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josephbloggs
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2 hours ago, steven100 said:
The problem could be similar to that of India's findings some 10 years ago when they first installed the monorail.
“Works needs to be undertaken to smoothen the surface of the guideway beam. It will be carried out in the coming weeks,” said officials connected with the Mumbai Monorail project. The process of levelling the guideway beam is called grinding.
After taking a ride on the monorail on February 16, chief secretary JK Banthia had specified that the services need to be made smoother.
It will take a week’s time to grind the uneven surfaces on the guideway beam between the 8.8-km-long stretch between Wadala and Chembur. However, the authorities have not yet decided when the work will be undertaken.
That does sound remarkably similar. Hopefully there's a similar solution.
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56 minutes ago, steven100 said:
Yes .... following our journey and inspection of the complete open running network, I can adhere that overall we were quietly impressed. There is still alot of cleaning up to be done as well as minor fixings and cosmetic work, however the basic infrastructure and mechanics and operations all went as required. As you mentioned, at first travel one can't refute the slight but continued bumpiness while moving along the track. The MRT and the BTS are generally smooth running with minimal bumps, however the monorail is bumpy throughout the whole journey, although not heavy bumpy but just light annoying bumpy, as for the rest, it got our stamp and pass.
Yeah, I agree with your summation. Overall it is great, the trains are cool, nice views, good route and system. The bumpiness is not enough to stop you using it but, like you say, mildly annoying. I am not sure if that's normal for this type of train or whether the guide rails are not smooth enough. Hopefully someone in the know will know as I am curious.
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3 hours ago, steven100 said:
I'll be testing the new yellow-line monorail system out today.
I will report back following completion of journey & inspection.
I've used it three times so far. Yesterday from Samrong to Hua Mak at 5pm it was packed.
Still can't understand why it is so bumpy though. The two n00bs I brought with me yesterday also commented on how bumpy it was. -
33 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:
So anyone who has experienced those things is lying?
No, I didn't sat that, some people have had issues I am sure.
QuoteYou haven't personally experienced something, so you assume that no one else could possibly experience those things? Really?
You must know that different people have vastly different lives?
Yes, we have vastly different lives.
Again, I did not say that because I hadn't experienced it meant no one could have experienced it. I was saying I have a very positive and friendly outward persona. I have had not one single issue with immigration or Thai offialdom in 28 years of living here. I have friends who have lived here for similar amounts of time and they have had no problems either. The world is not against us for some reason, we must be lucky. I don't know anyone - at all - who calls immigration people "toxic" or "dinosaurs" or "backward".
If you haven't got it by now my inference is that you get out what you put in. The only people I see on here complaining of toxicity at immigration are the ones who post in very negative terms about Thais and Thailand and whinge about everything here. Go around with that kind of attitude and I'm not surprised if people are not super helpful back.
So yeah, I am sure these people go in with a negative attitude, a scowl, and maybe they are not getting smiles back, who'd have imagined?
QuoteYou sound like you have a chip on your shoulder when it comes to other foreigners.
Yeah, a chip on my should about people with chips on their shoulders, ok.
Again, nothing to do with foreigners, I have many foreign friends here, there are many great foreigners on this forum who are positive, friendly, helpful, and don't have these problems. They only seem to happen to the negative posters who look down on everything here. They don't seem to realise that maybe, just maybe, they are the cause. Again, who'd have imagined?
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31 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:
Don't assume that everyone has a chip on their shoulder just because you do.
But I don't. I don't go around whinging that everything is against me, Thais hate me, immigration hates me, we are lowly, we are mistreated, bleat bleat bleat.
I just have a nice life, enjoy it here and don't have any problems. Which makes me wonder where people's issues come from.
The ones with chips on their shoulders are the ones with unjustified victim complexes.-
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3 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:
Is there any developing country that has a lower status attached to Westerners than Thailand?
Is there any Asian country which has more Westerners with massive chips on their shoulders than Thailand?
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37 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:
As is typical, too many to come up with even a single example.
