October 28, 2025Oct 28 6 minutes ago, JensenZ said: Then, when you get to your destination, you can frig around for another 15 to 30 minutes or more trying to find somewhere to park. In Pattaya, on many occasions and trips, using a car could take an hour longer than the same trip on a motorcycle, depending on how well you can slip through parked traffic on the motorcycle. We have a car, but we hardly ever use it in Central Pattaya. That's the area West of Sukhmvit Road. Why we use to drive the car to Phuket, rent a MC for actually driving around & being able to park near a restaurant, so not stuck to 'walkable' vendors from the hotel at any 1 beach. Also why we stopped going to Phuket around 2010, till the scamdemic hit, and why we won't return till another arrives. Same with Pattaya & Chonburi areas, been there a few times, decades ago, and it's just too congested now, along with so many better options elsewhere to visit, without the hassles.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 1 hour ago, NoshowJones said: On 10/24/2025 at 2:22 AM, TedG said: Stick to a moped. Please describe a moped. Its colloquialism, term that is now used commonly to describe a smaller motorcycle - usually a 'step through' type frame - Most people know whats meant when the term 'moped' is thrown around, people also commonly use the term 'scooter' (which is technically accurate for a lot of step-through-motorcycles) but they don't mean a kids stand-on on pushy thing !! The term 'moped' originated with the motorcycles that were once less than 50cc and also pedal powered, and thus had bicycle pedals - these circumvented licensing regulations in places such as France, and thus were very popular amongst teens - if I'm not mistaken a youngster only needed to be 14 to ride one.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 23 minutes ago, JensenZ said: I believe your comment was sarcastically mocking people who think they are safer. Everyone rides with a different set of risk factors. Statistics are not relevant to individuals. Very true. While the overall statistics may look alarming, much of that risk depends on the rider’s behaviour. When you break down the numbers, it’s clear that the danger isn’t uniform – it varies greatly from person to person. By riding defensively and avoiding things like: - Riding under the influence - Excessive speed (taking chances) - Wet conditions (not adjusting speed appropriately) - Night-time riding (poor visibility - others drunk on the roads) By riding defensively the, the levels of 'individual' risk are significantly less than the statistic indicate. That doesn't mean riding is not unsafe - but its a lot safer for many of us than it is for a kid who speeds while drunk at midnight... Or for the youngster who'll try and cut up the inside of a turning articulated lorry...
October 28, 2025Oct 28 21 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said: Getting a life long injury making my standard of life a living hell for the rest of my life, being 'scared' of that is a sensible attitude, why would I want to risk that. Everyone has a different risk profile - others get their 'life long' injuries from sports !!.. While others have never broken a leg, snapped a tendon, knackered their knees, but instead face other risks though lack of exercise etc... We can't wrap ourselves in cotton-wool - but we can evaluate the risks as they seem appropriate to us on an individual level. 21 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said: The advantage of a motorbike, I will get to my destination five minutes earlier than with my car. Disadvantage, I might not get there at all as is the case with tens of thousands a year. (Two farang neighbours of mine, two different motorbike accidents, (both dead). Variable depending on area... The car always takes a lot longer than my motorcycle... but when nipping down to the 7-11 for small items the motorcycle is very convenient. 21 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said: Advantage of my car, I am 99% sure I will get to the destination in one piece. Disadvantage of my car, it might get dented, which will be paid for by my insurance hence not really a disadvantage. True - again it comes down to individual risk profile. No one denies motorcycles involve more risk than a car - that risk is simply balanced by many of us. I ride less and less because of this risk factor - I never take my Wife or Child on a motorcycle, I use it for nearby trips and convenience because my risk tolerance has perhaps lowered as I've got a little older. 21 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said: Further disadvantage of a motorbike, having to try and raise £50k to get back to the UK or pay for hospital bills as no insurance will cover us for a motorbike accident. Or you meant that 'travel insurance' wont cover a motorcycle ? Will it for Licensed riders ? - you seem to be switching your argument to tourists to suit your stance. If someoene is 'living here' and riding - they should have insurance or means to self-cover - again, that doesn't reduce the risk - but we 'should' have the means / coverage for healthcare whatever we do. 21 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said: I would be OK in that case as I have the cash but a bet a lot of motorbike riders do not. Partially true - many who ride here may be on a tighter budget - Thai's certainly and a lot of Westerners, but many also ride a motorcycle because its simply a lot lot more convenient than a car... particularly in some areas. In BKK - there is a great deal of added convenience with a motorcycle, but thats offset by the 'sweaty heat' and discomfort - in other quieter area's, such as Phuket (Rawai / Nai Harn area's) a motorcycle makes a lot more sense. 