Nickymaster

I can't imagine it is going to be a solo ride. It is just too dangerous to do that, especially for a girl. I think there are plans in place that she will be joined by others along the way.

Just checked out Dirtshop website....looks good and if it is near Onnut BTS then should be easy to get to. Short walk I assume?

Thanks for all replies.

very long walk from ON Nut Station. At least a few (5-7) kms. Better take a taxi

He had the guts to stand up to the criminal, animal family of the Shinawatra tribe and its lackeys, bully boys, thugs, thieves, money grabbers and hangers on.

Huh? Are you aware of the man's history?

If anyone has an entourage of lackeys, bully boys, thugs, thieves, money grabbers and hangers on, I expect that it is Suthep, the "Don" of the south.

But...He had the guts to stand up to the criminal, animal family of the Shinawatra tribe and its lackeys, bully boys, thugs, thieves, money grabbers and hangers on.

I don't like Suthep AT ALL. He is the kind of politician Thailand is better of without. Do you dare to say that about Thaksin?? but I applaud him for winning over Thaksin's propaganda machine and violent thugs.

Yes, everybody, just click your heels three times and repeat, "There's no place like Thailand, there's no place like Thailand ….

Well, toto, he's not going to say ( at least not yet) : "..watch out because I'll get you and your little dog too"

You know... his real problem is that he has no honest PR team. Everyone is afraid of him because he is the big man. The bigger you are here , the less truth you hear. Bloody culture!

Is that not the reason Thaksin is a narcissistic fugitive now? Seriously!

Thai people love him. They will ask him through a referendum to remain in power. It will happen.

Many posters on TVF know pretty well where I stand regarding Thaksin and family..

However I respect all others opinions. Thaksin is a master of PR, and he is using that very cleverly to keep the pot simmering. His opposition, unfortunately, seem rather inept when it comes to making moves. If this were a chess game, Thaksin would have checkmated this lot in 10 minutes and gone for coffee..

He is like herpes, he just won't go away and that is the problem for the present government.

Their ineptitude can be illustrated by some of the rather bizarre announcements regarding tourist numbers, the railway upgrade, particularly the HST and all that fluff.

However, being Thais they just cannot or will not ignore him (the powers that be, that is.) He barks and they react, rather like pitching pebbles at a noisy soi dog.

The man has seemingly inexhaustible resources, numerous residences worldwide and is free as a bird to travel just about anywhere. This may prove a slight hindrance for him due to the passport fiasco, but knowing Thaksin's style, he has much better connections than P.M. Prayuth.

Fair enough but on top of all of this he and his family are really suffering. They have created a miserable life for themselves. Look at Thaksin's face. Look at Yingluck's face. I find these kind of people very stupid because they don't know when to stop. They can't enjoy all their wealth. Even hoping around in a private jet can't make them happy. They only believe I winning and losing. It's all a game for them and unfortunately many people have to die and suffer for them along the way.

Revoking his passports might not have a lot of effect on him but this is a sign that everything the Shins have left in Thailand will be taken away from them. I even believe that Yingluck will do a Thaksin (flee Thailand) one day. The army clearly had enough of their games.

How can anybody seriously think revoking his passport will have any effect ? Who got invited to the World Leaders conference in Korea? It is the current lot that (like many of you haters) who are squirming .

First it wasn´t a "World Leaders Conference". Look it up.

Second and most important is the fact that Thaksin is now depending on 2 (IIRC) foreign countries for extending his passports. Whenever these countries decide that it is no longer in their interest to be associated with someone like Thaksin Shinawatra then he is in real trouble. He will now have to grease a lot of palms and continue to invest in these countries whether he likes it or not to retain the privilege of a passport.

With two Thai passports as "fallback options" he didn´t have to worry.

No effect?

"....Thaksin is now depending on 2 (IIRC) foreign countries for extending his passports."

