connda

Wow. Talk about poetic justice, and the loss of face.

I guess I won't be wearing any of my yellow or red shirts for the time being. I think I'll wear a nice grey sports shirt to going along with the Chiang Mai weather and the general mood in Thailand.

Even if Suthep group will be successful in ousting Yingluck, I don't believe there will be peace thereafter.

How can a country be governed by not elected people? Let the people decide by voting.

Number of protesters cannot justify the number in whole Thailand.

Before Yingluck, it was Abhisit. Abhisit is an opposition. Opposition also protested. Now, Yingluck, it's the same problem

I'm sitting in Chiang Mai surrounded by a couple of million Thai folk going about their work...business as usual. Who the heck's in Bangkok, and how do they manage to hold so much sway over the lives of the majority of Thai?

I don't think the Thai people will benefit by any group using the "over-throw the government" card again. If the path keeps being used, it will become a rut, and then the path of least resistance.

Here we go again. Anarchists for Democracy.

Dam_nit, I'm sliding back to principles which makes me a "red apologist" I guess, although I'm not to be because I don't believe Yingaling has done squat and this government needs to go.

However, what was the cause of that 2010 debacle? Track it back to 2006, and you would be correct. 2010 didn't happen in a vacuum, like they woke up one day and decided to torch the city. What we are seeing right now, which is a replay of 2008, is exactly the lead up which caused 2010.

To cherry pick 2010, like a stand-alone incident, is disingenuous.

To stop at 2006.... .... (it was all crap when the coup happened)...

What is the way forward?

The current system is broken beyond repair (imho) though I would love to be proven wrong. The only way forward I see is for change of a type that nobody really wants. It must begin by strengthening the checks and balances, making corruption laws that include major financial penalties, and real jail time. Then making sure there s a charter in place that supports the basic concepts of democracy (and not democracy in the form of majoritarianism which some posters on here see as democracy but doesn't fall anywhere near the definition ofmodern liberal democracies.) The need to end money politics and the vast corruption from the top down is paramount to the short term goal of majoritarianism now.

Now, there's a statement that applies to just about every government currently in existence, although political philosophies may differ from country to country.

Poor old Mark, he just doesn't get it. He's so intelligent, educated, smart, and yet he just cannot win power legitimately because the people prefer the Shinawatra family to him. so now he is giving tacit support to Thug-sabarns extra parliamentary mob. Patience Mark, the election is under 3 years away, and then you will have another chance to persuade the Thai people that your squeaky clean, government of the intelligent, is really what they want, rather than a decent health system, a decent price for their rice, an end to exploitative rents from landlords etc etc. Good luck with that, Matk, sincerely.

I have news for the people of Thailand - red, yellow, or any other color:

People of Thailand! You demand Democracy! I applaud you all.

However! In order to have a functioning Democracy, you need to allow the representatives of you country to serve their entire terms without forcing them out of office by coup, demonstration, or take-over (peaceful or otherwise).

If you don't like what you have, make better decisions in the ballot box come election day.

Sorry - I didn't mean to be rude.

No problem. I didn't take the comment as rude.

What I'd really like to see is an unbiased perspective on what is happening within the Thai government, the various parties reactions, and what is fomenting the protests this time. Anybody got a clue? And please dispense with any sarcasm, inaccurate information, or bias. I really think that the foreign community should understand what is going on and why -- from an outside point of view.

Reality is a General Election! So lets have one.

What. A General Election where the 'sock puppets' are propped up with corporate funding. That's the global model. At the Thai level it's a combination of corporate funding and elite funding. Those who have leading the way for those who don't (at the expense of those who don't).

"I've read the treads of people who really need palliative care, but can't get it, or if you can, it's under dosed. What do you do, as a retired or aging foreigner? Go back to your country that has one of he most expensive health care schemes in the world"

Not everyone is from the country that has one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world.....

I do understand that. Other foreigners have other options. Just not for me and others out there like me.

I envy those how have the option to return to a country with National Healthcare that addresses end-of-life care.

A good friend of mine in the US had a bad motorcycle accident. Pain killers are an important part of his care, because he has been in serous pain.

Here's a comment from him today:

Great day. Only one "break through pain pill" today. And that was after Physical Therapy.

Here's my comment:

In Thailand, a "break thru pain pill" is Ibuprofen. When I had Dengue Fever (nicknamed "break-bone fever" because of the pain), asked the doctor for codeine or another stronger pain killer and he flat refused. Here's a fact: in Thailand, government hospitals are allowed 400 grams of morphine per year and private hospitals are allowed 40 grams. Pain killers like codeine are discouraged or simply not prescribed. Groovy, huh? This isn't the place to get hurt or to die slowly. I'm over 60 and I start to think about this stuff now. Suffering to death without pain medication, that could be available, but isn't because of government mandate. Amazing Thailand!

I've read the treads of people who really need palliative care, but can't get it, or if you can, it's under dosed. What do you do, as a retired or aging foreigner? Go back to your country that has one of he most expensive health care schemes in the world -- not an option. Go somewhere where opioids are prescribed? Can't afford it -- not an option. Die in writhing agony -- that seems to be the answer here in Thailand.

