aussiebrian

Hope not too late for you but there is a quite new shop in Phuket town, in the same road as and not far from Vachira Hospital. 158/9 Yaowarat Road, Phuket Town, They have a pretty good selection of mesh armored Jackets , pants, boots helmets etc..It is called Phuket Riding Gear (sing) 0876251531, and he is friendly and speaks fairly good English. www.phuketridinggears.com/

I know my neck hurts this morning from it.

I am sorry to hear that. Hope you feel better soon. You should go to the police and tell them about your neck pain, they will write a report then take it to the doctor and that will be covered by his insurance.

Ok, I will suggest you could possibly be at fault from what you have now said. I asked you what the speed limit was and you say you were traveling at 60km/h to 70 km/h. Maybe the speed limit was 80km/h or even 90km/h but that really doesn't matter in Thailand as you know. Maybe you were even slower than the 60km/h, even if only by the speedometer error. What I am suggesting is that possibly you moved into the right lane, on a wet road in front of a big truck traveling much faster than yourself or at the least swapped lanes with a big truck coming up behind you traveling at a much faster speed than yourself, blocking his only path to avoid you. Did you see him in your mirrors coming up at a much faster speed than you when you swapped lanes? It takes a truck much longer to slow down than it does a car. I have had what I am describing to you happen to me many times when a vehicle moving slowly in the left lane doesn't check his mirrors properly, and do a head check or just fails to see me approaching at a much faster speed than he is traveling, and then moves into the right lane in front of me, causing me to brake hard to avoid him.

I am not saying this is what happened as I wasn't there and haven't spoken to the other party. It is just a possibly scenario as to why the truck ran into the back of you, from your description of the events, when you were traveling along as you said ‘’at the speed limit’’ when you obviously don’t even know how fast you were traveling or what the speed limit is.

If I am wrong, please accept my humble apology.

Keysey, there is nowhere in the op's description to say if the truck braked or not.

I was over-taking. I was going the speed appropriate for this type of road. I've lived here for 20 years. I know full-well that speed limits mean nothing. I was doing between 60 - 70 kph on slightly wet roads.

The truck came up behind the slow lane car (the same one I was passing) and apparently didn't look in the lane he was entering.

Failing to give him any punishment means there was no lesson learned. The only party suffering any monetary damage is his insurance company. He learned nothing. Perhaps the next time he'll hit someone and send them spinning. I was lucky.

It's nice that folks assume I was somehow at fault. Thanks to those who said nice stuff. :-)

I nor anyone else suggested you were at fault. Obviously your weren't. I was merely pointing out that it could have gone much worse, and often does. How many times have you heard the adage "You are farang, you must pay." That's not the vast majority of peoples experience, at least not anymore, but it can still happen.

I am not sure if in Thailand cops area allowed to write people traffic tickets for incidents they do not witness. I have only heard of this happening in cases which end in death. From where I am from in the states they can when it is obvious a traffic infraction caused the accident. I'm not even sure there is a reckless driving law in Thailand, but if there is and if it is similar to the U.S. laws then it will likely contain wording similar to: "willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property" which is very hard to prove without seeing it. A guy running into the back of you because of inattention is not reckless driving. It would have been nice for the cops to cite him for something though, even if it was for following to close.

In the end you kind of have to let it go. With the amount of time you have spent in Thailand you know the way this guy drives is how most people drive in Thailand. You also know that the police here are not really police in the way we understand the word.

Glad you are ok, and as someone else said you should not be traveling in the right lane unless overtaking, even if you thought you were on the speed limit. Speedometers are usually very inaccurate, my motorcycle reads 10% slower than the true speed, and this is Thailand where speed limits don't mean much. That is no excuse for the other party running into your rear. By the way, what do you think the speed limit along there is? You must be the only person that knows the limit.

Have a look here, they will send to Thailand for only US $50 and best batteries you can buy. http://www.directharleyparts.com/electrical-ignition-batteries-odyssey-odyssey-battery-pc545mj-p-269.html

Dam pretty sad news.

I doubt the Lebanon / Iran connection holds any ground tho. even tho the Americans would like us to believe that.

Do you work for the Thai intelligence? If not, you should apply for a job with them.

Have a look at classifieds here or on bahtsold.com.

Thank you for this report, Brian. Single-entry visa, I presume.

