ianf

There is no structured training on any of the four velodromes in Thailand. Neither are there track bikes for hire. The best on offer was my work here on Chiang Mai velodrome where I supplied the bike and helped people with coaching, teaching, guidance and so on. See my facebook Chiang Mai Track Cycling Club. Due to a general lack of interest and the huge difficulties in working with the Thai Cycling Association its all died down a bit but I'm still here with the expertise, some bikes and a love of the track.

Too much emphasis on alcohol. I don't drink so no problem.

12 minutes ago, Happy enough said:

whys that though mate. my mrs got a british passport. wasn't too hard? and yes the uk invites anyone with money regardless. disgraceful i know. same here?

Previously married to a Thai. Got her into UK. 20 years later, turns current wife down saying Ive done it before even though she and I have been married 6 years!

<deleted> disgusting. Those of us who have real problems getting their spouses visas get sick of seeing these people coming and going to the UK as they please. Red Bull, Thaksin, Probably his sister. Criminals all. My wife ain't a criminal. A good person...but exclded

OMG! Can they not keep this disgusting 'food' and lifestyle away from places like Phi Phi? Perhaps not. Money, corruption and idiots all walk hand-in-hand.

1 hour ago, Chang_paarp said:

In my best Gomer Pyle voice (RIP Jim Nabors)

 

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!  Who would of thought that more weapons were found after a 3 year break of such discoveries. Just in time for the lead up to proposed elections.

 

Anyone (outside of Thailand where betting is ellegal) taking bets on the "discovery" of more in the months prior to the "planned" election.

Why does a three=year break make any difference? The red shirts are sill organising. If you travel around Chiang Mai province you'll see loads of red flags, formed like arrows, that point to their meetings and gatherings. No difference. These terrorists are still at it.

21 hours ago, rebo said:

Good luck (you will need at least a little bit ...) and an always safe ride!
BTW - I agree with you that Mong Cycles is the best place I know in Chiang Mai to let your bike thoroughly and competently check and prepare.

Also try Bicycle Addict on the Samoeng Road at the Hang Dong end. Superb.

1000km in two weeks? I do 500km + every week in northern Thailand and have done so for the past 8 years. In 2004, together with some UK friends and a Thai friend, I rode fro Mae Sai to the Malaysia border in 10 days. You'll still find that ride online. That was 200km a day for 10 days. So 1000 km in 2 weeks is not such a big deal.

I know enough farangs on retirement visas in Chiang Mai working and running businesses.

I have recently been told by a competent official that although there is a requirement to fill out a TM30 it is not necessarily required in all cases. Our case is that we have a friend coming to stay for a couple of weeks. I inquired about a TM30 and was told that unless the person is here permanently don't bother. And the reason appears to be that if we all did as bid on every single occasion then the system would be so overwhelmed that it would completely crack.

Social media seems to be spreading posed nude photographs of this pensioner, Perhaps all is not what it seems. She doesn't look so bad given her age, I have her nudie pics on Line! Not for long though!

17 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

The court siding with the junta is like votes in today's rubber stamp parliament.  There is no place in current Thailand for debate or love of the law, just the use of force.  Might makes right.  The truncheon in lieu of conversation. 

Poppycock.

A verdict as it should have been. Looking forward to next year's election and I hope the politicians that take over recognise that Democracy does not stop with voting. All these calls for 'democracy' in Thailand come from people who do not recognise that there has never been  democracy here. I think the judiciary made a good call.

On 10/28/2017 at 12:08 PM, 4MyEgo said:

I reckon if you added a mandatory police attitude to anyone not wearing a helmet who gets fined more than once for not wearing one, should not be aloud to ride a motorbike for a year, add another two years for every time they get caught riding a bike without one.

 

Less split heads on the road saves lives.

People should not be allowed (aloud...sic) to ride WITHOUT a helment including those stupid farangs on big bikes who think they are so cool and clever riding around lidless.

But that's only part of the story.

The main reasons there are so many accidents are three-fold.

1. They can't drive. Period. Unbelievable stupid maneuvers with cars and motorbikes. They have not been taught how to read the road so when they built a new road near us with a semi-circle and adjoining roads it's hilarious watching them trying to work out what they should do even though it is blindingly obvious.

2. Yes drink driving. Last night I watched a family out for a late meal with two small children (7 people). Father, and I presume dad-in-law share 1.5 bottles of whisky then get in their pick up and drive off with all members of their family getting in the car and seemingly allowing them to do so. Utter irresponsible madness.

3. The sheer arrogance of the drivers. The better your vehicle, it seems, the more you have the right to bully your way around ignoring other road users. And hey, don't you dare raise and questions about the quality of their driving. Loss of face seems to be one of the killers.

