Wiggy

I bought a Focus Titanium 2.0 from Ford Srinakarin a year ago. I got proper fitted Ford carpet mats plus the square rubber ones without asking. As far as I'm concerned the rubber ones protect the carpet ones. Great car, great service. Sure, Ford are trying to penetrate the Thai market, but compared to the bog standard, low spec dross Honda & Toyota offer there is no competition, in my view.

I know almost nothing about guns, but that one looks decidedly home-made. If people are able to make them themselves then there's not much hope.

This is the barrier he would need to get through "by accident".

A bridge that is blocked with cones and barriers and somebody "just took a wrong turn". Give me a break! Propaganda at it's best!

Learn to read, then come back.

It clearly says SEVERAL (which means more than one) motorists took a wrong turn thinking the bridge was open. It was open and closed several times during the past days so its clear to see how someone might drive into it thinking it is currently open.

Your attempt to defend Suthep's militia shooting at people in Bangkok at their own free will is nothing short of disgusting.

A bridge that is blocked with cones and barriers and somebody "just took a wrong turn". Give me a break! Propaganda at it's best!

Learn to read, then come back.

It clearly says SEVERAL (which means more than one) motorists took a wrong turn thinking the bridge was open. It was open and closed several times during the past days so its clear to see how someone might drive into it thinking it is currently open.

Your attempt to defend Suthep's militia shooting at people in Bangkok at their own free will is nothing short of disgusting.

This is nonsense. This bridge has been firmly closed since January 13th. I'll try to post a pic later. The "bunker" is 200 meters away. A fine shot from there.

Nonsense, doubtless you would like to apply that same logic to the NHS eligibility rules but not apply them to the tax residency rules!

No. For tax purposes I am 'Ordinarily Resident'. I also contribute to the NI State Pension, legally and fairly. I'm all above board.

Unless you are a resident of Thailand (i.e. have permanent residency) then I understand it that we are still residents of our home country. I still have an address (my brother's) and bank account in the UK after 21 years in Thailand and I still state the UK as my country of residence on official forms. I do this as I am a 'guest' here on temporary one-year work visa (work permit), and which I am constantly reminded of. I would use your father's address. IMO they just want a contact address so that they can correspond with you. Email and ask them. Can do no harm.

Good, his company's staff and procedures are just fine.

Now all he has to do is sort out his own mouth and explain to Star Alliance why he lied about a non-exist group wide policy which had to be retracted and amended to a Thai Airways policy. Of course he may not feel obliged to explain anything to a bunch of foreigners.

Yes, particularly since the Star Alliance logo (located near the cockpit window) was left for all to see.

To my opinion Surin is one of the few real politicians in Thailand. He has a huge international experience and for sure knows exactly what democracy really means.

This is how I understand the article:

- "Democracy in Thailand has different definition,"

Read Most Thai people don't understand what democracy is really about.

- "Currently, the opposition could not work effectively in the parliament, independent organizations are not truly independent and the mass media cannot access information freely"

Means that the ruling party monopolizes the parliament, that the so-called independent organizations are influenced by the majority. And we know that the press is always mostly government controlled

- The problem is not a conflict between the government and the opposition as it is in many other countries but also comes from outsiders who have fuelled misunderstanding and mistrust, he said.

Means that the division in Thailand is mainly the result of "the man in Dubai"

+1

Surin is not a fool. He may not be implying that Thai democracy is different, but that it is defined differently, i.e misunderstood by Thais. And when he says:

"The problem is not a conflict between the government and the opposition as it is in many other countries but also comes from outsiders who have fuelled misunderstanding and mistrust"

he may well be referring to Mr. T.

Not sure if anyone else watched the Man Utd v Chelsea live on 365Sport but the match crashed after around 75mins. Kept getting the screen image associated with rain/bad cable connection etc. Up until then I had been relatively impressed and was thinking of giving it a try. However, losing the last 15mins of a match of this importance is just not good enough and I will now not be purchasing their package as I can't trust them to deliver a full uninterrupted match.

Will await to see what happens with the PLTV that is supposedly due at the end of the month with CTH. All in all watching the football coverage so far has been about as fun as that 90mins of football was!!

True, but I had the same problem with a dish here in Thailand - when it rained the signal was lost. I guess if it's raining in Malaysia (Astro), or wherever the broadcast is coming from the signal may be interrupted. Incidentally, 365Sport have a special offer of 3,999 baht/year, (333 baht/month). I've just subscribed and so far am happy with the service, especially as everything is on-demand as well as live. I can also have it on all my devices (computer, iPhone, iPad, etc.), although not simultaneously, so I have the EPL wherever I am and whenever I like. Nice. I'm finding it to be a good interim measure until CTH get their act together.