Yeah, but toxic dinosaurs, backwards, terrible, etc etc.
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2 hours ago, pub2022 said:Volvo says emissions from making EVs can be 70% higher than petrol models:
Well, yes and no. That article is from 2021, and you've just posted the headline which suggests you have some kind of agenda, read on and it says:
The Swedish car maker said that over a car's lifetime the electric version will become greener overall, though this will only be achieved after covering between 30,000 and 68,400 miles - taking between four and nine years for the average UK motorist.
So between 30k - 68k miles it will be greener depending on where the source of electricity comes from, assuming 30k is mostly renewable (solar) and 68k is 100% coal generated. Who take 9 years to do 30-68k miles? Not many people. So, yes, it is much greener over its life even if there is more of an upfront cost to manufacture it, your article actually says that. Got to love it when people post a link without reading it.
Try this more recent article from this month on the XE30:
And because it’s made out of composted litter, and Volvo is busy trying to cut the carbon emissions of its entire supply chain and its factories, this is supposedly the kindest Volvo ever for the environment.
Which is a lovely soundbite, but what are the numbers? Well, according to Volvo – building this car and then driving it 120,000 miles will emit fewer than 30 tonnes of CO2. 18 tonnes of that is building the car in the first place. The Swedes insist no other car – even a very frugal petrol car – can beat that footprint from factory to 200,000km. It just goes to show – as ever – that buying a brand new car has a hefty environmental impact long before you ever get the keys…
Weirdly, the greenest Volvo is also the fastest. Welcome to the quickest Volvo ever. The top-of the-range Twin Motor Performance version has 428 horsepower and will leap from 0-60mph in just 3.4 seconds. Even the base rear-drive version has 272 horsepower and will match a Honda Civic Type R to 60mph, taking less than 5.5 seconds. So like most EVs, this sensible small family car is way more rapid than it needs to be.
That’s not because it’s light by the way – even the lightest one is over 1,800kg and a fully specced one with a big battery is perilously close to two tonnes. But the batteries are interesting. Promise. Stick with us – this involves some chemistry.
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/first-look/new-ex30-smallest-fastest-most-eco-conscious-volvo-
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10 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:
Yes, I kind of agree. Volvo say the XC40 was intended to also be a BEV even from the design stage but it still feels like a conversion as, for example, where the push button engine start is on a petrol XC40 is just covered up on the electric version and is just a weird grey plastic circle. Small details, but otherwise the electric XC40 is a superb car. I am a petrol XC40 owner and am waiting for the next gen of Volvos to come out to take the electric plunge as it doesn't make sense to swap for the same car, even though the electric one has cooler features like Google integration throughout, snappier graphics etc. I really did enjoy spending time in one (three days).
I think early next year you should be able to take delivery of the new EX30 in Thailand although that isn't confirmed yet. Exterior and interior look amazing. 422bhp and 543Nm for the dual motor. 0-100 is 3.4 or 3.6 seconds depending on where you look. Good range (460kms if I remember correctly), 175kW charging.
Price I am led to believe will be around 1.7m THB although I guess that's the the single motor version, not sure. Personally I am excited by it - much more personality than a Tesla, better looking, will have better build quality, better interior materials. My only concern is the physical size of it and I need see it in the flesh to make a judgement on whether it is too small or not.
It's great that our choices are becoming wider and wider all the time.
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34 minutes ago, motdaeng said:@Bandersnatch , thank you for sharing your informations.
over a year ago, i made the decision to purchase an electric car, hoping that there would soon be
a variety of options to choose from here in thailand.
right now, many models are available within the price range of under 1.5 million baht. however,
if you're seeking a premium car with excellent performance, comfortable driving, good quality,
and nice design for under 2.5 million baht, there are currently (in my opinion) only three models
available in thailand: the volvo xc40, tesla model 3, and tesla model y.
but for me, the interior and overall build quality of a tesla doesn't feel premium at all. the volvo xc40
is a great car, but you can see it was designed as an ice car and not as an electric car!
it seems that i'll have to wait much longer than expected before I can own an electric car ...
