...Ken

So Ken, you are suggesting that Emily teaches herself to ride in a hazardous manner........very dangerous indeed and very fatal for many.

I and a number of farang friends have been riding motorcycles both big and small (and driving cars) throughout Thailand for more than 20 years and clocked up 100's of thousands of kilometres without any serious incident. The way that I have survived is by not driving in the manner that the majority of the locals do. Situational awareness is a rather important factor here and sadly a lot of locals don't seem to possess this faculty.

The screaming sirens and roaring engines of the various rescue foundation pickups that you hear on such a regular basis around the cities of Thailand are most of the time on their way to yet another vehicular accident. What is the daily road toll in Chiang Mai? I'm not sure of the figures these days but surely at least a couple of motorcyclists are killed everyday not to mention those that are seriously injured. If you need an eye opener pay a visit to the ICU or the orthopaedic ward at Suandok hospital.

BB

Okay, Bill.

Let's lay them on the block and measure length.

18 years ago I learned to ride motorcycle in Thailand by doing exactly what I suggested and it worked for me quite well. I seem to understand Thai drivers.

My point will stand..........learn how the Thais drive and drive appropriately.

Use your "Western" defensive driving tyechniques of course.....but try to understand the Thai driving system.

...Ken

They are also known as the Samurai Gang because of their use of Samurai-type weapons.

Can anyone shed more light on this?

My estranged stepson is a full member of the Samurai gang c/w full samurai tattoo down his back and other tattoos visible on the back of his neck. He's been in jail for one year on a four year term.

He went in at age 18 yrs.. .

I was trying to get him to operate a 'kabohk' for/with me....saying that if he wants to be a professional gangster he better get some muscle on him. "Ahhhh, Leung Ken....please, just buy me a gun." was his response. Poor lad ended up with blisters instead.

The 'strikers' are still fairly young, mid to late teens and still not organized/competant enough to be a real threat, except to other teenagers. Classic 'gai chon' behaviour that attracts young girls and instills fear in rival teenagers.

I doubt that there is any threat to Fallang unless they are obviously in need of a cultural tune up.

They are just teenagers with teenage passions/frustrations....but with back up.

...Ken

You've got it all wrong Ken....

As Maejo Man says, these gangs were killing people around Chiang Mai some years ago. There were a number of beheadings by these teenage gangs, some members were as young 16 - 17. The victims were not just other tennagers, they were all ages.

I remember as recently as 8 years ago a Thai friend in his 40's lost most of his right ear to a sword attack, he was able to avoid the full blow that was aimed at his throat.

These gangs are not an idle threat and their teenage passions/frustrations, as you put it Ken, do not give them the right to go around beating and killing people. In gang mentality the killing of a foreigner would surely earn them an extra feather in their cap and respect from their peers.

Quite willing to stand corrected.

My experience with the Samurai gang has been with young (Thai) disaffected youth...through my stepson (who I have been in semi contact with since he was 4 years old). For whatever reasons these teenagers feel separated from the opportunity to achieve success so they attempt to belong to a group that may povide that. The Samurai Gang provides that warm fuzzy feeling. Basic gang/religion/nationalistic propaganda 101 because it appeals to the disaffected.

You want to remove the threat ?

Employ a gang banger, one at a time, and assist the change to a different perspective....which means give a young human a chance to 'believe' in the future.

You cannot oppose them and win....and I expect that they are getting stronger.

If I was a 20 year old Thai lad no realistic hope for my future....I'd be your special nightmare.

...Ken

.............and look for another woman motorcyclist to follow and copy her moves. As she turns off from where you are comfortable look for another to follow. The Thais have their own accepted rules of the road for motorcycles and they are realatively easy to learn, if you are observant.................

What? Helmet in the basket, mirrors directed so as they check their make-up and mobile phone up to the ear in the left hand? Better ways to learn I would imagine.

Yeah right.....another condescending Farrang applying stereotypical crap.

Do I think Thais act hazardous to my health on the roads in Thailand ? Yes....but it is the system THEY have developed for themselves. If you want to play the game learn their rules.

...Ken

I think the biggest problem in Thailand is that drink/driving almost seems to be accepted as normal in society here. Well thats im assuming from the thai friends i know and by the amount of bikes parked outside any nightclub/bar, and usually everyone in theres been drinking whiskey. Anyone else have an opinion on drink/driving in Thailand?

Well, having logged thousands of kilometers in North Thailand over many years with nary a serious fall I always have 2 tongs of 'lao cao' with 'sponser' before I set off and two more every 100 km.

If not......I believe I would be to scared to continue. Fallang courage ......I'd expect.

...Ken

They are also known as the Samurai Gang because of their use of Samurai-type weapons.

Can anyone shed more light on this?

