JensenZ

You seem rather wound up yourself, judging by your last very childish response.... but of course now that you're admitting you're only here to troll (baiting or trying to wind a member up - and not even good at that), so we'll have to cut it short. Feel free to take another shot - I will not respond.

I got news for you - I have never ridden a bicycle in Thailand. You're certainly doing a good impression of the same guy as you seem to have a problem with foreigners getting in your way. Chill out next time you see one and count your lucky stars it wasn't me you were harrassing when I was a young cyclist.

The special blend of Nescafe Gold produced in Switzerland called "De Luxe" currently available for about half price at Big C Extra... and the similarly priced Italia blend, produced in Italy. I've been through quite a few 200g containers already, but wouldn't like paying the full price of over 600 baht. They are clearing their shelves of a lot of the more expensive imported brands, yet they have a 2023 expire date. Be prepared for some criticism from the coffee snobs who don't consider instant coffee to be real coffee LOL

Generally speaking, Thai people are more patient than foreigners... for dogs, old ladies, street food carts and other obstructions. Perhaps you could find a better route, but then you'd be depriving yourself of the fun of terrrorizing Farang cyclists. I know if was one of the people you terrorized, there would be a good chance that if I saw you again I'd toss a rock through your window. I used to do a lot of cycling, and nothing angered me more than impatient or rude motorists.

Wrong! What impresses ladies is CASH and a CAR. They go hand in hand. Consider the car a calling card.

Just be patient If you're on a narrow road. Frightening a cyclist can cause him to crash... not funny at all.

I don't think it has much to do with intelligence, and more to do with responsibility. Knowingly drinking then driving is a crime and reprehensible. I don't understand why it would matter to a person without a car if their place was furnished or not. All furniture suppliers have a delivery service... and how would a car owner carry a kingsize bed, dininig room table or refrigerator in their boot or back seat?

Some of my neighbours in Pattaya have cars, but don't use them much - mostly take out their scooters. Most car owners I know in Pattaya have both. The car is a status symbol to impress the ladies, and the motorcycle is for transport. Before anyone responds, be sure to understand this is in Pattaya Central area. If I lived on the Dark Side, I'd probably like to own a car, but I don't live out there because I don't want a car.

Absolutely you have blinders on. You continue to quote statistics blindly, suggesting that statistics are evidence of an individual's risk and that all things are equal. If you look at a statistical chart, you'll find what they call standard deviations. An individual's risk has many factors. Put simply, there's a big difference in the way individuals drive/ride. Suggesting my risk is determined by your statistical charts and that my risk is equal to a teenage kid riding 3 up with his buddies is absurd, if not insulting. Even insurance companies know this and take age into consideration when quoting.

2nd Road, near Soi 6? Unfortunately he's already tried to get compensation from you or the person involved.

I manage to take a full trolley on the scooter, but even if I owned a car, I don't like to get too much (fresh) food at once as I tend to waste it.

Thanks for the stats. We had discussed stats already earlier in the thread and most of us are well aware of them. Perhaps you could read up on my discussion of stats before commening as I'm done on that topic already. So what was your point then about "if you're frightened" to drive a car and "work up from a skateboard"? Was there a point to it, or were you just trolling?

No, if you read my previous posts you'd know I've been riding motorcycles in Pattaya for 16 years, so "being frightened" was not a consideration in chosing not to own a car. Did you work your way up from a skateboard? Maybe you used to own a motorcycle with training wheels. You can buy them with 2 wheels on the back or the front.

(Do you not realise this news was plastered on media outlets around the world the moment the court decision was made? It's one of the biggest topics on the news this week. We don't really have to wait for phone calls from Australia to confirm it.) I'm disappointed that he cannot play. It's a big deal the top seed is out of the competition.

LOL. Did you read the whole thread?

So you didn't actually buy a car and were too cheap to buy a motorcycle, but now that you found a Thai partner with a car, you're happy. Good for you! Do you have any idea how insane your last comment is? You think it's fun to terrorize cyclists on the road with your car? I can't express here how uncool that is. I respect anyone getting out on a bicycle for exercise, and give them wide birth. I have an old friend with a very f****ked up shoulder due to some idiot in a car knocking him off his bicycle... could it have been you?

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear... it's very ignorant to insult someone you don't know. After 16 years in Pattaya, I've seen all the sights. There is nothing to visit that I would find interesting and if there was something I needed to visit, I wouldn't need to buy a car to get there. I don't need to go places just to pretend I have a life. I'm quiet guy who now enjoys peace and quiet. My activities are gym and exercise and trying to keep healthy. In 1996-7 I bought a car in the USA, and traveled through 38 states - 25,000 miles over 6 months. I've lived in 6 different countries. I've done what I need to do. Had all my adventures. I don't get excited to go places now. For me it's more exciting to stay at home and watch a good movie or documentary. If traveling is what you need to do, then great, but don't think that someone who doesn't follow your lead is short-sighted. The only thing which is short-sighted is your comment.

In Australia they have what they call "anti-hoon laws". They confiscate their cars. There would be a lot of young Thai drivers walking if they had the same laws here LOL

I use my "really safe" motorcycle everyday, but I would not ride my motorcycle to the airport or Bangkok. In fact, I use motorcycles in maximum of 10km radius to my home. Do you take your own car to the airport when you leave Thailand? But your point was about hiring dangerous drivers for transport, and that we should own a car to avoid this. It is avoidable. Even if you don't have one safe driver to call, you could have 2 or 3 that you consider safe. If you want to buy a car, buy a car, but there's no need to make excuses for your decision. I get it, some people need/want cars. I have no problem with that.

Yet I cannot think of any fun or exciting possiblities I'm missing out on for not having one. Could you name a few so I can reflect on what I'm missing out on? I would not consider driving a car as a fun activity, but for transport. I know young Thais drive for fun, and this is one of the problems and what makes the roads so deadly in the country.

Yes, I agree. There are good reason to own a car. This was never in doubt, but then again, it's not so likely a family would settle in the middle of a city.

Maybe your view of a "city" in Thailand needs to be adjusted. I live in the city of Pattaya. My balcony overlooks a park. The next door neighbour's backyard is vitually a botanical garden, and I have sea views. All I hear are birds chirping most of the day... and guess what? I'm less than 1km from Walking Street. Quiet suburban areas are easy to find in Pattaya, and I'm sure also in the outskirts of Bangkok away for the central concrete canyons. I have no need to go anywhere except to shop.

Having riden motorcycles for 25 years in Australia and NZ, and another 20 years in SE Asia, I would say it is safer here. It might be hard for people like you with blinders on who only view statistics to understand this. First point, I have always ridden auto scooters here, whereas in Australia I had gears and clutch. The difference in safety is like night and day. Second point, knowing how traffic and other motorcyclists behave in Pattaya (and of course other areas) means I'm always on the alert. I always expect Thais to jump red lights, ride up one way streets, cut in front of me, pass me on the right when I indicate to turn right, possibly rear end me at stop lights, etc etc etc. I ride in a semi-nervous state at all times and watch my rear view mirrors nearly as much as looking ahead. Having had some bad accidents in the past (all in Australia), I know what it feels like to hit the tarmac and try my best to avoid it. By contrast, in Australia, I go into a chilled out state of awareness where I might not see a danger heading my way. Living in Pattaya, with all the congestion, my speed is also much lower than it would be in Australia.

Yes! I only use a car for long trips which I plan and book... the same guy. I don't use cars very often. I can't remember the last time I got into a vehicle with 4 wheels.

My wife's hairdresser recommended I buy a car so her hair won't get messed up on a motorcycle LOL.