CroBiker

Try these 2:

http://www.phuketbikeweek.com

http://www.3nationcharityride.com/

Btw, what kind of stuff you sell?

If (West) Peninsular Malaysia is as attractive a retirement place as some people have described it, Singaporeans would have moved there in large numbers. There is much more endemic problems than that meets the eye!

Fact: Singaporeans are single largest foreign based property investors in Malaysia. They own hundreds of thousands of houses and condos from Johor to KL and Penang.

The worry for us brits about malaysia is we see it as largely a muslim country.

Before the flamers get excited I know that not all muslims are terrorists but the western media has engendered a feeling of mistrust and fear regarding islam.

How is it in Malaysia

Nothing as you would expect it. Personaly I split Muslims in 2 categories: Arabs and non-Arabs. I am not looking to start debate on this issue but I think Arabs are pretty extreme.

Anyway, back on topic. Certain parts of Malaysia are ruled by opposition party called PAS. They have very extreme agenda, trying to promote Shariah Law in all levels of society etc...General population of Malaysia is very much against it. Most humble and friendly people I ever met originate from these states, namely Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu. Treat them with respect and all racial, ideological or religious differences become imaterial. Number of times I spent days even weeks as their guest, they treated me as their own. The fact that I can speak fluent Malay helps a lot even though majority of them speaks good English. Of course there are John Waynes and Crocodile Dundees (read western plumbers, truck drivers, non-muslim religious fanatics and loudmouths) who come with complex of superiority just for being white and behave in disrespectful manner that makes you feel ashamed of being westerner.

I am not very proud to mention this but there was a time when I beat (with very good reason) local guy in front of 2 dozen people and nobody moved finger against me. If I did that in Thailand, you would be reading my obituary instead of this post lol....My point is, these are very peaceful people.

Here's my new baby! My other baby isn't too impressed!

Ninja 250 right? Just out of curiosity, how much was it?

Some of members really make my day on thavisa forum, very funny stuff.

What is the funniest (I don't mean dumbest) post you read?

Here is one of them:

If you break the Thai word into its two parts 'sin ' 'sod' you end up with a literal translation of ' cost of sticking into the hole ' . I think originaly, this was the bride price you paid for a virgin. Presumably if the er....hole in question had already been the target of a previous sticking in attempt, the bride price would have diminished accordingly. Worth pointing out to future in laws if you have the bottle. I know Thai guys will generaly have to pay more for a site that has not been prospected before

If you break the Thai word into its two parts 'sin ' 'sod' you end up with a literal translation of ' cost of sticking into the hole ' . I think originaly, this was the bride price you paid for a virgin. Presumably if the er....hole in question had already been the target of a previous sticking in attempt, the bride price would have diminished accordingly. Worth pointing out to future in laws if you have the bottle. I know Thai guys will generaly have to pay more for a site that has not been prospected before

Bangyai, thanks for making me laugh...the funniest thing, what you said is most likely true.

Not sure about those countries but I can tell you about Malaysia.

I lived and worked there for 8 years, awesome place to make money especially if you are professional in your field. Their infrastructure is 20 years ahead of Thailand, people are friendly but not so courtious in metropolitan area, especialy ethnic Chinese.

Anyway, they have so called "silver hair" program for people who wish to retire there. You are entitled to own the land and house, unless it is in area allocated to Bumiputera. These are native sons and daughters - in this case Malay Muslims in peninsula and Kadazan/Dusun Christians on Borneo. You may import 1 car tax free or buy it in certain duty free areas such as Langkawi and Labuan islands. Langkawi is not very far from Phuket itself, totaly duty free - from cigarettes, alcohol beverages and food to vehicles, construction material etc...(wish Thais were smart and made Phuket duty free zone). Just about 90% of hotels on the island are 5 star luxury resorts, world class yacht marina, top class international airport, frequent ferry rides to Kedah and Penang. There are regular annual events such as LIMA - international aircraft show, bicycle race "Tour de Langkawi" and many many others....Security is top notch, crime is unheard of. Most of Malaysian government cabinet members own homes there, former PM Mahathir and his ex finance minister Daim Zainuddin own about half of the island. If you want peace and quite, fishing, yachting etc...Langkawi is the place. I took my parents there for holiday and they loved it. However, night life is almost non-existant but then again that is what certain generations prefer anyway.

