Dirty Girty

Learning to drive in Bangkok will not help, there are so many people on the roads who just do not have a clue about driving. you might as well just get stuck in and go for it, keep your eyes open and use your mirrors, Bikes are the ones to mind mostly.

I have been happy driving my 6 year old Toyota Pick Up for the past 4 years, but it is time to consider something New... With a price of about 550,000 baht for the new Honda City, and a price of 650,000+ for a new toyota 2WD Pick up, I am considering changing to a car...

I do not really need the Pick Up's storage / hauling capacity, but have enjoyed the driving on the Less than perfect Issan roads...

Anyone have a Honda City, and if so what are your thoughts / comments regarding it's use??

Pianoman

Honda City drivers are worse than Volvo drivers, don't get one, stick to your pick up.

Has anyone got any stories to share on driving to Phuket from Bangkok.

I will have to do this next week, I am looking forward to it even though I have heard some bad stories. people being stopped and robbed or worse still. also something about a tree left in the road so he had to stop.

any info would be great thanks

There are two cities that are permanently under construction: Las Vegas and Pattaya. I find the latter to be the worse of the two.

First off, it's currently impossible to get to Bangkok without having to navigate through some construction zone or another. Normally, the best way to Bangkok is via the Bangkok-Chonburi Motorway (Route 7). This road of course, is being torn up in several places. First, the T-junction where the spur of Route 7 that ends up in Laem Chabang is closed on the northbound direction -- traffic is re-routed on to the westbound direction of the spur, requiring you to take the U-turn bridge 1000 meters down the road, then return to the northbound lanes once again.

If you choose to skip the above all together and start your Route 7 journey from the Laem Chabang spur, you're in for more treats! There is a fairly major project in progress at the entrance to the Laem Chabang Port off of Sukhumvit Highway, which I can only guess will eventually be a flyover for thru-traffic. Either way, after you survive the endless delays this little segue doles out, you are free to enter the motorway spur, and be on your merry way to Bangkok. Of course, this is after you manage to find your way to the main segment's northbound lanes while dodging slow-driving, lane-drifting trucks hauling shipping containers.

Once you're on these lanes however, you will soon be diverted onto the frontage road while crews widen the expressway. I'm not as resentful towards this, however; this is one construction project that's much needed, since the segment of Route 7 from the Laem Chabang spur to the Chonburi bypass is littered with slow-moving trucks that outnumber passenger cars 10 to 1. The southbound traffic is not singled out... you can enjoy the bumpy frontage road on your way into Pattaya.

Somewhere in Samut Prakan province, they are widening yet again... drive carefully, because like the widening project near Sri Racha, there are no cones or markers set out to show where the concrete ends and drops a foot into the dirt. Ouch!

Sukhumvit Road throughout Pattaya is also being torn up. North of town near Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital as well as the south end between Pattaya Tai and Chayapreuk Roads, there is shoulder work being done. Crews seem to have finished this weeks ago in some places, yet new pavement hasn't been laid. The same scenario is also present on Pattaya Tai (South Pattaya) Road between Sukhumvit and 3rd Road... the work seems done, and no one has bothered to re-surface yet. We should have a pool on when South Pattaya Road finally gets re-surfaced... I'll take the third week of December

Whatever these projects are, I'm sure after they're done, the roads once open will be much nicer, smoother and better drained (during rainstorms), but Holy White, Feathery Jesus it's a pain the rear right now. Please excuse my venting, but I'm sure anyone else who drives and who has had to drive in a northerly direction recently shares my disharmony, and what better place than here?

Enjoy the potholes, everyone!

It will be nice once its all finished, it took me 3 and a half hours to get back to bangkok on thursday afternoon. I have to do this every week and I am starting to hate it. there do not seem to be so many idiots on the roads from Pattaya unlike Hua Hin.

Anyone own / recommend a bar in Bangkok / Sukhumvit area for a party?

I am back in Thailand / Asia for 3 months + very soon....(3 weeks - counting the days)..and quite fancy doing a Thai Visa party (if anyone's into it) - I will buy a bunch of beers, but would like to have some cool sounds....

Ace

The Dubliner, it has room for a party on the 2nd floor. get Lee Shamrock in for the sounds and your loving live.

Dirty,

Id like to see that Civic taxi!!!

Hows the 2.0 litre?.............Thinking about getting that engine put in mine shortly!

I will keep my eyes open and will take a photo next time.

the 2.0 litre is without doubt the best car I have had. the engine revs very high and sounds great when you push it. its a very well built car and I recomend it to everyone. its a lot of car for the money.

I've got a picture of it. Took it 2 months ago. It was a red one. The reason why I made a pic was that I thought that Honda wouldn't allow ist cars being used as taxi.

Will upload soonest as I took it with my phone and currently dont have that phone with me.

It would be great to see the photo when you put it up.

I also think Honda will not be happy, I heard it happened before and Honda bought the car back off the driver. it must make an expensive taxi to run.

I hope it does not turn into a fad, I will sell my car if it does.

Dirty,

Id like to see that Civic taxi!!!

Hows the 2.0 litre?.............Thinking about getting that engine put in mine shortly!

I will keep my eyes open and will take a photo next time.

the 2.0 litre is without doubt the best car I have had. the engine revs very high and sounds great when you push it. its a very well built car and I recomend it to everyone. its a lot of car for the money.

