zz.fugazi

Has anyone noticed a source of recumbent bikes in Bangkok?

My wrists can no longer take the beating from my road bike, and I've been thinking about trying out a recumbent. Before I do something crazy like ordering one from abroad or building one from a 2X4, I'd like to try one out. I have in mind a short-wheelbase, high-racer style so that my eyes are at least at the same level as automobile drivers.

ZZ

I had a rack made at ฮั้วการช่าง (I think I have the Thai characters right, but I'm not sure).

It's a place that makes custom motorcycle racks at the Bukkhalo intersection on Tanon Somdet Phra Chao Tak Sin in Thonburi. Plug the coordinates 13.705095,100.485973 into google maps.

If I have the right place, their BKK phone number is 02-468-0304.

Dave

I've got a couple of Chinese Givis on the way.

Any ideas who could make a rack for me?

135LCE

Thanks

Thanks, I'll ride over there in the next few days and have a look.

Aek Na Thong Ratchada soi 7 (Soi Na Thong) by the exit to Robinsons.

Where did you have this done? Looks like a very nice job.

Someone was asking about seats in another thread so I thought I'd post these as I've just had mine redone.

I'm interested. Are you or is the dealer in BKK?

One mod which would definatley be a bonus which I failed to mention. A Scottoiler. It's a small tank of L.O. that has a pipe attached to the suction of the carb. As you open it up and the vacum increases it put an increasing amount of lube oil on your rear sprocket. A miniscule amount. It trebles the amount of chain life and adjustment periods. Being a bit dusty here it's ideal. I have one on my 750 back in the UK and has been a Godsend.

Happy and Safe riding.

I've thought about installing a chain oiler on my CBR150 because I very much dislike the job of oiling the chain. And I don't really trust local mechanics to use the specified oil. What are folks using here in Thailand for continuous chain oilers?

If your learning style is like mine, that is...no homework, no tests, no memorization...then AUA is probably a good choice. I've made good progress at AUA in the last six months, and I expect that progress to continue. After failing to learn either German or Russian using traditional structured methods, I find the AUA method a breath of fresh air. It will likely please you if you prefer to just jump in and absorb a subject in a (more or less) real context rather than to use traditional classroom methods.

ZZ

hello take a look all information where you catch the ferry leave http://www.ko-sichang.com/SirachaTown.html

Thank you. Unfortunately, there's no information on that page indicating that motorcycles can be taken aboard. If all the ferries look like this:

http://eng.folktravel.com/wp-content/uploa...06/sichang1.jpg

and this:

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1474108480078613194TViiwf

then I'd guess they accommodate foot traffic only.

ZZ

I'm considering riding my motorcycle from BKK to Ko Sichang next week. It might be fun to buzz around the island on a motorbike.

I have been unable to find any information on the web regarding public motorcycle or vehicle ferries between the mainland and Ko Sichang.

Does anyone know whether such a ferry exists, and, if so, where to catch it?

ZZ

I also believe Mont Clair is the best value available now in Thailand.

I buy Mont Clair 75 cl bottles directly from the company. They offer free delivery in BKK, and they offer discounts on purchases of 2 or more cases.

http://www.montclair-wine.com/

Send an email to Nathasit or to Harinya at the info email address listed on the above website to get latest pricing.

I buy a variety of their Bin 5 (Cabernet), 6 (Chardonet), and 9 (Shiraz) when ordering.

And, yes, I do have a wine cooler to hold all of it.

The best Thai wine I've tasted so far came from Village Farm Winery in Khao Yai. Unfortunately, it's pretty expensive. Chateau de Brumes Prestige 2004 (list price 1750 Baht).

ZZ

Hello Digidom,

I've got a Howtek 4000 here in Thailand. If you ever track down a good service company for these scanners, I'd like to hear about it.

You might try posting in inquiry to the Scan Hi End Yahoo group and see what turns up.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ScanHi-End/

zz

Look for drum scans if you want the best quality. IQ Labs in BKK used to do drum scans, but I don't know if they still do. I scanned many of my old transparencies and negatives using my own drum scanner, and I was much happier with the results than with your standard CCD film scanner. (I have the scanner in Thailand, but, unfortunately, I haven't set it up because I have no need for it now that I shoot digital.)

I'll be taking my new CBR 150 in for its 1000KM checkup and first oil change next week. It took a while for me to locate the oil I'd like to use, which is Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W40 (previously known as Mobil 1 MX4T 10W-40). The Mobil/Exxon headquarters in BKK said that they do not import it.

In case anyone else is interested in using that oil in their bike, you can find it at Oils R Us in BKK:

http://www.oils-r-us.com

Clem at Oils R Us speaks English (he's Aussie). His phone number is 085-153-3555.

zz (used to be American, at least until Thomas Jefferson left the oval office)

I just bought a CBR150 off the floor from a dealership on Taksin Road in Thonburi. I think it was the last one in stock right now, though. The shop is called M-Drive, and they say they have 8 shops around BKK. There are other dealers along the same stretch of road, and I saw many Phantoms at M-Drive and at other dealers. Check out the area between Thonburi Road and Rama III on the side opposite the post office. Waraporn at M-Drive speaks English pretty well.