On other hand, Labuan is more of industrial duty free zone. Offshore banking and companies and oil/gas explorations. They do have some fancy hotels though, Brunei is just stone throw away. Everything is cheap, few nice beaches but nothing spectacular.

The reason I choose Phuket was my age at the time, only 35 and have no regrets. But if you are over 50, long time happily married and looking for peace of mind in security of YOUR OWN HOME without fears of loosing it to some government regulations, Langkawi is the obvious choice.

Thinking of bringing back my iPhone 3G to LOS. Is this thing compatible, can it be used in Thailand?

Roamer, you are absolutely spot on, some valid points you made there.

I experienced civil unrests in former Yugoslavia and last thing I want to see is another civil war or destroyed economy.

I really care about this country and their people but sometimes they seem to be their own enemies. With incredibly corrupt government, poor education system and deeply rooted xenophobia, any changes in near future are very unlikely.

Check this one out, leader jacket from Joe Rocket....Baht 7,000 shipping and handling included

Not so useful if you don't like Kwacks though

They have all other major brands too, posted the one I have.

I never buy excuse "don't like Suzuki or Kawasaki etc..", some people can't afford certain models and hate them for it.

I "hate" MV Augusta F4CC - $120,000 (USA Price).

Hi Thanh, one question leads to another!

Can anyone say what the situation is bringing bikes in from Malaysia and can you get big bike?

There are tons of big bikes in Malaysia but at least 30% more expensive than in Thailand. Singapore bikes are cheap, try over there.

Isan...strange people, even stranger customs.

Southern Thailand people consider them human subspecies, shame of entire country.

What a stupid ignoramus. What subspecies are you from? Oops am I flaming? So sorry. Guess it beats flaming a whole region of people.

Don't shoot the messenger Einstein, I was just relaying what southerners say about them.

Isan...strange people, even stranger customs.

Southern Thailand people consider them human subspecies, shame of entire country.

Check this one out, leader jacket from Joe Rocket....Baht 7,000 shipping and handling included:

I had 328i until few years ago. BMW electronics are one sensitive SOB. The only competent people for this kind of job are Performance Motors or Barcelona Motors, BMW authorized dealers and service. They do good job but will skin you alive.

Thanks for taking the time to read my article and replying to it, [flames deleted]

I did not post this topic seeking any advice, as one person did suggest. If you read my original post, I did not ask for advice. I simply posted it to do my bit (small as it may be) to alert people across the world to know how corrupt a country Thailand is, through the good old world wide web. Maybe if more and more people made that small bit of effort, then a change for the better may be inevitable, instead of everybody just living with the system and complaining to themselves.

I have investigated this matter fully through a lawyer friend (for free) and found that everything is what it has been reported to have been. I have no doubts whatsoever as to the sincerity of my wife, thank you very much.

To all of those people who stereotype ALL Thai girls as being schemers and connivers to their foreign boyfriends and husbands, then MY advice to YOU is to get back to where you came from pronto, marry an English/American/Australian woman, or whatever, and live out the rest of your sad, paranoid lives in comfort.

You're absolutely right James, sadly your thread attracted too many usual suspects (read: post whores). I symphatise with your situation and hope everything turns out ok for you and your wife. Don't pay attention to these idiots who insult your wife's integrity, they're just a bunch of loosers with nothing to show for.

On my part, it would be Japanese. Healthiest food of all.

On another note, Pakistani and Indian food should be separated. Traditional Indian cusine doesn't use beef much while Pakistani does.

