LivinginKata

3 hours ago, agogohome said:

We're going to be reading of floods in the coming weeks. Apart from that, Phuket has enough water to supply everyone's needs for months to come. The old tin mine workings are still full to the brim. They've been used during previous droughts. 

For sure not for us in Patong. Not piped water. Ground dry. Wife on phone all morning and cant get a water truck delivery.

Today out homes in Patong no water. Had no piped water for 10 days. Ground well dry. Water truckers nor even answer phone now. Thats it for our guests. No water.

22 hours ago, JoePai said:

Why during the working day - more sensible between (say) 01.00 and 05.00 

Safer for working on high cables during the daytime.

5 hours ago, xylophone said:

Agree with your comments SM007, and early on in the piece here, I thought it was a good place to be, what with plenty of nightlife and entertainment, roads free of traffic, although they weren't always in a good state of repair I have to admit, and drainage problems that seemed to be fixed, until they weren't, but overall, good and livable.

 

If I hadn't put down roots here in Patong, with quite a few friends, a few acquaintances, and my daughter now staying close by, then I would seriously think about moving, but to where, I'm not sure, because a lot of Phuket is suffering the same malaise, and as others have said, it's only going to get worse – – so my choice is to see out my remaining years here and put up with it, or move elsewhere which would be a major pain in the proverbial; between a rock and a hard place, as the saying goes!

We moved to Kata 17 years ago. Back then Patong on a steep decline with too much traffic, too many poor quality tourist, taxi mafia, etc. Perfect for the party animals. While the through traffic along Patak road is a nightmare, and there has been over building, Kata never has gone fully into the nightlife scene.  

Looks like both wearing helmets. He just drove into the ditch. 

9 minutes ago, swerve said:

Klong Kata looks really low now. Benches of the reservoir bottom are showing. Surprised it is 32% full. Hope the water can last another month.

 We happen to walk along the closed pathway this morning. Lot of sandbanks with chickens walking about. I cant believe how badly the town hall have allowed this walkway to deteriorate. Even pulled removed wiring from the public lights, 

8 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Bad light at those times can lead to miss-judgments in reading the road, plus many run with no lights to 'save electric'. 

 The road is well light.

2 hours ago, brianthainess said:

All bends are a normal place for accidents here, I doubt he had a M/C license, cold & Icy Russia can't have many motorbike riders, and a 'Big bike'. Inexperienced rider would be my guess.  

It was a PCX, hardly a 'Big Bike'. But a lot of power, For sure no M/C driving experience.  But its a steep rise on road and I doubt going so fast as wife jumped off. Just so unlucky to go into the deep drainage ditch. No mention of helmet of how he died. I guess head injury. I live just off that road bend and we see plenty bikes in the ditch on the downside of road. Mostly caused while braking on slick busy fast road.

1 hour ago, gomangosteen said:

Lived a year on Soi Yodsane, the feeder road up to Big Buddha.

Early morning traffic - not unusual for people to be there for sunrise, great views.

True, but unusual place to come off road. I passed the accident at 06,30. It;s going up a steep hill medium right hand bend. He seemed to have come off to left of bend. Not a normal place to have accidents.

3 hours ago, rexpotter said:

They do not report any accident as a death if they die later at the hospital, is what I understand. Only when they are pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Correct me please if that has changed.

I have heard that they do fiddle the deaths details to show a lower number.

Pie in the sky. More money wasted with inflated expensive studies 

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

Why did I immediately think of "melon-headed tourists" (we are talking about Phuket after all)?

Crossy Crossy ..... not necessary

9 year old topic. WoW

6 hours ago, Korat Kiwi said:

Really? 

 

I just checked my NZ issued IDP which is valid in Thailand.  I have both  car and motorcycle endorsement. 

 

I use both here in Thailand until I get my retirement visa. The. I'll go and get my Thai licences (again). 

 

To get and IDP (In NZ at least) you must have a full licence for the category you wish to obtain.  I have full licence for all categories less passenger and bus. 

 

Are you saying the IDPs are Incorrect? 

I am saying that under Thai driving laws only a Thai Motor Bike license is legal in Thailand. What I am saying is that every visitor here in Thailand is driving a mbike illegally and the police well know that. Rich Rich picking. The rentor should not rent byt we all know that will never happen. Thousands of bikes rented every day here in Phuket where not even travel insurance will cover accident injuries.

7 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Why should the shops take over police work and customers responsibilities?

 They would if the police confiscated all those with no motor bike license.  And they all know only a Thai motor bike license is valid. All International permits only allow car here in Thailand, even if endorsed for mbike. And really how many tourists have a mbike license in home country ?

2 hours ago, Simon1287 said:

 

I did read the original story. I also read the first post in this thread. They do not concur, hence my question.

My link to another news media has been removed as I cant quote from other media but in that story he was described as a 68 year old American. And he looks it from what we  can see from the blurred photo

1 hour ago, NONG CHOK said:

My wife told me years ago to never stop when see a traffic accident, especially motor bikes. If there's no witnesses at the scene the motor bike rider will claim the you caused the accident. Next thing you maybe sued for damages even though you were a few kilometers away from where the accident occurred. Also never drive an uninsured vehicle.

My son first visit to Patong about 25 years ago. Let him drive my big bike.  Mbike taxi turn right into Nanai 2 hit someone. My son passing by and stop to help. Yes .... he was accused cause accident. Came back my house with taxi driver and police in town. He in panic. Wanted borrow big money from me. I wandered down, looked at the damage and told taxi driver can get new plastic bits for 2,000 baht. Police agree. 2,000 baht done deal.  

2 hours ago, Simon1287 said:

No, I think you will find that means it doesn't matter if the girl gave consent. The parents, I think, are able to give consent. Problem is they then withdraw the consent and <deleted> happens. At least, I think that's how it works. Where does it say he paid her? Is he 28 or 68? If he is a 28 year old farang it's not inconceivable she would go with him free, which may be why the charge is not more serious. He seems to have got away with the least possible so far. Is there obvious signs of sex having take place? etc etc. It's far easier for the police and parents to get bribes, sorry, see justice done when the farang takes an underage girl from a bar as she is pretty much deemed to be a prostitute.

I haven't seen the whole story (we never do) but there we are.

He is 68. Why so many  poster talk about 28. Just displays that almost all poster never read the original story.  

18 hours ago, eezergood said:

Was this the one a few years ago ?

 

 

Maybe 6 months ago in Rawai about Fisherman Way. Merc run into back of bike. Kill American man and his Luxemburg girl friend.