Yes, I kind of agree. Volvo say the XC40 was intended to also be a BEV even from the design stage but it still feels like a conversion as, for example, where the push button engine start is on a petrol XC40 is just covered up on the electric version and is just a weird grey plastic circle. Small details, but otherwise the electric XC40 is a superb car. I am a petrol XC40 owner and am waiting for the next gen of Volvos to come out to take the electric plunge as it doesn't make sense to swap for the same car, even though the electric one has cooler features like Google integration throughout, snappier graphics etc. I really did enjoy spending time in one (three days).
I think early next year you should be able to take delivery of the new EX30 in Thailand although that isn't confirmed yet. Exterior and interior look amazing. 422bhp and 543Nm for the dual motor. 0-100 is 3.4 or 3.6 seconds depending on where you look. Good range (460kms if I remember correctly), 175kW charging.
Price I am led to believe will be around 1.7m THB although I guess that's the the single motor version, not sure. Personally I am excited by it - much more personality than a Tesla, better looking, will have better build quality, better interior materials. My only concern is the physical size of it and I need see it in the flesh to make a judgement on whether it is too small or not.
It's great that our choices are becoming wider and wider all the time.
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1 minute ago, StayinThailand2much said:
So, if expats are not counted as 'tourists', why shouldn't their number turn up in other news or announcements?
As I said, why would they need to announce how many expats go in and out each month, what would be the point?
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2 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:
Have you ever heard or read about in Thai media about the number of 'non-residents' in Thailand, or something along the lines of 'XXX tourists arrived in March, and XX expats/non residents...'?
No, but why would I? I only see TAT reports about the number of tourist arrivals because that is an important metric and that is their job. What kind of country would announce "in April we had 15,587 people on extensions of stay based on employment return from overseas trips"?
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1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:
Maybe because, officially, we are 'tourists' or "aliens", not residents or expats. (That's why an expat couple with kids, going on 5 overseas trips/year will make up a good junk of the 'yearly tourist arrivals' statistics when coming back to Thailand...)
How do you know that? I hear it so often on here but no-one knows it, it is nothing more than TVF hearsay and I have never seen a shred of evidence to support it.
Our details get scanned and entered on to the immigration computer on arrival. They know how many are on long term visas coming back on re-entry, they know how many are on tourist visas, they know how many are coming in on visa exempt. It's on a computer system. What makes you think they just lump them all in together at the end and call them tourists? It's just a TVF myth unless someone can show me otherwise, I would be happy to be corrected but I don't expect I will be.
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1 minute ago, GinBoy2 said:Tonal languages are a bitch to learn.
I started with Mandarin nearly 30 years ago and it frustrated the Hell outta me when folks couldn't understand when I got a tone wrong.
Then it clicks when you realize the word with two tones has two meanings. That Eureka moment with Mandarin helped me with Thai and Lao.
Correct. It is due to the nature of the language that they genuinely can't understand you when you get it wrong, it is not because they are stupid (as has been inferred by some posters).
It's like if someone came to you and said "I difficult go to shirt a rice tiger" but they really meant "I want to go to buy a white shirt", you wouldn't have a clue what they are on about. Yes, they are all extremely close words but with entirely different meaning so these posters would think "I am close, why don't they understand me? Why are Thais so stupid, unlike the Spanish". Spanish is not a tonal language.-
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14 minutes ago, Lorry said:
Thx for a very informative post.
Yes, i needed this. I really had no idea what the ladders were for until another poster explained it.
You mentioned the safety videos, and you are right: I have never seen safety videos on the other systems. Here they made me look where the fire-extinguishers are, and how to open the compartment, so they had exactly the desired effect.
If there were a fire on the old BTS I would be completely clueless.
I still think fire extinguishers should be placed in the open for all to see.
Cool, thanks Larry for coming back, and yes, it would be better if the fire extinguishers were in the open and not locked away.
