SHA 2 BKK

On 4/23/2025 at 10:12 AM, RayOday said:

I renewed my 5 year license for another 5 years in Chiang Mai 2 months ago. Less waste hence more efficient. I completed a self-paced online refresher course of the road laws with just a few simple quiz questions. Once completed the program generated a QR dense code to capture on my phone. Went to the land transport office, presented the code of completion, requested documents, and  was asked to identify red, amber, green right at the counter then went to a 1 person queue had a license photo taken, received my new license in 5 minutes. While not completely digital it was a significant process improvement.

Now what are they actually doing to improve road safety (road deaths per Capita)? Nothing. It appears that the Dept off Land Transport & the police are disconnected. No on road enforcement.

I have a China drivers license & lived in China when people drove cars like bicycles (1995). Weaving in and out with no regard for lanes. Then it all changed with the upgrade in national road infrastructure and enforcement, which is key, Quantitative improvements are tracked by the WHO. I am aware of the veracity of China's data yet this concurs with my experience. What did they do? 

1. Strictly Enforced Traffic Laws

2. Infrastructure Development

3. Vehicle Safety Standards

4. Public Awareness Campaigns 

5. Emergency Response Improvements

It can be done IF there is the will and leadership to achieve less carnage.

 

P.S. I have driven from Shanghai to Yunnan and back several times stopping along the way. I also drove 4500 kms in Xinjiang prior to the current nastiness. I feel confident in my assessment of China's  road safety improvements.

Oh I concur.  I have been visiting China since the early 90’s and lived in Shanghai for three years.   They drove much like Thais do today and using a Zebra Crossings was a big no no (sound familiar?).   I went back to China last month for the first time in about 8 years.  

My Chinese friend stepped onto a Zebra crossing without fear. With trepidation I followed.  Bugger me dead drivers stopped to let us cross.  This happened several times and I was moved to ask my friend what had changed.

Cameras.  They are everywhere and road rules are strictly enforced.  Infrastructure is also so much better and China has made huge leaps and bounds on its road safety.  

4 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Exactly, every time someone asks me if I am Canadian I say do I look drunk and stupid?

True cobber.  Much better to be a God Fearing, Freedom Loving Septic then them there freely medicated Canucks.   

2 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Guess we know how Thais feel about being confused with Chinese.

 

 

Like Canadians and their neighbours from the US.   

11 hours ago, Chin01 said:

Sorry, we are talking about reciprocal tariffs, not the 'standard' 10% for all.  That should have been made clearer.

Even that doesn’t work in the Australian context.  Australia has no tariffs on US goods.  So it’s a bit rich to say the US is putting a 10% “reciprocal” tariff on Australia when no tariff exists in the first place.    

5 hours ago, Chin01 said:

I think you are the one that doesn't understand.  It has been clearly stated by the White House that this is related to the trade deficit.  They even stated that they rejected Vietnam's proposal to drop tariffs since it didn't address the trade deficit.

Well I can't agree with that. Australia is the opposite.  It has a trade deficit with the USA.  So the US sells more to Australia than Australia exports back.  In return our American "friends" still imposed a 10% tariff on Australian exports to Uncle Sam.

An no - don't use the US Beef go around as an excuse - US Beef if not banned in Australia as long as it can be traced back 100% to a US Herd (no Canadian or Mexican intermingling to avoid BSE).   Besides Australians wouldn't buy US Beef. It's far more expensive than Australian Beef and it's also not to Australian tastes. 

5 hours ago, radiochaser said:

Wow!  That sounds like those cigarettes' that are smuggled into New York state and New York City, with counterfit tax stamps!   Those "un-tarrifed" smoke sticks!

 

"New York has created a cigarette-smuggling empire, and the worst is yet to come. It’s the unavoidable consequence of the state’s decadeslong history of raising the cigarette tax, which Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to continue with an additional levy of $1 a pack. She also wants to ban flavored cigarettes. This will only lead to more lawbreaking and less tax revenue, defeating its purpose."

 

"... New York already imposes a statewide pack tax of $4.35 a pack, tied with Connecticut for highest in the nation (the District of Columbia’s tax is $4.50). New York City imposes additional excise taxes of $1.50 a pack."

 

 

Counterfeit Tax Samps!  Bugger the Fentanyl - the Mexican Cartels might get into the production and distribution of the said.  Probably a decent quid in it.

10 hours ago, placeholder said:

Vietnam did offer to lower tariffs to zero if the US did the same, The US refusal shows that it's not about reciprocity.

Australia has zero Tariffs on US imported goods (as the the Heard and McDonald Pengiun infested isles) but Uncle Sam still slams a 10% tariff on it.  Apparently unhappy that Aussies don't want to buy substandard Yankee Beef (there is no ban on US Beef) coming to Australia) and the fact that Australians have access to cheap life saving medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Can's see Thailand or Vietnam getting much traction on this given their clunky  bureaucracy's and the refusal of the US to even talk.