21 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said: I wish I could afford a motorbike though and also dumb enough to ride one, they are so cool. 🤣 Not strong display of critical thought there - you seem to be projecting your thoughts onto the perspective of motorcycle riders.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 21 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said: Buying a bike is the easy bit, being dim enough to ride one is not for me. I don't see what is so great about it, most people use bikes to get from A to B on a daily basis, just like a car but without the comfort or safety aspects. 'You' don't see what is so great... You clearly have a very low risk profile. Which is fair enough - for many others there is a sense of freedom and convenience to having a motorcycle on which they can easily get from A-B and to park up quickly, for others there is also enjoyment, a sense of freedom that riding gives us... You post from the perspective of a motorcycle competing with car ownership - I think that perspective may be flawed... Perhaps compare it to walking and taking taxi's (motorcycle taxi's too) and then you may have a better understanding of 'why' so many people ride here...
October 28, 2025Oct 28 I started racing Motocross 50 years ago, and have ridden street bikes over 1000 CC most of my life, until moving to Thailand. I lived in BKK for a decade and would NEVER ride a bike there. We built a house in Isaan and have a vey nice Honda "Lead" 125. 4 years, only 8,000 km, and now that all the shops deliver to our door, for free, I would be surprised if we put on 250 KM per year. Thailand has the most selfish and poor drivers I have ever seen. The rule for riding has two parts (1) Ride like you are invisible (2) When you see a situation involving a Thai driver unfolding in front of you, ask yourself, what is the most selfish, stupid, and dangerous thing this Thai driver could do. THAT is EXACTLY what they WILL DO. My advice, after 50 years without an accident on a street bike? Don't start now, at your age, and try to survive in Thailand. Add up what you think you spend getting around now, and now guess how much a hospital stay with a broken neck costs? Which is more? By the way, ALL the shops deliver now, and most are for free! Google answering the question: "do most accidents on mopeds happen in first year" Yes, accident data indicates that the first year of riding, particularly the first few months, is the most dangerous period for moped and motorcycle riders. The primary cause is rider inexperience, which decreases over time. Moped and motorcycle statistics Studies from several countries and different time periods consistently show a sharp decline in crash rates as riders gain experience. Significantly higher risk: According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, new riders are about four times more likely to be involved in an accident or suffer an injury in their first year than in their second. Riskiest first month: The first month of ownership is particularly dangerous. One study found that 22% of all motorcycle insurance claims happened within the first 30 days of the policy. The claim rate then dropped by about one-third in the second month and by nearly two-thirds after six months. Steep learning curve: Data on newly licensed drivers shows that crash rates are highest during the first 250 miles of driving and decline sharply after that initial period. This pattern holds for mopeds and motorcycles as well.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said: No, 30k medical and 80k if not your fault, i know someone who had all his medical expenses paid just a few weeks ago Is that dollars or baht? If baht then it will not cover a serious accident, you might need 2.5 million baht to cover that.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 4 minutes ago, JustinTyme said: I started racing Motocross 50 years ago, and have ridden street bikes over 1000 CC most of my life, until moving to Thailand. I lived in BKK for a decade and would NEVER ride a bike there. We built a house in Isaan and have a vey nice Honda "Lead" 125. 4 years, only 8,000 km, and now that all the shops deliver to our door, for free, I would be surprised if we put on 250 KM per year. Thailand has the most selfish and poor drivers I have ever seen. The rule for riding has two parts (1) Ride like you are invisible (2) When you see a situation involving a Thai driver unfolding in front of you, ask yourself, what is the most selfish, stupid, and dangerous thing this Thai driver could do. THAT is EXACTLY what they WILL DO. My advice, after 50 years without an accident on a street bike? Don't start now, at your age, and try to survive in Thailand. Add up what you think you spend getting around now, and now guess how much a hospital stay with a broken neck costs? Which is more? By the way, ALL the shops deliver now, and most are for free! Google answering the question: "do most accidents on mopeds happen in first year" Yes, accident data indicates