WinnieTheKhwai

- Honestly.. it's the climate control, keyless entry/start button, package that I'm more interested in, unfortunately, it happens to be in the top-line model.

Well.. right, if you want that specific combination then you're indeed looking at the top model. It's like this:

1.2 S MT model - 375,000 - Absolutely <deleted>-all in there, Mickey Mouse seats. Avoid.

1.2 E MT model - 425,000 - Quite decent, affordable and common sense: manual shift, proper seats, adjustable steering wheel, electric windows and mirrors, driver air bag, CD/MP3 player with AUX input for your iPod.

1.2 E CVT - 459,000 - Same as above, but with CVT auto box.

1.2 EL CVT - 489,000 - "The Gadget Freak Package" As above, but includes the start button and immobilizer-key, central lock, parking-sensors in the rear bumper, and side mirrors that fold away when parking. Also includes a little display that tells you your mileage, how far you can still go at a recommended speed, and even includes a 'Happy Birthday' reminder when it's your birthday, and a 'coffee' display reminder to take a break after a long drive. I'm not making this up.

1.2 V CVT - 507,000 - "The Responsible Family Man Package" This one does NOT include the start button, sensors, fold-away ears and digital lunacy, but DOES include automatic climate control and better safety gear: ABS, EBD, and a passenger side airbag, and is on 15" alloy wheels instead of the 14" steel ones that all models above have. Does however have a remote-door opener on the key.

1.2 VL - 537,000 -"The Kitchen Sink Package" Includes all options mentioned above.

So that's a pretty sensible range I'd say. If you want to spend less than the top model then you get to make a choice between the electronic gadgetry pack, or the safety pack.

I think they're all good value except for the bare bones base model; the seats are absolutely atrocious.

Thanks, just curious,why would you buy a top line-model, as the price is approaching Jazz?

Because it has dual airbags and ABS, as well as the electronic goodies such as a parking sensor, climate control, etc?

I don't have the details handy, but I can tell you after seeing both in person, the March is a much more substantial car, in the 425,000 Baht version and above. It's really close in size and features to the Yaris.

Yes, I just looked at that model and I have to agree. It has proper seats, and just about any option you'd expect on a modern car is there (or available).

No contest between March and Proton or the other Micros. The real contest is between March and how much it may erode sales of Jazz, Yaris, Mazda 2, etc., given that it's 200,000 Baht cheaper more or less....

Agreed. And, any other 'eco' car that others may come up with. My feeling is that Nissan will sell a boatload of these cars, so Toyota and Honda will want to get a slice of the government supported pie as well. Exciting.

As for the March, I may end up getting one for the Mrs., but will wait for them to iron out any bugs, and for the CVT / auto box version to

become available.

Before anyone asks: No, they don't actually have marijuana. I asked.

- Thai TV

- Streaming through the Internet, with commentary in just about any language you fancy.

Some more:

- Free condoms from the government health offices (Sathanee Anamai)

- Save on medical expenses by finding a friend with a 30 baht gold card and tell him/her to describe your symptoms to a doctor. If you can find someone on full social insurance then that'd be even better. Just need to coach them on what to say to get the good stuff.

You still use soap?

But if you must: many public toilets have a dispenser. Bring plastic bag.

Soap is really just soap and you can use the same stuff for body, hair, dishes, clothes. Laundry is expensive enough right now; will be at least one more month until the free-water season kicks in.

- Fill up water from free supplies at banks and supermarkets

- Cancel Truevisions in favor of, erm, alternative hardware and sources.

- Unilateral stop on lady drinks.

- Stop drinking beer.

- Stop eating Western food, especially in restaurants.

- Hypermiling.. 17km/l, not bad for an old truck.

- Eat other people's food.

- Eat less food in general.

- Stick no non-commercial sex

- All shopping either at Makro or the Appointment/Farmers Market nearby.

Oops, sorry that was me downloading all HBO series for the last decade.

Decent speeds though, around 350 kB/s on average. Sorry to grab all you guy's bandwidth.

A lot of very aggressive statements out there.. In such an environment I think I'll pass on making some comments to the OP's assumptions. (Ok, maybe just one: public transport in Thailand is really not that great. There's just one excepton I can think of and that's Bangkok.)

Everywhere else you'd better have a driver.