13 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

I have driven the entire coast of Australia on an extended fishing holiday Darwin- Broome-Perth, across the Nullarbor, up the east coast to Cooktown, throught Mt.Isa ending back in Darwin. Took many months. Mostly roads are totally empty, kangaroos, flies and boredom were the problems, plus awful beer. Saw a few classic US imports up in Darwin and they were LHD not sure how that was allowed but the drivers were very much still alive.

Now, back on topic.... forcing US imports to convert to RHD is pure protectionism. The US and Europe allow RHD cars, no drama.

Geez Cobber.  You sound like a whinging Pom not a proper Yank.  Anyway you can get a LHD Permit for non converted vehicles.  
 

BTW on your extended holiday what type of vehicle did you drive - LHD or RHD??

Just now, SunnyinBangrak said:

I get as far as your 1st sentence before encountering liberal logic. Your claim that lhd cars are unable to drive on the left side of the road is one for the ages😅. I can see why you guys just parrot fake news narratives.

Mate you’ve obviously never driven from Townsville to Mount Isa - where apart from a road that stretches forever, you have to contend with, Kangaroos, Cattle, Sheep Emus and bloody long Road Trains.  
 

To allow the widespread use of left hand drive vehicles on our roads would be more suicidal than driving Rama II to Hua Hin in a Thunderstorm!  

56 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Wildly misleading. Just googled about buying US beef in Oz. No tariff per se but some bs about not allowing US beef in for some other reason. It is still protectionism. Same with US cars, bring them into Oz no worries Bruce, but then must be converted to RHD at major expense. More protectionism.

I start to seriously doubt the IQ of many forum leftists here who just parrot fake news narratives. Oh but its just for safety the ABC watchers cry, jog on fellas. 

So Australia should just allow cars to drive on the wrong side of the road just to please US Car Manufacturers?  Your obviously desperate here Cobber. 

And on Moo Cows!! 

Does Australia ban US beef imports?

Australia introduced a ban on US beef imports in 2003, in response to an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease.

It was technically lifted in 2019, subject to an ongoing biosecurity review that in practice means no imports of fresh beef. The sticking point is the US’s reliance on live cattle imports from Canada and Mexico to bolster its national herd.

So by protecting the lives of Australians by stopping cars driving on the wrong side of the road and not allowing the spread of mad cow disease among it’s citizens (it can also spread to Australias Beef herd) as well as subsidising life medicines - Australia seems to have drawn the ire Mr Trump and his cronies. 
 

But I do agree with one of your points cobber, I do seriously question the IQ of some on this forum.  

8 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Negotiate. Military equipment sure but how about starting with vehicles and alcohol. Trump is doing what he does and that's to force people's hands. 

Not sure it will work.  Norfolk Island doesn’t export anything to the USA but got a 29% Tariff.  And how will the penguins and seals of Heard Island negotiate for lower tariffs?

46 minutes ago, Thaindrew said:

well you need to put 10% on now as its all reciprocal apparently

Nope.  Australia wont do that.  It’s a tax on Australians.  We don’t believe in Taxation Without Representation.   

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

I dont know I dont do negotiations. Ask your PM what he needs to do. Maybe stop oppressing your Aborigines.

Actually the current Government put a plebiscite to the Australian People regarding having a voice to Parliament for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.   Unfortunately IMHO it was lost. 
 

The Australian High Court in 1992 through yhe “Mabo Decision” rejected the notion of “Terra Nullius” or “Nobody’s Land” prior to foreign settlement.
 

This decision was codified by the Keating Government in 1993 through its Native Title Legislation.  Since that time many Traditional Owners have reclaimed the land that they have cared for for over 40,000 years where Native Title was not extinguished and traditional practices continued.

Perhaps it’s best not to throw stones where Glasshouses are concerned. 

10 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

I think he just wants Australia to drop their tariffs right? Even if there's a surplus why should the government be charging American companies extra to import products. Australian consumers would appreciate it too.

Australia has no tariffs on US products cobber.  Zip, zero, zilch.   Australian consumers don’t pay a tax on any imported US products.   

27 minutes ago, Jeff the Chef said:

 

The village Matriarch died the other week, she was 96, lovely woman, so she ends up laid out inthe local Temple for 5 days as is the tradition, all the local big wigs are there every night for the prayers from the Monks and the immediate family sleep in the Temple. My Mrs says she's going to sleep over on the last 2 nights, why's that says I, she laughs and says we're having a game of "dummy rummy" and there's money to be won.

No sooner are the chairs stacked up then the cards come out, before I go home there's 3 lots of 4 playing cards and a crowd playing the Thai bingo/roulette game, I love Thailand.

I was at a similar funeral last month.  Around came the lottery seller.  Into the Temple Grounds.  Those in attendance asked the Monk to choose the lucky tickets which he obligingly did.   
 

They say Australians would bet on two flys crawling up a wall - but I couldn’t imagine even the most well seasoned punter having a bet at the Church during a funeral.  

41 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

Given the boatload of holidays in April, I can't see this silly system—they have the TM30 for tracking tourists—being implemented on 1 May 2025.

 

I could see a submarine being delivered by then or the High-Speed Rail line being finished.

 

 

Unfortunately I can’t see Rama II being finished by then.