that the first year of riding, particularly the first few months, is the most dangerous period for moped and motorcycle riders. The primary cause is rider inexperience, which decreases over time. Moped and motorcycle statistics Studies from several countries and different time periods consistently show a sharp decline in crash rates as riders gain experience. Significantly higher risk: According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, new riders are about four times more likely to be involved in an accident or suffer an injury in their first year than in their second. Riskiest first month: The first month of ownership is particularly dangerous. One study found that 22% of all motorcycle insurance claims happened within the first 30 days of the policy. The claim rate then dropped by about one-third in the second month and by nearly two-thirds after six months. Steep learning curve: Data on newly licensed drivers shows that crash rates are highest during the first 250 miles of driving and decline sharply after that initial period. This pattern holds for mopeds and motorcycles as well. Even driving a car we have to be careful in order for Thai drivers to avoid committing suicide on their bikes. That is the case here in Phuket. For example I was turning off to go into my housing complex yesterday off a two lane main road, I had slowed down well in advance, indicated to turn left well in advance. I kept on checking my left mirror and sure enough a motorbike was about to over take me on the inside so I held my turn, the bike was also indicating it was turning left with me, I held the turn as there was no guarantee he was turning left, the bike rider then realised I was turning left, it must have take a long time for them to process such a simple situation and so they quickly overtook me on the right hand side while still indicating left and carried on down the road. We have to use such defensive driving techniques every time we drive a car as there are a lot of terrible drivers/riders out there. Would I ride a bike, never. My car gets a dent it can be fixed, my body gets a 'dent' many not possible to fix it,
October 28, 2025Oct 28 15 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: 'You' don't see what is so great... You clearly have a very low risk profile. Which is fair enough - for many others there is a sense of freedom and convenience to having a motorcycle on which they can easily get from A-B and to park up quickly, for others there is also enjoyment, a sense of freedom that riding gives us... You post from the perspective of a motorcycle competing with car ownership - I think that perspective may be flawed... Perhaps compare it to walking and taking taxi's (motorcycle taxi's too) and then you may have a better understanding of 'why' so many people ride here... I like swimming in the sea, if I knew it was infested with sharks in the area I was swimming in I would not take the risk, I would be out of there like a shot. I like getting from A to B at any time of the day it suits me, it is freedom, the same freedom you get on a bike but it takes five minutes longer to get there, that is no prob, I am not in a hurry or on a 'save the world mission', that is the same for most farangs in Thailand. Why would I go on a bike in the hot sun, the rain, the fumes, the risk of death, the risk of life changing injury when I can get to my destination in my car. I can understand it if people do not have the money to buy a car they have to use a bike but doing it out of choice is just pure stupidity. The freedom aspect of a bike is just in the riders head. Also in my car I am free to go to Makro and buy five cases of beer, try that on a bike.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 32 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: Everyone has a different risk profile - others get their 'life long' injuries from sports !!.. While others have never broken a leg, snapped a tendon, knackered their knees, but instead face other risks though lack of exercise etc... We can't wrap ourselves in cotton-wool - but we can evaluate the risks as they seem appropriate to us on an individual level. Variable depending on area... The car always takes a lot longer than my motorcycle... but when nipping down to the 7-11 for small items the motorcycle is very convenient. True - again it comes down to individual risk profile. No one denies motorcycles involve more risk than a car - that risk is simply balanced by many of us. I ride less and less because of this risk factor - I never take my Wife or Child on a motorcycle, I use it for nearby trips and convenience because my risk tolerance has perhaps lowered as I've got a little older. Or you meant that 'travel insurance' wont cover a motorcycle ? Will it for Licensed riders ? - you seem to be switching your argument to tourists to suit your stance. If someoene is 'living here' and riding - they should have insurance or means to self-cover - again, that doesn't reduce the risk - but we 'should' have the means / coverage for healthcare whatever we do. Partially true - many who ride here may be on a tighter budget - Thai's certainly and a lot of Westerners, but many also ride a motorcycle because its simply a lot lot more convenient than a car... particularly in some areas. In BKK - there is a great deal of added convenience with a motorcycle, but thats offset by the 'sweaty heat' and