QuoteSounds almost too good to be true.
As of now, I can't use my rabbit card at all, it "expired". I can't remember how many times BTS staff told me that my card had expired, even before they had the rabbit card. But to get a new rabbit card, they wouldn't do it on the spot. "Come back tomorrow and bring your passport!" As if they hadn't my passport in their system. A bureaucratic procedure for a f...ing stored value ticket!
Can't help you with that, I didn't know they expired. But it is easy to get a new one if you have your passport - I just got one for my daughter. But yes, a lot of bureaucracy but normally dealt with quite quickly. Maybe @Crossycan help if you have specific problems.
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On 6/7/2023 at 3:46 PM, Lorry said:
In addition to what others reported (bumpy ride, windows still transparent without commercials so you have a view):
If you like zigzag labyrinths this is for you. Endless zigzagging walkways, stairs, bridges, skywalks.
It varies by station depending on where they bought the land to put the exits. Some are very close, some are further away but I think it beats stairs coming down on pavement a la BTS. But yes, some exits are pretty far.
QuoteThe stations look very cheap from outside.
I don't agree with this - they look much smarter than the BTS stations, at least they have cladding and are not bare concrete.
QuoteStations wear the MRT logo, tickets the BTS logo. I am sure, by the time we have to pay they will develop a payment system incompatible with all the other systems in Bangkok public transport
You can use your Rabbit card which is compatible with BTS green lines and the pink line to come.
It also accepts contactless credit / debit cards which seems like it will soon be throughout Bangkok (MRT blue and purple also accept these). Agree though that they should have one common ticketing system.
QuoteVery few passengers (weekdays, daytime). Trains run every 10 minutes, but with so few passengers they will probably reduce this to every 20 minutes (like airport link), which would make it much less attractive.
I went on the opening day and it was busy. Went on today in mid morning and not so busy. Once every 10 minutes seems about right for now. And airport link hasn't been every 20 minutes for around 10 years - it is every 8-12 minutes depending on time of day.
QuoteDriverless.
They have fire extinguishers on board, well hidden in a locked compartment under some seats. In case of fire, you need to stay calm, don't panic but take your time to fiddle with the locks of the fire extinguishers' compartment.
Ok. You must be scared. Where are the fire extinguishers on the BTS or MRT? Have you memorised those locations and the procedure to release them? I don't see how the monorail is any better or worse than anywhere else (probably better). They also have safety videos playing constantly showing you where they are - I don't recall that on any other system here.
QuoteThey also have emergency ladders. I couldn't figure out whether they are a staircase to heaven or whether you are supposed to climb down to street- level (in this case, you have to jump the last 5 or 10 meters as the ladders aren't very long)
Emergency ladders are in case of a serious emergency when the train is stuck. Staff will guide you to follow the emergency procedure and place the ladders to get you down to the emergency walkway, and once everyone is out they will lead you to safety. Again there are videos showing this and I don't recall anything similar on the other systems. I also know people who work on this system and the training is solid.
And what are you on about about jumping 10 metres? Do you really need that explaining? The ladders take you down from the train to the walkway, you are not jumping to street level. Again do you really need that explaining?-
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I decided to start a second free personal gmail account.
Now not so easy, so many options and complications. And I don't want to also start domain names etc.
Any hints how to nowadays start a new free basic personal gmail account much appreciated.
Thanks.
Not hard at all, and nothing to do with domain names.
Go here: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/56256?hl=enClick create account. Enter name, DOB, choose your email address, you can skip the stuff about mobile phone number if you prefer, and that is pretty much it.
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28 minutes ago, HuskerDo2 said:
The only difference I see now verses setting up an acct in the past is that they want your phone number so they can send a code to it. More invasion of privacy and taking your personal info. Try getting a burner phone for a one time use.
Phone number is optional.
Getting a burner phone, really? -
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40 minutes ago, fredob43 said:So in other words it takes 30Min: to add 60% charge to the car you drove. So my daughter isn't far wrong when she stated around an Hour. N/B in that hour I could have been 100km further down the road.