Early April is fine. even in the terrible year 2007 everything was fine by April 6th.

I usually just show my tax card.

House convenes despite opposition boycott

BANGKOK: -- The House session has convened this morning after a slight delay due to the opposition's boycott of tight security.

About 245 coalition MPs reported to duty in full force to achieve the quorum. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva took part in the quorum count as Democrat MP.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob reprimanded the Pheu Thai MPs for trying to deny his entry by to Parliament.

A number of opposition lawmakers lined up in front of a main security checkpoint blocking access to the legislative building for about an hour before agreeing to disperse.

-- The Nation 2010-03-24

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Well they managed to hold the session without the PTP cry-babies anyway - som nam naa

Apparently the Nation isn't far out enough so it merits further one-sided comment?

This is the real reason.

Without the presence of Pheu Thai MPs, the House could not make quorum as of 9:40 am.

This is nothing more than a maneuver to stop all government law making and functioning,

besides the Ministries and the Cabinet.

This is the logical thoughts of people who would run the country as THEY see fit,

and dam_n all others needs and wants.

You mean, unlike boycotting elections and inviting a military coup?

Members of Parliament have every right to not be intimidated by people with guns while doing their work.

You dont seem consistent Jingthing ?

In other threads you admit you are a " progressive " and you fiercly defend Obama's policies at every opportunity

on the basis of social equality and yet you dont have seem to have an ounce of compassion

for the red shirt supporters who have been socially disadvantaged for too long ?

Yes, I find that highly interesting too. And it's not just JT either. When it comes to Western/US politics, I completely agree with every word he writes. On Thailand however it's the exact opposite, there he suddenly supports an outdated, unfair and unjust neo-feudal system, pretty much unconditionally.

US and Thai politics are very different. I see Thaksin as a very dangerous megalomaniac and it makes no difference whether he was of the left or the right. My Thai politics are 100 percent anti-Thaksin. However, you CLEARLY have not read my posts if you believe I am not in favor of major reforms to help the poor in Thailand. They just need to dump Thaksin. Any movement associated with Thaksin is poison. The reds try to pass off Thaksin as a Mandella, a Gandhi, an MLK, etc, when it is clear to educated people he is more like a Peron, a Marcos, a Chavez, yes, even a Hitler or Pol Pot. You can't have a legit social justice movement with a rotten villain at its head.

BTW, there are some rabidly RIGHT WING posters here (not naming names) in regard to US politics who are also rabidly pro Thaksin. So don't even go there. You can't directly compare US and Thai politics, PERIOD.

I think we're getting somewhere. We may have some common ground after all. In addition to ditching Thaksin, there's a whole host of others who are equally villainous or quite possibly more so, say the Chalerms of this world, however none of those were as shrewd as Thaksin so they never made it to the forefront to the degree Thaksin did. The Chalerms, Sanohs and Chavalits of this world never actually worried the highest echelons, AND never gained true traction with the rural poor either other than election day hand-outs.

So.. because a particular movement does or doesn't do something, that should hinder the progress of a discussion on an Internet forum? Really? Surely you decide your own actions? I know I do?

Look, W, you claim you are some kind of objective observer when it is clear that you have a consistent pro red agenda. It would help the reds with PR with non reds to be considered as separate from Thaksin. But they are not. Thaksin is front and center to the red movement. Of course a red promoter knows that hurts their discussion with educated western people. So yes we can control, and no, leaving Thaksin out is DISHONEST!

You dont seem consistent Jingthing ?

In other threads you admit you are a " progressive " and you fiercly defend Obama's policies at every opportunity

on the basis of social equality and yet you dont have seem to have an ounce of compassion

for the red shirt supporters who have been socially disadvantaged for too long ?

Yes, I find that highly interesting too. And it's not just JT either. When it comes to Western/US politics, I completely agree with every word he writes. On Thailand however it's the exact opposite, there he suddenly supports an outdated, unfair and unjust neo-feudal system, pretty much unconditionally.

So.. because a particular movement does or doesn't do something, that should hinder the progress of a discussion on an Internet forum? Really? Surely you decide your own actions? I know I do?

Look, W, you claim you are some kind of objective observer when it is clear that you have a consistent pro red agenda.