discomfort - in other quieter area's, such as Phuket (Rawai / Nai Harn area's) a motorcycle makes a lot more sense. Not strong display of critical thought there - you seem to be projecting your thoughts onto the perspective of motorcycle riders. I am not sure what you are saying, you say you ride your bike and take into account the risk but then say you mainly use it to go to a nearby 7/11, I do that on my pushbike as it is only a few minutes away on private roads, risk almost zero. I live in Kathu, Kathu, Phuket, I can get about anywhere just as easily in a car as a motorbike can with lots of easy parking, that is not true for Patong though. Patong is mostly for tourists. I overtake many motorbikes on a daily basis while sitting in comfort, they is no advantage in less crowed places. I do laugh though many times as some guys talk it up big in a bar having reinvented themselves as being rich and then get on a bike to go home. All the people I know who are genuinely rich would not go anywhere near a motorbike, it would be like swimming in the seas knowing there are hundreds of hungry sharks in the area. My comment on insurance was meant to mean tourists will not be covered as they likely do not have a Thai driving licence, and if it is motorbike insurance I doubt it covers the rider for the two million baht they might need if the accident is life threatening.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said: Very true. While the overall statistics may look alarming, much of that risk depends on the rider’s behaviour. When you break down the numbers, it’s clear that the danger isn’t uniform – it varies greatly from person to person. By riding defensively and avoiding things like: - Riding under the influence - Excessive speed (taking chances) - Wet conditions (not adjusting speed appropriately) - Night-time riding (poor visibility - others drunk on the roads) By riding defensively the, the levels of 'individual' risk are significantly less than the statistic indicate. That doesn't mean riding is not unsafe - but its a lot safer for many of us than it is for a kid who speeds while drunk at midnight... Or for the youngster who'll try and cut up the inside of a turning articulated lorry... I suppose the ability to create eyes in the back of your head helps with defensive driving and the ability to see behind blind spots in the road will help. The two farangs in my area were killed in two separate accidents, they were sensible and drove carefully, they told me about defensive riding etc but it did not stop people driving into the side of them at 90 degree and at speed by Thai riders/drivers, there is no way to avoid such things.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 48 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said: I like swimming in the sea, if I knew it was infested with sharks in the area I was swimming in I would not take the risk, I would be out of there like a shot. I like getting from A to B at any time of the day it suits me, it is freedom, the same freedom you get on a bike but it takes five minutes longer to get there, that is no prob, I am not in a hurry or on a 'save the world mission', that is the same for most farangs in Thailand. Why would I go on a bike in the hot sun, the rain, the fumes, the risk of death, the risk of life changing injury when I can get to my destination in my car. I can understand it if people do not have the money to buy a car they have to use a bike but doing it out of choice is just pure stupidity. The freedom aspect of a bike is just in the riders head. Also in my car I am free to go to Makro and buy five cases of beer, try that on a bike. My girlfriend and I own 1 car and 3 motorcycles between us. The car only collects dust and hardly gets used - thinking of selling it. If I want 5 cases of beer at Makro, I'd use a bike. No problems carrying 5. Figure that one out. i.e. why a person who has a car prefers to use a car in most cases. I know many foreigners who own cars and bikes, and mostly they use bikes in Pattaya to get around. The main factor is where you live. In some places, a car is more convenient.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 On 10/24/2025 at 11:39 AM, hotandsticky said: Are you really that clueless that you ignore the stats. I'm 65 and I've just bought my third motorcycle here (although now it's got three wheels). I expect to have many, many years of happy riding.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 On 10/24/2025 at 1:05 PM, fredwiggy said: If you take good care of yourself, your reflexes are still good well into your 70's. The danger is those at any age with no respect for others on the road, drivers who drink and not enough training. With respect, I think the point being made is that starting to drive later in life is not easy. I've seen a few people the wrong side of 40 learn to drive cars and, even when they eventually passed their driving test (never the first time), they never gained enough competence to give me confidence to ride with them. I do feel that learning to drive (or ride) later in life is a challenge that few master. Having said that, those of us that learnt decades ago have instinctive reactions, understandings and experience that can be carried forward in later life. Whilst reactions do inevitably slow, I've seen several 80+ year olds who I am happy to be driven by (and one 90+ ex-chauffeur).
