Garry

I am putting a lot of planning into this but that's because I've got to work out which of the Budget offices to leave the car at and I'm not sure how flexible they will be if I decide to change the office during the holiday. To give us more driving time I'm thinking of flying back to Bangkok from wherever I drop off the car, so that will give me less flexibility. Also, because I'm going with children, I've got to think of things to keep them amused as otherwise my wife and I won't enjoy the holiday as much. It's been a long cold winter in the UK (it was nearly snowing in London last night) and it's fun to plan a trip in a hot far away country!

I was thinking of booking some of the hotels in advance, but that ties us down to having to be in certain places on certain dates. I wanted to head over to the North East as I've been to Nong Khai and along the Mekong before and thought my family would find it interesting. I've also found a few homestay type places in Isaan where we could stay and join in with the daily life in Thailand and meet some Thai children which I thought they'd find fun and would be an eye opener. But I don't want to do that if it's just going to make the whole holiday a rush. That's why I've been asking these questions to try and gauge what will make for a good holiday.

It's 1000 baht to hire the GPS and I thought it would be useful for highlighting the best route between 2 places, particularly if there are no highways between them.

Thanks again for everybody's input.

Already it's helped me decide I'll definitely hire a car.

Since your planning this in August, I'll let you know how it goes with my TomTom GO750 'Live' navigation system. I bought this in Germany just recently. It was absolutrly brilliant over there. I would've gotten lost on many an occasion without it.

There is no 'Live' net work for TomTom Navs in Thailand yet, but I have just downloaded the latest functioning Thailand map. I'll be in Thailand in a few days and I'll let you know how it goes with the quality of the map POI's (points of interest). I'll be going to Bangkok and through Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai plus rural areas.

I'll see if it lives up to its promises stated below:

Thailand v8.45

Download 76.0 MB

Detailed map of Thailand

Map coverage statistics: detailed street network covering 99% of all roads in Thailand

additional information: 766,000 km of roads and 468,000 points of interest are available.

I wish Garry Trudeau of "Doonesbury" fame took an interest in Thai politics.

Everybody Weng Chung?

Is that a new martial arts discipline. 'The Flying Weng' 'The Drunken Weng punch' 'Kung Weng Kwai'

There was a dance track band about 15 years back called Wang Chung,

and had a 1st song with this line in it. A bit obscure 'll grant you.

Chicken Wengs in garlic sauce?

Or maybe

Pet Kwai Gao Wengs

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wengs?

I'll never see our Tambol in the same light ever again: Wiang Chai has always been pronounced Weng Chai. God help us

I wish Garry Trudeau of "Doonesbury" fame took an interest in Thai politics.

Everybody Weng Chung?

Is that a new martial arts discipline. 'The Flying Weng' 'The Drunken Weng punch' 'Kung Weng Kwai'

Also, does anyone know a good website for route planning in Thailand i.e. you put in the start point and destination and it gives you a suggested route. It would be useful to get an idea of distances between places, to see if I'm planning on doing too much. I had a quick look at the Viamichelin website but it doesn't recognise all the places. Is there one that is good for Thailand?

a lot of us use maps.google.com. In Thailand. It has names in English & Thai. The 'Get Directions' function is excellent and you go to 'map view' or 'satellite view'. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.

What Car ????

Yes. What car?

I may have to update my avatar, to the new and improved version

I once new this turd, a turd is the best way to describe him. He went down to the bike shop to pick up his new roadie (R1) and as he left the workshop on it the salesman told him to take it easy with the new tyres in the wet. The goose knowing everything blew the salesman off, rode down the small laneway at the rear of the shop, turned left onto the main drag, gassed it up and it spat him off .........when they got it back to the workshop to assess what parts needed replacing the bike had less than 1km on it

That happens more often than you might think!

Ha ha ha!!!

Ride On!

Tony

I've always thought as a somewhat road conditions savvy rider and used to most conditions ol' mother nature could inflict on me. The most humbling, careful riding I have ever done, was back in '87 when my then Kawasaki GPZ1000RX (Aussy spec) was in for some new tyres. First front and second rear. Had it all done, was picking the bike up from the shop and then mother nature decides to open the heavens. Downpour for about an hour. It was getting late so I had to leave (day time on new tyres was better than night time on new tyres). The bike shop boys yell out 'be careful'. I look back 'yeah, no sh*t'. I made it home in one peace but it was fun going around corners and trying to stop carefully with low siding myself by washing the front end out. Had a few nervous twitches, but I feel part of it was me being a bit stiff on the bike and not being overly trusting in the new rubber. I am definitely more comfortable on new rubber there days, but then again I have a lot more road miles under my belt. I'll never let my guard down though :-)

A few years back, I had been out in the sticks with a Honda City from Ubon; dirt & sealed roads. Comfortable enough considering I'm 6'4" and it was a miser on fuel.

Interesting place to put the tool kit

If you dont like the Chrome Look, you could try the Bubba look.

