luckyboy

I've done my visa extention yearly at the Suratthani immigration since it exist, at present all are women officers as you walk in a row of chairs for waiting without a Q card a women officer below the sign one stop service will entertain your paperwork when she signal your turn, another desk behind her sits a women captain will sign your visa if all is good, the chief of the department is a gentlement though, once a while he comes around but you can't tell, he's not in uniform unless you know him and he's the commander.Well, mommmysboy's been told to do online official address confirmation by house owner, i read it and i can confirmed every word of it is true and correct.You will always be told to do online if regarding address and google maps just like you say a small piece of paper with the webside refering the suratthani immigration and yes i know how imposssible it is to access the very confusing website. The remedy is to ask the one stop women officer to kindly do you a favour. Please do it for me through your wedsite, i'm an old men not good at computor, and do not criticize their website cos they go through the Thai version. I know you've been very polite like anyone else applying for visa and you only had to do it once and this is as far as i know concerning this subject at this office only it might differ elswhere and rules keep changing and if you're expecting something standard,no way but at the end of the day if you're granted your visa if it was me i can accept it. Cheers up i'm older than you.

I checked in today.. Really is a very nice place clean new and good everywhere seems a big surprise to come across this nice and clean hotel right in the middle of nowhere after a long drive from nong khai to Nakhon phnom and belive it or not for just 790 baths including breakfast for 2 and the lotus superstore next to it ,a ptt fuel station nearby and krungthai bank across the road is almost everything I need to continue my jurney next day. Room is tidy and everything brand new. Tomorrow I,look around bung kan....good night. Oh yes this is the forum that got me here ..thanks to all.

I'v been here before, another thread, my 2007 Vigo 4x4 auto, same tyres, is/was heavy on the steering so l did some testing and came up with 29 rear 35 front. Perfect FOR ME, l say again perfect for ME. Don't care if they wear out a bit quicker or it's going to roll over, l can handle that, cos it won't. In fact l have very even tyre wear, the measurement from the centre of the wheel to the ground is the same all round cos of the extra weight on the front. I am sure that tyre gurus will come up with a negative BUT l am now happy with my ride.

i appreciate your quick respond, the result from your experiment could be useful since confirm enjoying your ride now, i might give it a try too but considering in 2wd mode it's a rear wheel drive with that setting front harder than rear, is it stable braking at speed?, don't get me wrong i haven't try it out yet, I'm grateful thanks anyway.

so overall what do you guys recommend for my hilux vigo 4x4 265/70 r16 tyres? or should i just stick to the 29 psi all round as on the door sill? or do you mean that's a crucial mistake by Toyota?

Just bought a version 9 ESRI map, as the ver 10 will not support my 60 csx fully, this was told by the shop in BKK, any body with a 60csx has the same problem? My gps was bought in Singapore, is that the reason?

I had both v9 and v10, it's true that map 60 csx as well as etrex models don't fully support v10 but works fine with v9. Can install and use v10 but not fully compatible to describe. The guy that told you so is honest, cheers.

A lot of tourist took the overnight train from Bangkok to Suratthani then continue by bus to krabi and make a deal at the bus station in krabi to ko lanta. It works, don't buy the boat ticket or any transfers from krabi station to pier in suratthani, you're more likely to be rip off, the guy who sell you transfers to pier plus boat ahead is more than happy to wave his hands as the bus rolls away leaving you with your uncertainty that lies a couple hours ahead. Smart if you just pay for the bus to krabi and nothing else, don't even mention you're going to ko lanta or phi phi, don't pay for things you don't see and promises in advance that's why the guy is more than happy to wave GOODBYE to you as the bus leave, hey he's having your money for the boat to ko lanta.

cheers

If you reach Suratthani on the overnight train from Bangkok and you hav'nt got a bus ticket for your destination from there, simply walk across and into one of the few restaurant place and buy one. I bought my from the one with a yellow sunshade. These few coffeeshops here double as ticket agencies and they're open as early as 4.00 am, remember not to buy anything from the approaches as you got off the train, these rascals introduce themselves as tourist guide and will surprice you with some english that lead you into a conversation before selling you a receipt which they write in front of you, unlike a proper printed-out ticket you can tell the descriptions are hand written, beware not only it's overpriced you find some othe problems as well. Never make a deal on the street, talk about the ticket only when you're seated, atleast the coffeshop operators are your witness and the shop is always there for you to pin point and also remember to buy only that one ticket , if you're going to the island it should come with the boat, do not pay for a saperate transfer then on, say from pier upon reaching island to......or from bus station in Phuket to.........hotels ,bungalows ect...better not then to have surprice.Keep your money in your wallet tight and make a deal when you reach there, transport are readily everywhere where bus , boat arrive. Stay away from these friendly opportunist preying on you on the streets as soon as you got off the train, you'll be lucky to spent a cup of coffee before making a deal.

