01322521959

The only reason there is traffic chaos there is because they haven't got a clue how to properly use a roundabout

Give way to the right, it doesn't work on the handful of roundabouts in BKK. Giving way is not in any Thai driver's mind at any time.

I kinda hope everybody takes this as Imperial is the way to go and there will be less crowds at Chaeng Watthana than usual. Every year its a tiring full day trip with 5 hours wait to apply for visa extension.. and now with mob outside i would probably have to plan sleepover right there. Visa extension is my most hated day of the year.. just thinking about the ridiculous 'fresh' pics we have to bring every year, with all family member must be in the pic and housenumber in the back, second on the sofa inside

Arr, the the wonders and enjoyment of owning a motorcycle.. Hope the mob doesn't drag me off "Funny" my little Honda, though.

Went out with gfs family recently..... cousin's hubby had a few Hong Thongs then got behind the wheel of a less than well-maintained car.... 140kph (minimum), passing either side of vehicles.... I did gently enquire whether he'd like me to drive, but he didn't seem to hear me. Maybe it was hard to get the voice to carry abobe the rattling and clanking of our trusty steed, or may I was using most of my energy clenching buttock muscles and did not expend energy doing anything else.

Lane changes were frequent, erratic and sometimes unplanned as the car lurched out of potholes and was thrown haphazardly across the road.

We arrived at our destination in one piece, and I guess the upside of it was that the drive did for me what recent and massive doses of laxative could not.

Cheers, mate. Laughed my head off. Made my afternoon, though must say it would be funny if it wasn't so serious...

Disgusting! Farming used to be at 80% in Thailand, far lower now. To talk in this way and be so belittlling towards what is a very much needed occupation shows quite clearly how little integrity those in power have left.

Well, I have had Expat TV for nearly 2 years and have been quite happy with it. I have an older TV so it works well with the set top box. I must say that UKTV is both cheaper(3800 Baht for a year) and more solid in it's connection. It's going to be difficult deciding which one to go for come renewal time next year.

I had the exact same problem. My response - I bought some of the glider stickers you mentioned, knocked on the upstairs neighbor’s door and asked them to please put it on their chairs. It turned out to be an Indian family. The woman who answered the door seemed kind of shocked, but took the stickers. About four hours later the husband came down to my unit, returned the stickers, apologized for the noise, said he would buy some himself and please don’t hesitate to let him know if they are ever making too much noise. Problem sorted.

I did exactly the same thing with my next door neighbours, but when I came back to my room and opened and closed my kitchen cupboard and it made quite a noise I put some pads on the doors. You can get a bit paranoid about noise when living in a condo. By the way, am I the only one who uses infer-red headphones when watching TV/ computer. Have done so for 11 years now and can't enjoy anything without them..

Still Bt50M thru 10 Aug 15...to Bt1M 11 Aug 16. http://www.dpa.or.th/more_news.php?cid=42&filename=index___EN

That's very surprising. The UK only insure up to 85,000 pounds, around four and a half million Baht.

"...the Ministry of Transport is in the process of drafting a ministerial regulation that enforces the use of seat belts..."

Is this going to be like helmet use? When someone is there to check on use, the driver puts on the helmet. As soon as he is clear of the inspection, the helmet come off. So, as soon as the driver or attendant is finished checking for seat belt use, it becomes unbuckled.

Perhaps a better way to approach this is to deny any insurance payments to anyone injured while not wearing a seat belt. This will promote natural selection and elominate rewarding someone for being personally irresponsible. After all, some people are too stupid to live. You're out of the game...permanently.

Deny any insurance payments.. Had an accident a couple of weeks ago down near Chomburi, youg chap changed from the 3rd to 1st lane without checking, the weight of myself and my larger bike kept me going along on the straight and narrow when he hit me on the right side, but he went flying. No insurance or helmet, but he did have a license. What happened?Well we all met at the cop shop the next day, I was asked to pay 5000, plus a bit for you know who and off we all went, my attitude throughout was " when in Rome" no question of insurance companies becoming involved, I giess I've lived here too long...

Just found your post and was wondering what you had done about your bike. I have been lucky enough to be lent a Thai mate's Phantom 150cc 2 stroke which I have fallen in love with in the space of 3 days. I love this engine, beautiful power delivery. Now I wonder what I should offer him for it...

Ok, an idea....

1. you cut the rear part of the frame to be able to have a 200 tire on there (you need that)

2. then you mount a honda steed engine in it (the larger you can get the better it is)

3. throw on some really long forks with some monkey bars (long and tall, then you can't turn, but you will have a better ride (i think))

4. You realize that you had a good bike to begin with, and sells this one to buy a larger bike that is more comfortable and fits you.

ITS A HONDA PHANTOM, leave it like it is, when you change stuff on it, you will look like a clown!!!

Ps. whatever you do, please post some pictures so we can all look at your ride...

Just found you.. Ideas ideas, a Thai mate has just lent me his Phantom while he's "up country" I wonder whether I should attempt some of these above mods, do you think he'll appreciate it?

Claire,

Stick your finger in the exhaust. If your finger comes out oily or black it might be worth getting the pipe cleaned out. It might be coked up with gunk.

These bikes need to be ridden. Not your normal your normal Yamaha Fresh 60-70 kph

Agreed. Clare, you maybe interested to know I still have my little Honda Tena, got a new Spark up for sale as it's just not as much fun as my 17 year old "Funny" Got Funny up to an indicated 120kph today, great 'fun'

If you want to watch UK TV then download the program from http://www.uk-tv.asia/

It gives you free access to BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, ITV3, Film 4 and Sky News. You can watch live or record for up to 5 days.

I use it every day and it doesn't cost a penny.

Hope that helps.

Another VPN option is Expat Shield.