At least Bubba has the head rest sorted out

^ what car?

BKKMD- you have high standards buddy, i must admit, she aint the best looking model on the showroom floor, but she has all the goods in the right places

I'm with Donnyboy, I wan't to see the goddess that BKKMD has hanging off his hip.

[quote name='PhilHarr

I just tried to be a little ironic, or using a bit of dry British humour, looks like I failed miserably

The audacity of you trying to be ironic. You aren!t liberal are you

Beat you head on the floor until forgiven (from Yellow Beard)

I know a shop in Chiang Rai that sells genuine (it would seem) movie DVD's in English etc. I think they source some or all their DVD's from MangPong. When I get back to Chiang Rai in April, I'll mark out the exact location on the google map. I can't remember exactly what block its on right now, but it is somewhere on Thanon Phahon Yothin road (street).

I suppose that if you're in London there's no such thing as too much information on where to find good food...

Wonder why the Vikings never went back to Brittania?

The women was not worth to rape, too ugly, the food was disgusting and the beer was lukewarm!

So they frequently went to France instead. Everything was better over there!

The vikings must have liked the hairier women in France those days

Don, you probably have this info already but I'll put it out there just in case you don't and just in case others can use the info.

There is a large market on the superhighway, heading out of town towards Chiang Mai. The locals that I know refer to it as "the truck market" because that is where truckloads of produce are unloaded, broken down into smaller lots and marketed for redistribution to the smaller stalls/shops in town. The market is located just past the last traffic light in town, on the left. This traffic light is after the Big C and is the one before the traffic light at the new bus station outside of town.

We go to that market often. They typically have the best prices in town but they normally only sell in larger lots. We buy the smallest of the large lots offered and share the cost with the extended family here. That saves us quite a bit of money on the grocery bills each month. If you visit there and do not see avocados, ask around. Someone will be able to tell you when they might be arriving. Many of the stall owners (brokers, in some cases) there seem to know what is coming and when it is due to arrive. If you are buying a large enough lot, they will probably divert a truckload and deliver it to you.

It has been a while since I have been there and I don't know if they have avocados today. Sorry about that. But if you visit there, you can also snag a few phone numbers that will allow you to make the inquiry via telephone in the future.

My wife and I shop there on a regular basis, more so when we're in the area passing through. The produce for sale has generally always been excellent

Here you go

So is this guy a Teddy Boy or Mod? Trying to remember the UK culture influence, probably wrong on all counts.

No problem at all, as aforesaid.

Malaysians cover incredible distance on a regular basis on their little cubs.

The Japanese invaded Malaya in record time using bicycles. God knows what would happen to the world if they had Honda Waves instead

My friend (Mani )from singapore rode his wave 125R from singapore all the way up to Chiang mai and back. Shocking but true..

Was that the guy who posted his travels, tales and photos in the GT-Rider forum?

Here are some girls I find pretty.

Yes that was the Ferarri.

And I agree, about the cars, I wonder why they display cars like Honda CRV and

Toyota Camry

i find them pretty too, but they arent modelling the cars,so not valid imo

they probably display the crv, camry to induce orders at the show

Perhaps it was the new Camry hybrid? A buddy of mine bought one recently.

I have a MU7 4WD and with the booster seat in position, you still have room for a couple of small suitcases together. Remember that the MU7 can come with a luggage rack option, plus you can also get the aftermarket all weather capsules for the roof rack

And a Chevy 502ci big block option for the weekend drags.

(sorry, sorry)

No need to be sorry. Totally good idea, my preference though, would be a Ford Powerstroke twin turbo dually with tire destroying torque to help heat the sneakers

I have a MU7 4WD and with the booster seat in position, you still have room for a couple of small suitcases together. Remember that the MU7 can come with a luggage rack option, plus you can also get the aftermarket all weather capsules for the roof rack

mind you , you can buy a lot of house for the price of a good car in Thailand!!

Very true words, our house cost about $5,000 more than our SUV

A few pics from yesterday.....nice photos MisterBeetle.

Thanks Pooklook!

Yours shots are better but! What sort of camera are you shooting with?

I might go back again during the week, was a bit hard to see everything with a baby in a stroller! Missed the motorbikes and the accessories, not to mention the night entertainment.

You're the smartest guy here, babies in strollers are chick magnets. Must remember that for next time.

Why go direct - much easier to use TV Ins Brokers from your own internet

I haven't heard any good or bad reports about TV Insurance.

I've got a pretty good no-claim discount built up here, may as well stick with it.

I'm with you, I want to keep my no-claims discount with my current insurer as well.

I'll be asking them about my new (second hand) bike as well for first class insurance.

anyone picures of this beauty in a higher resolution..... she is sooo beautiful

Could be a bloke.

That's a dam_n nice bloke

:D It's my brother in law.

Man, your brother in law is hawt..!!!! :cheesy

anyone picures of this beauty in a higher resolution..... she is sooo beautiful

Could be a bloke.

That's a dam_n nice bloke