MangoKorat

I'm happy with the Bell. I once said I'd never have a modular helmet but that was back in the days when they looked hideous, as if you'd bought an aftermarket bolt on full face conversion - they are much better now. I really appreciate being able to raise the front for a better view during low speed touring + you get a lot more cooling wind in that you do by just raising the visor.

Yes I had a HJC helmet fairly recently, it was the most comfortable helmet I've ever had - expensive though as I bought it in the UK and it had a 'Marvel' branding. Sadly it was stolen when my house was broken into and my insurers did not consider it to be a form of personal clothing or a personal item.

Yes, you are almost certainly correct. Remembering some of his other posts, I guess I should have realised that he's just one of those sad people who deals with their personal problems by posting deliberately controversial content online. Its genuinely sad that such people can't find better ways to spend their time and make positive contributions to society. He may find it funny to (successfully) wind people up in the way he does but in reality its probably a sign of mental illness - perhaps his way of dealing with an inferiority complex? Maybe people don't talk to him in real life so he feeds off online replies? Who knows but he clearly has some kind of a problem. The internet brings us many benefits but a downside of it is that its also shows you other sides of your fellow man that may not be apparent in normal personal interactions. Another problem is that it provides a platform for all kinds of mentally ill people, even total lunatics, where they can invent personas in order to try and deal with their inadequacies. We don't have to be part of their 'self therapy', thankfully we have an 'ignore' button here - something I'll be using more often rather than falling for the bait.

1880 people killed or seriously injured due to drink driving in the UK in 2021! 6740 casualties! https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-involving-illegal-alcohol-levels-2021/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-involving-illegal-alcohol-levels-2021

That's enough for me. I'm shocked the moderators have allowed you to openly admit to breaking the law and supporting law breaking - especially when its one of the most vile crimes. They may allow you you post your c rap but I don't have to read it. You're on ignore.

Hey, that's rich. A drink driver tells me I'm wrong. Take a look in the mirror.

You think that everyone who goes to pubs and restaurants gets pissed? You really are a saddo.

Nobody can do it - they just think they can. Just about every drunk driver says the same - until they kill someone. You've got away with it so far - that might not last forever. I have friends and family using Thai roads. I sincerely hope that you never harm anyone I know with your total stupidity - the police and your licence would be the least of your worries.

Preventing a very likely death is actually the correct word. You just go from bad to worse. Not only do you think that drink driving is OK and safe, you think someone reporting it is a snitch. Mods, has he given you enough reason to ban him? He is not only admitting to constantly breaking the law, he also delusional!

No you are not, you've simply been lucky. Care to post your address, my next door neighbour (police captain) lost his daughter to a drunk driver, I'm sure he love to follow you home from the bar.

I take it back - that's even worse! There is intent, the intent begins when you put the key in the ignition - drunk. I really can't be bothered discussing it with such an obnoxious git but I'm sure you find the drunk driver reaction test videos on youtube if you look. Watch them, and the way some the drivers can't even walk in a straight line and then try telling us there is such a thing as a 'capable' drunk driver.

That is almost certainly the single most ridiculous, stupid and totally abhorrent load of c rap I've ever read on here. Capable driver? Don't talk rot. When I was young and stupid I often drove after having a skinful - sometimes I couldn't even walk. Am I proud of that? No, I'm totally ashamed and thank the lord that I never killed anyone - I'd have to live with that forever! Everyone thinks they are totally capable of driving when they're drunk - that is until the hit a lampost or worse. Thankfully I only hit a lampost (and got away with it) - seeing my car the next morning is what made me realise how lucky I'd been not to have killed anyone!

So check-points are what stops you? You don't give a damn about the family you might wipe out then? I wouldn't call you that, I'd give you a gold star.

What the hell are Tim Tams? Sounds like something ladies use at a certain time of the month.

Thinking about it, do we really get what we pay for? Its very difficult to make a comparison between the UK and Thailand on bike related clothing, parts and accessories because the markets are totally different. In the UK most people ride bikes, especially 'big bikes' for leisure and the riders are normally older generation males who's kids have flown the nest and they're reliving their youth. In Thailand, the vast majority of bikes are 125cc and under and used as a mode of personal everyday transport. We get totally ripped off for anything 'bike' in the UK whereas in Thailand parts for domestically built bikes, even 'big bikes' are relatively cheap. A couple of years back I wanted a lock set for my ER6 (my Thai bike) and thought it would be easier to get one in the UK when I returned. That was until Kawasaki quoted me £400 (18,400 baht) - I nearly fell off my chair. I managed to instigate a LINE chat (in English!) with the Kawasaki shop back in Korat who quoted me £140 (6440 baht) for exactly the same genuine parts. It would be easy to say that's because the bike was built in Thailand but that's not the whole truth of the matter. I have no doubt that Kawasaki source some parts from Thai suppliers but an awful lot of the bike is actually made in Japan (and elsewhere) and simply assembled in Thailand. I can't see it costing £260 to ship a lockset from either Japan or Thailand to the UK so once again, it appears that the manufacturers are extracting as much as they possibly can out of British blokes who seemingly will pay anything for their toys. The same may well be true of the helmet and clothing business - I don't know. So far all my gear is what I either had before or what I've bought in from the UK. I've always believed that spending a lot of money on protective gear is money well spent but that might not always be the case. I still wouldn't touch an Index helmet though 😁.

Hmmmm - you get what you pay for, generally. My Bell helmet cost almost 20,000.

No idea, never heard of them. I was meaning brands like Index etc.

Jeez, what do you want? A date? OK then 21 January 2019 - disprove it?

You have no idea how wrong that statement is. Its not only about comfort, its safety too. Google it.