Yes, just a single entry. I spoke to some of the visa places in Chulia St, the day before as I was worried I wouldn't get my 4th one. I had Responses ranged from, you might get it, to, if I give them an extra 250 MYR (2500 baht) they would be able to get it for me.

I went to the Thai embassy by myself and there were no problems they just pointed out the stamp when they gave it back.

I just got back from Penang 2 weeks ago and got my 4th tourist Visa in a row. I have also had the 1 month extentions on them all. This time though they put a red stamp on my visa saying I can't get any more till after I return back to my country. Didn't need any tickets out or to show I had any funds, but there was a notice there to say they may require you to show 20000 baht is funds, but I think that is just to scare you.

I go back to Australia in 6 weeks for a short time, then I can start all over again.

Try Koh Phayam, just a trip by ferry or speedboat from Ranong.

Try using a vacuum cleaner to suck the ink through, Wrap a cloth around it to stop air escaping, but leaving the print head exposed which is sucked by the vacuum cleaner. Be careful that you don't scratch the heads.

I always stop and help if I can if it looks like they need help. Never been blamed for causing anything. Been living here nearly 7 years, that is a lot of collisions I have stopped for. When I stop, I always make sure I park safely and it is safe to stop. I have been able to be of assistance on many occasions. How many collisions have you stopped for, where you were innocent and someone tried to blame you and extort money from you? Once? Twice? Has this happened every time you have ever have stopped?

With maybe over 50 collisions where I have stopped for to render assistance, it must give very good odds at not being blamed

How could you possibly have come across 50 serious accidents. Ive been here 12 years and seen only 2. Never stopped to render assistance either. You rendered assistance at all of them ? Are you a volunteer paramedic?

Sounds like you live under a rock or hardly ever leave home. I never said serious accidents, they were your words. No, I am not a para medic but have had first aid training. I do not often give medical assistance but have done that, normally it is a matter stopping my bike on the road in front of someone lying on the ground, putting my hazard lights on to avoid them being squashed by another vehicle and if they are not seriously injured, helping them get off the road, People here always leave the vehicles where they landed till police of insurance arrive and this can be dangerous to other vehicles approaching. too, especially at night. Not hard to let them use your mobile phone if they don't have one to ring someone or police or ambulance, or to look for witnesses that saw the accident if they are incapable to do that. Many things you can do to help. I have traveled over 250000 km around Thailand. On some trips, especially in the wet, it is not unusual to see 2 or 3 collisions along the way. I don't stop at all, usually only when it looks like it has just happened with few or nobody assisting.

Just 2 days ago, I was in a restaurant and heard a bike come down on a wet road, and it was a girl with her young child on the bike, both injured. She needed help, or would you just leave her there and ignore it. Each to their own.

Very sad. I hope all the injured people come out of this okay.

"He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter."

Maybe one of us din't pay attention when we read the article. I don't see where anyone died in the second accident. I think a death is one of the requirements for manslaughter. Did I miss that part?

"As farang you are always guilty, even if you are not..."

I'm happy to say that my experience in accident situations has been the opposite of what you are saying.

Well, than you were very lucky my friend! JulesMad is right ! Many of us were already in such mafiosi "accidents" where the only intention is to suck the money out of us, the Farang ! And the BIB are what happy to intervere and show their consern to the farang... FORGET IT, most of them are part of those mafia !!

So follow that guy's advice and NEVER stop when you see a motorbike on the ground and next to it some Thai person being the victim, and in the immediate neighbourhoud somebody waving with his/her arm to please stop and give some help... Don't stop as YOU will be the one who's gonna need the help !!!!

I always stop and help if I can if it looks like they need help. Never been blamed for causing anything. Been living here nearly 7 years, that is a lot of collisions I have stopped for. When I stop, I always make sure I park safely and it is safe to stop. I have been able to be of assistance on many occasions. How many collisions have you stopped for, where you were innocent and someone tried to blame you and extort money from you? Once? Twice? Has this happened every time you have ever have stopped?

With maybe over 50 collisions where I have stopped for to render assistance, it must give very good odds at not being blamed

As a farang do NOT stop at any accident site, but proceed with care. IF you stop, you might be blamed for the accident, even if you have nothing to do with it (own experience...) That is also why I will not help any Thai people involved in an accident anymore. There is NO "good Samaritan" rule in Thailand, unfortunately! As farang you are always guilty, even if you are not (especially in traffic accidents) Drive safely and watch everything (360 degrees)

Get a grip! You are insulting and generalizing at best. I don't where you came from nor do I care, but at any rate this sort of diatribe is not accurate. I understand this is your's and a vast majority of TV members reality/point of view. I just don't find your statement true especially living here as long as I have. And you like living in Thailand?