English food....lol

Not retired but life here feels like retirement compared to west. Never frustrated, it all depends on your personality and how open you are to new acquintances. Avoid people who whine all the time, they're just dissillusioned jealous folks at the end of the line. Try places like Watermark at the boat lagoon, The Boat House, Amari or those fine 3 restaurants in Kalim Bay. In no time you'll meet some nice affluent folks with similar interests in life and your days will be full of genuine excitement.

I ride my bikes, go boating & fishing, enjoy fine cuisine either at home BBQ or nice fresh seafood restaurants and steakhouses just about every day of the week. Get yourself a nice home, do some gardening, build fish pond....start a hobby. Get a pet...dog perhaps, jog around with him at Nai Harn beach. At Chaofa Rd there is beautiful spa/gym called Sukho, check the place out. In general, avoid Patong and similar areas full of grumpy western old men and prostitutes. After 2 days of knowing them, these leaches will offer you "deals of century" to buy junk car, rundown house, land....anything just to earn commision. They'll even try to borrow money from you, that says it all.

There are many fantastic places and great people on the island...I'm sure you'll have best time of your life.

Yeah, I landed money to ex policeman who is married to rich foreign lady some money in September 2006 and still nothing. He lives in same housing area as me and pretends like nothing happened. No honor, self-respect at all....

All quality major brand helmets have ventilation. Try Arai, Nolan or even localy made Index.

it's normally like that for JUST RELEASED NEW MODELS. if you can wait a couple of months/years then you'll see the promotions of all dealers (that's if the car doesn't sell well). the attitude of the sales people are such which means demand for this car is high and they can afford to be selective of customers.

anyway, you can try to shop around and you might get a better salesperson at another dealer. when i wanted a deal on a friend's City 4 years back or the Toyota Sport Cruiser i got before, each dealer offered different levels of discounts and freebies and even help selling the old car.

Very true jakbkk....

Here is the example: at the end of 2007 Phuket Benz introduced latest C Class. They immediatelly dropped prices for previous C Class from 2,55 mil down to 2,2 million. These are brand new cars I'm talking about.

If you have money invest in condominiums and rent them. Can't go wrong, at least that is my experience.

During a world-wide economic down-turn where holidays are sacrificed first? Maybe not.

Well, I've been hearing that argument since 2001, yet all quality condos (I mean real quality, not Phuket town or Patong style) are selling like hot cakes. Economic downturn does not affect all segments of society that much, only medium, low or unskilled labor. There are so many Russians lining up for long term rentals, wish I had money for few more units. For long term investment I can't think of anything better except plot of land in prime area.

Here is the example: in 2001 I bought land for 14,000 baht per square wah in housing project. Now it sells for 30,000.

At that time some people were saying "aaahhh so expensive"...needless to say until today none of them owes any land or decent house.

Bought my first bike when I was 14 years old high school student. Me and friend of mine were selling used goods on flea market to collect enough money. After couple of months we purchased Czech made CZ250 and gone absolutely crazy. Needless to mention, none of us had driving license or riding experience. Almost killed myself due to immature antics. My father found out about it and called police. They came and confiscated the bike. Your cousin is 19, so his father can't do such thing. I thing the best way would be to have arrange for him join one of those motorcycle clubs and take advice from older and more experienced riders. This way he won't resent you and might learn something new in process.

I am seriously considering taking Thai language lesson and getting an ED Visa in try living in Phuket. The school is in Patong but I would really like to be in an area where it's near enough but still away from city life. Any suggestions? And what is it really like living in Phuket should I decided to stay there for an extentented period of time and do something potentially stupid like buying over a bar or something...

Yeah, bar would be stupid. If you have money invest in condominiums and rent them. Can't go wrong, at least that is my experience.

And British International, formerly known as Dulwich. They are slightly more expensive then QSI but I found them snobish. When we went for interview my kid hated the place. He begged me tearfully to send him to QSI lol....