Damaged Tail Light Assembly

[brahmburgers]

I went for a renewal registration (in C.Rai) on my old pick up truck. A back tail light panel had a break in it - missing about a c.card sized piece of clear plastic. I priced one at the Nissan dealership and it's nearly Bt.1,000. I went to two 'wrecking yards' and neither had one. I decided to fix the thing - got a little piece of clear plastic sheet, cut a piece to fit and rounded one side with a candle flame - to conform to the contour. I epoxied the piece in place and it should work well enough.

I knew the moment it broke, a lady fronted in to me at a traffic stop - before the light turned green. I went to inspect the damage, but let her drive on - I guess I was too nice for my own good. Should have asked her for 1,000 baht on the spot but she looked so frightened at the time.

Who knows, maybe her husband was an off-duty cop. He might become instantly offended and possibly fire a couple slugs into my body - one at my head and one through my heart. Never can be quite sure what will enrage a man with a pistol.

[mikethevigoman]

I went for a renewal registration (in C.Rai) on my old pick up truck. A back tail light panel had a break in it - missing about a c.card sized piece of clear plastic. I priced one at the Nissan dealership and it's nearly Bt.1,000. I went to two 'wrecking yards' and neither had one. I decided to fix the thing - got a little piece of clear plastic sheet, cut a piece to fit and rounded one side with a candle flame - to conform to the contour. I epoxied the piece in place and it should work well enough.

I knew the moment it broke, a lady fronted in to me at a traffic stop - before the light turned green. I went to inspect the damage, but let her drive on - I guess I was too nice for my own good. Should have asked her for 1,000 baht on the spot but she looked so frightened at the time.

Who knows, maybe her husband was an off-duty cop. He might become instantly offended and possibly fire a couple slugs into my body - one at my head and one through my heart. Never can be quite sure what will enrage a man with a pistol.

if you have time to scour seconhand /breakers yards for a rear light that is 1000 for a new one you do have to get a hobby, that light in the uk is approaching 100 pounds ! consider it a bargain

[snowflake]

Do something myself? I lack the skills to fix anything, I am the real life "Tim The Toolman Taylor" if you remeber that show...

Let the Thais fix it, 1000B to fix a taillight aint that much????

[brahmburgers]

when you're low on money, even Bt.1,000 is a significant sum. In some ways it's good that farang residing in Thailand have so much money to spend - what with pensions and such - but having lots of money doesn't mean having to spend it carelessly. Thais (or any beneficiaries of carefree spending) will gladly ratchet up the prices for whatever farang will pay - whether it be hidden gratuities 'tips' on restaurant bills or whatever the market will bear.

Generally though, Thais are less apt to gouge prices for foreigners than locals in other toursist destinations overseas. When I go to a tamada (regular) restaurant, I order whatever I want (without scouring the menu for prices) - because I know that the Thai (or Chinese) management will charge me a fair price - even though I'm a farang. I couldn't say the same for Mexico.

Snowflake says, "I lack the skills to fix anything, I am the real life "Tim The Toolman Taylor" if you remember that show..." Does that mean you're handy or not handy?

As for Thais fixing the tail light. I'd say it's near impossible to find a Thai to do such a job. I've approached Thais (mechanics, craftsmen, etc) a bunch of times with unusual little fix-it jobs, and 29 out of 30 times they immediatly say "mai dai" (cannot). The reason is mainly: 'it's outside the box.' In other words, if the gig is something they're not specifically trained to do, or if it's a bit odd, they quickly say 'mai dai' even if I show them how it can be possible.

Not wanting to spread to broad of a net here, but I think it has something to do with the education system - which emphasized rote learning, and discourages creative thinking - especially as it applies to problem solving.

[Flatouthruthefog]

Do something myself? I lack the skills to fix anything, I am the real life "Tim The Toolman Taylor" if you remeber that show...

Let the Thais fix it, 1000B to fix a taillight aint that much????

Every time I try to pick up tools I hurt myself. But with great respect to you and to Mike, I think we are deluding ourselves if we constantly contrast prices east to west.

Thais always think of the price of an item in terms of how long they must work to earn it. Totally realistic and an instant guide as to whether it is affordable or not. OK, maybe some of us are lucky enough to afford it - and without working too - but I feel that the difference in thinking is interesting and we can learn a little from it.

But to get to the point, scrapyards, if you can find one here, are good sources for stuff like this. And of course even cheaper if you can send a Thai along to buy!

If that fails, then Khun Seeton at Chiangmai-Lamphun Garage, Sarapee (tel 053 321073 but no English) can get any type of plastic like this made in any colour. He is a restorer of old vehicles (bodywork) and really knows his stuff.