1) There is a big advert at top saying it costs 490b per month

2) Its not a VPN - its a Windows program

Out of interest, what made you think it was free since you mention that incorrect fact twice. Are you a shareholder?

How can you complain about this recommendation? I downloaded the trial in less than a minute. Maybe it is your good self that has shares/ interest in a competitor..

I subscribe to neither, but just glad to see more competition between different companies which is good for the paying consumer as it provides more choice.

Ditto. Left TRUE a year ago and now have Thai Expat TV and just haven't looked back.

Total nutter on a motorcycle....lets blame the Thai's

You would if you were a bike rider. No life savers before turning left or any maneuver for that matter, never look behind before pulling away, clutching in when turning a corner, forgetting that their indicator is on, total c#*p riders each and every one of them IMHO.

RIP to the Norwegian, I never will hire or buy Motorbike in Thailand, The motorbike accident statics in Thailnd is so high. Why take the risk. Ok for those who are an expert.

Had to take a taxi the other day, almost drove me crazy! Every time I press the starter on my bike the fun kicks in. Got a mate like you, won't get on the back of my bike, but happily jumps on the taxi motorbike, they can't ride to save their life. You be careful crossing the road, won't you.

You might spend the 400 baht per unit...

Where do you get this service in Bangkok for 400 Baht nowadays....?

And I just want to know who in general has to pay the cleaning process which is to be done two or three times a year..., nothing more, nothing less...

Had 2 A/Con cleaned last week. 800 all in. Pleased, I gave them a nice round 1000. I can let you have the number...

I took my little Honda 2 stroke for it's annual tax and insurance last month. All they did was take the frame number in the form of a rubbing on some masking tape. 2 hours later I pick up my papers. I do try to keep my bike in a serviced condition, but what of all the other bikes on the road. A lot of them wouldn't be safe being ridden round a field, let alone on the road. Oh well, same old same old..

I tried to use my own shopping bag in Tesco, but the girl simply pushed them aside and still filled their own plastic bags.

If we don't get plastic bags from the stores, we will have to BUY plastic bin liners to put in our waste bins in before putting in the condo waste chute. At least most plastic bags in Thailand get used twice even if they still end up polluting the land fill sites.

Now come on, mate. You have to try a bit harder. I have had 2 big strong white plastic bags which I always carry inside my rucksack. Had them for about 5 years. Used them in Tescos both here and in the UK. Yes the BDT does try to put my stuff in a new bag and I get some kind of perverse pleasure waving my smelly old bag under her nose and putting my best irritated look on my face.

At times I wonder about Thai, at times I simply know.

Maybe it's just me being somewhat older than her, maybe different background and upbringing, but to ask her for "blessings and forgiveness" would not enter my mind at all.

Well, as an ex-teacher in Thailand we dish out 'blessings and forgiveness' every year during Wai Kru day. It's all just mumbo jumbo to me -- as the students don't really give a sh•t anyways -- they merely ask for it 'just for good luck'. That's all it really is. There's no effort or resolve to actually DO ANYTHING to achieve their goals. Just puuuuuure luck is all they ask for.

No offense, but I think you are wrong. Wai Kru day is designed so that students can get in teachers good books and have "sob som" (retest) adinffinitum.

Did I just dream it??? As if break jerking and rumble stops aren't enough already,... what did the BTS authorities buy in train compartments, that are LEAKING????? LEAKING??????

Are those train compartments so China cheap????

Btw the link in the article doesn't work can anyone fix this???

What is break jerking? Is it some kind of dance, like break dancing?

This is a well know technique know by the older expats from our old bus riding days. It is a well known fact that all red buses in BKK are fitted with the British made "Jerkometer" and that bus drivers have instructions from the BMA to activate the Jerkometer at least 1000 times a day or they must expect a hefty reduction in their salary at the end of the month. Heavy on/off braking is used to activate the Jerkometer.

No real channels, no SyFy, universal, fox crime, star world,, mostly more lame stuff. If star world is not back I will cancel and go with Astro

Have a look at maige tv http://www.maigetv.tv/maigechlist.jpg

So how does one get it? does it show F1 Moto GP etc etc?

Thai expat TV are the best for me with their live streaming of British channels and 6 and 24 hour catch up channels. BBC show the F1 so no probs there. Dumped (un) True 7 months ago and haven't looked back. Check em' out!

unplugging all electrical appliances not in use during 2pm and 3pm,

I know it is early in the day and I've only had one cup of coffee but if an electrical appliance is not in use how is it consuming electricty?

How many TV's do you reckon there are on standby in Thailand? 22 million, according to http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/562331-half-of-household-tvs-in-thailand-use-antennas-survey/

Whats 22 million x up to 15 watts - seems like a lot to me and then there's the microwaves, DVD's etc http://standby.lbl.gov/summary-chart.html

So she has a point.

unplugging all electrical appliances not in use during 2pm and 3pm,

I know it is early in the day and I've only had one cup of coffee but if an electrical appliance is not in use how is it consuming electricty?

How many TV's do you reckon there are on standby in Thailand? 22 million, according to http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/562331-half-of-household-tvs-in-thailand-use-antennas-survey/

Whats 22 million x up to 15 watts - seems like a lot to me and then there's the microwaves, DVD's etc http://standby.lbl.gov/summary-chart.html

So she has a point.

I never leave my TV on standby and by the way, it's a JVC old tube set, 18 years old! I wonder if that is why it's lasted so long, cross fingers. Oh and I always have my A/C set to 26 or 27. Switch it all off if not being used is my policy.

Yes! Love Don Muang.

Yes! Love Don Muang.

Nice to see you on here. How's your Tena going?

And they dropped the charges of driving under the influence because?

Plea bargaining, don't you know, old chap.