Best regards to fellow tourist.

I also had a problem with my clutch, seems from new it's hard to press and got harder soon after. My clutch problem had been the main complain on my every service trip to the Suratthani Toyota, till today I'm still riding on this very hard clutch, they seem to be doing something everytime but the problem is still there so in the end they would say Vigo's are like that but I had been driving so many manual cars and trucks in my life and i'm 47 this year, this is a problem that comes with the truck right from the factory but they simply don't admit it. It's common for any workers to stay away from being hold responsible fixing complicated task, so today i've learned that Toyota people will keep themselves away when one comes back with a problem.

The hilux is very popular since Toyota totally reegineered and put new design once in awhile though cost almost a million bahts now for one and still selling very well, others simply preserve old design with minor cosmetic touch so Toyota deserve all the profit and if this is allow to continue you see only Toyota showrooms nationwide.

Just look at 1 million truck on the roads and how many of them...all Toyota.Don't be surprise with the secondhand value as well especially the 4x4 double cab models.

Halo Reichew,

Just out of my curiosity, first of all why do you need to change all four shocks? What's wrong with the original? Tell us please.

Toyota Hilux Vigo double cab 4x4 manual, had it for almost 2 years now, HORRIBLE SUSPENSION. It just skips and bounce as if the tyres are not round..most of the people I knew has sold their's off and got Isuzu, I took a short drive in one of my friend's new Isuzu, very nice to drive and handles very well on road.I find the manual gearstick better to row the clucth and steering is lighter. The Vigo would have been dancing all over the same road.

Opps, sorry, yes correct Dave, loaded trailer, on the floor,125PSI, jacked up, 105ish PSI, its the same with all bikes and cars, in the manual there should be a loaded and empty presure chart, but in the heat here, and the "quality assured" gauges, who knows??

Cheers, Lickey..

So does it mean by such a logic i should inflate my vigo 5psi more than the sticker suggest cos i'm pumping with the truck's weight on? 29psi+5=34 right and is that for both front and rear? by taking out the wheel to measure it shoul read 29psi or so...is that what you mean?

@ 30 PSI it feels FlaT > 32-33 is rideable ok.. but 35-38 is nicer. Depending on the load going upto 40 is reasonable, while anything above that is silly.. Btw. besides the recommended pressure your tyre will also have Max. pressure written on the side.. Usually it says 50psi.. so in that case anything below 40psi shouldn't hurt .

Very true, 30psi is riding on very flat, poor handling, only after 34 or so then feel better especially at low revs so this experience vs the recommended sticker by the door jamb has actually prove it wrong or atleast by a big difference.

Explain these? Yeah, they're idiots. If you want to confirm the tyre pressures then phone either Toyota (not Toyota Thailand) or the tyre manufacturer. Dave is correct, although he left out the lazy comments and the fact they would need to think to operate a pressure guage.

Mmm, think I need another coffee

How could it be possibly to employ idiots to work for all these automobile industries?, whereby their knowledge is seriously taken into account just imagine this is not ice-cream, you're driving on them.....your life.

Yes, but almost every Thai don't agree with the 30psi setting I've been to many service centres at various location very funny indeed including tire shops I even make calls to hotline technical dept of these and still you get the usual 40/45psi suggestion, can explain these???

Hmmmm... I must be getting cynical in my old age. 50 psi in a 30 psi tyre will wear the centres of the tyres out very fast, meaning you have to buy new tyres...maybe from the dealer?

Really cannot understand too, not a single staff TOYOTA agree with sticker 30psi, since everyone's laughing at my pressure makes me doubt. Moreover the Vigo ride quality is poor I see a lot of new isuzus lately, Toyota's going down.

hey motoring folks,

The tyre pressure for my Vigo 4X4 double cab is about 35 psi, front & rear

as i use it for light usage only. WHat's yours?