No problems with mine. Reading extensively about this it seems that (although there are some issues, as with any car) many people are simply unused to, or unfamiliar with, this new technology. Those who expect torque converter-like transmission might feel something is wrong. Sure it's different, as it's a manual 'box, not an automatic. So, it drives like a manual with the computer changing gear. At first, I thought mine had problems but now I know what it's doing and understand it more it's a lot of fun, and with serious torque. Although I still wouldn't call it perfect yet, either and It should be said that Ford have had some problems with this new 'box, (mostly software) which can be seen from reading Ford forums around the world. As have VW with their version (DSG).

You really should have bought a Toyota. There are noooooooo question marks, you start it and get on your way.

Had a Toyota, Honda, et al. Boring, plain and uninspiring. To me, anyway.

365 Sport TV looks OK, but doesn't show every game. Good if you support the top four, but maybe not worth the money for someone like me (Southampton). If it showed all the games I'd get it in.

What we need to understand is all the events that are culminating presently is in preparation for future events.

As expats you need to pay attention. What is happening now is a prelude to a monarchy transition.

As I do not want my post to not be deleted....

There are powers that are preparing for the future. You need to prepare as well.

Agreed. The current situation is just groups of people making sure they are in the ideal place when the transition occurs. Being in the right place at the right time will be crucial.

No problems with mine. Reading extensively about this it seems that (although there are some issues, as with any car) many people are simply unused to, or unfamiliar with, this new technology. Those who expect torque converter-like transmission might feel something is wrong. Sure it's different, as it's a manual 'box, not an automatic. So, it drives like a manual with the computer changing gear. At first, I thought mine had problems but now I know what it's doing and understand it more it's a lot of fun, and with serious torque. Although I still wouldn't call it perfect yet, either and It should be said that Ford have had some problems with this new 'box, (mostly software) which can be seen from reading Ford forums around the world. As have VW with their version (DSG).

I just got a letter from True thanking me for my support and they hope that I will continue. They state that EPL will run until until this coming May and then they will offer.Free of charge.

Over 19 channels of International channels.+ 10 HD channels.

9 additional std definition channels

8 standard definition channels upgraded to HD

Most of which I have now and the rest I am not interested.

They are completely missing the point for many of us as we want to watch EPL and this package in no way compensates for the loss of this.

I guess others have also received this letter so sorry if I duplicated.

They are going to be losing a huge amount of customers and maybe they underestimated this....the thing also with CTH is apart from the PL they are going to have lots of other stuff they true have now, so even if you didn't like football it would still be worth switching over just to save some money...

Precisely. I've downgraded to Gold on True for the time being as I don't want to give them a baht more than I need to. The more I read about CTH, the more it looks like they could screw True (sorry for the rhyme!). I don't hate True, but I don't like them either. I welcome the competition from CTH, and it looks as though they really might have something to offer. Fingers crossed.

Not clear to me why the comparison between a Focus and an Almera. I could be wrong but I thought the Focus competition is the Altis, Civic, Cruze and Sylphy, for example. I own a 2011 Altis and as previously mentioned a friend has the new Focus. Another friend just purchased the Nissan Sylphy. From the passenger seat, the car with the best ride and most bang for the baht is the Focus. However, rear seat comfort is important to me so I would not purchase the Focus for that reason. The Sylphy was a disappointment, but the rear seat was very roomy.

Agreed. There's no point in comparing the Almera/Focus as they fall in different segments of the market. Almera v Vios/Fiesta/City is fair enough though. Just look at the prices to know their relative competition.

Yes, sorry, I only brought up the Almera to help people get the picture about how long a Focus is. I get the feeling there are more Almeras out there than Focuses so thought more people would be familiar with the length of an Almera.

I could also have said something like 'A Focus is about the length of one and a half horses' - again, without meaning to offer an equine alternative to buying a Focus. Anyway, mine's still going nicely and is a pleasure to drive over long distances. Have just done over 2000Km in less than 3 weeks without any significant issues.

I see where you were coming from now. Thanks for the clarification. The comparison is now logical for the reasons you state.

Not clear to me why the comparison between a Focus and an Almera. I could be wrong but I thought the Focus competition is the Altis, Civic, Cruze and Sylphy, for example. I own a 2011 Altis and as previously mentioned a friend has the new Focus. Another friend just purchased the Nissan Sylphy. From the passenger seat, the car with the best ride and most bang for the baht is the Focus. However, rear seat comfort is important to me so I would not purchase the Focus for that reason. The Sylphy was a disappointment, but the rear seat was very roomy.

Agreed. There's no point in comparing the Almera/Focus as they fall in different segments of the market. Almera v Vios/Fiesta/City is fair enough though. Just look at the prices to know their relative competition.