My estranged stepson is a full member of the Samurai gang c/w full samurai tattoo down his back and other tattoos visible on the back of his neck. He's been in jail for one year on a four year term.

He went in at age 18 yrs.. .

I was trying to get him to operate a 'kabohk' for/with me....saying that if he wants to be a professional gangster he better get some muscle on him. "Ahhhh, Leung Ken....please, just buy me a gun." was his response. Poor lad ended up with blisters instead.

The 'strikers' are still fairly young, mid to late teens and still not organized/competant enough to be a real threat, except to other teenagers. Classic 'gai chon' behaviour that attracts young girls and instills fear in rival teenagers.

I doubt that there is any threat to Fallang unless they are obviously in need of a cultural tune up.

They are just teenagers with teenage passions/frustrations....but with back up.

...Ken

Hi All, I am moving to Chiang Mai in 2 weeks and am getting EXTREMLY excited!!! The only thing I am worried about is transportation. I am going to be living near CMU but will be working with a refugee organization "about 1/2 an hour away" Since the group works with refugees they can not give me an exact location. What are the best ways to get around the city? I keep hearing "motorbike" but I have never been on one before and am alittle nervous about getting right on one in Chiang Mai. What is it like? And do any other transports go at all outside the city?

Thanks for your help everyone!=

Emily

Motorbike is a great way to get around and the small motorcycles with automatic transmissions are easy to use. Start your learning in quiet residential areas and look for another woman motorcyclist to follow and copy her moves. As she turns off from where you are comfortable look for another to follow. The Thais have their own accepted rules of the road for motorcycles and they are realatively easy to learn, if you are observant. Don't forget to bring a good street map to keep from becoming lost.

You will have great fun.

Regards.....Ken

Fully agree about the Catholics being the best - by far - of all the priests and missionaries here. Father Murphy, in particular, deserves beatification!

If a priest is not what is required, try a good, English speaking doctor. Dr Phairat Pruksachatkunakorn is American trained and recently retired as Professor of psychiatry at CMU. A close personal friend of mine, I greatly recommend him.

He is at: - Huai Kaew Polyclinic - 053 223 060 / 053 226 200 - 113 Huai Kaew Road, Chiang Mai 50200 (Open from 6pm to 8pm daily except Sunday. Sunday open 9am to 5pm.)

I'll certainly second a vote of respect for Dr. Phairat. If someone in my family (me?) required psychological insight he is the first person I would contact.

....Ken

Young farang working in Chiang Mai received very disturbing news from home. Unfortunately sworn to secrecy. (family secrets )

Isolated about this and desperately needs to talk...think through...strategize and get some perspective.

So if anybody can offer or recommend someone who might be available would you please sms or call 01-531-3154?

Many thanks.

You can probably find an English speaking priest, if not a Farang priest, at the large Catholic church on Charoen Prathet Rd just south of downtown along the west side of the Ping River. I am not of the Cathlolic persuasion, but I have far more respect for the Catholic missionaries I have met in Thailand over the years than for those missionaries of the Protestant persuasions.

Although I think the lot of them are misdirected at best.......I agree with you Johpa that the CM catholics appear to be a bit more 'sympthetic' than the protestants ....especially that spurious lot across from, and affiliated with, the Mc Cormick Hospital.

...Ken

In 1968 Triumph started making the TR25W Trophy 250cc

In 1970 the 250cc street Scrambler and the 250 cc Blazer

Best bike I missed out on was a 1950 Indian Chief in 1968 for $150.

...Ken

If you are really serious about a classic Brit bike look into the BSA M20 (Do a Google search)

There are a fair few around Chiengmai. These bikes cannot be legally licensed to ride in Thailand because of their age and Thai laws. Permits are available for special use.

Good hunting......Ken

Hi, just wondering how i can have ownership of the bikes (ie proper registration papers) if they cannot be legally licensed? I am interested in buying a BSA and importing it to my country. The authorities would want to see proof of ownership. Thanks.

You will need police clearance stating that the person selling it has free and legal right to do so and also that you now have new and legal ownership of an unregisterable bike. This is not 'usual' with a motor vehicle so be prepared for problems at all stops. Be friendly, show up 30 minutes prior to lunchtime and offer to take the staff out to lunch to discuss the procedure. Do not take a bar girl as your translator. There is a learning curve required that may not be worth your effort for a single shipment.....unless you find an exceptional piece. Know your models and their values well.

Classic era bikes often have mismatched or very poor replacement parts. I found a late forties BSA in East Java with a sugar cane lorry headlight. It worked well....but indicative of other less than stock parts.

Make sure your country will accept Thai documentation on an unregistered m/c.

Lots of work......with little guarantee.