I am not going to argue, I don't own an EV, just my experience was that 30 minutes got me about 300kms of range and took me from around 17-18% to 80%.
QuoteSorry but you can't change my mind.
Not trying to. I literally couldn't care less what anyone drives. I just care about people saying ridiculous things like diesel is the best, EVs are washing machines etc. Up to you what you drive, I really don't care.
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46 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:
I'm watching the recording now. Very slick presentation so far. 0-100kmh in 3.6 seconds, wow!
153kW charging means 26 minutes from 10% to 80%. I think it looks great, I am very interested, and the tech is fantastic. I just don't know how small it is. is it Neta V small? (That would be too small).
If anyone wants to review: https://ex30event.volvocars.com/-
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14 hours ago, motdaeng said:
https://ex30event.volvocars.com/
if anyone is interested in watching the EX30 livestream today (7.june 18.30) here's the YouTube link.
I'm watching the recording now. Very slick presentation so far. 0-100kmh in 3.6 seconds, wow!
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5 minutes ago, fredob43 said:My daughter has two EV in the UK and she tells me that they take around an hour to charge from around 20% to 90% on a fast set up. Miles longer on a slow charge set up. They lease them in the UK that's only because it saves their business loads on tax.
I don't own one so have no first hand evidence other than when I borrowed an electric XC40. I got it from 20% to 80% in 30 minutes on a DC charger which was enough to comfortably get me back from Hua Hin to Bangkok with 100km range to spare.. No idea about other brands or other charging facilities so I tend to listen to people who do drive EVs here for their opinions as they know better than me.
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1 hour ago, DavisH said:These aren't the only diesels though are they? My crv diesel is quieter at 100km/h than the petrol equivalent. Then there is a range of other European diesels that are more refined than pickups also.
I've driven "nicer" diesels too. I put down a deposit on a new Merc C250 a few years ago. Before it was delivered I was told sorry, they are not supplying petrol any more and it will be replaced by a C300 diesel at no extra cost. I wasn't interested but they said they would lend me one for 24 hours and I would come around. I didn't come around. It was noisy, dirty and rattly. Nice torque, but I couldn't live with that engine day to day. I cancelled my order and got my deposit back. Hilarious that anyone brags about a diesel.
I have ridden in BMW diesels numerous times. Same. Sure, diesels have come a long way since the 90s but in comparison to a petrol car they are generally noisy, dirty and rattly, and in comparison to an EV they are prehistoric. I hated the idea of EVs as I am a massive petrol head and have a history of spending too much money buying, and modifying, petrol cars, and I used to share many of these childish sentiments - washing machine, milk float, hair dryer - until I tried an electric car and spent a few days with it. Wow, you will never go back. The lack of noise (yes, you grow to appreciate it very quickly), the instant performance, the one pedal driving, the zip and fun. My next car (whenever that will be) will be an EV without doubt. But for sure, as numerous EV owners have commented, an EV is not for everyone. One would fit my lifestyle but if you are doing 1,000 km journeys regularly then it would probably not fit yours. But quit making the silly comments about EVs and about diesel being superior, just go with what works for you and leave the rest of us alone.
So try it before commenting. And try it before championing diesel technology from the dark ages. I was converted.
And there is one poster on here who drives a Porsche Taycan (but who deserves much credit for very very rarely mentioning it - he just refers to it as his EV, much kudos). He will never go back and if you buy that kind of car you are a car enthusiast without question, so I trust his opinion and his journey more than that of someone bleating how diesel is the best.-
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1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:
I'm sorry, I thought you said:
My bad
No worries. I have never done a 1,000km journey in a diesel, I thought that was clear. But I have driven a lot of them and they are noisy dirty and rattly and I wouldn't consider ever driving 1,000kms in one. Clear now?
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Romanian authorities change human trafficking charge against Andrew Tate
in World News
Posted
When I saw the headline I thought, "Oh no, they're lessening the charges??", but phew, they are making them more severe.