October 28, 2025Oct 28 Popular Post 2 minutes ago, IsaanT said: With respect, I think the point being made is that starting to drive later in life is not easy. I've seen a few people the wrong side of 40 learn to drive cars and, even when they eventually passed their driving test (never the first time), they never gained enough competence to give me confidence to ride with them. I do feel that learning to drive (or ride) later in life is a challenge that few master. Having said that, those of us that learnt decades ago have instinctive reactions, understandings and experience that can be carried forward in later life. Whilst reactions do inevitably slow, I've seen several 80+ year olds who I am happy to be driven by (and one 90+ ex-chauffeur). Yes, I meant those who start driving early can be competent into their 80's and more, if they're mind isn't fading. I'd rather drive with many 80 year olds than many of the drivers I've seen living here.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 24 minutes ago, JensenZ said: My girlfriend and I own 1 car and 3 motorcycles between us. The car only collects dust and hardly gets used - thinking of selling it. If I want 5 cases of beer at Makro, I'd use a bike. No problems carrying 5. Figure that one out. i.e. why a person who has a car prefers to use a car in most cases. I know many foreigners who own cars and bikes, and mostly they use bikes in Pattaya to get around. The main factor is where you live. In some places, a car is more convenient. Totally agree. I only use our pick-up for journeys out of the local area. It can go for a few weeks without being driven. For everything else, one of my motorbikes is far more convenient for local journeys. If you're like me, you have mechanical sympathy and do not wish to subject the car to lots of short journeys where the engine and the oil does not get completely up to running temperature. That kills engines - diesel or petrol. Back when I was a boy in the 1970's I knew someone who worked at the local bus station. The British buses would be started first thing in the morning then would run up and down their routes continuously all day long without being switched off, thus they were at normal running temperature for 99.9% of the time, which is where the engine oil is designed to run and is able to do its job best. Even in those days (55 years ago) they changed the engine oil every 50,000 miles. I take no chances with my motorbikes and change the engine oil every 3,000 kilometres. They all sound and ride as new.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 1 hour ago, JustinTyme said: I started racing Motocross 50 years ago, and have ridden street bikes over 1000 CC most of my life, until moving to Thailand. I lived in BKK for a decade and would NEVER ride a bike there. We built a house in Isaan and have a vey nice Honda "Lead" 125. 4 years, only 8,000 km, and now that all the shops deliver to our door, for free, I would be surprised if we put on 250 KM per year. Thailand has the most selfish and poor drivers I have ever seen. The rule for riding has two parts (1) Ride like you are invisible (2) When you see a situation involving a Thai driver unfolding in front of you, ask yourself, what is the most selfish, stupid, and dangerous thing this Thai driver could do. THAT is EXACTLY what they WILL DO. My advice, after 50 years without an accident on a street bike? Don't start now, at your age, and try to survive in Thailand. Add up what you think you spend getting around now, and now guess how much a hospital stay with a broken neck costs? Which is more? By the way, ALL the shops deliver now, and most are for free! Google answering the question: "do most accidents on mopeds happen in first year" Yes, accident data indicates that the first year of riding, particularly the first few months, is the most dangerous period for moped and motorcycle riders. The primary cause is rider inexperience, which decreases over time. Moped and motorcycle statistics Studies from several countries and different time periods consistently show a sharp decline in crash rates as riders gain experience. Significantly higher risk: According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, new riders are about four times more likely to be involved in an accident or suffer an injury in their first year than in their second. Riskiest first month: The first month of ownership is particularly dangerous. One study found that 22% of all motorcycle insurance claims happened within the first 30 days of the policy. The claim rate then dropped by about one-third in the second month and by nearly two-thirds after six months. Steep learning curve: Data on newly licensed drivers shows that crash rates are highest during the first 250 miles of driving and decline sharply after that initial period. This pattern holds for mopeds and motorcycles as well. The more you know and the more experience you had on a high level, the more you understand the risks involved not only by the traffic pattern and attitude in Thailand, but also how your skills and awareness fading with the years. Some will not admit it, but most do know it is true. And Im not even 60 yet, I know Im not the same as I was even 5 years ago.