Hi,

As a follow up to my above statement. I went to a local Honda dealer near where I live tonight and the girl there told me that getting either a CBR150 or a Honda Phantom is impossible and that you can only get them if you import them in personally. Personally I think she was giving this line of nonsense so she could sell the Yamaha Nouvo and Honda Air-Blade I also inquired about, but I figured if I asked on here, you would be able to tell me for sure if I could get one of the two bigger bikes here in Bangkok. I am not willing to import a bike and if I had too, I would just buy the Yamaha Nouvo and be happy with it, but if she was just trying to save a sale by telling me this story, then I will look around town until I find one. I only want a new one and a couple of you have suggested I buy used, but I have bought used back in the United States and have always had nothing but trouble with other peoples motorbikes.

Thanks for the advice and information.

Nhscotsman

Peterpan,

I searched General Topic but could not find an appropriate thread or answer. I'm in a similar situation, except that my household goods will come from the US. I have no problem contributing some tea money. But locating someone to make the contribution to is the problem. Which Thai agent did you use? Who do you recomment?

zz

Phil go on General Topic and look for shipping to Thailand thread this was answered last week.

Its called Tea money 12,000THB for 32 cubic meter no tax and on tourist visa, get the agent in Thailand to do everything not UK.

Peterpan

I'm about to arrange a transfer of dollars from the US to Thailand for the purchase of a condo in Bangkok. The only information I've seen on the web says that the amount must be equal to or greater than the land office appraised value. I'd like to bring in a bit more than the cost of the condo plus closing costs so that I have some money for renovations. Is there any problem transfering to Thailand a greater amount and still earmarking it for the condo purchase? I don't want the banks withholding 30% or some other such silliness.

zz

I'd have to say that on the whole, my experience at the BKK Immigration office applying for the 3MB extension was great! I showed up late in the day, and one of the officers went out of his way to help me get through before closing. The immigration officer I met with seemed genuinely helpful and wanted to see me get the extension. When I got lost in hallways upstairs chasing another issue, an employee led me from floor to floor and helped me to find the right place.

Kudos to Thai Immigration! I hope they read this, as I suspect they do.

And, BTW, my funds transfer to Krung Thai bank took only 3 days from the USA, so there is probably still a chance for to get in under the wire.

I'd suggest that smiles, humility, and a sense of humor will get you a long way with Thai Immigration.

zz

Sunbelt- what does "approved" mean? I went down to immigration today, paid my 1900 THB for the 3MB exstension of a non-B visa, got all the stamps and immediate approvals, then was told to return on in late November. My passport was stamped with the late November date. So, does that mean that I got approval?

Thank you, lopburi3.

Your answers raise just a couple more questions:

-You say, "2. Non immigrant (or at least a tourist 60 day visa which can be changed)."

A 60 day tourist visa would be the easiest visa to obtain to enter Thailand to take care of the details of obtaining the 3-million baht 'IB' visa. I'd like to deposit the 3-million baht into a government bank to start, then either buy a condo or move the funds into government bonds later. Would the government banks make an exception to their rule (gossip I've heard, I really don't know for sure) that a person visiting on a tourist visa cannot open a bank account? I know some banks are lax on this rule, but what about government banks?

-You say, "3. Yes. It is an extension of a non immigrant visa.'

Must one first obtain some kind of a non immigrant visa rather than a tourist visa to be eligible for the 3-million baht visa?

I'm confused about the Thai visa based on investment of 3 million baht.

1. My understanding from reading Thai consulate pages is that one is granted a 1 year, temporary residence permit based on this investment. Is this temporary residence permit equivalent to a visa?

2. The Thai Consulate, Washington, D.C. website says, regarding the 3 million baht residence permit, "Prior to entering the country, applicants must have an appropriate kind of visa from a Thai Consulate abroad." What is this appropriate kind of visa?

3. The Thai Immigration Bureau website only lists the 3 million baht visa under its "Visa Extension" area. Should I assume, then, that this visa is a 1-year extension of another kind of visa?

4. For purposes of presenting the right documents to obtain this visa, what rules does it fall under? Is it under the 'IB' visa rules? Or is this visa in its own category? The only documents listed on the Thai Immigration Bureau website as being required are those that confirm the appropriate investment was made. My main concern, as a US passport holder, is that the FBI in the US takes 8 or more weeks to provide the police statement that is required by some Thai visa rules, which is a long time.

5. If I want to travel outside Thailand during the time I have this visa, then re-enter Thailand, must I pay a 1900 baht fee for every re-entry into Thailand? What are the rules regarding re-entry during the time this visa is valid?

6. I understand that one is not required to leave Thailand every 90 days. Instead, one merely reports to immigration every 90 days. Is this correct?

7. If so, then is leving Thailand and re-entering equivalent to reporting to immigration, and that I would not be required to report to immigration in the case that I have left and re-entered Thailand?

8. Is it true that one must purchase a new condo directly from the developer for a condo investment to qualify as a valid investment? I've seen rumors to this effect on the web, but I haven't seen any official documents that indicate this is so.

9. What is the sequence of steps required to obtain this visa? Can it all be done outside of Thailand, or must one visit Thailand on some other sort of visa, leave, then re-enter?

zz.fugazi

or invest 3 million Baht in Thailand.

www.lawyer.th.com

What kind of visa do you get with a 3 million THB investment? Both my wife and I are US citizens over 50 but don't want a retirement visa because we'd like to work. We are willing to make an investment in Thailand, but it looks as if you need to invest 8 million baht ( + 6 million for spouse) to get an investment board visa.

Also, if I invest 3 million and get a visa, does my spouse also need to invest another 3 million, or can she remain in Thailand on an O visa?