No one should have to die in agony, but damn, I picked the wrong country to get married and retire in. If I'm ever diagnosed with a terminal and painful end, what's my options? .38 or 9mm? Helium? What other options are there? Die a brave death?

Hummmm?

By the way...regarding 'Democracy'.

When I first came to LOS in 2007, I had a man tell me he 'just wanted a democracy' like we had (in the West). This was near a protest site by Democracy Circle.

I replied, "Why do you think we have a democracy, and you don't?" I didn't get an answer. He just thought we all had these 'perfect' democracies. Yeah, maybe in Switzerland.

What I'd really like to see is an unbiased perspective on what is happening within the Thai government, the various parties reactions, and what is fomenting the protests this time. Anybody got a clue? And please dispense with any sarcasm, inaccurate information, or bias. I really think that the foreign community should understand what is going on and why -- from an outside point of view.

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

Not disagreeing: My federal government is out of control, and has been for quite a long while now. It's just that, as a Brit, you should demonstrate a little more humility, given your own bloody history.

They're rioting in Africa. They're starving in Spain.

There's hurricanes in Florida and Texas needs rain.

The whole world is festering with unhappy souls.

The French hate the Germans. The Germans hate the Poles.Italians hate Yugoslavs. South Africans hate the Dutch and I don't like anybody very much!

But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud for man's been endowed with a mushroom shaped cloud.

And we know for certain that some lovely day someone will set the spark off and we will all be blown away.

They're rioting in Africa. There's strife in Iran. What nature doesn't do to us will be done by our fellow man.

- The Kingston Trio "The Merry Minuet"

I go to a local Thai owned restaurant in CM. Prices posted in Thai are difference than prices posted only in English. I'm a regular at the restaurant, I know the family by name, and I get charged Thai prices. Draw your own conclusions.

Maybe, if they would confiscate motorcycles, instead of pocketing a minor fine, compliance might follow.

They could even make bigger baht reselling the bikes.

Now there's a typical Western viewpoint. Regulate and impose crushing fines which primarily effect the poorer segment of society!

Here's my idea. Repeal the helmet law and let individuals decide if they wish to ride with or without. The law isn't about saving lives; it's about police funding. Helmet laws are money makers imposed by individuals with power and control issues. Come on - do you really care whether or not other people engage in activities that are a danger to the individual. What I care about are activities that are a danger to everyone on the road.

If the government was interested in saving lives, they'd impose crushing fines for reckless types of driving (passing on blind corners, excessive speeding, failure to stop or yield, blocking a entire freeway while making illegal u-turns, failure to maintain lanes; erratic (and probably drunk) driving -- then -- enforce moving violations. Can't pay the fine, impound and sell the car (or bike). Impounding and selling off BMWs and Honda CRVs will bring the BIB much more income then selling some poor sot's old beat-up Wave 110 because he isn't wearing a helmet. And the roads would be a much safer place to drive.

Rotflmao -- never happen.

Is that a warning?

How do you say 'coup d'état' in paasaa Thai, mai? And they just tossed in the national security card. Humm.

A warning? To whom? Interesting... When the various State Department notices start hitting the Internet, I'll ignore them as usual. Life in the city and life in the Muu Baan seem to still be polar opposites. Just my opinion. It doesn't need to be yours.

If anyone has "milk" kefir grain, I'd appreciate if you could share. I'm in no big hurry, which means if you see this post six months from now, I'm probably still interested. I live in the Old Town area of Chiang Mai.

Thanks!

when i met my wife i was 47 and she was 25 we have been married over 21 years ,does she prefere older men? God knows ,i never asked her , i was not rich ,she was not poor , people are all different what works for one does not work for another ,ask a friend of mine ,he couldnt care less how old or good looking a woman is as long as she has massive tits ,i kid you not.

I bet you didn't think of the massive age gap 21 years ago. 68 and 46!

I got married 25 years ago when 27 and my wife was 20.

When I am 68 she'll be 61. We can grow old gracefully together.

I married my wife when I was 55 and she was 48. Not much of a difference unless you live in the US and you're 18 and she is 11. Then they will throw you ass in jail forever.

My wife and I are in the same generation. It works well.

I can not see marrying a gal who is 25, or 30, or 35, or 37 years younger than me. What do we have in common? Not a lot. However, this is just my opinion. If you can make it work, more power to ya.

No, in my experience Thai women do not 'prefer' older men. This is a misconception created by the Farang-oriented sex industry in Thailand. If there are individual Thai women out there who claim to be looking for an 'older man', I am confident that in 99% of cases that would be based on the perception that an older man may be a better provider : at 55, I dont have a problem with that either way.

Try this... From your perspective....

I've said elsewhere - Thailand is now a mainstream holiday destination and needs to realise this and act accordingly. It still treats visitors as if they are the soldiers and backpackers who first came hear in the 60s and 70s.

They need to put in place the appropriate infrastructure to deal with the vast numbers of visitors. This is big money - 7% of the nation's economy.

So much about tourism in Thailand is all face and no substance......The transport system needs overhauling and regulating from a safety aspect and all aspects of customer service need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

As Thailand increasingly gets a reputation as a shoddy or dangerous destination it will suffer in the long run.

