1stbase

Can you describe the Ninja training, sounds very unique.

BTW you are not ready for 1000 CC

especially if you mean as you said. Not in the daytime, not on slow roads. I think you will find 400CC will supply enough adrenaline for a beginner, anything more is just an attempt at compensation for something else. Actually the 400CC is just as capable of snuffing your candle. Your line of thought is exactly what got this thread started in the first place.

Well basically in Cambodia driving goes in all directions with minimal traffic laws so you gotta watch out for hundreds of other bikes, cars, cyclists, pedestrians, cows, dust, dogs, and anything else making its way to your path. With aggressive cycling experience back home in downtown Toronto I was able to hit the main roads in Phnom Penh immediately after a 30 min lesson on a dirt road. By the third day I was able to drive like a true Cambodian making driving a motorbike in Thailand seem like a joke. Now like I mentioned earlier, I am not suicidal. I would never race or pop wheelies but i do enjoy going fast on a street where I can easily be alert for obstacles. My theory is that going relatively fast usually eliminates passing danger behind you so you can focus on what's in front. I might appear like an idiot for that comment but like it or not it's true.

Anyways, back to me trying to work my way up to 1000cc. I am basically learning to ride so when I get back home I can ride my best friends R1. The 150cc bike I rented a few days ago was super fast and I imagine the 400cc I plan to rent soon will be overwhelming. If I think I am ready for 600cc or 1000cc then I am going to give it a safe go. Right now life is more valuable to me than every, I am in great health and shape and have no stress so I wouldn't dare touch a bigger bike than 400cc unless I think I can handle it and am well equiped incase of an accident.

Which brings me to another question, anyone know a good place in Pattaya where I can buy some leather motorcycle pants?

that explains things i guess, i just want to get some highway training. I guess I could find a highway in Pattaya but traveling to bangkok would be more convenient since I need to go there for a few days anyways. Anyone know a company here thats registered and allows bangkok traveling?

I have noticed a lot of Arabs racing around Pattaya on large motrobikes recently - cant say i feel any sympathy. Just glad he didnt kill any innocent people

Nice comment. Just so you know, Arabs are by far one of the best drivers in the world. This could happen to anyone.

After learning to first ride in Cambodia, getting special ninja style no holds bar training, I have been riding for a bit over 2 weeks now and noticed it's all about how many eyes you have and how quick you are to react to obstacles. I have done 150cc, going to try 400cc tomorrow and hopefully work my way up to 1000cc which I won't be riding in daytime, traffic, or low speed streets. Got my helmet, looking for leather pants, and I should be set. Life is too good to do anything suicidal so I will consider that when riding.

So I went to 3 motorbike rental companies here in Pattaya asking if I rented the bike for a week if I can take it to Bangkok and they all said no. I couldn't really get a understandable answer why, if it was the police or if it's just policy. Anyone know the reason why? Anyone know any companies here that will rent a motorcycle I can take to bangkok and back?

Well looking for foodland along pattaya klang I saw homepro which had what i needed, thanks for the help everyone!

Anyone know a good hardware store in Pattaya where I can buy a few clamps and screws?

I am really getting into this biking thing now and am looking to buy at least some leather pants and a good full or half faced (the one with the pull down face shield helmet. The pants should be motorcycle pants I guess. I'll be bringing it back to Canada, I am assuming it is cheaper to buy them here but I could be wrong. Any suggesions? I am in Pattaya now but will be in Bangkok next week.

I am thinking of doing some commercial type filming for a couple days in Cambodia which will be in the public so I was wondering how much a business visa costs and if it is easily granted for something like this. Also does anyone know how much a reentry visa is or is that included with the business visa?

My second question is bringing a rented Honda Wave motorbike into Cambodia during my trip. Will be going through the Poipet border. Is this allowed? If so will I probably get hassled? After riding a bike for a couple weeks I am noticing the convenience and freedom compared to public transportation.

I was in Poipet and asked a foreign security guard at one of the casinos and he told me holiday palace had texas holdem. I went there, there were tables set up, but no players. I gave the manager my number to call me if anyone came but no biters. I guess there isn't enough interest down there yet.

There is a storage place at Jomtien Complex (or was ?)

Naka.

There websites down and the phone is leading to a fax, maybe I can store the bag with my hotel, its just i have my expensive laptop in it so I might be worried while away, should be safe though no?

