Gordons

8 hours ago, jay1980 said:

this place is OK in Pattaya:

 

http://www.pattayakart.com/en/

 

proper 2 stroke 100cc direct chain drive karts (all be it old ones) and fairly inexpensive

 

I raced 100cc 2 stroke karts in the UK in the 90's and they are definitely proper old ex racing karts not the corporate 4 stoke karts many places use, they would be way more fun to drive if the steering geometry was set up better on them though

 

 

 

 

Yes been there many time over the years including last week. Same staff same 2 stroke karts good honest motorhead fun and not expensive

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

The track at RCA is a little hairy in areas... 

 

Coming down the home straight we can either let off a little, or risk running slightly wide into the padded wall, which in itself is no major issue apart from the roof supports (metal girders) which are not flush with the wall or cushioning and would hurt if hit. 

 

I suspect some of the track records are tuned karts, quality & hot tires and little lads. 

 

----------------

 

Years ago I was on the track in Phuket with a couple of Thai friends - both were very good kart drivers. I just couldn't keep up with them and kept spinning out trying.... It turns out that the karts they had rented were a 'grade' higher, slightly wider and about 25cc more grunt.

 

 

 

 

Hi There, yes love the Phuket facility. Had a pleasant coffee with Newey (the owner I believe) 2 years ago.  To give you further comfort, there is a big difference between the 100cc karts there and the 125cc. Then there is the full power invitation only 125cc which I tried. Will get back there later this year.

At easy kart I'm full throttle into the first corner then sort out the mess on the way to the second apex  555555

4 minutes ago, DipStick said:

Not being a Karter, I wouldn't know the standard of the track, but by saying well laid out, I meant it appears to be both a day and night track with lighting and a fair number of bends etc

Yes it's very well laid out, just slow. I didn't use the brake at all

Also tried easy kart RCA today. Same same..

I suspect little Thais of about 55kg are setting these twisty track records...

2 minutes ago, DipStick said:

There is indeed a new(ish) Karting track on the old car park next to the lake in Muang Thong Thani and it looks quite well laid out, but I understand the actual Karts are electrically driven.

Yes electric.. tbh they could offer a higher output motor but the track is still a bit mickey mouse

Hi - yes - I went to Impact yesterday! Nearly fell asleep at the wheel...

Tbh the facility is great all New karts safety training restarants staff parking all great but just too tame. Ideal for the family.

Yes re Pattaya it'll not be Rotax engines. Good speed hit but rough and a bit old.

Phuket still my favourite

There may be something in that. I brought in to the UK two timber Sawatdee ladies from Jatujak a few years ago and had no problems (with customs). I did notice a few months later a powdery residue regulary appearing at one of their bases however... woodworm treatment killed whatever it was! 

I couldn't find a "fun/activities" forum so thought would try here..

I came across an archived post from 2008 talking about Rotax arrive and drive karts at Bira, Pattaya.

Think however that facility has been discontinued (the arrive and drive aspect).

Does anyone know the inside story as the only real alternative is the Rotax at Phuket Kart Speedway (was offered a shot of the 3000 bht racing one there too)

Thanks for replies. Looks like easier if the pair of them guard the TV in the house here ;-)

Apologies for daft question -  I bought 2 wooden elephants at Chatuchak market a couple of weeks ago and was wondering about taking one of both back to the UK later this month. If too much trouble (or effort as they weight about 13kg each!), can leave here in BKK. Some basic browsing suggests anything under £40 would be duty free so they should be fine?

On 06/11/2017 at 1:05 PM, DavisH said:

Buy a newish car. You may be doing more than just a little tinkering on an old banger here with unknown service/accident history. The easiest way is to put it in your wife's now (less paperwork on your part). 

I try to keep cars in my name - at least I can own something here, even though it's a depreciating asset:)

Exactly easiest way isto have name on green card?  How do you do that does anyone know?

