jacko

Get onto the railway line bypass or go via Hwy 7. A little worse than normal but still better thaan the Sukhumvit traffic light junctions. (Well certainly Tai and Klang) The police are operating them and seem to like to make you wait.

Ray Winsone.

Nasty response. I actully feel sad when I see an OP like that. Looks like someone desperate to remain in Thailand who needs a job. Was the OP moved from some other area?

Hmm, when I get stopped I am in the habit of turning the engine off pretty quick.I don't have the 'tax disc' fixed to the outside of the bike and sometimes they want to see that too. The one thing I don't like doing is getting my wallet out, although that is where the licence is. I doubt the registration page shrunk down to wallet size would be readable by anyone other than a hawk. Glad it works out for you, but I think it is in reality the sight of a Thai licence in the hands of a falang alone that mostly gets me waved on.

The streets are also filling up with those tiny motorcycles all the big stores are selling. I doubt they are legal either, specifically as they don't have plates.

I used internet to check this. There was a Steven Hill in The Firm. Steve McFadden, born Stephen Reid, has only done TV movies and the UK East Enders. Have I got it wrong?

I guess you are Tropical Bert.Your late friend Kevin (and mine) used to bring a collection box and some poppies to the Expats Club, but no one has taken up the mantle since. Well done for reminding us.

Why not just keep a regular sized copy under the motorcycle seat?

Well I wish the ex-British honorary council would get back to work on his other intersts. I just watched the 8pm Pattaya One News at 8pm, and the weather forecast was for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It's Wednesday today so I was wondering about tomorrow?

Wonderful retort.

What about your previous post here then Joe? My contribution..... My girl is different.

gary Oldman.

Good point. I just got back from town on the bike and it certainly seemed a bit more hazardous. More traffic about and people getting fed up of waiting. Decided I needed another coffee before proceeding. Consider what type of bike. Nuovo or Airblade is good, fully auto, disc on the front and electric start. Just so easy to drive.

George Clooney

Legally, you need an International licence and your UK one, for motorcycle, or a Thai licence.If you rent a bike in Pattaya I believe it is not supposed to be taken far out of town. To avoid being stopped, don't break rules. Those that get pulled over are invariably doing something wrong. No helmet is favourite, wrong way on one-way and parking too far forward at traffic lights. Unlike MM I do get stopped, generally for nothing otehr than random checks, but not in town, on roads in and out of Pattaya (railway line bypass, Soi Siam CC etc). What they seem to do is stop say 5 bikes, process them while others whiz past, then do that again. I guess they have a good yield that way, I bet 1 in 5 Thai riders has something not right. For me, helmet on, all my documents available, and they see a Thai licence, they wave me off like I am a nuisance. A bike is a great way to get around, be wary, as you say you are experienced and aware how driving standards are here. But never mix bike and booze. Even beware of riding the morning after, you need your wits about you.

I don't see what on earth code sharing has to do with the UK PM using a Qantas aircraft. I have been on enough flights to know only too well what confusion the idiotic idea of code sharing causes. It is a con to believe you have been booked on a BA flight to later discover it is an Iberia one. And it sure makes trying to find your flight on the board more difficult when either it is appearing as a different number and carrier, or in the midst of a block of several apparent flights which are actually the same one. Do you think you are the only person to have ever been to an aiport? Also QF002 did not leave T4 last night....AY5959,BA009,IB7618,QF302 left from T3 though. And QF002 normally leaves from T3, not T4 as you claim so you really do not know what you are talking about do you!!!!

Romance and Cigarettes.

Airport and Pattaya have no flooding issues.There are some shortages of items on the shelves but supply lines and logistics are coming together. I had breakfast in town yesterday and dinner at a restaurant near my home and could discern no problems.

Yes I got an update at the Expats Club on that yesterday. The new consul will be appointed they hope in January, and currently there are 2 ladies working there who are more efficient than the previous staff and can process pension confirmation letters the same day. Apparently they can get things done in 1/2 day/week faster than the previous arrangement which, although frequently closed, had more time available.

The road was being seriously dug up recently, on 2nd behind the Central Festival Beach Rd place, but was also tailed back from the Klang junction. I diverted towards Bua Khao and got stuck in a long wait at the 3rd/Klang Junction. Extra traffic from Bangkok, and I think tourists numbers is picking up (requiring those bloody great coaches the size of battleships that actually try to do U-Turns and go up little side sois), these days I just avoid taking the truck west of Suk. Can't wait for the new Tuk Com to open.

As usual you don't really know what you are talking about.David might be able to get a ride with Phil and Liz, most certainly not on a plane with a roo on the tail.

They think the PM of the UK flies Qantas.That is why the protesters are outside the LSX in tents rather than inside.

Look mate, I just tried to get through the Pattaya traffic on a Sunday afternoon. Not normally a big deal. I also rode into town Friday. Bangkok style traffic jams have come to Pattaya. Nearly as bad as trying to get a Qantas flight.

The Man Who Wasn't There.

Pushing Tin