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Thailand pics

budman said:
On the long boat vid they mentioned that the language is unique. Have you learned it..??
Click to expand...

The language is tonal, 5 tones. Get the tone wrong and the word is completely wrong. And if off a tiny bit they just don't get it. It's really hard. Nothing like if you were in a Spanish country and had to try to learn Spanish. I don't speak Thai but can get by in most everyday situations.
 
Some family members were in town for a trip so I rode to Bangkok and joined them for a day and a half. The ride to Bangkok sucked and I just parked the bike at the hotel for 2 nights and spent time with family. Had a great time.

Took a 40b/$1.30 river ferry.
PXL_20260125_115445150 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260125_113957050 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260125_115308276 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260125_115641356.MP by Norcalkid, on Flickr

China Town

PXL_20260125_123138318.MP by Norcalkid, on Flickr
 
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Went and checked out that vegetable market the train goes through. It's about 70 km from Bangkok and thats where I said goodbys to family. I rode the train back towards Bangkok, then a ferry then another train. Trains 10b each and a 3b ferry so 23baht/74 cents to go 70km.

First train going through the market.

PXL_20260126_020405977 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260126_020154597 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260126_020149845 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260126_022323110 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

Walking between the cars was totally out in the open

PXL_20260126_025554924 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260126_025557074 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260126_025549114.MP by Norcalkid, on Flickr
 
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Stopped for lunch then on to train #2

PXL_20260126_040804012 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260126_041650840 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

A park near my hotel.

PXL_20260126_094628820 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260126_094335211 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

Awesome Taco Salad in BKK
PXL_20260126_103040396 by Norcalkid, on Flickr


Just rode back to Pattaya this morning. It's like 135km each way in shitty traffic. I almost never ride toward Bangkok and that's why I don't really head down south. It's just highway riding Pattaya-Bangkok-Hue Hin (There is a really nice toll highway you can take but bikes aren't allowed on it). It's not fun riding like heading in the direction of Cambodia.
 
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Got a Thai visa today. I don't know if I mentioned this but I had a problem with immigration entering the country. They are now only allowing 2 visa free entries a year and closely scrutinizing frequent visitors. I thought I was fine as there is no mention of this on the Thai embassy website in the US, it still says I don't need a visa. But I got a warning I won't be allowed in again without a visa. She was nice and didn't threaten to not let me in or anything just told me about the new policy and told me to get a visa next time. So ya, had to pay $200 for a 6 month multi entry visa which will get me through my next 3 trips. I looked at my passport, 17 entry stamps into Thailand since getting this passport during the COVID shutdown, no idea how many more in my last 2 passports.

Took the VStrom out today. After a month on nothing but Honda's my first thought on the Wee was man Suzuki can make a transmission, buttery smooth. That and everybody probably thinks I'm a dick after accidently hitting the horn multiple times.

Feb_5_2026_3_07_56 by Norcalkid, on Flickr
 
Agreed on the smooth Zook gearbox.....but I might be a little biased.
 
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First day back I headed over to RE. They have a demo fleet and I hadn't tried the Interceptor 650 yet. They didn't have one available but they did have a scrambler available with the same motor. I really liked the bike.

PXL_20260305_021452150.MP by Norcalkid, on Flickr

After the test ride I hit a coffee shop and ended up sending a msg to a guy that had a used Interceptor available(I had actually seen this bike for sale before leaving the US but hadn't rode the 650 yet). Bike was about an hour away. It wasn't in great shape, not terrible but not really a bike I want to own. It wasn't too far from the Bikers Cafe and one of my usual routes. Took the highway there but nice roads back.

The chrome on the pipes was fairly pitted up and less so on the forks and there was silicone around the front break fluid reservoir???

PXL_20260305_042523653 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260305_051913258 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

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PXL_20260305_060157884 by Norcalkid, on Flickr





The Royal Enfield bikes are kinda all over the place for me. I liked the Classic 350 and the 650's. But didn't like the Himalayan 411 or the new 450 that everybody seems to love. I also didn't like the Bear 450.
 
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Not sure if ya'll know this or not but the Boot Barn will stretch boots for free. I bought an open box buy on some vented boots that ended up being too tight/narrow, left them at the Boot Barn on the stretcher over night and they fit great now. (though the insoles friggin suck) Their OK but honestly I'm not overly impressed by the Alpinestars quality. Nothing like my Forma boots.

PXL_20260305_071338496 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20260305_050213705 by Norcalkid, on Flickr
 
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