As I stated in my post "I average around 15-16 km/l during highway trips" and "about 11-12 km/l in the city" my actual average (70% highway / 30% city) measured at the pump is 7.10 l/100 km (about 14 km/l)

I'm getting an avg of 15- 16 km/l during highway trips and about 11-12 km/l in city, trip computer shows 6.8 l / 100 km average which is slightly optimistic but not far from the actual 7.1 l* /100 km calculated at the pump. (Driving 2012 2.0 GDi) Usually can drive around 750 km on a full tank before the low-fuel waring light comes on and then there's about 85 km left. (*70% highway / 30% city)

I'm getting 11l/100km (9km/l) in 100% Bangkok driving. If you're getting 16km/l (6.25l/100km) average then that's better than what Ford says they get (6.4l/100km) http://www.ford.com.au/cars/focus/specifications/spec-options Impressive.

Apologies for the misread. Your figures are still very close to Ford's which state 6.7l/100km combined. Do you drive everywhere at 56mph? I'd be pleased to get those figures. Still, I expected around 11l/100km (9km/l) for Bangkok driving when I bought a 2 litre. Lovely engine by the way, isn't it?

I'm getting an avg of 15- 16 km/l during highway trips and about 11-12 km/l in city, trip computer shows 6.8 l / 100 km average which is slightly optimistic but not far from the actual 7.1 l* /100 km calculated at the pump. (Driving 2012 2.0 GDi) Usually can drive around 750 km on a full tank before the low-fuel waring light comes on and then there's about 85 km left. (*70% highway / 30% city)

A full tank 42 litres nets 200ish km. Pretty certain the math isn't wrong. Mostly same petrol station but the gage shows full when we fill up.

Something is definitely not correct.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Time for Ford to take a look.

Definately something is wrong. My swift is getting 600km / 42 litre tank around Nonthaburi. f\FFor a 2.0 I would think 10-11km/l mixed driving (which my civic gets), and perhaps 12/13 km/l for a 1.6.

I'm getting 11l/100km (9km/l) in 100% Bangkok driving. If you're getting 16km/l (6.25l/100km) average then that's better than what Ford says they get (6.4l/100km) http://www.ford.com.au/cars/focus/specifications/spec-options Impressive.

A full tank 42 litres nets 200ish km. Pretty certain the math isn't wrong. Mostly same petrol station but the gage shows full when we fill up.

Something is definitely not correct.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Time for Ford to take a look.

Topped off the tank today and did the maths. 4.94 km/l. Haven't noticed any fuel smell or puddles anywhere. Doubt that someone's been stealing the petrol but anything is possible with a non-locking capless fuel receptacle.

Will continue to update. Thanks for the replies.

If it's like the Focus the fuel cap door locks when the car is locked.

Hello all,

We bought a Fiesta a few months ago with the same ridiculous gearbox as the Focus. Driving it off the lot, we noticed jerky shifts and random revving instead of smooth gear changes. Took it straight back and were told that we needed to "teach" the software how we drive. Tech looked at it but did nothing.

A couple more weeks went by with grinding, shuddering, terrible gear changes and finally had enough. Contacted some higher people at Ford and ended up with a technician coming to our condo for a test drive. He brought a different Fiesta for comparison and we found it much quieter and smoother.

Eventually, Ford took our car to the technical centre and kept it for nearly a month. The end result was the replacement of the transmission and supposed "flashing" of the software. We've just gotten it back recently and not driven much but the gear shift problem has disappeared. Shifts are smooth and relatively consistent. Best of all, we no longer hear the bag of coins noise in the gearbox.

That said, we are still experiencing poor fuel economy. We were told that 15km/litre in town was normal but we've never gotten much better than 5km/l. We'll keep running it for a few weeks to see if there is any improvement but if the economy stays this poor, we'll have to try to dump it and buy a Honda.

Any input would be much appreciated.

What kind of driving for 5km/l? City? Urban? Both? I'm getting around 9km/l in my Focus 2.0 Titanium when in Bangkok, i.e. heavy traffic. Getting 14km/l on a long run outside of BKK. 5km/l does seem bad for a 1.6 engine. There must be other issues. I would reset it and try again and if it remains at 5km/l take it back. I know that fuel consumption can be less when using E20 fuel. If you're using this try Gasohol RON 95. It might be a tad better, but don't expect too much improvement.

Started with E20 but gave in to 91 and 95. Still, a quarter tank has gotten 50 km total. 42 Litre tank with a 200 km range is equalling approximately 5 km/litre. It is really shocking even after the improved tranny. It'll go back again after a couple more tanks of fuel so we have some numbers.

Thanks for your comparative numbers. Gives us something to think about.

All downtown driving, but never really sitting in traffic as we just commute to and from work about 4 km each way through the back sois.

I would be looking for a fuel leak with those numbers. Have a quick sniff around the car in the mornings to try to detect any irregularities - especially around the engine bay. Could be a fuel pump problem. No way should a Fiesta be returning those numbers.