Maltese passport and life as an EU citizen for anyone with £546,000

Yes, a solid option. You should have read the whole article.

"[...] But the Maltese opposition says that the process used to vet the applications lacks transparency, and is unhappy that the applicants identities will not publicly disclosed. Simon Busutil, the leader of the opposition Nationalist Party, has pledged to revoke the passports if his party is gets into power again.

Mr Busuttil, who sits on a monitoring committee that has access to the applicants names, has also threatened to disclose their identities publicly, which could frighten off publicity-shy oligarchs. [...]" http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/malta/10445966/Maltese-passport-and-life-as-an-EU-citizen-for-anyone-with-546000.html#disqus_thread

Relying on temporarily cash strapped EU countries for selling their citizenships - and becoming subject to European jurisdiction? A tricky decision for someone like Thaksin with his war on drugs resumee.

Are you still roasting that old chestnut, please get it into your head that Thaksin did no initiate the so called "war on drugs" it was government policy long before he was elected, with Police/Army/Rangers (men in black) entering the houses of these SUSPECTED of drug dealing and shooting them dead in front of their families! Sometimes getting the wrong people. I don't defend his policy of widening the net, but it will not affect how he is viewed outside Thailand.

Go and educate yourself.

http://m.hrw.org/legacy/english/docs/2004/07/07/thaila9014.htm

Some people here on TV really don't know how to hide their admiration for the narcissistic fugitive. They claim that they don't care about him but at the same time keep defending him in a sneaky way.

Won't it be ironic if he meets the same fate as those red shirts he ordered to be picked off from afar by sharpshooters.

Evidence?

That's what Jatuporn tells them. That makes it crystal clear evidence for those gullible followers.

Good news--Thaksin is no longer in charge.

Bad news--The majority of the Thai people still want democracy.

How will the junta deal with this?

You are having trouble keeping up with all of this aren't you ?.

When elections are held (the most free and fair Thailand has ever seen), will you stand up at Democracy Monument and shout "I am a gullible idiot" ?.

Because I have not seen or read a single thing to make me believe otherwise up to this moment.

You think I am a gullible idiot because I don't trust a military junta that came to power by toppling an elected government to produce a democratic constitution. I disagree. To find a gullible idiot a person who thinks the junta will produce a democratic constitution need only look in the mirror.

If and when the junta allows elections, the only reason they might be "free and fair" will be cause the prize won't be worth cheating for; all power will reside outside of elected offices:

"To break this deadlock, the new constitution would weaken the clout of elected politicians. A proportional voting system would encourage smaller parties and coalition governments in the lower house of parliament, while the upper house would be filled with a mix of candidates nominated by committee or selected by professional groups, including one dominated by former military figures. Under certain circumstances, the prime minister could be appointed from outside parliament. Watchdog agencies perceived to be tied to the establishment would get new powers. Thus, unelected elites could mind the store, rather than ordinary voters -- thought to be too susceptible to populist blandishments."

"Such a system would hark back to Thailand's failed past. Earlier constitutions also featured an appointed prime minister and senate, along with a weak lower house. But the old system produced 25 coalition governments from 1979 until Thaksin's election in 2001. And because many ordinary Thais, voting that year under a liberalized constitution, saw their circumstances improve under Thaksin, even the poor have grown used to the idea that their votes matter. They can hardly be expected to again trust their fates to a clique of "wise men" in Bangkok."

"Nor is there any reason to believe that constitutional tweaks can eliminate the main vices attributed to Thaksinite administrations. The junta has amply demonstrated that unelected governments can resort to populist measures as easily as any other, having disbursed billions in subsidies to mollify rice farmers loyal to the previous government. Weak coalition governments would face even more pressure to buy support. "http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-04-20/thailand-needs-elected-leaders-not-a-new-constitution

I underlined the most significant sections for the benefit of those who don't like to read any more than necessary.

