kaphi

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kaphi, for my son what would you suggest? He does not have a license yet. He has only ever ridden autos but I want him to learn on a standard manual.

I'm the wrong person to ask about that since I'm just learning this myself.

The course seems to be attended by all ages. Yesterday there were a bunch of 16 year old Thai kids as well as some house wives - wouldn't be surprised if that's the usual crowd. I did pretty much the same - used to driving cars (manual) and then started learning on a standard manual bike. Only sat on a scooter once before.

Thanks Garry.

Spoke to the missus last night she's still telling me August

Actually they are open every day Mon-Fri for the normal training sessions. When I first called they also quoted August as the next official training date. They are maybe referring to the theory part, which might be mandatory if you're looking to get your motorcycle license (or a letter that basically grants you one after finish the course). However, I believe if you have a license already and tell them (or maybe tell them that you're not interested in anything but getting some practice and already had a license in your home country), you might be able to jump in right away.

Today I went to the Honda Driving Safety Training that was recommended in this thread.

It's near Ramkamhaeng 127. Started at 8.30. There were only people there from a single company (guess they had a safety event today), they all knew how to ride quite well already. All in Thai, no special translation assistance (though they did look a little bit more after me, being the only novice rider/foreigner).

The theory part wasn't terribly useful. I picked up 'Proficient Motorcycling' (available at Kinokunyia/Siam Paragon) which taught me a lot more than the lesson (which mostly focused on 'bad things happen if you don't wear a helmet or go too fast' (including pictures and videos). This was roughly 90 mins or so.

Practice was good. They have scooters as well as CBRs - good way to get a few test-rides in on that bike I guess. They provide helmet and long-sleeve tops + protectors (legs, knees, elbows, shoulders, arms) + gloves. They have a training ground (videos are available on youtube) that helps you learn the basics and they have quite a few trainers who can show you when you're doing something wrong (seating position, corners, breaking, etc.). Practice was around 3 hours. All in all a great deal for 200 THB.

The follow-up training time (a 24 hours coupon - use whenever you like) is probably something I'll take advantage of (1500 THB).

I think it's something you can do even if you don't speak any Thai at all (just follow the other guys and when you're doing something wrong they'll show/move you ). It's not exactly comprehensive, but it seems like a safe way to learn the ropes in Bangkok.

What do you guys use for storage on short trips (e.g. magnetic bags on the tank, top bins, dry bags strapped on the back seat)? Do you find that's enough for a weekend trip to the beach?

I just have a dislike for riding with a backpack and am wondering what alternatives there are with the CBR150.

One more thing - since you mentioned that in the thread description - there's a new Thai language school at RS Tower (MRT Thailand Cultural Center). I have my doubts about their quality, but they're probably cheap and easy to reach.

Thanks everyone, that's some great advice in this thread.

I'll definitely take the Honda course - maybe even the big bike one in addition to get a better feeling for things.

It seems a Phantom might be a little challenging for first time riders in Bangkok. One concern I have though with the CBR150 is storage. If I want to have a little bit of storage for a weekend trip - is there an option for the CBR150? I feel a little silly asking this - but can you have something installed for saddlebags or a topbin? I guess a backpack would be sufficient, but not exactly comfortable. Or should I just go with a Tiger 200cc in case I want something small with some storage?

I am currently looking to get started with motorcycles. I've sat on a scooter a few times and did a one week tour through Vietnam on a Minsk. That's about the extend of my expertise and practice.

I'm mostly looking to get a bike and some practice and routine and thus ruled out automatics and semi-automatics. I won't be riding it to work, but do plan on using it frequently in BKK. In order to keep maintenance headaches low and support easy, I'd like to go with something really common. Two bikes that seem to fulfill this are the CBR150 and the Phantom. I know, two different styles of bikes, with its own pros and cons. My primary concern is how suitable are they for a beginner in Bangkok? Are there any other bikes you would recommend?

Are there any motorcycle safety (MSF-style) courses in Bangkok? What's a good way to learn how to ride in the city (I don't consider a week on an ancient bike in deserted country roads as 'learned')?

I am about to buy a CBR150 (first bike) and read up on a number of things I should watch out for when buying a used bike (green book, engine/frame number...).

Since I might need to check the bike myself, can anyone tell me where on the CBR150 can I find the engine and frame numbers? (pictures would be appreciated )

In the same context - can someone recommend a mechanic (or anyone else who knows their stuff) who I could get for a fee and check the bike for me?

A new one? Go to the Honda dealer.

Second hand? There's a few shops along Suk 70, perhaps they'll have one or two.

Other than that, on Ratchprarop there's a shop with 3 or 4. coming up from Prathunam, it's just past the junction with Soi Rang Nam. About 5 meters past it. Expect you can get about 10% off their asking price.

There is of course always going to be some on classifieds sites like bahtsold.com

Thanks! I'll look into those.

A lot of people use(d) Anki to learn Thai. One problem in a recent version is that it does not show tonal markers, etc. properly.

The "Anki Thai fix" - which I haven't seen anywhere else posted so far - is to set font size (Settings>Fonts and Colors) to something really big (100 does the job). At that font size they show correctly.

I hope the post title will help the 'Googlers' find this solution.

Well, there's Esplanada, Robinson, Carrefour, Rachadaphise 4-8 nightlife areas, quite a few good local restaurants, a Badminton court, a local gym, the Huay Khwang night market, American and Italian food...

Actually the only thing that's not here are "small farang pubs".

Where is a good place to buy a CBR150 in Bangkok, preferably around Rachada/Huay Khwang?