For a woman, I would suggest a modular helmet is a better option - remember that all important 'scrolling' time and make-up checking. They cut down all that sorting the hair out stuff as they don't have to take them off every time you stop. I actually prefer them myself now (and I've given up wearing make-up 😁) As for 'local brands' - don't! They are mostly totally useless and provide very poor levels of protection. If you don't want to spend a lot - shops often discount last year's models of the mainstream brands helmets.

????? If a shop has a fully directly linked digital system, they could actually take your photo faster than they could copy your existing one. Even in a bog standard shop, taking the photo would only add a couple of minutes.

Because they ask for it - just another one of those crazy bits of Thai bureaucracy. I can't speak for other offices but Pak Chong wanted a confirmation of address letter when I renewed my licence (no change of address) and as that's now expired, I have no doubt I'll be visiting Korat Immigration again.

Not now, they previously 'held' Soi 3 but they are now slowly taking over Soi 4.

One 'event' per year? Your phone broke and it cost you 15k? I use an Oppo that cost me 5k and it does everything I need it to - 2 years in and it hasn't broken. In 22 years I've had just one 'event' - a serious accident in Bangkok and my hospital costs were paid by the other driver's insurers - albeit eventually. OK, I'm not resident at the moment but I've had several long 'stints' and I've spent long enough in the country to know that I can live reasonably well on 30 - 40k per month. I have a lot of Thai friends that don't earn anywhere near that amount yet when I'm in country we meet regulary for dinner and go on trips etc. I buy much of my food at the local market where its fresh and half the price of supermarkets. If you want to go out every night and party, take regular trips requiring flights and hotels, eat at expensive restaurants etc. etc. then yes, you would need a lot more than 30k but that amount does not mean you have to live like a pauper. Life doesn't have to be one big holiday, you can have a perfectly happy life without spending a fortune every month. As with every country, there are a lot of things you can do that don't involve spending much money. I don't have a wife but if I ever choose to marry again or have a partner, that person would have to contribute to the budget, not be a drain on it. I also intend to work in Thailand in the medium term. I think the key for a foreigner to be able to live comfortably on 30 - 40k per month is to be able put your house in order before making the move. If I had to buy/rent a house and all the things that make it comfotable, buy a car, pay large electric bills etc. etc. then I'd certainly struggle to live on 30k per month long term. I also wouldn't want to try it if I couldn't leave a decent 'emergency' fund in the bank. For me, that preparation consists of: 1. I have my house already, no rent, no monthly service charges and everything renewed/in good order. 2. I already own a perfectly serviceable car in Thailand and expect many years more from it. I am also an ex mechanic so I do my own repairs. The car gets me from A to B in exactly the same way as one costing 5 million would. 3. Likewise I already own a big bike in Thailand and that is my hobby. 4.. Health insurance is out of the question for me as I have a pre-existing condition that makes it massively expensive so I will be leaving at least 500,000 in a UK bank account that my daughter has control of in case I have a health emergency. 5. I will be installing solar power in my house later this year so I can enjoy 24/7 aircon if necessary - without huge monthly electric bills. Quite a lot of retired expats in Thailand come from the UK. If they haven't been able to save for their retirement and have only the basic state pension then their pension of £221 per week equates to around 44k baht per month. They could live far better on 44k in Thailand than they would in the UK but I'd recommend having an 'emergency' fund. (I have not accounted for 'frozen' pensions in the above, its just an example based on the current rate and £221x52÷12 = £958 = 44,000 baht @ 46 baht to the £) It is of course, horses for courses and if you are one that must have the latest gadget, eat at expensive restaurants 5 or 6 times per week, feel people will be impressed because you drive the latest model of car, engage in p4play etc. etc. then you're going to struggle on anything less than 100K per month. You can easily go though 10k in just an hour or two on Soi Cowboy. However, if you are able to prepare and don't feel the need to impress people, 30-40k can be perfectly adequate. It also, very much depends on where you choose to live in Thailand.

Yes you are going to need a bank account and yes, it can be difficult. As far as I know, the banking regulations state that non-resident foreigners are not allowed to open a normal bank account. Those married to a Thai citizen with a Non O visa and an extension should be able to open a bank account but many banks will tell you that you need either a work permit or a retirement visa. Yet, many of us have been able to open a bank account without an extension and I've seen people on here claim that they have opened bank accounts with just a tourist visa. It can depend on ther bank, the person you see or even the day of the week. I obtained a bank account with a multi entry non o visa (marriage based) and a confirmation of address from my local immigration office. However, a couple of years ago when I wanted to open a second account with the same bank they told me I needed a work permit or retirement visa - I was shown their rules on a tablet. At that time I no longer held a non o so I didn't argue - it wasn't that important. I believe that bank's (Kasikorn) rules have since changed again - although I don't think they have got any easier. I'm normally against using an agent to do anything but I think opening a bank account in your case, may well be the best way to go. We get people on here asking how to open a bank account on an almost weekly basis and some members have pointed them in the direction of an agent - hopefully one of them will be able to give you some contact details. You may or may not need the confirmation of address - I guess that depends on the agent and how god their relationship with the bank is. If you do, you may need some form of lease - they are easily downloadable from the internet. I presume you would use your girlfriend's address? When you get your first bank account it will almost certainly be a 'savings account'. Don't worry about that, as long as you are given a Visa/Mastercard debit card with it, you can use it in much the same way as a current account. These details may vary from bank to bank but they are certainly correct the for Kasikorn bank. You are likely to have to pay an initial fee for the card and then possibly an annual one or periodic as and when the card expires. Note that with most Thai banks, ATM transactions are free within that bank's area but there may be a small charge outside their area. Check on that because you may end up opening an account in Bangkok but be living miles away.