Yup, boss not in till 12, I am pretty sure thats who the lady transferred me to an hour ago since it was the same girl

hmm, maybe ill try calling again, whats the number you have for them?

called the number from www.pattaya-storage.com Lady transferred me to a guy who spoke english. Apparently not enough money in the storage business. But I have about an hour to find a place to store my backpack

Storage available at Bali Pier near the 7-11. The dive shop has a storage business next door. Open business hours.

I just called them and the guy said they stopped doing storage.

i see big one at south pattaya road from right side if you walk from beach to big c

The big c at sukumvit and south pattaya road? Or is there one closer to the beach?

I am in urgent need of a secure backpack storage facility in Pattaya for 1 to 2 weeks. Any recommendations and prices?

I thought that it was no big deal to overstay up to 30 days at 500baht overstay fee per day? Hmm, rather not pay the 1900 baht if I can avoid it since I want to head to Cambodia anyways, just that tomorrow is really short notice. I have things to do here tomorrow and won't be in Bangkok until minimum 5pm. Are there buses that leave to Cambodia this late?

I think I would rather pay 1,900 Baht than end up inthe Immigration Detension Center.

Well that's not going to happen, I'll either pay the 1900 baht or be out of here tomorrow, I just rather be out of here tomorrow if night time travel is a possibility. I think the only other option would be to cancel my appointment tomorrow and head to Bangkok tonight and get on a Cambodia bound bus early tomorrow. How late do the buses from Pattaya to Bangkok run until?

I thought that it was no big deal to overstay up to 30 days at 500baht overstay fee per day? Hmm, rather not pay the 1900 baht if I can avoid it since I want to head to Cambodia anyways, just that tomorrow is really short notice. I have things to do here tomorrow and won't be in Bangkok until minimum 5pm. Are there buses that leave to Cambodia this late?

All extensions cost 1900 Baht irrespective of length.

The 7 day extension of a 30 day visa exemption will probably only be given if you can show your flight out within the 7 day period.

Ugh, may as well go for the 30 day. What happens if I stay here 31 or 32 days and then take a bus out, that's the next option as I would need at an extra day to prepare. My 30 days is up tomorrow but I'd like to see Cambodia and Vietnam. If staying an extra day is a big deal then tomorrow is going to be a very busy day. Would they even know?

With a Canadian passport would I have any problems entering the above countries without a return ticket? Going to try to travel from one to another spontaneously.

Also, is it safe to cross the borders with an expensive laptop and camera or should i leave them in Bangkok?

I called immigration today and the girl mentioned something about a 7 day extension, they are closed now but I need to do something tomorrow. What is this 7 day extension, is it free? Given on an initial 30 day visa.

What is PR?

I am looking for a cheap airline that will fly me from Bangkok to Manila to Shanghai. I looked on Airasia's website but it doesn't seem they fly from bkk to manila.

I was at the Poipet 'casino' in September and (in my humble opinion) it is a disgrace. Its more a gaming hall than anything else - picture plastic chairs and no carpets.

The spectacle of fistfuls of Thai Baht being used on the tables is really tacky...

No poker, Caribbean or otherwise, and no blackjack that I could find. Even in the 'VIP' section - which is open to all

I have been to many casinos in many countries, 1st and 3rd world - but this is the worst.

Edit: I am unsure of whether it was Poipet, or Aranyaprathet - pp stamp is illegible and the memory isn't exactly what it used to be Either way if this is a true example of a Cambodian 'casino' then do yourself a favor and fly to Macau for a few days instead - its great!

There are about ten Casino,s in Poipet, I frequent all of them plus Holiday Casino at Sihanoukville and I have never seen a Casino such as you describe, unless you ventured into one of the hole in the wall establishments that usually only have a few old pokies for the locals to play..

All the major Casino,s are quite well furnished with good accommodation and a variety of restuarants .

All have poker rooms with usually Caribbean Stud and Pai Gow poker tables.

Arunyaprathet has no legal casino as casino gambling is illegal in Thailand.

Do these poker rooms include texas holdem against other players or just games against the casino?

In the US, not tipping could result in a very unpleasant public scene with a waiter chasing you out of the restaurant to demand WHY, so years of this kind of conditioning takes its toll.

This once happened in The Soprano's lol, that was a good scene.