KhunLA

FINALLY ... a snap of the elusive Spot-billed Pelican - Pelecanus philippensis Actually saw more than a few 😎

All location dependent. Certainly wouldn't be driving 3 wheeler (mobility) scooter on Sukhomvit rd, (bkk or patts)as might end up like the vid previously posted. Same with phetkasem rd @ Hua Hin. Common sense rules. I'll drive my ebike or E-MB anywhere locally, but limit my time on hwy #4. Just not pleasant, let alone safe if using often. Defensive driving keeps you safer, when surrounded be steel.

Don't tailgate, and drive somewhere close to the speed limit when practical, makes for a relaxing drive. Chosing right locations, routes and timing helps. We spent the night at Ratchaburi. Not because it was planned, but because I didn't want to drive in the Saturday BKK to Hua Hin weekender's traffic. We'll do that today/Sunday, BKK - HH - Home, when they are all going the other way

Location dependent ... finding parking for a full size car/truck can be a challenge. Not to mention, buy in, insurance, petrol, just for short local trips. Literally average ~1000's a month, if not 10+k, just to have, before even using.

Favorites, hard to say. New spots, cutting through Doi Inthanon Nat Park to Mae Chaem and then exited a different route south to Sukhothai was really nice. As was parts of the trip down to Betong, Yala. Khao Kho is always nice. Drives through Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Phangnga are always nice, though done so many times the past 20+ years. Try to take different routes. Along the coast or through the hills. Last year, driving through Nan, a first, and had spectacular views. G maps & timeline marks the map as we travel & stop. Seems anything more than 10 ish minutes, gets a dot. Hotel, coffee shop, restaurant, EV charging station, or just roadside, if I see some wildlife (usually birds) or a great view to take a snap or 50, or make a vid. Stopped Friday just before guesthouse, saw new species for me to snap, ended up taking 90 photos

Only 2 'long' O&As so far for 2024, but seemed to cover some landscape in the process. This one, N, 2 weeks, and think the one S, shy of 2 weeks (March). Hotels and or coffee shops/restaurants while O&A, from G timeline.

There's another similar thread, but I couldn't find it when searching. Then I started this one a while back, may interest some that get O&A. Some suggestions to start with, can add their own interests when researching.

What would be the difference ? Same as in the 'west', you get what you pay for ... sometimes. Would expect any farang/Thai family to be the same as any middle class Thai/Thai family, income & educational opportunity wise. Not everyone needs or wants private schooling or Uni. Many succeed quite well, picking a a trade on their own and then going self employment. Same worldwide.

Way too many variables. The basics, same as it would cost for you. They won't eat as much, till a teen, but as youngin', will need other things you don't, as you noted. Private schools can range from inexpensive, to silly price. Along with after hours & weekend course being extra. School transport can start to add up, unless finding a safe van driver. Especially if living out of town. For us, that was 70 kms a day (2X35 kms worth of petrol), till we found a safe van driver. Then inexpensive. Private school (non Uni) cost <฿30k-50k a year, not including transport, 2005-2017. Our daughters Uni was inexpensive ... BUT ... not local, so housing & food was a lot extra. Dorms were dumps, so she leased a condo, then add transport, if service wasn't provided. All in Uni cost ฿30-35k a month, 7-3 yrs ago.

Was going to post a few more, but really are too many. Especially cutting through Doi Inthanon to Mae Chaem, then down the other way 108/106/??? and so on. Just lovely. North ...not during smog season, as you miss most, if not all the views. South ... any time is good, stay outside the tourist areas though ... IMHO NE ... again, not during smog season, although the Korat Plateau is pretty boring, except getting up on to it, and the edges of it. HAPPY TRAVELS ... Be Safe

😎

Doesn't take much to leave the bar stool, whether it's actually on Soi 6, or youR veranda w/view. Our is quite nice & comfy, and lovely bays nearby, but nice to peek at some different landscape, and sample some different food. This is our typical O&A, 2 weeks or less, and less than 300 kms a day driving. Usually 1 night stays, or 2 after a few 1 night stays. Like the journey usually more than the destination. Seems nice landscape & munchies are the priority, as seen most tourist stuff over the 20+ years here. Present O&A, and should be home today, some time this late afternoon/early evening. Do a few a year during rainy season, and since rainy season, looped around the north this time. Wouldn't bother any other time, as can't see anything during smog season. Usually head South during smog season, as AQI #s in the 50-75 range, and still good views. Where ever and when ever your travels take you .... ENJOY

If in the hood, between Suphan Buri & Ratchaburi ...

At a coffee shop, in Nakhon Nowhere, and 3 MGs in the parking area (ES, ZS & 4), 1/3 of vehicles. They're everywhere ... where you going go, where you going run, where you going hide ...

Anywhere in TH, 5 minutes away from the last 7-11, or right behind it Some folks really do need to leave the bar stool. Not directed at ravip, but to whom ever who think BKK, Patts, HH & CM metro is TH. Winding up a loop around the North, short, but very nice; landscapes & coffee shops Straight up R&R from that stressful retirement

I'm surprised they were being that kind to Nikon, as they were really more negative in the past about them. Sony stopped providing their camera sensors, as a few used them, so they had to develop or source others. Gave Sony quite the edge for a while. Another plus for Sony is, their camera division is just that, part of a huge company, so if have a few bad years, not a problem.

It doesn't self update. I even have an update pending, for about a year now. Gplay & IOSplay, which I don't use, so didn't bother.

You're getting ripped off man ... I pay ฿50

Nikon deep financial problems, (bleeding out for years) and poor product update & new releases. Customer base jumping ship, and would consider another line; Sony would be my choice, as have now, and would still start up with if starting again. Nikon @ 17:20 of vid

Don't think that will be an issue in TH, although saying that, I doubt if I'll ever update the EV's software. JIC

If it wasn't an EV, it wouldn't even be a news blip.

Not need to ... THANKS So the fire was not the fault of the car itself, nor runaway fire from lithium pack. Seems everything but the pack was on fire, and kind of amazing in itself.

Nothing wrong with Thai healthcare at govt hospitals. Q's are long, but that's the only negative. I've received better care at govt hospital than private, though no hand holding, and don't need it.

Owner's manual will give recommended PSI. Max PSI should be imprinted on sidewall of the tire. You can judge by that, depending on your usual load. Since a pick up, and if not used much as, (heavy load), may want to go a bit less in the rear. Example, on our MG ZS EV tires, 'max psi' of 51. I like to keep it at ~40. On highway at speed, it will reach ~44 Manual states: 2020 MG ZS ICEV recommended @ 34pse, since quite a bit lighter.