JackGarbo

My regular cafe opposite Hua Chang landing charges me Bt65 Leo (can't stand Chang), though tourists pay Bt70. I'm an old customer (12 yrs), speak Thai, advise owner,  correct menus (Thai & English), look after the place if she goes out. Suspect I'll pay Bt70 soon. It's fair.

On 9/17/2017 at 1:51 PM, ubonjoe said:

Not sure about a box of beer.

This is what is in the news

Source. https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1002604-cigarettes-alcoholic-drinks-to-cost-more/

Waiting for the increase. Meanwhile, at my 7/11 nearby Siam Sq, three pack Leo still Bt 164.

Just now, tryasimight said:

And riding the brakes going downhill instead of downshifting and using engine braking is IMHO a leading factor in so many bus/truck crashes due to brake fade....or 'brake failure' as it is usually described.

Years ago, on holiday to a beach accessible only by a long, steep downhill road, we saw quite a few "brake riders" off the road in the scrub. That was in drum brake days, of course, but discs will fade, too, especially in the tropics - ambient temperature.

Correct. Cruise Control is an extra that requires a rear pump that supplies hydraulic pressure to the transmission even when the engine is idling, ie front pump ineffective. My old Audi A4 does it.

13 minutes ago, Juan B Tong said:

Because its there and it makes noise.

Unhelpful.

2 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Disagree if you have to use your brakes on a downhill with manual don't do it,  some auto's you have to use brakes anyhow.

 

The use of neutral in auto's with handbrake on at long waiting traffic lights is good practice especially in a hot country.

Somebody l guess will say next keep your foot on the clutch and handbrake on & in gear on at long waits and jams,  that's bad driving IMO. 

 

Yes indeed each to their own and each to there use of driver Technics.   

Of course ease off the throttle downhill in a manual (becoming rare), though in automatics that's useless unless the transmission has a rear as well as a front pump, also becoming rare. Costs...

Stationary in gear with clutch in wears the clutch release bearing, so neutral with clutch out's better. Riding the clutch on an incline is a sin.

(Sorry, this used to be my profession - transmission & suspension design). 

5 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Yup, the locals just love blipping the throttle be it pedal or twist grip. Must be a cultural trait but when it comes to trucks, I think it started from having mostly rubbish ability with the clutch pedal on manual gearboxes. They seem unable to work out the optimum, steady clutch pressure and throttle setting when making slow maneuvers, turns, going up a ramp, etc. Tend to let the clutch in and out and keep the revs up by blipping the throttle, catching the clutch and avoiding a stall? Bikers like the sound of that and do it too for no other reason. Thank goodness for automatic transmissions!

Lots of reasons. Bikers do it to keep engine running since the battery's dead (worn out), although most bikes are CDI, which doesn't need to battery; watch for dim headlights.

Taxis do it because the spirit (ผี) in the engine needs amusement or it'll get angry (Thais are Animists).

I guess bus drivers do it to hurry the pax onboard, time being money (?).

HTH

7 minutes ago, LennyW said:

Bought 10 cases of San Mig light (24 bottles) from the wholesaler last night, only up 10 baht a case so i wont even bother passing that increase on to my customers! 

Right. Looks like much ado about nothing. After 30 yrs here, I know the drill. Announce huge increase in tax, wait for business comments, then wait for public comments, then announce a much reduced tax. Govt looks responsive. Everyone happy.

As  of Sat evening, no price changes. From the Nation, prices will rise only a little:

"The tax on a can of beer will be Bt0.50 higher, and for bottles of beer it will be Bt2.66 more. For higher-priced beer, the tax will decrease by between Bt0.99 and Bt2.

White spirit will be taxed more |by Bt0.84 to Bt3.49 per bottle. For other kinds of locally produced |spirit, the additional tax will be |Bt8 per bottle for drinks with 28 per cent alcohol content and Bt30 for drinks with 40 per cent alcohol content.

The tax on other imported spirits, such as Johnnie Walker Red and Blue Label Scotch whisky, will be a little less, from Bt3 to Bt26 depending on alcohol content. The variance is due to a tax hike on higher alcohol content."

Hardly any reason to jump ship, considering the other, unique aspects of Smile Central. I'll be staying.

6 hours ago, Maverell said:

A few people will be pissed by this .....well perhaps not !

Bought my usual Leo triple pack at 7/11 at 13.30, in BKK, same price Bt 164. No price change.

Same old tactic. Announce staggering taxes on "whatever". Wait for business reaction, then add public reaction, blend opinions, stir gently with humor and agree that this "test" was a great success, and will be implemented "soon". That  is, it won't happen. The backlash will damage the govt's standing, which is not astronomical right now.  

Note the story today on the misuse of military funds of the failed blimp. And now the govt wants to punish drinkers & smokers?

Won't happen or will be rescinded  "on consideration of Thai sensibilities."

5 hours ago, ezzra said:

I'm being sold fake stuff by Thai people on a daily bases and no one

put it on any social media sites..... 

So why do you keep buying fake stuff? Good Samaritan or just dumb?

8 hours ago, wgdanson said:

Do it late next time to get a few days extra.

What does it matter, since it has no bearing on your visa? I post in my completed form with passport copies and SAE two weeks before the due date and get the new notification in about ten days. Been doing for 15 years, no problems. Every year go to Chaengwattana for my yearly, which is getting simpler (and friendlier).

Floaters are a natural part of aging.  The translucent floaters are congealed bits of vitreous humor, the liquid that fills the eyeball (keep it inflated), about which nothing can be done. The "black ants" are tiny blobs of congealed blood, probably from your stroke. I got them from a severe bang on the head. They dissipate after some time, falling to the bottom of the eyeball, out of sight and eventually reabsorbed.

HTH

JG