The answer to all of this? Take away everyone's license, get the drivers trained properly with real driving tests on the road, train the police to behave responsibly and to apprehend bad drivers and don't allow small kids on motorbikes either as drivers or as the third, fourth or even fifth passenger. It ain't going to happen is it? So we'll continue to kill the contents of a small town on the roads every year. At least it's a  form of population control.

12 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

and now strict control over drones. even small drones used in photography.

 

at this rate, soon people are going to need to learn to drive.

Legislative control over drones is not restricted to Thailand...........The UK Parliament has also promulgated licensing laws....

Meanwhile: So happy to see more control over weapons. Should ban all people from ownership but in my opinion there is no need for anyone, Thai or Farang to own a gun. America take note.

11 hours ago, wakeupplease said:

Thanks for letting me know I was duped, but alas I can read all the facts I want when I research and follow the lies from the 40's right up todate, so can the rest of the world as those stories are not blocked by suppression to us. 20 coups and not a lie insight you imply. Buy a VPN mate and educate yourself, or be DUPED into a way of life that is primitive.

You believe in fairy tales?

54 minutes ago, wakeupplease said:

More info required

 

Yes right as the first request did not mention political persecution so just checking that the lies that where contained in the first request are just bullS>it again.

Political persecution, my &ss! Another person who has been duped by the sociopathic family.

16 minutes ago, elgenon said:

Yes sir. I salute you. Funny the things people get hung up on. You have indeed spoken and this poor mortal is bowing down to your declaration of truth. You win!.

I do not have a monopoly on truth. I was simply say what I am, not what you think I am.

On 10/2/2017 at 2:55 AM, elgenon said:

In your culture. In my area of my country they are indeed "bikers". To each his own. Your use is more precise but the fact remains.

I am a cyclist. I am not a biker. End of story.

On 9/30/2017 at 8:32 AM, elgenon said:

Years ago they put in bicycle lanes in CM, with blinking lights on the border too. Same same. Why would they think they would work in BKK after that? I think giving a biker more of a misplaced feeling of safety could be dangerous. But it would be nice if it worked. But enforcement against all the encroachers (my word) is still a dream.

 

Guess they want Thailand to be seen as more of an international city that is becoming more environmentally friendly. Oh well.

 

They should start by making pedestrians safe.

Just for the record: We're cyclists not 'bikers'. Bikers ride motorbikes.

On 9/29/2017 at 9:52 AM, tomwct said:

I agree 100%! I would never ride a bicycle in Bangkok because of the Thai Drivers. They'll run you over without blinking an eye. It's like dodging cars on a crosswalk. You take your life in your hands every time.

That's not the point. Skilful and experienced cyclists can ride in traffic. I have ridden in Denver, London, Bangkok, Paris, Delhi and so on. The point is that the Thais build these bike lanes, as they have done in my home city of Chiang Mai, and the motorists park in them, motorcyclists used them to ride the wrong way, street vendors use them to sell their cr@p and so on. So it's nothing to do with cyclists not using them or it being unsafe to ride in Bangkok, it's to do with the Thais who obey no laws. I shut at the motorcyclists who use our lanes to no avail. With the Thais there is no point in having any road laws. They do what they want. Free spirits all.

4 hours ago, yellowboat said:

If Thailand would offer the same freedom, educational and financial opportunities that China offers its Citizens, that would be at least a step in the right direction.  They don't.

 

Who should decide where Thailand should turn its face ?  Should it be the current bumpkins, as they are doing such an amazing job forming committees, panels, sub committees and other talk fests ?  

 

Thailand under democratic governments worked better.  It had direction.  Business was vibrant.  People had hope.  People had fun.  Today is very different.  Thailand has purchased a small amount of security at the expense liberty and opportunity.   History will point towards the army as those held Thailand back from developing, not the Shinawartas. 

Since when has Thailand had a democratic government? Under Thaksin? No way he is an autocrat and didn't use the word 'democracy' until it was suggested by R Amsterdam as a tactic against Abhisit. Under Yingluck? You must be joking, a proxy for a run-away doing as HE bid? Is that democracy? Don't make me laugh. Democracy is dependent on the rule of law, not just votes. Rule of law under Thaksin? Go and read the history and research the facts then come back and tell us, eh?

The western media continue to show this woman as a lass persecuted by an unfair justice system organised by the military without mentioning the enormous damage that she did to the country at her "brother's" behest. How people can continue to support these criminals beggars belief. Te truth is, off course, much darker but the sad thing here is that people continue to believe the manipulative propaganda distributed by the King of Dubai (sic)..........Thailand is a much better place without these two. Off course it would suit greater powers to have them in situ but far better for Thailand to ignore the pressure from the USA and keep its face turned towards China.

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

Yes and the red shirts shot and killed their own people with bullets from the military. 

Yes Eric. Precisely what happened in some of the cases.

4 minutes ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

Of course.

 

Money number one.

Thaksin's money off course!