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 On 10/24/2025 at 11:00 AM, KhunLA said: No more dangerous in TH, than a car, possibly less so, as smaller, and can avoid things easier. Please clarify that you are joking.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 8 minutes ago, In Full Agreement said: Please clarify that you are joking. Self explanatory, read again.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 4 hours ago, JensenZ said: My girlfriend and I own 1 car and 3 motorcycles between us. The car only collects dust and hardly gets used - thinking of selling it. If I want 5 cases of beer at Makro, I'd use a bike. No problems carrying 5. Figure that one out. i.e. why a person who has a car prefers to use a car in most cases. I know many foreigners who own cars and bikes, and mostly they use bikes in Pattaya to get around. The main factor is where you live. In some places, a car is more convenient. Five cases of large beer bottles, that is 75 large bottles 640ml each, which is about 75 kgs and you can put them on a bike , how do you do that? 😄 What about the monthly food supplies which fill up my car completely with the back seats folded down, probably 120 kgs, would that go on a bike as well? Or do you have one of these ?
October 28, 2025Oct 28 3 hours ago, IsaanT said: Totally agree. I only use our pick-up for journeys out of the local area. It can go for a few weeks without being driven. For everything else, one of my motorbikes is far more convenient for local journeys. If you're like me, you have mechanical sympathy and do not wish to subject the car to lots of short journeys where the engine and the oil does not get completely up to running temperature. That kills engines - diesel or petrol. Back when I was a boy in the 1970's I knew someone who worked at the local bus station. The British buses would be started first thing in the morning then would run up and down their routes continuously all day long without being switched off, thus they were at normal running temperature for 99.9% of the time, which is where the engine oil is designed to run and is able to do its job best. Even in those days (55 years ago) they changed the engine oil every 50,000 miles. I take no chances with my motorbikes and change the engine oil every 3,000 kilometres. They all sound and ride as new. Seeing as the temperature of the oil is already about 33c when the car starts due to the high temperature in Thailand, my car is up to ruining temperature within one minute, hence no wear or tear due to the temp. I change my oil every 10k kms, with modern oil changing it early is just a waste of money and time.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 24 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said: Seeing as the temperature of the oil is already about 33c when the car starts due to the high temperature in Thailand, my car is up to ruining temperature within one minute, hence no wear or tear due to the temp. I change my oil every 10k kms, with modern oil changing it early is just a waste of money and time. I am retired so I have the time, and I have more money than I can spend. Please allow me my indulgences...
October 28, 2025Oct 28 4 hours ago, IsaanT said: I am retired so I have the time, and I have more money than I can spend. Please allow me my indulgences... No problem we are all allowed that. I enjoy the luxury of a car in Thailand over a bike, each to their own.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 On 10/24/2025 at 5:30 AM, georgegeorgia said: I'm talking about Pattaya here thus i have posted in the Pattaya section Last time I was in Pattaya I stayed at various Airbnb condominiums thus using Grab a lot My budget expenses for one month was around 3000 baht That was going from Jomtien to Pattaya several times And up to Elite gym on Sukhumvit etc I often think to myself maybe I should learn to drive a motorcycle, Do you as a older retired expat living in Pattaya find you can do without a motorcycle ,what about food shopping etc as far as I know they don't do big shopping deliveries in Pattaya ? Who here is retired but doesn't have a motorcycle and no partner ,how do you rely on getting around ? Baht bus? I did use Grab motorbike several times but with no helmet I didn't feel safe Can you do without a motorbike I’m 76 and incorporate my walk with my shopping. Big shop once a week that perhaps needs a m/bike,50 baht.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 5 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said: No problem we are all allowed that. I enjoy the luxury of a car in Thailand over a bike, each to their own. Must be luxury getting stuck in traffic, you couldn't live in Pattaya, on weekends cars struggle to move in busy areas
October 28, 2025Oct 28 18 hours ago, KhunLA said: When I grew up, it was simply a MC with a small (~50cc) motor. The originals, were converted bicycles, like ebikes today, but with small petrol engine. I am pretty old and what I call a moped was similar to what you describe but you could also assist it by pedaling. Lots of variations these days. I notice there is a large new e-bike rental place opposite Big-CX now.... great, something else to watch out for.