Nobody seems to give you an answer so I give it a go but I don't live on Phuket anymore so don't know about mechanics there.

A blown head gasket is not the end of the world and many small road repair shops should be able to change the gasket relatively cheap.

However your car is 22 years old so maybe its coming to the end of its life and not worth the efforts and better spend the money on a newer car? You said that a radiator hose blew, does this indicate that the whole car is in general bad condition or is it still good? How many km's is on the clock? Not that you can trust that much if you only had the car for say 5 years.

Thanks Guzzi,

Yes, I know it shouldn't be expensive to repair. The car is 22 years old but in very good condition, iwith only 222,000kms on the clock, which I would believe could be genuine. It never uses any oil between changes, or water normally. It has just got me to and back from Malaysia a week ago. As I use my motorcycle for my main form of transport, sometimes I don't drive it for a week and it always fires straight up. I have driven it to Laos, and Bangkok on numerous occasions and has always been reliable. I would prefer to have it repaired than buying another I don't know.

As I had no responses, I went and saw the boss of my local garage, who I know quite well and he has suggested a small garage where I took it this afternoon.

If I was having to spend 50000 baht for a rebuild like Honda suggested, I would just get another car. This garage has said it will be under 10000 baht and with all new hoses and a warranty.

Thanks for your reply.

I tried in the Phuket forum a couple of days ago to find a mechanic for my 22 year old Honda Civic but only had one suggestion for Honda Anuphas. I blew the head gasket and Honda Anuphas quoted 15000 baht to change the head gasket but wanted to put in a second hand motor from Japan for 20000 baht. They said the second hand motor has no warranty so I don't think that this is a good choice. They said to recondition the motor would cost 50000 baht. For this cost I think I would be better off looking for another car.

My Honda has been fantastic till the radiator hose blew a few days ago, which caused the head gasket to blow. I would prefer to find a mechanic that could just replace the head gasket, and possibly shave the head if needed for a reasonable price. There must be some mechanic in Phuket that could do the job.

Thanks in advance.

B quick only does brakes and wheels. So any more suggestions would be appreciated.

Well, just returned from Honda, and without a mechanic even looking they say it would be cheaper to put in a new 2nd hand engine from japan for about 20000 baht. I tried to explain it is just the head gasket and possibly a warped head, and may need machining but they said it would be about 15000 if it was only the head gasket. If it needs rebuild, about 50000baht. No warranty with second hand motor, not even 1 week because they said it should be good, but maybe something wrong with it. Then I will be back to square 1. . Will try b quick. Had brakes done there a few years ago, they did an ok job.

its a few hours work at 350 baht/hour at Honda Anuphas, so why look for someone else?

I have been there before and was happy with the work they did but I did have another problem with them. This is why I was looking for other recommendations. If I don't find another mechanic a few people are happy with, I will have to bite my lip and go there.

My head gasket has blown on my 22 year old Honda Civic. I need to get if fixed quickly but would like any recommendations on a good mechanic here, but sounds to me like an oxymoron.. I live in Kathu but would be willing to drive anywhere on Phuket to get it repaired. Thanks in advance.

You can ride quite legally here with a motorcycle licence from your country and an international driving permit, even though when I was using my Australian licence, I was never asked when stopped to see my international driving permit.

If you are from Singapore Malaysia or Laos you don't require an international driving permit. See http://www.thaivisa.com/320.0.html

That's all very well but you will need a Non-Immigrant visa of some type to obtain a Thai driving license and thus drive legally here.

prob me, i hit a farang's bike on the bypass few months ago when he wasnt in the shoulder and i was trying to pass someone by the left lane because he was going 40 in the right lane as they always do

Tanuki. Drive faster or further left and if you see an obstacle then stop and wait for cars to pass you if you're a slow driver. If you'Re trying to do a uturn on the right side of the road, wait untill you are next to the uturn lane before switching from the shoulder to the middle lanes instead of pissing off everyone driving at 30kph in the fast lane.

If you follow those simple rules, you wont ever be too close to a moving car.

Did you deliberately hit the motorcycle because he wasn't riding to your standards and he pissed you off, or because of your poor driving skills? I hope you stopped and explained your rules to him as he was on your road..