There were two other parts of the Bloomberg article I found pertinent to Thailand's current situation:

"Rampant corruption, meanwhile, did not begin with Thaksin's arrival and won't end with his familys exit from the political scene. Cutting back on graft requires greater transparency, as well as watchdogs that are truly independent. Theres little evidence the new constitution will promote either."

and:

"The solution isnt to disempower politicians, as if they were some malign species. Only voters can give government legitimacy. And the only true, sustainable check on any future Thai government is the threat of being voted out of power. The way for opposition parties to defeat Thaksins popular electoral machine is to do the hard work of developing a national agenda and appeal. Any constitution that tries to get around basic democracy will only ensure that another one needs to be written in a few years."

I trust democracy, you trust a military junta. Who is the gullible idiot?

My apologies John, I seem to have totally misunderstood your post (and visa versa). I don't trust the junta to produce "free and fair elections" one little bit. I want to see free and fair elections return true democracy in Thailand and this will not "spring from the barrel of a gun" by overthrowing democratically elected governments, repressing free speech and tinkering with the election process to produce skewed results. I bow to your wise words.

You want the return of true democracy. Uuuuuuuuhhhhhh

This is not a government it is a self appointed military junta. who do not have a clue.

I also miss Yingluck. She really impressed me during all those debates she had with the opposition. She had a clear view of how to lead this country and on top if it, she was open for suggestions. She was always in Thailand to solve all issues first hand. Never did anything that favored her family. She really sacrificed herself for the good of the country. Off all the billions she had spend buying rice from the farmers, a wopping 15% went to them. Yes she was elected, whether or not it was democratic...

(by the way, a military junta is a form of government)

Screenshot_2015-06-03-09-04-23.pngScreenshot_2015-06-03-09-09-54.png

Test rides available at mega bangna.

at mega Bang Na parking lot. Longest straight is 100 m. I'll try the Panigale [emoji3]

Here we have another drivel from the Nation trying to explain democracy to the readership and throwing everything into the pot from moral and ethical issues and in that creating a view of democracy that is as thick as pea soup.

Democracy derives from two old Greek words ‘demo’ and ‘kratos’ meaning people and rule or power, giving the people the power to vote for the form of administration they aspire; that is the only rule required in a democracy, the right to vote freely for or against an administration.

Freedom of speech, laws that prevent corruption, the right to own properties are values we might want to see enshrined in laws but they are not the measure of a democracy. A government that is voted into office on the basis that it is going to abolish free speech and declares corruption a virtue is still a democratically elected government when elected by the majority of the voters in free elections.

Can you rewrite this and then ad something about accountability, checks and balances and transparency? Where I come from we take that very serious. Otherwise I might as well listen to Thaksin preaching about his version of leal democlacy .

In his latest interview from self-imposed exile, Thaksin once again blamed everyone and everything but himself. What he left out was the stark truth that his own supposed democratic rule was badly flawed, with top-level corruption threatening to run out of control, checks and balances virtually non-existent and Parliament only used to rubber-stamp irregularities and worse.

THAKSIN: "I HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG" 2:39

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLAPCgQM0Sk

ABS is essential in Thailand with all those oily, dusty, gravel/sand covered roads. Ad some rain and even with ABS it becomes dangerous. Just my opinion after having owned 7 big bikes and done 100,000 kms here in LOS.

Again, just my opinion and experience so no need to argue about it.

stop spreading fear and hatred through lies. Thailand is fairly peaceful. Let's keep it that way.

On the contrary. it is you who is propagation a lie. Is it not true that:

1. There has been a recent increase in violence in the south? (Even if you insist there has not been an increase, the fact that there are ongoing bombings and killings demonstrates that it is not peaceful). In the past few days alone, there have been multiple shootings in Yala and an IED in Saba Yoi.

2. Outside of the southern insurgency, the national homicide rate remains high. (If the insurgency deaths were included it would push the homicide rate even higher.) Don't peaceful countries have lower homicide rates?