3 months ago I bought the new Honda Civic 2.0 litre, its a great car and goes like a rocket. I love it and am very glad I went for that model. it is great fun to drive when the traffic is not bad.

Today I was gobsmacked........ I saw a new 1.8 liter Civic being used as a taxi. first of all there is no leg room in the back so I could not imagine going for a ride in that taxi. I wonder what Honda would say about that, It cant be good for there reputation. but also for fuel, these cars drink.

this is the reason I did not go for Toyota, because most of there cars are used as taxis.

Hi All,

I'll soon be moving to Pattaya and will have to take to the roads in order to conduct my business. To be honest, having experienced the traffic from the rear seat and as a pedestrian, I'm kinda concerned.

Add to the normal chaos, the rumours and stories of Farangs being targetted by the police for on the spot fines and also being deliberatley crashed into so compensation can be claimed, it becomes a real worry and I'm seriously thinking about just hiring a car and driver for the days I need it.

What are your experiences, good or bad?

Cheers!

HoJo

Mate,

Put dark film on your windows so no one can see you are a farang.

I live and drive in BKK everyday, also I have to drive to Pattaya on business once a week. I find Pattaya much easier to drive in, BKK has to many people on the roads not knowing where they are going. you have just got to keep your eyes open and mind the bikes.

I live just of 64/1 and it is already a nightmare to drive down Sukhumvit, massive bumps and holes everywhere. but for 40 baht you can bypass it all by driving on the tollway.

it will be great once the skytrain is in operation up this end though. they are putting a station very close to my house.

There are lots of french bulldog breeders in Bangkok,not sure of the prices though.

I prefer the English variety..heres mine...>

He looks awsome.

well, who wants a french bull dog in the house? might as well have a Jack Russel, in fact they have more balls.

all that eulogising about what is essentially a pressed minced beef sandwich.The main reason it is minced is because it enables the seller to dispose of the old tough meat ,fat and gristle.

Thank you ronw, for that post.

Now I understand more.

I've been testing burgers around town for several years.

Big hotels, little restaurants, some bars.

The taste and quality of many seem to be moving in the same direction -- declining.

Not like a real burger, but "pressed, minced, beef".

Looks like a burger ... until the first bite.

Just last night, I went to sample a burger at Bourbon Street, in Washington Square near Suk 22.

The last one I had there, about a year ago, was not good.

A couple of years ago Bourbon Street made quite a decent burger.

Moist, juicy, somewhat rough shape -- not machine made, that's for sure.

And it had that peppery flavor that Bourbon Street adds to all their home-made dishes.

I don't much care for that flavor, but it was assurance that the burger was home-made at Bourbon Street.

But somewhere around a year or so ago, Bourbon Street changed to the same "pressed minced beef" that I've found at Larry's, and at Woodstock, and at many other places.

Sure, I'll go back to Bourbon Street, but I won't be ordering any more burgers there.

I still haven't sampled a burger at The Bull's Head in Suk 33/2, but it certainly is on my list.

.

Anybody tried Roadhouse yet?

Corner of Suriwong and Rama 4.

Went for the ribs tonight but will be back to try the burger.

I have not heard anything good about the roadhouse yet. always things like the portions are to small which is bad for an american joint. and the food is expensive and the ribs are tough. I wont be going there.

For Som Tam Kai Yang you can do a lot worse than Log Cabin on Thonglor , next to Thonglor Benz.

Italian , L'opera Sukhumvit 39.

Japanese , well there's loads of great places but the Fuji chain is not bad.

For Irish / English , As before Dubliner (great quality) or Bulls Head (great value) Suk 33/1

American / Mexican (Tex / Mex) Woodstock Thonglor 13 , Roadhouse corner Suriwong /Rama 4

Bangkok now has a fantastic selection of resteraunts.

A bit off topic. just curious. why u mix them up together? does Irish and English has the same taste?

hmmm... i wont ask about A/M tho...

repeat again. just curious.

I don't see much difference between the concept or food in in Irish or British themed pub.

Irish pubs sell english breakfast , english pubs sell guiness.

English Breakfasts do not have Irish Soda bread or Potato bread do they now, so yes, the tast is different.

A lot of expats that are on a budget or low salary stay at Hi Tec tower off of Thong Lor (Sukhumvit 55). It used to be about 6 grand a month for a good room, ubc, air con fridge etc. They also have a pool on the roof and a crap gym. Cant remember the soi number but its opposite Camillan Hospital. I Would suggest the rooms are about 7 now.

For food, entertainment and nightlife, The Dubliner near soi 22 (Washington square) seems to cover all bases. Very entertaining live music, half price food for ladies on Wednesdays, cheap beer tuesdays quiz nights and a Sunday roast to die for. Its one a number of fine dining awards, the portions are very hearty and sensibly priced. The menu meets all your requirements too. The breakfast is undoubtably the best the city can offer!

Mate,

you must be talking about the Irish Xchange.

Irish Xchange Soi Convent Silom.

good prices nice service a good place to meet Xpats

There are some good places in Silom,

Soi Convent

my favorit restaurant is Indigo, a very good French Restaurant great food, wines, and service. when you are there you do not feel like you are in Bangkok.

Then for great home cooked English Food try the Irish Xchange

they have an English Chef, the food there is great, large portions and at a good price. the Guinness is good to. They also have an awsome sunday roast carvery buffet. I think it is 300 baht eat all you can, the beef is awsome.

The noodle stall oposite is very good also, cheap and fast.