Next thing you the Aussie Boyh will be asking if you still beat your wife!

Cut the sarcasm. Aussiebrain's point is a very valid one.

Thanks for your support silsburyhill. I would have liked an answer from Thailand which I never got. The amazing thing is either, he deliberately tried to hit the bike and succeeded, potentially killing or possibly severely injuring the rider. Why, because, "Thailand" was pissed off the rider wasn't riding to his rules. Motorcycle riders are far more vulnerable than himself, sitting in his tin top with more testosterone pumping than some young pubescent schoolboy and should receive the highest condemnation from the moderator and other posters OR he was driving far to fast for his poor driving skills not taking into account any other road users. Driving and riding in Thailand is totally different to his home country. If the latter is the truth, he should be highly embarrassed to this fact. Instead "Thailand" seems to be proud he hit him. If people are riding too slow, this does not give someone the right to run them off the road or kill them. I also asked "Thailand if he stopped after he hit him".

I ride a big bike and would never be accused of traveling too slow, but will always try to travel at a sensible speed, allowing for other road users, that will enable me avoid a collision. It is total insanity when someone thinks that a rider needs to be taught a lesson by either nearly hitting someone, running them off the road or as in "Thailands" case actually hitting them.

Maybe this rider was actually in the right lane about to make a right turn or a u turn. The OP wouldn't acknowledge this fact because he thinks that he was in the right lane travelling at 40, like they always do.

prob me, i hit a farang's bike on the bypass few months ago when he wasnt in the shoulder and i was trying to pass someone by the left lane because he was going 40 in the right lane as they always do

Tanuki. Drive faster or further left and if you see an obstacle then stop and wait for cars to pass you if you're a slow driver. If you'Re trying to do a uturn on the right side of the road, wait untill you are next to the uturn lane before switching from the shoulder to the middle lanes instead of pissing off everyone driving at 30kph in the fast lane.

If you follow those simple rules, you wont ever be too close to a moving car.

Did you deliberately hit the motorcycle because he wasn't riding to your standards and he pissed you off, or because of your poor driving skills? I hope you stopped and explained your rules to him as he was on your road..

Hi Topt,

Please be aware that Parvovirus is highly contagious and hardy and can live in the environment for six months to one year and by some reports even up to seven years.

Parvo can be transmitted to your home on shoes, clothing, hands and even car tires. If you still want to bring a new pup home where another dog has died from parvo, all areas in the home should be throughly cleaned with chlorine bleach diluted I think with 1 part to 30 of bleach. All bedding should be thrown out or at least throughly cleaned also don't forget your clothing. All stools and any vomit must be picked up and disposed of. Even the soil must be sprayed. It is best not to bring a new pup in the area until it has had at least all the shots for parvo starting around 8 weeks every 3 or 4 weeks to about 20 weeks, but talk to your vet. A dog over 12 months of age will have the best chance not to catch Parvo. Don't want to scare you but it is a terrible virus and I have witnessed 1 dog die of parvo, and a friend of mine in Australia that bred greyhounds had almost all of his dogs wiped out.

Also, good luck to Miffhunter, hope all goes well with your new pup.

Thanks for the advice guys, i do appreciate it... i'm not put off by it, i understand that they will need regular vet visits to keep them healthy.

We found a breeder now and have selected our dog, i'm gunna give him another week or two before we collect him, he's 9-10 weeks old right now, but i prefer to leave it as close to 12 weeks as possible, we gotta puppy-proof the house and garden now and get all the bits we need to welcome him home.

Congratulations MunterHunter - any chance you can share the breeders contact details?

We have a "cross" GSD who is now 13 months old. My girl friend suddenly announced last week she wanted to buy another puppy (12 week old male) she had seen at the same place we bought the first one (she only went to buy some nail clippers). Unfortunately I am not in Thailand the whole time but gave ny assent and the new puppy was home the same day. To cut a long story short he unfortunately died Thursday night/Ftiday am in hospital - parvovirus plus possibly something else. This was after the doctor treating him had said on Thursday 80/90% will be home on Sunday.

Needless to say GF has been distraught but still wants a second GSD. She is sensible enough not to rush into it but was interested in a pure breed. Personally that is not important to me and as a previous poster said I think maybe some mix gives a bit more resistance to diseases.

Picture taken last Saturday.

Can anybody say what would be the range of pricing for a pure GSD between 8 and 12 weeks as I have absolutely no idea?