South

Chumphon, Surat, Nakhonsri, Ranot, Songkhla, Hatyai, Dannock is the route I'd do. Mostly flat, scenic and a lot shorter than going over to the west side.

Samui and the islands. Phuket. Pattaya et al next? Some 'home owners' must be bricking it at the moment.

1. Hope the young lady recovers. 2. While in my eyes car at fault, family should also take some blame for letting her ride a scooter on a public highway. 3. When lights turn green, always double check to see if it's clear to go.

Go where your gut tells you where to go, not your heart, sorted!

There are no trains to Ranong, long bus journey (from Bangkok) or a short flight to Ranong airport, situated 22km south of Ranong Town. Once is Ranong, head to Sapaan Pla I think it was called from memory and you can get a boat to Koh Phayam from there. Take cash. there were no ATMs there last time I went, albeit quite a few years ago. Enjoy..

The hub of ministers.

https://www.facebook.com/p/English-Speaking-Lawyer-Khonkaen-100066636205474/

Get in touch with these guys: https://rhinopooltables.com They are based in Bangkok but can/do install in other areas. Great service too.

Why not drive down to Penang, it's not far, not difficult and you'll have transport once you get there to get around?

Got to be better than riding a Honda Wave.

Having been the owner many Toyota Pick-ups in Thailand (2 x Mighty X, 3 x SR5, 1 x 2.9 import and 3 x Vigo) both 4 wheel and 2 wheel drive, I have always considered myself to be a Toyota man. However, a few months ago, I was walking through one of the local shopping malls and Ford were doing a promotion on their, at the time new Next Gen Rangers. They had a model on display that I just fell in love with straight away, looked at it, sat in it, asked a few questions and I was taken with it. On leaving the shopping mall, I decided to call in at the Ford Dealership just down the road and was allowed a couple of test-drives. First model I was given was the Raptor (1.7M+) Yes nice, very nice with more than enough power but with a very hefty price tag that I could not justify spending on a pick-up truck. Next, the Wildtrack (1.3M+) .... again very nice, 4wd which I didn't really want/need and a bi-turbo engine. Looked around the showroom and there was an XLT (<1M) on display. Enquired about that, got details, another test-drive and it was the vehicle for me. Only 2L Turbo, 6 speed A/T, more powerful than my previous 2.5 Vigo which only had 4 speed A/T and far far better equipped. I said I wanted one in Black and they added quite a few extras more than usual (due to their promotion). 2/3 days later Ford delivered it to my address personally and I became the proud owner of, dare I say it, a Ford. Had it 7/8 months now, not one problem at all with it and still very happy with the vehicle indeed. Good or bad, I know they get stick off some people but if you're into pick-ups here, what are your opinions compared to what else is out there?

I lived in Phangnga Town back in the late Nineties. Both Ranong and Phangnga are infamous for the amount of rainfall they get. Phangnga Town, being built in a 'valley' between some quite steep mountains means that it becomes part of a wind 'funnel' and both the rain and winds can get very strong within that area. Some of the heaviest rain I have ever experienced has been in Phangnga.

Maybe I need to post countless pointless posts to become a Senior Member ????????

I have been a member of this forum since July 2003, touching 20 years! Just logged on to reply to a post and it says I'm a newbie! ???????? Ok, maybe I haven't written a gazillion pointless posts but .....

Back in 2005 a motorbike pulled out in front of me. I was on a big bike (1000cc), hit the woman, knocked unconscious etc. Anyway, woke up in the Government Hospital in Nathon in a mixed ward. Transferred to ICU in Bangkok Samui and had operations there, put on a ventilator etc etc. Cost, over 100k per day, I paid, I had to by borrowing from friends/family etc all of whom were repaid by the way. The thought of somebody else paying for MY accident never crossed my mind. It seems that nowadays people, mostly Brits in my experience seem to think that they have an entitlement. If you can afford to travel, you can afford to insure yourself! Simple as. Not an iota of sympathy from me I'm afraid.

Unfortunately, there is still a very high percentage of people here who have not yet realized that there is a lot more to this country than bars and their associated activities.

Ask the marketing people at your local Makro, they can/should be able to help. Might take a few days ...

An Irish guy did the same at Swampy a few years ago, broken heart, didn't want to go home et al, I don't know but RIP if you do. There are other options ...

Pib is sort of there and Liquorice is close, all depends on your local immy office. Very doable .... but TIT, depends on where you are. A mate of mine has just done it, immy officer asked why, wife doesn't like girlfriend .... stamp, stamp, stamp done .... with a smile. ????

Most 4x4 shops can order in items for you or you can try Lazada etc.

Was in Tops yesterday and they have now installed some 'self check-outs'. The couple in front of me looked totally confused so a 'check-out' girl was there to help. Would have been a lot quicker using the traditional check-out and the 'check-out' girl wouldn't be putting herself out of a job. Just saying.

Drugs are for mugs.

Didn't really go to the bars on the 4 Sois, not my thing but there was a at the time, a great farang bar in the underground car park .... can't remember the name of it. Anybody remember it? The rest of Patpong before the market was just a cesspit. The only other good bar was Nariagos or however you spell it on Soi 4, had to run the gauntlet of gay bars first but great live music in there. Was a while ago now.

Whilst I have some sympathy for the guy and I hope he quickly recovers, these types of stories are becoming too frequent. Bottom line, if you don't have the funds (to cover your medical/emergency bills), you shouldn't be here.

Nan, Mae Hong Song, Phetchabun, Ranong and Trang in no particular order. All off the main tourist trails, all beautiful in their own way.