draught on occasion, depending on the occasion.

I don't drink much so don't mind paying a little bit of a premium for something good when I do.

A work they provide me with all the documents required (last time it was about 60 pages for me; I have seen applications that must have included at least 200 pages), and they fill in the form for me. Although it is written in Thai and English, in practice the Labour Office requires it in Thai.

I deal the Labour Office myself, though get the impression they would prefer not deal with foreigners. Unlike the visa, it is not a requirement that you do it in person. I get the impression that most people just sign a Power of Attorney form, and someone else does it for them, either from where they work, or an agent. It is not always straight forward; there have been times when I have had to go away and return with more documents.

There is a fee of 100 baht to be paid upon presenting the application, and another fee of 3,000 baht for a 1 year work permit (or less for shorter terms), paid before receiving the renewed Work Permit.

Time was that they divided it into two work permit periods, a three month one (1,500 baht) and a 9 month one (3,000 baht), costing a total of 4.500 baht. I queried that, which was regarded as impertinent, and was simply told to cough up or leave without a work permit. For the past few years it has been just the 12 month fee.

Over the years processing time has varied from a couple of weeks or more, to done the same day. Currently it stands at about a week between presenting the application and picking up the renewed Work Permit. You need to call first to check that it is ready.

Strictly speaking the employer is responsible for the Work Permit fee (and application?). Where I am now a new employee covers the cost of the initial work permit, but the employer reimburses renewals; a relatively recent concession.

Thai people are, in general, great….. Just gets difficult when it comes to dealing with xenophobic civil servants. But then, they don't really discriminate; regular Thai folk have more than a few problems with officialdom too.

The service charge goes to the owner who normally uses it towards staff wages.

If the tip is left with the bill folder or on table then it normally goes into collective box to be divided between staff and usually the management takes a cut of up to 20%.

I prefer to tip the staff directly but sometimes they put this in the the collective box.

I once asked staff about what happened to the service charge and tips & was told that some customers before ordering state that they would not be paying the service charge and the manager waives it.

Service charges in a larger establishments like a 5 star hotel for example will often be divided between all of the staff who work there. It's paid in addition to their salary on a monthly basis. We're talking about large chain type hotels here. Everything has the ++ type of system where there's a 10% service charge + VAT.

From what I've heard everyone gets their share from the managers right down to the cleaners.

Yes the service charge is calculated and divided equally between all staff including the non operation departments such as finance, HR etc. Every hotel I ever worked for in LOS posted the monthly service charge on the staff notice board and had a guaranteed minimum service charge every month. One of the major considerations when staff applied for a job in a hotel was how much was the service charge.

As it should be done, and is in reputable places, including most hotels that are part of international chains. However, it is not always so. My ex worked as junior secretary to the GM of a locally owned group of three hotels, so knew what was going on there. The hotels were often running at full occupancy…. often over booked in fact, which created problem for Front Office. Staff were lucky to get 5,000 baht a month in service charge. Half to two thirds of it was kept back by management, ostensibly used to cover various staff related expenses.

Needless to say, staff turnover was rather high. My ex just walked out on them one morning after just a few months, when she was hit on by the boss.

Yes Charlie I am referring to the service charge.

I always give a direct tip to the person serving us and maybe a small amount on the bill.

So the service charge mostly goes to management or is it divided up in most cases?

The service charge goes to the owner who normally uses it towards staff wages.

If the tip is left with the bill folder or on table then it normally goes into collective box to be divided between staff and usually the management takes a cut of up to 20%.

I prefer to tip the staff directly but sometimes they put this in the the collective box.

I once asked staff about what happened to the service charge and tips & was told that some customers before ordering state that they would not be paying the service charge and the manager waives it.

In a reputable joint the service charge does not go to the owner. It is collected by the establishment, and is shared pro rata among staff in addition to their wages (and any tips). In good hotels, during the high season the service charge can amount to several times the salary of low paid staff.

Some places do take a cut out of the service charge, ostensibly to use for various staff related expenses, which is unethical and probably illegal.

In restaurants and bars in Thailand, tips left on the tray or in the folder go into the collective tip box to be shared by staff. Again, it is unethical and probably illegal for management to take a cut; it certainly is illegal in many other countries.

A tip handed directly to a member of staff (tip meu) is generally kept by the person it is given to, though a few places have a policy that it should go into the box to be shared.

There are no real guidelines to tipping in Thailand; unlike in some countries it is not expected, but it is appreciated.

When people do tip it is often just the coins in the change, maybe along with a green note or two; sometimes a little or a lot more.

Really it is up to you, who gets the tip, and how much.

Thai law does not allow acquired dual citizenship but in practice it is tolerated.

• Foreigners acquiring Thai citizenship are "supposed" to renounce their original one:

  Section 19. The Minister is empowered to revoke Thai nationality of a person who acquires Thai nationality by naturalisation if it appears that:

  (1) The naturalisation was effected by concealment of facts or making any statement false in material particular;

  (2) There is evidence to show that he still makes use of his former nationality;

  There are no known recent cases of that happening.

• A Thai citizen will loose Thai citizenship if voluntarily acquires another citizenship by naturalization (which is different an by birth or marriage).

  Section 22. A person of Thai nationality who has been naturalised as an alien, or who has renounced Thai nationality, or whose Thai nationality has been revoked, shall lose Thai nationality.

  There is one knownl case of that happening, but I don't have the link here.

http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs3/THAILAND's_Nationality_Act.htm

When my daughter was born, I did all of the paperwork for her so that I could get her Aussie Citizenship, something that the Australian Government allows if one of the parents is an Australian citizen, Citizenship by Descent is the title they give it.

While organising the paperwork a Thai solicitor told me that when she turns 21 she will be required to make the decision, "Which nationality" does she want to keep.

I have since been told that it is not something that they seem to enforce.

There was a bit of a fuss about dual citizenship a few years back, when the deep South go restive. Quite a few from down that way have dual Malayisan / Thai citizenship. I have met a good few….. Jawi speaking (Thai is their second language) they are ethnically Malay, and many, if not most regard themselves as Malaysian.

It is also an issue for some Thai folk I know who have foreign born children, and a few mixed partnerships. Strictly speaking under Thai law, they are required to make a choice when they reach 20, the age of majority. Thai citizens who become naturalised citizens of another country are also supposed to renounce their Thai citizenship.

Not too many years ago anybody born in Thailand was registered as Thai, regardless of the nationality of their parents. I have met the odd one, most of whom don't even speak Thai. They have retained their dual citizenship.

Some countries are quite strict about not allowing dual citizenship, while for others it is not an issue.

In practice in Thailand, it is not something that the authorities bother about. A recent Prime Minister was British born of Thai parents and largely educated there, going to Eton then Oxford. He retained dual citizenship.

140,000 km around Phuket on a motorcycle (and more in other provinces), at all times of the day and night, with neither an accident nor a ticket.

That being said, there are certain times of day when it is best to avoid certain roads, but that is mostly down to common sense.

Police…. I wear a helmet and carry my driving licence, so figure it's not worth wasting my time and the police's. I just ignore most checkpoints and ride straight through, as do most locals. A few do obligingly stop sans helmet or licence, to contribute to the police coffers.

Traffic….. kinda crazy, even compared to other parts of Thailand. Observe local traffic patterns and driver / rider habits, then adapt and fit in, staying well aware of what is going on around you.