3. Road related injuries and fatalities. There hasn't been any improvement in these numbers has there? In a civil society, people drive more prudently and with respect for others.

Thailand is fairly peaceful in many of the farang enclaves (with the exception of Phuket). It is also fairly peaceful in some of the ethnically homogeneous regions. However, the situation is not very good in the national hotspots. I carved out Phuket. Do you know why? It is because the local authorities have refused for the past two years to release the numbers of foreigners killed or injured in Phuket. My understanding is that the position was adopted as the numbers kept increasing. My take away is that one can argue that the situation is improving if one plays with the data or withholds key information.

To top it all off, Thailand sits on the edge of a humanitarian crisis with the Rohingya, faces international sanctions over its fishing industry, has yet to deal with its airline sector which is in crisis mode, and has a sputtering economy. Oh yes, Thailand is in a great place. Yes, it is good that the violent thugs of the Suthep brigade are back in their corrupt rehions of Surat Thani-Phuket-Nakhkon Si Thammarat, and the saboteurs of democracy are back in their "special" occupations, such that their violence has ended, but that doesn't change anything else.

Tell you what. I will climb aboard the military bandwagon the day it finally takes on the small group of families who control Phuket. Let them remove the jetskis from Patong Bay and I will sing the regime's praises. Let the military arrest and charge any one of the multiple people who have encroached on national parkland with their construction and I will march in the parade. Shut down just one of the bogus real estate operators and I will do a cartwheel of delight. Put an end to the immigration shakedowns at HKT, and the forced "fees" paid to the police and I will become a believer. Arrest just one of the master land owners of Bangla Road for complicity in the operation of a firetrap nightclub with inadequate fire exits, and life/safety equipment. If your beloved general does anything to stop corruption, ANYTHING, I will be the first to offer thanks and praise and my appreciation. I'll even go and give him a big wai at a public venue.

You always have so much to say but never provide any links/ evidence.

Why?

As far as I understand, Ducati isn't making anything here at all, parts included. The smaller framed "Asia Only" 795 model of Monster (with the cheaper double sided swing arm) are only being assembled here to reduce the import duty. But everything is still being made in Italy or elsewhere. Also, just for the record, this Ducati Monster that everyone thinks is so inexpensive here (the 795) is not a real Monster as I said in the sense that it is a smaller frame than the standard frame and targted towards the Asian market. It also has a double sided swing arm, which is less aesthetic looking and cheaper to make:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/577/11353/Motorcycle-Article/New-Ducati-Monster-795-for-Asian-Market.aspx

Smaller frame? Really? You are wrong. All latest air cooled Monsters frames are the same (659-696-795-796-1100)

Back to the 795. The only difference is the swing arm, (with 160 tyre instead of 180), handlebars, brakes and clutch and some other minor things) compared to the 796. The 795 in Asia is basically the same as the 696 they sold in the U.S., Europe etc only a larger engine. So nothing about smaller size especially for the Asian market.

Yes they are assembled here with parts from Italy (engine), electronics, suspension and tires from (Germany/Italy). Front suspension comes from Italy too btw. Seat, body parts, wheels are made in Thailand.

Dude, do some research before posting.

Not necessarily true, just like the OP I wanted something 800 cc or above when I started looking for a new bike, wasn't sure which one but I new it had to be above 800. The 3 bikes OP is looking at were in the list of bikes that I have considered too.

Ended up getting something completely different altogether but that's a different story.

What?

Diavel

I own a Diavel as well and I've made a couple of trips from Pattaya to Koh Chang but it was always in the back of my mind, what if my Diavel quit, how would I make it back to the nearest dealer and how long would it take him to fix it. I found out about a month ago, my 2 YO Diavel with 12,000 kilometers on it quit on me. Luckily I was here in Pattaya and made it back home. At the dealer they gave me an appointment for three weeks from when I went to see them, said it was impossible to see me sooner, they were too busy. After I brought it in after three weeks they called me and said the part I needed, part of the fuel injection, had to be ordered from Italy and it would be another six weeks before I got it back! It is still at the dealer and it is supposed to be ready the 25th of this month.