 I hear what you say, but Tbh vehicle ownership is so much more that just cost/value  imo. I get a lot of satisfaction in the tinkering  

Thanks yes she's got licence and like another poster mentions could provide the (verbal at least) proof of address so as long as cash should be fine.  #search commences  

I've been told by a friend tonight who had to deal with this last year, that you can apply by post to Glasgow (downloading the form online). A week turnround roughly. So that should be just fine! Should have done myself for this time! 

It's Scotland. Is the nearest one Glasgow? Or Cardiff    

Many thanks for informative reply.

Re the 30 day extension he can apply for at immigration- is that at the arrival immigration counter? That's obviously a lot cheaper than the 500 bht/day overstay payment when leaving, but both options will still potentially be torpedoed by the airline if he doesn't manage to get on the plane in the first place!

So the 30 day extension whilst still in UK sounds best for only £25. Do you know how long that process usually takes or can do online? 

I may do this next year also to avoid rushing back.

Many thanks

I just wanted to check something from this thankfully recent on topic thread to my query 

I spend a month every year in Thailand on a 30 day UK passport tourist visa.

I would like to buy an old car - would be cash buy.

My wife & I have a house in BKK. I don't know if I'm on a yellow card - never heard of it. House is in her name I believe. (Don't need any political comments on that thanks, I don't care)

I drive ( about 5000 km) on a UK licence with International Permit each year when in Thailand.

So based on OP's answers is it just a case of going along with her indoors,  handing over the cash and off I go, job's a good un? 

Cheers.

Sorry if daft question but couldn't easily find an answer to this precise question.

Friend is travelling with me to Thailand on a UK passport in December. My return ticket is 29 days due to visa requirements but his Thai wife booked a 35 day trip. No problem for her as using her Thai passport (as opposed to her UK one), but a potential issue for him?

Are the days of paying a 5 day overstay when arriving at Immigration over?

Will he be allowed in and then can do a "border run"?

Or does he need to apply to UK Embassy whilst still on UK for a five day extension?

Seems all a bit of a faf just for 5 days

Any answers (on topic) much appreciated,  thanks.

There's no doubt that the traffic is much worse than 2006. I've no issue with everyone owning a car if they want one. It's a free country, largely - indeed that what the name means. But the issue is using it to go down town, mainly to work. This is where improvement to public transport and cycle lane, car sharing etc is needed to reduce congestion dramatically - not to mention reducing the absurdity large volume of uneccesary taxis circulating constantly like vultures. 

I'm just outside Sichon for a month or so around December. Best way is to talk and listen to the family and not bother with other dialects at all. A few southern directional tips when driving (which follow the same theory as shortening stuff):

go straight - drong  ( or if excited, drong, drong. They drop the pai)

Turn Right - quaw ( no need for leaw)

Turn left - sai (ditto)

Stop - top, top, top (strangely not just the one "top", or maybe that's just my over exuberant driving)

I've looked for such a place elsewhere  and found that if you drive up behind a bin lorry and offer 100 bht, they'll happily accept it, whatever.

Yes they're a few hundred quid themselves. Altho' as with everything there are cheaper alternatives. e.g half size mascots  (one on ebay for £75) or even plaster copies for £25!!  

Thanks for all the helpful replies. One sold on ebay uk for £285 (less mascot) last week so that seems fair and the best look out. 

Thought I'd  watched all the Wheeler Dealer episodes several times but must have missed that one!!! Thanks for the link

The car's in the UK, I'm in Thailand (at present) so yes a whole host of possibilities there. Just wondering if something was available here cheaper than there like many other things here. I thought unnecessarily provocative posts were another forum no no, but obviously some trolls have escaped. Yes it needs sills etc (not the wing trim, have that   & the hub caps before anyone else chirps in) but if you know he's cars you'll know they have a very study chassis. The sills are a cosmetic & can even simply be fabricated rather than paying the £200 per sill price quoted by many.   Anyhoo. ...  

Mercs best chance of winning the WDC & WCC next yr is putting Pascal in as No2. It makes sense