I have a fairly consistent pro-people and pro-democracy agenda, yes. But as I've pointed out time and again, I see far too many fools and lunatics on those stages to claim support for the Red Shirts comprehensively. And especially not for that politician everyone keeps talking about, again including many on the Red Shirt stages.

It's just not nice when someone tries to make a reasoned analysis (correct or otherwise) and the only response they get is a 'Thaksin is a villain' rant in return.

So.. because a particular movement does or doesn't do something, that should hinder the progress of a discussion on an Internet forum? Really? Surely you decide your own actions? I know I do?

.......edited to shorten..

While we can debate the many flaws of Thaksin, what is probably of most significance is that he managed to ignite the flame of activism among the rural underclass (finally).

He became aware in the process, it's the only and willing tool he can easily manipulate at will with

..snip.. Classic. You refuse to get the point he was making, and that it was in NO WAY related to Thaksin other than an effect he caused. He was saying (and it's sad that I have to quote his exact words verbatim that are a mere 2 inches above this line) that for whatever Thaksin's flaws, the thing that matters is that it ignited the flame of activism among the rural underclass.

That is key, yet immediately and predictably you turn back to Thaksin, the person. (And it's not just you either). That's just an astonishing and irrational phobia that seems to eclipse any and all arguments that are made about Thai politics and society. It truly hinders any discussion when one side just goes back to Mr. Thaksin over and over again. Honestly, why? How about going a week without mentioning Thaksin completely, and debate issues during that week? How about next week? I'm fully expecting some to experience physical withdrawal symptoms by going cold-turkey like that, but ultimately it should be enlightening for everyone.

Raise a glass to the posters who like to disect every photo!

Looks like he's putting on weight.

As an armpit fetishist however, I do appreciate the last picture.

Wait a few more years and the bars of Pattaya will be overflowing with Luk Kreung hostesses..

Oh.. stop!!!

That'd be $*)#*@# AWESOME, but I'll believe it when I see it.

anyone walking around Carrefour or visiting a kindergarten here will see dozens of LK kids.. Seems that half the divorced population of Europe/US/Etc arrived here in the last 10 years and few bothered with contraception..Not all farangs are rich and not all provide a future for their kids.. Though I'm sure most of the Dad's love their offspring the fact that they are often in their 60's means their kid will most likely be fatherless by the time the child reaches it's teens..

True deadbeats are probably a minority though. So most LK kids at least won't be at a disadvantage compared to any other kids.

An issue may be that the iPhone stays connected to GPRS all the time, but DTAC may protect it's customers from running up insanely high charges..?

Instead of rebooting, did you try just turning off all networking (airplane mode, etc.) and then turn the connection back on again?

Sweltering here in Bangers, that sounds like a bit of "paradise" to me. Some pics would have done a treat I agree. Nice post.

Not really. Chiang Mai gets scorching hot in the hot season, and the Doi Inthanon area to be honest gets VERY dry. I was amazed to read there even was any water at all at the waterfall; this will get less and less until the end of April or so.

I think it's a terrible place to escape anything during the hot/hazy season.

Pattaya is a very sensible escape in just about all aspects except temperature.

I struggle to find any sense in trying to do any kind of serious business during Songkran. Other than serious drinking & partying business that is, which admittedly is serious business as well.

Best to rule out that whole week to be honest; while banks will be open on the 12th, you better get there very early morning and/or own a car or else you're not going to make it back with a dry bank book and passport.

So to answer your question: Friday 9 April is good, or possibly Saturday 10th at one of the shopping mall / super market branches. Best if you're on a non immigrant visa, though some people managed to open accounts on tourist visas or even no visa at all (exemption).

They are popular in Isaan. This is news? General Robert E. Lee was popular in the Southern US during the great unpleasantness. He lost too

Great, another of histories tyrants being added to the pile. I'm loving it! Let's see, who do we have left.. covered all recent South American dictators, SE Asian ones.. now we're venturing into history.

Why would a monk be any less brainwashed than the other locals? What is a monk but a local poor farmer (or son of a poor farmer) that has become a monk for a while.

How educated are they? What education do monks get that the the locals don't get? Most Thai guys

snip.

and so it begins.

And, to point out the obvious, note the first post where the word 'Thaksin' fell, again. Honestly it's time you guys start debating issues instead of brining up this personal fetish every single time.