Cheers!

My Hilux vigo 4x4 manual 35 psi cold both front/rear, rolls well.

Tyre pressure is not a permanent problem, just need to adjust to your liking. It's all about the suspension that couldn't deal with potholes and street humps properly, shaking over irregular surface. I find the Dmax suspension to be better than my Hilux I also find the clutch too hard, anyone out there or it is just me? I had the pedal adjusted lower but still very hard, a real pain in slow traffic never had this problem with all previous manual. Is there anyway to make it feel better? I had a habit of driving with the shoes off. I also notice the engine vibrates slightly just before I could drop a gear in slow traffic. Not that I'm slow to downshift it just vibrate with a funny noise. The body material is very tinny, I drive through a rubber estate and some dry twigs hit the side rear door leaves a deep mark. If it's my older Mighty X Hilux worse will just be a scratch.

hey motoring folks,

The tyre pressure for my Vigo 4X4 double cab is about 35 psi, front & rear

as i use it for light usage only. WHat's yours?

Cheers!

Hi Nokia,

How exactly did you get to measure 35 psi, first thing in the morning or after an hour's drive in the afternoon?I'll continue after your answer.Thanks for any inconvenience.

Khao Sok National Park wouldn't have much cultural stuff going on, but it is very scenic and not that touristy. Its about halfway between Surat and Krabi if you don't go on the road to Krabi that is just outside Don Sak but go on the road that is just outside the main town of Surat Thani (called Ban Don) .

check out khaosok.com or the National parks page for more info and directions.

Anyone arriving by train very early in the morning at Suratthani station can just go to OUM's restaurant.Look-up for Mr. Hai,speaks good english and ready to provide honest straightforward travel information to guest that sat for a cup of coffee.

OUM's restaurant can be easily spotted from the train exit,the shopfront had a yellow sunshade with a big OUM painted on it.

Mr.Hai's phone number 0810861204

by train:

for Ferry:

this company also runs a bus service from the Suratthani Train Station (Pun Pin) to the Ferry Port.

reliable, professional, clean...no rip off!

by Coach:

by Air:

Transport on the Island

The Taxi prices are a bit out of date - it's generally now 50 Baht for the average trip - with the Limousine "Taxi Meters" you'll have to negotiate the price BEFORE you get in! they will charge you NOT by the Meter - but some Fantasy Price around 500.- ThB for any Trip - any Distance!

Anyone arriving by train very early in the morning at Suratthani station can just go to OUM's restaurant.Look-up for Mr. Hai,speaks good english and ready to provide honest straightforward travel information to guest that sat for a cup of coffee.

OUM's restaurant can be easily spotted from the train exit,the shopfront had a yellow sunshade with a big OUM painted on it.

Mr.Hai's phone number 0810861204

Halo,

One small question but very important. If your Thai car is stolen in Malaysia do you it back from your Thai insurance through first class policy? I know it won't happen just curious about the coverage.

I think the OP may be referring to an earlier post from someone saying that the rules had changed, and 5 yr licenses were only available to those with permanent residency.

I renewed mine a few weeks ago and was given the 5 yr without question, on a non-O visa.

One question. Besides a photo copy of your passport did they also ask for a certified address ? If so with a non-immi ‘O’ visa is it possible to get the local immigration to certified? or the Land transport dept don’t ask for it anymore?

'' Pad Thai cooked in Borneo palm oil and sprinkled with Chinese garlic please! ''

You should also use Hong Kong noodles in your Pad Thai to make it a Thailand’s wholly imported Thai dish.

I thought Thailand had enough palm oil. I hope it's not coming from Borneo

What's wrong with the palm oil from Borneo? Does it make the note from the exhaust pipe sound like the cries from ORANG UTANS?

Depends how you look at it. Are there any disadvantages? Possibly one advantage is the cleaning action.

Maybe there a more advantages than just cleaning the engines, let's say it could even replace diesel but will it cater enough for motorist and still be able to set aside for edible oil and margarine. It depends on weather, labor, fertilizer and large amount of land to achieve and whenever there is a shortage it will affect not only fuel supply but all commodity products affiliated to palm oil. Even non motorists are made to pay for the expense at the supermarket.