I also own a couple of Hondas also so I have a bike to take on my trips and I had already quit taking the Diavel touring thinking that someday something like this would happen and I would be stranded. Ducatis are nice and I don't plan on getting rid of mine any time soon but you do pay a price, they aren't very practical. For practicality get a Honda, Kawa, etc, not a Ducati .

Sorry to hear about your bad experience, especially with the dealer. The fact that they told you to come back in 3 weeks and then let you wait for 6 weeks is a joke. What a bunch of <deleted>. I own a Multistrada which I bought at Ducati Tong Lo BKK. It has had a few issues but never left me stranded. They always fixed it on the spot (or within a few days). Parts from Italy arrived within 2 weeks. I believe that the Tong Lo dealer is the only one that can give professional service.

The current regime inherited a very failed situation, things were clearly breaking down under the democratic model, there was a lot of factional killing, and normal working people lived in fear of what would happen tomorrow. I applaud the current regime for restoring stability and peace. I also am encouraged by their first steps on tackling corruption and trying to get the nation back on track, after decades of carnage. Much of the corruption and chaos was being orchestrated by Thaksin, and so it is only right that he is one of many targets in the clean-up drive.

I do not envy their task one bit, the problems they faced when they took power were both acute and immense. I think they've done a lot of good things, especially on restoring stability and peace in normal working people's lives.

The failed situation as you describe it appears to have been engineered by a rather bitter group who had been plotting to overthrow the democratically elected government of Thailand ever since Yingluck was elected PM. I appreciate that there are many who will disagree. However, the aforementioned comment is my understanding of the prevailing opinion of the countries who had condemned the suspension of democracy in Thailand. Now that the Nation has quoted Thaksin's comment, this perception is finally out in the open. It is the view that colours outside opinions.

How has the current administration restored stability and peace? Are you aware that there is an uptick in violence in the south? Are you aware that many parts of the northeast are still subject to draconian freedom of movement restrictions such as curfews? Would you like to be restricted to your home after 9 pm? My friend's village is subject to such a rule. Remember the big explosions on koh Samui and all the allegations made and how we were promised big names would be named quickly? What happened? What first steps on tackling corruption? NOTHING has really been done. The easiest mess to have cleaned up would have been Phuket and the diabolical jetskis. NOTHING has been done. In fact it can be argued that the situation is worse than before. All those promises of a clean up of the taxi/tuk tuk mafia, and an end to forest and beach encroachment, and still NOTHING.

You talk of decades of corruption. In what era? The short period of Thaksin's time in office saw the most robust economic growth in the past 25 years. It was accompanied by the largest gains in foreign investment, and improvement in social benefit indices. You blame Thaksin for all of Thailand's corruption. Well, considering that the most corrupt region in Thailand is the Surat Thani-Phuket- Nahkon Si Thammarat region, which is also the most anti Thaksin region, and also known as Suthep's playground, who do you think is responsible for corruption in that region then? What's your position on the new multi billion baht palm oil fund intended to support palm oil extraction factories? If you are against corruption and in favour of transparency, how can you support the "fund".

When you refer to "normal "working people, do you even know any? I mean really know them? As most of the population is outside of Bangkok and is found in places like the deep south and Issan, where the instability and fears are unchanged, your generalization is off the mark. People in Pattani still live in fear of being blown up, and people in Ubon still live in fear of being detained without charge or access to legal counsel or a fair trial.

stop spreading fear and hatred through lies. Thailand is fairly peaceful. Let's keep it that way.

It may suggest the junta is nervous and insecure and that's dangerous.

Coming out and showing the world who is in control is NOT a sign of being nervous and insecure.

Strange thinking some posters have here on TV.

How much control have they got over the South?