Ill-informed ministers keep mumbling on about going up-market - presumably in the hope that this will eradicate a lot of the bad publicity - crime, danger, poor service etc - but what hope can there ever be of that with the industry still virtually unregulated and everyone scrabbling for the bottom dollar?

Most of the primary roads are fairly well maintained (there are exceptions). But the quality of the roads pale in comparison to the abject reckless stupidity of the drivers, and the complete lack of traffic enforcement by the Thai government (road blocks don't stop dangerous driving). They need traffic cops in patrol cars and they need to learn how to stop vehicles for moving violations. Then start citing Thai drivers for: speeding, reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of the street, failure to stop, failure to yield, failure to maintain the driving lane, and other stupid reckless driving that drivers are now allowed to get away with, but would get you a citation in less than about 15 minutes in a Western country.

This is the kind of positive action that more countries should be willing to take to protect their people. The threat of a HUGE percentage of their tourist market being warned off by their country's government.

I have lived here for 6 years and this stuff is every day. You work your life around it and eventually find yourself well away from it in a lovely piece of normal Thailand. You work your transportation options around it as best you can, etc. The problem is that the average tourist is being led and everybody is looking for a margin so you end up with 30 people being driven on a bus by somebody's "cousin" who turns out to be a dim-witted drug abusing f-tard with zero common-sense....but he was cheap!

Until TAT understands its true raison d'etre these problems will continue and Thailand will see the revenue streams from tourism continuing their steady marginalisation. This year alone we have had incidents with tourists including:

Train crashes

Bus crashes

Plane crashes

Political unrest including roads seized next to THE biggest tourist ghetto

Drugged tourists

Robbed tourists

Murdered tourists

Scammed tourists

Oil slicks

Flooding

and so many more that I can't be bothered to research right now that have all made news outside of the Kingdom.

It is not a pretty picture and people ARE wising up. Time will come when Thailand will start asking the question "where did the money go?". By then this will be too late. The normal people of Thailand should be aware of how important tourism is to this country not just for the obvious "heads in beds" equation but also people experiencing the country and deciding this is the life of them, moving their money and starting new businesses. Visitors to the kingdom are NOT 1 dimensional.

I've written to my consulate and can't even get a reply. Again, Russia comes out looking like the champion of common sense on the world stage. Kudos. Coordinated pressure is the first step to affecting positive change.

A 500 baht charge would not bother me one bit, IF if was applied to a program that paid for / offset medical charges by foreign tourists. However, the will never happen. 45% will go to corruption, 45% will disappear, and 10 % will be forwarded to hospitals who will simply add it to their budget. If a foreigner comes in, they will be charged as normal, or reject because they can not pay.

What a crock of hewy! BS.

another sad story indeed coming from chinese bikes.

Did you try to measure he shocks and looked for a replacement accordingly?

Most probably, you can fit one of the YSS shocks to your Lifan.

Try some scooter shops, maybe they can fit one for you as well.

good luck.

As the Lifan LF250-B is a global model and parts are 100% compatible with the Yamaha Virago 250/V-Star 250. YSS has three different shocks for the Lifan LF250-B known as the RZ302-TR, RE302-T or the RD222-P. I'm pretty sure that a YSS dealer can explain the difference much better than I ever could.

If you a bit more adventures you can find much more rear shock options, searching ebay for shocks for the Yamaha Virago 250 or Yamaha V-Star 250. A friend bought a nice set of rear shocks the last time he was in Malaysia...

If you are a bit more technical person you can also jump to try to refurbish the standard Lifan shocks, with a bit of simple tools they're easily rebuild. Still heavier oil will probably only work for a few months. Specially made heaver springs will probably cost as much as a new set of rear shocks...

This is absolutely not a sad story for Chinese motorcycles, actually every self respectable shock manufacturer in the work makes shocks for this motorcycle. Can not say that for all the motorcycles in Thailand with a Japanese name badge... Try a American brand shock manufacturer and say Honda Phantom TA200... or do the same in South-Africa or in any European country. I bet you will see a face that would really make you sad...

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p.s. before anybody starts saying that the Lifan LF250-B or the LF400 is a copy of the Virago models, Lifan bought several designs and factories (including a Yamaha factory in Japan, where they made the Virago. When Yamaha moved the model to the USA and called it the V-Star.)

Thanks Richard. Good info.

This has been an exercise in futility. The local bike shops stock shocks for small bikes and scooter (say that 5 times really fast).

Haven't been able to find anything comparable to the shocks on the Lifan (I've gone store to store with my Thai wife and a Lifan shock in hand). Finally stopped at Lifan, and they basically said that new OEM shocks aren't going to be any better that what is currently on the bike. So now putting the old shocks back on and just accepting that this is going to be part of the Lifan 250-B Cruiser experience.

Just a 'heads up' for anyone thinking of buying one. Spongy shocks are just part of the ride.

If anyone has successfully changed the rear shocks on a Lifan 250-B to a non-OEM shock, please let me know the manufactures name and part number that you changed to (and where you bought them). If I had that info, at least I could order a set from somewhere. Thanks!