...Ken

Generally a return air ticket from BKK to anywhere in Farrangland is cheaper (1/2 price) than a return ticket from Frarrangland to BKK. Do any of you frequent flyers buy oneway tickets to BKK and then run on cheaper Thai return tickets from there after ?

Any downside to this ?

Even if I pay for a higher one way ticket to get to BKK and then pay for the Thai return ticket

(and never use that return again ticket) I would still come out damned close to even.

Possibly pasport restrictions apply....anyone knowledgeable ?

...Ken

OK that explains a lot. Yes i know the Island, but you referred to Lao it's self which threw me off somewhat.

It's just that I was interested in an old genuine pipe as a gift for an antique collector friend of mine overseas.

Most of what I have seen there is "new" made to look antique....Thanks

Some years I was collecting opium culture artifacts for an exhibit and finally gave up. I had enlisted a few neighbourhood chaps who worked for the road department and who working were out in the Wieng Haeng area. I offered a good price for whatever they could retrieve. Nothing of value turned up. The belief was that when the Gov't (years back) when on the opium erradication program they destroyed much of the old paraphenalia.

When Vietnam first opened to tourists I was in Hanoi and bought three new opium pipes, a bamboo one, a carved buffalo bone one and one wooden with abalone type shell inlay. They all had factory stamped Chinese bowls. The quality was quite good except they all had these cheezy plastic mouthpieces. When I got back to Chieng Dao I cut one off to replace it with a carved wooden piece....then I found out it wasn't plastic, but ivory. Two are still intact.

There is/was an antique shop on Loi Kroh run by a Hmong fellow who might be able to source what you are looking for. He has/ had an assortment of antiques such as a few neolithic stone tools, ivory balance scales,Yao spirit knife etc. mixed in with the easier selling tourist crap.

...Ken

I have freinds here under 40 and over 60...what difference does it make......none at all

TP

Hmmm.....it does seem that more chaps who stay too long, and who are under 30, overdose by the time they are 35. Simply makes sense to wait until the crowd thins out .

Yeah, I know.....that comment was soooo unfair.

...Ken

Although Ajahn and I have a history (SCT) of measuring our 'lengths' I wish him the very best in overcoming this new struggle. I look forward to your criticism, sir.

...Ken

Would anyone happen to know of a source in CM for used industrial machinery such as large bandsaws, resaws, planers etc. ?

Regards.....Ken

You may want to check some of the hock or second hand places on the outside of the moat on the North Wall. The street that runs East/West Maneenoparat, has a number of shops from Chang Puek Gate eastward.

Let us know if you find something to your needs.

Gonzo

Thanks Gonzo,

I'm quite familiar with those shops. I'm looking for larger machinery....such as a bandsaw with 36 inch wheels and a 18 to 30" wide planer. The businesses are out there, however they seldom advertise as the customer base is small and those in the market usually know where to go.

I will keep looking.

regards...Ken

Would anyone happen to know of a source in CM for used industrial machinery such as large bandsaws, resaws, planers etc. ?

Regards.....Ken

nothing beats eating in my own house. has anyone realized that at least 50% of the CMI forum is made up of things concerning food?

It may be just part of the 'retired brain' syndrome...when getting the morning newspaper, checking your mail and having a daily shower prior to going out to eat another meal prepared by strangers is the sum total of your daily existance. The really wild fellows play golf.

Hey........maybe this is why so many expats jump off their balconies ?

.......Ken

Well that door is obviously a problem - hate to say it, but you need a solid door without glass. Also Cameras/Alarm system even if fake isnt a bad idea.

Sorry for your loss mate - hope the bastards are caught.

Thanks for that mate. I did have a camera, and that was nicked too! As for the door. the glass panes are 300mm x 320mm wich is roughly a foot square, and the one they broke still had some glass in it reducing it further. They must have had a trained ferret or a young kid to get in there.......

Friend of mine had security problems, so he took out one small pane of glass and placed a 10 baht note on a steel plate just inside the window (wired into the electrical system of course). He did lose the ten baht note but the word went around the neighborhood quickly. I set up a similar electrical trap years ago and invited a few kids in to show them how I was going to electrocute the next thief.

I disconnected the trap as soon as they left and have never had a problem since. We leave the house unattended sometimes for a year at a time...no problems.

...Ken

Just curious if any TVers are Mae Rimites? Is it a busy commute into Chiang Mai? How long does it take during rush hour? Any info or pros/cons about living in the area would be greatly appreciated... thanks!

When coming down from Chieng Dao, Mae rim is where you first feel the oppressive afternoon heat, the first hit of filthy air and where the traffic congestion begins.... and then it increases as you enter Chiengmai. On the upside, on the way north, it is at the end of all the above.

The Mae Taeng /Mae Malai area is a wee bit further and far more pleasant.