Strange thinking some posters have here on TV

What does the south have to do with: Actions against Thaksin show junta firmly in control.

Wait..... Are trying to imply that Thaksin is connected with the terrorists in the South?

About as relevant as you using the words " showing the world" .. really, the world? You think the people outside of Thailand really know or care about the internal politics that are STILL causing huges issues here?

You made a broad statement, about showing control, when that same control being exterted over Thaksin, is nowhere near the same level being shown down in the South.

Why is that Nicky? becuse the South doesn't fit into your equation/agenda ? It's always the same with you Kool aid drinkers, you only see Bangkok as Thailand, despite the killings going on weekly down in the South, you don't feel they're any of your concern because you can't vent your anti red hatred to that directions, your ilk harp on about about peace and stability in the country, but theres anything BUT PEACE and STABILITY down in the South, which last time I looked was still very much part of Thailand, which means peace and stability over the country has still to be reached.

Thaksin will always be in the shadows, you seem to forget that Prayuth himself advised the country and the press to stop focusing on Thaksin, when the whole time, it's been his main focus, no love was lost between the two, this goes all the way back to 2006, and these two fannies are playing one upmanship with a country that belongs to neither of them, and well they could do with remembering!!

The country would be better of without Prayuth or Thaksin, but we know that's never going to be the case, this is all part of a bigger picture.

You just don't get it. This is my last time I will respond to your posts because we always end op going off topic. You clearly just moved to Thailand (maybe a few years ago) got settled here and know everything about this country and its political history and the strategies from the players involved.

It is extremely important for the world to see that there is stability in Thailand. The one who has a red "army" and isn't afraid of starting a civil war for his personal benefits IS Thaksin. Shutting him down now IS key to stability. Yes the world IS watching. They don't care about Prayuth or Thaksin. They just don't want another round of violence. Thaksin started campaigning, when he was in S. Korea, for the next Thai elections by saying: the junta doesn't understand the people and some other things (which I don't need to repeat). Comments that could be the beginning of another round of violence. And that's the reason Prayuth had to step in and shut him down (publicly) to take away any confusion/hope/doubt... Yes, if Thaksin would not have opened his mouth in S. Korea he would still have his passports. A straightforward situation Fat Haggis. Dragging the South into the topic was really unnecessary (a bit of a trump card isn't it..) but since you did..

The South... I read somewhere that the killings decreased since last year. There are some articles on the net but they mainly come from the current government and therefore you might not believe them. You can look them up if you are really interested.

It may suggest the junta is nervous and insecure and that's dangerous.

Coming out and showing the world who is in control is NOT a sign of being nervous and insecure.

Strange thinking some posters have here on TV.

How much control have they got over the South?

Strange thinking some posters have here on TV

What does the south have to do with: Actions against Thaksin show junta firmly in control.

Wait..... Are trying to imply that Thaksin is connected with the terrorists in the South?

A broad base of fans, oh well it must be true.

I've never seen his broadcast, a must to avoid for me as I don't like seeing him, he reminds me of my first visit to Madame Tussaud''s.

I do get unhappy though when watching a movie,especially one reaching its conclusion, and on comes the govt propaganda.

All they watch in our house is Thai ladies netball, Muay Thai, shitty B movies, and Thai soaps.. 50% is not a bad result!!

edit: I take back my not so nice comment.

Thai Soap operas keeps half the nation at home, hence less traffic.

It may suggest the junta is nervous and insecure and that's dangerous.

Coming out and showing the world who is in control is NOT a sign of being nervous and insecure.

Strange thinking some posters have here on TV.

On the contrary, the junta's comments on Thaksin and any repressive moves they make show they are totally "out" of control. This Thai writer Bootsripoom has it totally backwards.

No, not at all. Thaksin was testing the waters to see if he could steer up things again and get his followers excited. The army came out and shut him down publicly. They showed the world they are in control. There is no room for games anymore here in LOS.