Fact and opinion have always been intertwined in both good and bad journalism.

Mixing opinion and fact harms transparency. And transparency is a must for good journalism.

Sorry, no apology for our 'new journalism.'

No need to apologize. ThaiVisa provides prompt on-topic notifications. I suspect that neither accuracy nor quality is something people expect from forum news.

I don't think other, critical posters are saying you are with the police, but that the reason for your 'research' has nothing to do with a 'screen play'.

They might be thinking that you are working on a very negatively phrased article for a western publication. If that were the case, any actual help you would receive from anyone in Thailand under false pretenses - e.g. it's just required for a better understanding to write a screen play, everything off the record - could potentially put them in a dangerous position and is an unethical thing to request.

Other reasons for others not buying the story about the screen play would be that you might be looking to actually do engage in unlawful activities and are looking for an entry point to receive additional information.

They have a store in Emporium, so possibly in the other large malls as well.

I checked out Emporium this Saturday - there is no Tommy Hilfiger on their shop index and I was unable to find the brand in any other shops there. When did you see the shop the last time and where exactly was it located?

They have a store in Emporium, so possibly in the other large malls as well.

Great - is it actually a store of the brand or is it part of another shop?

Does anyone know of any other locations?

I am currently looking for a good place to buy original Tommy Hilfiger clothes. Do any honest-fake-opposed forum members have any recommendations ?

Since they have at least one production site in Thailand they might even have an outlet?

However, any place that allows me to purchase stuff at a significantly lower rate than in Europe would be great.

Had using SME 2048/512, 1 fixed IP from TRUE the last 3 month!

Difference? not any to the good site!

Start using my "old" home account 2560/512 again and get better speed in the moment! What will be the next time?! Who knows!

Main Difference is the payment: SME 2048/512 1 IP = Baht 5,000 a month, Home 2560/512 dyn. Baht 1,150 a month!

That confirms what I suspected - I have true home as well. I checked the networks from which I was logged on:

ADSL HuaweiBB Truehisp Infrastructure True interne... (sounds okay)

True Internet Co., Ltd. (sounds okay)

Fix ip for coporate customer (sounds... wait, what? How can I be on that network with a home account?)

Thanks for the replies

For the most part I am concerned about international bandwidth. Is it really more stable? (I don't need a high bandwidth, just a stable one that allows me to surf at high speed at any given time).

How about problems with DNS servers - those seem to be VERY common. I am not sure if a switch would fix it.

Do you both have personal experience with switching from home to business?

Many ISPs in Thailand offer Home and Business packages for DSL.

Is there really a difference in terms of reliability? I noticed that my home account sometimes is on their "Fixed IP for business accounts" network, so this makes me doubtful. Aside from a fixed IP the only argument for a business package is that it's more reliable. This, I only believe when I get to test it. However, all ISPs have a minimum contract duration of 1 year for the business packages.

I don't feel like signing up for something that costs 50,000 - 100,000 THB a year with the risk of it being no better than the current 1,000 THB a month I am paying.

My problem with the home account:

- Protocols stop working. Sometimes only HTTP works and everything else (secure servers, chat programs, etc.) is down

- DNS problems. It appears they have some significant problems with their DNS.

Bandwith in general is okay, but those two problems are truely annoying. Anyone else have them? Can anyone vouch for a difference with the business packages (I'm currently on TOT / True home)

Thanks for the helpful reply, quiksilva!

I've sent a PM with a few additional details.

How do you go about registering a rental contract for an office (4 years) ?

Does the landlord need to agree? What are the disadvantages for him?

The rental contract has to be registered to meet BOI requirements (to be regarded as investment).

Now we are a little worried that the landlord declines his agreement (for whatever reasons).

Thank you all for the interesting tips - I'll be sure to bookmark the thread for my next trip.

What I ended up doing:

- Took a bus to Ubon Ratchathani, arrived around 6pm

- Looked around the town (interesting - rather up to date entertainment / cinemas / bars at roughly 1/3 of the prices in BKK, hotels all seem to have been built in the 1970s - gives it an Eastern European look. Paid 250 THB per night - basic, clean fan room)

- Next day a trip to Baan Pa Ao (TukTuk 300 THB, return incl. waiting time), from where a friend of the TukTuk driver took me on a Motorcy-Tour to a small village, showed me around there for an hour (free!)

- Took some time to get to know the nightlife (surprisingly young - they all seem to be around 20 or uni students, in BKK it's mostly a few years older)

- Next day rented a taxi for a day (8 to 6, 1500 THB incl. fuel / probably could have paid only around 1000-1200 if I bargained) and went to see two national parks on the Laos border (Pa Tem has a stunning view - that's where you have the painted cliffs), two colored river (didn't see two colors, nevertheless nice), Chong Mek border (nothign special), Sirinthorn Dam (much smaller than I thought, still interesting to get to see a countryside palace and if you have a slight interest in the economy/industry if Thailand).

- Went home in the overnight bus

Less village life, more sights (though those were usually deserted except for a handful of Thai tourists)

Aside from the view at Pa Tem there is nothing really "wow/amazing". But if you don't need a beach to relax and are interested in seeing something different in a country you've been living in for a while I can recommend it.

If you want a chilled out way, instead of a cramped coach, the train (first class) is a nice way to do it. Then it's just a matter of how long you want to travel.

I don't mind cramped couches. Done my share of backpacking and enjoy that way of travelling the most.

I am looking for a few good destinations (small towns, typical - not special - scenery... anything with personal recommendations) to visit this way.