...Ken

To point out the obvious here they drive on both sides of the road in all directions simultaneously with the odd enterprising driver on the pavement as well

…

....and those are the good drivers

I have logged a fair few miles on motorcycle in North Thailand over a fair few years with never a serious fall. IMHO....the average male Thai driver has better eye/hand control and probably superior depth perception than your average Farrang. Of course, I still curse that oncoming bus passing the pickup on those tight Chieng Dao corners.......but, the Thais do have a driving system that I have reluctantly become to 'appreciate'. For example, that flashing headlight business, I have had numerous rural busses, big transport trucks and Benz's come bearing down on me (motorcycle) in my lane , flashing their lights to tell me to bugger off and hit the ditch.

It took some years to learn, but if you flash your lights back.... and stay your course, they recognize that you do have the legal right away and they will pull back in line. I am not advocating playing chicken with a semi truck, but that there IS a working system.

However, I will add that during every 100 km run to/from our village home I have at least one major defensive action to maintain my life. A wee dram of courage does steel the nerves.

As for crossing the streets in Chiengmai....there is always a monk crossing somewhere, keep a bit upstream and you should be alright. Bad luck to hit a monk.

....Ken

Interesting - How did the Wa come to tie in with the old Kuomintang in running the drug trade?

Prior to the overthrow of Khun Sa and the MTA the Wa were not running the drug trade, but would be producers and act as armed transport for Khun Sa and the various Chinese groups.

Since this thread has wandered off to an opium discussion....

The Wa words for cutting the opium pod are "gat phen' which are the same/similar to the Thai words for the same process. Since the Wa have been historically a very insular people you might believe that it was the Tai Yai who introduced the Wa to opium cultivation.

...Ken

The Wa .......'interesting' chaps for certain.

I wonder if anyone here has any experience or understanding of the Wa.

Recently, I have learned that the Wa occupied Shan State prior to the migration of the Tai Yai

from Lan na. It seems that the Tai Yai outnumbered the Wa and simply moved in ; resulting with Kham Meuang words being assimilated into the present day Wa language. This appears to be behind the thrust of the Wa (re) occupation of the Shan State.

Obviously, the physical control over Khun Sa's previous empire was a motivator and provided the funds to resettle the Wa into their (possibly) former homeland.

I know very little of this....just interested.

...Ken

As I'm sure you are aware, any 'timber' could be classified as 'furniture' if you grease the right palms, however this is something that I would not recommend.

Hi Chuchok,

Rough sawn teak is such a hot commodity, especially in Chiengmai, that I would doubt it is possible to add 'grease'. If the order is too small it isn't worth the problem and if it is too big.....maybe more problems.

As for Myanmar government/corruption etc...

I once brought a substantial amount of cash into Yangon for a container of rough sawn teak lumber

and did not declare it upon entry. The Myanmar Gov. controls all teak exports and before we were allowed export permission we had to take the cash out of Myanmar and re enter with appropriate documentation for the money. The everyday working civil service is very bureaucratic. Quite unlike Thailand.

...Ken

I have a customer who wants to import teak timber into a lovely little duty free, tax free island in the Caribbean(!).

Not having traded in this commodity before I've been asking around and several people have sent me to explore Mae Sot.

So - can anyone recommend somewhere to stay in the area and does anyone have any experience in buying teak timber and therefore any recommendations on that front?

JxP

My two businesses are concerned with teak. island-teak.com & classictender.com

Rough teak does not enter Thailand via Mae Sot.

Teak has recently been stopped from entering China via Northern Myanmar so almost no 'China' teak is entering Thailand. However, some teak is entering Thailand at Chiang Saen direct from Myanmar. However, direct rough teak exports from Thailand are subject to a high tarrif.

The Yangon teak log auction yards are where you ultimately want to end up.

If you are a US citizen you are barred from purchasing teak directly from Myanmar.

You really have to learn the qualities and the varying values . Being knowledgeable concerning Myanmar teak grading rules is a good place to start.

There is a fairly steep learning curve when buying rough teak, as there is with gemstones.

Good luck.......Ken

They sure seem to gravitate to places with all the creature comforts.

Sojos restaurant is packed with fat, supposed, do-gooders every day, but I don't see many of these folks out in the Boonies.

There was this 12 yr old Hmong boy who was regarded as insane and not allowed to attend the local school. I saw him flop on the ground once in an grand mal epileptic seizure and realized his problem. The village was pseudo christian so I went into Chiengmai trying to solicit a church to sponser

medication for the lad until he became an adult. Everyone had an excuse why they could not help this one victimized kid, but the mormans had the best excuse. After serious consternation this one morman

chaps face lights up and exclaims that although they would like to help, the Hmong village was too far for them to pedal their bikes.

...Ken