October 29, 2025Oct 29 20 hours ago, Hummin said: The more you know and the more experience you had on a high level, the more you understand the risks involved not only by the traffic pattern and attitude in Thailand, but also how your skills and awareness fading with the years. Some will not admit it, but most do know it is true. And Im not even 60 yet, I know Im not the same as I was even 5 years ago. Well said, and very true. I went from being a legend riding the twisting mountain roads of the (Colorado) Rocky Mountains, riding in serious traffic in San Francisco, lane splitting at 160 KPH + , etc ... to now, putting around on a Honda 125, automatic transmission, at 40 KPH and just happy to give Thai drivers plenty of room to perform their endless stupidity while driving. That bike gets so little use, I worry about the battery dying between rides. I have a Thai wife, so it is effortless to have her order food from Lotus, items on line from all over the world, and have it all delivered pretty much for free. Since it is impossible for me to purchase health insurance at my age, I just use my brain and common sense to minimize risk, and maximize living a very sweet (mostly) pain free life, and know it would cost between 300,000 and several million to put this old Humpty Dumpty back together again. So, to your point, in the words of Dirty Harry, "A man's gotta know his limitations" 555!
October 29, 2025Oct 29 7 hours ago, scubascuba3 said: Must be luxury getting stuck in traffic, you couldn't live in Pattaya, on weekends cars struggle to move in busy areas I was having a house built just opposite the beach in Rayong in 2019, I went to Pattaya for a visit and took a suitcase as I was going to stay a few days. I drove along the beach road and saw all the ladies of the night standing there except it was daytime, I saw the tattooed filled tourists walking about and so I left after a few hours. So true I could not live in Pattaya but not because of the traffic, sitting in traffic is no prob in air con luxury as I am never in a rush. Even here in Phuket a car is much more preferable to a bike, think of the skin cancer risk after a few years and the old saggy skin caused by decades of time in the sun. Premature aging is not for me, and not for the well off Thais I see.
October 29, 2025Oct 29 1 hour ago, JustinTyme said: Well said, and very true. I went from being a legend riding the twisting mountain roads of the (Colorado) Rocky Mountains, riding in serious traffic in San Francisco, lane splitting at 160 KPH + , etc ... to now, putting around on a Honda 125, automatic transmission, at 40 KPH and just happy to give Thai drivers plenty of room to perform their endless stupidity while driving. That bike gets so little use, I worry about the battery dying between rides. I have a Thai wife, so it is effortless to have her order food from Lotus, items on line from all over the world, and have it all delivered pretty much for free. Since it is impossible for me to purchase health insurance at my age, I just use my brain and common sense to minimize risk, and maximize living a very sweet (mostly) pain free life, and know it would cost between 300,000 and several million to put this old Humpty Dumpty back together again. So, to your point, in the words of Dirty Harry, "A man's gotta know his limitations" 555! Give yourself an even better chance of avoiding danger as I do, drive a car. You may potter around at 40 KMH but that will not stop an idiot car driver ploughing into the back of you at 100 KPH, don't forget almost 100% of Thai cars have their windows blacked out including the windscreen, come dusk it is hard for them to see what is in front of them. In Thailand road safety is knowing the limitations of the local drivers and their low standard of driving test, a ten year old Western kid could pass a Thai driving test.
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